Lift for Sagging Back Skin?

It sounds like you have mostly excess skin and not too much fat. Because there is not much fat, I would not suggest liposuction. Since you mentioned excess skin, therefore, a skin excision needs to be done. There are two types of back lifts  that I would suggest. One incision follows a bra strap line. Usually, this  incision can be hidden under a one-piece bathing suit or even a dress with a very low cut back. The incision is placed horizontally across  the back Typically, you would bring a bra or the top of your bikini to the preop consultation for your board-certified plastic surgeon would determine where the incision and resulting scar should be placed. The scar usually fades very well with time. Another incision pattern that can be made is a vertical backlift or vertical torsoplasty. This surgery is performed by making an incision from the armpits to the lower bra strap line. If you have love handles or excess of skin on the lower back, the incision can be extended from the armpit to the hipbone. This scar also fades over time. The benefit of this pattern of incision and resulting scar is that when your arms are down by your sides, the  scar is hidden. Also, this incision would avoid entirely a scar across your back. Good luck with your surgery. Please find a board-certified plastic surgeon with a significant amount of experience in upper body lifts and back lifts. Good luck. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Patients with complaints similar to yours find a bra-line back lift to be very effective in treating mid-back skin excess.  This back lift hides the incision along where you would normally wear a bra or swimsuit and as a result patients find the improvement in shape and contour to be worthwhile.  Hope this helps.

Although it's difficult to formulate a treatment plan without a physical examination or pictures, your history suggests that your loose skin primarily involves your upper back. Under these circumstances, a Bra Line Back Lift might provide an excellent result. This procedure is designed to place the incision in the bra strap area. The procedure removes excess skin and lifts the back skin in an upward direction.If you're considering treatment of this condition, it's important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. This surgeon should be able to perform an evaluation and formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

The only way to correct sagging back skin is to do a
semi-circular back lift which will obviously leave you with scars, but will
improve shape and contour.

You sound like a perfect candidate for an upper back lift. The procedure was designed to accomplish exactly what you are asking about and is very effective. The scar is usually hidden in the back across the bra line. Obviously, you will need a consultation with a surgeon who is familar with this procedure who can guide you in your decision.

Of course, excess skin removal requires a scar for each side, so you must assess the degree and extent of skin laxity (sagging) to decide if a visible scar is worth the expense and choice to have this skin removed. Lasers (above or below the skin) don't give sufficient tightening to really recommend them, but they are always successful at lightening your wallet or purse! I have taught laser surgery for over two decades, so I do not say this lightly or without experience with these techniques.

Excess skin removal in this area, if right for you, can beautifully tighten up these bra line rolls, and can position the scars so as to be along the bra line and therefore concealed by most clothing or swimwear. This procedure is called a back lift, flankoplasty, or upper body lift. To be fair, very minor degress of skin looseness can sometimes be improved, but not completely corrected, by Smart Lipo or ultrasonic liposuction. External RF treatments are generally not recommended.

   If the problem is excess of skin, some kind of skin removal procedure need to be done.  The key is to planned well so the incision can be minimized  and the results be satisfactory to you.

sylphi

Although a picture would be beneficial, what you are describing would likely benefit from a 'bra line' lift, a procedure that removes excess unwanted skin on the back leaving behind a scar that should be located inline with your bra (so that when yo wear a bra it is not visible).  This surgery, however, is ideal for a patient who has lost a lot of weight and has a lot of loose skin.  If your skin excess is not that significant, you need to consider whether having the scar outweighs having the extra skin.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

There are several factors which must be considered prior to making a recommendation. Such factors include your health, type of scars you form (good quality or abnormally thick or discolored), age, etc. I would recommend a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. At that time your history would be reviewed and an examination performed to determine the options for your best results.

If you are a good candidate for a lifting procedure, then based on you description, you would do well with an upper body lift. The scar is designed to lie in your bra line. If you scar well this can be an excellent option.

Best regards, Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

There are a number procedures available to treat excess skin on upper body. You seem like an ideal candidate for a "bra strap" lift. The scar in this type of a procedure is hidden in a bra strap. Since there is different amount of tension, and different amount of excess skin above and below the bra strap, proper planning for this procedure is paramount. Discuss this with your surgeon, to make sure he has got this concept and experience to perform this procedure.