Tummy Tuck Cost

What Is A Tummy Tuck?

Dr Lanzer performs a specific type of full tummy tuck called lipo-tuck; this combines tumescent liposuction with the tummy tuck. There have been studies to show that this method is relatively safe, and since Dr Lanzer is an expert with over 22 years of personal experience in tumescent liposuction, he has chosen this form of tummy tuck for his patients. Naturally, this has a positive influence on the overall tummy tuck cost of your procedure when you visit the Dr Lanzer Clinic.

The tummy tuck provides the patient with a firmer abdomen. However, it is no solution for other problems such as stretch marks. If you are seeking treatment for stretch marks, please check out our stretch mark treatments.

Who Could Obtain A Tummy Tuck?

Most patients who are looking for a tummy tuck undergone a considerable amount of weight loss, leaving them with problems such as loose skin. When a person loses quite a bit of weight quickly, it can prevent the skin to snap back as it should. While some people try to fix this problem with exercise, people who experience a large amount of excess skin will not be able to correct it with exercise alone. A large amount of excess skin and fat can cause physical discomfort, including yeast infections and rashes between the skin folds.

A tummy tuck is a procedure that allows a patient to get rid of their excess fat and skin. Of course, the abdomen is not the only location where a patient can have excess skin, because excess skin can also occur on the arms and the legs. In these cases, it is possible that the patient requires additional skin removal, or a body lift to get rid of all the excess skin that causes them problems. To get a better insight in the possibilities for the excess skin you’re experiencing, please consult with your cosmetic surgery.

Some patients considering a tummy tuck may suffer from lower back pain. This pain is often caused by a separation of the abdominal muscles. By restoring these muscles with a reconstructive technique, the cosmetic surgeon can reduce back pain caused by separated muscles.

Please note that there is a difference between procedures such as the mini tummy tuck, tummy tuck, and full abdominoplasty. These procedures can involve the removal of excess fat and skin, but also tightening of the abdominal muscles. In some cases, the surgeon will also remove the belly button from the abdominal wall and place it in a new location.

How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost?

The price of a tummy tuck can vary considerably from patient to patient; this does not only depend on common factors such as the amount of excess skin and fat to be removed, but also on the type of tummy tuck performed by the cosmetic surgery. It also depends whether if the surgeon uses a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic. At the Dr Lanzer Clinic, there are three types of tummy tucks that could influence the price.

There are numerous variables that make up the overall cost of your procedure. The surgeon’s fee, the country where you have your procedure, hospital fees, and theatre fees are just some of the costs that can be incorporated in the overall costs. To avoid confusion with patients, we always recommend taking advantage of the free no-obligation appointment available to new patients. During this appointment, you can learn more about the abdominoplasty procedure, but also get some insight into the overall cost without having to pay any fees. 

Your cosmetic surgeon can give you more insight into the cost of treatment during your initial consultation. The same applies to other surgery procedures that are available at the Dr Lanzer Clinic, this includes breast surgery such as the breast lift, mummy makeover, breast reduction, and breast augmentation. 

How Much Is A Mini Tummy Tuck?

Naturally, the price of a mini tummy tuck can vary too, since each patient is unique and could require a more complex cosmetic procedure. Because of the unique needs of patients, Dr Lanzer does not like to post estimates on the website. Instead, patients can benefit from a free no-obligation consultation to acquire their quote and more information about the treatment. However, patients can also acquire the total cost of their cosmetic surgery by email.

What Is The Cost Of A Full Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck?

The full abdominoplasty tummy tuck involves removal of the excess loose skin and fat through a surgical excision, which usually extends up and beyond the belly button and a lower excision line below the bikini line or underpants. That tissue is removed and discarded. Liposuction is performed on the rest of the abdominal skin which is then elevated. The underlying muscle weakness and separation of the rectus muscle is sutured and closed with a very strong suture to give support to the deep structures. The umbilicus is brought through the new skin so that the same umbilicus is used. However, the umbilicus is re-positioned, and the skin is then sutured into place across the lower abdomen.

The second form of tummy tuck is a mini tuck. It is common for Dr Lanzer to perform this where just the skin and the fat of the lower abdomen requires removal.

There is also the skin tuck, the third form of the tummy tuck; this procedure is also referred to as the dermo-lipectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon will only remove skin; this is typically seen in people who have lost a lot of weight and just have loose skin.

In all forms of tummy tuck, the scar is the same. Clearly, the full tummy tuck involves more work, takes longer, and generally has more costs. Besides the surgeon fees, patients need to consider the costs of the theatre and anaesthetist.

Dr Lanzer can keep his costs at the lower end, since he operates in his own Day Surgery Hospital; this means that he controls the cost of the actual theatre! Therefore, the number of hours in the theatre is not relevant to his charging, as is often the case with surgery in other hospitals.

In addition to having access to his own operating theatre, Dr Lanzer has used the same anaesthetist for nearly 20 years, and he is also very reasonably priced.

The other factor that may influence tummy tuck cost is a potential hospital stay. Most tummy tucks performed in Australia involve hospital admission. If a patient has a private health insurance cover, then they may be able to cover part, or the full hospital stay. If a patient does not have full private health, then there may be considerable costs associated with the hospital admission. Dr Lanzer performs his tummy tuck as an outpatient procedure; this means that the patients do not require hospital overnight stay. There are no extra fees.

Dr Lanzer does not charge for aftercare, or follow-up appointments after a lipo tummy tuck. There is only the one initial payment and all other care is included. Dr Lanzer is very hands on, and he will like to see his patients quite frequently over quite a long period of time.

In some rare instances, a touch-up may be required after a certain period. Only in these instances can an extra cost be charged to the patient.

People often ask if it is worth spending the money for a tummy tuck. The alternate procedure is usually a liposuction. A liposuction is generally a little cheaper than the cost of a tummy tuck. However, the decision really depends on what we are treating. If a patient has loose skin, sagging, and wrinkling of the skin, then a liposuction would not be the treatment of choice. If a patient has bulging and smooth skin, then liposuction may be a better option and then one could discuss the tummy tuck cost.

The final decision if the treatment is worth it is down to the patient. For some patients, tummy tuck cost is extremely important. For others, the costs are not the major factor. Therefore, it is up to the patient to decide how important the procedure is. One of the major factors in having the patients happy and therefore ultimately thankful that they have spent the money on a surgical procedure, is understanding before surgery what could be the ultimate result. Dr Lanzer uses many different tools to help people get this understanding. It may involve viewing photographs, watching videos, looking at before and after photographs, talking to other patients, and drawing and showing descriptions on the patient’s own photograph.

Tummy tuck cost and all cosmetic surgery are generally paid up-front. Doctors and surgeons all around the world do not like to have to ask patients or chase patients for payment as the surgeon likes to be focused on the procedure. Payment can be made in any form and will always be quoted to include the total costs such as GST. There are no further hidden costs.

Dr Lanzer does offer extra service included in the quote of the tummy tuck. For instance, there will be a free consultation with his highly qualified dietitian. Another tummy tuck cost that may be relevant for patients who travel interstate or from the country to have a tummy tuck with Dr Lanzer is an overnight stay in a hotel. Dr Lanzer does offer an overnight facility in a respite recovery centre. The cost for this night is usually between $100 and $190 depending on which centre is chosen. The advantage of these centres is that there is a caregiver present all night in case there are any issues. Dr Lanzer can always be contacted as well. All his patients have his direct pager number, which can be called 24 hours a day. If you are considering a tummy tuck, then you may wish to click on the before-and-after photographs on this website, or perhaps view the videos of the tummy tuck. You may also find the Healthy Me videos of interest.

Is A Tummy Tuck Covered By Insurance?

Although rare, tummy tucks can be covered by insurance in some instances; this usually applies to patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight. Patients who have lost large quantities of weight are often left with excess skin, which could cause problems for them in the form of skin rash, and restricted movement; this since the excess fat may be in the way during exercise or regular daily activities. Since the tummy tuck could be obtained for a medical reason in these cases, it may be covered by health insurance.

Does A Tummy Tuck Hurt?

The tummy tuck procedure is executed under a local or a general anaesthetic; this means that patients will not experience any pain during the procedure. Patients can experience some discomfort after their treatment though. Any discomfort experienced after the procedure is managed with over-the-counter pain medication or prescribed medication provided by your cosmetic surgery.

What Is The Recovery Time For A Tummy Tuck?

Recovery time after a cosmetic procedure is different for everyone; this also applies to patients who had a tummy tuck. The recovery time of patients is subject to the scope of the procedure, more specifically how much fat and skin got removed during the procedure, but also on the individual healing rate of the patient.

Even though cosmetic surgerys can never provide you with an exact timeframe for your recovery, our clinic can provide you with an estimate. The estimate you receive from your cosmetic surgery clinic should be used as a guideline during your recovery.

Patients should expect some recovery time for the abdominal area after the procedure. It can take some time for the skin to settle and results tend to improve over the course of the months post-procedure. As with all body contouring procedures, following the recovery guidelines and attending your follow-up appointments will promote your overall recovery. 

It is not uncommon for patients to experience common side-effects such as bruising and swelling post-procedure. To reduce these side-effects, you will be given a compression garment that is especially made for the abdominal region. The compression garment will reduce bruising and swelling from the procedure, but also helps the area get used to its new shape.

Do you require more info about liposuction at the Dr Lanzer Clinic?  Click here for more Liposuction information.