Women Turn to Plastic Surgery to Get Michelle Obama Arms

Ever since Michelle Obama moved into the White House and assumed the duties of First Lady four years ago, everyone’s taken notice of her toned arms. In fact, women across the United States have been spending extra to achieve similar results via plastic surgery.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released new data indicating that women are going to great lengths to get those arms.

In 2012 alone, 15,457 women and men (98% women) went under the knife for brachioplasty—a liposuction procedure that removes excess skin from the back of the arm—spending a total of $61 million. The surgery does have its downside—it can often leave visible scars.

The number of people undergoing the procedure is up 4,387% since 2000.

Although doctors greatly suggest diet and exercise to achieve toned arms, they are aware that not everyone can achieve the same results due to genetics. “We are genetically programmed to have accumulations of fat in different areas, and for some women the arms can be a problem area,” said surgeon Dr. David Reath, chair of the ASPS Public Education Committee.

Overall, women and men are spending hard and fast to achieve their desired looks from head to toe. Some 1.6 million cosmetic procedures, such as face-lifts and liposuction, were performed in 2012. Thirteen million minimally invasive procedures like Botox injections were performed last year and 5.6 million reconstructive surgeries—which includes removing tumors and more—took place in 2012. All the aforementioned procedures collectively cost $11 billion.

Would you be willing to pay for Michelle Obama’s arms?