Upper Body Lift in San Antonio, TX

Men and women who have lost a considerable amount of weight lose elasticity in their skin, and can’t conform their skin to their reduced size. This leaves wrinkling and loose skin on the body, which is sometimes hard to hide. Dr. Decherd and Dr. Isakson perform upper body lifts in the San Antonio area to remove saggy skin, and contour the upper body. This procedure can correct hanging rolls, sagging skin, drooping, deflated breasts, excess fat pockets and upper abdomen bulges. The best candidates for an upper body lift are patients that can’t loose hanging skin and pockets of tissue with diet and exercise alone. 

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will assess your arms, breasts, upper back, abdomen and torso to discuss the body contouring techniques that will be used to create a tailored upper body lift that meets your aesthetic goals. Before surgery, the surgeon will refer to this plan and work one-on-one with the patient to mark the areas of the body that will be surgically corrected. This procedure will differ from patient to patient and will occur in stages during one setting. Liposuction is almost always used to remove excess pockets of fat and tissue. An upper body lift may include a combination of an arm lift, a breast lift and liposuction on the upper back.

The recovery following an upper body lift can be lengthy due to the nature of the surgery.  It is common for most patients to spend a couple of nights in the hospital. Multiple drains may be used to help drain excess fluid and blood. Patients may need to take a week or two off from work as they recuperate. By 6 weeks after the operation, most patients begin to look and feel normal. At this time, exercise can gradually be resumed. Patients who adhere to a consistent exercise and a healthy diet will be able to maintain results from the surgery for a long time.

Both of these surgeries are fairly extensive. Because an upper body lift and a lower body lift are such huge surgical undertakings, most surgeons will opt to separate the procedures into two separate surgeries. This is to minimize as many risks as possible and to allow proper and healthy healing. On average, the recovery for each is about 6 weeks.

The location of the scars varies by patient. We make every effort to place the incisions in areas that can be covered with clothing and hidden as much as possible.  For example, incisions on the breast usually run from the nipple down to the fold, and then under the breast where the natural fold exists.  Incisions on the arm are made from the underarm to the elbow.  It is placed on the inner side of the upper arm. On the upper back and torso, the incisions are made so that the scarring will not reach the midline.  

For massive weight loss patients, insurance may cover a part of the surgery. This is usually the case of a medical problem or infection exists because of the loose and hanging skin. However, in most cases insurance will not cover cosmetic surgery. Your benefits will be discussed during your meeting with one of our billing and insurance coordinators. 

Yes. Patients who have sagging and loose skin following a massive weight loss will see a dramatic difference in their shape and physique.  Many patients say that they feel like they have a brand new body following this procedure and that they can’t wait to wear form-fitting clothes. This surgery allows them to feel confident in their own skin.