| Typical Timing/Age |
19-64 years old |
| Problem |
Excess upper back and chest skin & fat. This is usually caused by obesity and subsequent weight loss. |
| Procedure |
Through a horizontal incision on your upper back excess skin and subcutaneous fat are removed. The resultant scar is a horizontal scar across your upper back that continues around to your breasts/chest. Drains will most likely be used. The total operating room time varies depending on the number of different body contouring procedures performed and the number of intra-operative position changes. The procedure is often combined with liposuction, brachioplasty and/or mastopexy. |
| Goal |
To improve upper body contour. |
| Facility |
Surgery Center or Hospital |
| Preparation |
Patients should be at a stable weight and cannot be using any nicotine containing substances. |
| Anesthesia |
General anesthesia |
| Recovery |
|
| Hospital stay |
Some patients go home after surgery others choose to spend the first night after surgery in the hospital. Dr. Butler or Dr. Leveque will help decide what is best for you. |
| Positioning |
After an upper body lift you will need to avoid putting your hands above your head for 1 week. |
| Assistance |
You will need someone to help take care of you after surgery as you will not be able to lift children, heavy items, etc. |
| Walking |
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism. |
| Showering |
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower. |
| Exercise |
2 weeks for light exercise. 4 weeks for regular exercise. |
| Sex |
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to stress your incisions or increase your blood pressure during the early healing period. |
| Work |
1-2 weeks depending on your type of work |
| Swelling |
Can persist for 3-6 months |
| Bruising |
Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks |
| Follow-up Appointments |
1-3 days after surgery, 7-10 days, 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year. |
| Risks & Complications |
Hematoma, Seroma, Infection, Poor scarring, Dehiscence, Delayed wound healing, Skin necrosis, Asymmetry, Numbness, Thromboembolism, Contour irregularities, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia. |
| Performed by: |
Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque |
