Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Sydney
Abdominoplasty — commonly known as a tummy tuck — is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and surgically repairs weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti). The result is a flatter abdominal profile and a more defined waistline. It is most commonly requested by patients addressing changes following pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural ageing process.
At Sydney Plastic Surgery®, abdominoplasty is performed by Dr Laith Barnouti — Specialist Plastic Surgeon FRACS (Plas), Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW, and author of Your Guide to Modern Plastic Surgery. With 25 years of surgical experience and fellowship training across Brazil, Sweden, Belgium, the United States and France, Dr Barnouti consults from clinics in Glebe, Chatswood and Parramatta, and operates at Hunters Hill Private, North Shore Specialist Day Hospital and Westmead Private hospitals.
Important: Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure, not a weight-loss surgery. For stable, predictable results, surgery should be undertaken when your weight has been at a steady level for at least six months and when no further pregnancies are planned.
Understanding Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty addresses three concerns that diet and exercise alone cannot resolve: excess skin (often loose or hanging after pregnancy or significant weight loss), abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti), and localised fat that does not respond to lifestyle change.
It is distinct from liposuction. Liposuction removes fat but does not address loose skin or muscle separation; abdominoplasty addresses all three. The two procedures are commonly combined for patients who would benefit from both.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
You may be considered a candidate for abdominoplasty if you are in good general health, at a stable weight, and have one or more of the following:
- Loose or excess abdominal skin following pregnancy or significant weight loss
- Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) that has not resolved with physiotherapy or core exercise
- Excess abdominal tissue that has not responded to sustained diet and exercise
- Physical discomfort, posture issues, or skin irritation caused by excess abdominal tissue
Please note: Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure, not a weight-loss surgery. It should only be performed once your weight is stable.
To understand the surgical outcomes of this procedure, you may view clinical examples of Dr. Barnouti’s previous patients.
Surgical Approaches
Three approaches are used, selected based on the extent of the changes and your individual anatomy. Dr Barnouti will discuss each option at consultation and recommend the approach best suited to your case.
Full Abdominoplasty
The most comprehensive approach. An incision is made low across the abdomen, typically able to be hidden by underwear or swimwear. Excess skin is removed, separated abdominal muscles are repaired, the umbilicus (belly button) is repositioned, and remaining skin is repositioned to restore a flatter contour. Combined abdominal and flank liposuction is often performed in the same operation to refine the waistline.
Mini Abdominoplasty
Suited to patients with skin laxity limited to the area below the navel and minimal or no muscle separation. The incision is shorter and the navel is not repositioned. Recovery is generally faster than a full abdominoplasty.
Extended Abdominoplasty
Recommended for patients following massive weight loss or who have laxity extending around the flanks and lower back. The incision extends further laterally, and the procedure typically includes a pubic lift and broader flank liposuction to address tissue laxity in three dimensions.
Combined Procedures
When clinically appropriate, abdominoplasty is performed in combination with other procedures in a single operation. Common combinations include abdominoplasty with liposuction (for refined waistline contour), with breast surgery (for patients addressing changes following pregnancy or weight loss), and with body or thigh lifts (for post-bariatric patients). Combining procedures reduces total recovery time and theatre costs but is only recommended when medically safe for the individual patient.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
The first consultation is the foundation of every abdominoplasty performed by Dr Barnouti. You are welcome to bring a partner, family member or close friend. Decisions about surgery are personal, and a second set of ears can help you weigh information at your own pace.
The consultation begins with a discussion of your goals — what you hope abdominoplasty will achieve, what concerns you, and what outcome you have in mind. Dr Barnouti will review your full medical history including past surgeries, current medications, allergies, pregnancy and weight history, and any conditions that may affect surgery or recovery. Honest answers protect you in surgery and shape the recommendations you receive.
A focused physical examination follows — assessing skin laxity, the condition of the underlying abdominal muscles (including any separation, known as diastasis recti), distribution of fat, and the position and quality of any existing scars. These findings determine whether a full, mini, or extended abdominoplasty is most suitable, and whether liposuction or other procedures should be combined.
You will see before-and-after photographs of patients with comparable starting anatomy and have the opportunity to ask any questions. A written quote covering surgical, anaesthetic, hospital and aftercare fees is provided after consultation.
Under April 2026 AHPRA regulations, a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies between consultation and booking surgery. This time is yours — to consider what was discussed, raise further questions, and seek a second opinion if you wish. There is no obligation to proceed.
Why Dr Barnouti
01. Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons — FRACS (Plas)
The highest surgical qualification available in Australia for plastic surgery. Requires a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical education, including at least 5 years of accredited specialist training.
02. Senior Lecturer — University of New South Wales
Academic appointment in medicine and surgery at UNSW, contributing to the training and education of medical students and surgical registrars.
03. International Fellowship Training — Brazil, Sweden, Belgium, USA, France
Advanced training at the Ivo Pitanguy Clinic (Rio de Janeiro), the Centre of Body and Buttock Plastic Surgery (São Paulo), Akademiklinken (Stockholm), Gent (Belgium), Dr Daniel Baker’s facelift clinic (New York), and Paris Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — covering the full range of body contouring and aesthetic techniques across multiple international schools.
04. Published Author
Your Guide to Modern Plastic Surgery and Your Guide to Breast Surgery — patient references covering the full range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including dedicated chapters on body contouring. Both available on Amazon.
05. Accredited Hospital Appointments
Specialist Plastic Surgeon appointments at Hunters Hill Private, North Shore Specialist Day Hospital and Westmead Private Hospitals. All abdominoplasty surgery is performed in fully accredited NSW facilities compliant with AHPRA and NSW Health standards, with a specialist anaesthetist.
06. Research in Social Media Body Image Disorder (SMBID)
Dr Barnouti’s research on SMBID contributes to the global conversation about patient mental health in cosmetic surgery — part of his commitment to recommending surgery only when it is in the patient’s best interest.
Recovery Timeline
Recovery from abdominoplasty is significant and requires strict adherence to post-operative clinical guidelines. The following milestones represent a typical post-operative progression.
- First 24–48 hours — One to two nights in hospital. Drainage tubes are typically placed to prevent fluid accumulation. You will sleep with your upper body elevated and knees bent to reduce tension on the surgical site. Standing fully upright will be uncomfortable initially.
- Days 2–7 — Gentle walking is encouraged the day after surgery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. You will be discharged in your abdominal compression binder, which is worn continuously.
- Weeks 2–4 — Most patients return to non-physical work between two and four weeks, depending on the demands of the role. Continue wearing the binder. Bent posture is normal initially and gradually resolves as healing progresses.
- Weeks 6–8 — Compression binder typically continues through week six. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and core-focused exercise must be strictly avoided until cleared by Dr Barnouti — typically six to eight weeks post-operatively.
- Months 3–6 — Most swelling subsides by three months. Numbness between the scar and the navel is common in the early months and generally improves over six to twelve months.
- Months 12–18 — Scar maturation is gradual. Scars typically fade significantly with proper care (silicone therapy and sun protection) over twelve to eighteen months, though they remain permanent.
Understanding the Risks and Scars
As with any major surgery, abdominoplasty carries inherent clinical risks. Potential complications include, but are not limited to:
- Infection or adverse reactions to anaesthesia.
- Poor wound healing or prominent scarring.
- Accumulation of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma), which may require secondary medical drainage.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary complications.
- Asymmetry or permanent changes in skin sensation.
Will I have a scar?
Yes. All abdominoplasty procedures leave a permanent horizontal scar. The incision is typically placed low on the abdomen so it can be covered by standard underwear or swimwear. While scars typically fade over 12 to 18 months with proper care (such as silicone therapy and sun protection), they will never completely disappear.
Mandatory Surgical Warning
Surgical Warning: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.
GP Referral & Assessment Requirements
In accordance with the latest April 2026 AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia regulations, all patients seeking a consultation for cosmetic surgery must obtain a referral from their General Practitioner (GP). This ensures your medical history is reviewed by an independent doctor who can discuss your motivations and goals before you meet with a specialist.
A mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies after your initial consultation before surgery can be booked. Patients are also encouraged to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding. These requirements exist to protect patients and to ensure every decision is fully informed and free of pressure.
Sydney Abdominoplasty Costs
| Procedure | Price Estimate | Conditions / Comments |
|---|
| Full Abdominoplasty including Abdominal/ Flank Liposuction, Repair of abdominal muscle and pubic lift. | $15,990-$18,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional costs of around $6,000-$8,000 for the hospital. You may be eligible for $980 Medicare rebate. |
| Lower Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck) | $9,990-$12,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital costs. |
| Extended radical Abdominoplasty, pubic lift and full Abdominal/ Flank and mons Liposuction. | $16,900-$22,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. It assumes top hospital cover with a private health fund. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital costs. |
Abdominoplasty pricing depends on the surgical approach, complexity, and any combined procedures. The estimates above are starting points; a personalised quote with full financial disclosure is provided after your consultation. There are no hidden fees.
What’s Included
Surgeon fees · Anaesthetist fees · Hospital and theatre fees · Six weeks of post-operative follow-up · Surgical compression garment.
Medicare Eligibility
Some abdominoplasty procedures may attract a Medicare rebate under specific MBS items. MBS item 30177 applies to abdominoplasty following significant weight loss, where excess skin and tissue cause functional or medical issues. MBS item 30175 applies to abdominoplasty post-pregnancy, where there is documented muscle separation (diastasis recti) of the abdominal wall.
Eligibility under either item is determined by specific clinical criteria assessed during your consultation. Procedures that do not meet these criteria are considered cosmetic and not rebatable.
Consultation Fee
$300. With a GP referral, a Medicare rebate of $70–$104 may apply depending on your referral and private health fund.
Payment Plans
Sydney Plastic Surgery does not promote or advertise payment plans, in line with AHPRA’s Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services.
Page Content Clinically Reviewed by Dr Barnouti
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783) is a Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 25 years of experience performing advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of ASAPS, and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW.
Dr. Barnouti operates out of leading, fully accredited Sydney hospitals with a strict focus on patient safety.
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783)