For patients who have lost significant amounts of weight and have large amounts of loose skin, a body lift is often a better surgical alternative than an abdominoplasty.
A body lift involves removing redundant skin circumferentially around the lower abdomen. This procedures is reserved for patients that have significant redundant skin all around their lower trunk. The advantage of this procedure is that it not only improves the appearance of the stomach area, flanks and back, but it also helps to lift the buttocks and lateral thigh (“saddle bags”). However, the trade-off is that you are left with a long circumferential scar.
No Drains
Dr Julian Liew performs a body lift that repairs the abdominal muscles, improves the appearance of your abdomen and flanks, and lifts the buttocks and thighs. This procedure does not require the usage of drains. Dr Liew utilises a “quilting” technique that helps to create a better waist and a more natural shape, accentuating the abdominal muscles. This technique also leads to minimal tension on the skin that leads to better wound healing, a longer lasting result and an easier recovery after surgery. The procedures will reconstruct the contours of your abdomen to accentuate your waist, and provide you with softer, more natural curves to your abdomen.
Aims of Surgery
The aims of surgery are to improve the contour and appearance of the abdomen as well as the buttocks and lateral thigh. This is achieved by removing the excess and sagging skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen, flanks and back. This is in combination with repairing your abdominal muscles that have stretched and split as a result of childbirth, aging or weight loss.
Does a Body Lift Get Rid of My Fat?
It is important to note that this type of procedure is not a method for fat loss. Other limitations to this procedure include large amounts of central abdominal fat and the presence of stretch marks, which can be made more obvious during this procedure. In addition, any previous abdominal surgery that you may have had in the past can compromise blood flow to the abdomen, therefore, increasing your complication profile. You should speak to Dr Liew about these limitations, and if any of these apply to your specific case.
The Ideal Candidate for a Body Lift
You are an ideal candidate for a body lift procedure if you have already lost weight and close to your ideal weight. In addition, an ideal candidate has redundant skin and fat in the lower part of their abdomen and back, buttocks and the sides of their thighs. The ideal candidate for a body lift procedure is someone who is healthy, doesn’t smoke and whose weight has been stable for several months.
Fleur-de-Lis Body Lift
Fleur-de-lis is a stylised lily composed of three petals bound together near their bases and refers to a specific type of incision used in a body lift. This type of body lift adds a vertical scar down the front of the abdomen and is reserved for men with large amounts of redundant skin and women with very large amounts of redundant skin and fat. Dr Liew will discuss the specifics of this modification and if it applies to your specific situation.
Your Clinic Plastic Surgery Journey
During your initial appointment, Dr Liew will comprehensively ask your medical and surgical history as well as performing a physical examination to determine your suitability for body lift surgery. Your height and weight will also be recorded by our expert staff. Once this is completed, Dr Liew will discuss the benefits and risks of the surgery with the aid of before and after photos. He will also discuss the type of surgery that will provide you with your best result as well as any other ancillary procedures that may help in your specific case. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about your surgery, and the costs of the surgery will be discussed in great detail with you by one of our expert team.
If you choose to proceed to have your operation with Dr Liew, a second appointment will be made to discuss any further questions you may have, and clinical photographs will be taken, followed by one of our team measuring you for your complimentary post-operative garments. You should never proceed with any surgery unless you feel perfectly comfortable with your surgeon and his or her clinical team.
The Procedure
Body lift surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes approximately 4-5 hours. Dr Liew does not use any drains in this procedure, you will stay in hospital for 2 nights. You will be provided with an abdominal binder to help your recovery. All dressings used will be waterproof, and you will be able to shower normally after the operation.
Post-surgery, you should refrain from heavy lifting for 6 weeks. You can drive when moving freely and not taking any opiate medications, this is usually at 2-3 weeks after your procedure. You will also be required to wear your post-operative abdominal binder for 6 weeks.
Dr Julian Liew is a highly qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and his specialty interest is in Breast Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. He prides himself in his ability to be able to explain complex surgical issues in simple, easy to understand language and wants you to feel comfortable in your decision to undergo any surgery that you are considering.
Read moreBody lift surgery removes saggy and excess skin from your lower abdominal area, giving you a flatter and more aesthetically pleasing stomach.
An added benefit of body lift surgery is that the excess skin and fat from the outer part of your thighs and buttocks will also be lifted.
In addition to a flatter stomach, the waist is narrowed and the hips are accentuated in this procedure, providing you with an improved body shape.
Excess skin can physically hinder movement. After body lift surgery, many individuals find it easier to move, leading to a more active and healthier lifestyle.
You are an ideal candidate for a body lift procedure if you have already lost weight and are close to your ideal weight. An ideal candidate would have redundant skin and fat in the back, buttocks and the sides of their thighs, in addition, to redundant skin and fat in the lower part of their abdomen. The ideal candidate for a body lift procedure is someone who is healthy, doesn’t smoke and whose weight has been stable for at least 6 months.
Dr Liew does not use drains for this procedure. Dr Liew utilises the most modern and up to date techniques for all of his procedures. This means that you will be a lot more comfortable after your surgery, and will not have the inconvenience of drains to go home with or to hinder your mobility.
Fleur-de-lis is a stylised lily composed of three petals bound together near their bases and refers to a specific type of incision used in a body lift. This type of body lift adds a vertical scar down the front of the abdomen and is reserved for men with large amounts of redundant skin and women with very large amounts of redundant skin and fat. Dr Liew will discuss the specifics of this modification and if it applies to your specific situation.
The results of a body lift procedure are designed to be permanent. The skin and fat cells removed during surgery cannot grow back. However there are certain circumstances that can affect your long term result. Substantial weight gain can cause the remaining fat cells to grow larger again, and sometimes the body can produce new fat cells in the area of surgery. Fluctuations in weight can cause abdominal skin to lose elasticity and sag again.
Pregnancy after a tummy tuck procedure can cause repaired muscles to separate again, and skin to stretch.
A body lift operation is a long and complicated procedure that is performed under a general anaesthetic. You will usually need to stay several nights in hospital to optimally recover from your surgery.
Dr Julian Liew performs all of his surgeries at an accredited major private hospital and only works with fully accredited and specialist anaesthetists. Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic and you will be cared for by specialist plastic surgery nurses on a specialist plastic surgery ward.
You are able to walk immediately after your procedure. However, you will be restricted to lifting things less than 5 kilograms for the first 6 weeks after your surgery. After 6 weeks you can resume normal activity, but if you lift very heavy weights and engage in “core” intensive exercises (eg. Pilates or Yoga), you should wait at least 8 weeks after your surgery.
At the time of your consultation, you will be given a detailed quotation for your procedure that will include the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, surgical assistant fees and the hospital’s fees.
Please consult your health insurance provider to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your procedure.
Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by Medicare and as a result you are unlikely to receive a rebate or subsidy for these procedures.
As of 1st July 2023, new AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) guidelines require all patients obtain a referral from a General Practitioner or a Medical Specialist before scheduling a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon.
A qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is fully accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon is significant. Anyone with a medical degree can call themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” and are not accredited to operate in major private hospitals. A Cosmetic Surgeon is not recognised as a Specialist Surgeon or Specialist Plastic Surgeon by any of the regulating authorities such as Medicare Australia or the Medical Board of Australia. They also cannot register themselves as a Surgeon with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Specialist Plastic Surgeons normally undergo extensive training in aesthetic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, paediatric plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery following trauma, burns or cancer treatment. After completing the mandatory years of training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, many Specialist Plastic Surgeons undertake a fellowship to continue to gain further experience and training in specific branches of the specialty.
Dr Julian Liew is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. After completing his medical degree in 2002 at Monash University, Dr Liew trained in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery before completing his Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery training at the beginning of 2015.
During his training, Dr Liew gained extensive experience in aesthetic surgery, maxillofacial surgery and reconstructive surgery following trauma, burns and cancer treatment. After successfully gaining his Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship from the the Royal College of Surgeons, Dr Liew completed a further fellowship overseas in Microsurgery and Breast Reconstructive Surgery at the world-renowned Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, United Kingdom, which is world famous for its pioneering burns and plastic surgery.
As a skilled Microsurgeon and Specialist Plastic Surgeon his attention to detail and to the skill and precision of the procedure is only paralleled by his passion for the patient-centric experience and his complete involvement along with his talented team, through the patient’s entire surgical journey.
In 2017, Dr Liew realised his vision of combining surgical excellence with an enhanced patient journey by establishing his boutique plastic and reconstructive surgery practice, The Clinic Plastic Surgery, in East Melbourne.
Your qualified Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Julian Liew, will guide you through your patient journey from beginning to end. Dr Liew will see you at your first consultation, and personally guide you through your post-surgical course. At The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we feel that a close relationship with your surgeon ensures a smooth and satisfying experience.
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