Breast augmentation using breast implants, typically silicone implants, is currently the most popular and common cosmetic surgery performed in Sydney. This procedure involves the insertion of implants to enlarge and enhance a woman’s breasts. This requires only a few days of recovery and has very good rates of success and high satisfaction.

Liposuction has been so far the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in Sydney to achieve immediate sculptured and defined bodies, particularly following weight loss programs. It is not surprising therefore, that both men and women consider Cosmetic Surgery to improve their self confidence and more importantly for some, for health reasons. Sydney patients importantly consider the length of time to recover and any possible adverse effects and consequently they achieve realistic and desired results. Liposuction as a form of cosmetic surgery is commonly performed on women and men on their abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and upper arms.

Another procedure in Sydney that is very popular among women following weight loss and pregnancy and men after significant weight loss is a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty). This is performed when liposuction or other cosmetic surgery, weight loss or exercise alone will not address the sagging abdominal skin and spreading abdominal muscles. A Tummy Tuck tightens the lax skin and abdominal muscles, creating a defined abdomen. The scar is located below the underwear line and is easily hidden by clothing. Tummy Tuck scars typically fade to a fine scar with care and appropriate scar management.

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a “nose job”, is another popular cosmetic surgery in Sydney where the nose is reshaped, producing an aesthetic and attractive nose and therefore facial features. The nose is an important and central feature of the face. Trauma or normal aberrations of the nose can result in a loss of self confidence by patients seeking Rhinoplasty surgery. Patients in Sydney who undergo Rhinoplasty either want to enhance, change the shape or augment their nose.  Rhinoplasty alone may not correct breathing problems; these patients will need to seek the advice from an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon to help improve breathing difficulties.

Other common cosmetic surgeries in Sydney are face and neck lift and breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty). Face and neck lift surgery are performed for patients seeking a longer term result while breast reduction decreases the breast volume and shape to a natural, perky shape. It removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body weight.

For most patients in Sydney, the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is a significant and important step. Often it is an attempt to enhance, improve or correct a patient’s self image but it could also be to resolve an underlying medical condition. More importantly, the patient makes an informed decision and is under the care of a professional who is qualified to perform cosmetic surgery be it in Sydney or elsewhere in Australia.

Patients often find they appear rejuvenated to others, with final results being aesthetic and natural. Unlike the excesses of Cosmetic Surgery performed overseas in countries such as the USA, patients in Sydney and Australia prefer an enhanced, rejuvenated, beautiful and natural result.

Before surgery

As with any surgical procedure, the certified Cosmetic Surgeon will see you for a consultation to evaluate your needs and goals. This includes a physical examination and a thorough review of your medical history and status. In your consultation, your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss and describe the appropriate technique and plan for you. The amount of skin and fatty tissue requiring removal and underlying muscle weakness can be determined through a physical examination. The Matarasso Classification is used to identify the types of tummy tuck required. The presence of underlying hernias may also be investigated with referral for an ultrasound. An ideal and stable weight is desirable prior to surgery with a history of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Tummy tuck surgery should not be viewed as a weight loss strategy.

During the surgery

Tummy tucks are performed by a certified Cosmetic Surgeon under general anaesthetic. The incision will be made a few inches below the belly button; for women an old caesarian incision can be utilized. Excess skin and fatty tissue between the incision and the belly button is then removed. To produce a tighter appearance, the muscle from each side of the tummy will be pulled and stitched together. Depending on the amount of skin and fatty tissue removed, the belly button may be reshaped and created to fit the newly tightened stomach. The tummy tuck procedure can take between 2 and 4 hours depending on the complexity and extent of the surgery.

After the surgery

Recovery from tummy tuck surgery usually takes up to 6 to 8 weeks. Usually patients take a couple of weeks off work. It is important to rest following surgery. It is also important not to place the incision and stitches under any tension or pressure. The wound and tummy may be painful and tight (often described as if you had just done a thousand sit ups) and cause the patient to bend at the hips to sleep and walk. It may take a couple of weeks for this pain to subside and the patient to feel comfortable standing up straight. Following surgery, a compression garment is to be worn for 6 to 8 weeks (or more) to provide support to the tummy and provide maximum adherence of the skin and underlying tissue; this facilitates a successful result. The incision scars are placed in areas usually covered by underwear. Eventually these scars will lighten.

Typically patients who have had a tummy tuck describe a high degree of satisfaction with their new body shape and tone, giving them increased confidence in their appearance and choosing flattering clothes.

For more information, contact a certified Cosmetic Surgeon.

The most appropriate candidates for Abdominoplasty are men or women who are close to an optimal and stable weight with residual and excess skin and/or tissue that does not respond to diet and exercise. Typically these patients have already lost a significant amount of weight or for women, have had several pregnancies and desire for their tummy area to return to the pre-pregnancy shape.

In your consultation with the certified Cosmetic Surgeon, the surgeon will take a thorough medical history and will usually require you to have a range of blood tests, potentially ruling out underlying reasons for weight gain. You will be advised to reach a stable and appropriate weight prior to surgery. Abdominoplasty should not be seen as a weight loss strategy.

Abdominoplasty surgery involves a general anaesthetic and can typically take between 2 and 4 hours to complete depending on the complexity and extent of the surgery. In preparation for surgery, the Cosmetic Surgeon will mark the abdomen and the estimated skin and tissue to be removed. The initial incision is made across the lower abdomen; for women this incision can incorporate a caesarian scar. The skin and tissue excised and removed is typically between the pubic area and the belly button, with the remaining skin redraped and stretched over the tummy to create an optimal contour. Loose abdominal muscles are tightened through a process of stitching. Finally the incision is closed with sutures.

The recovery period following Abdominoplasty varies between individuals and the complexity and degree of the surgery performed. Patients are usually up and about the day after surgery and able to go home. The feeling following surgery has been likened to having done a thousand sit ups; patients need to rest and take care not to be in a position that puts any strain on the incision site and stitches. Within a few days, it is easier to straighten up. For 6 to 8 weeks following surgery, patients are required to wear a compression garment. This is to be worn to protect and support the incision site and promote adherence of the underlying tissues. Swelling can take up to 3 months to resolve. Straining of the abdominal muscles needs to be avoided; hence patients are required to avoid strenuous activity including lifting and have adequate rest.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with Abdominoplasty, such as bleeding, infection, blood clots, asymmetry, and loss of skin sensitivity or swelling. These risks and other complications should be discussed thoroughly by the certified Cosmetic Surgeon prior to your surgery.

Patients who have undergone Abdominoplasty surgery typically describe satisfaction with their body shape, contour and body proportion with the benefits of comfort and confidence to wear a range of clothes.

Cosmetic Surgery can address these issues. An Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a ‘tummy tuck’, is the surgery that removes excess skin and tissue, restoring the stomach to a flat, smooth and toned shape. A good Cosmetic Surgeon will aim to hide incisions in an area covered by underwear. The extent of an Abdominoplasty depends on the patient; for example, how much excess skin and tissue requires removal or whether the underlying muscle also needs tightening. These issues are discussed in a consultation with the Cosmetic Surgeon. A Tummy Tuck should not be perceived as an option to achieve weight loss.

Liposuction is surgery that can literally suck fat away. This should never be seen as a way to lose weight. In actual fact, a good Cosmetic Surgeon will advise you to achieve your optimal weight prior to having surgery. Liposuction can address those stubborn areas of fat that aren’t resolved through diet and exercise. Again incision sites are usually hidden by the Cosmetic Surgeon.

Following Abdominoplasty or Liposuction, the patient needs to wear a compression garment for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. This is really important to make sure you achieve the optimal results from your surgery, allowing the skin and underlying tissues to shrink to the new shape. Depending on the individual, the Cosmetic Surgeon may recommend continued use of the garment beyond 8 weeks, for example 4-6 hours a day for another couple of months.

Men and women who have had a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction typically describe the area affected as feeling tight after surgery. A woman who had an Abdominoplasty described the feeling post surgery as if she had done 1000 sit ups, however did not require more than a simple pain relief tablet such as paracetamol or digesic.

Often Liposuction is a part of Tummy Tuck surgery, giving the Cosmetic Surgeon the ability to refine and shape the abdomen and flanks to achieve a toned and shapely result.

Following childbirth and significant weight loss there are areas of fat deposition which are difficult to reduce despite regular exercise and dieting. The abdominal muscles are still lax and will bulge despite doing exercises to strengthen the “stomach muscles”.Abdominoplasty(Tummy Tuck) is the surgical procedure which removes the excess fat and skin apron that is otherwise difficult to reduce via conventional exercises. It is not a procedure or an alternative for weight reduction or as management for obesity.

Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction/liposculpture to contour the thorax and abdomen to give patients a defined and aesthetically pleasing figure.A Tummy Tuck requires a lower abdominal incision and can incorporate old caesarean scars with the added benefit of removal of some of the stretch marks. Patients should be aware that scar formation will occur; every effort is made to keep the scar within the underwear or clothing line.

Occasionally patients will require relocation of the umbilicus (“belly button”) when a significant amount of abdominal tissue is removed and during closure of the wound the umbilicus becomes distorted.

Tummy Tucks are performed in an accredited operating theatre under general anaesthetic with an anaesthetist; patient recovery is typically over several weeks.

The common complications are: Discomfort, bruising, a taut abdomen and decreased sensitivity of the skin.Less frequent or rare complications include: Deep vein thromboses and Pulmonary Thrombi (lung clots),Bleeding, seroma, wound breakdown and infection.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk of all complications.

Liposuction/Liposculpture

Liposuction removes fat cells from regions of fat deposition which are not able to be shifted by regular exercise and a sensible diet. The procedure therefore is not meant to replace these modalities for treating obesity and it is not a weight loss procedure.

Whilst liposuction removes fat cells it is the surgeon’s cosmetic/aesthetic skill to contour and define the regions of the body being operated on, Liposculpture is a reflection of the surgeon’s artistic ability and expertise to achieve the results.

Fat cells are removed from various levels of the area being treated as well as from adjacent areas to prevent complications such as dimpling and contour irregularities. An important consideration is how much fat the surgeon leaves behind; resulting in a better aesthetic result.

Liposuction/Liposculpture is performed in an accredited day surgery under anaesthetic with an anaesthetist.

Patients require several months to recover and will be required to wear a garment to compress the tunnels produced by liposuction and to have the tissues adhere to form a new contoured and defined shape.

The common complications are: Bruising, pain and discomfort, decreased areas of sensitivity which heal with time. Less common or rare complications are: Deep vein thromboses, pulmonary thrombi (Lung clots), bleeding, seroma and infection.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk of all complications.

Gynaecomastia (Male Breast Enlargement)

Men can develop fatty or fibrous breast enlargement, which may occur for a variety of reasons such as Metabolic, physiological, age related and medication induced.

Many men find the appearance unsightly and they develop poor self image, avoiding certain social situations requiring removal of shirts or T-shirts.The surgical management for Gynaecomastia is either Liposuction alone or a combination of liposuction and excision of the fibrous component of the breast tissue. A small incision is made around the lower half of the nipple areola complex; this eventually heals well and fades over 2-3 months.