A modern abdominoplasty is a very different operation than it was several years ago.
Dr Julian Liew performs a modern “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty that repairs the abdominal muscles, improves the appearance of your abdomen and does not involve the usage of drains. This procedures will reconstruct the contours of your abdomen to accentuate your waist, remove excess skin and fat from your lower abdomen and repair your abdominal muscles that may have been separated by pregnancy, weight gain, or age.
Quilting
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.
Traditionally, an abdominoplasty procedure could be a traumatic encounter. The procedure involved repairing the abdominal muscles, and closing the skin as tight as possible. These principles led to multiple problems. Firstly, the tightness of the skin determined the shape. Too much tension on the wound would lead to increased rates of wound breakdown and also increased the incidence of poor scarring. The tight closure also led to a difficult recovery and required the use of drains for several days.
Aims of Surgery
The aims of abdominoplasty surgery are to improve the contour and appearance of the abdomen. This is achieved by removing the excess and sagging skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. This is in combination with repairing your abdominal muscles that have stretched and split as a result of childbirth, aging or weight loss.
It is important to note that an abdominal procedure is not a method for fat loss. Before considering this surgery, you should have a health body mass index (BMI) and reached a stable weight. Other limitations of this procedure include large amounts of central abdominal fat, the presence of stretch marks, which can be more obvious during this procedure and any previous abdominal surgery that you may have had, which can compromise the blood flow to your abdominal skin. You should speak to Dr Liew about these limitations, and if any of these apply to your specific case.
The Ideal Candidate for a Tummy Tuck
You are an ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure if you have already lost weight, are close to your ideal weight and have redundant skin and fat in the lower part of abdomen. The ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure is someone who is healthy, doesn’t smoke and who’s weight has been stable for several months.
An ideal candidate may also be someone that is fit and not overweight that has been struggling with the separation of their abdominal muscles (rectus divarication) after pregnancy.
“Mini” Abdominoplasty and Extended Abdominoplasty
The main difference between a “Mini” abdominoplasty and a “standard” abdominoplasty procedure is the length of the scar. This scar is shorter and sits below the bikini line. This type of procedures is suitable for patients who only have a small amount of excess skin and fat in their lower abdomen, but still want the separation in their muscles repaired. The belly button may not need to be repositioned, so scarring is further reduced and recovery is quicker.
An Extended abdominoplasty is similar to a standard abdominoplasty except the incision extends around the hips to the back. This type of procedures is required when there is a significant amount of redundant skin and fat in the lower abdomen. An advantage of the longer scar is that in specific circumstances, it improves the appearance of the entire abdomen, and can help recontour the waist, hips and flanks. Dr Liew will advise you which type of procedures will give you your best result at your initial consultation.
Your Clinic Plastic Surgery Journey
During your initial appointment, Dr Liew will comprehensively assess your medical and surgical history and will listen to your specific concerns and dislikes about your abdomen. He will ascertain your surgical expectations and goals before performing a physical examination to determine your suitability for abdominoplasty surgery. Your height and weight will also be recorded by our expert staff.
Dr Liew will discuss the benefits and risks abdominoplasty surgery with the aid of before and after photos. He will also discuss the specific type of surgery that will provide you with your best result as well as any other ancillary procedures that may help in your individual case. He will also discuss any specific risks or limitations that may apply specifically to you. 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 detail with you by one of our expert team.
If you choose to proceed with your operation with Dr Liew, a second appointment will be made to discuss any further questions you may have. Clinical photographs will be taken at this appointment, and one of our expert team will measure you for your specialty post-operative garments. You will also complete the informed consent process for your procedure. You should never proceed with any surgery unless you feel perfectly comfortable with your surgeon and his clinical team.
What Does Abdominoplasty Involve?
approximately 2-3 hours. Dr Liew does not use any drains in this procedure, you will stay in hospital for 2 nights. You will be provided with a post-surgical garment to optimise your recovery. All dressings used will be waterproof, and you will be able to shower normally after the operation.
What Precautions Do I Take Post-Abdominoplasty Surgery?
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 1-2 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 of the Breast and Body. 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 moreAbdominoplasty surgery removes saggy and excess skin from your lower abdominal area, giving you a flatter and more aesthetically pleasing stomach.
Abdominoplasty surgery repairs your abdominal muscles that have been separated by pregnancy, weight loss and age. which corrects abdominal bulge and improves posture.
Abdominoplasty surgery improves your body shape. Internal Quilting sutures will help to narrow your waist, accentuate your hips and also highlight your abdominal muscles.
Restoring separated abdominal muscles to a more anatomically correct position will result in a more stable core. This will improve your posture and reduce some types of back pain.
Before
After
DISCLAIMER: All before and after photographs are actual cases of Dr. Julian Liew, and are examples only.
All surgical results are subject to individual patient variability and do not constitute an implied or certainty for the result.
The results of a tummy tuck 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.
Dr Liew will touch on these features during your consultation, so that you can commit to your procedure knowing all of the options.
Dr Liew does not use drains for his tummy tuck procedures. 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.
There are 2 potential item numbers that can cover abdominoplasty procedures, however their inclusion criteria are very strict.
The item number is 30177, and is only valid in the setting of massive weight loss. The criteria to be eligible for this item number are:
a) There is intertrigo or another skin condition that risks loss of skin integrity and has failed 3 months of conventional (or non surgical) treatment; and
b) The redundant skin and fat interferes with the activities of daily living; and
c) The weight has been stable for at least 6 months following significant weight loss (at least five BMI units) prior to the lipectomy
Your weight loss journey will also have to be documented by a health professional. Please speak to our expert team regarding eligibility for this item number.
Effective from 1st July 2022, you can be eligible for item number 30175 for rectus diastasis or separation of the rectus abdominis muscles after pregnancy. The criteria to be eligible for this item number are:
a) Has a diastasis of at least 3cm measured by diagnostic imaging prior to this service; and
b) Has symptoms of at least moderate severity of pain or discomfort at the site of the diastasis in the abdominal wall during functional use and/or low back pain or urinary symptoms likely due to rectus diastasis that have been documented in the patient’s records by the practitioner providing this service; and
c) Has failed to respond to non-surgical conservative treatment including physiotherapy; and
d) Has not been pregnant in the last 12 months.
There is no such thing as a free abdominoplasty surgery under Medicare. If you qualify for a Medicare item number, you may get a significant subsidy from your health fund for your operation, however, there will still be significant out-of-pocket costs for your surgical and anaesthetic services.
Each health fund and level of coverage is unique. We advise that you contact your health fund directly to determine if you are eligible to be covered for an operation before your initial appointment. This way, we can give you a more specific and accurate quotation of surgical costs at your initial consultation.
The main difference between a “Mini” abdominoplasty and a “standard” abdominoplasty procedure is the length of the scar. In a “Mini” the scar is shorter and sits below the bikini line. This type of procedures is suitable for patients who only have a small amount of excess skin and fat in their lower abdomen, but still want the separation in their muscles repaired. The belly button may not need to be repositioned, so scarring is further reduced and recovery is quicker.
An Extended abdominoplasty is similar to a standard abdominoplasty except the incision extends around the hips to the back. This type of procedures is required when there is a significant amount of redundant skin and fat in the lower abdomen. An advantage of the longer scar is that in specific circumstances, it improves the appearance of the entire abdomen, and can help recontour the waist, hips and flanks. Dr Liew will advise you which type of procedures will give you your best result at your initial consultation.
A post-surgical garment will be provided to you before your surgery. The purpose of this garment is mainly to protect your muscle repair and decrease your post-operative swelling. You will need to wear this garment for 6 weeks after your surgery.
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.
Dr Julian Liew performs all of his surgeries at an accredited major private hospital and only works with fully accredited and specialist anaesthetists. Your tummy tuck 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.
Dr Julian Liew is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Dr Liew is registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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.
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.
A Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is fully accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Only Specialist Plastic Surgeons are accredited by the Commonwealth Government of Australia through the Australian Medical Council to perform all reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
The difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon is significant. 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.
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.
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.
{{el.description}}
