An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce excess loose skin, primarily from the lower part of the abdomen or stomach, as well as tightening the remaining skin. A breast reduction aims to reduce the size and weight of large breasts by lifting the breasts off the lower chest and upper abdomen. The objective is to leave the breasts smaller and lighter, sitting higher on the chest and closer to the body.
This 40-year-old chose to see Dr Avery to discuss her surgical options following changes to her body after her pregnancies. Although very active, this patient could not achieve the results she wanted through diet and exercise, namely having a flatter abdominal profile and smaller lifted breasts. Through collaborative consultation where the patients concerns and goals were discussed, along with the surgical options to achieve these (including the risks of surgery), the patient chose to have the recommended combination surgery of breast reduction/lift and an abdominoplasty.
During surgery, 400g of fat was removed via liposuction from under skin that remains on the abdomen after surgery, this is to help achieve an even contour after excision of the lower abdominal skin and underlying fat. The abdominal skin and tissue weighing 1590g was also removed from the abdomen and a 3cm of rectus divarication (separated muscles) was repaired. In addition, Dr Avery removed 307g from the patient’s right breast and 325g from the left breast. He also reduced the areola size and lifted the nipples nearly 10cm each on the breast. Combining the abdominoplasty with breast surgery allowed for one recovery period for this patient.
These clinical photographs show her before her surgery, and 2 months after her surgery, which is early on for post-surgical results and photographs. Further scar maturation and swelling reduction will continue for 12-18 months following surgery.
Unfortunately, due to changes to the Medicare criteria for abdominoplasty, this patient did not meet the criteria and this surgery was considered a cosmetic abdominoplasty. Dr Avery has been involved in a petition to the Department of Health regarding extending the criteria of the abdominoplasty procedure to include post-partum mothers and this will now be available from July 2022. This in turn means that health insurers will contribute to the cost of the surgery should the level of cover be sufficient.
Patients considering any form of surgery will need to come in for a consultation with Dr Avery to discuss your expectations, along with the surgical options for how these can be achieved. During your consultation with the Avery team, we will ensure that the surgery you are considering is the appropriate choice for you.
At Avery, we welcome the opportunity to have an open conversation with you to understand the changes you are looking for with surgery. Our patients’ stories matter a great deal to us.
Wherever you are on your personal journey, we would like to assist you. Your reasons for having surgery and your expectations from surgery are important conversations to have before undergoing surgery. Dr Avery will also assess your health and medical history to ensure any surgical procedure you are considering is a safe and appropriate choice for you.
You can also see more of before and after images, here. Dr Avery has extensive experience performing surgery and as we take our patients’ privacy very seriously, we do not display our full gallery online. All patients with photographs in the gallery have provided written consent.
These photos are of a real patient who has given their consent for their photos to be shown and depict surgeries performed by Dr. Gary Avery (MED0001633092) a registered medical practitioner, with specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery .
Please note that individual results will vary depending on the individual, their genetics and lifestyle factors, and all surgeries have associated risks. Before proceeding with any surgery, it is advisable to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner such as a Plastic Surgeon.
Plastic Surgeon is a regulated term that can only be used by surgeons who have completed specialty training within plastic surgery and are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). The specialty training undertaken by Plastic Surgeons includes the surgical skills required for excellence in aesthetic surgery.