Body Contouring in Sydney: Procedures & Costs Guide

Body contouring refers to a range of surgical and non-surgical procedures designed to change the shape or proportions of different areas of the body. Depending on the concern, this might involve removing localised fat, removing excess skin or transferring fat from one area to another.

If you are researching body contouring Sydney, you may come across procedures ranging from liposuction and fat transfer to an arm lift or thighplasty. These procedures are not interchangeable, so understanding what each one addresses is an important place to start.

Here, we look at common body contouring procedures, how they differ and the factors that can influence cost.

What is body contouring?

Body contouring is a broad term rather than one specific procedure.

It can include procedures that target localised fat, excess or loose skin, or the volume and proportions of a particular area. The appropriate approach depends on your anatomy and what you want to address.

For example, someone with localised fat and relatively firm skin may consider liposuction, while significant loose abdominal skin following weight loss or pregnancy may require a procedure such as a tummy tuck, depending on the individual.

Cosmos Clinic offers a range of body procedures at its Sydney clinic in Double Bay.

What body contouring procedures are available?

Some of the procedures you may encounter when researching body contouring include:

• Liposuction: Removes localised deposits of subcutaneous fat from selected areas of the body. Cosmos Clinic uses VASER technology for its liposuction in Sydney.
• Fat transfer: Fat is removed from one part of the body using liposuction, processed and transferred to another area to alter its volume or shape.
• Arm lift: Also known as brachioplasty, this procedure removes excess skin and tissue from the upper arms.
• Thighplasty: Also called a thigh lift, this procedure removes excess skin and tissue from the thighs.

Which procedure may be appropriate depends on whether the main concern is excess fat, loose skin, volume or a combination of these factors.

People considering several procedures following pregnancy may also come across the term mommy makeover. This generally refers to a combination of procedures rather than one specific type of surgery.

Liposuction for body contouring in Sydney

Liposuction is one of the better-known body contouring procedures. It targets subcutaneous fat that can persist in areas such as the abdomen, waist, thighs, arms and back.

At Cosmos Clinic, VASER Liposuction uses ultrasound energy to assist in breaking down targeted fat before it is removed through a cannula.

Liposuction is not intended as a weight-loss procedure. It is generally considered for localised areas of fat, with suitability depending on factors including health, anatomy, skin quality and treatment goals.

For example, someone concerned about localised upper-arm fat may consider arm and underarm liposuction, while someone concerned about their thighs may consider thigh liposuction.

If the concern is specifically around the lower abdomen or pubic area, our guide to what a FUPA is and the available treatment options explains why fullness in this area may be caused by localised fat, loose skin or a combination of both.

What is fat transfer?

Fat transfer combines liposuction with the reinjection of a person’s own fat into another area of the body.

Fat is first removed from selected areas using liposuction. It is then processed before being carefully transferred to the treatment area.

One example is fat transfer to the buttocks, sometimes called a Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL. At Cosmos Clinic, fat transfer to the buttocks combines VASER Liposuction with the transfer of the patient’s own fat to the buttocks.

If you are researching fat transfer Sydney, it is important to understand that the procedure is more involved than simply moving fat from one place to another. Suitability, the amount of available donor fat, surgical risks and the expected survival of transferred fat all need to be considered.

What is an arm lift?

An arm lift, medically known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and tissue from the upper arms.

People researching arm lift Sydney or arm lift surgery Sydney may be considering the procedure because of loose or hanging upper-arm skin, which can occur following significant weight loss or changes in skin elasticity.

An arm lift is different from arm liposuction.

Liposuction primarily targets fat. An arm lift primarily addresses excess skin and may involve a longer incision and resulting scar.

If the concern is predominantly localised fat rather than loose skin, upper-arm liposuction may be another procedure to discuss with a medical practitioner.

Arm lift before and after: what should you look for?

When researching arm lift before and after photos, look beyond the overall change in the shape of the arm.

Scarring is an important consideration with arm lift surgery. The position and extent of the scar can vary depending on how much tissue needs to be removed and the surgical technique used.

Before and after images can help you understand examples of individual outcomes, but they cannot predict how your own body will heal or what result you will achieve.

If you are considering liposuction rather than an arm lift, Cosmos Clinic also provides before and after examples on its arm and underarm liposuction page.

What is a thighplasty?

A thighplasty, or thigh lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tissue from the thigh area.

People searching for thighplasty Sydney may be considering surgery after substantial weight loss has left loose or hanging skin around the inner or outer thighs.

Like an arm lift, thighplasty is different from liposuction. A thigh lift is primarily used to address excess skin, while liposuction primarily targets localised fat.

If excess thigh fat is the main concern and skin quality is suitable, thigh liposuction may be considered instead. Cosmos Clinic currently performs thigh liposuction using VASER technology.

If loose skin affects multiple areas following significant weight loss, you may also want to understand the difference between a body lift and thigh lift. These procedures target different areas and are selected according to the location and extent of excess skin.

Body contouring before and after

When viewing body contouring before and after photos, make sure you are comparing the same procedure you are considering.

The changes possible with liposuction can look very different from those following an arm lift, thigh lift or fat transfer procedure.

Before and after images can be helpful for understanding the types of changes achieved in previous patients, but results vary. Factors such as starting anatomy, skin elasticity, the amount of tissue treated and individual healing can all affect the final outcome.

Cosmos Clinic has before and after galleries showing individual outcomes from a range of liposuction procedures.

How much does body contouring cost in Sydney?

There is no single price for body contouring because the term covers many different procedures.

Cost can depend on the procedure being performed, the number and size of treatment areas, surgical complexity, anaesthesia, facility costs and the individual treatment plan.

As one example, Cosmos Clinic currently lists thigh liposuction from $6,000.

For fat transfer to the buttocks, Cosmos Clinic currently lists fat transfer prices starting from $11,000, with an average price of approximately $15,000 to $20,000.

Costs for other body contouring procedures can vary considerably, so a consultation is generally required before an accurate quote can be provided.

Which body contouring procedure is right for you?

The first question is not necessarily which procedure you want, but what you are trying to address.

If your main concern is localised fat, liposuction may be considered. If you have significant loose skin after weight loss, a skin-removal procedure such as an arm lift, thighplasty or tummy tuck may be more relevant, depending on where the excess skin is located.

If you want to add volume to another area using your own fat, fat transfer may be considered.

Some people also have a combination of loose skin and localised fat, which can make the decision more complex.

Cosmos Clinic’s Sydney clinic is located in Double Bay. A consultation with an appropriately qualified medical practitioner can help you understand which options may be appropriate for your anatomy, along with the expected recovery, costs, limitations and potential risks.

All surgical and invasive procedures carry risks. Results vary between individuals. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

This article is general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual suitability and results vary and should be assessed by a qualified medical practitioner.