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Upper Body Lift (Bra-Line Lift)
Upper Body Lift (Bra-Line Lift)
Upper Body Lift (Bra-Line Lift)
Over time, many of us experience a decline in skin elasticity that may be due to genetics or aging. Changes in our skin tone may also be noticeable after significant weight fluctuations, massive weight loss, pregnancy, or even other surgical procedures such as liposuction. If you have loose skin under your arms, axillae (armpits), or along your upper back, an upper body lift may be right for you.
Questions & Answers
An upper body lift is a surgical procedure that addresses loose skin in the upper back. If you also have extra fatty tissue in your back, we will first perform liposuction to “deflate” the back. This is then followed by removing the excess skin in a way that shapes and recontours the upper back, leaving you with a firmer, smoother appearance.
You might have extra loose skin on your upper back due to aging, or maybe you’ve had weight loss that left you with extra skin. An upper body lift might suit you if you have loose skin on your upper back. The benefits of an upper body lift are unique to each individual. An upper body lift can:
- Remove excess fat or skin that causes chafing and rashes
- Tighten loose and sagging skin for a smoother contour
- Eliminate “back rolls” or rolls of fat around the edges of your upper back
- Help you look better in clothes
- Improve your self-image and self-confidence
In addition to deciding whether an upper body lift can meet your personal goals, several factors must be considered in determining whether you are a good candidate for an upper body lift. Good candidates for an upper body lift include those who:
- Have loose skin on the back, in the “bra roll” area
- Are bothered by the appearance of loose skin
- Have generally good physical and mental health
- Are nonsmokers, or are willing to stop smoking before surgery
- Have realistic expectations from surgery
An upper body lift may not be a good option for you if you:
- Smoke
- Plan to continue making significant weight changes
- Are not at your optimal health
An upper body lift is an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia in an operating room. After your surgery, you will be placed in dressings and a support garment. You will spend a short time in the recovery room before a friend or family member takes you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night. We will advise you on pain medication to ease any discomfort, give you detailed post-operative instructions, and schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress. If you combine your upper body lift with other procedures, you may need to stay overnight at the surgery facility; then you can go home the next day.
It is expected that you will experience some pain and swelling after surgery. After your upper body lift, you will be given a compression garment to wear shortly after the surgery. This garment will help with swelling. You may have swelling that extends down your arms or lower back. You may have bruising, which will disappear in a week or so.
Incisions usually heal between 2 and 3 weeks after surgery. Depending on your type of work, you can generally return to work within one week to two weeks. Initially, you will have some activity restrictions, but most people can return to total activity by 4-6 weeks after surgery.
The incisions will initially be red or pink. They should fade and soften over time (up to 18 months after surgery). Final results are usually seen six months to a year after surgery.
Every patient’s recovery is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than average.
It’s very common to combine body contouring procedures into one operative session and one recovery. One of the more common combinations involves arm, breast, and upper body contouring at the same time. If you have concerns about your arms, or about your breast size or shape, you might consider addressing the breasts, arms, and back in one surgery session. Or you might include liposuction of other body areas, or even facial contouring. Just talk to use about your concerns, and we will help you put together a plan that is safe for you.
Many Upper Body Lift surgeries are done each year, and most go well with no major problems. But problems certainly can occur, as with any surgery. Some of the potential complications include reactions to anesthesia, blood accumulation that may need to be drained surgically, and infection. Wound healing problems can occur, as well as poor scarring. We do everything possible to minimize the risk of any complications. However, if a complication does occur, we will be right there to help you and guide you through the healing process.
The actual Upper Body Lift is typically done by creating a scar across the back, right where a bra or bathing suit would cover it. The length of the scar depends on the extent of the extra skin that you have, but it usually extends from beneath one breast, across the back, to just beneath the opposite breast. The extra skin is removed, and the incision is closed with stitches that are under the skin and will dissolve.
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