Common Questions about Body Lift (Body Contouring) Surgery in Sydney.

What Can I Expect During Surgery?

Anaesthesia

Body Lift surgery in Sydney, is performed under general anaesthesia and patients usually stay in hospital for a minimum of 3 nights. You stay could be longer if the procedure is combined with surgery in other areas. There is minimal pain after the procedure and this is controlled with simple analgesia. Dr Kumar only performs this procedure under a general anaesthetic in accredited private hospitals to ensure maximal patient safety and comfort.

How long will my surgery take?

The exact procedure time will vary depending on the type of surgery performed. Some procedures are performed together while some are staged so that it may be 9-12 months before all your surgery is complete. A patient’s weight loss journey often takes approximately a year or more to achieve the weight loss goals they are looking for. It makes sense then that it may take just as long to remove all the excess skin that develops as a result of that weight loss.

Depending upon your individual needs and desired outcomes, Body Lift Surgery is entirely customised to your specific needs. Some separate individual procedures may be combined to allow for minimised recovery times and if applicable, this can also lower your theatre/hospital charges.

Dr Kumar will be advise you on your best surgical approach, and explore your options when it comes to combining Skin Reduction procedures.

What Are The Common Procedures Performed In Body Lift Surgery?

Some common procedures that may be part of your Body Lift (Body Contouring) Surgery include the following ( full details on these procedures are available on their individual pages) :

Circumferential Abdominoplasty (Belt Lipectomy)

• For this procedure, an incision is made that spans the entire circumference of the torso/waistline
• Liposuction is performed to remove excess fat and skin in both the front and back of the body
• The muscles around your abdomen are tightened and a new opening for the belly button is the finishing touch.
• This procedure benefits the abdomen, the mons, the outside thighs and the back and buttocks

Liposuction

• Liposuction is used in Body Lift ( Body Contouring) surgery to reduce excess fatty tissue. This allows for an easier removal of skin, provides enough laxity to allow for the suturing of the wound at the end of the procedure and helps create the new contours that best suit your new shape.

Breast lift (with or without breast implants)

• The type of Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery you need will depend on your level of Ptosis (Sag)
• Your options may vary from a breast lift alone, a breast lift with implants or a breast lift wth fat grafting

Breast Reduction Surgery (Women or Men)

• Different types of breast reduction techniques are required for men (Gynaecomastia Surgery/Male Breast Reduction) and Women (Reduction Mammoplasty)
• Usually an incision will be made around the areola area and vertically from the areola to the inframammary fold ( breast crease)
• Excess breast tissue, skin and fat are removed, and the nipples are repositioned as necessary and the breast is lifted
• Liposuction may also be used to help reduce chest area skin folds and assist in giving you a pleasing breast shape

Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)

• The Incision runs from the armpit area to variable lengths towards the elbow. It is rare for the incision to go beyond the elbow. The excess skin is reduced from the inner section of the arms with the aim for the scar to be well hidden in normal day to day activities
• If the excess skin extends past the armpit and onto the chest wall, then the incision is extended to incorporate this and the procedure is called an Extended Brachioplasty.
• Dr Kumar uses a unique technique to close the skin using dissolvable sutures followed by a special dressing over the incision. This means that there are no stitches to remove and you can continue daily activities such as showering in as little time as 48 hours after the surgery. This technique has also been shown to produce excellent scar quality once the areas have healed.
• Liposuction is often used in combination with Brachioplasty surgery to reduce excess fatty tissue from the under and outer surfaces of the arm

Back Lift Surgery

• Some patients require a lower or upper back lift. This procedure produces a slimmer, more defined contour to the back by removing excess or sagging skin
• The incision for the upper back lift is made in your bra line, while the incision for the lower back lift is made on the back slightly above the buttocks
• The lower back lift technique is often performed as part of a circumferential body lift ( belt lipectomy) but this technique can be performed on its own as well
• The excess skin and fat that is removed is usually around the lower back and the buttocks or a lower back lift and the upper back and bra line area for an upper back lift.

Thigh Lift Surgery

• The Incision runs from the groin area to variable lengths towards the knee along the midline of the inner thigh. It is rare for the incision to go beyond the knee. The excess skin is reduced from the inner section of the thighs with the aim for the scar to be well hidden in normal day to day activities
• Dr Kumar uses a unique technique to close the skin using dissolvable sutures followed by a special dressing over the incision. This means that there are no stitches to remove and you can continue daily activities such as showering in as little time as 48 hours after the surgery. This technique has also been shown to produce excellent scar quality once the areas have healed.
• Liposuction is used in combination with Thigh Lift Surgery to remove excess fat primarily from the inner and outer surfaces of the thigh and buttocks. Careful contouring of the underlying tissue allows for a natural, toned result.

Risks and Complications

The risks of this procedure are the cumulative risks of the individual procedures undertaken, but it should be noted that complications such as wound healing problems, infection and seroma formation are slightly higher than for the average cosmetic procedure.

The Risks Include:

Recovery from Body Lift (Body Contouring Surgery)

The length of your recovery period will depend on your specific procedures along with individual factors such as health and lifestyle. The general rule, however, is that you should allow 4-6 weeks for recovery following your body lift surgery in Sydney.

You will be required to wear a garment that aids in the control of swelling and wound healing for 6 weeks following the procedure.

Most people are back at work from around 14 days post surgery if they don’t require a lot of manual labour. Driving can usually commence after seven days however, Dr Kumar will discuss this with you depending on your individual circumstances and procedures.

Scar maturation often takes up to 12 months or longer.

Maintaining your Body Lift Results

Good results depend on a collaborative approach and a healthy lifestyle. Please keep in mind that your results from Body Lift Surgery in Sydney may be impacted by fluctuations in your weight, early excessive activity, skin health or Body Mass Index (BMI). No two patients are the same and surgery results will vary from patient to patient. It is important to work together with Dr Kumar to ensure you get the most out of your surgery and results.

Remember:

• Every patient is unique.
• Surgery results will vary from patient to patient and change with time.
• Skin may be stretched and become loose again if your weight fluctuates after your Skin Reduction procedures.
• To maximise the longevity of your Skin Reduction Surgery results, it is important to maintain a healthy, nutritious lifestyle.