The upper body lift is a procedure used to contour the upper back and surrounding areas, eliminating unflattering bulges and folds from excess skin. Following significant weight loss or aging, multiple rolls can form on the back as a result of excess skin and fat in this area. This often results in what is called an “inverted-V” deformity where the rolls extend out from the middle of the back extending in an inferior and outward direction. These rolls can be a source of embarrassment causing you to keep a shirt on in warm weather or preventing you from wearing certain cuts of clothing. For women, this extra tissue can also cause issues with wearing a brassiere.
After this procedure, you will have a dramatic improvement in the contours of the back. In many patients, this procedure is performed in conjunction with an arm lift or breast lift.
If you are ready to make a positive change for yourself and your body confidence, Dr. Joseph Michaels and his staff can provide you with the personalized solutions you seek. You can begin today by requesting a consultation at one of our locations:
- Rockville, MD: (301) 468-5991
- Fairfax, VA: (703) 957-8610
You can also get in touch with us online or ask us about a virtual consultation if it is more convenient for you.
Contents
- 1 Before and After Photos
- 2 What is an Upper Body Lift?
- 3 Am I a Candidate for an Upper Body Lift?
- 4 Consult with Maryland’s Top Ranked Body Contouring Specialist
- 5 How Do I Prepare Before an Upper Body Lift?
- 6 Upper Body Lift Procedure
- 7 Recovery and Results
- 8 Cost of an Upper Body Lift in Rockville
- 9 References
Before and After Photos
What is an Upper Body Lift?
An upper body lift may consist of one or more procedures, including an upper arm lift, breast lift, and back lift. With discreet incisions, surgeons can correct loose, sagging skin that has been bothering you and give you a smoother contour. This not only improves your look from every angle, but it particularly helps the profile.
This procedure plan can help sculpt unwanted fat bulges that do not seem to respond to diet or exercise changes, or surgeons can perform it to help you restore a slimmer silhouette after undergoing massive weight loss. After all, attaining such significant weight loss goals is a huge achievement you should feel proud of. Unfortunately, folded tissues can obscure your true form, subject you to chafing, and even leave you prone to developing fungal skin infections. With this kind of dramatic change, the skin will not be able to retract to its original rigidity without surgical intervention. This skin’s collagen can become disorganized and misaligned, while an increase in the production of elastin fibers gives the skin a stretchy quality. (1) An upper body lift can provide an effective solution for this burdensome issue, especially if most of your weight was stored in the upper torso and arms.
Am I a Candidate for an Upper Body Lift?
An upper body lift is a significant surgical procedure. For this reason, Dr. Michaels will insist that you be in good physical and mental health. If you have loose, sagging skin from weight loss, pregnancy, or liposuction and have maintained a stable weight, you may be a good candidate.
Some other things Dr. Michaels will assess when considering your candidacy:
- The layers of fat below your loose skin are thin.
- You have loose skin by your armpits, under your arms, on your breasts, and fat rolls on your back.
- You have been at a stable weight for at least six months with no further weight loss expected.
- You are at least two years post-massive weight loss (if this is your situation), as this allows time for the skin to shrink on its own. (2)
- You are exercising regularly and enjoying a healthy nutrition program, as these lifestyle factors will aid in your recovery and results.
- You do not smoke or you must agree to quit six weeks before surgery, as smoking can cause serious complications.
- You have gotten clearance from your primary care physician for these body contouring procedures, confirming you are in good enough health to undergo such a procedure.
Consult with Maryland’s Top Ranked Body Contouring Specialist
There are several techniques to help you obtain the contour you desire. During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will carefully listen to your concerns and questions. Dr. Michaels is a renowned plastic surgeon and an authority in body contouring. He has completed one of the few fellowships dedicated to this specialized area of plastic surgery.
After evaluating you (which may include taking photos of your problem areas) and your overall health and discussing your goals, Dr. Michaels will evaluate whether the upper body lift is the way to go to achieve the aesthetics you seek. If he does think you are a good candidate, he will develop a treatment plan for you and a price quote, and he will send you home with detailed information on the procedure and how to best prepare.
Some good questions to ask during the consultation are:
- Will my scars be visible?
- What can I do to ensure the best results?
- Are there any risks associated with this procedure?
- How long will I be out of commission after the surgery?
- What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for my case?
Dr. Michaels will have his own questions, which will likely include the following:
- Do you have any preexisting conditions?
- Do you have any drug allergies?
- Have you had previous surgeries?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- What are your goals for this procedure?
- What is your history with cosmetic procedures?
- What is your intake, if any, of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs?
How Do I Prepare Before an Upper Body Lift?
As previously mentioned, the cessation of smoking will be necessary for preparing for a successful upper body lift. Some pre-surgery tasks include:
- Getting a lab test or medical evaluation.
- Taking certain medications and/or adjusting medications you are currently taking.
- Stopping aspirin intake or other anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements that increase the risk of bleeding.
- Arranging for a ride home if your procedure is deemed ideal to perform on an outpatient basis.
- Arranging to take off the necessary days of work for an overnight stay at the hospital (if necessary) and for recovery time.
Upper Body Lift Procedure
This is a highly subjective experience, as it will all depend on what you and Dr. Michaels decide on as part of your treatment plan when you have your personal consultation. There are several techniques he uses to help his patients achieve their ideal contours. Dr. Michaels’ anesthesiologist will almost certainly place you under general anesthesia. Below is some information on some common upper body procedures he performs in conjunction with or as part of a larger body contouring treatment plan.
Upper Arm Lift
Also known as brachioplasty, the upper arm lift may begin with Dr. Michaels removing the fat from the arms by using liposuction. With liposuction techniques, he will first administer tumescent fluid to facilitate an easier extraction process. After this fluid settles in the subcutaneous layer, the fat will engorge and separate from other tissues and prevent bleeding. With an incision of less than a centimeter, he can suction this targeted fat with an instrument known as a cannula. After liposuction, the skin-tightening portion of the procedure will begin. For those who have experienced significant weight loss, Dr. Michaels will make an incision along the back of your arm. The incision could extend along the upper chest wall and toward the back, depending on how much laxity is present. Dr. Michaels will remove excess skin from this incision, redrape, and apply sutures to close it.
Breast Lift
In the case of the breast lift, Dr. Michaels will make three incisions—one that extends from the bottom edge of the areola down to the inframammary fold (breast crease), one around the areola, and one underneath the breast. Dr. Michaels will then remove excess skin through these incisions and relocate the nipple/areola to an elevated position. This incision pattern is called the “inverted T” and is indicated for women with severe breast ptosis, or sagging. (3)
Back Lift
With a back lift, Dr. Michaels will remove the fat rolls on the back, smoothing out the areas that may bulge around the bra. Dr. Michaels will make incisions on both sides of the midback or near the bra line for women. He then removes the excess skin from this area and closes it up using sutures, tape, or glue. Though he will excise a butterfly-shaped section of tissue, a bra strap can easily cover the resulting scar line once you heal fully.
Recovery and Results
Dr. Michaels may place small, thin tubes under the skin to drain any excess blood that collects. Our expert staff will either tend to you in the recovery area and send you home with your designated driver, or you will have to stay a night or two in the hospital. Again, this all depends on the extent of the procedures done.
For the upper arm lift surgery, Dr. Michaels will place compression garments around the incision sites to prevent clotting and aid in healing. He will advise you to keep your arms above your heart for a few days after the procedure. In about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, you will regain full function of your hands and arms. If you undergo a breast lift, you will have gauze over your breasts post-surgery. Dr. Michaels may also insert drain tubes, which he typically removes after a few days.
If Dr. Michaels removes back fat, he will place a compression garment around the incision sites and ask you to avoid lying on your back until your complete recovery. No matter what your procedure plan consists of, Dr. Michaels will ask you to walk around and move shortly and relatively frequently after the upper body lift, as he will want you to avoid any issues that can arise from blood clots.
Dr. Michaels’ staff will ensure that you leave with detailed post-op instructions, including when you can return for your follow-up appointment, how to care for drains, when you can resume normal activities, how to manage bathing, information on any medications needed, and more. As always, however, feel free to ask Dr. Michaels any questions you have to ensure your recovery goes off without a hitch.
For a back lift alone, you will be able to resume working out after 6 weeks into your recovery, but it may be more if you have a breast lift or upper arm lift during the same procedure. Within 6 months, all residual swelling will recede, and you will get to enjoy your final results. Within 1 year, all scars will have faded quite significantly.
Cost of an Upper Body Lift in Rockville
The cost of your upper body lift will vary based on the techniques Dr. Michaels decided upon to best achieve your goals. After presenting your concerns and coming up with a treatment plan during your consultation with Dr. Michaels, you will be given a price quote for the procedure. Do not suffer another minute from the low self-esteem you have been experiencing.
Patients travel from throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to seek treatment at Dr. Michaels’ practices. If you would like to learn more about the upper body lift, use his contact form or call (301) 468-5991 in Rockville, Maryland, or (703) 957-8610 in Fairfax, Virginia to schedule a consultation.
References
- Rocha RI, Junior WC, Modolin MLA, Takahashi GG, Caldini ETEG, Gemperli R. Skin Changes Due to Massive Weight Loss: Histological Changes and the Causes of the Limited Results of Contouring Surgeries. Obesity Surgery. 2021;31(4):1505-1513. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-020-05100-3
- Shrivastava P, Aggarwal A, Khazanchi RK. Body contouring surgery in a massive weight loss patient: An overview. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2008;41(Suppl):S114-S129. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2825131/
- Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/
