Safe and professional
Felt I was in very safe and professional hands from my first consultation with Bo. ESPECIALLY on the day of the operation itself, when I was very n…
Thomas Hansen
About the treatment
A back lift can be relevant if there is excess, loose skin on the upper body after significant weight loss or natural changes to the body. The excess skin typically sits on the back, the sides and under the arms as so-called ”bra rolls”. During the procedure, the excess skin on the upper back is removed, so that the upper body appears firmer again and better balanced with the rest of the body.
At Caolín, every back lift is planned individually, based on your skin quality and body shape as well as your wishes for the result.
At a glance
- Price
- On request
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthetic
- Duration
- 2-3 hours
- Hospital stay
- 1-3 hours
- Downtime
- 1-2 weeks
- Final result
- After 6–12 months
What is an upper back lift?
An upper back lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the upper back. The incision is placed under the bra line on the back, so that in most cases it is hidden by underwear and swimwear.
The procedure can be seen as an extension of a breast lift: while the breast lift tightens and lifts the front, an upper back lift does the same for the back. The two procedures are most often combined in a single treatment called a 360° upper body lift.
When is an upper back lift relevant?
The procedure is relevant for patients who are close to their ideal weight and have had a stable weight for at least 6 months. If you are still losing weight, it is recommended to wait until your weight has stabilised, as further weight loss after the surgery can change the result.
Significant weight loss
Major weight loss through diet, exercise or bariatric surgery leaves excess skin on the back and ”bra rolls” that the body cannot absorb.
Flat or sagging breasts that continue onto the side of the chest
Loss of definition around the breast shows as excess skin that runs into the armpit and continues around onto the back.
Skin folds on the upper back
Excess skin that gathers in folds along the upper back can cause chafing and irritation.
Techniques and extent
Isolated upper back lift
The procedure is limited to the upper part of the back, out towards the side of the breast. The incision runs under the bra line, and the skin is lifted and removed from this area. Suitable for patients whose main changes are on the back of the body, or patients who have previously had a breast lift.
Upper back lift combined with a breast lift
An extension of the procedure that combines an upper back lift with a breast lift in a single procedure. It is suitable for those who have a fold of skin from the breast that continues around the side of the chest, which could not be removed with a breast lift alone. The incision runs all the way around the body, on both the front and the back, and provides a complete transformation of the body's contour in one session.
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Questions and answers
Here you'll find the whole process step by step — from consultation to your first weeks at home. If there's anything you can't find an answer to, bring it along to your consultation.
Not necessarily. They can be performed in the same session as a 360° upper body lift, or with an interval of typically 3–6 months. The advantage of a single session is only one general anaesthetic; the advantage of separating them is a shorter surgery time and a more manageable recovery. The surgeon will advise you on the best plan at your consultation.
The scar is placed under the bra line and extends around both sides. It is positioned so that it is hidden by underwear and swimwear. At Caolín, scar placement and meticulous suturing for the least visible scar possible are an integral part of the treatment.
The swelling subsides gradually over 3–6 months, and the scar matures over 6–12 months. The final result can be seen after 6–12 months at the earliest.
No, an upper back lift is suitable for all genders, particularly after massive weight loss. At Caolín, the technique and contouring are adapted to masculine proportions where relevant.
The most relevant complications are bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, seroma (a collection of fluid), asymmetry and visible scarring. The risk increases with smoking, a BMI over 30 and when combined with many other procedures in the same session. We always plan carefully to keep surgery time and strain at a safe level.
Every treatment at Caolín starts with a thorough, no-obligation consultation, where the surgeon assesses your skin, your body's contour and the extent of the changes, and advises you on the approach that will give the best and safest result for you – on its own or as part of a combined treatment plan. You are welcome to bring someone with you, and you can always contact us with questions along the way.
The process
What to expect at Caolín
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Consultation
Before you decide on an upper back lift, you will attend a consultation with our surgeon. At this consultation, you talk about your expectations, and the surgeon assesses what will give you the best result. You will also receive a thorough review of your options and an overview of the risks associated with each procedure.
Based on your expectations and the surgeon's recommendations, you plan the surgery together. You are welcome to bring someone with you to the consultation, as there is a lot of information to take in. By law, at least 7 days must pass after the consultation before you can give your final consent to cosmetic surgery.
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Before the surgery
You must stop taking medication containing acetylsalicylic acid one week before the surgery and avoid herbal remedies, particularly fish oil, ginger and vitamin D, from three weeks before. Any blood-thinning medication will be discussed with the surgeon at your consultation. You must stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the surgery.
On the day of surgery, take a shower, avoid applying body lotion to the surgical area and arrive in loose, comfortable clothing without jewellery. The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, and you must fast for 6 hours beforehand. You may drink small amounts of clear fluids up to 2 hours before.
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During the surgery
You will be welcomed by a nurse and shown to your room, where an IV line is inserted. The anaesthetist talks to you about the anaesthesia, and the surgeon goes through the plan and marks the area to be operated on.
Depending on the extent of the procedure and the need for liposuction, the surgery takes approximately 2–3 hours. Sometimes liposuction is performed first, followed by removal of skin and fatty tissue, and finally the tissue and skin are closed. In some cases, one or two drains are placed. The wounds are closed with dissolvable stitches, and you are fitted with tape, dressings and a compression bandage.
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After the surgery
After the surgery, you are taken to the recovery unit, where a nurse keeps an eye on you. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be discharged after a few hours. You should arrange for someone to collect you, as you must not drive yourself.
As the surgery has been performed under general anaesthetic, you will typically feel tired and drowsy for the first 24 hours. We recommend that you have an adult with you for the first 24 hours and that you take things easy for the first few days to reduce the risk of bleeding and swelling.
Book a free consultation at Caolín
Your journey begins with a personal consultation. Here we go through your wishes and options, so that together we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
The specialists
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen is a consultant in plastic surgery and one of the Nordic region's leading specialists in cosmetic breast surgery and advanced facial surgery, and one of the few surgeons to master endoscopic facelifts with no visible scars. He holds a PhD in breast reconstruction with stem cell-enriched fat transfer and is internationally recognised for his work and research in the field.
Frederik Kølle, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Frederik Kølle is a certified and internationally recognised plastic surgeon specialising in facial and cosmetic surgery as well as advanced fat transfer and body contouring. He is among the leading experts in the Nordic region and masters the full spectrum of facial and breast surgery.
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Financing your treatment
We offer financing so you can spread the cost. If you have any questions about financing, you are always welcome to contact us – or ask at your consultation.
The calculation is for guidance only. Credit assessment and terms are set by Resurs Bank.