Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Cost After Pregnancy in Newcastle NSW
There are 2 versions of a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after pregnancy, and the cost depends on which one you have. Where diastasis recti repair is performed and you meet the criteria for Medicare item 30175, the operation carries a Medicare rebate, your health fund may contribute, and no GST applies. Where there is no diastasis recti repair, or the criteria are not met, the operation is cosmetic. No Medicare or health fund contribution applies and 10% GST is added.
My surgical fee starts at $12,990 for the least complex cases. That is my fee only. The anaesthetist and Maitland Private Hospital bill separately and set their own charges. The least complex case means a normal BMI, removal of excess skin with ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction) as part of the same operation, no hernia repair, no additional procedures, a 4 hour operation and 1 night in hospital.
Where item 30175 applies, the approximate total is around $14,500 out of pocket with private hospital cover, or around $26,000 without cover. For the cosmetic version, my fee is $14,289 including GST and the approximate total is around $30,500 including GST. A written quote follows consultation.
I am Dr Bernard Beldholm M.B.B.S B.Sc(Med) FRACS, Specialist Surgeon. I operate at Maitland Private Hospital and see patients from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and regional NSW.
This page covers the cost of abdominoplasty after pregnancy. Abdominoplasty after significant weight loss is covered on a separate page.
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What my fee includes
A second consultation at no cost
Including review of your pre-operative blood results. This can be done remotely.
All follow-up
The first 2 weeks after surgery are intensive, with reviews at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after that.
Your compression garment
What makes up your total cost
My surgical fee
This covers the skin removal, ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction) as part of the same operation, and diastasis recti repair where it is performed.
The anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately and based on the length of the operation. The anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases.
Hospital and theatre fees at Maitland Private Hospital
These cover the theatre time and your overnight stay.
Drains
Most full abdominoplasties after pregnancy are done without drains. Drains are used only where there is a significant amount of loose skin, and they add to the hospital charge when they are.
Anything that changes the operation
Hernia repair, a longer operation than 4 hours, a second night in hospital, or additional procedures move the fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital fees together.
Medicare and health funds
Medicare item 30175 covers abdominoplasty with diastasis recti repair after pregnancy. Whether you meet the criteria is assessed at consultation, not self-assessed, and it needs a GP referral and imaging before I can confirm it. Where the item applies, Medicare pays a rebate on my fee and on the anaesthetist’s fee, and your health fund contributes to the hospital and theatre fees depending on your policy and excess. Items 30177 and 30166 are for abdominoplasty after significant weight loss and do not apply after pregnancy unless you also meet the weight loss criteria.
Where no item applies, the operation is cosmetic. There is no Medicare rebate and no health fund contribution, 10% GST is added to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees, and the hospital charges a higher rate for cosmetic theatre time.
Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full cost guide.
The criteria for item 30175, health fund tiers and worked examples are covered in my post pregnancy abdominoplasty cost guide.
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Your next step
A GP referral is required before a consultation. Consultations are held at my rooms in Maitland, and telehealth is available for patients in regional NSW. After the consultation you receive a written quote for the operation that suits you, including which version applies.