Buttock Surgery & Reshaping
Buttock contouring is a highly specialised area of plastic surgery designed to address contour deformities resulting from massive weight loss, traumatic injuries, or complications from previous injections.
Because the gluteal muscles are essential for core stability and gait, any surgical approach must prioritise your functional integrity alongside physical reshaping. Dr. Barnouti approaches buttock contouring holistically, treating the lower back, flanks, hips, and thighs as a single interconnected anatomical unit to ensure balanced and proportionate results.
A thorough clinical assessment is required to understand the complexity of your specific anatomy before any surgical plan is finalised.
Aftercare and Recovery
Following surgery, a compression garment and simple dressings are applied to the surgical site for the first week to support the tissues and minimise swelling. All sutures used are dissolvable. You will be prescribed appropriate pain relief and antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to check your wounds and remove the initial dressings.
- Immediately: You are encouraged to begin gentle walking right after surgery to promote healthy circulation, but you must rest strictly for the first 24–48 hours.
- 1 Week: Most patients can return to light, non-strenuous duties.
- 2 to 4 Weeks: Return to usual daily activities, as cleared by Dr. Barnouti.
Mandatory Surgical Warning
Surgical Warning: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.
GP Referral & Assessment Requirements
Patient Requirements: In accordance with AHPRA regulations, all patients seeking a consultation for cosmetic surgery must provide a valid referral from their General Practitioner (GP). Additionally, a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies following your initial clinical assessment before any surgical procedure can be booked.
Sydney Body Lift Costs
| Procedure | Price Estimate | Conditions / Comments |
|---|
| Lower Body lift (Abdominoplasty, outer thigh lift, buttock lift and liposuction to outer thighs, buttocks and flanks) | $24,990-$34,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital costs. You may be eligible for Medicare rebate of $800. |
| Upper Body lift (Reduction of upper back folds, underarm folds, liposuction of back and side-of-chest) | $16,990-$20,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. It assumes top hospital cover with a private fund. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital costs. You may be eligible for Medicare rebate of $800. |
| Thigh Reduction/ Lift | $13,990-$19,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional costs of around $7,000 for the hospital. You may be eligible for $400 Medicare rebate. |
| Arm Reduction | $9,990-$16,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee 6 weeks follow up. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital costs of around $3,000. You may be eligible for $400 Medicare rebate. |
FAQs
A lower body lift is an extensive reconstructive procedure designed to address severe skin laxity following massive weight loss. The surgery typically involves a combination of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), outer thigh lift, buttock lift, and targeted liposuction to the flanks and thighs to restore a more functional and proportionate contour to the lower body.
The cost of a Lower Body Lift ranges from $24,990 to $34,990, while an Upper Body Lift (targeting back folds and underarm folds) ranges from $16,990 to $20,990. These figures include the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees. If you do not have top-level private health insurance, you must factor in additional hospital facility costs.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if their excess skin causes documented functional issues, such as severe intertrigo (skin irritation/infections) that cannot be managed medically. The approximate Medicare rebate for a lower or upper body lift is $800, depending on specific item numbers assigned during your clinical assessment.
A thigh reduction (or thigh lift) involves the surgical excision of excess, hanging skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs. This procedure helps alleviate physical discomfort, such as severe chafing. The cost for a thigh lift ranges from $13,990 to $19,990, plus an estimated $7,000 in hospital fees if uninsured. A Medicare rebate of approximately $400 may apply.
Yes. In strict adherence to AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia regulations, you must obtain a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) prior to your first consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. This ensures an independent review of your medical history and motivations for undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery.
Because a body lift involves multiple surgical sites, recovery is significant. Patients must rest strictly for the first 24 to 48 hours but are encouraged to perform gentle, short walks to promote circulation. Most patients can return to light, non-strenuous duties after 1 week, but it generally takes 2 to 4 weeks before you can resume normal daily activities, pending clearance from Dr. Barnouti.
Extensive body contouring carries serious clinical risks. Potential complications include infection, excessive bleeding (haematoma), fluid accumulation (seroma), delayed wound healing, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and prominent or hypertrophic scarring. A comprehensive risk disclosure will be provided during your mandatory consultation to ensure you are fully informed.
Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.
At Sydney Plastic Surgery, all sutures (stitches) used during body lift and reshaping procedures are dissolvable. This eliminates the discomfort of physical stitch removal. You will have a follow-up appointment within the first week to assess the healing of your incisions and change your initial dressings.
An Arm Reduction (Brachioplasty) is a surgical procedure focused on excising loose, redundant skin and underlying tissue from the upper arms (often referred to as “batwings”). The surgeon and anaesthetist fees range from $9,990 to $16,990. Uninsured patients should plan for additional hospital costs of around $3,000.
Yes. Following your initial clinical assessment and the provision of your surgical quote, AHPRA mandates a minimum 7-day cooling-off period. This mandatory wait ensures you have adequate time to reflect on the costs, recovery, and surgical risks before officially booking your procedure.
Page Content Clinically Reviewed by Dr Barnouti
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783) is a Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 25 years of experience performing advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of ASAPS, and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW.
Dr. Barnouti operates out of leading, fully accredited Sydney hospitals with a strict focus on patient safety.
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783)