Body lift surgery is something that I am strongly passionate about, because it has such a powerful effect on peoples lives.
Losing significant amounts of weight is a brilliant achievement in itself, but unfortunately the excess skin often causes patients functional and cosmetic problems.
I believe body lift surgery should be safe, meticulously performed, with results tailored to the individual. After the operation it’s amazing to see the positive effect a new body shape has on self esteem and self confidence.
Body Lift
As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with a special interest in body lift and body contouring surgery, Dr Colbert is committed helping Perth patients achieve the body shape they have always desired.
What is body lift surgery?
Many Perth weight loss patients are left with excess skin that won’t retract (shrink) back by itself, resulting in a body shape that can make them feel disappointed and disillusioned. When weight loss is significant, this skin excess can affect the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, thighs, and back.
During a body lift procedure (sometimes known as a circumferential body lift, or a belt lipectomy) incisions are made in strategic locations to remove the excess skin and fat, and the remaining skin is tightened and repositioned to create a smoother, firmer appearance.
Is body lift surgery right for me?
You may be suitable for body lift surgery in Perth if you:
- Have significant amounts of excess skin and fat, particularly around the belt area (abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, thighs, and back).
- Have been weight stable for at least six months.
- Are in good medical health.
- Are a non-smoker, or able to stop smoking completely three months before hand.
- Have realistic expectations.
If you are a candidate for body contouring in Perth, then contact us today to arrange a consultation with Dr Colbert.
What does body lift surgery involve?
A body lift is major surgery that requires significant planning and careful post-operative care. Dr Colbert routinely performs body lift surgeries with another Specialist Plastic Surgeon to ensure you receive the best outcomes in a safe surgical environment. While the exact steps will change from patient to patient, in general the steps are:
- General anaesthesia: you will be given a general anaesthetic by a Specialist Anaesthetist to ensure you are asleep and pain-free throughout the surgery.
- Incisions: Dr Colbert will make incisions in the targeted areas, typically along the waistline, hips, thighs, and buttocks, with the exact length and placement depending on the extent of the surgery.
- Skin and fat removal: Dr Colbert will then remove excess skin and fat from the targeted areas, plus sometimes liposuction may also be used.
- Tissue repositioning: Once the excess skin and fat is removed, the remaining tissue will be repositioned and tightened to create a more toned and contoured appearance.
- Incision closure: Dr Colbert closes the wounds in multiple layers of sutures, and dressings or bandages will be applied to the incision sites.
- Recovery: After the surgery, you are given specific instructions on how to rest and recover, plus regular follow up appointments with Dr Colbert are arranged.
How do I find out what if body lift surgery is for me?
During a private one on one consultation, Dr Colbert will listen to your body lift goals and expectations.
After a full medical history, Dr Colbert will examine the areas that you would like to have contouring performed on, and then discuss a customised treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Many patients often present with multiple areas of excess skin, and it is often possible to safely perform several procedures during the same operation.
What is the recovery after body contouring surgery?
- Dr Colbert believes that body contouring should be safe, meticulous, and tailored to your own goals and expectations. Dr Colbert operates in fully accredited Perth hospitals, with a Specialist Anaesthetist, and fully qualified operating room and recovery nurses.
- The recovery after body lift surgery can be a lengthy process, typically taking several weeks to months. Your exact recovery time will vary depending on the extent of the surgery, your overall health, and how closely you’re able to follow your post-operative instructions.
- Normal changes during your initial recovery period include swelling, bruising, pain, and discomfort. Pain medication, as well as compression garments, will be used to help manage these symptoms.
- You should be advised to avoid strenuous activities, including exercise, lifting heavy objects, and bending over for at least 4-6 weeks.
- You will be given specific post-operative instructions to help minimise your risk of complications and ensure the best possible results. These will include keeping the incision sites clean and dry, taking medications as prescribed, wearing compression garments to reduce help swelling
- It’s important to note that the full results of a body lift surgery may not be visible until several months after the procedure. Patience and following the post-operative instructions are key to achieving the best possible results.
What scars can I expect?
Body contouring surgery aims to reshape and tighten the skin, with skin and soft tissue excision.
Unfortunately it is impossible to change the shape of an area without operating on it, with this meaning that there’s usually a trade-off of improved shape and contour in return for scars.
Are the results after body contouring surgery permanent?
The results after body contouring are definitely long lasting.
To help ensure your postoperative results are maintained as long as possible you should focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoid significant weight gains or weight losses.
What are the risks associated with body lift surgery?
Body contouring surgery is associated with the following risks:
- Bleeding, bruising, haematoma: haematoma refers to a collection of blood that needs to be removed in the operating room.
- Infection: wounds may become infected after the operation, resulting in you requiring antibiotics or further surgery.
- Scarring: body contouring surgery relies on swapping extra tissue for scars. The scars may be long but are placed in positions to help hide them. The scars are initially lumpy and bumpy, but settle down and improve over time.
- Delayed wound healing: patients who have lost large amounts of weight often have reduced healing ability, resulting in a higher risk of delayed wound healing. If this occurs it is usually managed with dressings, with regular review by Dr Colbert.
- Further operations: for some patients a small operation may helpful to improve scar irregularities or scar puckering, but this is unusual.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE): DVT refers to a blood clot in a limb vein, that can break off and travel to your lungs (PE). This can be very serious, but thankfully is not common due to routine practices that take place to help reduce this risk.
- Body lift surgery is like any surgical procedures in that it carries risks. Before having any operation you should also seek opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner to discuss these potential risks.
Why should you see Dr Colbert for your body lift surgery?
Many Perth women see Dr Colbert for breast augmentation surgery because they want expert care by a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
- Dr Colbert MBBS FRACS (Plastic Surgery) is an Australian trained and fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
- Dr Colbert is one of only a few Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Australia who focuses exclusively on breast and body surgery.
- Dr Colbert personally performs all surgery and aftercare himself, and doesn’t get surgical assistants or nurses to treat you during or after your operation.
- Dr Colbert and his staff are renowned for their amazing patient care, delivered in a comfortable and stress-free environment.
How much does body contouring surgery cost?
Costs associated with body lift surgery in Perth can be confusing, but to help make things clearer we have listed the following fees that make up the final cost.
Surgical fee
- The surgical fee includes the surgery, all post-operative care, and standard post-operative dressings.
- Please note a quote for the surgical fee can only provided after a consultation with Dr Colbert, and as every patient is different we’re unable to give estimations over the phone.
- This surgical fee is payable before surgery in total, however Medicare and your health fund may provide a rebate.
- The Medicare item number for a circumferential bodylift is 30179, and to meet the criteria for this item number you need to have:
- A circumferential excess of tissue that has resulted from significant weight loss of at least 5 BMI points.
- Skin rashes (e.g. intertrigo or another skin condition) from this circumferential skin excess and has failed 3 months of treatment;
- The circumferential excess of tissue interfere with the your daily activities;
- Been weight stable for at least 6 months.
- If you meet the criteria for 30179, then this means that Medicare may help provide a rebate for your operation. Your private health fund may also provide a rebate, provided that you are on a suitable level of cover for appropriate amount of time – but you should always check this yourself with your health fund.
Anaesthetic fee
- The anaesthetic fee includes general anaesthesia plus pre-operative and post-operative care.
- After your consultation with Dr Colbert you will be provided with an estimation of your Anaesthetic fee on behalf of your Anaesthetist.
- For procedures that have a Medicare item number, and provided you meet the criteria, then Medicare and your health fund may pay a rebate for some of the anaesthetic fee. Please note however there is usually an out of pocket gap, and your Anaesthetist will discuss this with you before your operation.
Hospital fee
- The hospital fee includes the operation room fee, bed costs, surgical or medication fees, and any other hospital extras.
- Medicare does not cover this fee. If you have private health insurance then this may be covered by your insurance fund, but you should check with your fund if there is any out of pocket expenses. If you have no private insurance then you will have to pay this fee on discharge from the hospital.
Where can I find out more?
To arrange to speak to Dr Colbert about body contouring surgery in Perth please contact our friendly office staff.
Alternatively you can leave a message in our contact form.