Body Surgery Perth

It depends on whether your main concern is fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or a mix of these. Liposuction treats localised fat but does not remove loose skin. Skin removal procedures such as abdominoplasty, arm lift and thigh lift address excess skin, and abdominoplasty can also repair separated abdominal muscles. Many people have more than one concern. An in-person assessment with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon helps clarify which options may suit you.

Liposuction takes away fat. A tummy tuck takes away loose skin as well, and it can also tighten the stomach muscles. Liposuction suits people with good skin tone and localised fat that has not responded to diet and exercise. An abdominoplasty takes out surplus skin and fat from the lower tummy and can repair muscle separation, although the scar is longer. The two are often combined, with liposuction used to refine the waist and flanks.

There is more than one type of abdominoplasty. The choice comes down to how much loose skin you have and where it is. A mini abdominoplasty deals only with skin below the belly button. A full abdominoplasty covers the whole front of the abdomen and can include muscle repair. A fleur de lys abdominoplasty adds a vertical scar in the midline, so skin can also be removed from side to side. A circumferential abdominoplasty continues around to the back and is usually considered after major weight loss.

Most surgeons prefer your weight to have settled for several months first. To be eligible for a Medicare rebate on skin removal, your weight needs to have been stable for at least six months. After bariatric surgery it can take around 12 to 18 months for weight to level out, so surgery is often planned after that. Eating well and not smoking are also important, as both affect how you heal after a bigger operation.

Usually, yes. A future pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin and muscles again and change the result of an abdominoplasty. Surgeons also generally advise waiting until your body has recovered from your last pregnancy, often around a year, and until breastfeeding has finished and your weight is stable. If you are unsure about future pregnancies, talk openly about timing at your consultation. Post pregnancy surgery explains the options in more detail.

Sometimes, but not always. Having a tummy tuck at the same time as liposuction or breast surgery, for example, means one anaesthetic and one recovery period. However, longer operations and multiple procedures are linked with a higher risk of complications, including blood clots. For larger plans, such as after major weight loss, surgery is often staged over separate operations several months apart. The safest approach depends on your health and the procedures involved.

Yes. Men seek body procedures for many of the same reasons as women, including stubborn fat and loose skin after weight loss. Gynaecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue, and liposuction, abdominoplasty, arm lift and thigh lift surgery are also performed for men. Some causes of male breast enlargement are medical, such as certain medications or hormone changes, so a GP assessment before referral is often helpful.

Cosmetic body contouring is not covered by Medicare. A rebate may apply to some procedures, but only when strict clinical criteria are met. This can include abdominoplasty for muscle separation after pregnancy that is causing symptoms, removal of overhanging abdominal skin that causes skin problems after major weight loss, and gynaecomastia surgery in certain cases. You may need imaging, photographs or records of your symptoms. Eligibility is assessed case by case, so it is worth checking with Medicare and your private health fund before surgery.

Yes, you need a referral from your GP or another medical specialist before your first consultation with Dr Anh Nguyen. For cosmetic body surgery, Australian rules also require at least two consultations before surgery, one of them in person with the surgeon, and a cooling-off period of at least seven days after you give consent before surgery goes ahead. A referral is also needed for any Medicare claim.

All body surgery carries risks. Common ones include fluid collection (seroma), bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, numbness, uneven contours and visible scarring. Larger operations such as abdominoplasty can also lead to blood clots in the legs or lungs, so steps are usually taken to lower that risk. Smoking, a higher BMI and combining several procedures can all increase risk. See surgical risks for more information.

Getting ready starts a few weeks ahead. You will need to stop smoking and vaping well before the operation, keep your weight steady and go through any medicines or supplements that can increase bleeding. Plan some time off work, and ask someone to help you at home for the first few days. Dr Anh gives specific instructions for your procedure, including when to stop certain medications and what to bring on the day.