The fees for your plastic surgery procedure are made up of specific professional, facility, and medical supply fees, and you must be aware of them before you proceed. After your initial consultation with Dr Dona, his team will provide you with a detailed, personalised quote based on the exact complexity and length of your procedure. This ensures that there will be no hidden surprises. This article explains the components involved so you have a better understanding of the costing process.
First, let’s look at the various components that make up your fees.
Initial Consultation Fee: This covers your first appointment with Dr Dona, where he will perform his initial assessment and discuss your surgical plan.
Surgeon’s Fee: This fee reflects the planning, complexity, operation time required, technical difficulty, follow-up care and the experience and expertise required for your specific operation.
Anaesthetist’s Fee: This fee is based on the complexity of your anaesthetic, the length of your procedure and the anaesthetist’s care before, during and immediately after surgery.
Theatre Fees: These fees cover the operating room where your surgery takes place, with the fee determined by the time spent in this room. The operating room has to financially cover nursing staff, surgical implements, equipment, sterilisation and rent for the room itself.
Hospital Fees: These cover your overnight accommodation in the hospital. It includes accommodation, nursing care, meals, medications and routine inpatient care.
Medical Supplies & Care: These fees cover things like your surgical garment, dressings, other post-operative supplies and follow-up appointments.
In addition to the above, there may also be additional costs related to imaging, pathology, implants, post-operative care, hospital administration or other recovery-related services. These costs will also be clearly discussed with you before proceeding.
It’s also important to understand that in Australia, surgery must be performed in properly accredited facilities, and by appropriately qualified practitioners, and these standards are reflected in the overall cost.
At the end of your first consultation, you’ll be given an itemised surgical quote in writing with all your fees outlined.
What About Medicare & Private Health?
Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by Medicare. Private health insurance generally only contributes toward hospital costs where a Medicare item applies and the procedure is covered under your policy. So essentially, your procedure must attract a Medicare item number to receive a private health insurance rebate.
Further, to receive a rebate from a private health insurance fund, you must have served any applicable waiting periods (often 12 months) and have an appropriate level of hospital cover (often, but not always, called top hospital cover).
If your procedure is deemed medically necessary and must be performed for reconstructive reasons, a Medicare rebate may apply. To determine whether you qualify, you will need an initial consultation with Dr Dona so that he can appropriately assess you. Supporting information, which can include medical reports, photographs, and referrals, is generally required to determine whether the clinical criteria set out in the Medicare benefits schedule are met.
There are many procedures that Medicare does cover (provided the eligibility criteria in the Medicare Benefits Schedule are met). Below are some examples of the item numbers for the more common reconstructive procedures performed by Dr Eddy Dona.
5523 – Bilateral Breast Reduction with Nipple Repositioning: Relates to Breast Reduction surgery for patients who experience physical symptoms such as neck, shoulder or back pain associated with large breast size (macromastia). It does not apply to procedures performed for cosmetic reshaping or breast enlargement.
30177 – Excision of Redundant Skin or Subcutaneous Tissue (Abdomen): Refers to the surgical removal of excess skin or tissue from the abdominal area following significant weight loss, where clinical symptoms such as skin irritation or recurrent infections are present. It does not apply to procedures undertaken for cosmetic purposes.
30175 – Radical Excision of Excess Skin and Fat (Abdomen, with Repair of Muscles): Relates to reconstructive surgery of the abdominal area that involves removing excess skin and tissue and repairing abdominal muscle separation (rectus diastasis). It may apply in cases such as following significant weight loss or pregnancy, where functional concerns are present. It does not apply to procedures performed for cosmetic purposes.
30169 – Excision of Excess Abdominal Skin and Fat, Post Weight Loss: Relates to the removal of redundant skin and tissue from the abdominal area following significant weight loss (greater than 5 BMI units). It may apply when documented medical issues, such as skin irritation or infections, are present.
30179 – Excision of Excess Skin, Trunk (Extended Procedures): Refers to extensive skin removal procedures, such as a Body Lift or circumferential excision, following major weight loss. It applies only where there is a medical indication rather than for cosmetic purposes.
30166 – Excision of Redundant Skin (Arm or Thigh Lift): Covers the removal of excess skin folds from the arms or thighs in cases where issues such as irritation, ulceration or infection have developed following significant weight loss.
31526 – Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue Expander or Implant: Applies to reconstructive breast surgery performed after mastectomy or trauma. It does not apply to cosmetic Breast Augmentation.
Why Choosing the Cheapest Overseas Option Is Not Recommended
No one wants to pay too much money, and it is sensible to be price-conscious. However, when it comes to choosing a surgeon for your procedure, it pays to understand why the prices are different. There is a common misconception that overseas surgery is cheaper simply because the cost of living is cheaper, but this is not the only reason. In Australia, prices are generally higher than they are in some other countries, but they are high for a reason.
Plastic surgery in Australia requires:
- accredited surgical facilities
- proper specialist training
- qualified anaesthetists
- appropriate post-operative care
Therefore, if you choose to have your procedure performed overseas, despite all the persuasive advertising (which is often not allowed in Australia), you may end up with:
- a less experienced practitioner
- non-accredited facilities
- reduced safety standards
- little to no after-care
Travel soon after surgery also increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, particularly after major procedures.
Also, if you develop complications, you may have to fly back to the overseas surgeon, and pay for more accommodation, as well as ongoing surgical costs. For these reasons, cost should never be the only factor. Patient safety, appropriate training and proper medical care should matter far more than price alone.
Another common complaint is that surgical quotes from overseas surgeons are not always comprehensive. As a result, you may have to pay more than you had bargained for.
The Importance of Choosing a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Not all doctors, and not all surgeons, are the same. While there is some safety in choosing a doctor in Australia rather than overseas, due to our high standards around surgical and hospital facilities, advertising and general safety standards, some medical practitioners are more trained and experienced than others.
Some medical practitioners perform cosmetic procedures without completing the specialist training pathway required for registration as a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
A Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, such as Dr Eddy Dona, has completed extensive accredited surgical training in both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. His training covers complex surgical techniques aimed at restoring form and function, as well as surgical procedures involving cosmetic concerns.
When you choose a surgeon registered as a specialist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), you can be assured that they meet the recognised professional standards in this field.
Why Good Follow-Up Care Matters
Regular follow-up appointments after your procedure, along with after-care, are exceedingly important. These appointments allow Dr Dona and his nursing team to monitor your healing, manage surgical wounds, prevent complications and provide specialised supportive treatments like LED light therapy and skin needling to promote healing and minimise the appearance of scars.
At Bella Plastic Surgery, all patients also receive our heaLED Post-Surgery Care Program designed to encourage optimal healing. It includes various industry-leading modalities that accelerate wound healing, reduce swelling and discomfort and minimise the appearance of scars. These modalities include LED Light Therapy, Rejuran Therapy, Dry Skin Needling and Medical Grade Skincare.
Book A Consultation With Dr Eddy Dona
If you’d like to find out how much your desired procedure would cost, the first step is to book an appointment with Dr Eddy Dona in his Sydney-based rooms.
During your appointment, you can discuss your objectives, have Dr Dona thoroughly examine you and review your medical history.
If he determines that surgery may be considered, he will explain the options, the surgical approach, outline the expected recovery and discuss potential risks and complications. He will also take the time to answer any of your questions, so you feel fully informed before making any decisions.
Immediately after your appointment, our administrative team will give you an itemised surgical quote in writing with all your fees outlined.
