ANY SURGICAL OR INVASIVE PROCEDURE CARRIES RISKS. BEFORE PROCEEDING, YOU SHOULD SEEK A SECOND OPINION FROM AN APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED HEALTH PRACTITIONER (EG. YOUR GP).

Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767) will discuss the general and specific risks during your consultation, where you can ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have. Is it important that you have enough information to weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of your surgery. You will also be provided with more information to take home and read, and discuss with your family or loved ones.

Risks specifically associated with liposuction surgery may include:

• Complications caused by the injection of anaesthetic fluid can include lignocaine toxicity (if the solution’s lignocaine content is too high) or collection of fluid in the lungs (if too much fluid is given). This can occur in tumescent and super-wet liposuction.
• Excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock.
• Fluid accumulation.
• Infection that develop in fatty tissues. This can be a serious complication and can be difficult to treat.
• Friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves.
• Irregular skin surface, uneven contours or rippling, asymmetric or ‘baggy’ skin surface.
• Skin pigmentation changes, skin discolouration or swelling.
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs and abdominal organs.
• Persistent swelling in the legs.
• Further surgery may be necessary to address complications.

Some general risks and complications of surgery may include:

• Risks associated with general anaesthesia, including nausea. Anti-nausea medication will be administered during the operation, and as required during your recovery. Your anaesthetist will discuss specific risks related to anaesthesia with you further.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the incisions and operated site(s). Pain relief will be administered and steps taken to reduce bruising and swelling, including how you can manage this yourself.
• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. In the unlikely event that blood loss during surgery has been large, a transfusion may be needed. Steps are taken during your procedure to limit bleeding. You may also be asked to reduce or stop certain medications leading up to your surgery.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases. Antibiotics are administered during the operation to prevent this as much as possible, and wound care instructions provided before your discharge.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings, antiseptic solutions, or medications. Please notify Dr Taylor and the nursing staff of any known allergies that you may have.
• The formation of a large blood clot, or haematoma, an accumulation of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage. It is rare that a clot can move to the lungs and become life threatening.
• Keloids and hypertrophic scars that are raised, red and thickened scars that may form over the healed incisions. These may be itchy, annoying and unsightly but are not a threat to health.
• Slow healing (often related to smoking or diabetes), separation of wound edges or areas of skin that do not heal and may require a skin graft.
• Numbness around operated sites. While numbness typically subsides slowly over several months, some numbness may be permanent.

Liposuction surgery is usually performed at Sole’vita Surgery, though may be performed at Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin or National Capital Private Hospital. Dr Taylor will discuss this further, and any options available to you, during your consultation.

Your surgery may be booked at our private hospital, Sole’vita Surgery, a licensed medical hospital accredited under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Sole’ vita Surgery is part of The CAPS Clinic, with all services conveniently based in the one location in Deakin, Canberra.

Our facilities include modern surgical theatres, sterilisation services and recovery areas. Our overnight rooms feature flexible privacy glass-panelling and personal ensuite.

All of the Sole’ vita team are fully qualified and registered medical personnel, with no more than 5 patients staying at once, our patient-to-nursing-care ratio is very high.

In some cases, liposuction may be a day stay procedure, though more extensive liposuction may require an overnight stay. Dr Taylor will discuss this with you during your consultation.

Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767) is a highly qualified Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Learn more about Dr Taylor.

If your liposuction surgery takes place at our Sole’vita Surgery private hospital, you can be assured that Dr Taylor leads a dedicated team of qualified health care professionals, including anaesthetic staff and nurses. His team have built a reputation for quality and are committed to achieving results for our clients whilst providing personalised care, with your safety, privacy and comfort at the forefront of all work.

If you are not ready for liposuction surgery, you may be suitable for CoolSculpting treatments, a non-surgical option offered at our My Genesis Clinic. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure to reduce stubborn fat for permanent results with minimal downtime.

Read more about our CoolSculpting options here.

Liposuction surgery is considered cosmetic surgery by the Australian government and therefore is not eligible for a Medicare, health fund or tax rebate, and GST is applicable.

Fees include Dr Taylor Surgeons fee, Anaesthetist fee, Theatre and the Overnight Stay in Hospital costs, starting from $9,000 to $14,000 (based on 2-3 areas).

To receive a formal quote you are required to have a consultation with Dr Taylor. The quote for the cost of your surgery is valid for 3 months. Some fees may not be included in this quote, including medications, pathology, physiotherapy and costs arising from any complications. Further information will be provided to you during your consultation.

Dr Taylor’s fee includes:

• All pre and post operative care for up to 6 months
• Access to our 24 hours support line
• Pre-surgery appointment with Dr Taylor’s nurse
• Pre-surgery kit (information, vitamins, herbal products, surgical bag)
• Post Surgical Kit (information, products to aid recovery)
• Scar Management Program
• One Surgical Garment

To help you prepare for your surgery and enhance your recovery, we offer you a pre-surgery program to start 4 to 6 weeks prior to your surgery. This includes taking a multivitamin to aid recovery and get you back on your feet faster.  We also recommend an effective herbal medication to reduce the bruising and swelling associated with your surgery. You will also need to stop certain medications leading up to your surgery and we recommend ceasing smoking six weeks prior.

Planning for your surgery and your recovery in advance is vital. Understanding what you can and cannot do will ensure you are not put in a position where you put yourself or the success of your surgery at risk.  All this will depend on your personal situation.  Dr Taylor insists you refrain from any major or minor physical duties and take two weeks off work. You will be provided with a discreet medical certificate to accommodate any time required off work.

On discharge from Sole’vita Surgery we recommend:

• You have someone drive you home.
• You have someone with you for the first day at home.
• Do not drive a car for five days postoperatively.
• Ensure you can rest for two weeks, getting as much sleep as possible.
• Do not undertake activities including physical exercise, contact sport or sexual activities for six weeks post surgery. The face tends to swell fairly easily on straining and excessive exertion is not recommended.
• Do not leave Canberra prior to staples or sutures being removed.
• Do not fly internationally during the six week postoperative period.

On return from theatre, you will be placed in a very tight fitting compression garment. This garment is worn 24 hours a day (excluding showering) for the first two weeks and then during the day for another 4 weeks.

You will stay overnight in our Sole’vita Surgery private hospital. Dr Taylor will check on your recovery the next day, and our nursing staff will assist with your discharge, including wound care and management of your dressings, prescriptions for medications, and follow up appointments.

Extensive surgery bruising and swelling are to be expected. Liposuction is uncomfortable but taking regular oral pain medication can assist you to be more comfortable.

You are encouraged to take 2 to 3 weeks off work and plan not to be back to normal routine and activity for at least 6 weeks.

Two weeks after your surgery, you will come to Sole’vita Surgery to have your sutures removed and your wounds checked by one of our nurses, if applicable. You will have follow up appointments with Dr Taylor at both the 6 week and 6 month stage of your journey.