Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Cost in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
My surgical fee for a standard brachioplasty (arm lift) after significant weight loss starts at $9,990. That figure is for the least complex cases: loose skin as the main problem, an incision from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow, no liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy), and surgery completed as a day procedure. The anaesthetist and Maitland Private Hospital bill separately, so the total cost is higher than the surgical fee alone. On my current estimates, the total for an uninsured patient comes to around $20,000, and the out of pocket cost for a patient with Medicare eligibility and private health cover comes to around $11,500. Your individual quote follows consultation.
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.
This page covers brachioplasty after significant weight loss, whether that weight loss came through surgery, medication or lifestyle change.
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What my fee includes
A second consultation at no cost before surgery
I review your pre-operative blood results at this appointment, and it can be done remotely if you live outside the Hunter.
All follow-up after surgery
Close review for the first 2 weeks, then appointments at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, none charged separately.
Your compression garment and Comfeel dressings
LED light therapy
In the first 2 weeks after surgery.
What makes up your total cost
4 charges make up the total for a brachioplasty (arm lift):
My surgical fee
The main driver is the extent of skin removal. A standard brachioplasty from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow sits at the starting figure. An extended brachioplasty, where the incision continues into the axilla to remove skin folding there, is a longer operation with a higher fee.
The anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately and based on operating time, so a longer operation raises it. The anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases.
Maitland Private Hospital fees
Theatre time and admission. A standard brachioplasty for loose skin can be done as a day procedure; a longer or combined operation may need 1 night. Uninsured patients are also charged for theatre disposables.
VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy)
Where there is fat as well as loose skin, I may plan liposuction alongside the skin excision. This adds operating time and raises all 3 charges above. The starting figure assumes no liposuction.
Brachioplasty typically needs no drains, so there is no drain-related cost.
Loose skin on the side of the chest below the armpit is a separate problem. I treat it with a bra line lipectomy, quoted as its own procedure, rather than by extending the arm incision. See the bra line lipectomy cost page.
Medicare and health funds
Medicare item 30169 may apply to brachioplasty after significant weight loss. Whether you meet the criteria is assessed at consultation, not before. If the item applies and you hold private health cover, your fund may contribute to the hospital and anaesthetist charges, depending on your policy and excess. Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full cost guide.
For the item criteria, health fund tiers and worked examples, read the arm and upper body surgery cost after weight loss article, brachioplasty section.
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Your next step
You need a GP referral before your first consultation. Consultations are held at my rooms in Lorn, Maitland. If you live in regional NSW, the first consultation can be done by telehealth.