Am I candidate for a back lift or liposuction? (photo)

Question

Im a 36 year old female. Im very self conscious about my back i have alot of rolls and the bottom roll even rolls over my pants. Im 160 lbs 5 foot 1 im heavier then usually due to covid weight but even when im at my usual 130 lbs i still have these on my back. I have been self conscious of them most my life even in high-school and always having to find clothes that hide it im just wondering do i need a backlift or is this something lipo can help?

Luis Suarez, MD · Answer

You are an excellent candidate for an upper back lift, which is also known as torsoplasty this procedure will successfully remove all the upper excess skin and also improve your waistline, the surgery is combined with liposuction, but it does need to be removed, otherwise, if only Liposuction is done, the skin would not fully retract and it would serve even further.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Thriving9355, Thank you for your question about whether you are a candidate for a back lift or liposuction.  Thank you for your history and pictures.  Based on your picture, you have excess back skin and back fat.
Back liposuction only removes back fat; back lipo does not remove back rolls or skin. If you only have back lipo, your back skin rolls will probably get worse, not better.  You need a back lift to remove back skin and fat.  A back lift goes by several names, including back reduction, upper body lift, back lipectomy, braplasty, bra plasty, bra lift, bra strap lift, and torsoplasty.  There are two types of torsoplasties: vertical and horizontal.  The vertical torsoplasty involves a vertical incision from the armpit down your sides. This incision from your armpit can extend to the top of the bra, the bottom of the bra, the bottom of your ribs, or even your hips. This incision pattern is completed on each side.
The horizontal torsoplasty places an incision across your back. A large butterfly-shaped area of back skin and fat is removed from the central back in the back, and the back is lifted.  
The benefit of the vertical torsoplasty is that the scars are hidden when your arms are down by your side. Another benefit of the vertical torsoplasty is that it can give you an hourglass shape if the incision is carried down to the top of the hip. The vertical torsoplasty also tightens the abdomen by pulling the abdominal skin to the side. The disadvantage of the vertical torsoplasty is that there are two incisions. 
The advantage of the horizontal torsoplasty is that more skin and fat can be removed from the back than with the vertical torsoplasty. The disadvantage of the horizontal torsoplasty is the quite visible scar that runs across the back.
Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia with a board-certified anesthesiologist. Both procedures require drains, which remain in place for approximately two weeks. Plan on a 2–3-week recovery. Both vertical and horizontal back lifts require you to lay on your back during your recovery.
For your specific back lift or torsoplasty, I would highly suggest the horizontal torsoplasty. With a horizontal torsoplasty, you will eliminate more back skin and fat than with a vertical torsoplasty.  Be sure your chosen plastic surgeon hides the horizontal back lift under your bra.  Do not let them carry the incision above your bra.  The horizontal back lift scar should be horizontal and across your back.  The back lift scar should not be diagonal like the current rolls on your back.  I hope I have convinced you that you need a back lift, not back lipo.  Good luck.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Carlos Marciales, MD · Answer

Hello, well I see that there is an important excess of skin, in addition to a lot of weight on the skin, that's why it hangs in that way, liposuction of the whole back is required, and it cuts in the bra line and it would improve the entire contour very well, you are a very good candidate for the procedure, more than welcome to come with us

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

The back lift with liposuction would address these upper back rolls and provide excellent contouring. Even with weight gain or loss these rolls are unlikely to improve without surgery as the underlying problem is excess skin. The bra line excision will treat this excess by physically remove the skin and reducing or eliminating the prominence of the associated rolls.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding a back lift or liposuction and for including photos.

I recommend an in person consultation and exam to determine fat problem, skin problem, or combination of both.

Liposuction will address only fat excess. A surgical procedure could address the excess skin problem.

To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

I hope this helps.

Am I candidate for a back lift or liposuction? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Back lift with Liposuction

Answer: Back lift with Liposuction

Answer: Back Lift or liposuction candidate

Answer: Back Lift or liposuction candidate

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Back Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Am I candidate for a back lift or liposuction? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Back lift with Liposuction

Answer: Back lift with Liposuction

Answer: Back Lift or liposuction candidate

Answer: Back Lift or liposuction candidate

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Back Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.