Tummy Tuck in Sydney

June 12, 2019

A great surgical option to tidy the abdominal region after significant weight loss is a tummy tuck. Read on for more information about Medicare & private health cover, as well as some frequently asked questions about having a tummy tuck in Sydney.

Is a tummy tuck in Sydney covered by Medicare?

Unfortunately Medicare changed the item number for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck abdominoplasty) and this is now only available for patients who have lost a lot of weight (BMI drop greater than 5 points), and can demonstrate they have trouble with daily activity, have skin breakdown/rashes or other skin compromise due to their excess skin and fat, AND that this has not resolved after 3 months of non surgical treatments.

In some patients, there may be a hernia of the abdominal wall and they may also qualify for a Medicare item number.

The advantage of a Medicare item number is that, with the appropriate level of health insurance, the health funds will pay the hospital and theatre fees associated with the procedure, no GST is applicable on the medical costs, and a small rebate is offered for surgical, assistant and anaesthesia fees. This reduces the out of pocket cost to around $8000-10000.

Tummy tuck surgery is not available in a public hospital.

Is a tummy tuck covered by health insurance?

Health insurance only covers some of the costs of a tummy tuck if a Medicare item number applies to your procedure.

Unfortunately Medicare changed the item number for abdominoplasty and this is now only available for patients who have lost a lot of weight (BMI drop greater than 5 points), and can demonstrate they have trouble with daily activity, have skin breakdown/rashes or other skin compromise due to their excess skin and fat, AND that this has not resolved after 3 months of non surgical treatments such as diet and exercise. The surgery then removes excess skin in the abdominal area.

Please note, in some patients, there may be a hernia of the abdominal wall and they may also qualify for a Medicare item number.

Without a Medicare item number, the operation is regarded as a cosmetic procedure meaning that all costs (surgical fees, assistant fee, anaesthesia fee, hospital and theatre fee) are payable, and there are no rebates from Medicare or Health Funds.

The advantage of a Medicare item number is that, with the appropriate level of health insurance, the health funds will pay the hospital and theatre fees associated with the procedure, no GST is applicable on the medical costs, and a small rebate is offered for surgical, assistant and anaesthesia fees. This reduces the out of pocket cost to around $8000-10000.

Can I have a tummy tuck after c section?

Absolutely! It is possible to have a tummy tuck after a C section.

Many of our female patients who have completed their families have had C sections. This means during surgery there may be scarring under the skin, but this does not prevent removal of the skin and fat, nor the repair of the underlying muscles.

In fact, these are some of our happiest patients as we can keep the scar of the tummy tuck low, and replace the old C section scar.

Does a tummy tuck hurt?

In general, pain is very controllable. All our patients wake up from surgery very comfortably. They have pain pumps slowly infusing local anaesthetic in the tummy, and we usually place blocks of nerves during the surgery. In addition, the anaesthetist will chart lots of pain relief so most patients are very comfortable when they wake up from surgery and in the days after surgery.

The pain from tummy tuck comes from the muscle repair under the skin. We ask patients not to engage their core muscles by lifting anything or doing any twisting motions. If you do inadvertently do this, the pain may increase which will remind you to take it easy.

How close to goal weight for a tummy tuck?

The best patients for a tummy tuck are those with a BMI of less than 30 (BMI is calculated as weight divided by (height squared).

In general, you should reduce your weight as much as possible before a tummy tuck, and aim to maintain a stable weight for at least 3-6 months before surgery.

How long do the scars take to fade?

It takes around 3 to 6 months for the scars to fade. We will guide you with the process of scar management to help fast track the rate at which the scars flatten and become less pink over time. We also institute and recommend healite therapy in the early postoperative period to help reduce inflammation and swelling.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure takes around 3 hours in plastic surgery. Sometimes it can be 4 hours if it involves liposuction and repair of hernias.

We see patients in our rooms a week out from surgery, and again at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and then depending on how your progress is going. We will always see people at 3, 6 and 12 months to see long term results.

You are asked to not drive for 4 weeks (to avoid twisting motions of the tummy area to check blind spots or rear seat passengers such as kids), not lift anything heavy for 8 weeks and to wear the binder for 8 weeks, and resume gym at 3 months post surgery. Choosing when to return to work varies depending on the nature of your profession.

If you have more questions about a tummy tuck in Sydney, get in touch with the team here at Mode Plastic Surgery.

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