Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Cost in Sydney

The cost of a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is highly individualised and depends on factors such as body size, surgery complexity and the time required in theatre. Your out-of-pocket cost may also depend on whether you qualify for a Medicare rebate and have appropriate Private Health Insurance cover.

This article explains the factors that influence the cost of an Abdominoplasty, the fees involved and when Medicare and Private Health Insurance may contribute towards eligible expenses.

Factors That Affect Your Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery

Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation with Dr Eddy Dona lets you discuss your objectives and concerns and determine whether an Abdominoplasty may be appropriate for you. After thoroughly assessing you, and if Dr Dona thinks surgery is appropriate, he will tailor a surgical plan and discuss it in detail.

After your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed quote outlining the expected costs for your proposed procedure.

Variations in Abdominoplasty Procedures

There are various types of Abdominoplasties to meet people’s varying needs. The more complicated and lengthier the procedure, the more it will cost.

While each surgery is tailored to the individual, the types of Abdominoplasties are categorised as follows:

• Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): This procedure removes a small amount of excess skin from the lower abdomen through a short horizontal incision below the bikini line. It is generally suited to people with minimal excess skin and fat below the belly button.
• Standard Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): This procedure addresses excess skin and fatty tissue, stretch marks, weakened or separated abdominal muscles and, where required, hernias. It leaves a horizontal scar from hip to hip below the bikini line, along with an incision around the navel.
• Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): This procedure is designed for significant excess skin – both vertical excess and horizontal excess, especially along the lower abdominal wall. In addition to the standard tummy tuck incision, a vertical incision allows excess skin to be pulled in from the lower flanks.
• Open Book Tummy Tuck™ (Abdominoplasty): Developed by Dr Dona, this procedure is designed for patients with extensive abdominal skin excess following significant weight loss. In addition to the horizontal and vertical incisions associated with a Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck, the Open Book Tummy Tuck™ includes an incision extending along the folds beneath the breasts. This allows additional excess skin to be removed from the upper abdominal wall, which cannot be adequately addressed by conventional techniques. The procedure addresses excess skin in multiple directions across both the upper and lower abdomen and can provide more extensive abdominal and waistline tightening in appropriately selected patients.
• 360 Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) (Belt Lipectomy): This procedure is designed for patients with significant excess skin extending around the entire lower torso following substantial weight loss. It involves a circumferential incision extending around the waistline, allowing excess skin and tissue to be removed from the abdomen, flanks and lower back. The procedure combines a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) with removal of excess tissue from the lower back and can also address associated skin laxity of the outer thighs and buttocks.

Dr Dona’s Fee

Dr Dona’s fee covers the surgical component of your procedure, with the amount charged depending partly on the type and complexity of your Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery. Surgeons’ fees can vary considerably depending on factors such as their specialist qualifications, experience and areas of expertise.

Dr Dona has been a specialist plastic surgeon for over 20 years, with his practice now primarily focused on breast and Body Contouring Surgery, particularly complex Abdominoplasty procedures following pregnancy and significant weight loss.

Throughout his career, Dr Dona has developed and refined a number of surgical techniques, including his Open Book Tummy Tuck™ (Abdominoplasty), and has published his work in internationally peer-reviewed plastic surgery journals.

Reflecting his extensive surgical experience, specialised practice and the complexity of the procedures he routinely performs, Dr Dona’s surgical fees are generally at the higher end of the range charged for Abdominoplasty surgery.

All routine postoperative follow-up appointments with Dr Dona are included in his surgical fee.

Anaesthetist’s Fee

You’ll have a specialist anaesthetist to administer your general anaesthesia for the surgery, monitor you throughout the procedure and provide you with pain medication after the procedure. Anaesthetist pricing can vary depending on how long your surgery takes.

Theatre Fee

These fees cover the operating room where your surgery takes place and are determined by the time spent in the room. The operating room fee covers nursing staff, surgical instruments, equipment and sterilisation.

Hospital Fee

Your Abdominoplasty will be performed in a private hospital, which means part of your out-of-pocket costs for your surgery will include private hospital and theatre fees. Most patients who have an Abdominoplasty stay about two nights in hospital, while others may choose to stay a little longer.

Additional Fees

Your procedure may involve other expenses, such as prescription medications, compression garments and medical tests.

Can I Get A Medicare Rebate For My Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

While Medicare does not provide a rebate for Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery performed purely for cosmetic reasons, a Medicare rebate may be available when Abdominoplasty is performed to address certain medical or functional problems, and the procedure meets the relevant Medicare requirements.

The Abdominoplasty procedure must fall into one of two categories. One category is for individuals requiring abdominal muscle repair after pregnancy, and the other is for individuals who have lost a lot of weight and typically experience problems due to excess skin.

If you meet the Medicare criteria, Dr Dona can assess your individual circumstances during your consultation and advise whether a Medicare item number may apply. Even when you are eligible, Medicare will generally cover only part of the associated medical fees, so out-of-pocket costs will usually remain.

Your Private Health Insurance may also contribute towards eligible hospital and medical costs if you have the appropriate level of cover and meet the policy terms. Check with your health fund before proceeding to understand what your policy covers.