Body Lifts

Body lift surgery addresses loose, hanging skin and aims to tighten, lift, and contour the areas to create a smooth look.

Body Lift Surgery Melbourne

Body Lift surgery is based on an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck Melbourne) but extends all the way around the torso. It is a more comprehensive procedure which treats areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and upper/outer thighs. Surgery is performed by our Melbourne Plastic Surgeon, A/Prof Dean White.

Common reasons why people consider having a body lift

After pregnancy or having lost a significant amount of weight.
Desire to achieve a more pleasing shape including a defined contour.
Fit into clothes of choice.
Improve the shape of areas resistant to exercise and diet.
Address lower back pain resulting from separation of abdominal muscles (Rectus Divarication).
Hygiene of skin (Rashes, infections, skin breakdown).

What is involved with Bodylift surgery?

General anaesthetic.
Surgery Duration: 5-6 hours.
A wedge of tissue (skin and fat) is excised from the lower abdomen (tummy area) from just above the pubic hairline to about the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Generally, the abdominal wall muscles are also tightened at this time. The resection of skin and fat extends 360 degrees around the body. The final incision is placed just above the pubic hairline and extends from hip to hip and continues to meet up just above the buttocks.
Drain tubes - often for several days.

Recovery After Surgery

Patients most commonly require a hospital stay of two – five nights.
Generally you will feel a little uncomfortable for a few days.
A gradual increase of mobility and activity; generally back to most normal day to day activities at two – three weeks.
Most people allow three – four weeks off work; however, you may require additional time if your job is more physically demanding – this can be discussed with A/Prof White.
Able to drive when feeling comfortable.
No heavy lifting/exercise for six weeks e.g. avoid gym, aerobics, running.
You may need to wear a compression garment during your recovery period.
The recovery period may differ from patient to patient.

Post-Operative Care & Review

A/Prof Dean White and his team will care for you in hospital.
Drain tubes are removed when the daily fluid reduces.
A review appointment to take off the dressings, check your wounds and remove any sutures is generally undertaken one week after surgery.
Subsequent review appointments are generally made for 6 weeks after surgery and then 3, 6 and 12 months later to assess the results of your surgery.
If there are any concerns you will be seen more frequently.

Risks To Consider

Anaesthetic 

In otherwise well people, general anaesthesia is very safe with modern techniques. A/Prof White’s rooms will give you the details of your anaesthetist prior to surgery to discuss any specific concerns.

Bleeding/Haematoma

This may need a return to the operating theatre to evacuate a blood clot. This can impact on wound healing or skin survival.

Infection in the wound

If this does occur it can usually be cleared up with antibiotic tablets.

DVT/PE (Deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus)

Blood clots that are potentially very serious and even life threatening, which can form in the legs and travel to the lungs. Multiple strategies are employed to minimise the risk of these occurring.

Wound healing issues

Stretch marks may not all be removed or new ones may be created. Gathers in the wound are often present at either end. These settle over several weeks to months in the majority of cases but sometimes may need a small revision. Initially there is almost always some contour issues or puckers. These settle down in most cases over several weeks.

Scars

Typically are at their thickest and reddest at 6-10 weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to 18 months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow up visit with A/Prof White to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.

Asymmetry

The scars may be slightly different on your right compared to left side.

Wound separation/delayed healing

This is much more common in smokers or if there is an infection.

Skin necrosis/loss

Very rare complication and almost only seen in smokers. If it does occur it needs significant aftercare, possibly more surgery and even skin grafting in the most extreme cases.

Seroma

Clear/straw like fluid that can collect following surgery. Usually it settles down with no intervention but if persistent or large may require drainage in the rooms (sometimes on several occasions) or even a drain tube to be inserted.

Numbness

Generally settles down over weeks to months.

Surgical Goals

YOUR SAFETY.
Address symptoms.
Improve appearance.

No Surgery Is Risk Free

All surgery is a balance between realistic surgical goals and knowledge of possible risks and complications. Risks are minimised by careful patient selection and planning, high standards of surgical training, meticulous surgical technique and vigilant post-operative care. Small, less serious issues are common and every effort is made to resolve them quickly. These very rarely have any long term effect on an excellent final result.