abdominoplasty Surgery

People seek an assessment for different reasons, including loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss and concerns about abdominal wall separation. 

Suitability depends on your health, examination, symptoms and expectations. Dr Rughani will also discuss whether the timing is appropriate if you are planning further pregnancy or substantial weight change.

Please complete these steps so your appointment can proceed:

1. Obtain a GP referral addressed to Dr Milap Rughani that briefly describes the treatment you are seeking, such as abdominoplasty. Please send it to the practice before your appointment. A GP referral is generally valid for 12 months from your first specialist consultation. 
2. Complete the pre-consultation questionnaire. Patients considering cosmetic surgery must complete a screening questionnaire, including an assessment for body dysmorphic disorder. Our team will provide the secure link before your appointment. 

If either requirement is incomplete, your consultation may need to be rescheduled.

The initial consultation fee is $300. Following your assessment, you will receive a personalised, itemised quote for surgery. 

The surgeon’s fee and its inclusions will be explained before you decide whether to proceed. The planned care includes:

• Your Abdominoplasty operation with Dr Rughani 
• Two preoperative consultations with Dr Rughani for cosmetic surgery, with no additional fee for the second consultation 
• Nurse reviews at approximately one and two weeks after surgery 
• Reviews with Dr Rughani at approximately six and twelve weeks 
• Further review for up to one year when clinically needed 

Your quote will explain how the initial consultation fee is accounted for and identify other costs, including hospital and anaesthetist fees. Medicare or private health insurance benefits depend on individual eligibility; purely cosmetic surgery generally does not attract a Medicare benefit.

For cosmetic surgery, a minimum seven-day cooling-off period applies after your two consultations and signed informed consent, before surgery can proceed. You may arrange your second consultation in advance by calling our rooms. Surgery dates cannot be pre-booked before your initial consultation with Dr Rughani.

Drains may be used temporarily to remove fluid from beneath the skin. Whether they are needed, and when they are removed, depends on your operation and recovery. You will receive care instructions if drains are used.

A compression garment is commonly worn to support the abdomen during healing and help manage swelling. 

You will usually be fitted and provided a garment (sometimes two) for your recovery. 

The team will explain the garment and duration recommended for your operation, usually six weeks.

This depends on healing and the physical demands of your job. Desk-based work may be possible after around two to four weeks. Work involving lifting or strenuous activity may require longer.

Removed skin does not grow back, but future weight changes, ageing or pregnancy may change your abdominal contour. Scars remain permanent and mature over time.

A Medicare benefit may apply only when the proposed operation meets the requirements of a relevant MBS item. For example, item 30175 has specific criteria for a post-pregnancy abdominal wall defect, including diagnostic imaging showing rectus diastasis of at least 3 cm, documented qualifying symptoms, unsuccessful conservative treatment that included physiotherapy, and no pregnancy in the previous 12 months. Cosmetic surgery does not attract an MBS benefit. Your private health fund contribution depends on your cover and eligibility, and out-of-pocket costs may remain.

The initial consultation is $300. Dr Rughani’s surgeon fee ranges and increases with complexity. 

It is not a total package price. 

A written, itemised estimate is provided after assessment.

The surgeon fee includes the agreed operation, two preoperative consultations, postoperative inpatient reviews, planned nurse reviews at approximately weeks one and two, planned Dr Rughani reviews at weeks six and twelve, and review for up to one year when clinically needed. 

Hospital and theatre charges, the anaesthetist’s fee, and care outside the agreed plan are quoted separately.