How much is a Labiaplasty Surgery in Melbourne, Australia?

Labiaplasty is a common surgical procedure that alters the size/shape of labia minora/vaginal lips. Women undergo this procedure due to aesthetic or functional reasons; large or uneven labia, to alter the labia post-childbirth or to prevent irritation and discomfort that is the result of an enlarged labia. This blog discusses in detail the Labiaplasty Cost and Labia Minora Surgery Prices in Melbourne and Australia.

Visit the Coco Ruby Labiaplasty page to learn more about Labiaplasty

Different Types of Labiaplasty Surgery

Labiaplasty is typically categorised into three main types based on the technique used. Trim or Wedge Labiaplasty or De-epithelialisation Labiaplasty. Some Labiaplasty Surgeons combine methods to get the best labiaplasty result.

Labiaplasty Cost and Labia Surgery Prices in Melbourne, Australia

The range of Labiaplasty surgery prices in Melbourne can vary from $4,000 to $12,000 – so why the difference? Cost is one of the determining factors when it comes to any kind of cosmetic surgery. The overall price of labiaplasty varies depending on the skills and expertise of the individual surgeon, their labiaplasty technique, the hospital/theatre they operate in, as well as, other factors such as what type of anaesthetic they use. The time to get surgery right is the first time, mistakes during the first surgery are not always fixable. Please bear in mind that it is just a rough estimate as the total cost depends on many factors. Some of the price factors are;

The complexity of the procedure
Experience and expertise of the surgeon (or doctor)
Type of anaesthetic (local or general)
Hospital fees or day theatre fees
Location
Facility quality.

In order to get an exact answer, we recommend talking to our team and booking a consultation with a surgeon.

What’s Included in Your Labiaplasty Cost and Labia Surgery Fees?

Surgeon Fee

The first thing will be your surgeon fee. This fee depends on the expertise and experience of the surgeon. It is crucial to ensure that your surgeon has the appropriate qualifications and accreditations to perform labiaplasty.

Some surgeons will perform this in the clinic under a local anaesthetic while others choose to do it in a hospital under a general anaesthetic. Make sure that you feel completely comfortable with your surgeon and their facilities/hospital.

Anaesthetic

Any surgical procedure requires some form of anaesthetic. Your anaesthetic can be a local anaesthetic that the surgeon can administer in their clinic. However, general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation needs to be administered by a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA). Contrary to popular belief, anaesthetists do not follow a standard set of fees, so it is difficult to predict their share of the overall cost. On average, they charge around $600-$800 per hour.

Assistant (if required)

The surgery involves other people, not just your surgeon. It also involves staff such as nurses and an assistant. The assistant fee is usually calculated per hour as well, this may be included in your quote. An Assistant can help reduce overall time spent in theatre.

Hospital Fee / Theatre Fee

The hospitals charge per hour for theatre charges. There is also a bed fee.

Depending on the technique your surgeon chooses for your specific case a Labiaplasty can be completed in one to two hours. Typically, it is a day operation, and patients are able to go home on the same day.

Medications

Post-surgery; you will require some medication, dressings and possible topical treatment to take care of the wound, and pain levels and to keep infections at bay. The price of these medications may be part of the overall cost of labiaplasty or can be a separate cost. Your surgeon will advise you.

Aftercare

You will have post-operative appointments to ensure everything is functioning as usual and healing the way it should. The amount of post-op care you require depends on the complexity of your labiaplasty surgery. This price is generally included in the overall quote given to you for the procedure.

Why Do Surgery Prices Vary?

The prices of labiaplasty surgery will vary based on the following:

Who performs the surgery?

The experience and expertise of your doctor or surgeon will be one of the determining factors in how much will you have to pay.
Of course, someone with ten years of Labiaplasty experience may cost you more than someone with two years of experience.

What type of Labiaplasty surgery is being performed?

The complication of the procedure and the extent of cosmetic changes also play a role in determining the overall cost of the procedure.
Some patients, only require a minor change, while others may require more changes in order to get to their aesthetic goals, which will cost more.

Where is the surgery performed?

A well-accredited facility that is filled with all the right facilities is where you want to go.
Make sure your surgeon uses a facility that is accredited and equipped with what’s required.

Why is the surgery being performed?

Whether you are getting labiaplasty done for cosmetic or medical reasons also impacts the cost of the procedure.
It will also determine how much help you can get from insurance and Medicare.
Not all cases are claimable.
The surgeon will advise you if you meet the criteria after/during your consultation.

Labiaplasty Cost and Fees – Prices Range For Labiaplasty Surgery in Australia

Let’s discuss price ranges for labiaplasty:

Low Range – from $4,000 – in rooms straight forward procedure, local anaesthetic, less experienced doctor
Medium-Range – from $7,500 – in hospital, general anaesthetic or local with sedation, a junior surgeon
High range – from $10,000 – in hospital, general anaesthetic, more complex procedure, labiaplasty surgeon

How to Choosing the Best Labiaplasty Surgeon

Your surgery is only as good as your surgeon. You have made the decision to undergo labiaplasty surgery but selecting the plastic surgeon can be confusing. First things first, you need to do your research.

1. Always Do Your Research Before Making the Final Call

By reading this article, you are already familiarising yourself with different aspects of surgery. That means you are on the right path. It is good to take some time out of your day and research different surgeons in your area. Visit the websites, look at their credentials, read reviews given by different people, and have a closer look at before and after labiaplasty pictures. This is the first and most important step is choosing the surgeon.

2. Surgeon Credentials and Experience are Important

Once you have spent sufficient time on the internet researching different surgeons, it’s time to narrow down the choice. Make a list based on the credentials and years of experience a particular labiaplasty surgeon has. You need to ensure they are a member of ASPS. While analysing their experience, ensure that labiaplasty is one of the procedures they perform the most. Someone could have easily performed 100 plastic surgery procedures when only two of them could have been labiaplasty surgeries. You want to ensure they have done many labiaplasty surgeries and be confident in their operating ability.

3. Read Genuine Online Reviews from Patients

You can also join social media groups and plastic surgery forums that allow people to share their authentic experiences and actual stories and which surgeon they saw. This will give you a clear idea of how happy you will be.

4. Look at Before and After Labiaplasty Photographs

Never finalise choosing a surgeon before looking at the before and after photographs of their previous surgeries. For many surgeons, you can find pictures on their websites. For those who don’t share the Labiaplasty before and after images publically, you can always ask for them during the consultation. This procedure is a sensitive image to have online so most will have images in the practice to show you during your consultation. It will give you a clear understanding and expectation of how things can look before and after surgery.

5. Book 2 Plastic Surgeon Consultations – Avoid seeing a “Cosmetic Surgeon”

We personally recommend booking consultations with at least two surgeons. Voice your concerns and surgery goals. They will provide you with a quote depending on what you discuss during your consultation. After you carefully select the surgeons for consultation, remember to trust your gut before you trust anything else. Some people feel more comfortable with one surgeon rather than the other despite the two of them having similar experiences and qualifications.

Making the Right Decision for Your Health and Wellbeing

While you are in the process of selecting a surgeon, it is very tempting to opt for the cheapest option or see what’s available overseas. While cost is certainly a determining factor, it isn’t more important than your health and well-being. Some of the risks of getting cheap surgery overseas include:

Safety

Australian doctors have to follow strict medical standards. This is not the case for a lot of foreign countries. This means they may not be as qualified and you won’t have the same assurance of safety while undergoing surgery.

Insurance

Medical emergencies can occur during any cosmetic surgery. In Australia, your insurance will cover the cost of any unlikely medical emergency. It probably won’t be the case if you are getting the surgery done overseas.

Post-Surgical Care

You need the time to heal post-surgery. Firstly, it is not wise to travel immediately post-surgery or start exercising straight away. You need to follow your surgeons’ instructions to ensure the best outcome.

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE HEALTH FUNDS

Will Medicare cover your labiaplasty surgery?

No Medicare does not cover non-therapeutic cosmetic surgery and non-therapeutic plastic surgery procedures. If labiaplasty is deemed as a medical necessity, Medicare may offer a rebate but there are strict criteria to meet for this to happen. Find out more about the very strict Medicare criteria for Labiaplasty.

Are you INSURED or UNINSURED?

Health Insurance may cover your hospital charges if you meet the criteria set by Medicare. If the procedure is purely cosmetic or you don’t meet the criteria the procedure is completely out of pocket with no rebate or cover.

OTHER WAYS TO FUND YOUR SURGERY

Will your super fund help?

Patients are able to access their Super for some medical procedures but each fund has its own rules and requirements – you will need to speak to your fund to clarify.

Do you need a Payment Plan?

This is one question you have to answer for yourself. Check your financial situation. Discuss what Labiaplasty payment plan is available and then proceed with what works for you.

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