Substantial and Sustained Weight Loss Surgery
Bra Line Back Lift
A more recent type of surgical cosmetic procedure, the bra line lift aims to smooth the upper back and remove stubborn bra rolls and sagging skin.
The bra line back lift, also known as Torsoplasty is an elective procedure that is meant for women (and men) who are bothered by fat pockets and stretched skin on their upper & middle back.
An incision is made horizontally across the back to create new contours for the upper back. The scar is concealed underneath the bra, hence the name the bra line lift.
Why a Bra Line Back Lift?
The back can be a tricky area, as it does not respond well to diet and exercise. Liposuction alone can be performed; however it will not be able to correct the skin. It may in fact make stretched skin more apparent. Bulges can appear at the sides of the back, and along the bra line.
Stretched and sagging skin can be a result of weight gain with drastic weight loss either from bariatric surgery or diet & exercise alone. No type of laser procedure or skin cream will be able to tighten and smooth loose skin, surgery is the only way to tighten the skin by removing the excess tissue. Aging can also contribute to lax skin especially on the upper body, as collagen and elastin production slows after age 35.
Regardless of the name, the bra line lift is not entirely intended to for women. Men whom are also bothered by sagging skin and fat rolls on their middle to upper back can undergo the procedure.
Bra line lift Surgery
The day of surgery you will be marked wearing your bra, in order to mark the final incision to be concealed underneath your bra. You will be placed under general anesthesia and the total length of surgery is on average 2 hours. Liposuction will be performed on the upper and middle portion of the back. If you had opted to include liposuction on the flanks (lovehandles) this would be performed at this stage too. Next incisions are made, and excess sagging skin and tissues are removed, and the skin is pulled tight and then sutured up. At Clinic 360, the bra line lift is an outpatient surgery, so you will be discharged to a loved one and sent home to rest.
Results & Recovery
Recovery
Right after surgery you will experience pain, swelling, bruising, numbness and possibly pinpoint bleeding from the incisions. Pain medication is prescribed to you, to help ease recovery. It will be advisable for you to sleep on your stomach for the first couple of nights. You will be advised to refrain from wearing a bra for the first week as it may impede the healing of your scar. After a week you can wear a sports bra or a bra that has a very thick wide strap on the back. Most patients take 1-2 weeks off from work and resume full vigorous activity 6 weeks after surgery.
Results
Final results take up to 6 months, in order to make sure all the swelling has subsided. Right after surgery, you will see a remarkable difference in the contours of your back- it will be smooth and tight. In order to maintain the results from your bra line lift, it is recommended not to gain or lose weight. The results are permanent however it will not stop the natural aging process from occurring.
Scars
Scars should not deter you from undergoing a bra line lift as they are positioned to be as concealed as possible when wearing a bra or bikini. The plastic surgeons at Clinic 360 are committed to avoid excessive scarring and preventing unattractive scars. Once your incisions have healed we can talk to you about how to apply silicone scar products and which laser treatments would help fade your scar.
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Complications & Associated Risks
Your consent form will include a detailed list of complications and risks that can occur from a bra line lift, and your plastic surgeon will go through these with you. Most complications are rare; however no surgery goes without risks, even when it is performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.
Infection
An infection occurs when bacteria enters the incision. This can be due to poor hygiene or poor after care. Itchiness, redness and discharge are some symptoms. You may be placed on antibiotics if an infection occurs.
Bleeding
Bleeding can occur at the surface site of the incision, due to the incision re-opening or it can occur as a blood clot (hematoma) near the surgical site. If the incision has re-open, another procedure will need to be done to close the incision. If it is a hematoma, surgery may be the course of action in order resolve it.
Anesthesia Reaction
rare reactions from anesthesia include allergic reaction, respiratory or cardiac issues. It is always in your best interest to disclose your full health history to your surgeon and to the anesthesiologist.
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Bra Line Back Lift FAQ
Can the bra line back lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, you can undergo other procedures such as brachioplasty at the same time you are correcting your upper back/bra line. Liposuction can also be performed on the flanks for an ultimate contouring of the full back.
What is the cost of a bra line lift?
Bra line lift at Clinic 360 starts from $7,000.
How do I know if I need a bra line lift?
If you are bothered by the contours of your upper and middle back, you may be a candidate. Sagging skin along with fat pads in the upper and middle back indicate you can undergo a bra lift if you have been at a stable weight for over a year, and do not have the intention to lose any more weight (as this may affect the results of surgery).
How large is the scar from a bra line lift?
The size of the scar will be dependent on the width of your back and how much skin needs to be excised. The scar is horizontal across the back and reaches to each side of the anterior portion inframammary folds.