Traveling to NZ for surgery

Surgery for visitors to New Zealand

New Zealand is an excellent destination for overseas visitors wanting reasonably priced, yet expert attention. The exchange rate is favourable for most currencies.

New Zealand has fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeons who are proficient in all areas of surgery. It is not widely known that New Zealanders pioneered the science and art of plastic surgery in the treatment of airmen in the First World War and have remained at the forefront of surgical technique ever since.

All of our qualified surgeons are widely travelled and have worked in leading institutions world-wide. Our private hospitals are of the highest standard, comparable to the best hospitals anywhere. Skilled doctors, nurses and anaesthetists are available to give you the best of care, both before and after your surgery.

Choosing your surgeon

You can enter into an email discussion with any of our members – email addresses and contact details are on this website. It is possible that you will be required to send photographs so that a meaningful dialogue may be entered into. You will also need a full consultation and to provide a full history to your surgeon.

Surgical Fees

You should have a full discussion about costs with the surgeon before you make any commitment to surgery. Each member of the New Zealand Foundation for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery sets their own fees and the fees may vary between members.

The total fee you will pay varies with several factors including:

• the procedure you are undertaking
• how extensive your surgery will be
• your medical history and examination findings.

Some procedures can be performed under either local anaesthetic in the surgeon’s office facility, or under general anaesthetic in a private hospital theatre. This will significantly influence the total cost.

Your surgeon will advise you if separate accounts will be sent to you from the anaesthetist and the hospital.

Compare fees between surgeons. Higher fees do not necessarily mean the surgeon is more skilled.

As cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure it is not usually covered by personal health insurance. However, there may be some exceptions to this so check with your surgeon and insurance company before surgery.

Also, check to see if a deposit or full payment of the surgical fee is required before the operation.

The following list gives an estimated range of the total fee you can expect to pay including the operating theatre charges, consumable items used, hospital stay, implants (where appropriate), anaesthetist and surgeon’s fee.

Approximate Fees and Costs in $NZ, Euro and $US as at March 2009.

• abdominoplasty $NZ12,000-$17,000 - (Euro: $4,700-6,700; US$5,950-$8,450)
• blepharoplasty : cost varies whether in rooms under local anaesthetic, or in a hospital theatre under general anaesthetic
  • upper eyelids only $NZ3,500-$5,000 (Euro:$1,380-$2,000; US $1,700 - $2,500)
  • lower eyelids only $NZ4,000-$6,500 (Euro: $1,575-$2,560; US $1,980-$3,250)
  • both upper and lower eyelids $NZ6,000-$9,500 (usually general anaesthetic) (Euro: $2,360-$3,750; US $2,970 - $4,710)
• breast augmentation $NZ12,000-$14,000 (Euro: $4,700-$5,525; US $5,940-$6,950)
• breast reduction $NZ12,500-$16,000 (Euro: $4,930-$6,320; US $6,190-$7,950)
• brow lift $NZ8,500-$10,000 (Euro: $3,350 - $3,950; US $4,200-$4,955)
• dermabrasion and laser resurfacing : very variable : e.g. upper lip treatment under local anaesthetic in rooms, or as part of a facelift under general; or full face laser resurfacing under general whether alone or together with other facial surgery. Individual estimate required from surgeon for each case.
• facelift $NZ15,000-$35,000 (Euro: $5,910- $13,815; US $7,430-$17,350)
• liposuction $NZ8,000-$20,000 (Euro: $3,160 - $7,895; US $3,960-$9,910)
• ear correction (otoplasty) $NZ3,000-$6,000 (Euro: $1,185-$2,370; US $1,490-$2,975)
• skin cancer $NZ500 to $5,000 + (Euro: $200-$1,975; US $245-$1,250)
• rhinoplasty $NZ9,500-$15,000 (Euro: $3,750-$5,925; US $4,700-$7,450)
• scar and wound revision $NZ1,500 and upwards (Euro: $590; US $745)

These figures were last revised in March 2009.