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.
The aim of a 360-degree body lift is to remove and tighten excess skin, usually after massive or significant weight loss. It is also used to tighten saggy skin due to childbirth or ageing. The hips, outer upper thighs, and buttocks are lifted back into their original position, whilst the lower abdominal skin is removed using techniques similar to those of a tummy tuck. The navel is preserved and repositioned with a disguised internal scar. The mons is reduced and rejuvenated and lifted back into place. Simultaneously, liposuction is performed to the upper and lower back, flanks, upper abdomen, mons, thigh to knee.
The extent of liposuction and skin excision that you have, will depend upon your individual needs. People who have a very low residual body fat percentage will be undergoing chiefly skin excision, whereas most Dr Brooks’ patients will still have some stubborn fat pockets to address. In other words, the procedure is specifically tailored to your needs and body type. A major advantage of combining liposuction with skin excision is the preservation of the major lymphatic trunks which limits the need for multiple drains.
As well as being uncomfortable and heavy, excess skin and fat can cause:
Difficulty in walking and exercising
Poor posture
Aching of the back and shoulders
Umbilical or other midline abdominal wall hernias, or abdominal wall weakness
Chronic rashes and infections in the skin folds
Issues with personal hygiene and problems with thorough cleaning of affected areas
Low or poor self-esteem
A Dr Brooks’ 360-degree body lift will help to restore or create proportion between your chest, waist, hips and thighs and is effective at improving clothing fit, easier walking and physical activities, improved core strength and improved hygiene and comfort.
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.
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:
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees.
All procedures carry risks and these are individualised to the patient and procedure in question. We will discuss these in detail at your consultation and welcome any questions regarding risks at any stage.
If you’re thinking of having this procedure or have any more questions please call the rooms on (08) 6115 0222 or email info@dradrianbrooks.com.au to book in with our senior nurse Clare for a detailed discussion and help start your journey.
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