Body Contouring Surgery Sydney

Why You May Consider Body Contouring Surgery

You may consider Body Contouring Surgery if you:

• Have experienced massive weight loss
• Have loose, excess skin in one or more areas of the body
• Have a significant amount of stretch marks
• Have excess skin causing skin irritations, infections or chafing
• Have excess skin causing functional problems such as mobility issues, difficulty exercising or problems wearing certain clothing
• Suffer emotional distress due to these issues

Potential Candidates

You may be a potential candidate for Body Contouring Surgery if you:

• Have lost all (or close to) the weight you’ve aimed to lose.
• Have maintained a stable weight for a minimum of six months
• Are in good mental and physical health
• Do not have any health problems that could negatively affect surgery
• Have realistic expectations about the surgery
• Understand that you will have certain scars from your procedure(s)

Areas of the Body Targeted During Body Contouring Surgery

• Arms
• Breasts
• Abdomen
• Hips
• Upper Back Bra Area
• Flanks (Sides Of Waist)
• Outer Thighs
• Buttocks

Dr Donas 7 ‘B’s of Body Contouring Surgery

Body Contouring Surgery encompasses a range of surgical procedures that address excess skin and tissue. As no two individuals are the same, your procedure will be tailored to address your needs.

Over the years, Dr Dona has continued to refine and develop his techniques to deal with the many varied and often complex patients who require his expertise. In doing so, he has defined ‘The 7 ‘B’s of Body Contouring Surgery’. They are:

1. BRACHIOPLASTY (Arm Reduction): Removes unwanted excess and loose skin along the upper arm.

More on Brachioplasty >

2. BREAST SURGERY (Especially Breast Lifts (Mastopexy) and Breast Reductions): Addresses breast size, shape and symmetry issues that may occur after weight loss.

More on Breast Reductions >

3. BRA LIPECTOMY: Addresses excess skin rolls and associated fat in the upper and middle part of the back around the bra strap area – this area is often referred to as the ‘bra roll’. There are several names and variations for a Bra Lipectomy, which include:

• Bra Line Back Lift
• Upper Body Lift
• Upper Truncoplasty

More on Bra Lipectomy >

4. BELT LIPECTOMY: The surgical removal of rolls of excess skin and the associated fat in the lower back, flanks and abdominal region. It also lifts the buttock, outer thighs and pubic regions. A Belt Lipectomy essentially combines two operations: a Buttock Lift and a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), which results in one continuous circumferential scar contained within the belt line. The Belt Lipectomy can also be referred to as a:

• Lower Body Lift
• 360 Abdominoplasty
• Circumferential Abdominoplasty
• Lower Truncoplasty

More on Belt Lipectomy >

5. BELLY SURGERY (Abdominoplasty, aka Tummy Tuck): Refers to various types of abdominal surgery. The type of abdominal surgery required depends on the amount of excess loose skin and fat in the middle and lower abdomen. There are three main types of surgical procedures, which include:

• Standard Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Extended Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• OPEN BOOK TUMMY TUCK™ (Abdominoplasty)

More on Abdominoplasty >

6. BUTTOCK LIFT: Designed to lift and tighten the buttocks, remove excess skin from the lower back, and create a far more comfortable form along your back and buttocks. If combined with an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), it becomes a Belt Lipectomy and can also help create a tighter waistline. Buttock Lift surgery is also referred to as a Gluteal Lipectomy.

More on Buttock Lift >

7. BELOW THE WAISTLINE SURGERY – THIGH LIFT Surgery (Medial Thigh Lipectomy): Performed to tighten the skin and improve the form along the inner thigh. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed, leaving a scar hidden along the fold where the thigh and groin meet and often extending down the inner aspect of the thigh to the level of the knee.

More on Thigh Lipectomy >

Your Initial Consultation with Dr Eddy Dona

The first step in determining whether Body Contouring Surgery is appropriate for you is an initial consultation with Dr Eddy Dona in his Sydney-based rooms.

During your appointment, you can discuss your concerns and objectives, and Dr Dona will thoroughly examine you, take clinical measurements and review your medical history.

If he determines that Body Contouring Surgery may be considered, he will explain the options and surgical approach, outline the expected recovery and discuss potential risks and complications. He will also take the time to answer any questions you have, so you feel fully informed before making a decision.

Planning, Consultations & Finance

Your Personalised Surgical Plan

After your initial consultation with Dr Dona, our team will give you your personalised surgical plan. This outlines your Body Contouring procedure(s), expected recovery, potential risks and complications, associated costs and whether your surgery may qualify for a Medicare item number.

Medicare 

If you have significant excess skin that causes functional or medical problems, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you meet specific criteria.

Dr Dona must assess you in person to determine whether your condition meets the relevant Medicare criteria and whether a Medicare item number applies. If eligible, Medicare may provide a rebate towards the surgeon’s fee, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.

Private Health Insurance

If a Medicare item number applies to your surgery, your Private Health Insurance may also contribute towards eligible hospital and medical expenses, depending on your level of cover.

You must have appropriate hospital cover that includes the relevant procedure and have served any applicable waiting periods. Your insurer can confirm whether your policy provides cover and what out-of-pocket costs you may have.

Out-Of-Pocket Fees

Even if you do receive a Medicare rebate, this will only cover a small, set portion of the total medical charges. You will still have out-of-pocket fees such as  Dr Dona’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees and possible hospital fees.

During your consultation, Dr Dona’s team will provide a personalised quote, explain any potential rebates and outline what your Private Health Fund may cover so you understand all expected costs before proceeding.

Additional Consultations & Pre-Operative Planning

Before proceeding with surgery, you are required to attend a minimum of two consultations with Dr Dona.

These appointments allow you to review your surgical plan, discuss your objectives and expectations, ask any other questions you may have and ensure you feel fully informed before deciding on surgery.

Understanding Significant Weight Loss & Excess Skin

After significant weight loss and the associated changes to the body (including changes after pregnancy), individuals often have loose, excess skin. This happens because the skin has stretched and lost elasticity during weight gain. The now smaller individual is fitter and healthier; however, their skin hangs off them like old clothing designed for a much larger body.

Body Contouring Surgery addresses these issues. These reconstructive surgical procedures are tailored to your body to address the functional and aesthetic concerns often associated with excess skin.

Problems Associated with Excess Skin

Individuals with significant excess skin often face major challenges.

Physical & Hygiene Challenges

• Skin Irritation and Chafing: Skinfolds rub together constantly, causing painful friction, rashes, infections and raw spots.
• Hygiene Concerns: Trapped moisture, sweat and bacteria inside deep skinfolds easily lead to fungal or bacterial infections.
• Reduced Mobility: Heavy, hanging skin can swing or pull, causing physical discomfort and interfering with normal exercise or daily movement.

Practical And Social Challenges

Clothing Difficulties: Standard clothing often does not fit properly over hanging skin folds, limiting wardrobe choices.

Psychological Distress: Persistent loose skin can cause frustration or social anxiety, undermining the positive mental health benefits of an internal health transformation.

What Should My BMI Be Before Body Contouring Surgery?

Dr Eddy Dona believes that a patient’s suitability for Body Contouring Surgery should not be determined by their Body Mass Index (BMI) alone. While BMI is an important consideration when assessing surgical risks, it does not account for a person’s overall health, body composition or the functional and medical concerns associated with excess skin.

Many plastic surgeons use a BMI of 30 as a threshold for elective surgery, as a higher BMI is associated with an increased risk of complications, including anaesthetic complications, infection, blood clots, delayed wound healing, wound breakdown and skin necrosis.

However, Dr Dona recognises that many patients with a BMI above 30 may still be suitable candidates for reconstructive Body Contouring Surgery, particularly where excess skin causes significant physical, functional or medical difficulties. The key issue is that the surgery is designed to reconstruct the body and address the often significant functional and medical issues associated with the excess skin. While aesthetic changes are an obvious byproduct of reconstruction, these operations are primarily reconstructive, with cosmetic changes as a secondary benefit.

This includes individuals who have experienced massive weight loss and reached a stable, sustainable weight but continue to have substantial excess skin. It may also include fuller-figured individuals who have maintained a consistent weight over many years but experience ongoing medical or functional problems associated with a large abdominal apron or overhang.

Rather than applying a strict BMI cut-off, Dr Dona assesses each patient individually, considering their medical history, current health, weight stability, the extent of excess skin and the potential risks and benefits of surgery.

For patients who are actively losing weight, it is generally recommended that they reach a realistic, sustainable weight and maintain it for at least six months before proceeding with Body Contouring Surgery.

Patients who wish to lose additional weight before surgery may benefit from discussing weight management options with their GP, including medical management or referral to a bariatric surgeon to explore procedures such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.

Dr Dona’s approach is based on individual patient assessment, recognising that BMI is one component of surgical risk rather than the sole determining factor in whether reconstructive Body Contouring Surgery may be appropriate.

Ultimately, all medical treatments are based on a risk-versus-benefit assessment. If the potential benefits outweigh the risks, and if all these issues are openly discussed, then a collective, informed decision can be made about whether surgery is appropriate, regardless of BMI.

Combining Body Contouring Procedures

Massive weight loss can leave excess skin and tissue in several areas of the body, including the arms, chest, back, buttocks and thighs. Reconstructive surgery may be recommended to address these areas.

Many patients would like to have several procedures at the same time. However, combining procedures is not always appropriate. The larger the surgery, the greater the potential risk of post-operative complications.

Dr Dona assesses each patient individually and develops a treatment plan based on their needs and priorities. For many people who have lost a significant amount of weight, surgery must be staged over time.

When planning surgery, factors such as your health, lifestyle, recovery requirements and financial circumstances also need to be considered. In some cases, it may be possible to combine procedures safely.

Some common combinations include:

• Belt Lipectomy with a FDL or Open Book Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Bra Lipectomy with an Open Book Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Breast Surgery (Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift/Mastopexy or Breast Reduction) with a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Arm Reduction (Brachioplasty) with Breast Surgery (Breast Lift/Mastopexy or Breast Reduction)

As a general rule, however, Dr Dona does not combine Thigh Lift Surgery (Thighplasty or Thigh Lipectomy) with other surgical procedures. A Thigh Lift is a major operation with a higher risk of post-operative complications, and combining it with additional procedures may further increase these risks and make recovery more complex and demanding.

Ultimately, your treatment plan will be tailored to you. Dr Dona will generally start with the areas that concern you most, then plan further procedures in stages, taking your health, lifestyle and other circumstances into account.

How Long Do I Have To Wait Between Body Contouring Surgeries?

It is extremely common for a patient to undergo more than one cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. In some cases, as outlined above, multiple procedures can be combined into the same surgery. In other situations, the minimum time between surgeries is about three months. Overall, there is no hard-and-fast rule about how long a patient should wait between surgeries; it largely depends on your healing rate and overall health.

Recovery After Body Contouring Surgery

Your recovery will largely depend on the type and number of procedures you have. For more information about recovery from a specific procedure, please visit the relevant procedure page.

As Body Contouring Surgery may involve several procedures, you will likely stay in hospital for at least a couple of nights. This allows our team to monitor you closely during the early stages of your recovery.

It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort after surgery. You will be given medication to help manage this. Once you return home, you will need plenty of rest, although gentle movement, such as walking short distances around your home, is encouraged.

Depending on the procedures you have had, it may be two to four weeks before you are ready to leave home and gradually return to some everyday activities. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for at least six weeks or as advised by your surgical team.

Looking after your wounds and following your post-operative instructions carefully are important parts of your recovery. You may also need to wear compression garments for up to six weeks to help manage swelling.

Your recovery plan will be tailored to the specific procedures performed, with Dr Dona and his nursing team providing comprehensive post-operative instructions, ongoing guidance and support throughout your recovery.

What Happens If I Lose Weight After Surgery?

It is best to reach your optimal, stabilised weight before surgery. If you lose a small amount of weight after surgery, it is unlikely to affect the surgical outcome. This issue largely depends on the individual patient’s anatomy, including skin tissue quality.

What Happens If I Gain Weight After Surgery?

Body Contouring Surgery removes excess skin and fatty tissue to address issues after weight loss. However, removing excess skin associated with these procedures will not prevent you from gaining additional weight.