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Body Lift Surgery Prices In Australia

How much is a Body Lift Surgery in Australia ? – Body Lift Surgery Prices for excess skin removal after weight loss

Body Lift surgery includes body contouring and excess skin removal procedures, the purpose of these surgeries is to eliminate extra loose skin, excess fat and tissue from areas such as the; tummy, hips, arms, thighs, and buttocks. The surgery is often necessary for people who have undergone a massive weight loss transformation that has left them with rolls of loose skin and excess tissues. Body Lift surgery may be suitable for people who are nearing their goal weight and have been able to maintain their weight for a minimum of 6 months. However, if you still have a large amount of weight to lose (a High BMI) you should delay having any skin reduction procedures.

Combining Excess Skin Reduction Surgeries

You can combine a body lift with other procedures. For example, you can have a body lift with any of the following;

  • Arm lift (Brachioplasty) & Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
  • Breast Reduction Surgery
  • Facelift (Rhytidectomy) or Necklift after Massive Weight Loss
  • Upper Body lift
  • Lower Body Lift

There are multiple types of body lift procedures that patients can choose depending on their unique concerns. If you;

  • Have lost a significant amount of weight and now have significant amounts of loose skin
  • Are concerned about your excess fat.
  • Concerned about sagging breasts or sagging in other areas.
  • Notice that your body has changed post-pregnancy.
  • Or, if you wish to reshape your appearance then a body lift surgery may be suitable.

Learn more about Body Contouring

Types of Body Lift

Below is a brief description of the three major types of body lift surgeries.

Upper Body Lift

As the name suggests an upper body lift targets the top half of the body. The surgeon will address your arms, breasts and back. Patients can either get a complete upper body lift or pick and choose the areas they would like to have surgery.

Lower Body Lift

The Lower Body Lift not only removes excess fat, tissue and skin but it also helps contour your stomach area. Muscle repair from stretched abdominal muscles can also be a part of this surgery. Lower body lift is also known as a circumferential body lift. It doesn’t only help reduce excess skin but can also lift the buttocks and thighs as well. After weight loss the buttocks can be left sagging, the circumferential body lift is a 360-degree lift of the abdomen and lower back.

Combination Body Lift/ Total Body Lift

If you want to address your entire body, you may have a total body lift/combination body lift. However, for safety, your surgeon will break up the procedures into multiple surgeries. The surgeries can get quite extensive and require an extensive recovery period. You need to be mobile during your recovery. Doing everything all at once can make mobility impossible, very uncomfortable and put you at a higher risk of complications. Avoid doing a total body lift overseas on a medical tourism holiday – some patients have died from having too much surgery and poor aftercare.

What is Included in the Cost of a Body Lift Surgery?

The overall quote given to you includes more than a surgeon’s fee. See below for fees you can expect to incur from your surgery:

Surgeon’s Fee

  • Your surgeon is the most important factor of your surgery.
  • You need to ensure you select the right surgeon after doing some research.
  • The fee of the surgeon depends on the credentials and experience of the surgeon, as well as the length of the surgery and its complexity.

Anaesthesia Fees

  • A body lift is quite an invasive procedure. Therefore you will be under general anaesthesia for the procedure.
  • In most circumstances, anaesthetists charge on an hourly basis.
  • The surgery typically takes three to 7 hours depending on the procedure
  • In Australia, their fee is around $600-800 per hour; your surgeon will advise you.

Hospital/Surgical Facility Costs

  • The surgery is performed in an accredited hospital.
  • The costs of the hospital will be put in your quote. They typically charge per procedure or per hour.
  • Most people will stay in the hospital for at least two days post-surgery.
  • If you have insurance and you are eligible for cover for these procedures, your fund should cover part or all of the hospital charges including the overnight fees.

Medical Tests

Your surgeon will ask you to undergo a series of medical tests prior to surgery. This is to ensure you are the right candidate for the body lift and everything in your body is healthy and functioning optimally.

Post-Surgery Garments

  • Your surgeon will ask you to wear compression garments post-surgery to help with the swelling and bruising.
  • These garments are an essential part of the healing process, and you will have to wear them for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Most surgeons will provide you with the post-op garments as they all have specific garments; they prefer a patient to use.

Prescriptions for Medication

You will require medications while recovering from surgery. This will include pain killers and antibiotics to keep you comfortable and to fight off infection. These charges are usually separate to other charges.

Assistant Fees

A surgical assistant is almost always required for Body Lift Surgery as the surgery is complex and the surgeon requires one. Charges will vary, this price will be on your quote; they charge per hour just as anaesthetists do.

Post Op Care and Follow-Up Visits

A body lift is quite an invasive set of procedures and requires good post-op care. Your surgeon will have you come in for multiple follow up visits to ensure everything is healing as it should and to keep an eye on the incision sites. Most surgeons will include this as a part of their quote and not charge you any extra but this will vary dependent on the surgeon and their practice.

How Can I Determine the Exact Cost of a Body Lift?

With all the different factors impacting the overall price of the surgery, it is hard to give you an exact number. Please call the clinic team for a rough estimate. The best way to determine the cost of the surgery is to book a consultation with the surgeon of choice. The surgeon will examine your body, the amount of excess skin you have and listen to your aesthetic goals. After that, you will receive a final quote. That is the only way to determine how much you will have to pay for the surgery.

Medicare and Other Health Funds

If your body lift is deemed a medical necessity by your surgeon, Medicare and some Health Funds may cover you and offer a small rebate. You will discuss this in your consultation. You will also need to contact your fund yourself to find out the details of your particular cover. We recommend all patients get a GP referral to make claiming a possibility, without a referral this is not possible. It is good to mention what your previous weight was, how the weight was lost, what your weight is now and how long you have been able to maintain it. If you have any skin irritations, rashes, itching, redness, skin sores etc. are also good to mention as well.

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for a Body Lift Surgery

Here are a few tips that will help you find the right one:

1. Do Your Research

Make sure to do plenty of research prior to selecting “The One”. You will spend some time online and offline in order to land the right surgeon. This is the first step towards surgery.

2. Ask for Referrals

The best approach to finding a surgeon you trust is asking around in your circle. There might be someone who has had a body lift done. If that is the case, reach out to the surgeon and see if you like them. The next thing you can do is ask your local doctor to recommend you to a surgeon.

3. Read Online Reviews

When doing your research online, you have to rely on reviews to an extent. You can find reviews on the websites of different surgeons. We would recommend going on authentic third-party review sites and forums where people honestly share their experiences without any filters and sometimes even photos. Keep an eye out for fake reviews.

4. Look closely at Credentials and Experience

It goes without saying that credentials and experience matter the most when it comes to choosing a surgeon. Make sure that the surgeon you choose is a member of ASPS and performs body lifts as one of their main procedures. A highly experienced surgeon will definitely cost you more, but it is worth it. This is a big procedure journey and you need to be confident in the surgeon you choose.

5. Choose a Specialist Plastic Surgeon that you feel comfortable with

You might go to see different surgeons with the exact same experience and credentials but end up feeling more comfortable with one. Once you have done all your research, trust your instincts.

Your Health and Safety Must be Your First Priority

We understand that cost is one of the determining factors of any cosmetic procedure. But, your health and wellbeing matter more than what a surgeon is going to charge. A lot of people feel the temptation to travel overseas because they can get an amazing low price deal. However, surgeons overseas don’t have to follow the same strict standards as those in Australia and some patients going overseas for Body Lift have died of complications. Travelling immediately after surgery is risky and not something we recommend. Doing so can create all sorts of problems from split sutures to blood clots and DVT.  You need plenty of time to heal. Furthermore, if you decide to get the surgery done elsewhere, you won’t be able to access the same level of post-surgical care. Follow up visits and post-op care are an important part of the surgery and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Medicare and other health funds will not cover the cost of the procedure overseas and if complications arise on your return, you will not be eligible for cover either. All surgery is best performed in Australia with a surgeon you can see regularly post-operatively to monitor your recovery.

Body Lift Pricing FAQS:

Below, is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding body lift surgery:

Is body lift surgery covered by Medicare or my Health Fund?

  • Yes it can be.
  • If your body lift surgery meets the strict criteria and is deemed as a medical necessity by your surgeon, Medicare and some Health Funds may cover you or give rebates.
  • Your surgeon will discuss this with you at your consultation.
  • You will also need to contact your fund yourself to find out the details of your particular cover.

Specialist Plastic Surgeons and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon

With a wealth of experience and training, our Specialist Plastic and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeons are dedicated to best-practice patient care and education, customising Surgery for each and every patient to best meet their needs and desired surgical outcomes.

Dr Craig Rubinstein
Dr Broughton Snell
Dr Stephen Kleid
Dr Gary Kode

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001124843

Dr Craig Rubinstein

Patient safety, care and satisfaction are the top priorities for Dr Craig Rubinstein, a respected Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne. With over 25 years of experience especially in all areas of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, but particularly in breast surgery, he combines technical skill with a compassionate approach, emphasising strong relationships with his patients.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001190266

Dr Broughton Snell

Dr Broughton Snell is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His training in Plastic Surgery took place in Australia and the United States of America (USA).

Dr Snell is a fully qualified specialist plastic surgeon having completed his Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has also spent time following the completion of this qualification gaining further experience and training in the area of craniomaxillofacial surgery, training which he completed in world-renowned centres here and in the United States.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon MED0001052799

Dr Stephen Kleid

Dr Stephen Kleid is an experienced Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) based in Masada with a passion for Septo-rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, as well as, a strong interest in Rhinoplasty Revision.

Dr Kleid trained at Melbourne University, then completed surgical training at various hospitals including Royal Melbourne, Royal Children’s, The Eye and Ear and St Vincents. He worked as a surgeon at the University of Florida Medical school for further experience.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001405964

Dr Gary Kode

Dr Gary Kode is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, with experience in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as non-surgical treatments.

Dr Kode is a member of several organisations, including the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), The International Confederation for Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and he holds a Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

What to do next?

Our Patient Liaison Team can assist with any questions you may have when considering a procedure. You can send in an enquiry form below or call our Melbourne Clinic between 9 am – 5 pm Monday - Friday.

Disclaimer: Results depend on individual patient circumstances and can vary significantly. Results may also be impacted by a variety of factors including your lifestyle, weight, nutritional intake and overall health. Consult your Specialist Plastic Surgeon for details. This information is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your Surgeon.

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