Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat? (Photo)

Question

I had a tt and ba in 2013. I couldn't do anything about my back at that time. Would a lower body lift help with my back and hip fat and loose skin?

Marc DuPéré, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and picture.A lower body lift will help the lower back rolls and lower back fat pads and will 'connect' with your tummy-tuck incision.  You do get a buttock lift with this and possibly an augmentation by saving some of the 'to-be-discarded' tissue.  But it will not address much the upper back rolls (extension of breast rolls).  The upper back rolls can be helped to some extent with liposuction but there is a risk of saggy skin so a posterior torsoplasty might be an option.  The resulting scar is normally placed within the limits of the bra.All types of body lift are not common procedures performed by the averaged plastic surgeon so choose a plastic surgeon with experience in those rewarding but complex procedures.Let us know if my information was useful.Best regards,Dr. Marc DuPéré, Toronto aesthetic plastic surgeon

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding would a lower body lift can get rid of your back fat rolls.  Thank you for your history and your picture.  Regarding your picture and your desire to reduce back fat, most experienced plastic surgeons would agree that you need a horizontal torsoplasty, bra strap lift, bra-plasty, or upper body lift procedure.  During a horizontal torsoplasty, an incision is made across your upper back, ideally underneath your bra strap.  That is why it is called a bra strap plasty.  After the incision is made, the tissue is dissected minimally over the backbone, and then more extensively over the middle of the back, and then slightly taped in the midaxillary line.  A large, butterfly-shaped shaped of excess skin and fat is thus removed, and the middle and lower back is lifted.  The back rolls that you depict in your picture would be lifted and eliminated.  Another surgical option could be a vertical torsopasty with an incision from the armpit down your mid axillary line or your sides.  Then, a large elliptical area of skin and fat is removed.  Thus, the back is pulled to the side.  The vertical torsoplasty would be a second choice for you because the horizontal torsoplasty will give you better results.  A lower body lift would not help your upper, middle, or even lower back.  A 360 circumferential lower body lift involves an incision that extends from where your previous tummy tuck left off to the top of your buttocks, joining at the vertical gluteal cleft.  This would eliminate the love handles when the incision is made over the hips.  At the top of the buttock, the dissection is carried down, sometimes to the infragluteal fold (banana roll), and the buttock is pulled up.  Thus, the lower body lift pulls the buttocks up; the lower body lift does not pull the back down.  The lower body lift will not affect the mid back or bra strap rolls that you depict in your pictures.  Again, remember that the lower body lift pulls the buttocks up.  The lower body lift does not pull the back down.  I hope this answers your question about whether a lower body lift can help reduce back fat.    I hope this information helps you in your search for answers regarding the 360 circumferential lower body lift.  If you have any further questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.  Since the body lift is a major procedure, it is recommended that you consult an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing lower body lifts.  Do your research.  Ensure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift 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 lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if necessary. Sincerely, Dr.  Katzen, MD, MBA (Aesthetic, Cosmetic and Reconstructive 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, , and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Rukmini S. Rednam, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question and for sharing your photo.  The answer to the question depends on if you are concerned about your upper back rolls, lower back and hip fat or both.A LBL will address the lower back fat and skin and the scar is a continuation of your tummy tuck scar and generally sits at the top of your buttock.  The lift affects the lateral thigh, buttock and upper posterior thigh. While these areas appear smoother the buttock does flatten further unless augmented. An augmentation can often be accomplished using some of the tissue from the back that would normally be discarded.An upper body lift (UBL) will address the upper rolls and leaves a scar close to the bra line. It would have no affect on the lower part of the back. Combining and LBL and UBL would not be recommended as this would put too much tension on the healing incisions.  One possibility is a LBL with liposuction of the upper back.  This alone could greatly improve the back contour.  If you were unhappy after things heal you could always go back and have an UBL.The best way though to determine which procedures will help you reach your goals are with an in person exam and talk.  If you were happy with how your TT and BA turned out, I would suggest meeting with your same plastic surgeon to discuss your areas of concern and see what s/he would recommend. Best of Luck!Dr. Rednam

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your pictures I would recommend a back roll excision, not a body lift.  These scars are placed closer to your bra line.  Body lifts do not typically address this area.  They are better suited to improve the appearance of a sagging bottom and thighs.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hi.. thank you for the question and photo... You qualify for a Back liposuction and after evaluate if a lift can be done...

Nagi T. Ayoub, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question and the picture.A lower body lift is a circumferential tummy tuck.  It removes excess tissue on the abdominal area in the front, the love handles on the sides and the lower back rolls in the back.  It also tightens the muscle in the abdominal area, lifts the lateral thighs and lifts the buttocks.  I do believe you would benefit from a lower body lift but it would not address the upper back rolls.  You may need a combination of a staged liposuction followed by an upper body lift.Make sure you see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a good exam and discussion of options.Best regards Nagi T Ayoub MD, FACS

Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat? (Photo)

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Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat? (Photo)

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Answer: Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat?

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Answer: Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat

Answer: Would a lower body lift get rid of my back fat

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