Contouring the upper back is one of the most effective ways to achieve a more athletic appearance and reduce bra line bulges that affect your body proportions. As you age, changes to your skin can result in droopy pockets of tissue that cause rashes, chafe uncomfortably, and make it difficult to fit into your clothing. Liposuction can remove excess fat with minimal downtime, and the procedure does not require long surgical scars so you can enjoy natural-looking results.
Dr. Friedlander is a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in body contouring and has many years of experience helping patients achieve life-changing results. At NorCal Liposculpture, we can strategically sculpt your figure to balance your proportions so you can enjoy a more athletic and youthful-looking appearance for years to come.
Contact our office or call (916) 347-7755 to learn more about how the effective procedure has helped many patients enhance their appearance.
All About Contouring the Upper Back
Fat along the upper back can cause bra line bulges as you age and affect how your clothing fits. Hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can result in exercise-resistant fat that is difficult to address with lifestyle changes. Liposuction is one of the most effective body contouring procedures for removing pockets of excess fat. In 2023, surgeons performed the procedure more than 347,000 times to help patients sculpt their bodies. (1)
VASER Liposuction
VASER (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) emulsifies excess fat with ultrasonic energy to sculpt your figure for a more athletic, toned appearance, with a thin 5-ring probe–a specialized cannula that can remove excess fat while preserving the delicate network of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels–Dr. Friedlander can permanently remove the fatty tissue for lasting results. The treatment is customizable, and many patients also choose to remove fat from the:
VASER Hi-Def can highlight your muscle definition for a more athletic appearance, selectively sculpting your body for a smoother look. Unlike traditional procedures, we use a relaxed but awake IV sedation procedure, making the procedure more accessible to patients who are unable to receive general anesthesia.
Benefits
There are several benefits to liposuction, including:
- Smoother, more athletic-looking figure: You can enjoy balanced body proportions, improving how your clothing fits.
- A more youthful appearance: Many patients feel their self-confidence improves after the procedure.
- Minimal downtime: You can return to most of your normal activities quickly afterward without lengthy downtime periods.
- Discreet incisions: With small incisions just 1.5 cm long (2) along the natural curves of your skin, Dr. Friedlander can remove the excess fat for natural-looking results.
- Customizable treatment: We can treat multiple areas during a single appointment, depending on your needs.
- Minimally invasive: With a small cannula and specialized technique, we can sculpt your body with gentle suction that preserves the surrounding tissue.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for liposuction can maintain a healthy body weight within 30% of their normal body mass index (BMI). (3) If you are in good overall health and take good care of your body, you are likely a good candidate for the procedure.
If you smoke, you will need to be prepared to stop temporarily for approximately 6 weeks. If you have a condition that could affect your ability to heal from liposuction, we can discuss alternative treatments such as Emsculpt.
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Personal Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Friedlander will ask about your aesthetic goals and perform a physical examination to determine the best treatment plan for your needs. Please come prepared with any questions you have. Dr. Friedlander wants every patient to leave feeling confident about their treatment plan. He will ask about your lifestyle, current medications, and medical history.
If you have additional aesthetic goals, he can recommend body contouring treatments to help you achieve them. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve your dream figure.
Preparation
To prepare for back contouring, you will need to:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Stop taking blood thinners 1-2 weeks before
- Arrange for time off work
- Plan your meals
- Run errands
- Pick up any prescriptions you need before your procedure
We also recommend creating a comfortable place in your home to recover so you can focus on healing. Depending on your treatment plan, Dr. Friedlander can also provide specific instructions to help you prepare.
Procedure
Your procedure will depend on your treatment plan, the size of the treatment area, and whether or not you have additional aesthetic goals. We will cleanse your skin, and you will be placed under anesthesia–IV sedation for an awake yet relaxed procedure. Dr. Friedlander will mark your skin for surgery and make a thin incision to cleanse the fatty tissue with tumescent fluid.
Tumescent fluid combines lidocaine, saline, and epinephrine, which causes the fat cells to swell, making removal easier. It also minimizes downtime and reduces bleeding, ensuring a smoother recovery.
Recovery
Depending on your procedure, Dr. Friedlander will provide specific instructions to help you recover afterward.
You must follow up with him shortly afterward so he can monitor your progress. He will remove the stitches, and you will need to take any medications he prescribes as directed to help your body heal. Your recovery time is minimal, but it will depend on the type of liposuction you receive and whether or not you would like to sculpt multiple areas of the body for a smoother appearance. If you receive VASER-Hi Def to improve your muscle definition, your recovery will likely take 10 days.
Some bruising or swelling is common after liposuction temporarily after the procedure, and you must avoid intense exercise for 1-2 weeks. If you experience discomfort, you can alleviate it with medication or a cold compress, and Dr. Friedlander can provide specific instructions to help you heal.
Results
After liposuction, you can enjoy a smoother back without rolls or excess fat that affect the way your clothing fits or create uncomfortable rashes or chafing. Many patients feel that their self-confidence improves, and they can achieve lasting results that improve their quality of life. However, to achieve long-lasting results, you will need to maintain a stable weight.
Corresponding Procedures
Renuvion (J-Plasma)
Renuvion (J-Plasma) is a skin-tightening treatment that can help you achieve a smoother appearance. If you have droopy skin, wrinkles, or fine lines, the minimally invasive treatment can increase your skin’s collagen levels for a more youthful-looking figure. Many patients combine liposuction with Renuvion if they find that pockets of excess fat have stretched the underlying collagen fibers in their skin, resulting in a droopy appearance.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is a procedure that reduces the size of the breasts to balance proportions and can help alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain. It can also help you achieve a perkier appearance and reduce uncomfortable rashes along the lower breast fold from excess skin. In 2023, the effective procedure helped more than 76,000 patients, and Dr. Friedlander can strategically reshape the breasts for a balanced appearance.
Lipedema
Lipedema is a condition that causes chronic fluid retention and excess fat in the lower body, which is often painful to the touch. The condition can also affect body proportions, and patients cannot eliminate the fluid with exercise or lifestyle changes. Although there is no known cause, the condition is likely hereditary or linked to puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Approximately 11% of women struggle with the condition. (4) The condition can also cause issues at work, with 49% of patients experiencing issues. (5) Although some patients turn to Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT), a form of massage that drains excess fluid from the legs, removing it with liposuction is the most long-lasting solution.
The Cost of Contouring the Upper Back in Sacramento
The cost of your procedure will depend on your treatment plan. During your consultation, we can provide an all-inclusive quote. We can also include additional procedures if necessary. We can also discuss financing options to make your treatment more accessible.
Do not hesitate to contact us when a simple body contouring procedure can help you achieve long-lasting results.
Contact our office or call (916) 347-7755 to learn more about the procedure and how it can transform your figure for years.
FAQ
Can I combine contouring the upper back with other procedures?
Yes, we can perform VASER on many different areas of the body. During your consultation, we can discuss the best treatment options.
When will I be able to exercise after contouring the upper back?
After a couple of weeks, you should be able to return to your normal exercise routine. We will monitor your progress and let you know based on your procedure.
How long will the results of contouring the upper back last?
If you take good care of your body and maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy long-lasting results.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Dhami LD. Liposuction. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery: Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2008;41(Suppl):S27-S40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2825130/
- Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
- Christoffersen, Vilde, and Merete Kolberg Tennfjord. “Younger Women with Lipedema, Their Experiences with Healthcare Providers, and the Importance of Social Support and Belonging: A Qualitative Study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 3, 20 Jan. 2023, p. 1925, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031925.
- Matthias Hamatschek, et al. “Characteristics and Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Lipedema Patients—Establishing a Baseline for Treatment Evaluation in a High-Volume Center.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 11, no. 10, 17 May 2022, pp. 2836–2836, https://doi.org/10.3390/j cm11102836. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023.