Loose skin removal surgery: Costs, funding, and financial options
There’s so much to celebrate after a serious weight loss journey, including newfound health, confidence, and a dramatically improved lifestyle. But even after working hard at losing weight, pounds and pounds of loose skin can stick around, causing pain and discomfort.
Loose skin removal surgery can help with this, but the multiple costs associated with these surgeries can make them inaccessible to many. In this article, we’re providing a complete financial guide to loose skin surgery in Australia — from listing all the relevant costs to highlighting funding sources and providing practical advice for how you can gather funds, including Medicare eligibility, private insurance, payment plans, and crowdfunding strategies.
What is excess skin removal surgery?
Loose skin removal surgery is an umbrella term for various body contouring procedures — including abdominoplasties, thigh lifts, buttock lifts, and panniculectomies — which involve the removal of excess skin folds.
Loose skin surgeries are usually performed following periods of major weight loss, targeting the skin folds that often remain on the legs, stomach, and arms. Getting rid of this extra skin after losing weight can help your clothes fit better, enhance your ability to exercise and improve your overall comfort.
Risks and complications of skin removal surgery include bleeding, bruising, blood clots, nerve damage, infection, and scarring. Talk to your doctor to understand your personal risk profile.
Interesting facts about loose skin removal
- Abdominoplasty—more commonly known as a ‘tummy tuck’—was the 6th most popular cosmetic procedure performed across Australia in 2023, just behind liposuction.
- Tummy tuck recovery is different for every person. In general, you’ll have to avoid arduous physical activity for four to six weeks.
- Approximately 94% of Australians who undergo abdominoplasty surgery with private medical insurance experience some form of out-of-pocket expense.
- An Australian study from 2018 showed that abdominoplasty helped to reduce back pain and urinary incontinence in post-partum patients.
How much does loose skin removal surgery cost?
There is a wide variety of procedures which you can choose from — each of which comes with its own unique price tag. Here is a breakdown of the average costs incurred by loose skin surgery patients in Australia:
- Body Lift: Approximately $30,000
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): $7,500
- Brachioplasty (Arm Lift): $5,000 to $10,000
- Thigh Lift: $9,000
Prices vary significantly; get multiple quotes before deciding.
Factors that affect cost
There are quite a few factors which might affect the cost of your skin removal surgery. Your location, medical coverage, anaesthesia and hospital fees, and the experience level of your surgeon all factor into the final cost you’ll end up paying. You may also need follow-up care that comes with extra costs.
Hidden costs to budget for
When budgeting for your loose skin removal surgery, don’t forget to account for hidden costs beyond the surgery, including potential earnings loss from time off work, or travel and accommodation if your surgery is interstate. There are also post-op costs to bear in mind, including medication, compression garments, and physiotherapy.
How to raise money for loose skin removal surgery
While the costs associated with loose skin removal surgery can seem overwhelming, there are plenty of ways in which you can go about seeking help. From government grants to personal loans and starting a crowdfunding campaign — here are just a few sources of financial assistance that you can use to alleviate loose skin removal surgery costs.
1. Medicare
While cosmetic procedures are not typically covered under the Australian government’s Medicare system, you may be eligible for funding if certain criteria are met. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) states that the removal of excess skin can be covered by the programme when it is needed following pregnancy or a period of significant weight loss. On top of this, you’ll need to satisfy one or more of the following criteria in order for your loose skin surgery to be covered under Medicare:
- Intertrigo or a similar skin condition which has not improved after three months of non-surgical treatment.
- Difficulty completing everyday tasks due to the presence of excess skin.
- Achieving a stable weight for 6 months following a period of fat loss.
It’s also important to note that you will be entitled to different levels of rebate depending on the type of loose skin surgery that is required. Your age, income, underlying health conditions and other individual factors will all affect the level of assistance you can receive with loose skin surgery costs. If eligible, you can enrol in Medicare today by completing a quick online form.
How to apply for Medicare coverage
You can apply for Medicare coverage online using myGov. You’ll need to provide documentation of your Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency (or permanent residency application), or temporary Ministerial Order. This may include your passport, birth certificate, visa, or ImmiCard.
You’ll also need to provide documents from within the last six months proving that you currently live in Australia, such as:
- proof of rental or lease agreements
- proof of employment, or
- proof of enrolment.
If you’ve been living overseas, you can also provide documents showing you’ve:
- ended overseas employment/enrolment
- ended your lease, or
- closed your overseas bank account.
Once you’ve gathered your documentation, you can simply log in to myGov and fill out the form online. You’ll then be able to track the status of your application and, once confirmed, you’ll receive an email explaining the next steps, and a Medicare card will be sent to your address.
If you can’t use myGov, you can also fill out a Medicare enrolment form and submit it via mail or email.
Please note that Medicare rebates vary; you may still have out-of-pocket costs.
2. Superannuation
Commonly referred to as ‘super’, superannuation is a long-term saving system which gathers funds that can be used once you retire. Australians are automatically enrolled into a superannuation programme on the day they first start working, with employers contributing a percentage of your salary on top of your regular payments.
You can apply for an early release of your super funds to pay for loose skin surgeries, provided that you satisfy certain requirements. Abdominoplasties, breast reductions, belt lipectomies, and post-weight-loss body contouring procedures can all be paid for using super funds, as long as there are genuine medical reasons for your surgery. Purely cosmetic procedures are not eligible to be covered by your superannuation.
How to apply for early super release
As this is a government-led programme, you’ll need to fill out a detailed ATO application form in order to gain early access to your superannuation funds. Before applying, check that:
- You have enough money in your super account to cover the costs
- Your super fund allows early access
You can apply for early release on compassionate grounds to pay for medical treatment that is:
- For a life-threatening illness or injury
- Intended to alleviate acute or chronic pain or mental illness
Or, for medical treatment that is:
- Not readily available through the public health system.
You can apply online using myGov. As part of your application, you will need to provide evidence, including:
- A quote (no more than 6 months old) or invoice (no more than 30 days old) for the treatment
- A medical report from a registered medical specialist who is a specialist in the area that you’re applying to have medical treatment for
- Another medical report from a registered medical practitioner or another registered medical specialist.
Be sure that your documentation meets the evidence requirements.
Online applications are usually processed within 14 days. Paper applications may take around 28 days. If you need a paper application, you can request one by calling 13 10 20.
Keep in mind that early super withdrawal has tax implications; consult a financial advisor.
3. Crowdfund for skin removal surgery
Thousands of people turn to crowdfunding every day to help cover the cost of surgeries, medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses. While government programmes can provide valuable help with many medical and surgery-related costs, there aren’t many financial supports which extend through your recovery period. As it can take up to several months to fully recover from loose skin removal surgery, the financial burden caused by lost income can quickly build up. Luckily, crowdfunding can be of significant benefit during this time.
Starting a medical fundraiser allows you to quickly and securely raise money for any costs incurred during your loose skin surgery journey. All you’ve got to do is create your fundraising page, tell your unique story and share your crowdfunding campaign with friends, family and your social media networks. Decide on an achievable fundraising goal by calculating all costs related to your loose skin removal surgery, and boost your donations by putting some creative fundraising ideas into action.
Not sure where to start? Read our helpful guides for expert medical fundraising tips and how GoFundMe works.
Tips for a successful medical fundraiser
Improve your chances of a successful medical fundraiser by following some simple tips.
- Write a clear story
- Set a realistic goal
- Share your fundraiser on social media
- Share regular updates
- Send personalised ‘thank-yous’ when you can or post regular general ‘thank-yous’ to your page
- Engage with donors online and make use of photos/videos for better online reach
Start fundraising 3 to 6 months before your planned surgery date.
4. Private health insurance
Some private health insurance companies, such as Bupa, Medibank, HCF, etc., may cover skin removal surgery. Your plan is more likely to cover this surgery if it is a gold-tier plan or if it specifically covers weight-loss surgery.
Surgery for purely cosmetic reasons may not be covered, and a waiting period usually applies for cosmetic or non-emergency surgeries, often up to 12 months.
Make sure to check your policy and contact your insurer before surgery to ensure you understand which costs are covered. You can usually find your coverage information by logging into your insurance provider’s website, by contacting them on the phone, or by checking the PDF/brochure sent to you when you signed up.
Private insurance can significantly reduce costs, but out-of-pocket expenses are common. In 2023-24, 94% of patients had out-of-pocket costs for abdominoplasty.
5. Personal loans and payment plans
Personal loans and payment plans are another way you can get help paying for excess skin removal surgery. Larger loans/payment plans carry larger risks, so they’re most useful for bridging smaller gaps in your funds.
Your surgeon or clinic may offer their own payment plans, which can be an excellent, straightforward option. You might also be able to use a buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) service, such as Afterpay or Zip (although these often have lower limits and may not be able to cover as much).
You can also explore personal loans from banks. These are useful if you need a larger loan, though they generally have start-up and monthly fees. They also usually carry interest rates from the beginning of the loan, whereas payment plans and BNPL services may only introduce interest rates for late payments. Compare interest rates and terms carefully; some options are more expensive than others.
Avoid high-interest debt; prioritise lower-cost funding options first.
6. Cost-saving strategies
There are a few ways to reduce loose skin surgery costs. Getting quotes from multiple surgeons, for example, can help ensure you find the best cost.
If you plan on having multiple procedures, you may be able to combine them into one, lower-cost procedure. (Though the procedures themselves will usually be done in stages).
Alternatively, some clinics may offer discounts during off-peak times, or you may be able to negotiate.
You may also be able to find a surgeon further away or in another state that offers a lower price. Just remember to factor travel and accommodation into your overall costs.
Just remember, don’t compromise on surgeon qualifications to save money; safety is paramount.
Loose skin surgery stories from GoFundMe
While crowdfunding to cover loose skin removal surgery costs can seem daunting, take comfort in the fact that you’re anything but alone. There are many others out there who have taken a similar path and have achieved huge success through their fundraising efforts.
Here are just a few inspiring stories of people who have used GoFundMe to raise money for excess skin removal procedures:
Jessie’s loose skin surgery
Jessie Mulley went through his first round of skin removal surgery in 2025 after losing over 115 kilograms. While the first operation was life-changing, he still had excess skin on his arms and legs that caused movement restrictions, pain, and rashes.
He began crowdfunding for a second round of surgery, looking to cover extra fees, including travel fees, pre- and post-op care, operating room fees, and post-op lymphatic drainage massages. By sharing open, regular updates (including footage of his pre-op consultation with his surgeon), Jesse was able to meet his goal shortly before his surgery, allowing him to increase his goal to fund better post-op care.
Nick’s surgery rehab fund
Nick Chesterfield completed a lot of important work during his long career as a human rights and environmental justice journalist, but he also experienced his fair share of medical issues. Following a successful sleeve gastronomy procedure, which resulted in a massive weight loss of 100 kilograms, Nick was left with debilitating folds of excess skin on his abdomen.
Struggling to raise the money for the endless medical bills, hidden expenses and out-of-pocket costs, Nick began his crowdfunding journey with the aim of making his condition more manageable. While he anticipated a lengthy struggle in raising the $15,000 he needed, the generosity of GoFundMe donors has already set Nick on a successful path towards achieving his goal.
Find financial relief for loose skin surgery today
Next steps to fund your loose skin surgery:
- Check your Medicare eligibility/enrol in Medicare
- Review your private health insurance policy
- Get quotes from 2 to 3 surgeons
- Explore funding options (super, loans, crowdfunding)
- Create a GoFundMe if needed
- Start fundraising 3 to 6 months before surgery
If you don’t know how to pay for your skin removal procedure, online crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe can help. You can create a fundraiser in minutes, and our sharing tools make it simple to reach out to friends, family and your wider social network. Create your GoFundMe page today, and start putting the finishing touches on your weight loss transformation.