What Is Back Lipo and What Areas Does It Treat?
Back lipo is, as you’ve probably cleverly guessed, liposuction performed on the back. The exact treatment area depends on your specific needs but can include the upper back (bra-roll area), mid-back, or the lower back and flanks.
It’s important to remember that back lipo is a body sculpting and reshaping procedure — not a weight loss one. We know this seems counterintuitive since we’re removing fat, but you're not likely to see a difference when you step on the scale post-op. You may not lose weight after back lipo, but your clothes will fit better, with less bulging and a much smoother contour.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Back Lipo?
Back lipo isn’t a good solution for you if you have extra back fat that is accompanied by loose, sagging skin. Liposuction is an excellent tool for removing unwanted fat, but it doesn't address extra skin. This may need to be surgically removed or treated with a skin-tightening procedure like J-plasma. You are a good candidate for back lipo if you meet the following criteria:
- Have localized back fat that refuses to respond to diet and exercise
- Good skin elasticity: firmer skin snaps back better after lipo
- At or very near your goal weight and able to sustain it
- In overall good health
- Nonsmoker or able to quit for surgery
How Back Liposuction Works (Surgical Overview)
So now that you know you’re a good surgical candidate, what happens next? As always, the first step to planning a surgery is to schedule a free virtual consultation. This is the time for you to ask questions about the procedure and for your surgeon to learn about you so they can form a sound, individualized surgical plan for you.
On surgery day, you can expect your procedure to progress as follows:
- Your care team will prepare you for surgery and then make you comfortable. You will get a local anesthetic and perhaps twilight sedation if you opt for awake lipo, or general anesthesia if you prefer to be asleep.
- The surgeon will make small incisions where necessary to access your unwanted fat deposits.
- Fat will be loosened and then removed through a cannula (small tube) that is passed through your incisions. To minimize tissue trauma, Mia Aesthetics uses power-assisted liposuction (PAL) for all procedures.
- After removing excess fat to sculpt your new back contours, your surgeon will close their incisions.
- The care team will safely bring you out of anesthesia or sedation and send you home when you’re ready.
The specifics of your procedure may be different if you have a combination procedure. Patients frequently combine back lipo with lipo 360, but we can put together any surgeries that your plastic surgeon feels are safe to do at the same time.
Back Lipo Results: What Patients Can Expect
You’ll likely notice immediate improvement in your overall back shape as soon as the post-op swelling begins to ease. It takes several weeks for swelling to fully resolve, however, and you won’t see your final back lipo results until then. The back tends to swell more than other parts of the body after liposuction, so give your body time to heal before judging your results.
When your final results do make themselves known, you can expect smoother back lines, improved fit in shirts and bras, and less (or no) back bulges. The removed fat cells will never return, making your back lipo results permanent — sort of. If you gain or lose a significant amount of weight after surgery, the remaining fat cells will shrink or grow, potentially affecting your surgical results. Maintaining a stable weight is vital to retaining your results.
The one thing you shouldn’t expect after back lipo is weight loss. State laws and patient safety both restrict the amount of fat that we can remove in a single lipo procedure. That amount is enough to change the shape of your back but not enough to lower your weight.
Safety, Risks, and What Makes Back Lipo Unique
Back lipo is unique in that the back is a high-tension area with thick tissue. This means swelling is typically more pronounced and may appear a bit dramatic. Wearing your compression garments and carefully following your aftercare instructions will help with this, however, while helping you avoid any potential recovery pitfalls.
Temporary but expected side effects of back lipo are swelling, bruising, soreness, numbness, and firmness. Frankly, we would be shocked if you didn't experience these common but manageable symptoms! Reach out to us right away, however, if you spot these signs of potential trouble:
- Infection
- Contour irregularities
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Scar irritation
- Prolonged swelling that gets worse again after it had started getting better
We’re here for you from pre-op planning all the way through your recovery. Please don’t try to go it alone. If you have problems, questions, or concerns along your healing journey, please reach out to us. We are here to support you and are happy to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will back lipo help with bra bulge or back rolls?
Absolutely! In fact, these are the most common issues among back lipo patients. Plastic surgeons routinely tackle these areas in particular. Back lipo can treat any area of the back where you have concerns.
How noticeable are the scars after back liposuction?
It depends. That probably isn’t a satisfactory answer, so allow us to explain. The exact location of your scars will vary based on what areas of your back need to be addressed. Plastic surgeons understand that scarring is a concern and always make scars as small as possible, and, whenever possible, hide them in the body’s natural creases.
In addition to location, individual healing affects scar visibility. Most scars mature in about a year, at which time they are flat and pale, blending into the surrounding skin well. Some people are more prone to darker scars, however, and stress on the skin, sun exposure, and other factors can make scars more visible.
How long does swelling last after back lipo?
Swelling decreases significantly about a month after surgery, but it can take six months to one year for it to resolve completely. Your back contour will refine itself over this time as your body settles into its new shape.
Is back lipo painful?
We’re not going to lie; back lipo patients do experience soreness and tightness in the days following their procedure. Your plastic surgeon can prescribe pain relief for you, and over-the-counter analgesics can be quite helpful. Severe pain after the surgery is unusual, though. Your surgeon will create a pain management plan for you to keep you comfortable as you heal.
How long until I can return to normal activities after back lipo?
You should be up and periodically walking immediately after your back lipo to help prevent blood clots. You can resume stretching and most light exercises in two or three weeks, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise will have to wait at least four to six weeks. Your plastic surgeon will tell you when you can resume certain activity levels.
Will I need a compression garment after back lipo?
Yes. Compression garments are vital for controlling swelling. They also support your body after surgery and help your skin and tissue align with your new back shape. It is crucial that you follow your doctor’s orders regarding compression garment use.
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