Bra-Line Lift in Houston, TX

You may be a candidate for a bra-line lift (torsoplasty) if you have excess skin of the upper back. The main complaint of patients who seek this procedure is “upper back rolls” that stick out on the back when wearing bras. The most common causes of this excess skin and tissue are:

Large volume weight loss after a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedure. 

Large volume weight loss with diet and exercise.

This procedure significantly improves the upper back contour and bra-line, resulting in less fat gathered or hanging from where the bra rests on the back.

The inconspicuous scar is well concealed by normal bras and two-piece bathing suits. It is common that one or two rolls are removed.

This procedure is often performed in combination with conservative liposuction of the back, hips and flanks to further improve the waistline and improve the profile contour.

Step 1: A bra-line lift is almost always performed under general anesthesia either within the hospital or in an outpatient setting. 

Step 2: The bra-line lift may be performed with other body contouring procedures such as an arm lift (brachioplasty) or breast lift (mastopexy) or body lift.  There is a limit to how many procedures can be performed at once safely.  The one that is best for you will be determined after Dr. Morales meets with you and examines you.

Step 3: The ellipse incision is made horizontally along the upper back and side chest to remove the maximum amount of excess skin, and “rolls” of the upper chest. The scar is kept within limits of the upper back to conceal the scar within a normal bra-line.  

After the surgery, the upper back is supported with a garment.  Dermabond Prineo Adhesive dressings are typically applied over the incisions to reduce infection and improve healing. Dr. Morales rarely uses drains for this procedure.

When this procedure is done alone, this can be performed in a outpatient setting. If combined with other body contouring procedures, Dr. Morales may recommend that you spend your first night in the outpatient unit at the surgery center. This insures that you can get intravenous pain medication and fluids to optimize the first 24 hours after surgery.

There are typically no sutures to remove, as there are multiple layers of self-absorbing sutures below the skin.  Small outside suture tails are usually trimmed within seven to ten days. 

Once home, it is important that you get up and move around several times a day as recommended by your surgeon to help speed the recovery process and reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the legs. A clot preventing medication may also be prescribed in the postoperative period. Plan your initial recovery so that there is a friend or family member who’s with you at home for at least the first three to five days. You will need help with the basics. Each patient will recover in various ways and in varying lengths of time, though most patients find that they can go back to work within two to four weeks after surgery.   It’s important that you plan well so that you give your body time to heal in the best manner possible.

Strenuous activity and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for about two months. It can take a few months for all of the swelling to clear up and the scars will fade over time.