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Post Weight Loss Surgery Sydney, Australia

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Post Weight Loss Surgery with dr turner

Significant weight loss is a remarkable achievement that transforms your health and life. However, this journey often leaves behind excess, sagging skin that doesn't conform to your new body shape. At Dr Scott J Turner's clinics in Manly and Double Bay, we understand the unique challenges faced by post-weight loss patients and offer specialized surgical solutions to complete your transformation.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Realself Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Understanding Post-Weight Loss Body Changes

After substantial weight reduction—whether through bariatric surgery, diet, or exercise—the skin often lacks the elasticity to retract fully. This can result in:

  • Hanging, loose skin across multiple body areas
  • Physical discomfort and restricted movement
  • Skin irritation, rashes, and hygiene difficulties
  • Body contours that don’t reflect your weight loss achievement
  • Psychological impact on self-esteem and body image

Post-weight loss surgery aims to remove excess skin and fat, tighten underlying tissues, and enhance your physical appearance to match your healthier self.

Specialized Procedures for Post-Weight Loss Patients

Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, offers comprehensive breast and body contouring procedures tailored to address the unique needs of massive weight loss patients:

Breast Reshaping After Weight Loss

Significant weight loss often results in deflated, sagging breasts with compromised shape and position. Breast reshaping procedures can restore a more youthful, proportionate appearance:

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

This procedure removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to elevate and restore a more youthful breast position. For post-weight loss patients, more extensive techniques may be required to address significant ptosis (sagging).

Breast Augmentation with Lift

For those who have lost substantial breast volume, a combination of implants and a lift can restore both shape and fullness. This comprehensive approach addresses both the position and volume concerns common after massive weight loss.

Breast Reduction

Some patients may retain disproportionately large breasts after weight loss. Breast reduction removes excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue to create smaller, lighter, and more comfortable breasts.

Fat Grafting

This technique uses your own body fat, transferred from areas where it’s unwanted, to enhance breast volume naturally without implants.

Body Contouring Procedures

Lower Body Lift

This comprehensive procedure addresses the lower torso, including the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs in a single operation. It creates a smoother, more defined lower body contour by:

  • Removing the “apron” of loose skin and fat
  • Tightening abdominal muscles
  • Lifting and reshaping the buttocks and lateral thighs
  • Creating a more defined waistline

Vertical Abdominoplasty (Fleur-de-Lis)

This specialized tummy tuck is particularly effective for post-weight loss patients with extensive excess skin in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. The procedure:

  • Uses both horizontal and vertical incisions creating a “fleur-de-lis” pattern
  • Removes significantly more excess skin than a standard abdominoplasty
  • Provides more comprehensive torso reshaping
  • Addresses skin laxity in the upper abdomen and flanks
  • Repairs separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)

Upper Body Lift

This procedure targets excess skin and fat in the upper back, addressing the “bra roll” area that causes discomfort and clothing challenges. Benefits include:

  • Removal of excess skin along the bra line
  • Improved upper body contour
  • Enhanced physical comfort and mobility
  • Better-fitting clothing
  • Often combined with breast procedures for comprehensive upper body rejuvenation

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Addresses the “bat wing” appearance of sagging upper arm skin that commonly occurs after massive weight loss:

  • Removes hanging skin and excess fat from upper arms
  • Creates smoother, more toned arm contours
  • May include extension into the axilla (armpit) and chest wall for comprehensive improvement
  • Can be performed with liposuction for optimal results

Important Considerations for Post-Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Stability

For optimal, long-lasting results, patients should:

  • Maintain a stable weight for 6-12 months before surgery
  • Achieve a BMI below 30 kg/m² for most procedures (as discussed in our BMI guidelines)
  • Commit to maintaining weight post-surgery

Staging of Procedures

Due to the extensive nature of post-weight loss surgery, procedures are often staged:

  • Multiple surgeries may be performed 3-6 months apart
  • This approach prioritizes safety and optimal healing
  • Your surgical plan will be customized to your specific needs and priorities
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Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Scott J Turner

Dr Turner FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons – Plastic Surgery) is a Sydney Plastic Surgeon with clinics in the Eastern Suburbs at Double Bay and Northern Beaches at Manly.

Dr Scott J Turner has over a decade of experience in private practice solely focused on performing cosmetic surgery.

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Dr Scott J Turner Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Your Consultation with Dr Turner

Your post-weight loss body contouring journey begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Turner at his Sydney clinics in Manly or Double Bay. Dr. Turner conducts a minimum of two personal consultations prior to surgery, providing you ample time to ask questions and address any concerns.

During your consultation, Dr. Turner will conduct a detailed evaluation of your body contours, skin quality, and areas of concern. He will assess your skin elasticity (especially important after massive weight loss), examine muscle tone, document existing scars, and take clinical photographs to assist with surgical planning.

Dr. Turner will thoroughly review your weight loss journey, including method and timeline, discuss your weight stability over the past 6-12 months, and assess your current BMI and overall health status. He will also review any previous surgeries or medical conditions that may affect your procedure.

You’ll discuss your specific aesthetic goals and priorities, while Dr. Turner explains appropriate surgical options for your unique situation. This includes recommendations for staging procedures if multiple areas need to be addressed, detailed description of incision placement, and a review of before and after photos of similar cases to establish realistic expectations.

Throughout the process, Dr. Turner ensures you have a thorough understanding of the proposed procedures, anesthesia options, recovery timelines, potential risks, and expected outcomes. This open and honest approach allows Dr. Turner to develop a customized surgical plan that addresses your specific concerns while creating harmonious, natural-looking results that complement your weight loss achievement.

Recovery After Post-Weight Loss Surgery

Recovering from post-weight loss body contouring involves several stages and requires careful adherence to Dr. Turner’s post-operative instructions to ensure optimal results and minimize complications.

Hospital Stay: Most patients require a hospital stay of 1-3 nights depending on the extent of the procedures performed. This allows for proper monitoring and pain management during the initial recovery phase.

Rest & Activity Limitations: Rest is critical during the initial recovery period. For the first two weeks, movement should be limited to light walking around the house. Patients should avoid bending, lifting, or straining during this time. Most patients can gradually increase activity levels after 2-3 weeks.

Post-Operative Dressings: The sutures used in post-weight loss procedures are typically self-dissolving. Specialized dressings will be applied to support the incisions, and Dr. Turner will replace or remove them at your follow-up appointments.

Surgical Drains: Drains are commonly placed during post-weight loss body contouring procedures to prevent fluid accumulation (seroma). These are usually removed within 1-2 weeks, depending on drainage output and your specific procedure.

Compression Garments: Specialized compression garments must be worn full-time for 4-6 weeks to reduce swelling, provide support to healing tissues, and help the skin conform to your new body contours. Dr. Turner recommends continued use during the day for an additional 2-3 months for optimal results.

Incision Care: Proper scar management is essential for optimal healing, especially in post-weight loss patients who may have more extensive scarring. Dr. Turner recommends a comprehensive scar management protocol including silicone therapy starting 2-3 weeks after surgery and continuing for several months.

Pain Management: You will be provided with appropriate pain medication to manage discomfort during the first 1-2 weeks of recovery. Most patients transition to over-the-counter pain relievers after this initial period.

Return to Normal Activities: Most patients can resume light daily activities within 2-3 weeks. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for 6 weeks, and heavy lifting or high-intensity activities should be delayed for up to 3 months, depending on the extent of your procedures.

Follow-Up Appointments: Dr. Turner schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress. These typically occur at one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, and one year post-surgery to ensure optimal long-term results.

By following these post-operative guidelines and maintaining a stable weight, you can maximize your recovery and achieve the best possible outcome from your post-weight loss body contouring procedures.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, post-weight loss body contouring carries certain risks and potential complications. While every effort is made to minimize these risks, they can still occur even with the highest standard of medical care. It’s essential to fully understand these risks, which will be discussed in detail during your consultation with Dr. Turner.

Scarring: Extensive scarring is an inevitable aspect of post-weight loss surgery, though scars are strategically placed in areas that can be concealed by clothing when possible. Post-weight loss patients typically have longer and more numerous scars compared to standard cosmetic procedures due to the greater amount of tissue removal required. Dr. Turner employs advanced techniques to minimize scarring, and a comprehensive scar management protocol is provided.

Seroma Formation: Collections of fluid (seromas) can develop under the skin after surgery, particularly in post-weight loss patients due to the extensive tissue removal. This is why surgical drains are commonly placed. If seromas persist after drain removal, they may require aspiration or additional treatment.

Delayed Wound Healing: Post-weight loss patients have a higher risk of wound healing complications due to the extensive nature of the procedures and potentially compromised blood supply to the skin. Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions can significantly increase this risk. Some areas may require additional time to heal completely.

Infection: Despite strict sterile technique and preventative antibiotics, infections can occur at incision sites. Post-weight loss patients may have a slightly elevated infection risk due to the extensive nature of the procedures and longer surgical times. Proper wound care and following post-operative instructions are critical to minimizing this risk.

Tissue Necrosis: Rarely, blood supply to the skin or fat tissue may be compromised, leading to tissue death (necrosis). This risk is higher in post-weight loss patients, especially those with a history of smoking or obesity-related health conditions. Additional surgery may be required to address this complication.

Blood Clots: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are serious potential complications that can occur after any major surgery. The risk may be higher in post-weight loss procedures due to longer operating times. Early mobilization and, in some cases, blood-thinning medications are used to reduce this risk.

Changes in Skin Sensation: Altered sensation, including numbness, tingling, or heightened sensitivity, is common in areas where extensive tissue rearrangement has occurred. While sensation often improves over time, some changes may be permanent, particularly along incision lines.

Asymmetry: Despite careful planning and surgical technique, some asymmetry or contour irregularities may occur. These are more common in post-weight loss patients due to pre-existing asymmetries and the extensive nature of the tissue removal.

Anaesthesia Risks: General anaesthesia carries inherent risks, including adverse reactions, respiratory complications, and cardiovascular events. These risks may be higher in patients with a history of obesity-related comorbidities.

Need for Revision Surgery: Due to the complexity of post-weight loss body contouring, revision procedures may be necessary to address contour irregularities, persistent skin laxity, or complications. The need for minor revisions is relatively common in post-weight loss patients.

Unsatisfactory Results: While every effort is made to achieve the desired outcome, the results may not meet all expectations. It’s important to have realistic expectations about what post-weight loss surgery can achieve, understanding that it will significantly improve body contours but may not result in the same appearance as someone who has never experienced massive weight fluctuations.

It’s important to approach surgery with a clear understanding of these risks and realistic expectations for the outcome. Dr. Turner and his team are committed to providing comprehensive pre-operative education and post-operative care to minimize complications and support a smooth recovery. During your consultation, these risks will be discussed in detail as they pertain to your specific situation and planned procedures.

Why Choose Dr Scott J Turner for Post-Weight Loss Surgery

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in post-weight loss body contouring procedures. At his clinics in Manly and Double Bay, patients benefit from:

  • Specialized expertise in complex body contouring techniques
  • Customized surgical plans addressing each patient’s unique needs
  • Commitment to patient safety and natural-looking results
  • Comprehensive pre- and post-operative care
  • Advanced surgical techniques to minimize scarring

Costs of Post-Weight Loss Surgery

The cost of post-weight loss surgery varies depending on:

  • The complexity and number of procedures performed
  • Hospital and anesthesia fees
  • Required aftercare
  • Medicare and adequate Private Health Insurance coverage

Due to the highly customized nature of post-weight loss surgery and the wide range of options available, a formal cost will be provided after your consultation with Dr Turner.

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Dr Scott J Turner Specialist Plastic Surgeon “We are equally as passionate about cosmetic plastic surgery as we are about you and your experience with us. We are here to listen, educate, and support you throughout your cosmetic surgical journey.”

Get in touch

1300 437 758

Manly Clinic

Suite 504, Level 5 39 East Esplanade
Manly NSW 2095

Double Bay Clinic

18 Transvaal Ave,
Double Bay NSW 2028