Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in Brisbane
An abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, is an operation that removes loose skin and fat from the lower abdomen and, where needed, repairs separated abdominal muscles. People usually consider it after pregnancy or after significant weight loss, when skin overhangs, causes rashes, or the abdominal wall feels weak. Dr Matthew Peters is a Brisbane specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon (FRACS Plast.) who performs abdominoplasty at Valley Plastic Surgery in Fortitude Valley.
The reasons people come in vary a lot. A mother of three with back pain and a gap between her abdominal muscles has different needs from someone who has lost 50 kilograms and has an apron of skin over the pubic area. This page covers both, so you can find the part that fits you.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat between the belly button and the pubic area, tightens the remaining skin, and often repairs the abdominal muscles. The scar sits low across the abdomen, usually from hip to hip, where underwear can cover it.
During a full abdominoplasty, the belly button stays attached to its stalk and is brought out through a new opening in the tightened skin. Separated muscles (rectus diastasis) are stitched back together in the midline, which can firm the abdominal wall.
Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss operation. It works best when you’re at or close to a stable, long-term weight.
Abdominoplasty after pregnancy
Pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall and the skin over it. For many women the skin recovers well. For others, especially after several pregnancies, twins or large babies, loose skin and a gap between the two vertical abdominal muscles remain.
This muscle separation is called rectus diastasis. When it is wide, it can be linked to discomfort at the site, low back pain and, in some women, urinary symptoms. Physiotherapy is the first step and helps many women. When it hasn’t helped, surgical repair during an abdominoplasty may be considered. Our article on whether abdominoplasty includes repair of muscle separation explains the condition further.
Medicare after pregnancy (MBS item 30175)
Medicare may contribute to abdominoplasty with diastasis repair under MBS item 30175 when all of its criteria are met. In plain words:
- the diastasis was caused by pregnancy and measures at least 3 cm on diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or CT
- you have documented symptoms of at least moderate pain or discomfort at the diastasis, and/or low back pain or urinary symptoms likely caused by it
- non-surgical treatment, including physiotherapy, has not helped
- it has been at least 12 months since the end of your most recent pregnancy
Letters from your physiotherapist and GP help document these points. If the criteria aren’t met, abdominoplasty after pregnancy is classed as cosmetic surgery.
Abdominoplasty after weight loss
After significant weight loss, the lower abdomen often has a fold of skin (sometimes called a pannus or apron) that hangs over the pubic area. Moisture and friction under the fold can cause recurring rashes and infections, and it can make walking, exercise and finding clothes that fit harder.
For many people, an abdominoplasty addresses this well. When the loose skin continues around the hips and lower back, a belt lipectomy (360 lower body lift) is usually the better option, because it treats the whole lower torso in one operation. You can see how these fit together on our body contouring after weight loss page.
Medicare after weight loss (MBS items 30177 and 30166)
Medicare may contribute under MBS item 30177 (lipectomy with radical abdominoplasty) if all of these apply:
- you have intertrigo or another skin condition that risks skin breakdown, which hasn’t responded to at least 3 months of conventional treatment
- the excess skin and fat interferes with your daily activities
- your weight has been stable for at least 6 months after significant weight loss
A smaller wedge excision of abdominal skin for functional problems may fall under item 30166. Our page on Medicare and skin removal surgery explains each item in more detail.
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Types of abdominoplasty
There isn’t one standard tummy tuck. The type depends on how much skin there is, where it sits, and whether the muscles need repair.
| Type | What it treats | Scar | Muscle repair | Often suits |
| Mini abdominoplasty | A small amount of loose skin below the belly button | Short, low scar | Lower abdomen only, if needed | People with mild changes, often after pregnancy |
| Full abdominoplasty | Loose skin above and below the belly button | Hip to hip, plus a scar around the belly button | Usually included | Most pregnancy-related and many weight loss cases |
| Extended abdominoplasty | Loose skin that continues onto the hips and flanks | Longer, wrapping toward the back | Usually included | Weight loss patients with skin at the sides |
| Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty | Excess skin both vertically and horizontally | Hip to hip plus a vertical midline scar | Usually included | Massive weight loss with loose skin across the width of the abdomen |
The fleur-de-lis approach adds a vertical scar, which is a real trade-off. It is usually reserved for people with a lot of loose skin across the width of the abdomen, where a horizontal scar alone would leave the waist loose.
The procedure
An abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in hospital and typically takes 2 to 5 hours, depending on the type and whether other procedures are included.
- Markings are made with you standing.
- The incision is made low on the abdomen, between the pubic hairline and the belly button. Its length depends on how much skin needs to come away.
- Skin and fat are lifted off the abdominal wall up to the ribs, and separated muscles are repaired with sutures where needed.
- Excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is drawn down, and the belly button is brought through a new opening.
- The wound is closed in layers, with drains, dressings and a compression garment.
Dr Peters’ abdominoplasty technique article and abdominoplasty masterclass explain the steps further.
View more videos via our Patient Portal
Recovery week by week
Everyone heals at a different pace, but this timeline gives you a realistic idea of what to plan for.
Immediate post-op
You’ll wake with dressings, drains and a compression garment. Pain relief, calf compressors and early walking help with comfort and lower the risk of clots. You’ll walk slightly bent forward for the first week or so to protect the muscle repair and the wound.
First week
You’ll spend a few nights in hospital, then continue recovering at home. Short, frequent walks matter. Expect tightness across the abdomen and tiredness. Avoid lifting anything heavier than a kettle.
Week 2
A nurse review: drains may be removed, wounds checked, tapes reinforced and belly button sutures removed. Most people are standing straighter by now.
Week 3
Tapes are removed and replaced by the clinic nurse. Light activity can increase gradually.
Week 6
A review with Dr Peters and a nurse. Many people with desk jobs are back at work by now. Compression is usually worn during the day until about 8 weeks, then on alternate days for 2 more weeks.
12 weeks and beyond
A review with Dr Peters. If healing is on track, you can usually return to normal exercise, including core work. Swelling keeps settling over several months, and the scar continues to fade for 12 to 18 months.
Our articles on returning to exercise and bloating and swelling after surgery cover these stages in more depth.
What makes up the cost of an abdominoplasty?
The cost of an abdominoplasty in Brisbane depends on the type of surgery, the length of the operation and hospital stay, and whether Medicare criteria are met. A written quote is provided after your consultation, once your plan is clear.
A quote usually includes:
- the surgeon’s fee
- the anaesthetist’s fee
- the surgical assistant’s fee, where one is needed
- hospital and theatre fees, including your overnight stay
- compression garments and dressings
- post-operative reviews with the nursing team and Dr Peters
Where an MBS item applies, Medicare and your private health fund may cover part of these costs. Where the surgery is cosmetic, you pay the full cost. Our article on expenses that can slip under the radar is useful when planning, and some people look into accessing superannuation for medical treatment on compassionate grounds.
What are the risks?
Abdominoplasty is a significant operation. Most people recover without major problems, but you should know the risks before deciding.
- Seroma, a collection of fluid under the skin that may need draining in the rooms
- Wound healing problems, most often at the centre of the scar where tension is highest
- Infection
- Bleeding or haematoma
- Blood clots (DVT and PE), reduced with early walking, compression and, for some patients, blood-thinning medication
- Scarring, which is permanent and can widen or thicken
- Belly button problems, such as poor healing or an unusual shape
- Numbness of the lower abdominal skin, which can be long-lasting
- Asymmetry or “dog ears” at the ends of the scar, sometimes needing a minor revision
- Anaesthetic risks
Smoking, vaping, diabetes and a higher BMI all increase the risk of wound problems. Dr Peters will talk through your personal risks during consultation. See our page on surgery risks and complications.
Who is a good candidate?
You may be suitable for an abdominoplasty if:
- you have loose skin on the lower abdomen, with or without muscle separation
- your weight has been stable for at least 6 months, and ideally 6 to 12 months after major weight loss
- you have finished having children, or understand a later pregnancy may affect the result
- you don’t smoke or vape, or will stop well before and after surgery
- you are in good general health
About Dr Matthew Peters
Dr Matthew Peters (BSc, MBBS, FRACS Plast.) is a specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose career spans more than two decades. He was Director of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital from 2014 for around ten years and is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland School of Medicine.
His clinical interests include body contouring, surgery after massive weight loss and breast surgery. He operates at Brisbane Private Hospital and North West Private Hospital and consults at Valley Plastic Surgery, 51 Ballow Street, Fortitude Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes. After pregnancy, MBS item 30175 may apply if you have a diastasis of at least 3 cm on imaging with documented symptoms that haven’t improved with physiotherapy. After weight loss, item 30177 may apply if you have an ongoing skin condition, functional problems and stable weight. Otherwise, it is cosmetic surgery.
A mini tummy tuck removes a small amount of skin below the belly button through a shorter scar. A full tummy tuck treats skin above and below the belly button, moves the belly button, and usually includes muscle repair.
Yes. Separated abdominal muscles can be stitched together during a full abdominoplasty. Physiotherapy is usually tried first.
In a full abdominoplasty, your belly button stays attached to its stalk and is brought through a new opening in the tightened skin. You’ll have a small scar around it.
For Medicare purposes, at least 12 months after the end of your most recent pregnancy. Clinically, it’s also sensible to wait until you’ve finished breastfeeding and your weight has settled.
Many people with office jobs return around two to four weeks after a mini abdominoplasty and four to six weeks after a full or extended one. Physical jobs usually need longer.
Liposuction can sometimes be used to refine the flanks or upper abdomen at the same time. Whether it suits you depends on your tissue and blood supply, and Dr Peters will advise at consultation.
It depends on the type of surgery, hospital stay and whether Medicare criteria are met. You’ll receive a written quote after consultation that sets out each fee.
Book a consultation
If loose abdominal skin or muscle separation is affecting your comfort or daily life, call Valley Plastic Surgery on (07) 3488 8118 or make an enquiry. Please bring a GP referral. You can also view the abdominoplasty gallery.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. This page provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Individual results vary.