Skin removal surgery after weight loss is not one fee. This page explains what makes up the cost, when Medicare and your health fund contribute, and how and when you pay. For the operations themselves, see excess skin removal after weight loss.
In short: The cost of skin removal surgery is made up of the surgeon’s fee, the nurses’ fee (which includes your aftercare), the anaesthetist, the surgical assistant, the hospital and garments. When a Medicare item applies (30166, 30169, 30177 or 30179 after significant weight loss), Medicare contributes to the doctors’ fees, your health fund contributes to the hospital if your cover includes plastic and reconstructive surgery, and no GST is charged. Dr Kumar does not publish package prices: you receive a written, itemised quote after consultation. The first consultation is $400, with a Medicare rebate of about $88 with a GP referral.
What you pay for
| Part | Who bills it | What can offset it |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon’s fee | Dr Kumar | Medicare and your health fund, when an item applies |
| Nurses’ fee | Dr Kumar’s practice. Includes your aftercare: dressings, drain management and reviews through the first 12 months | Not covered by Medicare |
| Anaesthetist’s fee | The anaesthetist, directly | Medicare and your health fund, when an item applies |
| Surgical assistant’s fee | The assistant, directly | Medicare and your health fund, when an item applies and an assistant is required |
| Hospital and theatre | Westmead Private Hospital, or Somerset Private Hospital for day surgery | Your health fund, if you hold the right cover and have served the waiting periods |
| Garments | Listed on your quote | Ask your fund whether your extras cover contributes |
Medicare and your fund reduce the cost but do not usually cover it in full. What remains is your out-of-pocket cost, and your quote shows it part by part.
Medicare items for skin removal
All four items require weight loss of at least five BMI points and weight stable for at least six months before surgery. They are not available for surgery performed only to change appearance.
| Item | Operation | Additional criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 30166 | Removal of a hanging apron of abdominal skin as a wedge (panniculectomy) | Functional problems caused by the apron |
| 30177 | Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), including fleur-de-lis | A skin condition such as intertrigo that has not settled after three months of treatment, and interference with daily activities |
| 30179 | Body lift (circumferential) | As for 30177, with excess skin all the way around |
| 30169 | Non-abdominal skin, one or two areas: arms, thighs and other areas | Functional problems caused by the excess skin |
Other items can apply to related operations: 30175 for muscle repair after pregnancy, 45520 and 45523 for breast reduction for symptoms, and 45558 for a breast lift without implants. No Medicare item applies when a breast implant is used. Read more about Medicare for skin removal surgery.
The six months of stable weight applies on the date of surgery. Dr Kumar can see you at any stage of your weight-loss journey, and plans surgery once your weight has been stable for at least three months, so that the criteria are met by the time you have it.
Health funds and waiting periods
- Your fund contributes only when a Medicare item applies and your hospital policy includes plastic and reconstructive surgery. Gold and Silver policies must include it; some Bronze and Basic “plus” policies include it as an extra.
- Loose skin after weight loss is usually treated as a pre-existing condition, so a waiting period of up to 12 months commonly applies when you join or upgrade.
- Give your fund the item numbers and the hospital’s name from your quote, and ask what they will pay and whether an excess applies.
- Without private cover, Medicare still contributes to the doctors’ fees when an item applies, but you pay the hospital in full.
Read more about health fund cover for body contouring.
What changes the cost
| Operation | Typical operating time | Typical hospital stay |
|---|---|---|
| Body lift | 5 to 6 hours | 3 to 4 nights |
| Abdominoplasty | 3 to 4 hours | At least 3 nights |
| Thigh lift | 3 to 4 hours | 1 to 2 nights |
| Arm lift | 2 to 3 hours | 1 night |
| Breast reduction or lift | 2 to 3 hours | Day case or overnight |
- Whether a Medicare item applies. The single biggest factor.
- Length of the operation. Anaesthetic and theatre time are charged by time.
- Length of stay. Longer operations need more nights in hospital.
- Combining areas. Combining usually costs less than separate operations, because there is one anaesthetic and one admission, but it is only done when it is safe. Read about staged surgery planning.
- Your health fund and waiting periods. The biggest factor on the hospital side.
Getting your quote
- See your GP for a referral. A referral is needed to see Dr Kumar.
- Book a consultation in Westmead, Penrith or Orange. One of Dr Kumar’s nurses calls you beforehand to take your history.
- Dr Kumar examines you and recommends an operation. Clinical photographs and measurements are taken.
- You receive a written, itemised quote with the item numbers expected to apply, after the hospital has checked your fund.
- After a second consultation and signed consent, there is a cooling-off period of at least seven days before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.
Want to know what your surgery would cost?
The quickest way to an accurate figure is a consultation. You can also send photos for Dr Kumar’s nursing team to review with Dr Kumar first.
Paying for surgery
- Deposit when you book your surgery date, after the cooling-off period.
- Balance one month before surgery.
- Instalments. If you book up to six months ahead, you can pay in interest-free instalments arranged directly with the practice. The practice does not offer or arrange loans or commercial finance. Read about payment options.
- Superannuation. Early release is decided by the Australian Taxation Office. Dr Kumar’s team can discuss whether your procedure may genuinely meet the requirements, but it is ultimately a decision between you, your financial planner and the ATO. Seek your own independent financial advice before considering it.
Common questions
How much does skin removal surgery cost?
It depends on the operation, its length, your hospital stay and whether a Medicare item applies. You receive a written, itemised quote after consultation.
Why doesn’t Dr Kumar publish a price?
Each part of the cost changes independently with the operation, its length and your health fund, so a single figure would be wrong for most people.
Does Medicare cover skin removal after weight loss?
It can. Items 30166, 30169, 30177 and 30179 apply after weight loss of at least five BMI points, with weight stable for six months, when their other criteria are met.
Will my health fund pay?
When a Medicare item applies and your hospital cover includes plastic and reconstructive surgery, your fund contributes to the hospital and part of the doctors’ fees.
Is GST charged?
Not when a Medicare item applies. Surgery performed only to change appearance attracts GST.
When do I pay?
A deposit when you book, after the cooling-off period, and the balance one month before surgery.
Is there a payment plan?
If you book up to six months ahead, you can pay in interest-free instalments arranged directly with the practice.
Is it cheaper to have several areas done at once?
Usually, because there is one anaesthetic and one hospital admission, but areas are combined only when it is safe for you.
Download the costs and Medicare guide
Dr Kumar’s guide to costs, Medicare and health funds sets out the item numbers, the questions to ask your fund and how payment works. You can also ask Dr Kumar’s team to call you.
This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual medical or financial advice. All surgery carries risk, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
