Back Lift

Your initial consultation will always be with the plastic surgeon who will be performing your procedure. During this consultation, you’ll discuss what bothers you about your back, armpits, and/or flanks and what you’d like to change.

The plastic surgeon will review your medical history and examine your upper body. Based on this, you’ll discuss which surgical technique is most appropriate and what you can expect from the treatment.

At the end of the consultation, everything will be summarized in a personalized treatment plan. The associated costs will also be discussed with you. This ensures you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Afterward, you’ll have a meeting with your consultant. She’ll tell you more about the practical details and how to prepare for your treatment.

A back lift, back-and-armpit lift, or flank lift is performed under general anesthesia. This means you cannot go home the same day and must stay overnight at the clinic. The next day, when it is safe to do so, you may go home.

Before the anesthesia is administered, the plastic surgeon will discuss the procedure with you once more. Your back, armpits, and flanks will also be marked according to the plan. Afterward, the general anesthesia is administered. The surgery is performed with you lying on your stomach.

To perform the surgery, an incision is made either diagonally across the shoulder blades or horizontally below the bra band. However, the location and length of the incision depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. In the most extensive version, the incision will run from your left armpit to your right armpit.

The plastic surgeon uses a modern surgical technique that sometimes begins with liposuction. Afterward, the excess skin is removed as effectively as possible, and the incision is closed with sutures.

In total, the surgery takes about two to three hours.

It is important that you take care with a few things after the surgery. For example, you must wear an elastic vest day and night for the first six weeks, except while showering. During this period, you should also avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and heavy work. In particular, you should avoid bending or stooping, as these actions put strain on the scar. However, you may sleep on your back, as this presses the skin firmly against the underlying tissue and actually reduces the amount of fluid that can accumulate under the scar.

Recovery
In general, it takes one to two weeks to recover from the procedure. During this recovery period, you may notice swelling and bruising. The swelling will increase during the first few days but will subside after a week. In addition, significant fluid accumulation may occur at the lowest point—the flanks. This is a natural reaction of the body and is generally not a cause for concern. It may last for several weeks and will subside over time.

Scar Cream
During your first follow-up visit with us, you’ll be given a scar cream to take home. Once the wound has closed and the scabs have fallen off, you may begin applying this cream. Applying it twice a day to the closed wound will increase the likelihood of a smooth, even healing.

Shortly after the surgery, you’ll already see and feel excellent results. However, the final results will be best assessed three months after the surgery, once all the swelling has subsided. Your back, armpits, and/or flanks will look slimmer and tighter.

Please keep in mind that your skin will lose elasticity as you age. The results will still be visible. To maintain the best possible results, it’s important to achieve and maintain a healthy, stable weight.

Scars
The surgical scar is fairly long and is located in a visible area on your back. However, it is only visible when you are not wearing a top or a bra. It’s good to know that a scar takes one to one and a half years to fully heal. At first, your scars will still be red and swollen, but this will subside on its own after a few weeks. In addition, you should not expose them to the sun or use a tanning bed during the first few months. You may, however, cover the scars or apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50.

It is important to know that any surgery can carry certain risks and complications. Although back lifts are being performed more and more frequently, there remains a very small risk of complications. It is therefore important to carefully follow the instructions you received beforehand. This will help you minimize certain risks.

Possible complications may include:

• Infection

• Wound dehiscence (the wound opening along the incision line)

• Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that requires drainage)

• Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

• Delayed wound healing

• Scarring

• Postoperative bleeding

• Dogears (in the armpits)

• Seromas

• Asymmetry

• Permanent scars

• Damage to underlying structures

• Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, and bandages

• Pain

• Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

• Change in sensation

Smoking
Patients who smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products at the time of surgery are at greater risk for complications such as skin necrosis and impaired wound healing. It can also have a negative effect on anesthesia, potentially resulting in an increased risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is important to quit smoking at least four weeks before surgery and to remain smoke-free throughout the entire recovery process.

People exposed to secondhand smoke may also be at an increased risk of similar complications. People who are not exposed to these products have a significantly lower risk of such complications.