Abdominoplasty Melbourne

A GP referral is important for validation purposes, ensuring that you are in good physical and mental health before undergoing any plastic surgery, including the abdominoplasty procedure. It also helps confirm that you have no underlying medical conditions that may complicate your surgery or recovery. Your GP will assess your health to confirm you’re a suitable candidate for surgery.

At your initial consultation, which will follow a referral from your GP or specialist, Dr Wyten will discuss your medical history, surgical technique options, and expected outcomes. She works closely with other specialists to ensure comprehensive care and create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

From the first consultation to the final follow-up appointment, Dr Wyten and her team prioritise patient-centred care, providing all the information needed to make informed decisions about your health and recovery.

You can read about Dr Wyten’s full consultation process here.

The consultation fee for seeing Dr Rebecca Wyten, an experienced abdominoplasty surgeon, is $355 at the time of publishing this. This fee is essential to cover the time spent discussing your abdominoplasty procedure, evaluating your medical history, and determining if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery.To book an Abdominoplasty Consultation or if you have further questions, please fill out the contact form below or email us at info@drrebeccawyten.com.au.

As a mother, woman, and surgeon, Dr Rebecca Wyten focuses exclusively on female patients to provide a specialised and tailored approach to abdominoplasty, breast surgery, and other procedures that address concerns often unique to women, such as diastasis recti or excess fat or excess skin after pregnancy.

Under Australian law, private health insurance may cover certain hospital fees related to an abdominoplasty procedure if it is deemed medically necessary, such as in cases of poor wound healing or severe diastasis recti.

Medicare typically does not cover cosmetic procedures, such as a traditional abdominoplasty, unless specific criteria are met, such as significant weight loss or health issues caused by excess skin. You will also need to check whether hospital stays, surgeon’s fees, and other costs are included in your health plan.

Yes, in Australia, a plastic surgeon is a specialist who has completed extensive training and holds a FRACS qualification. A cosmetic surgeon, however, may not have the same level of surgical training and certification, as the title “cosmetic surgeon” is not officially regulated. Always verify qualifications before undergoing surgery, and get a second opinion if you have any doubts.

A FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) surgeon is a highly qualified and certified specialist in their field, such as Dr Wyten, who is trained extensively in procedures like abdominoplasty and breast reduction. This certification ensures that your surgeon has undergone rigorous training and adheres to high professional standards.

Diastasis recti is the separation of the underlying muscles in the abdominal wall, often occurring after pregnancy or massive weight loss. This condition weakens the abdominal structure, leading to a bulging appearance. A full abdominoplasty can address this issue by tightening these muscles and removing excess tissue or skin.

Yes, for some patients, abdominoplasty can remove areas of skin with stretch marks if they are located on the excess skin that is removed during the procedure. Stretch marks outside of these areas will remain.

In some cases, drainage tubes may be placed to help manage fluid accumulation. During the consultation, Dr Wyten will explain whether this applies to your surgery.

The recovery process varies depending on the extent of your surgery and your individual health. Generally, patients take about 2-3 weeks off work. Supportive garments are worn for 3 months, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 6-8 weeks.

A mini abdominoplasty is still a major surgery but not as intensive as a full abdominoplasty. It addresses excess skin and fat below the belly button and involves less extensive muscle repair. This option may be suited for those with less significant loose skin. Dr Wyten doe not offer this procedure.

Yes, there are different types of surgery designed for various abdominal areas to address specific concerns. Abdominoplasty is a general term for abdominal surgery, which addresses excess fat and abdominal fat. Each surgery may involve different techniques, depending on the patient’s needs. Techniques or types of surgery will also depend on your health practitioner’s training and experience.

These include:

• Full abdominoplasty: This procedure removes excess skin and fat from the entire abdominal area while tightening the underlying muscles. It is often recommended for those with significant skin laxity, especially after massive weight loss or pregnancy.
• Mini abdominoplasty: This less invasive option is still a major surgery, but focuses on the lower abdomen, removing excess skin and fat without extensive muscle repair. It’s suitable for individuals with minimal abdominal concerns.
• Traditional abdominoplasty: Similar to a full abdominoplasty, this technique targets both the lower and upper abdomen and is suitable for weight loss patients. It may also involve repositioning the belly button.
• Body lift: This procedure removes excess skin from both the abdomen and surrounding areas, such as the thighs and buttocks, often after significant weight loss.
• Liposuction: Although not a surgical procedure for skin removal, liposuction can be combined with abdominoplasty to eliminate excess fat deposits in the abdominal area.
• Fat transfer: This technique can be used in conjunction with other surgeries. Fat is taken from one part of the body and injected into the abdominal area to improve contour.

A fat transfer involves removing excess fat from one part of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and reinjecting it into another area to increase volume. This procedure is often used in combination with abdominoplasty or breast mastopexy surgeries to achieve more desired results.

In an abdominoplasty, the type of fatty tissue that is typically removed includes:

1. Subcutaneous Fat: This is the layer of fat located just beneath the skin of the abdominal area. It is the primary type of fat targeted during the procedure and can contribute to the appearance of excess skin and fullness in the abdomen.
2. Excess Skin: In addition to removing fatty tissue, an abdominoplasty also involves removing excess skin that may result from significant weight loss, pregnancy, or ageing.
3. Visceral Fat: Although an abdominoplasty primarily focuses on subcutaneous fat, some visceral fat (the fat that surrounds internal organs) may also be affected indirectly by the tightening of the abdominal muscles and the removal of skin.

Revision surgery is a procedure performed to alter or modify the results of a previous surgery. This may involve addressing complications, such as poor wound healing or aesthetic concerns, like asymmetry or dissatisfaction with the initial outcome.

In the context of abdominoplasty, revision surgery may be necessary to refine results or manage excess tissue after weight loss.

To support your healing process after abdominoplasty surgery, consider the following steps:

1. Follow your surgeon’s instructions: To ensure optimal recovery, please adhere to Dr. Rebecca Wyten’s specific post-operative care guidelines.
2. Rest: Prioritise adequate rest and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for several weeks.
3. Manage pain: Use prescribed pain medication as directed and consult your surgeon if pain persists.
4. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to support healing and overall health.
5. Healthy lifestyle & diet: Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients to promote recovery, focusing on protein and vitamins.
6. Scar management: Follow recommended scar management techniques, such as silicone sheets or ointments, to minimise visibility.
7. Gradual activity: As advised by your surgeon, gradually increase your activity level to improve circulation without straining your body.
8. Follow-up appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-up visits to monitor your healing process and address any concerns.

It is important to follow the post-operative instructions you’re given after surgery to optimise the appearance of your scars. With abdominoplasty surgery performed by Dr Wyten, you will commonly have a scar around the lower abdomen from hip to hip.

As a part of this surgery, the umbilicus (belly button) needs to be repositioned and will also have a scar. In some cases where it is necessary to improve shape, you may also have a vertical scar (Fleur-de-Lis procedure). Scar management will be discussed with you prior to surgery by Dr Wyten. Scars typically take up to 1 -2 years to completely mature.