Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Cost After Weight Loss in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
The total cost of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after significant weight loss with me starts from $12,500 out of pocket if you have eligible private hospital cover and meet the Medicare criteria, and from $24,000 if you are uninsured. Both figures cover my surgical fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, hospital and theatre fees at Maitland Private Hospital including a 1 night stay, your compression garment and all follow-up. Within that total, my surgical fee starts from $10,990 for a full abdominoplasty and from $12,990 for an extended abdominoplasty.
These starting figures describe the least complex case only:
- a patient with a normal BMI
- removal of loose skin and the fat attached to it, with no other findings to treat
- no liposuction
- no muscle repair and no hernia repair
- no other procedure at the same time
- 1 night in hospital
If your situation differs on any of these points, your quote will be higher. Your individual quote follows consultation.
A higher BMI raises the quote because the operation takes longer and the complication rate is higher, which changes how I plan it. Which Medicare item number applies also changes what you pay out of pocket. I go through the pricing in detail, with worked examples, in my full cost guide.
I am a FRACS Specialist Surgeon and I operate at Maitland Private Hospital in the Hunter Valley. My patients come from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and across regional NSW.
This page covers costs after significant weight loss. If you are considering abdominoplasty after pregnancy, the costs are covered separately in my post pregnancy abdominoplasty cost guide.
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What my surgical fee includes
A second consultation at no charge
This is where I go through your blood results with you and finalise the plan. It can be done remotely if you are travelling from outside the Hunter.
Follow-up for 12 months
I see you closely through the first 2 weeks after surgery, then review you at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. None of these visits carry a separate fee.
Your compression garment
Fitted before you leave hospital.
What makes up your total cost
My surgical fee
Set by the operation planned: full or extended abdominoplasty, and whether muscle repair, hernia repair or VASER liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) are part of it.
The anaesthetist’s fee
Billed separately and based on operating time. Your anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases, with the physical assessment on the day of surgery.
Hospital and theatre fees at Maitland Private Hospital
Based on theatre time and length of stay. Most patients stay 1 to 3 nights after abdominoplasty following significant weight loss. In these cases 2 closed suction drains are usual, managed during your admission and follow-up.
The starting totals of $12,500 with eligible private hospital cover and $24,000 uninsured cover all 3 components for a 1 night stay, plus your garment and 12 months of follow-up. A longer stay adds to the hospital fee. With cover, the hospital fee is largely met by your fund and the rebate reduces the surgical and anaesthetic gaps. Without cover, all 3 components are paid in full.
Medicare and health funds
After significant weight loss, Medicare item 30177, 30176 or 30166 may apply depending on the operation planned. Whether you meet the criteria is assessed at consultation, and I cannot confirm eligibility before then. How much your health fund contributes depends on your policy. Revision surgery, if ever needed, is charged depending on your insurance position; this is covered in the full cost guide.
For the item number criteria, health fund tiers and worked examples, read my full guide: How Much Does Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Surgery Cost After Weight Loss?
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Your next step
You need a GP referral before your consultation. I consult at Maitland, and telehealth is available for the first consultation if you are travelling from outside the Hunter. You leave the consultation with a written quote for your operation.
Cost and Medicare
Liposuction of the abdomen performed for cosmetic reasons has no Medicare item number, is not covered by private health insurance hospital cover, and GST applies to the fees. You receive a written quote itemising all fees before you make any decision, and I break down what makes up the total in my liposuction cost guide.
Your steps to surgery
1. GP referral
A referral from your GP is required before your first consultation for any cosmetic surgery.
2. Consultation
We spend approximately one hour reviewing your presentation, your health and whether VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the abdomen is the right operation for you. A second consultation is included at no cost.
3. Written quote
You receive a written quote itemising all fees before you make any decision.
4. Prepare for surgery
You complete pre-operative preparation, including any required blood tests, and your anaesthetic consultation, which is usually done by phone.
5. Surgery at Maitland Private Hospital
Your procedure is performed as day surgery, and you go home the same day after a post-operative check.
Recover with structured follow-up
Intensive reviews through the first two weeks, then at four weeks, three months, six months and twelve months, all included in the fee.