Upper Body Lift, or a bra-line lift, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin of the back that extends to the side of the chest. It is commonly performed in patients who have lost a massive amount of weight (for example, post-bariatric patients) and now have excessive volumes of loose and sagging skin.
The procedure can dramatically tighten the loose skin of the back and improve the extra rolls on the back. The procedure does come with a scar that approximates the bra-line.  Dr. Bindewald does take great care in placement of the incision to hopefully allow the scar to be concealed with a bra if desired. The procedure can be performed most commonly with a breast lift for women or chest contouring procedures for men, and can also be combined with liposuction. The end result can allow for tremendous improvement in upper torso body contour and give the entire upper body a rejuvenated appearance.

CAN AN UPPER BODY LIFT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURES AFTER WEIGHT LOSS?

Body Contouring after weight loss procedures can often be combined to save patient’s money, reduce overall downtime, and provide desired body contouring results.  Upper Body Lifts can be combined with arm lifts, breast lifts, tummy tucks and thigh lifts. They are typically not combined with lower body lifts due to comfort and recovery issues.  Upper Body Lifts can also be performed as a stand-alone procedure if it is an isolated concern.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR AN UPPER BODY LIFT?

A good candidate for an upper body lift is someone with one or more skin rolls of the upper back and side of the chest, excessive loose skin, minimal amounts of fat, and stable weight.  They must understand that they are going to get a much smoother and tighter appearance at the expense of a scar across their back. In women, this can be covered with a bra.  In men, this incision may be more difficult to conceal. Regardless, the end-result smooth body contouring that could never be achieved without an incision.  Good surgical candidates include patients with a stable weight, non-smokers, and good nutritional status.  These factors increase your chance of a complication-free recovery and excellent cosmetic outcome.

For more information on an upper body lift, call the San Antonio Plastic Surgery Center at (210) 616-0798 or Request a Consultation