Frequently asked questions

Candidacy depends on the specific procedure, but several general principles apply: weight should be stable for at least 6 months (ideally longer for major post-weight-loss patients), BMI should typically be below 32–35 for elective body contouring (higher BMI substantially raises complication rates), smoking must be stopped 4 weeks before surgery, and any uncontrolled medical conditions should be managed. We assess candidacy individually at consultation — no general statement substitutes for examination.

Yes. Body contouring after significant weight loss is indicated regardless of how the weight was lost — bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, sustained dietary effort, or any combination. The relevant factor is the amount lost and the resulting skin changes, not the method of weight loss.

There is no specific upper age limit, but the relevant question is biological rather than chronological age. A healthy 65-year-old may be a better surgical candidate than an unfit 45-year-old. Pre-operative evaluation considers cardiovascular fitness, comorbidities, and medication review rather than age alone.

The pinch test at consultation is usually decisive. If the skin retracts crisply when released, liposuction alone is generally appropriate. If the skin sags or shows visible redundancy, skin excision (tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, depending on the area) is the right operation. Getting this wrong — performing liposuction on a patient who needs skin excision — produces a worse contour than before surgery.

Some combinations are routine: lipoabdominoplasty (tummy tuck + liposuction), mommy makeover (tummy tuck + breast surgery), arm lift + breast surgery. Other combinations are too much for one anaesthesia and are staged 3–6 months apart. Decisions are based on total operative time, patient health, and recovery capacity. More on staging →

For most single procedures: 7–10 days from arrival to safe return travel. For combined procedures or post-bariatric multi-procedure surgery: 10–14 days. The constraint is partly clinical (avoiding deep vein thrombosis on long flights, ensuring drains are removed before travel) and partly logistical (post-operative checks at days 2, 5, 7 typically).

Strongly encouraged for major procedures. A companion helps with hotel mobility in the first 48–72 hours, accompanies the patient to follow-up checks, and assists with airport transfers. For mommy makeover, lower body lift, or any multi-procedure case, a companion is effectively essential.