Bra line back lift can tighten armpit?

Thank you for your question regarding whether a bra line back lift can help tighten the armpit area. I appreciate your inquiry and am happy to provide some clarification.

A bra line back lift (horizontal torsoplasty) is specifically designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper back, improving contour and addressing skin laxity in the bra strap area. During this procedure, an incision is made across the upper back, and a butterfly-shaped area of skin and fat is removed. The remaining skin is pulled tight, resulting in a flatter, smoother upper back.

While the bra line back lift does not directly remove skin from the armpit, it can provide some improvement in armpit tightness by pulling the skin downward. However, it does not offer the same degree of correction as a J-lift (axillary lift) or an arm lift (brachioplasty), which are specifically designed to tighten excess skin in the upper arm and armpit region.

Additionally, the bra line back lift does not remove skin 360 degrees around the torso. The incision can sometimes extend toward the sides of the chest, helping to tighten skin near the outer edges of the breast, but it does not fully address sagging lateral chest skin or significant armpit laxity.

If the armpit area is a major concern, a vertical torsoplasty may be a better option. This procedure involves an incision extending from the armpit down the side of the torso, allowing for more significant skin tightening in the upper torso, armpit, and lateral breast areas. However, as you mentioned, a J-lift or arm lift would result in visible scars, and this is something to carefully consider when deciding on the best surgical approach.

In summary, while a bra line back lift can provide some degree of armpit tightening, it is not the most effective procedure for significant skin laxity in the armpit area. If your primary concern is upper back laxity with mild armpit sagging, a bra line back lift may be a good option. If you require more extensive tightening, a vertical torsoplasty, J-lift, or brachioplasty may be more suitable. Consulting with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine the best approach for your specific goals.

I hope this helps answer your question. Best of luck!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

The upper back lift, or bra line lift, is designed to improve the contour of the upper back area by removing excess fat and skin. It does not really address excess skin of the underarms. If you are wanting 360 degree skin removal that is a different procedure called an upper body lift. I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation. At this important visit you can discuss your concerns and learn about the procedures available to address them.