Does an Upper Body Lift Reshape the Breasts?

Does an Upper Body Lift Reshape the Breasts? : Upper body lift surgery is growing in popularity, largely due to an increase in the number of weight loss surgeries performed annually.

While there is no doubt weight loss surgery can change lives, it can also result in excess folds of skin that are prone to rashes and chafing. Excess, hanging skin can also have devastating emotional effects for the person who has worked hard to achieve better health.

Plastic surgery is the ideal way to correct this unfortunate after-effect.

But does an upper body lift also reshape breasts that have lost their shape and volume due to weight loss or other factors?

Let’s explore what an upper body lift is, what it can do for your silhouette, and whether you may need an additional surgery to address issues with sagging breasts.

What Is An Upper Body Lift?

An upper body lift is a form of body contouring that involves removing excess skin on the upper back.

An upper body lift may be combined with other procedures. These commonly include an upper arm lift, a breast lift, breast implants, or all three.

An upper body lift is not generally a way to lose fat. If only spot-reduction of fat is desired, liposuction can be a better option. (Ask your doctor which procedure is best for your situation.)

Who Needs an Upper Body Lift?

Anyone with significant excess skin and/or sagging on the back might benefit from an upper body lift. It is best for people who:

Have excess, sagging, hanging skin from significant weight loss
Have significant sagging of the back skin for some other reason
Want to look better in clothes
Are in good health (or have been given the go-ahead for surgery by their regular physician)
Do not smoke
Have lost all or most of the weight they plan to lose
Do not have reason to believe they will gain significant weight in the future

What Are the Steps in an Upper Body Lift?

You will receive anesthesia. For an upper body lift, this will be general (“sleeping”) anesthesia so that you do not experience any pain and are not conscious of the surgery as it is going on.
A long incision will be made around the circumference of your midsection.
The skin within the area of the incision will then be removed (excised).
The remaining skin will be pulled gently together and closed with sutures (stitches),

Is an Upper Body Lift the Same as a Breast Lift?

No, but an upper body lift is commonly combined with other procedures. These may include a breast lift, as breasts also tend to lose volume after extreme weight loss.

What Does an Upper Body Lift Do for the Breasts?

This does not mean an upper body lift does not do anything for the breasts. Actually, tightening the back area and eliminating the excess skin there can mean the breasts are pulled, too. This can slightly tighten the breast area.

What if Your Breasts Have Lost Volume?

This is where a breast lift, and for some, breast augmentation (breast implants or fat transfer), come in.

Extreme weight loss, or any condition where excess hanging skin results in the upper body, will often mean the breasts have lost volume, too. In this case, the breasts will usually sag significantly.

When this happens, you and your board-certified plastic surgeon may decide on one of these options:

Breast Lift

A breast lift involves removing excess skin, usually by an incision around the areola that extends down the lower pole of the breasts. Excess skin is excised, and the incision is stitched closed. The nipple is kept attached throughout the procedure if possible, so that you retain sensation. However, the nipple will be repositioned on the lifted breast for a natural look.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is an enlargement or “filling out” of the breasts. This is normally achieved via either silicone implants, saline implants, or liposuction fat transfer to the breasts.

A breast lift alone will not increase breast volume. It will improve the overall look of the breasts and will lift them higher on the chest, but if you desire a fuller look, you will need a breast augmentation procedure.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From an Upper Body Lift?

An upper body lift will require some time to heal. You will be instructed not to lift anything heavy for at least two full weeks. Your range of upper body motion will also be limited.

Your recovery may or may not take longer if you have simultaneously had an upper arm or breast lift and breast enhancement. Your recovery will depend on a number of factors, including your overall health, the extent of each surgery, and whether or not you smoke post-surgery.

Your doctor will decide how much longer after the initial two-week time period you will need in order to perform certain activities, such as going back to work (usually two weeks or more post-surgery) and performing aerobic exercise (usually four to six weeks post-surgery).

In order to heal well from any surgery, please follow your doctor’s instructions.With the right plastic surgeon and the right aftercare, you can enjoy a silhouette that’s worthy of your weight loss success.