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 is ideal 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. Unfortunately, having excess skin all over your body can affect your confidence and cause plenty of issues such as hygiene problems, infections, rashes, excess sweating and overall discomfort. This surgery can help transform your body and give you much-deserved confidence.
Combining Excess Skin Reduction Surgeries
You can combine a body lift with other procedures to achieve a complete body transformation. For example, you can have a body lift with any of the following;
- Arms Lift & Thigh Lift
- Breast Reduction Surgery
- Facelift 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 self-conscious about your excess fat.
- Struggle with sagging breasts or sagging in other areas.
- Notice that your body has changed post-pregnancy.
- Feel extremely self-conscious about your body.
- Or, if you wish to achieve a more sculpted appearance then a body lift surgery could be the anwser.
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Get the Guide to Skin Reduction Surgery after Weight Loss.
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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 sculpt 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
Regardless of our body types, a lot of us struggle with a troubling mid-section and end up with ‘tummy rolls’.
The Lower Body Lift not only removes excess fat, tissue and skin but it also helps flatten 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. The Lower Body Lift is certainly the most popular type of body lift. It doesn’t only eliminate 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 transform your entire body, you can 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.
Body Lift Costs in Australia
The cost of a body lift can vary significantly as the cost depends on a variety of different factors including type of surgeon, hospital, medicare and insurance subsidy and what’s included – here is a general overview:
Cost of a Lower Body Lift
- The average cost of a lower body lift in Australia ranges from $18,000 to $38,000 in Australia
Cost of an Upper Body lift
- The average cost of an upper-body lift ranges from $18,000 to $38,000 in Australia.
Cost of a Total Body Lift – Upper and Lower
- The average cost of a complete body lift ranges from $30,000 and up to $60,000 in Australia.
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
Choosing the surgeon is the most important yet difficult part of the 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 perform 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.
Travel 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:
How much does body surgery cost?
- The average cost of body lift surgery in Australia are listed below:
- Lower Body Lift ranges from $18,000 to $38,000
- Upper Body Lift ranges from $18,000 to $38,000 in Australia.
- Total Body Lift ranges from $30,000 to $60,000 in Australia.
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.
