Arm lift in Wollongong.

Procedure guide

What is arm lift (brachioplasty)?

Brachioplasty removes excess skin and subcutaneous fat from the upper arms, producing a contoured arm at the cost of a long inner-arm scar. It is one of several body-contouring procedures performed after major weight loss; many patients combine it with abdominoplasty, thigh lift or breast surgery in staged operations. Energy-based skin-tightening devices have been heavily marketed as alternatives but rarely produce comparable results in patients with established skin laxity.

How arm lift (brachioplasty) works

Performed under general anaesthetic over 1.5–3 hours. An incision is made along the inner upper arm from axilla to elbow (the length depends on the extent of excess). Excess skin and fat are removed; the underlying soft-tissue support (fascia of Scarpa, deep fascia) is reapproximated. Liposuction may be added to refine contour. Drains are sometimes used. Compression garments are worn for 4–6 weeks.

Who is arm lift (brachioplasty) for?

Patients with significant skin laxity of the upper arms, stable weight, no active smoking, and realistic expectations about scarring. Patients who have lost large amounts of weight (post-bariatric or otherwise) are the most common candidates and often qualify for the Medicare item.

Wollongong context

Arm lift in Wollongong: market context

Wollongong is a smaller but well-established cosmetic and plastic surgery market that serves the Illawarra and South Coast regions of NSW. Several Sydney-based FRACS plastic surgeons run regular consultation rooms in Wollongong, and there is a stable group of locally-based cosmetic and non-surgical clinics. The market is conservative compared to Sydney — fewer high-volume cosmetic-only operators, more practices that combine reconstructive and aesthetic work — and consultation availability is generally good. For Illawarra and South Coast patients, Wollongong often offers a faster path to consultation than travelling to Sydney.

Where surgery is performed in Wollongong

Common surgical venues for cosmetic and plastic surgery in Wollongong include Wollongong Private Hospital (Coniston) and Figtree Private Hospital. Several plastic surgery practices also use ACHS-accredited day-surgery suites in the CBD and Figtree. Wollongong Hospital (public) provides tertiary backup and is the regional referral centre for the South Coast.

Travel and access

Wollongong attracts patients from the Illawarra, the South Coast, the Southern Highlands, and parts of the ACT. Sydney patients occasionally travel south for specific surgeons or for cost reasons. The drive from Sydney is 90 minutes via the M1; the Princes Highway takes longer but is often more comfortable post-operatively. Pricing for surgical work is typically slightly lower than Sydney; non-surgical pricing is comparable.

Practical notes for recovery in Wollongong

Wollongong is reached from Sydney by car (90 minutes), train (about 2 hours via the South Coast line), or a private shuttle. The CBD, Coniston and Figtree are walkable or easily reached by local bus services; outer Illawarra practices are best by car. On-site parking is widely available. The temperate coastal climate is generally favourable for surgical recovery year-round.

Cost factors

What drives the cost of arm lift (brachioplasty)

Typical Australian cost is $9,000–$16,000. Medicare-pathway brachioplasty after major weight loss reduces out-of-pocket cost when criteria are met. Quotes should be itemised: surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, garments, drain removal.

Recovery + practitioner

Recovery and downtime

Hospital stay typically 1 night. Compression sleeves 24/7 for 4–6 weeks. Most patients return to desk work after 2–3 weeks. Strenuous arm activity restricted for 6 weeks. Final scar maturation 12–18 months.

Choosing a surgeon in Wollongong

Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) registered with AHPRA. Ask about post-massive-weight-loss volume and whether the surgeon participates in multi-stage body-contouring pathways. Ask to see un-retouched scar photos at 6+ months post-op.

Before you book

• Investigate Medicare item 30172 eligibility if you've had major weight loss
• Maintain stable weight for at least 6 months before surgery
• Stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery
• Confirm AHPRA specialist registration
• Get a written, itemised quote
• Discuss the trade-off between contour gain and scar length explicitly

Red flags

• Promotion of mini-brachioplasty for patients with full-length skin redundancy (predictably under-performs)
• Energy-based 'non-surgical brachioplasty' marketing claims that exceed evidence
• Practitioners using 'cosmetic surgeon' without FRACS registration
• Quotes that don't itemise hospital and anaesthetist fees
• Surgery offered in unaccredited rooms