Limited Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck) Cost After Pregnancy in Newcastle NSW
I perform 2 different versions of limited abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck) after pregnancy, and the cost depends on which one applies to you. The first is a skin only operation. It suits women with a small fold of loose skin in the lower abdomen, often sitting over a caesarean scar. The skin is removed and the lower abdomen tightened, with no suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction), no muscle repair and no hernia repair. It takes about 1 hour as a day stay. The second combines ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction) of the abdomen with removal of the lower abdominal skin. It takes about 2.5 hours, also as a day stay.
Both versions are cosmetic operations. No Medicare item number applies, so there is no Medicare or health fund contribution, and 10% GST applies to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees.
My surgical fee for the skin only operation starts at $5,489 including GST, in a patient with a normal BMI and no additional procedures. The anaesthetist and Maitland Private Hospital bill separately and set their own charges, so the approximate total is around $12,000 including GST. For the version with ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction), my surgical fee starts at $8,789 including GST and the approximate total is around $19,500 including GST. You receive an individual written quote after your consultation.
I am Dr Bernard Beldholm M.B.B.S B.Sc(Med) FRACS, Specialist Surgeon. I operate at Maitland Private Hospital in the Hunter Valley and see patients from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and regional NSW.
This page covers the cost of limited abdominoplasty after pregnancy. The cost of a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after pregnancy is covered on a separate page.
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What my fee includes
A second consultation at no cost before surgery
Including review of your blood results. This can be done remotely if you live outside the Hunter.
All follow-up after surgery
The first 2 weeks involve close review as the wound settles, then I see you at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.
Your compression garment
Worn full-time for the first 4 weeks including sleep, then during the day only for a further 2 weeks.
LED light therapy sessions during your recovery
The follow-up schedule is the same for both versions of the operation.
What makes up your total cost
Your total is made up of 3 separate bills, plus anything that changes the scope of the operation:
My surgical fee
Set by which version of the operation you are having. Skin only removal of lower abdominal skin is the lower fee. Ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction) with skin removal is the higher fee because it takes around 2.5 hours rather than 1.
The anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately by the anaesthetist. The pre-operative anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases. The fee is based on operating time, so it is higher for the longer operation.
Maitland Private Hospital fees
Theatre time and a day stay. Both versions are done as day surgery, so there is no overnight charge. Because no Medicare item number applies, the hospital charges its cosmetic rate for theatre time, which is higher than the rate for operations with an item number.
No drains
Neither version uses drains.
Adjuncts that change the quote
Muscle repair and hernia repair are not part of a limited abdominoplasty. If assessment shows muscle separation (diastasis recti) that needs repair, the operation becomes a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), which is a different operation with a different cost and a possible Medicare position. This is covered on the full abdominoplasty after pregnancy cost page.
Medicare and health funds
Both versions of limited abdominoplasty are cosmetic. The post pregnancy abdominoplasty item number, 30175, covers full abdominoplasty with muscle repair; a limited abdominoplasty does not meet its requirements. There is no Medicare rebate and no health fund contribution, and 10% GST applies to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees.
Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full cost guide. For a detailed breakdown of abdominoplasty costs after pregnancy, including item number criteria and health fund tiers, read how much a post pregnancy abdominoplasty costs in Australia.
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Your next step
A GP referral is required before your consultation. At the consultation I examine your abdomen, confirm which version of the operation applies to you, and you receive a written quote covering my fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital fees.
Consultations are held at my rooms in Maitland. Telehealth is available for patients in regional NSW for the first consultation, with the examination completed in person before surgery.