Finance

What are the costs and how i can pay for them?

The commonest barrier to having Plastic surgery is the cost.

There are THREE main expenses associated with each operation:

1. SURGEONS FEE (including assitants and implants)

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:

1. Pay outright from savings, credit cards or personal loans from different credit providers.
2. Superannuation Funds. Some people choose to access their accumulated superannuation funds. Whilst we generally advise caution accessing your super as it may impact your retirement savings, there are provisions to release your super funds on the basis of chronic pain or depression resulting from your condition.
   1.  You can apply to your super fund yourself – see the government guidelines
      https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/applying-early-superannuation-release
   2.  or you can enlist a third party to help you through this process: www.mysupercare.com.au
3. Pay over time: you can pay part of the surgery cost up front and then pay the remainder over time,
   typically over 12 or 18 months. Please ask our staff about the details.

2. THE HOSPITAL COSTS

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).

1. post-weightloss operations, ( abdominoplasty, arm reduction, thighlift, bodylift)
2. breast reduction/lift operations,
3. secondary ( corrective) breast implant operations, ( removal of breast implants, removal and
   replacement of implants
4. genital operations ( labioplasty , vaginoplasty) and
5. rhinoplasty / septoplasty surgery

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

1. government website www.privatehealth.gov.au/compare
2. or commercial comparison sites www.iselect.com.au or www.comparethemarket.com.au

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.

3. ANAESTHETIST FEE

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.

4. Refunds and rebates

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: