Bra-Line Back Lift in Fort Worth
No matter how much persistence you show in the gym, a smooth, proportional back can still be out of reach if you experience excess skin along the bra line, or middle back. Also called a “bra roll” or “bra bulge,” this excess skin will often persist despite your best efforts to maintain a trim figure and healthy weight.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby performs bra-line back lift surgery in Fort Worth to contour the bra area, removing excess skin and restoring a natural shape throughout the back and waist.
What kind of results will I get from a bra-line back lift procedure?
The bra-line back lift smooths bra rolls and folds in the back by removing excess skin and fatty tissue. The upper back, mid-back, and waist will appear smoother, more shapely, and in better proportion with the rest of the body.
If you maintain a stable weight, the results will be long-lasting. As skin continues to lose elasticity with age, you may see some sagging develop over time, but your back will be smoother than it would have been without bra-line back lift surgery.
Female Plastic Surgeon Fort Worth
- Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
- Over 12 years of experience in private practice
- Founder and Medical Director of Kirby Plastic Surgery, Kalos Medical Spa, and City Surgery Center—a Quad A-accredited, state-of-the-art facility located onsite
- Specialist in breast surgery and body contouring, including postpartum
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2019
- First female Chief of Plastic Surgery, Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital
Am I a good candidate for a bra-line back lift?
A good candidate for a bra-line back lift is looking to smooth bra rolls in the mid-to-upper back. Despite the name, both women and men can benefit from a bra-line back lift. To be a good candidate, you should be in good physical health and near your ideal weight for at least 3 months.
Can I combine a bra-line back lift with another procedure?
Many patients choose to have a bra-line back lift performed at the same time as other body contouring procedures, such as tummy tuck, liposuction, or as part of a mommy makeover. Some patients may choose to combine a bra-line back lift with a tummy tuck to create complementary, 360-degree contours. If you have had another body lift procedure in the past, such as a tummy tuck or an arm lift, but retain excess skin in your upper back, a bra-line back lift can restore a more natural-looking back and waistline, leading to a proportional shape throughout the body.
Where will my incisions be placed for back lift surgery?
Incisions for bra-line back lift surgery are placed horizontally along the bra line, where scars are hidden beneath clothes or most bathing suits, once healed.
What kind of anesthesia will I have for back lift surgery?
During the bra-line back lift procedure, you will be under general anesthesia, meaning you will be comfortably asleep for the entire procedure.
Real patient images from Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby
*Individual results may vary.
How do I prepare for bra-line back lift surgery?
Dr. Kirby will review all supplements and medications you are taking, and she may advise that you adjust certain medications in the weeks before and after surgery. For 10 days prior to surgery, avoid aspirin products (Alka-Seltzer®, Carisoprodol, Excedrin®, Goody’s®, Midol®), anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen), and herbal supplements, including green tea. You may also download our comprehensive list of medications to avoid, which is a helpful tool to bring along to your consultation with Dr. Kirby.
Dr. Kirby may also advise that you undergo a medical checkup or lab test to ensure you are ready for surgery. Those with certain pre-existing conditions should not undergo surgery, so be sure to disclose your full medical history to Dr. Kirby. If you smoke, you must quit at least 6 weeks before surgery, as smoking impairs the body’s ability to heal. If you need assistance with quitting, please talk with Dr. Kirby.
Finally, prepare for the day of surgery by asking a responsible adult to drive you to and from surgery, and to stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery.
Rest assured that our office will provide you with specific instructions for your surgery day. We will also make ourselves available to answer any questions that may arise before or after your procedure.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Targets excess skin and fat around the bra line
- Improves fit of clothing and undergarments
- Minimal visible scarring
- Bra-Line Back Lift: A cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat along the bra line, resulting in a smoother, more contoured back area.
- Compression Garment: Specialized clothing that applies pressure to the surgical area, worn after surgery to reduce swelling, support healing tissues, and help the skin conform to the new contours of the back.
- Excision: The surgical removal of skin and fat; in the context of a Bra-Line Back Lift, it refers to the removal of excess skin and fat along the bra line to improve the contour of the back.
- General Anesthesia: Medication administered to induce sleep and relaxation during surgery.
- Incision: A surgical cut made by the surgeon; in a Bra-Line Back Lift, the incision is typically made across the back, just under the bra line, to minimize visible scarring.
- Liposuction: A procedure that removes excess fat through a suction technique, which may be used in conjunction with a Bra-Line Back Lift to enhance the contouring effect.
- Postoperative Care: The care and treatment provided after surgery, including instructions for wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up visits, essential for optimal healing and results after a Bra-Line Back Lift.
- Recovery Time: The period after surgery during which the patient heals. This includes time for swelling and bruising to subside, and for the patient to gradually return to normal activities, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks. Recovery can be streamlined, but not rushed.
- Scar Management: Techniques and products used to minimize the appearance of scars following surgery; for a Bra-Line Back Lift, this may include silicone sheets, gels, and other treatments to improve the aesthetic outcome.
- Skin Elasticity: The skin’s ability to stretch and return to its original state, which can affect the outcome of a Bra-Line Back Lift, as better elasticity typically results in smoother, tighter skin post-surgery.
- Subcutaneous Tissue: The layer of fat and tissue lying immediately beneath the skin, which is often targeted during a Bra-Line Back Lift to remove excess fat and improve back contours.
What is the recovery like after a bra-line back lift?
After surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, or loss of sensation at the incision site. Dr. Kirby will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable during this time, and she will recommend gentle physical activity to prevent blood clots. Wait 48 hours before showering after surgery.
Most patients require 7 days off work after a bra-line back lift, or longer if your job requires upper body movement. For 6 weeks after surgery, you should avoid full exercise or strenuous movement of any kind. Gentle walking is encouraged starting right away, however. After six months, most swelling should have subsided, you will see your final results.
Dr. Emily Kirby uses Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, also known as “multimodal analgesia,” to minimize recovery time, and we see real results: our patients experience less nausea and feel more alert, mobile, and comfortable after their procedures.
“I had very hard recoveries in the past…it took me weeks to get back to caring for my family. With Dr. Kirby, I had a wonderful recovery and was back to my activities surprisingly quickly. Don’t tell the doctor, but I was at my child’s sporting event the day after my surgery, and I felt great!”
—Real patient of Dr. Kirby
Is there a less invasive alternative to a bra-line back lift?
If you have good skin elasticity, meaning that your skin returns to position when stretched, then either liposuction or CoolSculpting® for fat removal may address your bra bulge without bra-line back lift surgery. Liposuction is a minimally invasive fat removal procedure, while CoolSculpting freezes fat nonsurgically, addressing small, but persistent, pockets of fat.
A bra-line back lift, on the other hand, removes excess skin, where liposuction or CoolSculpting subtly tightens skin and may leave sagging skin behind. After skin laxity has set in, you may need a bra-line back lift.
References »
Soldin M, Mughal M, Al-Hadithy N; Department of Health; British association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons; Royal College of Surgeons England. National commissioning guidelines: body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014 Aug;67(8):1076-81. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2014.04.031.
Aldaqal SM, Makhdoum AM, Turki AM, Awan BA, Samargandi OA, Jamjom H. Post-bariatric surgery satisfaction and body-contouring consideration after massive weight loss. North American Journal of Medicine and Science. 2013 Apr;5(4):301-5. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.110442.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily J. Kirby — Updated on Apr 11, 2024