Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery is transformative for many patients, especially for woman who might residual excess abdominal tissue after having children or losing significant amounts of weight.
A common question that patients often ask is how much does a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) cost. The cost of surgery is confusing enough, and the cost of tummy tuck surgery is even more confusing due to changes by Medicare regarding item number 30177, or item number 30175.
What is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?
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A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is designed to help improve the shape and tone of your abdominal area. The procedure involves the removal of excess sagging fat and skin to improve the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports the fat and skin.
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The benefits are more than just cosmetic: an Australian study published in 2018 found that a tummy tuck can improve both lower back pain and urinary incontinence (source).
What makes up the total cost of tummy tuck surgery?
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Taking a step back, we can first look at what makes up the total fee for surgery. Generally speaking, the total cost of surgery can be broken down into three main areas:
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Surgical fee: this includes the actual surgery performed by the surgeon and also the aftercare.
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Anaesthesia fee.
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Hospital fee.
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The exact total cost of surgery will vary depending on many factors, including:
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How much the surgeon, the anaesthetist, and the hospital cost.
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If you have private insurance (and what level of cover you have), and if your fund covers the procedure.
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If the procedure has an item number (meaning that it is partially subsidised by Medicare).
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How much does Dr Colbert’s fee for a tummy tuck?
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An accurate quote can only be provided after a clinical assessment during a consultation, however the surgical cost usually starts from $12000 for a traditional tummy tuck. Extended tummy
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When selecting your tummy tuck surgeon be sure to check their credentials:
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Your surgeon should be a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, with the letters FRACS (Plastic Surgery) after their name.
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Your surgeon should be a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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Your surgeon should be a member of the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
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Will Medicare subsidise my tummy tuck surgery / abdominoplasty?
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From November 2018 the Medicare criteria for item number 30177 has changed. In order to potentially qualify for a Medicare item number 30177 the excess abdominal tissue needs to have occurred after significant amounts of weight loss; the redundant skin has to interfere with your daily life; and the skin folds have to be affected by persistent inflammation or infection that has failed 3 months of treatment.
- From November 2022 there was a new Medicare item number (30175) for tummy tuck surgery involving muscle repair following pregnancy. This new item number is for patients who have a muscle gap (also known as rectus diastasis) of at least 3cm (measured by medical imaging), when the gap causes abdominal wall pain, or lower back pain, or urinary symptoms, and hasn’t responded to physiotherapy.
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It is important to note that the Medicare rebate will only pay for a component of the fee, and won’t cover all the costs required.
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Also, any potential rebates from Medicare can only be requested AFTER Surgery has occurred, and unfortunately there is no guarantee you’ll be approved for a Medicare rebate.
Where can I find out more about tummy tuck surgery in Perth?
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To contact our team to make an appointment with me, please call 6478 9920 or email hello@davidcolbert.com.au. In our consultation I discuss the procedure in detail, the expected outcomes, the costs involved, as well as give answer any questions that you have.
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If your looking for further information then the following pages are reliable sources of good information:
If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
