At Waikato Specialist Centre, Dr Bulent Yaprak offers a range of body contouring surgeries tailored to help patients feel more confident in their skin. With a focus on natural-looking results and patient safety, Dr Yaprak performs abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, thigh lift, and brachioplasty (arm lift) procedures for those seeking to reshape their body after weight loss, pregnancy, or ageing. Whether you’re looking to remove excess skin, tighten your abdomen, or redefine your body contours, each procedure is customised to suit your unique goals and anatomy. Dr Yaprak is a qualified specialist plastic surgeon with over 15 years of post-fellowship experience in New Zealand and overseas, known for his meticulous technique and honest, patient-first approach to surgery.
An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten weakened or separated muscles. Many patients choose this surgery after significant weight loss or pregnancy when the abdominal area doesn’t return to its previous shape despite exercise and diet. Dr Bulent Yaprak offers a personalised approach to abdominoplasty, focusing on restoring a natural, flatter contour to the abdomen while maintaining harmony with your body shape.
There are a few variations of this procedure, depending on how much correction is needed:
Mini Abdominoplasty – Suitable for those with loose skin and muscle laxity below the belly button.
Standard (Full) Abdominoplasty – Involves tightening muscles across the whole abdomen and removing skin from above and below the navel.
Extended Abdominoplasty – Includes excess skin removal from the sides or lower back as well.
All surgical plans are tailored during your consultation with Dr Yaprak, based on your anatomy, goals, and medical history.
Every patient is different, so the exact pricing is confirmed following a consultation. However, the following is a guideline to help with planning:
Mini Abdominoplasty –
(This can also be performed under local anaesthetic for suitable patients)
Surgical Fee: $5,500 – $6,500
(Includes post-op garments, all follow-up appointments, dressings, and nursing care for 6 weeks)
Hospital Fees: $5,000 – $6,000
Anaesthetist Fee: $1,600 – $2,000
Estimated Total: $12,100 – $14,500
Standard (Full) Abdominoplasty – 2.5–3 hours
Surgical Fee: $7,500 – $9,000
(Includes post-op garments, all follow-up appointments, dressings, and nursing care for 6 weeks)
Hospital Fees: $8,000 – $9,500
Anaesthetist Fee: $2,000 – $2,800
Estimated Total: $17,500 – $21,300
Extended Abdominoplasty – 4–5 hours
(Depending on the extent of liposuction and how far skin removal needs to extend towards the back)
Surgical Fee: $12,000 – $13,000
(Includes post-op garments, all follow-up appointments, dressings, and nursing care for 6 weeks)
Hospital Fees: $12,500 – $14,000
Anaesthetist Fee: $3,000 – $4,000
Estimated Total: $27,500 – $31,000
Please note: These are guideline figures only. Your final quote will depend on the complexity of your surgery and will be confirmed following a consultation with Dr Yaprak.
Anaesthesia: Most abdominoplasty procedures are performed under general anaesthetic.
Hospital Stay: Usually 1 night in hospital (sometimes longer for extended cases).
Recovery Time: 2–3 weeks off work (depending on the extent of surgery and your role).
Scarring: A scar across the lower abdomen, placed to be hidden beneath underwear or swimwear. Scars fade over time but are permanent.
Good candidates are in stable health and weight, do not plan future pregnancies, and have realistic expectations. It’s not a weight loss procedure but rather a contouring surgery. Dr Yaprak will guide you on whether you’re a suitable candidate during your consultation.
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. It is not a weight loss method but a targeted approach to reshaping areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, neck, or back. Dr Bulent Yaprak uses modern, safe liposuction techniques to achieve smooth, natural-looking results with minimal scarring and downtime.
Liposuction is often chosen by patients who are close to their ideal weight but want help improving specific areas where fat tends to persist. It can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or combined with other surgeries, such as abdominoplasty or arm lift, for more comprehensive reshaping.
We understand that cost is an important part of planning surgery, but unfortunately it’s not possible to give an accurate estimate for liposuction without a face-to-face consultation. This is because:
Every body is different – Some patients need only one small area treated, while others may benefit from more extensive reshaping over multiple regions.
Anaesthetic and hospital costs vary – These depend on how many areas are treated, how long the surgery takes, and whether it’s performed under local or general anaesthetic.
Skin quality and contour – Dr Yaprak needs to assess whether liposuction alone is suitable or whether a combined procedure (e.g., skin tightening or lift) may be more appropriate.
Health history matters – Your overall health, medications, and previous surgeries can influence the complexity and cost of the procedure.
During your consultation, Dr Yaprak will examine the areas you’d like treated, discuss your goals, and develop a personalised surgical plan. After this, we will provide you with a detailed written estimate outlining all costs involved — including surgical fees, hospital charges, and anaesthetic fees — so you can make an informed decision.
Abdomen & flanks (“muffin top”)
Inner or outer thighs
Hips & buttocks
Upper arms
Chin & neck
Male chest (in cases of gynaecomastia)
Anaesthesia: Liposuction may be done under local or general anaesthetic, depending on the extent of surgery.
Recovery Time: Most people return to light activity within 5–7 days, but swelling may persist for several weeks.
Scarring: Tiny scars (a few millimetres) are placed in discreet locations and generally fade well.
Results: Most results are noticeable within 6–8 weeks, with final contour visible by 3–6 months.
Ideal candidates are in good health, near their ideal weight, and have firm skin tone in the areas being treated. Liposuction won’t tighten loose skin — if that’s a concern, procedures like abdominoplasty or thigh lift may be more appropriate. Dr Yaprak will guide you through all suitable options during your consultation.
A thigh lift is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper thighs to improve their shape and firmness. It’s often chosen by patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or are bothered by loose, sagging skin due to ageing or genetics. Dr Bulent Yaprak performs thigh lift surgery with a focus on achieving smoother, more toned contours that still look natural and in balance with the rest of your body.
There are different approaches to thigh lift surgery depending on the amount and location of excess tissue:
Inner Thigh Lift – Targets the upper inner thighs, where skin laxity is most common.
Vertical or Extended Thigh Lift – Involves a longer incision down the thigh for more extensive reshaping, often needed after significant weight loss.
Liposuction-Assisted Thigh Lift – Sometimes combined with liposuction to improve contour and remove stubborn fat before skin tightening.
Dr Yaprak will help determine which approach is most appropriate for your body and goals during your consultation.
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How much does a Thigh Lift Cost?
The cost of thigh lift surgery varies depending on the extent of the procedure and whether liposuction is combined with the lift. As a general guide:
Surgical Fee: $9,500 – $10,000
(Includes post-operative garment, all dressing changes, nursing care, and follow-up appointments within the first 6 weeks)
Hospital Fees: $10,000 – $11,000
Anaesthetist Fee: $2,500 – $3,000
Estimated Total: $22,000 – $24,000
Your exact quote will be confirmed after a consultation with Dr Yaprak, once we’ve assessed your goals, medical history, skin quality, and the specific areas you’d like treated. We’ll then provide you with a full written estimate so you can make an informed decision.
Anaesthesia: Most thigh lifts are performed under general anaesthetic.
Scarring: The most common incision runs along the inner thigh, carefully positioned to be hidden within the natural folds. Extended lifts may involve a vertical scar down the thigh.
Recovery Time: Most patients return to office-based work within 2–3 weeks. Swelling and bruising are common and settle over several weeks.
Results: The improved contour is noticeable once swelling subsides, with continued improvement over 3–6 months.
A thigh lift may be right for you if you’re close to your goal weight but bothered by excess or sagging skin on your inner or outer thighs. It’s ideal for those who’ve had weight loss, post-pregnancy body changes, or age-related skin laxity. During your consultation, Dr Yaprak will assess whether a thigh lift or a combination approach with liposuction is best suited to your needs.
A brachioplasty, or arm lift, is a surgical procedure designed to reshape the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat, often referred to as “bingo wings” or arm laxity. It’s commonly requested by patients who have experienced significant weight loss or age-related skin changes that lead to sagging in the upper arm area. Dr Bulent Yaprak performs arm lift surgery with a focus on achieving a natural-looking contour and smoother silhouette, while minimising visible scarring wherever possible.
Depending on your anatomy and goals, the procedure may involve:
Standard Brachioplasty – Removal of excess skin from the upper arm with a scar placed along the inner arm.
Extended Brachioplasty – For more extensive sagging extending into the armpit or lateral chest wall.
Liposuction-Only or Combined Approach – For those with good skin quality but stubborn fat deposits, or where liposuction is needed to complement skin removal.
Arm lift pricing varies depending on how much excess skin is removed, whether liposuction is required, and the surgical approach. As a general guideline:
Surgical Fee: $7,500 – $9,000
(Includes compression garments, all dressing changes, nursing care, and follow-up appointments for 6 weeks)
Hospital Fees: $8,000 – $9,500
Anaesthetist Fee: $2,500 – $3,200
Estimated Total: $18,000 – $21,700
Final pricing can only be confirmed after a consultation with Dr Yaprak. During this appointment, he’ll assess your skin tone, amount of excess tissue, your medical history, and whether a standard or extended lift (or liposuction-assisted version) is the best fit for you. A detailed written estimate will be provided following the consult.
Anaesthesia: Most arm lifts are performed under general anaesthetic.
Scarring: Typically a scar is placed along the inside of the upper arm, extending from the armpit toward the elbow. Scars fade over time and are hidden when the arms are at your side.
Recovery Time: Most patients return to light activity within 10–14 days. You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around 4–6 weeks.
Results: Arms appear more defined and proportionate, with final results visible once swelling has settled — typically within 2–3 months.
Brachioplasty is best suited to patients who are at or near a stable weight but are left with loose or hanging skin on the upper arms. It’s especially common after weight loss or in patients noticing age-related changes in skin elasticity. Dr Yaprak will discuss whether an arm lift — with or without liposuction — is the right approach for your goals during your consultation.
Dr Bulent Yaprak believes that body surgery should enhance your confidence without ever looking overdone. Whether it’s a tummy tuck, liposuction, thigh lift, or arm lift, each procedure is tailored to your body shape, goals, and lifestyle — with a focus on creating smooth, balanced, and natural results.
At Waikato Specialist Centre, we understand that no two bodies are the same. That’s why your surgical journey always begins with a one-on-one consultation, where Dr Yaprak takes the time to understand your concerns, assess your anatomy, and guide you through the most appropriate options. His attention to proportion and detail ensures that each result fits harmoniously with the rest of your body — never stretched, pulled, or artificial in appearance.
Our goal is to help you feel more confident in your own skin — whether that means restoring your figure after pregnancy, addressing changes after weight loss, or simply refining areas that have always bothered you. With comprehensive follow-up care, clear communication, and an honest approach, you can trust that your experience with us will be supportive from start to finish.
If you’re considering body contouring surgery, we’d love to meet you. Get in touch today to book a consultation and begin your journey towards a more confident you.
