The commonest barrier to having Plastic surgery is the cost.
There are THREE main expenses associated with each operation:
Plastic surgery for post weight loss changes are onerous for both the surgeon and you as the patient. The costs of surgery outlined below as well as some common procedure combinations.
I have included the relevant information on the Medical item numbers that may apply to these procedures, the cost, anaesthetic costs as well as the rebates you may be eligible for from Medicare and your Private fund.
Options for Paying the Surgery and anaesthetic fee:
Private Hospitals charge both for the time spent in the operating theatre AND the ward accommodation after surgery.
The hospital fees can add a significant amount to the overall cost of Post-weightloss surgery. (For instance, a thigh reduction operation that takes 3 hours and requires 3 night hospital stay may add around $6,500 to your overall costs).
The best way to minimise or eliminate hospital costs is to carry Private health insurance with top hospital cover. This cover for a single will cost approximately $130 - $250 per month depending on level of cover and excess levels. Make sure your insurance policy covers weightloss surgery and non-cosmetic plastic surgery.
You can compare different health plans and insurance policies on insurance comparison sites like the
Be aware that most Private health insurance funds have 12 month waiting periods, which means that you need to have cover for at least 12 months before you can claim.
Most anaesthetists charge their fees by the hour, so the longer the operation, the higher the charge.
The anaesthetic fee is usually paid up front: please refer to the table below.
Some common Plastic Surgery operations carry a medical item number set by Medicare and hence they qualify for private insurance cover. The approximate rebates are in the following table: