Skin Removal Surgery Sydney
After massive weight loss, patients can be left with large amounts of excess skin that cannot be addressed with exercise. The procedure can focus on various areas of the body, such as the arms, back, abdomen, thighs and more.
Excess skin after significant weight loss can cause discomfort for the patient, limit mobility, and cause skin irritation or infections. Skin removal surgery can effectively address these concerns.
Surgery to remove excess skin can be complex and needs to be tailored to the specific needs of each patient. A variety of techniques can be used to perform the procedure, which Dr Jeremy Hunt can explain in detail during a consultation.
Skin Removal Surgery
Before & After
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise. Some images may have the patient’s tattoos, jewellery or other identifiable items blurred to protect patient identities.
Your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney
Before skin removal surgery, you will have a 30 to 45-minute consultation with Dr Hunt at Aesthetic Edge. The purpose of your consultation will be to determine your suitability for surgery, plan the details of your procedure and inform you of potential risks. This will help you know what to expect and make an informed decision as to whether or not to proceed. Your consultation will also provide you with any necessary preparation and recovery instructions, as well as costs information. Your consultation will cost $400 and is an essential step in the surgery process.
Suitable candidates for skin removal surgery
If you want to remove excess skin after significant weight loss, you may be suitable for skin removal surgery. Suitable candidates should be in good general health and be able to follow recovery instructions after the procedure. Ideally, candidates will have realistic expectations for the results of the procedure. Candidates may also be instructed to quit smoking before the procedure in order to be considered suitable for surgery. You will undergo a thorough assessment during your consultation to determine your suitability for the procedure.
The details of your surgery
The steps of your procedure will depend on the location of the excess skin, the amount of skin to be removed and other individual factors. During your consultation, you’ll discuss your personal needs and have your treatment areas assessed to determine the appropriate approach. Dr Hunt can explain the details of your surgery plan, including where incisions will be placed so that you know what to expect
How to prepare for the procedure
If you need to follow preparation steps before your surgery, these can be specified during your consultation. Preparing for the procedure can be important to minimise complications occurring during and after surgery. You may need to quit smoking, avoid certain medications and supplements, or undergo pre-operative tests to prepare for the procedure.
Steps to follow during recovery
After your surgery, you will need to follow some recovery instructions to support healing and minimise post-surgery risks. Since your recovery steps will be personalised, you’ll need to discuss these during your consultation. Recovery steps can include to take a specified length of time away from work, avoid strenuous exercise, take prescribed medications, wear a compression garment and more.
The costs of your surgery
When it comes to surgery costs, personalised procedure steps will mean a personalised quote is required. Factors that can influence surgery costs include the area being treated, number of areas being treated, amount of skin to be removed and more. Surgery costs will need to include surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia fees, hospital fees and any fees required during recovery.
The Excess Skin Removal Procedure
Your procedure can focus on the upper body (arms, back or breasts), the lower body (abdomen or thighs), or a combination of areas. The steps of a skin removal procedure will vary greatly, depending on each patient’s needs. Your personalised procedure details will be explained during your consultation.
The excess skin removal procedure can consist of:
- Upper arm lift (brachioplasty)
- Breast lift (mastopexy)
- Abdominoplasty
- Lower body lift (belt lipectomy)
- Thigh lift (thigh lipectomy)
- Extended abdominoplasty, circumferential abdominoplasty or Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty
The procedure may also be combined with other surgeries, such as a breast augmentation mammoplasty, depending on the patient’s personal preferences and suitability for a combined surgery. This option can be discussed during your initial consultation. Procedures performed on multiple areas of the body may need to be performed by one area at a time in a staged approach.
Excess skin removal surgery is performed under general anaesthetic at your nominated hospital. The time that your procedure will take will depend on the area being treated, amount of skin to be removed and number of treatment areas. Incision placement and patterns will also be discussed during your consultation. The placement and pattern of your incisions will indicate how potential scarring may appear.
After your procedure, you may need to wear a compression garment to help swelling subside and support the skin in the operated area.
Recovery after skin removal surgery
The details of your recovery will be discussed during your consultation, as recovery can vary greatly from patient to patient. Skin removal surgery can target various areas of the body and use a variety of techniques, influencing the recovery period.
What to expect
After surgery, you may experience some discomfort and swelling in the operated area. You may be prescribed medication to help support comfort throughout recovery. You may also need to wear a compression garment to help any swelling subside and encourage the skin to contract in the area.
Recovering from skin removal surgery can take up to two weeks, or even more, depending on the personalised details of the procedure. Throughout your recovery period, it will be essential to follow any instructions for prescribed medication, to manage comfort levels.
The length of your recovery period will depend on the types of procedures that you have undergone. For example, if you have undergone an arm lift, or lower body lift. You will be able to discuss what to expect according to your specific procedure during your consultation.
Typically, you will need to avoid strenuous activity for the first two weeks after your procedure, ensuring that you take sufficient time away from work to rest. Results will be visible once swelling and bruising have fully subsided, which can vary from patient to patient.
Recovery instructions
You will receive your own list of recovery instructions to follow that closely consider the details of your procedure and individual factors such as lifestyle and health. Following your instructions will help to minimise post-surgery risks and support efficient healing.
Some instructions may include to:
- Take prescribed medication
- Wear a compression garment
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least six weeks
- Take time away from work for about two weeks (depending on the nature of your work)
- Follow wound care instructions, such as keeping incision sites clean and dry
- Quit smoking for at least two weeks
- Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks
- Avoid excessive heat exposure, such as saunas and steam rooms
- Protect incision sites from excessive sun exposure to minimise visible scarring
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Attend post-operative appointments to monitor healing
Costs of excess skin removal surgery in Sydney
The costs of your procedure will depend on the type of surgery you are undergoing, your personalised surgery steps, the chosen treatment area and number of treatment areas. Other factors that will influence costs include the fees required by your chosen hospital, the amount of time your procedure will take, and fees required during recovery.
Your surgery costs will also include surgeon’s fees and anaesthesia fees. Dr Jeremy Hunt is a qualified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience, which will be reflected in surgeon’s fees. Fees required during recovery can include the costs of a compression garment, follow-up appointments and other items needed after surgery.
During your consultation at Aesthetic Edge, you will discuss the details of your surgery and be able to receive a personalised quote.
Medicare and private health insurance
Some excess skin removal patients may be eligible for a partial rebate by Medicare.
Patients may be eligible to apply for a Medicare rebate if the procedure is performed for medically necessary reasons. Medically necessary reasons for undergoing the procedure may include significant discomfort, limited mobility and skin irritation or infections caused by excess skin.
You will be able to discuss your eligibility for Medicare during your consultation with Dr Hunt.
If patients are eligible for Medicare cover, they may also be eligible for partial cover by their private health insurance provider. This can also be discussed during your initial consultation. We recommend to check the details of your private health insurance ahead of time.
Combining procedures
If the procedure is combined with other surgeries, such as a breast augmentation mammoplasty, this will need to be reflected in the total procedure costs.
Combining procedures will extend total procedure time and can add complexity to the surgery, which will need to be factored into the costs of surgery.
You can discuss the option of combining procedures and how this can influence costs during your consultation. Combined procedures can also include more recovery steps and extend recovery time. However, combining procedures may be beneficial as a single procedure can mean one anaesthesia fee and a single recovery period, as opposed to two separate fees and recoveries.
Possible risks and complications
The potential complications of skin removal surgery will be discussed during your consultation. Dr Hunt will provide you with preparation and recovery instructions to help minimise these risks. You will also be provided with advice on what symptoms to look out for and steps to follow in case any concerns arise.
Risks and complications of skin removal surgery can include:
Your recovery instructions will need to consider the details of your procedure, your personal needs and any lifestyle factors that can affect your body’s healing process. Dr Hunt will provide you with personalised instructions that will be essential to follow to minimise procedure risks.- Swelling
- Discomfort and pain
- Bruising
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Poor wound healing
- Scarring
- Accumulation of blood (hematoma)
- Accumulation of fluid (seroma)
- Temporary or permanent numbness and sensory changes
- Asymmetrical results
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Cardiovascular and respiratory complications
- Anaesthesia risks
- Delayed recovery