Liposuction & Body Contouring in Sydney: Clinical Guide & Cost Overview
Important Patient Notice & AHPRA Compliance Guidelines
Under Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) regulations, all prospective plastic and reconstructive surgery patients must obtain a formal referral from an Australian-registered General Practitioner (GP). Patient care protocols require a minimum of two mandatory face-to-face clinical consultations and a strict 7-day cooling-off period before any surgical procedure can be performed. All operations are conducted by Dr Laith Barnouti, a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS).
Anatomical fat distribution is largely dictated by genetics, hormone balance, and metabolic factors. Even with a balanced diet and regular exercise routine, localized subcutaneous fat deposits can persist in specific areas of the body.
Liposuction (also known as suction-assisted lipectomy or liposculpture) is an established surgical body contouring procedure designed to target and reshape stubborn, localized fat deposits. Performed by Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Laith Barnouti (FRACS), body contouring procedures across our Sydney practice prioritize patient safety, precise anatomical contouring, and natural tissue harmony.
Key Takeaways: Liposuction at a Glance
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Primary Indication: Surgical contouring of localized subcutaneous fat deposits (not a treatment for obesity or weight loss).
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Sydney Fee Estimates: Surgical pricing ranges from $5,990 to $12,990+, depending on the number of treatment areas, surgical complexity, and technique used.
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Surgical Facility: All procedures are conducted under general anaesthesia or twilight sedation within fully accredited Sydney private hospital facilities.
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Recovery Timeline: Initial downtime requires 1 to 2 weeks off strenuous activity, with medical-grade compression garments worn for up to 6 weeks.
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Regulatory Compliance: Under Medical Board of Australia guidelines, all prospective patients require a valid General Practitioner (GP) referral, two pre-operative consultations, and a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period.
Liposuction Costs in Sydney
In accordance with Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and Medical Board guidelines, exact surgical fees cannot be finalized without an individual, face-to-face clinical evaluation. Cost varies depending on the number of anatomical zones treated, tissue density, skin elasticity, and whether advanced modalities (such as radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis) are required.
Estimated Surgical Fee Structure
Below is an indicative fee schedule for surgeon fees at Sydney Plastic Surgery.
*Note: Figures represent surgeon fees for standard suction-assisted lipectomy. Total financial commitments also include independent specialist anaesthetist fees and accredited hospital operating theatre/day-stay charges. Please refer to our costs page for a detailed breakdown of current costs.
What Factors Influence Total Liposuction Costs?
A comprehensive surgical quote provided after your clinical consultation incorporates three core medical components:
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Specialist Plastic Surgeon Fee: Reflects the clinical expertise, technical complexity, and operating time required by Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Laith Barnouti (FRACS).
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Specialist Anaesthetist Fee: Services administered by an independent, accredited Specialist Medical Anaesthetist monitoring patient safety throughout the operation.
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Accredited Hospital & Theatre Charges: Fees associated with operating room usage, specialized equipment, nursing care, and day-surgery recovery accommodation at an accredited Sydney hospital.
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Post-Operative Care Essentials: Inclusive of medical-grade compression garments and structured follow-up review appointments during your recovery.
Financial Transparency Note: In compliance with Australian medical advertising laws, our practice does not offer, promote, or facilitate commercial payment plans or credit schemes. Full settlement of fees is required prior to surgery.
Understanding Surgical Body Contouring Techniques
Liposuction is strictly a body contouring procedure, not a substitute for weight loss or lifestyle management. During surgery, thin tubes called cannulas are inserted through discreet skin incisions to gently aspirate localized subcutaneous fat.
1. Traditional Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (SAL)
Traditional liposuction relies on mechanical movement combined with tumescent solution (a specialized fluid containing saline, local anaesthetic, and adrenaline) to minimize bleeding and contour subcutaneous fat layers smoothly.
2. Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction (RFAL / Liposoft)
For patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity, radiofrequency energy (such as BodyTite, FaceTite, or NeckTite) can be combined with traditional suctioning. RFAL delivers controlled thermal energy to gently liquefy fat cells while stimulating dermal collagen contraction, assisting skin redrapery over the newly contoured area.
Key Treatment Areas for Liposuction
Liposuction can be applied to single or multiple anatomical zones depending on clinical suitability and tissue elasticity:
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Abdominal Region (Upper & Lower): Addresses stubborn subcutaneous fat deposits over the abdominal wall.
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Flanks & Lumbar Region (Waistline/Love Handles): Contours the lower back and waist to refine the torso silhouette.
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Submental Area (Chin & Upper Neck): Targets localized neck fat to define the jawline and submental angle.
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Thighs (Inner & Outer): Reduces localized bulk along the trochanteric region ("saddlebags") or inner thigh friction zones.
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Upper Arms (Brachial Region): Contours excess fat along the triceps area; ideal for patients with good skin elasticity.
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Chest & Gynecological/Male Breast Region: Utilized in surgical correction of male gynecomastia to reduce glandular and adipose tissue bulk.
Sydney Consultation Locations
Dr Laith Barnouti (FRACS) conducts comprehensive pre-operative assessments, anatomical evaluations, and post-operative follow-up consultations across three accredited Sydney locations:
1. Glebe Clinic (Inner West)
Conveniently located for patients in the Inner West and Sydney CBD. The Glebe consulting suite offers pre-operative surgical assessments, 3D anatomical planning, and confidential consultations.
2. Chatswood Clinic (North Shore)
Serving patients across Sydney’s Lower and Upper North Shore. The Chatswood facility provides comprehensive body contouring evaluations and post-surgical recovery monitoring.
3. Parramatta Clinic (Western Sydney)
Located in the central hub of Parramatta to accommodate patients residing in Greater Western Sydney. Consultations focus on individual procedure suitability, surgical risk analysis, and tailored treatment planning.
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.
AHPRA Regulatory & Compliance Notice
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GP Referral Requirement: In accordance with Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) regulations implemented on July 1, 2023, all patients seeking cosmetic surgery must provide a valid referral from a registered General Practitioner (GP) prior to attending their initial consultation.
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Consultation & Cooling-Off Period: Patients must undergo a minimum of two formal face-to-face consultations with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Laith Barnouti (FRACS) and observe a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period before any elective procedure can be performed.
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Risk Disclosure: All invasive surgical procedures carry inherent risks, including bleeding, infection, wound healing complications, scarring, asymmetry, and anaesthetic risks.
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Second Opinion Recommendation: Prospective patients are strongly advised to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner before deciding to proceed with surgery.
Ready to Begin Your Assessment?
Contact our patient coordination team to schedule your initial consultation at your preferred Sydney location.
Book a Consultation at Sydney Plastic Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions (AHPRA-Compliant)
1. How much does liposuction cost in Sydney?
Answer:
In Sydney, surgeon fees for liposuction typically start from $5,990 for a single area and range up to $12,990 or more for multi-area body contouring. Total costs depend on the number of treatment zones, whether radiofrequency technology (Liposoft) is required, operating theatre duration, and hospital/anaesthetic fees. A complete, itemized surgical breakdown is provided following your clinical evaluation with Dr Barnouti.
Please refer to our costs page for a detailed breakdown of current costs.
2. Clinical Indications: Is abdominal (tummy) liposuction suitable for my body contouring goals?
Answer:
Abdominal liposuction is clinically suitable for patients who are at or near a stable body weight, possess firm skin elasticity, and wish to target localized subcutaneous fat resistant to diet and exercise.
It is important to note that liposuction cannot remove visceral fat (deep internal fat surrounding abdominal organs) nor can it repair separated abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) or remove significant loose skin. During your consultation, Dr Barnouti assesses your anatomical profile to determine whether abdominal liposuction alone or an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) will yield the safest and most effective anatomical outcome.
3. Volume Limits & Safety: How many kilograms of fat can be safely removed by liposuction?
Answer:
Liposuction is measured in volume (litres) rather than body weight (kilograms), as fat tissue is relatively lightweight compared to its volume. Under Australian surgical safety guidelines, the maximum safe limit for fat aspiration in a single outpatient or day-surgery procedure is generally 4 to 5 litres of total fluid/fat aspirate.
Removing excessive volumes of fat in a single procedure increases perioperative risks, such as fluid shifts, haematoma formation, and extended recovery times. Liposuction is designed as a contour refinement tool, not a weight-loss intervention.
4. Surgical Comparison: What is the financial and clinical difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?
Answer:
From a fee perspective, stand-alone abdominal liposuction (typically $5,990 – $8,990 surgeon fee) involves less operating room time and lower surgical complexity than a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), which starts at a higher price threshold due to longer theatre times and extensive tissue repair.
However, these two procedures address distinctly different clinical concerns:
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Liposuction targets excess subcutaneous fat only, requiring good skin elasticity to shrink-wrap over the reduced volume.
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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is a major reconstructive operation designed to excise excess, hanging skin, tighten stretched or separated abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis), and recontour the abdominal wall.