Upper Body Lift Overview
The typical age for an average upper body lift patient is 19-64 years old. Patients looking to have an upper body lift typically have excess upper back and chest skin & fat. This is usually caused by obesity and subsequent weight loss. 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.
Facts About Upper Body Lift
Goal
To improve upper body contour.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
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.
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.
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.
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight and cannot be using any nicotine-containing substances.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Hospital stay
In general, this is an out-patient procedure and a hospital stay is not required.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Work
1-2 weeks, depending on your type of work
Swelling
Can persist for 3-6 months
Bruising
Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks
Related Procedures
Mommy Makeover
Tummy Tuck
Liposuction
Short-Scar Brachioplasty
Before & After Gallery
Procedures are performed by board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, and Dr. Patterson in Pensacola, FL.
Meet Our Team
At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, we understand that the selection of a plastic surgeon is an extremely important decision for any prospective patient. We believe communication, education and individualized patient care are the foundation for creating a strong and trusting patient-physician relationship. Our entire staff is absolutely committed to providing compassionate, personalized, individual attention before, during, and after surgery. We work together to deliver the best possible aesthetic outcomes in a setting that embodies the standards and lifestyle you seek.
We Accept Financing
Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery offers a variety of payment options so that your cosmetic surgery will suit your budget. All major credit cards are accepted, and financing plans are available.