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 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
In general, this is an out-patient procedure and a hospital stay is not required.
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
You will need to wait 2 weeks for light exercise and 4 weeks for regular exercise. Your doctor may advise you to wait longer for chest exercises.
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
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, Dr. Patterson
