Are you ready to book in with Dr Kumar?
Body contouring covers the operations that remove excess skin and fat, repair the abdominal wall or reshape the trunk and limbs. Some are sought after pregnancy or with age; others after major weight loss, where the scale of the problem and the planning are different. This page sets out which operation addresses which concern, so you can find the right starting point.
In short: Liposuction removes fat but not skin. Where skin is loose, it has to be removed — by an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) for the abdomen, an arm lift or thigh lift for the limbs, or a body lift where the excess runs around the whole lower trunk. Dr Kumar assesses which applies to you at consultation, and a GP referral is required to see him.
Which operation for which concern
| Your concern | The operation usually considered |
|---|---|
| Loose skin of the lower abdomen, often with separated abdominal muscles | Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) |
| Stubborn localised fat where the skin quality is good | Liposuction |
| Abdomen and breasts changed after pregnancy | Post-pregnancy surgery (mummy makeover) |
| Loose skin hanging from the upper arm | Arm lift (brachioplasty) |
| Loose skin of the inner thigh | Thigh lift |
| Excess around the whole lower trunk — abdomen, flanks, lower back, buttocks and outer thighs | Body lift (belt lipectomy) |
| Heaviness or overhang over the pubic area | Monsplasty (mons pubis reduction) |
| Fullness at the flanks and love handles | Flank and love handle surgery |
| Body contouring in men | Body contouring for men |
After major weight loss
After major weight loss — through bariatric surgery, weight-loss medication or diet and exercise — loose skin is usually more extensive and often affects several areas at once. The operations are larger, are frequently staged, and are planned as a sequence rather than one at a time. Dr Kumar performs this surgery at Westmead Private Hospital.
Liposuction or skin removal?
This is the most common question. Liposuction works when the problem is fat and the skin will contract once the fat is gone. When the skin itself is in excess — it folds, hangs or creases — removing fat beneath it can make it look looser. In that situation the skin has to be removed surgically, and liposuction may be used alongside to refine the contour. Liposuction or skin excision and abdominoplasty or liposuction explain the difference in more detail.
Before you book
- A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar.
- Your weight should be stable — for surgery after major weight loss, for at least three months.
- Complete abstinence from all nicotine, not just smoking: six weeks before and after most operations, and eight weeks before and after body contouring after weight loss.
- The initial consultation is $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 where you have a GP referral.
- Surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation, in a written itemised quote.
- Some operations qualify for Medicare where specific criteria are met. Each procedure page lists the item numbers and criteria.
See costs, your first visit and recovering after plastic surgery. Dr Kumar’s team can arrange preparation with an Accredited Practising Dietitian where it will help, and the nurses who prepare you for surgery are the same nurses who see you at every post-operative review.
Where Dr Kumar consults and operates
Dr Kumar consults at Westmead, Penrith and Orange. He operates at Westmead Private Hospital and, for suitable day cases, at Somerset Private Hospital in Kingswood. You can send photos first so Dr Kumar’s team can advise before your consultation.
Common questions
Do I need a GP referral?
Yes. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar for any procedure.
Does Medicare cover body contouring?
Surgery for appearance alone is not covered. Some operations, such as abdominoplasty and skin removal after significant weight loss, can qualify where specific functional criteria are met. Each procedure page sets out the item numbers and criteria.
Can more than one area be treated at once?
Sometimes. It depends on the areas, the total operating time and your health. After major weight loss, surgery is often staged over more than one operation.
Does Dr Kumar operate on men?
Yes. Many of his body contouring patients, particularly after weight loss, are men.
Talk it through with Dr Kumar
The first step is an assessment of the areas that concern you and a plan that fits your circumstances. Dr Kumar consults in Westmead, Penrith and Orange.
This page is intended as general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. All surgery carries risk, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
