An upper back lift, also known as bra line back lift or back lift, is a type of body contouring procedure performed to correct loose, sagging skin or rolls of fatty skin affecting the mid to upper back. The sagging most typically affects the area of the back directly above or below a woman’s bra line. Significant weight loss and aging are common causes of this particularly stubborn back fat. Fortunately, an upper back lift offers an ideal treatment to remedy the issue.
If you have excess skin and fat tissue in the mid to upper back area or around the bra line that has not responded to diet and exercise, an upper back lift may be right for you. An upper back lift procedure is ideal for both men and woman who have stubborn fat tissue deposits and want to eliminate loose saggy skin. The procedure is common for individuals who have had a significant amount of weight loss or have noticed with age their skin is starting to sag or bulge along skin folds.
To be a good candidate, however, you should be near the weight you are comfortable with. If you plan to lose more than 20 pounds, you should wait to have your upper back lift, as the weight loss could cause additional lax skin. During your consultation, Dr. Stiller help you decide what is the right plan for you.
An upper back lift begins with Dr. Stiller performing liposuction to contour and shape the back. This is done by inserting a small tube called a cannula, which is attached to a suction device. Dr. Stiller will then make a horizontal incision across the upper back that will be easily hidden in the bra line. From this incision, excess skin will be removed. The skin will be pulled to tighten and eliminate any wrinkles or folds, then reattached at the incision point. After this, the incision is closed and bandages are placed.
For your Cosmetic Surgery, cash pay procedures, your surgery will be performed at our own on-site AAAASF accredited surgery center at our Stiller Aesthetics office. Our operating room is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.
An upper back lift is an outpatient procedure, so after a short period of recovery time, you will go home the same day. When you awake, you will be in a compression garment which we advise you to wear the first 2 weeks all the time, followed by 2 more weeks during times of activity. You can expect bruising, swelling, and tightness for about 2-3 weeks. Most patients take about 1-2 weeks off work; however, some may take longer or return sooner depending on the physical demands of their job. As the back heals, patients can usually return to normal activity around 4 weeks.
You will be provided with detailed post-operative instructions upon completion of your procedure. If at any time you should have any questions or concerns after surgery, please contact our practice immediately.
Upper back lift results can vary between patients, so it is important to be patient. Most patients notice a significant difference right away and continued improvement as swelling continues to go down. You will have a scar on your upper back, near the bra line, which may appear pink and raised 2-3 months after surgery. As time goes on, the color will begin to fade and the scar will flatten. If your stretch marks were located in areas of loose skin, they will be gone. However, they may still be stretch marks in areas that are not excised. After your upper back lift, you will lose inches and have a slimmer chest width; however, an upper back lift is not a substitute for weight loss. Maintaining a steady weight can help you keep your results.
