52, 108 pound weight loss. Is it safe to have a back lift and breast lift at the same time? (Photos)

Question

I am 52, recently lost 108 pounds. I am traveling to Colombia for surgery and want to have a breast lift and a back lift at the same surgery and I am wondering what the recovery complications may be if those areas are combined if any. I will be staying in Cartegena for 3 weeks to recover.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Nice692482, Thank you for your question regarding whether it is safe to have a back lift and breast lift at the same time when you are 52 years old and 108 pounds.  Thank you for your history and your pictures.  First, congrats on your weight loss!!  Great job.  Second, without a physical examination, let’s analyze your pictures to determine what procedure you need.  There are two types of back lifts.  Back lifts are also called torsoplasties.  There is the vertical torsoplasty, where an incision is made from your armpit, down your sides to the top of the hip.  A large elliptical paddle of skin and fat is removed from each side.  The other back lift is called a horizontal torsoplasty.  The horizontal torsoplasty has several names, including the brastrap lift, braplasty, or even upper body lift.  During a horizontal torsoplasty, an incision is made across your back, and a large butterfly-shaped area of back skin and fat is removed.  With only a single picture to guess, most plastic surgeons would suggest a horizontal torsoplasty as the best treatment for your upper back.  We have no pictures of the breast, so we can only assume you need a breast lift.  Also, we do not know what type of breast lift you will require.  There is the crescent, doughnut, lollipop, or anchor.  Any of the breast lifts (mastopexies) can be combined with your horizontal torsoplasty if you are healthy and have no underlying health conditions.  If you have the horizontal back lift and the anchor mastopexy, the incisions connect.  These procedures are performed under general anesthesia and take about seven or eight hours to complete.  Complications of combined brastraplasty and anchor mastopexy include wound breakdown, infection, hypertrophic scarring, and partial or complete nipple areolar necrosis.  Three weeks should be sufficient to recover.  Good luck.  I hope I’ve answered your question regarding whether it is safe to have a back lift and breast lift at the same time when you are 52 years old and 108 pounds.  If you have any more questions regarding back liposuction, back lift, vertical torsoplasty, hour-glassing procedure, horizontal torsoplasty, bra strap plasty, or braplasty, contact an experienced plastic surgeon.  Since the torsoplasty is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the vertical and horizontal torsoplasty.  Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 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 torsoplasty plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (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 RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss!  You appear to be a great candidate for a back lift to help contour your silhouette.  You can combine the two procedures, but there is risk that comes with any surgery.  Some potential concerns will be infection, bleeding, and wound complications.  I encourage you to reconsider and have your procedures performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.  This is for your safety and to optimize your results.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Yes, a back lift and breast lift can be done simultaneously.  The breast lift technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

52, 108 pound weight loss. Is it safe to have a back lift and breast lift at the same time? (Photos)

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52, 108 pound weight loss. Is it safe to have a back lift and breast lift at the same time? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Back Lift

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