Lipo or back lift w/ tummy tuck, age 29 (photo)

Question

I’m 29. Getting a tummy tuck this summer. Not sure if I should get a back lift or if I can get away with just lipo. Should I worry about loose skin if I do lipo? If back lift is needed, is it recommended to do at the same time as the tummy tuck? 2/3 surgeons I consulted with said yes but one said no.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding whether you need lipo or a back lift with a tummy tuck at age 29.  Thank you for your history in your pictures.  Most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons recommend a horizontal torsoplasty, bra strap lift, bra plasty, or upper back lift.  During this procedure, an incision is made across your upper back, and the back skin and fat are removed.  This will get the best results for your back.  Liposuction could leave you with loose back skin.  This loose back skin will be difficult to tighten with diet and exercise alone.  Therefore, in your case, based on your pictures, most plastic surgeons would suggest a horizontal torsosplasty, or bra strap lift.  The horizontal torso or bra strap lift can be combined simultaneously with abdominoplasty.  Postoperatively, you can lie on your back, and it will not affect the incision line.  Technically, the horizontal back lift would be performed in the operating room first; then you would be turned onto your back, and the tummy tuck would be completed.  The back lift must be performed first during the surgical procedure.  During the tummy tuck, the operating room bed is flexed about 45 degrees to allow for maximum abdominal skin removal.  Doing the back lift after your tummy tuck could jeopardize your tummy tuck results because you would be lying on your abdomen during the back lift.  Therefore, most plastic surgeons would agree you could undergo a combined abdominoplasty or tummy tuck with an upper back lift.  Good luck.  I have answered your question regarding whether you need lipo or a back lift with a tummy tuck at age 29.  Please get in touch with a specialist with more questions regarding horizontal torsoplasty, bra straplasty, or bra-plasty.  Since the horizontal torsoplasty, bra straplasty, or bra-plasty, is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the horizontal torsoplasty.   Do your research.  Ensure they have performed many horizontal torsoplasty surgeries and have the before-and-after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced, horizontal torsoplasty, bra straplasty, or bra-plasty plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.  (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

An in person evaluation is needed for the best recommendation.  If you have liposuction alone you may be left with loose skin.  Depending on the degree of laxity you may get sufficient improvement by adding J-Plasma to the liposuction.  If the skin is too lax or you want the optimal contour then a back lift is recommended.  It would remove excess fat and skin.  This can often be combined with a tummy tuck as long as you are in general good health.

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Hi! Thank you for such a great question. You would be a good candidate for a back lift, as you appear to have a persistent crease of skin to your lower back. If you do liposuction alone, you may end up with skin laxity to the back. If you are eager to just have a smaller shape, liposuction alone would be okay with the knowledge that you will have loose skin after. If you want a very smooth, flat back with no creases and a smaller waistline, a back lift would be the better option. Also, I do not typically recommend a back lift in combination with a tummy tuck, as this is a lot of surgery for the body to handle at one time and the recovery process will be tougher on you. Your body needs a lot of good protein to heal, and having that much surgery to recover from may overload your body's protein storage. Good luck!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Liposuction will not solve your problem.  Liposuction only removes fat, not skin.  Often times, a back lift is done on patients who have had a previous breast lift.  However, you can have this done as a primary procedure.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Lipo or back lift w/ tummy tuck, age 29 (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Back lift

Answer: Back lift

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Lipo or back lift w/ tummy tuck, age 29 (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Back lift

Answer: Back lift

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Everything you need to know about Back Lift

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