A tummy tuck consultation in Brisbane typically runs around 45 minutes and covers your medical history, a physical examination, a discussion of what abdominoplasty can and cannot address for your anatomy, and a written quote with time to consider your options before booking surgery. At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, this first appointment with cosmetic doctor Dr Georgina Konrat is the step that determines whether abdominoplasty is appropriate for you at all, not just how it would be performed.
If you are searching “tummy tuck Brisbane” and trying to work out what actually happens before you commit to anything, here is the consultation process, what affects candidacy, questions worth bringing with you, a realistic recovery outline, and what shapes cost. Prices vary too much between patients to list here, but the variables are worth understanding upfront.
What happens at a tummy tuck consultation?
Your consultation begins with a conversation about what has brought you to consider abdominoplasty and what you are hoping it will address. This is followed by a full health and medical history, covering current medications, allergies, previous operations and smoking history, since all of these affect anaesthesia and healing.
Dr Konrat then examines the abdomen and surrounding area to assess skin laxity, muscle separation (rectus diastasis) and the extent of any excess tissue. This physical assessment is what determines whether a full abdominoplasty, a mini abdominoplasty, or a different approach altogether would suit your anatomy.
By the end of the appointment you will have a treatment plan based on your anatomy and goals, an information brochure covering the procedure and recovery, a written quote, and time to think it over before deciding anything.
You are encouraged to bring a support person or take notes, and to contact the clinic afterwards with any questions that come up once you have had time to process the information.
Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss procedure. It is designed for people who have reached a stable weight and want to address changes to the abdominal area that diet and exercise have not resolved, commonly following pregnancy, significant weight loss, or ageing.
Dr Konrat assesses several factors at consultation. Weight stability matters: a higher Body Mass Index, particularly above 35, is associated with increased surgical risk, so reaching and maintaining a stable weight beforehand supports safer healing. Muscle separation is another, since rectus diastasis, common after childbirth or major weight change, is one of the main things abdominoplasty addresses, alongside excess skin.
Smoking status affects candidacy too. Smoking reduces blood flow to healing tissue and raises the risk of wound breakdown, so stopping for at least six weeks before and one month after surgery is required. General health conditions such as diabetes or clotting disorders are discussed in detail, since they affect both anaesthesia and healing.
Above all, the consultation is a medical assessment of whether the procedure suits your anatomy and situation, not a sales conversation. Dr Konrat will say plainly if abdominoplasty is not the right fit for you.
There is no single test that confirms candidacy from a website description. This is why the in-person consultation, including physical examination, is a required first step rather than a formality.
What questions should I ask at my consultation?
Consultations move through a lot of information, so it helps to arrive with specific questions written down. Worth covering:
- What are the risks specific to my medical history and anatomy?
- Would a full or mini abdominoplasty suit my situation, and why?
- What is a realistic recovery timeline for someone in my line of work?
- What does the quoted cost include, and what could add to it?
- What happens if a complication like a seroma develops during recovery?
- Are there alternatives to surgery worth considering first?
Bring a current medication list, details of past operations, and any recent test results if you have an ongoing health condition. If English is not your preferred language for medical discussions, ask about interpreter support in advance.
What does recovery actually involve?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic, administered by a specialist anaesthetist, in an accredited day-surgery hospital. The operation itself typically takes one to three hours, with an incision made low across the abdomen, generally within normal underwear lines.
A realistic recovery timeline looks like this:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First week | Rest is essential. Drains are monitored and typically removed at 5 to 7 days. Gentle walking around the house each hour supports circulation. |
| Week 2 to 3 | Some patients develop a seroma (fluid collection), which may need simple drainage in clinic. Soreness, swelling and bruising are common and expected. |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Most people can return to work, longer if your role is physically demanding. |
| Up to 6 weeks | Strenuous exercise, gym sessions, swimming and abdominal exercise are avoided to protect the internal repair. |
| Up to 12 weeks | Temporary numbness or reduced sensation, particularly below the navel, gradually improves. |
Dr Konrat and the clinical team review patients at 24 hours, 7 days, and 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks post-surgery to track healing and adjust the recovery plan where needed.
As with any surgery, abdominoplasty carries risks. These include deep venous thrombosis, poor wound healing (more likely in people who smoke or have diabetes), bleeding or haematoma, and seroma formation. These are covered in detail during your consultation, and are also outlined on the clinic’s abdominoplasty risk information page.
What affects the cost of a tummy tuck?
Medicare and private health insurance rebates do not apply to treatment at this practice. Abdominoplasty performed for cosmetic reasons is elective surgery, and any general discussion of cost sits within that framework rather than a rebate-eligible medical scheme.
Rather than a single price, the cost of abdominoplasty depends on several variables assessed at consultation. The extent of the procedure is one: a full abdominoplasty involves more extensive muscle repair and skin removal than a mini abdominoplasty, which affects theatre time and fees. Day-surgery hospital fees and the specialist anaesthetist’s fee are separate components of the total cost, on top of Dr Konrat’s own fee.
Some patients have liposuction of the waist, flanks or hips performed at the same time, which changes the overall quote, and scheduled follow-up reviews across the recovery period are factored into the total cost of care rather than charged as one-off add-ons.
A written, itemised quote is provided after your consultation, once Dr Konrat has assessed what your specific procedure would involve.
Where a tummy tuck consultation fits in your decision
The consultation is not a step to skip or rush. It is the point where a cosmetic doctor examines your anatomy directly, discusses your medical history, and gives you a written outline of what is involved, so that any decision to proceed is made with full information rather than general assumptions from a webpage.
If you are further along in researching the broader consultation and consent process, including what documentation you will receive and how cooling-off periods work, see Cosmetic Surgery Consultations in Brisbane: What to Expect in 2025 for the fuller process. For details specific to abdominoplasty, including the full patient journey and gallery, visit the Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) page.
If you have questions before booking, you can get in touch with the clinic directly.
All surgery carries risks. Individual results vary. We recommend seeking a second opinion before proceeding with any procedure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tummy tuck consultation take?
The initial consultation with Dr Konrat runs for approximately 45 minutes and covers medical history, physical examination, and a discussion of your treatment options.
Do I need a referral before booking a tummy tuck consultation?
Requirements vary by individual circumstance and are confirmed when you book. It is worth contacting the clinic directly to confirm what applies to you.
Is a tummy tuck the same as weight-loss surgery?
No. Abdominoplasty is a body-contouring procedure for people who have reached a stable weight. It is not designed or intended to produce weight loss.
What is the difference between a full and mini abdominoplasty?
A full abdominoplasty tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin across the entire lower abdomen. A mini abdominoplasty addresses a smaller area below the navel. Which is suitable depends on individual anatomy, assessed at consultation.
How soon can I go back to work after a tummy tuck?
Most patients need 2 to 4 weeks off work, longer for physically demanding roles. Your specific timeline is discussed at consultation based on your job and your procedure.
Will Medicare or my private health insurance cover any of the cost?
Medicare and private health insurance rebates do not apply to treatment at this practice. Abdominoplasty performed for cosmetic reasons is elective surgery.
Content reviewed by Dr Georgina Konrat MBBS FACCSM. AHPRA Registration: MED0001407863. This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Last reviewed: 15 July 2026.