I’m 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes. Back Lift or Lipo? (photos)

Question

Hi. I’m 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes. I’ve been diabetic for over 20 years. My BMI is 27.5 and I’ve been working very hard on losing weight. No matter what I do, I have an excessive amount of back rolls and they will not go away. My entire body causes me so much mental anguish, however, my back is the worst. I’ve had rolls there so long that there is constant irritation and discoloring. Seeking advice on best practices

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, LEVITATINGII in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Thank you for your question regarding being 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes and whether you need a back lift or lipo?
Thank you for your history and your pictures.  First, let's analyze your pictures.  You have three rolls of fat on your torso's left and right sides.  These areas of excess skin and fat must be treated with a torsoplasty.  Because of the excess back skin, you will be left with skin rolls if only liposuction is performed.  You would still have remaining skin rolls even if you use VASER liposuction with a skin tightening device (like radio frequency or Reneuvion).  Therefore, most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons would recommend a torsoplasty.  There are two types of torsoplasties, namely, a vertical and horizontal torsoplasty.  During a vertical torsoplasty, an incision is made from the armpit down your sides through and past these three folds.  A large elliptical area of skin and fat is removed from each side, and these back skin rolls are disrupted and eliminated.  The vertical torsoplasty is called an hourglassing procedure because it leads to more of an hourglass figure after the surgery.  Alternatively, you could have a horizontal torsoplasty.  During a horizontal torsoplasty, a butterfly-shaped area of skin and fat is removed from the upper back.  This type of procedure is also called a bra strap plasty or a braplasty because the incision is ideally hidden under the bra strap.  Most plastic surgeons specializing in back lifts would recommend the horizontal torsoplasty or bra strap plasty because the horizontal torsoplasty would eliminate more skin than vertical torsoplasty.  However, if you cannot cope with the scar across your back, consider a vertical torsoplasty.  The vertical torsoplasty scar is usually hidden when your arms are by your side.  As long as your diabetes is stable, and you are otherwise healthy and don't smoke, I think it would be a good candidate for either the vertical or the horizontal torsoplasty.  Good luck.  I hope I've answered your question regarding being 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes and whether you need a back lift or lipo?

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, it appears the photograph shows a situation of excess skin more so than excess fat. That  amount of extra skin would require  removal, thereby tightening and flattening the remaining skin in the area. It does leave a significant scar across the back in the area of the bra strap but this is what would give you the best result. Good luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The best procedure will really depend on your goals.  If you are wanting an improvement, liposuction may be adequate.  You may still have some laxity and some minor skin folds, but the overall look will be slimmer.  If you are wanting a smooth contour then a back lift would be the way to go.  You will need to have your medical conditions reviewed and may possibly need clearance from your specialists before proceeding.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello; There are two different solutions; for this problem. The first; is a back lift surgery. Skin is removed from your back and the scar remains at bra level. The second method, is to apply on skin tightening treatments; such as Renuvion J Plasma and Bodytite; after the back fat is removed with; Vaserlipo. Here, the skin is not removed. Instead, treatments are implemented on that; will shorten the collagen; in the skin. Normally, first of all, I recommend for methods that; do not leave permanent surgical scars; but, in those with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus; treatments such as laser and plasma; can exacerbate the illness.

I’m 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes. Back Lift or Lipo? (photos)

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Answer: Two Types of Treatment

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I’m 28 years old with lupus and type one diabetes. Back Lift or Lipo? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Two Types of Treatment

Answer: Two Types of Treatment

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Everything you need to know about Back Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.