Dr. Brooks’ 360-degree body lift procedure surpasses the scope of a typical tummy-tuck. While an abdominoplasty primarily targets the lower abdomen to address post-childbirth skin and fat excess, taking approximately 3-4 hours with a hospital stay of 3-4 nights, Dr. Brooks’ approach is more extensive. His body lift takes 8-10 hours and requires 4-5 nights in the hospital. This comprehensive procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, as it addresses issues in multiple areas such as the flanks (love handles) and buttocks. Weight loss affects the entire body, leading to deflation in various regions, and Dr. Brooks’ body lift addresses these concerns simultaneously, providing a holistic solution for body contouring.
Dr. Brooks’ 360-degree approach offers a comprehensive body lift that minimizes scarring and enhances your natural contours. The procedure involves lifting and augmenting the buttocks using your own tissue, along with liposuction across the entire torso, thighs, and legs down to the knees. If desired, fat transfer to the breasts is also an option. Dr. Brooks utilizes the gentle Bodyjet water-assisted liposuction (WAL) machine, which is both effective and less invasive. While the procedure transforms your body from the armpits to the knees, additional surgeries may be required for complete arm and thigh reduction. Horizontal scars are located very low on the abdomen and no vertical scar is used (unless otherwise discussed). The scar placement is designed to be hidden under normal underwear. Small scars are additionally hidden around the tummy button.
Dr Brooks utilises a Dual-Plane technique for his abdominoplasty procedures which benefits patients in a number of ways:
This technique is was presented at the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons conference in 2022 and Plastic Surgery Congress conference in 2022.
Dr Brooks’ 360-degree body lift surgery is extreme and major surgery. It is usually by far the largest operation that you will ever experience, and therefore, it may not be suitable for everyone. The patient experience is a highly individualised one, and Dr Brooks will tailor the operation to address your specific areas of concerns.
The 360-degree body lift procedure is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to tolerate a long anaesthetic
Have bleeding or clotting tendencies or have poor healing ability
Smoke or have not stopped smoking for more than 3 months
High risk of having surgical complications
The 360-degree body lift procedure may be a good option for you if:
You have significant skin laxity in one or more body areas
Your buttocks and thighs have dropped
You are physically fit and well, and you do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase the risk of surgery
You have realistic expectations of what body lift surgery can accomplish
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking for 3 months.
You should be mindful that, even following good healing and good surgical results, visible and prominent scarring can develop. Dr Brooks will position the scar in the least conspicuous position, according to the style of underwear or bathers that you prefer to wear. Nonetheless, scars may be more noticeable than you anticipated. It is important that you have realistic expectations of the surgery and that you discuss potential outcomes with Dr Brooks. It is normal for scars to take a year to fully mature.
Revision surgery for scar revision is performed at no extra cost, but timing is subject to theatre availability and clinical issue. Further liposuction cannot be performed at no cost unfortunately. Body lift surgery is not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and body lift techniques is recommended. Talk to Dr Brooks about your options.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
The 360-degree body lift surgery is radical surgery. You will need to have a carer (ie partner or close family member) with you for a minimum two week period once you are discharged from hospital, until you become more mobile and able to drive. As a minimum the expected initial recovery time Dr Brooks would advise for this 360-degree body lift procedure would be 3-4 weeks, and in some cases this will be as protracted as 3 months.
As you can appreciate, your compliance and an understanding on the substantial recovery journey ahead is paramount to the success of the operation. Recovery is a very broad term, it means different things to different people so be sure that you understand exactly what the various stages of recovery involve, and the expected timeframes of each of these stages
Cost is a very important consideration in elective surgery. Price is based on individual factors which need to be ascertained at the initial consultation with our highly experienced nurse. The most important factor to clarify is whether you qualify for the Medicare item number for body lift following massive weight loss. If you qualify, then your private health insurance cover needs to be of a level that covers the MBS item number 30179. That means that the vast majority of the hospital fees are covered by your health fund. Please understand that we are unable to quote you before we have met you and been through the above. Surgical cost is dependent upon how long your case will take Dr Brooks, any additional procedures you require, and how much liposuction is performed in your case. Costs associated with the procedure include:
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the abdominal muscles also start stretching to accommodate the foetus. The appearance of stretch marks on your belly area is a natural suggestion that your skin is being overstretched, which is not the case inside the body. The two main panels of muscles down the middle of the abs start separating during pregnancy and delivery due to the strain caused by continuous stretching of the abdominal area. In some cases, the outstretched abdominal muscles will retreat to their original place and in some cases, they will not.
If possible, your plastic surgeon will make the main incision under the ‘bikini line’ so that the scar is concealed as possible. However, this cannot always be done in every patient and usually depends on the extent of the surgery.
Hernia: During the procedure, your surgeon will repair any abdominal hernia that may be present.
Length of Operation: A complete tummy tuck usually takes from two to three hours. Liposuction, if performed, may lengthen the procedure.
Liposuction: Some patients may benefit from liposuction performed during the abdominoplasty. Liposuction can improve the contour of the reconstructed abdominal wall, hips and thighs (see the Society’s pamphlet “Liposuction – a guide for patients”, available from your surgeon).
Diastasis recti is a surgical method of bringing the separated abdominal muscles back together.
It can be performed either singly or in conjunction with abdominoplasty in cases where surplus fat and skin are to be removed. In severe cases of diastasis, there could be the presence of an umbilical hernia which will be corrected during the procedure.
Once a general anesthesia is administered on the patient an incision will be made between the navel and the pubic area horizontally.
Skin and tissue that are above the abdominal fascia will be undermined and raised to the navel. Another incision is created around the umbilicus to free the umbilical stalk. The dissection of the abdomen and subsequent elevation will continue until it approaches the base of the rib cage.
To provide enhanced support to the separated abdominal muscles, these will be joined together using non-dissolvable sutures at varying depths. Upon completion of the strengthening of the muscle, the umbilicus will be reconnected to the outer skin; the abdominal skin will be drawn back to the pubic area, and incisions will be closed with the help of sutures.
Post pregnancy Abdominoplasty with Rectus muscle and hernia repair is a highly individualised procedure and may not be suitable for everyone. Always talk to your Specialist Plastic Surgeon before making a decision. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will assess your condition and general health, and plan the treatment that is best suited to you.
Abdominoplasty is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are:
Planning to get pregnant again, as the result of the surgery may be lost
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
Dr Brooks utilises a Dual-Plane technique for his abdominoplasty procedures which benefits patients in a number of ways:
This technique is was presented at the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons conference in 2022 and Plastic Surgery Congress conference in 2022.
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
In most cases, abdominoplasty does not need to be repeated. However, as with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
A Mini Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck) is similar to a standard abdominoplasty but often only involves the front part of the tummy without extending past the hips. It is suitable for patients who have smaller amounts of excess tissue and skin and typically do not require a muscle repair or a hernia repair.
If possible, your plastic surgeon will make the main incision under the ‘bikini line’ so that the scar is concealed as possible. However, this cannot always be done in every patient and usually depends on the extent of the surgery.
Hernia: During the procedure, your surgeon will repair any abdominal hernia that may be present.
Length of Operation: A mini abdominoplasty usually takes from two to three hours. Liposuction, if performed, may lengthen the procedure.
Liposuction: Some patients may benefit from liposuction performed during the abdominoplasty. Liposuction can improve the contour of the reconstructed abdominal wall, hips and thighs (see the Society’s pamphlet “Liposuction – a guide for patients”, available from your surgeon).
Once a general anesthesia is administered on the patient an incision will be made between the navel and the pubic area horizontally.
Skin and tissue that are above the abdominal fascia will be undermined and raised to the navel. Another incision is created around the umbilicus to free the umbilical stalk. The dissection is limited in mini abdominoplasties as we need to take away less tissue After the tissue is excised the umbilicus will be reconnected to the outer skin; the abdominal skin will be drawn back to the pubic area, and incisions will be closed with the help of sutures.
A mini abdominoplasty is a highly individualised procedure and may not be suitable for everyone. Always talk to your Specialist Plastic Surgeon before making a decision. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will assess your condition and general health, and plan the treatment that is best suited to you.
Abdominoplasty is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are:
Planning to get pregnant again, as the result of the surgery may be lost
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
In most cases, abdominoplasty does not need to be repeated. However, as with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
An abdominoplasty is a what is known as the ‘Tummy Tuck” aimed at improving the appearance of the abdomen. For many individuals, it’s a solution to address excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, often resulting from factors like pregnancy or significant weight loss.
The standard abdominoplasty involves a scar that typically comes around to the sides of the body. It is paired with liposuction to help contour the abdomen and improve the cosmesis. If required the tummy muscles are repaired which can help improve core strength and flatten the tummy. (See post pregnancy muscle and hernia repair)
The technique involves:
Dr Brooks utilises a Dual-Plane technique for his abdominoplasty procedures which benefits patients in a number of ways:
Abdominoplasty is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are:
Planning to get pregnant again, as the result of the surgery may be lost
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
In most cases, abdominoplasty does not need to be repeated. However, as with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
An Extended abdominoplasty is a technique suitable for patients with . It is a procedure that focuses on excision of the excess skin that typically comes as a result of pregnancy and is combined with 360 degree liposuction of the flanks, mons, tummy and upper thighs.
It is similar to a standard abdominoplasty however involves a scar that extends further around the sides of the tummy to remove more tissue. It is a therefore a procedure that lasts slightly longer
The technique involves:
Dr Brooks utilises a Dual-Plane technique for his abdominoplasty procedures which benefits patients in a number of ways:
This technique is was presented at the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons conference in 2022 and Plastic Surgery Congress conference in 2022.
Abdominoplasty is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are:
Planning to get pregnant again, as the result of the surgery may be lost
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
In most cases, abdominoplasty does not need to be repeated. However, as with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
A Skin Only abdominoplasty is a technique suitable for patients with minimal muscle separation. It is a procedure that focuses on excision of the excess skin that typically comes as a result of pregnancy and is combined with 360 degree liposuction of the flanks, mons, tummy and upper thighs.
It is similar to a standard abdominoplasty however does not involve repair of the tummy muscles.
The technique involves:
Dr Brooks utilises a Dual-Plane technique for his abdominoplasty procedures which benefits patients in a number of ways:
Abdominoplasty is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are:
Planning to get pregnant again, as the result of the surgery may be lost
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. By locating incisions in easily hidden sites, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases, and will usually fade with time.
In most cases, abdominoplasty does not need to be repeated. However, as with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
Dr Brooks provides liposuction with most of his abdominoplasty techniques but also provides it as an individual service.
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat from various areas of the body. From a patient’s perspective, liposuction is often considered when diet and exercise alone have failed to eliminate certain areas of localised fat deposits.
Additionally it is used in the treatment of lipoedema to remove pockets of painful fat from the body. Lipoedema is an area of interest for Dr Brooks and he has extensive experience in treating it. (See Lipoedema)
Extensive liposuction always involves a general anaesthetic and hospital stay as it is a significant procedure.
Extensive Liposuction involves:
Hospital stay and duration of the procedure is based on each individual however typically will be 2-3 hours and a stay of 2-3 days in hospital.
Small amounts of liposuction can be safely done in the clinic rooms.
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results can not be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are the inevitable result of any invasive surgery. Dr Brooks will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Only small incisions are used to insert the cannula for liposuction therefore scars in liposuction is typically very minimal.
Liposuction is an individualised procedure. Should your weight fluctuate, the results following the liposuction may change and you may wish for further liposuction at a later time.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
Call our friendly team to get more information about your plastic or reconstructive goals