Liposuction (Suction Assisted Lipectomy) of the Arms Cost in Newcastle NSW
VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of both upper arms at Maitland Private Hospital costs around $15,500 in total. That total is made up of three separate fees, each paid to a different provider:
- My surgical fee: $6,050 including GST. This covers the operation itself, your compression garment and every follow-up appointment through the first twelve months.
- Specialist anaesthetist fee: approximately $2,200 including GST. Billed by the anaesthetist for a two hour general anaesthetic.
- Maitland Private Hospital fee: approximately $7,250 including GST. Billed by the hospital for the theatre, day stay bed and surgical consumables.
These are worked figures for a two hour operation on both arms, not a fixed price. Your written quote itemises each fee for the plan we agree at consultation. For what the operation involves and who it suits, read my page on VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the arms.
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What each fee includes
My surgical fee
Covers your initial consultation of around an hour, a second consultation at no cost to review your blood results and finalise the plan, the operation on both upper arms, your compression sleeves, and a structured follow-up schedule: intensive reviews through the first two weeks, then appointments at four weeks, three months, six months and twelve months. The sleeves are worn full time for four weeks, then half time for a further two weeks, and there is no separate charge for any of the reviews.
The anaesthetist fee
Covers your pre-operative anaesthetic consultation, usually by phone, and the general anaesthetic on the day. Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) of the arms is performed under general anaesthetic at Maitland Private Hospital, with a specialist anaesthetist present for the whole operation.
The hospital fee
Covers theatre time, the recovery and day stay bed, surgical consumables and nursing care until you are discharged home the same day.
What is not included
The figures above cover one operation on both upper arms and the follow-up that goes with it. A few costs sit outside them:
Revision surgery
Where a contour irregularity needs a further procedure and we agree on it at review, the surgical fee for that revision is set by my revision policy, and anaesthetist and hospital fees apply again. I explain how revision is charged in my guide to revision liposuction.
A second session
If your plan involves other areas as well, those are quoted as additional operating time and fee, and larger plans are split across sessions rather than treated in one sitting. Each session carries its own anaesthetist and hospital fees.
Brachioplasty (arm lift)
Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) removes fat, it does not remove loose skin. Where the skin of the arm has poor recoil, the operation that treats the presentation is a brachioplasty (arm lift), which carries its own quote and is not priced on this page.
Lipoedema surgery
Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) of the arms for lipoedema follows a staged, lymph-sparing protocol priced per session, covered on my lipoedema surgery cost page.
Pathology, medications and allied health
Pre-operative blood tests, medications and any physiotherapy or lymphatic drainage you choose after surgery are billed by those providers.
Replacement sleeves
One set of compression sleeves is included. A spare set to alternate while washing is an extra purchase.
What moves the fee up or down
The total is set mainly by operating time, because the anaesthetist and hospital both charge by the hour and my fee reflects the extent of the operation. Two hours is the figure for both upper arms treated as one area group. The main variables are:
Extent of the fatty layer
A fuller arm, or a fatty layer that extends towards the armpit and the side of the chest wall, lengthens the operation, and the fees move with it. I confirm the extent when I examine you.
Additional areas
The flanks or back treated in the same session add operating time, and the fee moves with it. They are quoted as extra time and fee, not as a bundle.
Overnight stay
The base case is a day stay. Where an overnight admission is needed, the hospital fee increases and I tell you before you receive your quote.
Drains
Not used for standalone liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) of the arms, so there is no drain cost in the figures above.
Technique
VASER (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) is my technique for the arms and is what the figures assume. Standard suction assisted lipectomy is quoted at consultation where it is the better fit for your presentation.
Skin quality
Where skin recoil is poor, suction assisted lipectomy does not appear on the quote at all; the plan changes to a brachioplasty (arm lift), as covered above.
For how these variables work across every area I treat, and how to compare quotes from different practices on a like-for-like basis, read my guide to the cost of liposuction.
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Medicare, private health insurance and GST
Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) of the arms performed for cosmetic reasons has no Medicare item number. That has three consequences: there is no Medicare rebate on any of the three fees, your private health fund does not cover the hospital admission because there is no item number for it to claim against, and GST is payable on the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees. All figures on this page include GST.
The position is different for brachioplasty (arm lift). A Medicare item exists for arm lipectomy in specific circumstances after significant weight loss, and where the criteria are met a rebate and private health fund cover may apply to that operation. Whether you meet the criteria is assessed at consultation and is covered with the quote for that operation, not on this page.
Lipoedema is a medical condition, but because no Medicare item exists for lipoedema surgery at present, liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) for lipoedema is classified as cosmetic for funding purposes. No rebate or fund cover applies, and it is priced per session on the lipoedema surgery cost page rather than here.
How you receive your quote
No figure on this page is your quote. Your written quote is prepared after I have examined your arms and we have agreed the plan.
GP referral
A referral is required before a consultation for cosmetic surgery.
Consultation
Around an hour at my Hunter Valley rooms or by telehealth. I examine both arms, assess the fat layer with a pinch test, check how the skin recoils, and confirm whether liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy), a brachioplasty (arm lift), or a combination suits your presentation.
Written quote
You receive a written quote itemising my surgical fee, the anaesthetist fee and the Maitland Private Hospital fee as three separate lines, with GST shown on each. A second consultation is included at no cost to review your blood results and go through the quote.
Deposit and payment
The quote sets out the deposit, the balance due date and the refund position if you decide not to proceed. Anaesthetist and hospital fees are paid to those providers, not to my rooms.