Upper Body Lift (Torsoplasty) After Weight Loss Surgery
If you have excess skin after massive weight loss, upper body surgery can remove this excess skin
An Upper Body Lift or Upper Torsoplasty can remove excess tissue from multiple areas at once
Massive weight loss can be an extensive journey. Diet, exercise and often bariatric surgery often contribute to the achievement of your goal weight. After losing a large amount of weight, you may be left with extra skin that does not go back into shape. This skin may appear on the arms, abdomen, chest, or back. In many cases, the only way to address concerns that arise from this excess skin is surgical excision.
During an upper body lift (torsoplasty), Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt removes the excess fat and skin from the upper body. He may also use liposuction and different skin tightening techniques.
What Is Upper Body Lift Torsoplasty Surgery?
Upper torsoplasty surgery is a cosmetic procedure that targets the whole torso. Depending on which areas the patient would like to remove extra tissue, the procedure may combine:
- Breast lift mastopexy
- Arm lift (brachioplasty)
- Back lift or Braline lift (lipectomy)
- Underarm lift of the Axilla
- Liposuction
It can be an all-in-one procedure for those who have excess skin and fat after losing a massive amount of weight. It works on several areas of the upper body – the front, back, and sides.
For a full body lift after massive weightloss, an upper body lift is often combined with a separate a lower body lift torsoplasty which tightens the abdomen (abdominoplasty), lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
Why Patients Might Consider Upper Body Torsoplasty Surgery
Typically, a patient may seek the procedure if they wish to:
- Target excess skin on multiple areas of the upper body
- Undergo a procedure that addresses their entire circumference – front, back, and sides
- Reduce skin on the upper arms, back, and breasts
- Complete their weight loss efforts with surgical skin removal
Patient Suitability for Upper Body Lift (Torsoplasty) Surgery?
This surgery is often for patients who have undergone massive weight loss and are left with excess skin in the upper back, arm, underarm, and chest region.
But not everyone who loses weight needs one. You’re a candidate for body lift torsoplasty surgery if:
- You’ve lost massive weight in a short time (usually more than 50% of the excess body weight)
- You have excess skin and fat in the underarm area
- You have lax under arm skin
- You have fat deposits on your upper back
- You have laxity in the breasts/chest
- You’re done losing weight
- You’re willing to quit smoking at least 4 weeks before your procedure
- You have a generally good health
If you meet these criteria, then an upper body lift torsoplasty might be a option to tighten your body after losing weight.
An upper torsoplasty can still be done even if you don’t need to lift all of the usual target body areas. For example, if you don’t have lax arm skin, an upper body lift can still be done without tightening the arms.
How Is Upper Body Lift (Torsoplasty) Surgery Performed?
Torsoplasty combines back lift lipectomy, underarm surgery, breast lift mastopexy, arm lift brachioplasty, and liposuction. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia. This means that you will be asleep during the surgery. Total procedure time can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours. It is a major procedure, as it involves extensive fat and skin removal. Once you’re asleep, Dr Hunt will start the surgery. Torsoplasty can involve these seperate procedures:
Upper Back Lift
An upper back lift (also called bra line back lift) gets rid of the extra skin on the upper back. Dr Hunt starts by performing a long horizontal incision on your back, starting under one shoulder blade and extending to the other.
He then separates the skin from deeper tissue and cuts out the excess back skin rolls. After that, he will pull the two edges of the wound together. The wound is closed with sutures along the back bra line.
Underarm Tightening
The back wound can sometimes be extended to allow Dr Hunt to address the underarm area and get rid of fat in the axilla. Other times, an extra incision has to be made in the armpit.
In underarm tightening surgery, Dr Hunt will pull the skin upward, cut out the lax skin and then bring the two edges of the wound together. He will pull them tight with sutures, aiming to reduce any irregularities.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Surgery to tighten the arms can be an important part of an upper torsoplasty. It allows Dr Hunt to get rid of lax upper arm skin. Dr Hunt starts with a long incision along the inner surface of the arm. He will then cut out the lax arm skin and any extra fat.
Finally, Dr Hunt brings the two wound edges together and secures the incision closed.
Recovery after Upper Body Lift (Torsoplasty) Surgery
After the procedure, expect to spend 2 to 3 days at the hospital for monitoring. You might have several surgical drains coming out from your wounds to prevent internal fluid collection.
Recovery after a full upper body torsoplasty can be somewhat challenging. A lot of tissue removal is involved, and you will have multiple wounds to take care of – breast wounds, arm wounds, back wounds, and armpit wounds.
Complete recovery can take as long as 6-10 weeks. You should stay home and rest for at least 2-3 weeks. Light walking is recommended during this period to prevent blood clot formation. You can do light chores that do not involve excessive arm and upper body movement. Additionally, driving is not recommended during the first two weeks, as it can cause pain in the arms, back, and breasts.
In general, pain, swelling, and bruising will peak by the end of the first week after an upper torsoplasty. The recovery symptoms should then gradually improve over the course of the following month.
Potential risks and complications
Like any other procedure, some risks and complications are involved in upper torsoplasty. They occur rarely, and might include:
- Seroma formation – fluid build-up in the wounds
- Hematoma – blood build up in the wound
- Loss of sensation or numbness around the wounds
- Wound infection
- Problems with wound healing (e.g. poor healing or excessive scarring)
- Inner organ trauma (due to liposuction)
If you want to minimise your risks of complications after an upper torsoplasty, then you should choose an experienced plastic surgeon to perform the operation. Dr Hunt has performed hundreds of body lift surgeries over the years in Sydney and New South Wales. He has developed his own lifting techniques to maximise results and minimise risks for patients.
Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy): Patient results
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Download Dr Hunt's Guide
Excess Skin Reduction Guide
The excess skin reduction guide has been created by Dr Hunt and his team as a useful tool to help you plan and consider these procedures.
Throughout the guide, we will discuss the ins and outs of different types of surgery what makes a suitable candidate, pre-surgery planning answers to the most frequently asked questions received from patients.
How much does Upper Body Lift Torsoplasty surgery cost in Sydney NSW? Prices & Fees
As explained, an upper torsoplasty is a versatile combination of procedures. Hence, the cost varies from one patient to the other. It depends on which combination of procedures you’ll be undergoing. Moreover, anaesthetist fees and hospital fees play a role depending on the time in theatre.
To find out the estimated price of upper body lift (torsoplasty) in Sydney, please phone Dr Hunt’s team. After your first consultation, Dr Hunt will give you a more precise estimate of the surgery costs.
Is upper body lift torsoplasty surgery covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
If you meet certain strict Medicare criteria, you might be eligible for a partial rebate by medicare or health insurance subsidy for plastic surgery.
You can also learn more about possible Medicare & Health Fund coverage, an Upper Body Lift Surgery Payment Plan, or the costs for upper body lift (Torsoplasty) surgery on our Surgical Costs page.
Take the next step today
With over 20 years of experience as a plastic surgeon, Dr Jeremy Hunt aims to provide patient-tailored procedure outcomes using different surgical techniques.
Dr Hunt prides himself on the level of care and attention he offers and that begins from the day of first consultation.
Join the thousands of past patients today by booking a consultation with Dr Hunt.
Next Step – Fill in the Enquiry form or call Dr Hunt’s Team on 1300 157 200.
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Upper Body Lift Torsoplasty Surgery FAQs
Do I need an upper body lift (torsoplasty)?
If you’ve lost a dramatic amount of weight and have been left with excess or lax skin in the upper part of the body, you might be a candidate for the procedure.
What does an upper body lift (torsoplasty) include?
An upper body lift (torsoplasty) includes a combination of lift procedures: a breast lift mastopexy, upper back lift, arm lift (brachioplasty), and armpit lift. Moreover, liposuction is usually involved.
What is an upper body lift called?
An upper body lift is also called upper torsoplasty, 360 upper lift, and upper trunk lift.
Does an upper body lift (torsoplasty) include arms?
Yes. An upper body lift (torsoplasty) includes lifting the arms to get rid of excess upper arm skin.
How long is recovery from upper body lift in Sydney?
Everyone is different. Full recovery can take around 6 weeks after an upper body lift (torsoplasty). You can usually go back to work after 2 to 3 weeks of your procedure.
How much weight do you lose with an upper torsoplasty?
Torsoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. It aims to tighten the body, not take off lots of weight. However, since tissue removal is involved, you should expect to lose a few kilograms, depending on how much fat and skin are removed.
What are potential risks and complications of Upper Body Lift Surgery?
Like any other procedure, some risks and complications are involved in torsoplasty. They occur rarely, and might include:
- Seroma formation – fluid build-up in the wounds
- Hematoma – blood build up in the wound
- Loss of sensation or numbness around the wounds
- Wound infection
- Problems with wound healing (e.g. poor healing or excessive scarring)
- Inner organ trauma (due to liposuction)
If you want to minimise your risks of complications after an upper body lift, then you should choose an experienced plastic surgeon to perform the operation. Dr Hunt has performed hundreds of body lift surgeries over the years in Sydney and New South Wales. He has developed his own lifting techniques to maximise results and minimise risks for patients.
Further reading and medical sources about body lift (torsoplasty)
- ARTICLE – body lift of the upper body
- ARTICLE – body lift and breast reshaping with lateral chest wall perforator propeller flap following massive weight loss
- ARTICLE _ Single-staged total body lift after massive weight loss
- ARTICLE – Enhancing Masculine Features After Massive Weight Loss
- ARTICLE – Body contouring
What other procedures are there for Post Weight Loss Surgery?
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PLASTIC SURGEON SYDNEY
About Dr Jeremy Hunt
Dr Hunt has worked with thousands of patients across his 20-year career. This is reflected in his role as Spokesperson for the ASPS – Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. Dr Hunt is also a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Dr Hunt has a strong interest in helping his patients achieve their desired results by employing the most appropriate practices for each individual patient.
