Order - arm lift, back lift, butt lift?

Thank you for your question. Without photos, it's difficult to accurately determine the extent of work required or the specific type of back lift you may need, whether a vertical or horizontal back lift. However, I can provide a general approach based on typical cases.

Given the combination of procedures you’re considering, I would recommend starting with the arm and back lift. These areas are often addressed together because they both involve the upper body and share similar healing timelines. This combined approach is efficient and minimizes the number of surgeries and recovery periods.

For the butt lift, it’s best to wait until your upper body has healed, usually about 3–4 months later. This staged approach reduces the strain on your body and ensures you’re fully recovered and ready for the next surgery. Additionally, if the buttocks need reshaping or lifting, your surgeon will likely use techniques such as a lateral thigh lift, fat transfer, or gluteal implants to achieve the desired contour. The amount of lift and reshaping depends on the technique used and the amount of excess skin and tissue in the area.

I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your specific needs and anatomy to create a customized surgical plan. With a staged approach and proper planning, you can achieve excellent results.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

This is definitely a doable combination of surgeries as long as everything is good with your health and you’re a good candidate it can definitely be combined!

Thank you for your inquiry! I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself to create a surgical plan targeted towards your specific goals. A consult would allow us to hear your goals and make sure you're a great candidate for these surgical procedures. Each plastic surgeon varies in the amount of time allowed in the OR for one surgery. It's important to prioritize safety for any elective surgery.

I would recommend doing the prone position procedures first - back lift, buttock lift, and then the arm lift in the supine position. The buttock lift can be very effective in lifting a ptotic buttock.

When I see patients for body contouring after they have lost a great deal of weight, my preferred order of surgeries is: 1 - lower body lift, 2 - arm lift with possible lateral thorax/back lift, breast lift all at the same time and 3 - thigh lift. The lower body lift is an extremely powerful operation and corrects the skin excess and contours the abdomen, some of the inner thighs, the outer thighs and the buttocks and back. Good muscular development in the buttocks helps the buttock have the best possible shape after the butt lift and the butt lift has an excellent skin lifting capability. If patients have lost a great deal of weight, there is typically excess skin of the arms, the back and lateral thorax and possibly ptosis of the breast. This can be corrected all in one operation with an extended brachioplasty, lateral thoracoplasty, and breast lift. Check with your plastic surgeon, whether they would be able to combine these operations. Best wishes.

Without good series of photos or teleconference consultation it would be difficult to cover all these questions. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Good luck.

Personal preference- depends what’s primary concern area.

In my experience, arm and back together is a good combo and recovery.

Buttock lift will remove sagging skin but usually leaves buttocks flatter. A better alternative is fat transfer or buttock implants if fat not available.
This may be combined or staged.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Since this surgery is for you, you should decide what area bothers you the most and do it first. No one can tell you what to do. I do recommend that these procedures not be done all together.

When considering these procedures—arm lift, back lift, and butt lift—the ideal order depends on your specific goals, areas of concern, and desired recovery experience. Here’s a breakdown of each, with some general guidance on order and the effect of a butt lift on reshaping the buttocks:
1. Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): This procedure is usually done on its own or with other upper-body contouring procedures like a back lift. Since it's a relatively localized surgery, it tends to have a faster recovery time. An arm lift is often done first if the focus is on reshaping the upper body before moving to lower body procedures.
2. Back Lift: This is a more extensive procedure, removing excess skin from the upper back and bra-line area. Because of the larger area affected, a back lift often requires more downtime than an arm lift, especially if combined with a butt lift or other lower body contouring. If you're considering doing both an arm and back lift, they’re often scheduled together, but a back lift can also be done on its own or following an arm lift.
3. Butt Lift: If the primary goal is to lift and reshape the buttocks, a butt lift (sometimes combined with fat grafting or implants) can provide noticeable contouring, reducing sagging by tightening skin and soft tissues around the buttocks. The amount of lift and reshaping achieved varies by individual anatomy and the technique used. In general, this procedure will improve firmness and contour, often elevating the buttocks to a more lifted position.
Suggested Order
If multiple procedures are planned, many surgeons recommend:
• Upper Body First (arm and/or back lift), to address the effects of skin sagging in these areas, followed by
• Lower Body Later (butt lift), which can provide the finishing touches on lower-body contouring after the upper body has healed.
How Much the Butt Lift Reshapes
The actual lift and reshaping vary based on factors like skin elasticity and muscle tone. A traditional butt lift (with skin excision only) will lift and tighten loose skin but may not add volume. For more shaping, especially to add volume or roundness, combining with a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), which uses fat transfer, can achieve both lifting and fuller contouring.
Consulting with a plastic surgeon to align with your anatomy and goals will help determine the best sequence and techniques to optimize your results and recovery experience.

With no posted photos, impossible to respond to this question which should be done first or combination. Please repost photos or do virtual consult.