Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift) Cost in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
My surgical fee for a belt lipectomy (body lift) after significant weight loss starts from $21,990 for the least complex cases. That figure is my fee only. The anaesthetist and Maitland Private Hospital bill separately, and for a 6 hour operation with 3 nights in hospital the combined total is usually around $24,500 out of pocket for patients with private health cover where a Medicare item number applies, or around $43,500 without cover. Your individual quote follows consultation once I have examined you and planned the operation.
I am a FRACS Specialist Surgeon and I operate at Maitland Private Hospital in the Hunter Valley. Patients come to me from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and regional NSW. Some patients search for this as a 360 tummy tuck abdominoplasty. It is the same operation: a belt lipectomy (body lift) removes loose skin around the full circumference of the lower torso in 1 operation.
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What my fee includes
My surgical fee covers more than the time in theatre. It includes:
Your second consultation at no cost
This is where I review your blood results and finalise the plan, and it can be done remotely if you live outside the Hunter.
All follow-up
This is a major operation, and the first 2 weeks after surgery involve close review. After that I see you at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. None of these visits are billed separately.
Your compression garment
worn full-time for 4 weeks and then during the day for a further 2 weeks.
There are no extra charges from my rooms for dressings changes or wound checks during recovery.
What makes up your total cost
My surgical fee
The from-price above applies to the least complex cases: normal BMI, no liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) and no muscle repair.
The anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately. Your anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases. The operation takes 6 hours in its least complex form, so the anaesthetic fee is higher than for shorter body contouring procedures.
Maitland Private Hospital theatre and accommodation fees
3 nights is usual for this operation.
2 closed suction drains, exiting at the hips
These are included in the hospital charge.
Adjuncts that change the quote
Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) of the flanks or thighs, muscle repair, or a longer operation for a higher BMI all add theatre time and move the fee, the anaesthetic fee and the hospital charge together.
Medicare and health funds
Medicare item number 30179 may apply to belt lipectomy (body lift) after significant weight loss. Whether you meet the criteria is assessed at consultation, not before. If an item number applies and you hold private hospital cover, your fund contributes to the hospital and anaesthetic costs and pays a rebate on part of my fee. How much depends on your policy and its excess.
Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full cost guide.
For the item number criteria, how the Medicare and fund rebates work, and worked examples, read my full guide: How Much Does a Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift) Cost? Medicare Item 30179 Explained.
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Your next step
You need a GP referral before I can see you. Consultations are held at my rooms in Maitland and take about 1 hour. If you live further out in regional NSW, the first consultation can be done by telehealth, with the physical examination at your second visit before surgery is booked.