Body surgery at Me Clinic

Me Clinic's plastic surgeons perform a range of body contouring and body surgery procedures from the clinic's Malvern East location, with surgery carried out in accredited private hospitals around Melbourne. The clinic has over 35 years of plastic and cosmetic surgery experience and was among the first in Australia to perform liposuction, in the early 1980s.

Procedures offered

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) - removes excess fat and loose skin from the abdominal region and can tighten underlying abdominal muscles.
Liposuction - removes localised fat deposits from areas including the abdomen, hips, thighs and arms. A contouring procedure, not a weight loss method.
Thigh lift - reduces excess skin and fat from the inner and outer thighs.
Male breast surgery (gynaecomastia) - removes excess fat and glandular tissue from the male chest.
Vaginal surgery - cosmetic and restorative procedures including labiaplasty and vaginoplasty.
Vein treatments - for chronic venous insufficiency including varicose veins, spider veins and reticular veins.
Body hair removal - including laser hair removal.

Costs

Prices vary with the type of surgery, its complexity, the hospital used and individual patient needs. You receive a tailored quote after your consultations, covering surgeon fees, anaesthesia, hospital costs and post-operative care such as garments and medications.

As a guide:

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) - $17,000 to $28,000.
Gynaecomastia (male breast reduction) - $9,000 to $12,000.
Labiaplasty - $9,000 to $13,000.
Body liposuction - $6,000 to $8,000 per hour.
Stomach liposuction - $6,000 to $8,000 per hour.
Arm liposuction - $6,000 to $8,000 per hour.

As at September 2024 and including GST, a consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is $350, a vein consultation with a doctor (which may include ultrasound) is $230, and a consultation with a Cosmetic Doctor is $150. A partial Medicare rebate may be available for some consultations if you have a valid GP referral and meet the criteria.

Payment for major surgery is due four weeks before the procedure; for minor procedures, before surgery. Cash, EFTPOS, direct deposit and major credit cards are accepted, with surcharges applying to cards. Medical clinics cannot provide finance directly, but independent medical finance companies are available.

Medicare and private health insurance

Purely cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare. Medically necessary body surgery may qualify for a rebate where it meets the strict criteria attached to a Medicare Benefits Schedule item number. Relevant item numbers include:

30175 - abdominoplasty for diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) in post-pregnancy women.
30177 - abdominoplasty after massive weight loss.
31525 and 31526 - gynaecomastia, unilateral and bilateral.
104 and 105 - medical consultations and patient reviews.

Excess skin removal surgery after massive weight loss - such as an arm lift, thigh lift or lower body lift - can also qualify. Item numbers are updated periodically, so confirm the current numbers and criteria with your surgeon and on MBS Online. Without meeting the criteria, surgery is considered elective and no rebate applies.

If you are eligible for an item number and hold the right level of cover, your health insurer may subsidise part of the cost. Me Clinic is not a no-gap provider, so a significant out-of-pocket payment remains.

The consultation process

Arrive about 15 minutes early to complete paperwork for your medical record. Your general medical history is established - health, medications, allergies and previous operations - and a physical assessment is performed before the appropriate options are discussed.

To get the most from the appointment, send your registration form and any requested photos in early, prepare a list of questions, and consider bringing a support person, as a lot of information is covered. Consultation fees are due at the time of booking.

Referral and cooling-off period

Since 1 July 2023, all patients are required to have a GP referral before seeing a plastic surgeon or doctor about cosmetic surgery. A valid referral is also needed if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate on medically essential surgery.

For any cosmetic surgery there is a compulsory one-week cooling-off period after your second consultation before surgery can be booked.

Anaesthesia and where surgery is performed

All major surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in accredited private hospitals around Melbourne. Small skin procedures may be performed in clinic under local anaesthesia. Some procedures require an overnight stay for safety; where same-day discharge is possible your surgeon will discuss it at consultation.

Me Clinic surgeons have operating rights at Masada Private Hospital (St Kilda East), Epworth Geelong (Waurn Ponds), St Vincent's Werribee, Sir John Monash Private Hospital (Clayton), Peninsula Private Hospital (Langwarrin) and Linacre Private Hospital (Hampton). Hospital costs differ between facilities, which is one reason quoted prices vary between patients.

Your surgeon visits you in hospital after the operation and sees you again at the clinic about a week later.

Recovery - general guidance

Recovery varies by procedure, and your surgeon will give you instructions specific to your case. As general guidance across body surgery:

Going home. You cannot drive yourself. You need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
Medication. Painkillers and antibiotics are often prescribed. Take pain relief as directed.
Garments. Compression garments are used after many body procedures to aid comfort, reduce bruising and control swelling.
Work. Most people return after two to three weeks, earlier or part-time if you can work from home. Medical certificates can be provided for work or to suspend a gym membership.
Exercise. Gentle walking for the first week or two, increasing distance and pace over the following two to four weeks. Most people are back to their regular routine by six to eight weeks. After abdominoplasty with muscle repair, wait around twelve weeks before any core work.
Flying. Domestic flights are usually fine at around two weeks. Wait six to eight weeks before international or long-haul travel.
Swimming. Wait six to eight weeks, so incisions are well healed.
Follow-up. Most patients are seen at seven to ten days, then at six to eight weeks, three months, six months and twelve months.

Wound care and signs of a problem

Clean hands before touching the wound area. Clean gently with mild saline or as directed, pat rather than scrub, keep the area dry, and change dressings as advised. Do not apply ointments or creams unless prescribed.

Contact your medical team immediately if you notice increased redness or warmth around the wound, persistent or worsening pain, discharge or pus, a foul smell, or fever and chills.

Risks and complications

All surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications. These are discussed with you in detail during the consultation process, and you are given written information to take home. Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

General risks of cosmetic surgery include infection, bruising, swelling, pain, scarring, bleeding and haematoma, seroma, nerve damage, anaesthesia complications, blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolism), psychological impact, and unsatisfactory results requiring further surgery. Seroma is most common after a tummy tuck. Liposuction can be traumatic for internal organs, and visceral perforation, while rare, can occur.

Wherever an incision is made there will be a scar. A well-placed incision sutured in fine detail typically fades over time, though how a scar heals varies with the procedure and your genetic makeup.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Who performs the surgery

The title Specialist Plastic Surgeon applies only to a recognised specialist who has completed the training program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in plastic surgery. In Australia the title Surgeon is protected and may only be used by a fellow of the College. See the Me Clinic team, our guidance on choosing the right cosmetic practitioner, and the risks of overseas cosmetic surgery.

Clinic details

Me Clinic is at 4 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm, and Saturday 9am to 2pm. There is free parking under the building and in nearby streets. The nearest station is Caulfield, about a five-minute walk, or take an outbound tram to the corner of Burke and Waverley Roads.