Reviews you can trust, from real people like you.
How it works
- Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
- This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
- Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
- Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.
If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.
Sort by:
*Treatment results may vary
A Journey Worth the Results
I'm a 41-year-old woman. As long as I can remember, I've been unhappy with my body but the last five or so years were the worst.
I was eating well and exercising but just COULD NOT BUDGE the fat around my belly. Fortunately, I'm quite tall so was mostly able to hide what I didn't like but it meant I didn't feel comfortable in anything that even remotely clung to my figure. I felt suffocated in jeans or anything that was tight around my abdomen and I was FED UP. I had literally tried everything to shift the weight by this point.
I saw an ad for 'cool sculpting' and I wondered if it would work, however, it was reasonably pricey and I was at the point of: "If I'm going to pay money to do something about this, I want results." No mucking around. No time wasting. My mind turned to liposuction and I wondered if it could be right for me.
I was recommended to see Dr Erfan Rahbar at Cosmos Clinic in North Adelaide. I was so nervous before my appointment but as it turned out, I had no reason to be. Despite my big feelings about my weight and appearance, it was as routine as going to the GP and saying 'I've got a sore foot, what can we do about it?' As in, for Dr Rahbar, seeing me at my most vulnerable and all my lumps and bumps was totally the norm for him. I didn't feel the slightest bit judged. In fact, I felt respected and like he took seriously the trust I put in him at this vulnerable point. It was simply a case of 'tell me what you're unhappy with' which I did - chin, belly, arms, legs - pretty much my whole body.
He examined me holistically and suggested that we also do my knees and sacrum (lower back). I went with his recommendations at a total cost of approx. $32,000. After waiting the mandatory 7 days to book my procedures, I booked in for two surgeries. You may know that they can only take out 5 litres of fat at a time and only use so much sedation and it was deemed that my situation would call for two surgeries. I had to wait to 6 weeks to get in for the first surgery which devastated me a bit (I was READY TO DO THIS!) but, in hindsight, the time I had to wait actually gave me an opportunity to 'sit with my body' as it was and (this might sound a bit odd but to each their own), say 'good bye' to it in its current form. I had the opportunity to feel happy in my body for the first time in years .... because I knew I had a solution just over the horizon. Heck, let's be honest - I'd already been unhappy for so many years, what was another 6 weeks in the scheme of things?
I had to arrive at the clinic at 07:45 on the morning and I took an Uber in (a family member collected me afterwards). I felt scared yet excited and nervous. I was greeted with a smile by Nat the Nurse who showed me, told me the ropes (get changed etc) and she did all the preparation and paperwork with me. Then it was time to go.
My first surgery included my chin/neck, upper back around the bra, lower back around the bra, flanks (sides/love handles), and lower back. I have to say, waking up and the next few days that followed, were the most unglamorous days I've experience in my life. Make no mistake, there is NOTHING GLAMOROUS about the experience of major liposuction! It's a commitment and a journey but one that, for me, was completely worth the results. My pain was manageable with paracetamol plus I took the prescribed antibiotics. I was well-prepared before the surgery and had my bed organised with plenty of puppy training pad/old bed clothes I didn't care about/mattress protector as I was warned I would leak a lot of fluid. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing this on the morning before heading to the clinic because there's NO WAY you'll be in any state to do it once you get home after the procedure.
In terms of down time, for me, my surgeries were done on a Thursday. Obviously I took that day off plus the Friday, then I had the weekend, and then I was back working from home the following week. My second surgery was two weeks later where I had my upper and lower abdomen done plus the mons pubis and half my inner thighs.
As it turned out, I actually needed a third surgery to get everything I wanted done and safely. My third surgery was the finish off on my legs, plus my arms. The additional surgery (plus the addition of the mons pubis which I decided I wanted - highly recommend if you're getting your stomach done, you don't want a bulge 'down there' once your stomach fat is gone) plus I had to get new compression garments (my original ones were pretty wrecked after 24/7 from two surgeries plus they were too big, yay!) added a couple of thousand. My final cost was around $34,500.
Given the third surgery wasn't in the inital plan, I had to wait around five weeks to get it done following the second one but honestly, after two surgeries two weeks apart, I was thankful for the break. I needed it. My body needed a rest!
In all, I spent around 4 months in full body compression garments. Every week, I attended the clinic for a lymphatic drainage massage (about 12 sessions in total) as part of the after-care program. I was there so often, I got to know everyone at the clinic really well and felt like part of the furniture. One of the best things about going with Dr Rahbar at Cosmos was the inclusion of all the after care. I didn't have to think about it or book elsewhere, everything was included. I developed two seromas (pooling of fluid) - one in my mons (ouch!) and the other near my elbow. Both times, they were drained and everything was included.
Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better team of supporters and healthcare professionals to take me through this whole process. I'm glad I missed being in compression suits in the height of summer as that would've added another layer of uncomfortableness to the experience.
I was told I would leak a lot fluid following the procedures but I wasn't prepared for just how much fluid I would leak. Definitely stock up on puppy training pads and plenty of sticky tape. I couldn't leave the house for about 5 days after each surgery because of the leaking. My days at home were spent looking very odd with not many clothes on and puppy pad taped to various part of my body.
It's now a couple of months on since my final surgery. Because my body changed over many months, I 'grew' with the changes. It's almost hard to remember what it was like to live in my pre-lipo body. I can wear pretty much anything I want. I can bend over to do up my sneakers while wearing jeans without feeling like my stomach is going to split in two.
I am SO GLAD I took Dr Rahbar's recommendation to do my knees as it's one of the parts of my body I love the most now. I can't believe how well-shaped my legs look in shorts and dresses. Definitely thrilled with that!
Seriously, if you're as tired of being tired with your body as I was, just go in for a consultation and see how it feels for you. It has changed my life for the better - I only wish I could have afforded to do five years earlier. Absolutely, 100% no regrets. I felt safe, respected, cared for, had a lot of laughs along the way with the nurses, and most of all, I got what I wanted ... results.
If you're reading this, go you.
I was eating well and exercising but just COULD NOT BUDGE the fat around my belly. Fortunately, I'm quite tall so was mostly able to hide what I didn't like but it meant I didn't feel comfortable in anything that even remotely clung to my figure. I felt suffocated in jeans or anything that was tight around my abdomen and I was FED UP. I had literally tried everything to shift the weight by this point.
I saw an ad for 'cool sculpting' and I wondered if it would work, however, it was reasonably pricey and I was at the point of: "If I'm going to pay money to do something about this, I want results." No mucking around. No time wasting. My mind turned to liposuction and I wondered if it could be right for me.
I was recommended to see Dr Erfan Rahbar at Cosmos Clinic in North Adelaide. I was so nervous before my appointment but as it turned out, I had no reason to be. Despite my big feelings about my weight and appearance, it was as routine as going to the GP and saying 'I've got a sore foot, what can we do about it?' As in, for Dr Rahbar, seeing me at my most vulnerable and all my lumps and bumps was totally the norm for him. I didn't feel the slightest bit judged. In fact, I felt respected and like he took seriously the trust I put in him at this vulnerable point. It was simply a case of 'tell me what you're unhappy with' which I did - chin, belly, arms, legs - pretty much my whole body.
He examined me holistically and suggested that we also do my knees and sacrum (lower back). I went with his recommendations at a total cost of approx. $32,000. After waiting the mandatory 7 days to book my procedures, I booked in for two surgeries. You may know that they can only take out 5 litres of fat at a time and only use so much sedation and it was deemed that my situation would call for two surgeries. I had to wait to 6 weeks to get in for the first surgery which devastated me a bit (I was READY TO DO THIS!) but, in hindsight, the time I had to wait actually gave me an opportunity to 'sit with my body' as it was and (this might sound a bit odd but to each their own), say 'good bye' to it in its current form. I had the opportunity to feel happy in my body for the first time in years .... because I knew I had a solution just over the horizon. Heck, let's be honest - I'd already been unhappy for so many years, what was another 6 weeks in the scheme of things?
I had to arrive at the clinic at 07:45 on the morning and I took an Uber in (a family member collected me afterwards). I felt scared yet excited and nervous. I was greeted with a smile by Nat the Nurse who showed me, told me the ropes (get changed etc) and she did all the preparation and paperwork with me. Then it was time to go.
My first surgery included my chin/neck, upper back around the bra, lower back around the bra, flanks (sides/love handles), and lower back. I have to say, waking up and the next few days that followed, were the most unglamorous days I've experience in my life. Make no mistake, there is NOTHING GLAMOROUS about the experience of major liposuction! It's a commitment and a journey but one that, for me, was completely worth the results. My pain was manageable with paracetamol plus I took the prescribed antibiotics. I was well-prepared before the surgery and had my bed organised with plenty of puppy training pad/old bed clothes I didn't care about/mattress protector as I was warned I would leak a lot of fluid. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing this on the morning before heading to the clinic because there's NO WAY you'll be in any state to do it once you get home after the procedure.
In terms of down time, for me, my surgeries were done on a Thursday. Obviously I took that day off plus the Friday, then I had the weekend, and then I was back working from home the following week. My second surgery was two weeks later where I had my upper and lower abdomen done plus the mons pubis and half my inner thighs.
As it turned out, I actually needed a third surgery to get everything I wanted done and safely. My third surgery was the finish off on my legs, plus my arms. The additional surgery (plus the addition of the mons pubis which I decided I wanted - highly recommend if you're getting your stomach done, you don't want a bulge 'down there' once your stomach fat is gone) plus I had to get new compression garments (my original ones were pretty wrecked after 24/7 from two surgeries plus they were too big, yay!) added a couple of thousand. My final cost was around $34,500.
Given the third surgery wasn't in the inital plan, I had to wait around five weeks to get it done following the second one but honestly, after two surgeries two weeks apart, I was thankful for the break. I needed it. My body needed a rest!
In all, I spent around 4 months in full body compression garments. Every week, I attended the clinic for a lymphatic drainage massage (about 12 sessions in total) as part of the after-care program. I was there so often, I got to know everyone at the clinic really well and felt like part of the furniture. One of the best things about going with Dr Rahbar at Cosmos was the inclusion of all the after care. I didn't have to think about it or book elsewhere, everything was included. I developed two seromas (pooling of fluid) - one in my mons (ouch!) and the other near my elbow. Both times, they were drained and everything was included.
Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better team of supporters and healthcare professionals to take me through this whole process. I'm glad I missed being in compression suits in the height of summer as that would've added another layer of uncomfortableness to the experience.
I was told I would leak a lot fluid following the procedures but I wasn't prepared for just how much fluid I would leak. Definitely stock up on puppy training pads and plenty of sticky tape. I couldn't leave the house for about 5 days after each surgery because of the leaking. My days at home were spent looking very odd with not many clothes on and puppy pad taped to various part of my body.
It's now a couple of months on since my final surgery. Because my body changed over many months, I 'grew' with the changes. It's almost hard to remember what it was like to live in my pre-lipo body. I can wear pretty much anything I want. I can bend over to do up my sneakers while wearing jeans without feeling like my stomach is going to split in two.
I am SO GLAD I took Dr Rahbar's recommendation to do my knees as it's one of the parts of my body I love the most now. I can't believe how well-shaped my legs look in shorts and dresses. Definitely thrilled with that!
Seriously, if you're as tired of being tired with your body as I was, just go in for a consultation and see how it feels for you. It has changed my life for the better - I only wish I could have afforded to do five years earlier. Absolutely, 100% no regrets. I felt safe, respected, cared for, had a lot of laughs along the way with the nurses, and most of all, I got what I wanted ... results.
If you're reading this, go you.
Provider Review
