01Article · Body contouring
Lipo 360 in Melbourne —
what gets treated and what does not.
Lipo 360 is a circumferential liposuction technique that treats the trunk as a single three-dimensional area — the abdomen, the flanks, the lower back, and the upper hip region — rather than a single zone in isolation. It is not a weight-loss procedure, and it is not for everyone. This article walks through what gets treated, what does not, who is suited, and what the realistic outcomes look like so you can arrive at a consultation already informed.
02In short
Lipo 360 is body contouring, not fat reduction for weight management. It addresses stubborn subcutaneous fat across the abdomen, flanks, lower back and hip region in one operation. It is most appropriate for patients within a healthy weight range with reasonable skin elasticity. It does not treat visceral fat, skin laxity, muscle separation, or significant excess skin — those need different procedures or a different plan entirely.
03What "360" means
Treating the trunk —
as a single area.
The "360" in lipo 360 refers to 360 degrees around the trunk. Traditional liposuction treats one zone at a time — front of the abdomen, or just the flanks, or just the back. A 360 approach treats the trunk as one continuous area, with the goal of a balanced result viewed from any angle, including the side and back profiles that patients often miss when planning around the abdomen alone.
The technique itself is liposuction. Small access incisions are made — typically in skin folds where they are difficult to see — and a thin tube (cannula) is used to suction subcutaneous fat through gentle, controlled passes. Modern technique focuses on smooth transitions between treated zones, which is why "360" tends to produce a more natural contour than treating two or three zones independently.
The procedure is performed in an accredited hospital setting under general anaesthesia. It is a day procedure for most patients, though some are recommended an overnight stay depending on the volume of fat removed and individual anaesthetic considerations. Read more about Dr Nara's approach to liposuction, and see our three liposuction procedures explainer for how different techniques apply to different presentations.
04What it treats
Four zones —
in one operation.
- 01The abdomen — both above and below the navel, with attention to the natural waist line.
- 02The flanks — the soft tissue at the sides of the waist, often called "love handles".
- 03The lower back — the area immediately above the buttocks, which is rarely addressed by single-zone lipo.
- 04The upper hip region — where the trunk transitions into the hip area.
The aim is a smoother circumferential contour. For patients who have stubborn fat that has not responded to consistent diet and exercise — and who are at or near a stable, healthy weight — the result is usually a more proportioned silhouette rather than a dramatic change in size.
05What it does not treat
Where lipo 360 —
is not the answer.
This is where most consultations need careful conversation. Lipo 360 is genuinely not a solution for:
- 01Visceral fat — the deep fat inside the abdominal cavity, surrounding the organs. Lipo cannot treat this; it responds to lifestyle, diet, and time.
- 02Significant excess skin — particularly after large weight loss or multiple pregnancies. Lipo removes fat; it does not lift skin.
- 03Muscle separation (diastasis recti) — common after pregnancy. The abdominal wall muscles separate and form a midline gap that liposuction cannot address.
- 04Weight loss as a goal — lipo is for shape, not for kilograms. The volume of fat removed is small relative to total body fat.
Where the skin has lost elasticity, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is usually the right conversation, or a combined approach. If you are unsure which procedure fits your presentation, the consultation includes a physical examination and an honest assessment. We say no to lipo 360 more often than people expect, because the wrong procedure produces a result that nobody is happy with.
06Who is a suitable candidate
The factors —
we assess at consultation.
The Medical Board of Australia requires every cosmetic surgery patient to have a GP referral, two consultations, a psychological screen for body dysmorphic disorder, and a seven-day cooling-off period before the procedure can be booked. Within that framework, suitability for lipo 360 specifically depends on:
- 01Weight stability — patients within a healthy BMI range, with weight stable for at least six months, see the most consistent results.
- 02Skin elasticity — good elastic recoil is needed for the skin to redrape smoothly over the treated area.
- 03General health — smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain cardiovascular conditions raise the risk of complications.
- 04Realistic expectations — a patient who has read carefully about the procedure and understands what it will not change is far more likely to feel satisfied with the result.
The patients who tend to be most suited to lipo 360 are people who already have a good relationship with their bodies and want to address something specific — usually flank fat or a back roll — that has not responded to their existing exercise routine.
07Recovery
Recovery in —
honest terms.
Recovery from lipo 360 is more demanding than recovery from single-zone lipo, simply because more of the body has been treated. These are the points patients tell us they wish they had known upfront.
- 01Compression garment for 6 weeks — medical-grade compression worn day and night for 4 weeks, then daytime to week 6. Not optional.
- 02Bruising and swelling peak around day 5-7 and settle steadily over the following weeks.
- 03Return to desk work is usually 7-10 days. Physically active jobs need 2-3 weeks.
- 04Light cardio at 4 weeks. Higher-impact activity, including lifting, at 6 weeks.
- 05The final result settles between 3 and 6 months as the swelling fully resolves.
Sleep can be uncomfortable for the first 1-2 weeks. Most patients find a slightly reclined position with pillows works best. A box of tissues, water bottle, and your medications within arm's reach makes the first few nights easier.
08Risks & considerations
Risks discussed —
openly at consultation.
All surgery carries inherent risks. Lipo 360 carries the standard liposuction risk profile plus additional considerations because of the larger treated area.
The recognised risks include bleeding, infection, contour irregularities (lumps, asymmetry), prolonged swelling, sensation changes that may be temporary or permanent, fat embolism (rare but serious), and the possibility that the result does not meet expectations. Skin laxity may become more apparent in patients whose skin elasticity was borderline at the time of surgery, which is one reason the assessment matters.
Larger-volume liposuction also carries fluid-balance and anaesthetic considerations that are managed by your anaesthetist on the day. The full list of risks specific to cosmetic surgery is on our risks of surgery page, and we recommend reading it carefully before the second consultation. A second opinion from a qualified health professional is encouraged for any cosmetic procedure.
09Frequently asked questions
Questions patients —
actually ask.
How much fat can be removed?
The Medical Board of Australia advises liposuction be limited to safe per-session volumes, assessed in the context of patient size and health. Larger volumes carry higher anaesthetic and fluid-balance risk, which is why we plan procedures conservatively rather than chasing maximum removal. The exact figure for your case is discussed at consultation.
Will the fat come back?
The fat cells removed during liposuction do not regrow. However, the remaining fat cells in your body can still enlarge if you gain weight. Lipo 360 is best thought of as a permanent change to the shape of the treated area, not a permanent change to your overall fat capacity.
How does lipo 360 compare to a tummy tuck?
They address different problems. Lipo 360 removes fat. A tummy tuck addresses excess skin and separated muscles. Many post-pregnancy patients need a combined approach. The right answer depends on your specific anatomy, which is assessed at consultation.
Is lipo 360 painful?
Discomfort is usually moderate for the first week, well-managed with simple analgesia. Compression-garment pressure can feel restrictive in the first few days. Most patients describe the recovery as uncomfortable rather than painful — but pain tolerance varies considerably from person to person.
Can I have lipo 360 if I plan to get pregnant later?
Yes. Liposuction does not affect future pregnancy. However, pregnancy will change the shape of the treated area — sometimes significantly — and patients who plan to have children are often advised to delay the procedure until their family is complete, to preserve the result.
What does it cost?
Liposuction costs in Melbourne range significantly depending on the number of zones treated, the volume of fat involved, and whether overnight admission is needed. The wide range exists because every patient's anatomy and goals are different. A formal quote is only provided after your individual consultation, by Cate, the practice manager. Dr Nara is a cosmetic doctor — private health insurance and Medicare rebates do not apply.
10When to call the clinic
Contact us if —
you experience any of these.
- Heavy or sudden bleeding from any incision site
- Rapidly worsening pain not relieved by simple analgesia
- Fever above 38°C
- Significant calf swelling or pain (concern for clot)
- Significant shortness of breath
- Any concern that does not feel right, even if it does not match the list above
Our risks of surgery page covers these in more detail.
If lipo 360 is something you would like to discuss, the first step is a referral from your usual GP, followed by an in-person consultation with Dr Nara. You can begin a confidential enquiry at any time.
RevAesthetic is located at Chadstone Shopping Centre, G 120A / 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148, with alternate consultation locations in Cooee (Tasmania) and Stepney (South Australia).
11About the practitioner
Dr Kishen
Nara.
Dr Kishen Nara is a registered medical practitioner. He sees patients across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. The team at RevAesthetic includes practice manager Cate, Patient Liaison Jenny, and registered nurses, all involved in supporting your enquiry.
- MBBSBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — Monash University
- FACCSM(Surg)Surgical Fellow, Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine
- AHPRARegistered medical practitioner — General Registration MED0001201549
12Continue reading
More from
the journal.
- 2025 Three Liposuction Procedures in Melbourne
Liposuction of the thighs, abdomen and waist — three areas Dr Kishen Nara works on in Melbourne. - 2024 Five Recovery Tips After Liposuction in Summer
Practical recovery tips for liposuction patients in the Australian summer. - 2022 Liposuction Melbourne — 5 Things to Consider
Five plain-English considerations before liposuction in Melbourne or Tasmania.
Disclaimer: All cosmetic procedures have inherent potential risks and complications. We encourage you to seek a second opinion from a qualified medical professional before any procedure. Material on this page is educational in nature and is not generalisable — outcomes vary significantly between patients depending on genetic composition, medical history and individual circumstances. Dr Kishen Nara — MBBS, FACCSM(Surg), AHPRA Registration MED0001201549. General Registration.