Post-Weight Loss Surgery

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Genetics and lifestyle influence body type and shape, including where weight is distributed. After significant weight loss, excess skin may occur in one or more areas of the body. These commonly include the abdomen, breasts, thighs, arms, neck, buttocks, and back.

Depending on individual anatomy and medical assessment, the following operations may be considered as part of post–weight loss surgery:

Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty (sometimes called “tummy tuck”) involves removing excess abdominal skin. In some cases, fat removal and tightening of the abdominal wall muscles may also be performed. The extent of surgery depends on individual circumstances.

Reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction)
Breast reduction involves removing breast tissue and skin to reduce breast size. The procedure can also reposition the breast tissue and nipple. The approach depends on breast anatomy and clinical considerations.

Augmentation mammaplasty (breast augmentation)
Breast augmentation uses implants to increase breast volume. It may be considered in cases of reduced volume or asymmetry. The type and placement of implants are determined based on individual assessment.

Mastopexy (breast lift)
A breast lift removes excess skin and repositions breast tissue to change the position of the breasts on the chest wall. Suitability depends on breast shape, skin quality, and individual factors.

Breast lift with implants
In some cases, a breast lift may be combined with implants to both reposition breast tissue and increase volume. This is determined during consultation if clinically appropriate.

All surgical procedures carry risks, including body contouring operations. It is not possible to list every potential side effect or complication, but it is important to be aware of both the more common risks and the less common but potentially serious complications. A more detailed discussion of risks relevant to an individual will take place during consultation.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Specific risks for body contouring surgery would depend on the specific surgery that Dr Avery performs. These specific risks can be found under abdominoplasty, circumferential body lift, arm lift, thigh lift and breast lift.

Important considerations

• Recovery and outcomes differ between individuals.
• Additional surgery may sometimes be required to treat complications or revise results.
• Results cannot be guaranteed.

The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) has further information about body contouring surgery including the possible risks for this surgery.

Recovery after surgery following significant weight loss depends on the type and extent of the operation, the areas being treated, and whether procedures are combined.

Hospital stay
Patients usually remain in hospital for several nights after body contouring surgery. The length of stay varies: for example, an abdominoplasty or circumferential body lift may require a longer admission compared with a brachioplasty (arm lift) or breast procedure. If multiple operations are combined, admission may be extended to support safe recovery.

Time off work and daily activities
Most people require between two and four weeks away from work, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the physical demands of their job. Light activities, such as gentle walking, are usually encouraged early to support circulation, but strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activities are generally restricted for at least six weeks. Some procedures, such as circumferential body lift or thigh lift, may require a longer period of reduced activity compared with breast or arm procedures.

Bruising, swelling and support garments
Bruising and swelling are expected and usually reduce gradually over the first two to six weeks, although this varies between individuals and procedures. Compression garments or supportive bandages are typically recommended for up to six weeks. These help support the operated areas, reduce swelling, and provide comfort during recovery.

Pain management
Pain after surgery varies between patients and procedures. Operations involving larger incisions or multiple treated areas (such as circumferential body lift or abdominoplasty with muscle repair) may involve more discomfort than smaller procedures (such as arm lift). Pain relief is planned before discharge and adjusted as needed during recovery.

Scarring
All surgical procedures result in permanent scars. The size, number, and position of scars depend on the type of procedure:

• Abdominoplasty or circumferential body lift: scars usually extend across the lower abdomen, sometimes continuing around the body.
• Breast procedures: scars may be around the areola, vertically down the breast, and in the breast fold.
• Arm lift (brachioplasty): scars typically run along the inner arm.
• Thigh lift: scars may be placed in the groin, inner thigh, or extend vertically.

Scar appearance varies between individuals depending on skin type, healing response, and other factors. While scars usually fade with time, their final appearance cannot be predicted.

Follow-up
Follow-up appointments are important to review wound healing, remove sutures or drains if used, and adjust activity or pain management plans. Any concerns such as increasing pain, swelling, redness, or wound changes should be assessed promptly.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

Body contouring surgery is generally considered once weight loss is largely complete and weight has been stable for several months. If weight loss has been achieved with bariatric (weight loss) surgery, a longer period — often at least 12 months — is usually recommended before undergoing body contouring procedures.

A consultation can take place while weight loss is still in progress. This allows information to be provided about potential options and timing, but the decision to proceed with surgery depends on your individual health, weight stability, and surgical assessment.

In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to perform surgery on more than one area of the body during the same operation. For example, surgery to the abdomen and breasts may sometimes be combined. Whether procedures are performed together or separately depends on individual factors, including overall health, weight, surgical risks, and recovery considerations.

Key factors when combining surgery include:

• The length and complexity of the operation.
• The effect that a longer or more extensive procedure may have on recovery.
• The balance between potential benefits and risks.
• Medicare and health insurance rules, which may restrict cover for certain combinations of surgery.

The decision about whether to combine or stage procedures is made following clinical assessment. The order and timing of operations are determined according to what is considered appropriate for each individual’s circumstances.

Most body contouring procedures are performed under a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetic is administered by a specialist anaesthetist in an accredited hospital. In some smaller procedures, local anaesthetic with sedation may be considered. The type of anaesthetic used will depend on the specific surgery planned and your individual circumstances.

Body contouring surgery removes areas of excess skin, and the changes made do not reverse on their own. However, results are not immune to the effects of ageing, weight changes, pregnancy, or lifestyle factors. Over time, skin elasticity and body shape may alter again.

Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle can support longer-term results, but outcomes vary between individuals.

Revision surgery may be required after body contouring, as with any operation. This can range from a minor procedure to address wound healing or scar tissue, through to more extensive surgery if significant complications or changes occur.

The need for revision varies between individuals and cannot be predicted in advance. As with all procedures, potential risks and the possibility of further surgery will be discussed during consultation.

Recovery timelines after body contouring surgery vary depending on the type and number of procedures performed.

• First 2 weeks: Gentle walking is usually encouraged to support circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Strenuous activity should be avoided.
• Weeks 2–6: Activity is gradually increased, depending on wound healing and comfort. For smaller procedures (such as an arm lift or breast reduction alone), light activity may be resumed sooner. Larger operations (such as circumferential body lift or combined abdomen and thigh surgery) may require a slower progression.
• After 6 weeks: Some patients are able to resume more strenuous exercise, such as resistance training or light jogging, if wounds have healed. For more extensive procedures or combined surgeries, return to heavier activity may be delayed.
• Up to 12 weeks or longer: A return to pre-surgery levels of fitness may take 12 weeks or more, particularly for larger operations or when several areas have been treated at once.

The timing of exercise progression is different for each person and depends on the extent of surgery, the body areas involved, and individual healing. Recommendations will be tailored during follow-up visits.

Pain and movement restriction after body contouring vary depending on the type of procedure and whether more than one area is operated on at the same time.

• Single procedures (e.g., arm lift or breast reduction): Pain is often localised to the operated area. Movement restriction is usually less extensive, and mobility may return more quickly.
• Larger procedures (e.g., abdominoplasty or circumferential body lift): Discomfort is typically greater and movement more limited, especially in the early weeks. Supportive garments are commonly required to help reduce swelling and provide comfort.
• Combined procedures (e.g., abdomen and thighs, or breasts and abdomen together): Pain and swelling may be more widespread, and movement restrictions more significant. Recovery and return to normal activities usually take longer compared with single operations.

Pain relief is managed with medication given during and after surgery, along with physical measures such as dressings, compression garments, and sometimes ice packs. Pain typically improves over several days, though recovery can be longer when multiple areas are involved.

Movement is generally restricted in the early phase of recovery. Patients are advised to avoid excessive strain on the operated areas for at least the first two weeks. Gentle, gradual increases in activity are encouraged, provided they do not cause new pain or swelling. If discomfort increases, this may indicate a need for review.

Private health insurance generally only provides benefits when a recognised Medicare item number applies to the procedure.

• Cosmetic body contouring: If the surgery is performed for cosmetic purposes only, and does not meet the Medicare criteria, there is no item number and private health insurance will not cover the procedure or hospital stay.
• Body contouring after significant weight loss: In some circumstances, surgery to remove excess skin after major weight loss may qualify for a Medicare item number (for example, item 30177 for abdominoplasty after weight loss where strict criteria are met). If an item number applies, private health insurance may contribute towards hospital and anaesthetic costs, depending on the level of cover.
• Multiple procedures combined: When more than one operation is performed at the same time, each procedure is assessed separately. Some procedures may have an item number, while others may not. In these cases, private health insurance may only provide cover for the procedure(s) with an eligible item number. Out-of-pocket costs are therefore higher when a cosmetic procedure is combined with one that qualifies for insurance benefits.

Eligibility for a Medicare item number and the extent of any private health insurance contribution can only be confirmed after consultation and clinical assessment. Patients are advised to check directly with Medicare and their health fund regarding coverage and costs.

Direct sun exposure can affect wound healing and may cause scars to darken or change colour. For this reason, scars should be protected from the sun until they have matured, which can take up to 12 months or longer. Protection may include clothing that covers the area or the use of high-SPF sunscreen once the wound has fully healed.

The advice is the same regardless of the procedure, but the degree of risk can vary depending on the area of the body treated. For example, abdominal or breast scars may be more easily covered with clothing, while arm or thigh scars are often more exposed and may need more diligent protection.

Artificial tanning products, such as spray tans, should only be considered after the wounds are fully healed and the skin surface has closed. The timing varies depending on the procedure, the extent of surgery, and individual healing. It is best to confirm suitability at your post-operative review.