Fat Grafting at Implant Removal and Replacement (Implant Exchange) Cost in Newcastle NSW
Fat grafting (autologous fat transfer) at the time of implant removal and replacement (implant exchange) combines 2 steps in one operation. The existing implants are removed and new implants are placed. In the same operation, fat is harvested by VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy), filtered and prepared, and grafted around the new implants. The cost is driven by operating time: the exchange itself, plus the harvest and grafting on top.
This page covers the single stage operation only. It is a cosmetic operation. No Medicare item number applies, no health fund contribution applies, and 10% GST is added to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees.
As an example, take a patient with a normal BMI who has her implants removed and replaced without any capsule work, with fat harvested from the abdomen as the single donor site and grafted around the new implants, as a day stay with no drains and no additional procedures. That operation takes around 3 hours. My surgical fee for this case starts at $10,450 including GST. That is my fee only. It covers the single-use fat processing canister and your post-operative garments. The anaesthetist and Maitland Private Hospital bill separately and set their own charges, so the total comes to approximately $24,000 including GST, plus the cost of the new implants, which are billed as a separate item. Capsule work, a donor site other than the abdomen, or a second donor site change the quote. You receive an individual written quote after your consultation.
I am Dr Bernard Beldholm, Specialist Surgeon, operating at Maitland Private Hospital in the Hunter Valley. I see patients from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and regional NSW.
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What my fee includes
My surgical fee covers the operation itself and the care around it:
Your second consultation at no cost
Including review of your blood results. This can be done remotely if you live some distance from Maitland.
The single-use canister
Used to filter and prepare the harvested fat.
Your post-operative garments
A surgical bra and a compression garment for the donor site. Both are worn full time for 4 weeks, then during the day only for a further 2 weeks.
Healite II LED light therapy
The first 2 weeks after surgery, with nurse and surgeon reviews and Healite II LED light therapy sessions at my rooms. The donor site is checked at each visit alongside the breasts.
Milestone reviews
At 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.
The new implants are not part of my fee. They are billed as a separate item. The grafting is completed in the one operation. If a second grafting session is planned later, that is a separate operation with its own quote.
What makes up your total cost
My surgical fee
Covers removal of the existing implants, placement of the new implants, the VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) harvest from the donor site, preparation of the fat, the grafting, and the follow-up listed above.
Anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately. The anaesthetist charges on operating time, so the harvest and grafting time is part of this fee. The anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases.
Hospital and theatre fees at Maitland Private Hospital
Theatre time for the combined operation and the day stay. Billed by the hospital. The hospital charges a higher rate for cosmetic theatre time.
New breast implants
A separate item on the hospital account. Implant shape (round or anatomical) and brand change this component. Implants are not lifetime devices, and any future surgery on them carries its own cost.
No drains
For the least complex case.
Adjuncts that change the quote:
- Capsule work. Removal of part or all of the capsule around the existing implants, or forming a new implant pocket, adds operating time and moves the fee. Where the capsule work meets Medicare criteria, the position changes; see below.
- A donor site other than the abdomen, or a second donor site. More harvest time in theatre.
- Breast lift (mastopexy) added to the exchange. Quoted separately.
Medicare and health funds
Fat grafting at implant exchange, as described on this page, is a cosmetic operation. No Medicare item number applies and no health fund contribution applies. 10% GST is added to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees, and the hospital charges a higher rate for cosmetic theatre time.
Where implants are being exchanged because of a complication, item 45553 may apply to the exchange part of the operation. Eligibility is assessed at consultation. The fat grafting part remains cosmetic in every case and is charged with GST. Any health fund contribution towards the exchange depends on your policy.
Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full breast surgery cost guide.
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Your next step
A GP referral is required before your consultation. Consultations are held at my rooms in Lorn, Maitland. If you live in regional NSW, your first consultation can be by telehealth. I examine you in person before surgery, including the breasts, the existing implants and the donor site. After consultation you receive your individual written quote.