Great news: Abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”) has been
added back to the Medicare Benefits Scheme.Out-of-pocket costs start at $15,000.
*Medicare rebates apply under certain conditions. Private Health Insurance may cover hospital fees depending on your level of cover. Surgical “gap” fees still apply.
If you experience any of these, abdominoplasty surgery may be of benefit and is now subject to Medicare rebates, making this procedure more accessible for many women. Medicare coverage for abdominoplasty is for women who meet specific criteria and are more than 12 months after pregnancy.
This will make an enormous difference to so many women who previously could not consider the surgery due to financial constraints.
Dr Dan Kennedy
President of Australian society of plastic surgeons
Led by Dr Steve Merten, Pure Aesthetics in Macquarie Street in the CBD of Sydney, is the plastic surgery practice of choice in Sydney for over 20 years.
Dr Merten is one of Sydney’s most experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeons, since 2002. He has acted as Supervisor of Plastic Surgery training at Concord Hospital, one of Sydney's major public hospitals and Fellowship Director in Advanced Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery at Macquarie University Hospital. He has personally trained over 50 local and international plastic surgeons. He holds an academic appointment at Macquarie University (Senior Lecturer in Surgery) and continues to train and provide plastic surgery services at several major Sydney teaching plastic surgery hospitals, including Concord Hospital, Macquarie University Hospital and Hunters Hill Private Hospital.
Dr Merten has published his research and concepts extensively in international and local surgical journals and is a frequently invited speaker and educator to a wide range of plastic surgery conferences and workshops.
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The key to achieving a great result is by listening to your concerns, careful planning and meticulous surgery. From pre-surgery planning to final recovery, I will always provide you with the most open and honest information to serve your best interests. I strive to make your journey in achieving your desired goals as easy as possible. We will never make you feel pressured into making decisions, but will guide you to making the best choices, ultimately achieving the best possible outcomes.
Dr Steve Merten
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in fully accredited hospitals. Our plastic surgeons always aim to have the incision (and hence the ultimate scar) below the bikini line, to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Following the incision, the skin and fat are lifted off the abdominal muscles, and the separated and stretched muscles are tightened and the “gap” between them repaired. The loose skin is then pulled down to tighten and excess loose skin is removed.
Your umbilicus (belly button) is then repositioned into its new position. Wounds are closed with dissolving stitches beneath the skin.
Common abdominoplasty variants are shown in the diagram.
We understand you may have questions when considering your Abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”). Some common ones are answered here but please feel free to contact us to discuss anything in more detail.
For young mothers who have had their first, second, or even third child, the abdomen can be a source of discomfort. Post-pregnancy abdomens come in all shapes and sizes, but some women are left with weak muscles and loose skin around their abdomen after giving birth. Some women also experience abdominal and back pain after pregnancy due to abdominal muscle separation, a condition called 'rectus diastasis'.
If you're experiencing pain, discomfort, or urinary issues post-pregnancy, a consultation with Pure Aesthetics will assess if abdominoplasty can assist with these problems. The announcement that abdominoplasty is now recognised under Medicare for women suffering from long-term postpartum pain means that help is now more accessible.
To find out more about abdominoplasties ("tummy tucks"), call us today on 02 9252 9262.
Abdominoplasty, (also called a “tummy tuck”) is a surgical procedure that is designed to repair separated abdominal muscles and improve the appearance of the abdomen. It involves making an incision above the abdomen, repairing the separated muscle and tightening the skin.
To find out more about abdominoplasties ("tummy tucks"), call us today on 02 9252 9262.
For young mums who have had their first, second, or even third child, the abdominal area can be a source of discomfort. Post-pregnancy abdomens come in all shapes and sizes, but some women are left with weak muscles and loose skin around their bellies after giving birth. Some women also experience abdominal and back pain after pregnancy due to abdominal muscle separation, a condition called 'rectus diastasis'.
If you're experiencing pain, discomfort, or urinary issues post-pregnancy, a consultation at Pure Aesthetics will assess if abdominoplasty can rectify these problems. The announcement that Medicare is now available to mums suffering from long-term postpartum pain means that help is now more accessible than ever before.
To find out more about abdominoplasties and tummy tucks, call us today on 02 9252 9262.
Abdominoplasty may help women after pregnancy relieve back and abdominal pain and discomfort and improve abdominal strength, tone, and pelvic floor control. It may also help gain confidence lost post-pregnancy with the improvement in abdominal appearance, tone, and control.
The fact that the abdominoplasty procedure is now Medicare-recognised is important news for mothers across Australia, who now may be able to receive support via a financial rebate to cover the cost of abdominoplasty if they meet the required criteria. This also means that Private Health Insurance may cover hospital fees, depending on your level of cover. The approval of this procedure means that tummy tucks are now more accessible to women having these problems after child-rearing.
Medicare aid for this procedure is reserved for patients who have abdominal muscle separation of more than 3 cm, who are experiencing moderate pain or discomfort in their abdomen and/or lower back pain or have urinary symptoms. You must have first tried non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy with no substantial improvement, and you must not have been pregnant within the past 12 months.
To find out more about your eligibility, call us today on 02 9252 9262.