Torsoplasty (Upper Body Lift) for Men After Significant Weight Loss in Newcastle NSW
Torsoplasty is an operation that removes loose skin and residual fat from the male chest and upper torso after significant weight loss. Depending on the pattern of skin excess, I perform it as an anterior torsoplasty, which treats the front of the chest, or a circumferential torsoplasty, which extends around the sides and upper back. For a detailed guide to the operation, patient selection and my approach, read my complete guide to torsoplasty after significant weight loss.
Is This the Right Operation for Your Skin Pattern?
Torsoplasty suits men whose chest skin has lost its elasticity after significant weight loss and will not retract on its own. The typical pattern is loose, hanging chest skin with the nipple sitting well below the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle. Where the skin excess is confined to the front of the chest, an anterior torsoplasty is usually enough. Where loose skin continues around the sides and onto the upper back, a circumferential torsoplasty deals with the full extent in one operation. If your main concern is glandular tissue or fat with little or no loose skin, a different operation from my BB gynaecomastia grading system may suit you better.
What the Operation Involves
- Each side of the chest is assessed and treated on its own merits, following my BB gynaecomastia grading system
- The incision sits in the chest crease along the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle. In circumferential cases it extends around the sides and upper back, and you are repositioned during the operation to complete the back section
- Loose skin and residual fat are removed, and the nipple and areola are repositioned as a free graft, which produces the flattest chest with no residual bulk under the nipple
- VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) is used where residual fat needs treating alongside the skin excision
- General anaesthetic, 3 to 6 hours depending on extent
- Performed at Maitland Private Hospital with a 1 to 2 night stay
- Drains are placed and removed once output falls below 20 mL, brought out through an existing liposuction port
Why Come and See Me
I am Dr Bernard Beldholm, a Specialist Surgeon (FRACS) with a practice focused on body contouring surgery after significant weight loss. Male chest surgery is a core part of that work, and I developed the BB gynaecomastia grading system to match each side of the chest to the operation it actually needs rather than applying one default procedure to every patient.
- Follow-up is structured and included in the fee: 2 weeks of intense follow-up straight after surgery, then reviews at 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months
- I operate at Maitland Private Hospital, which has 24 hour medical cover and an on-site ICU
- I see you on my ward rounds every day you are in hospital
- Your initial consultation runs for about an hour, and every patient has a second consultation at no cost before surgery
- Telehealth consultations are available for regional and interstate patients, with graft care planned around your travel
Risks and Recovery
Torsoplasty is major surgery and the recovery reflects that. The scars are long and permanent, and because the nipple and areola are repositioned as a free graft, loss of nipple sensation is expected and partial or complete graft failure is possible, though uncommon. Other risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma), wound healing problems and blood clots (DVT). Most men need 2 to 3 weeks off work depending on their job, wear a compression garment for around 6 weeks, and avoid strenuous upper body activity for 6 to 8 weeks. Travelling patients stay near the clinic for 10 to 14 days after surgery so I can manage the grafts through the early healing period. I cover both topics in detail in my articles on torsoplasty complications and torsoplasty recovery.
Cost and Medicare
The cost of torsoplasty depends on the extent of surgery, whether the operation is anterior or circumferential, and your Medicare and health fund eligibility. There are multiple MBS item numbers that may apply, and which one is appropriate depends on whether the primary issue is loose skin after significant weight loss or gynaecomastia. This is determined at consultation. You receive a written quote after your consultation, and I explain what is involved in my article on torsoplasty cost.
Your Steps to Surgery
1. Get a GP referral
This is required before your consultation and supports any Medicare eligibility
2. Attend your consultation
I examine your chest, grade each side, assess your skin elasticity and weight loss history, and recommend an anterior or circumferential approach
3. Receive your written quote
including surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees
4. Prepare for surgery
Pre-operative blood tests, nutritional preparation where needed, and your second consultation to finalise the plan
5. Have your surgery at Maitland Private Hospital
with a 1 to 2 night stay
6. Follow the structured follow-up schedule
2 weeks of intense follow-up straight after surgery, then reviews at 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months, all included in the fee