Medical Disclaimer

1. No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Using this website does NOT create a doctor-patient relationship. We are not medical professionals, and nothing on this website should be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical consultation.

Any information you submit through our website (consultation requests, medical history, photos) is provided to connect you with qualified plastic surgeons - NOT for us to provide medical guidance.

You must consult directly with a registered medical practitioner before making any medical decisions.

2. Educational Content Only

All content on tummytuck.co.nz (articles, cost estimates, procedure descriptions, recovery timelines, FAQs) is provided for general educational and informational purposes only.

This information is NOT:

• Medical advice: Do not rely on this website to diagnose or treat any medical condition
• Professional recommendation: We do not recommend specific treatments or procedures for your situation
• Personalized guidance: Content is general and may not apply to your individual circumstances
• Complete or current: Medical information changes rapidly; verify all information with a qualified surgeon
• Guaranteed accurate: While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur

⚠️ ALWAYS consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand before making any decisions about cosmetic surgery.

3. Cost Estimates Are Approximations

Cost calculators, pricing ranges, and fee estimates provided on this website are approximations onlybased on general market data. Actual costs may vary significantly based on:

• Individual surgeon fees and policies
• Surgical facility location and type
• Complexity of your specific case
• Additional procedures required
• Anesthesia type and duration
• Pre-operative testing and post-operative care needs

You must obtain a written quote from a qualified surgeon for accurate pricing specific to your situation.

4. No Outcome Guarantees

We make NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES regarding:

• Surgical outcomes: Results vary by individual; no outcome can be guaranteed
• Recovery time: Healing rates differ; timelines provided are general estimates
• Complication rates: All surgery carries risks that cannot be predicted
• Patient satisfaction: Individual expectations and satisfaction vary
• Long-term results: Aging, weight changes, and other factors affect longevity of results

🚨 All cosmetic surgery procedures carry risks including infection, scarring, asymmetry, dissatisfaction with results, need for revision surgery, and rare but serious complications including death. Discuss all risks thoroughly with your surgeon.

5. Surgeon Referrals & Independence

5.1 We Are Not Responsible for Surgeon Quality

While we refer you to surgeons who claim to be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand and hold relevant qualifications, we:

• Do NOT verify, guarantee, or endorse surgeon credentials, skills, or experience
• Are NOT responsible for surgeon negligence, malpractice, or poor outcomes
• Do NOT supervise or control how surgeons practice medicine
• Are NOT liable for any injury, harm, or dissatisfaction resulting from treatment

5.2 Your Responsibility to Verify

You are responsible for conducting your own due diligence, including:

• Verifying surgeon registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand
• Checking FRACS (Plast) certification or equivalent qualifications
• Confirming facility accreditation and safety standards
• Reading reviews and asking for before/after photos
• Requesting multiple consultations and second opinions
• Reviewing malpractice insurance and complaint history

Useful Resources for Verification:

• Medical Council of New Zealand - Verify doctor registration
• NZ Association of Plastic Surgeons - Find qualified surgeons

6. Information Sharing with Surgeons

When you submit a consultation request, we share your information (name, contact details, medical history, photos) with registered plastic surgeons who may contact you directly.

By submitting your information, you consent to:

• Us sharing your personal and medical information with multiple surgeons
• Surgeons contacting you via phone, email, or SMS
• Your information being stored in surgeon databases
• Potential marketing communications from surgeons (you can opt-out directly with each surgeon)

7. Third-Party Content & Links

Our website may contain:

• Links to surgeon websites, clinic sites, and medical organizations
• Testimonials or reviews from third parties
• Before/after photos provided by surgeons
• Articles or information from external sources

We do NOT verify, control, or take responsibility for third-party content. All such content should be independently verified before relying on it.

8. Health & Safety Warnings

8.1 Surgical Risks

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) carries significant risks including but not limited to:

• Infection and wound healing problems
• Blood clots (DVT/PE) which can be fatal
• Excessive bleeding or hematoma
• Nerve damage and persistent numbness
• Scarring (may be extensive and permanent)
• Asymmetry or unsatisfactory aesthetic results
• Seroma (fluid accumulation)
• Skin necrosis
• Anesthesia complications
• Need for revision surgery
• Death (rare but possible)

8.2 Contraindications

Tummy tuck surgery may NOT be suitable if you:

• Plan to have more children (pregnancy can reverse results)
• Are significantly overweight (BMI restrictions apply)
• Have uncontrolled diabetes or other chronic conditions
• Smoke (increases complication risk dramatically)
• Have unrealistic expectations
• Have had recent weight loss surgery or plan to lose substantial weight

💬 Discuss your complete medical history with a qualified surgeon to determine if you are a suitable candidate for surgery.

9. NZ Health & Advertising Standards

This website complies with New Zealand advertising standards for therapeutic services. However, we are NOT a therapeutic service provider. We are a referral platform.

We adhere to:

• Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) therapeutic advertising code
• Privacy Act 2020 requirements
• Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (where applicable)
• Fair Trading Act 1986

10. Changes to This Disclaimer

We may update this disclaimer periodically. The "Last Updated" date indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance.