Full back lipo or back lift? (Photos)

Hi CynthiaLopez911 in Walnut Creek, Thank you for your question regarding whether you need liposuction or a back lift. Thank you for your history and your pictures. Let’s analyze the pictures that you provided. You have excess back skin and excess back fat. To eliminate back fat, you can undergo back liposuction or an excision. However, you must remember you have excess back skin. The only way to eliminate excess back skin is by excising or removing the back skin. Therefore, I would highly suggest a back lift. Many other plastic surgeons call a back lift, a back reduction, or torsoplasty. There are two types of back lifts or torsoplasties: horizontal and vertical. During a vertical torsoplasty, a vertical incision is made on each side, from your armpit to your hip. During the vertical torsoplasty, a large, elliptical area of excess skin and fat from your sides is removed. Removing excess skin and fat from the armpit to the hip pulls the back fat and skin forward and eliminates back fat rolls. The advantage of the vertical torsoplasty is that the scars are hidden when your arms are by your side. Alternatively, you may consider a horizontal torsoplasty to remove even more back skin. During a horizontal torsoplasty, an incision is made across your back. The incision and resulting scar are positioned so your bra can cover it. Many plastic surgeons call the horizontal torsoplasty a bra plasty or a bra plasty. During a horizontal torsoplasty, a significant butterfly-shaped area of upper and middle back skin and fat area is removed. The resulting scar goes across the center of your back. The advantage of the horizontal torsoplasty is that a significant amount of upper back skin can be removed. The disadvantage of the horizontal torsoplasty is that the back scar can be quite visible. Torsoplasties are performed under general anesthesia by an anesthesiologist. Torsoplasties are considered outpatient surgery. Torsoplasties are rarely covered under insurance. Typically, back lift drains stay in place for 1 to 2 weeks. Your recovery position will primarily be on your back, speeding recovery. Multiple techniques can be used to minimize the scarring, including Fraxel laser and silicone gel sheeting. Thank you for your question regarding a back lipo or back lift. I hope you see why I suggest a back lift instead of back lipo. Good luck with your back lift or back lipo, whichever you decide. Sincerely, Dr. J. T. Katzen.

A torsoplasty, or also known as an upper back lift would be the best option for you, by looking at the pictures we can see that there is more so excess skin which the only successful way to remove it would be through an incision which would be from side to side sort of like a bra line incision this will help remove the skin and also lift and enhance your waist.

An in person exam is needed for the best recommendation, but based on the photos submitted it appears you have both excess fatty tissue and excess skin. Liposuction alone can address much of the fat, but you will need to consider a back lift to remove the excess skin. See a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation to learn more.

Thank you for your question and uploading those photos! Although my exam is limited through photos alone, it appears you have a combination of excess fat, skin laxity, and skin excess in your area of concern. In order to best address these concerns, a back lift with liposuction would be recommended. This would remove excess fat and also excise all the extra skin on your back providing you with a smooth back. This would leave you with a horizontal scar across your back around your bra line area. An alternative option would include liposuction (to address the fat) and skin tightening technology such as bodytite or laser (to address the loose skin). This option would avoid placing a large scar on your back, however the amount of skin tightening is limited and depends on each patient and how their skin responds. This technology would provide you with improvement, however would not give you a flat back without skin folds. From your photos, the amount of extra skin you have leads me to recommend a back lift. Please make sure to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you appear to be a good candidate for this procedure. what I recommend you is be consulted by board certified plastic surgeon specialized in Body Contour, who knows individualize each patient to give you the better advice.
Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-