360 Upper Body Lift Surgery in Sydney by Dr Michael Kernohan
The upper body lift surgery is a surgery that includes several different steps and areas of the body. It can include an arm lift, breast lift, liposuction and back lift. As a result, you can remove excess skin to create a tighter body contour.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Michael Kernohan performs upper body lift surgery in the Sydney and western suburbs areas.
Am I a Good Candidate for Upper Body Lift?
The upper body lift is a major surgical procedure and Dr Kernohan ensures that you are in good mental and physical health. Generally, if you have loose skin as a result of weight loss, liposuction, and/or pregnancy, and have a stable weight for a minimum of two years, you may be considered a good candidate for the upper body lift procedure.
What is an Upper Body Lift Surgery?
An upper body lift surgery includes contouring of several body areas. It focuses on reshaping the upper body in the wake of massive weight loss. Post dramatic weight loss, your skin will become distended and stretched out. Moreover, the skin gradually grows lax as we get older.
Dr Kernohan will address these issues by excising excess skin from your upper trunk and pulling it tight. It is a highly personalised procedure that can include the following:
1. Arm Lift or Brachioplasty
An arm lift is a procedure that is designed to contour the skin around your biceps. Dr Kernohan will remove excess skin and wrap it more tightly around the underlying muscle.
2. Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck– abdominoplasty is a procedure that can help tighten your stomach skin and muscles (if necessary). Dr Kernohan will use a combination of multiple skin tightening techniques to give you optimal results. Depending on the extent of your skin laxity you could also be suitable for a Belt Lipectomy or Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty.
3. Breast Surgery
A breast lift or breast reduction can be done as a part of the upper body lift. A breast lift surgery will lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall.
4. Liposuction
Dr Kernohan might include liposuction in your upper body lift to remove redundant, stubborn fat.
5. Back Lift or Bra Line Back Lift
The back lift essentially involves eliminating the fat rolls on the back. Dr Kernohan will make incisions on both sides of the mid back /near bra-line for women. Then, the surgeon will remove excess skin from the area and close it with the help of sutures, glue or tape.
Benefits of Upper Body Lift Surgery
Some of the benefits of upper body lift surgery include:
- It can help you get rid of all the unpleasant skin conditions such as redness, skin chafing and rashes that are caused by excess skin rubbing
- Results of the surgery are generally long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight
- The surgery can remove stretch marks provided they are on the skin pedicles that are excised
Click to Download Dr Michael Kernohan Excess Skin Reduction Guide
Upper Body Lift Surgery Before and After Photos
Pictures say a lot about the credibility of the surgeon. You can see our results and photos of patients who have had upper body lift surgery done when you visit Dr Kernohan’s clinic.
Preparing for an Upper Body Lift
Here are a few instructions that will help you prepare for an upper-body lift surgery:
- Avoid eating or drinking anything for a minimum of eight hours before the procedure
- If you have a gastric band/ sleeve, you need to consume a fluid diet for a day prior to the surgery and fast for 8 hours before the procedure
- Notify Dr Kernohan of any medications and supplements you are taking and make the adjustments according to his instructions
- Do not take any blood-thinning, anti-inflammatory medications and herbal supplements for at least two weeks before the procedure – even aspirin!
- Stay clear of smoking, vaping or nicotine for at least six to eight weeks before the procedure. It can lead to wound breakdown, tissue loss and unfavourable scarring
- Do not consume alcohol for at least two weeks before the procedure
- Start taking vitamin C for at least two weeks before the procedure
- Avoid wearing nail polish, make-up or jewellery to the hospital on the day of the surgery. Leave your valuables at home
- Take loose and comfortable clothing to wear post-surgery. Don’t take anything uncomfortable or tight to wear post-surgery
About the Upper Body Lift Surgery Procedure
An upper body lift is a major surgery that is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation generally takes anywhere from five to seven hours. The procedure is highly customisable and typically involves back lift, arm lift, breast lift, and liposuction.
Recovery after Upper Body Lift
The recovery can take quite some time as this is an invasive surgery involving multiple body parts. It can take a few days to fully recover from general anaesthesia and you can expect to feel a little bit nauseous for a day or two.
Once you wake up, you will most likely have a strapping binder or garments around the incision sites. In some cases, you will also have drains that will remove excess fluids. Dr Kernohan and his staff will give you further instructions regarding this. You will be discharged once you are feeling well.
You will have to wear the compression garments continuously for at least three weeks post-surgery. You will be prescribed pain medication to help with the discomfort post-surgery. Make sure to take all the pain medication as well as antibiotics as prescribed.
Make sure to drink lot of water to help with the bowel movement. If you face any trouble during the recovery phase, inform Dr Kernohan and the surgical staff right away.
Do not involve yourself in any kind of activities that can put a strain on your incisions for at least six weeks post-surgery. Avoid putting any kind of pressure on the surgical site and lifting heavy weights.
Make sure to take gentle walks around the house to prevent the formation of blood clots. You might also be given injections while you are still in the hospital to help avoid the blood clots. The area around your surgical sites might still feel quite sensitive or unusual. You will continue to feel tightness in the treated areas for some time.
Healing time can vary from one patient to another. You will have to take a minimum of two to three weeks off work. You cannot drive during this time frame.
Dr Kernohan will remove sutures about one-week post-surgery. Avoid smoking during the recovery phase as it can hinder the healing process. Dr Kernohan and his staff will be readily available to you during the recovery phase.
Hence, it is important to reach out to us whenever you feel anything unusual and do not skip any of the follow-up appointments.
Potential Risks & Complications Associated with Upper Body Lift Surgery
Any surgical procedure is associated with certain risks and potential complications and upper body lift surgery is no different. Because it is a complex intervention, you should follow Dr Kernohan’s recommendations for post-operative care to lower the risks and make the most out of your surgery. Your surgical result can be ruined by smoking, so make sure you avoid this.
Check plastic surgery risks page for more details.
How much is Upper Body Lift Surgery in Sydney?
The costs of the Upper Body Lift Surgery in Sydney vary depending on the specifics of your procedure and other factors.
Learn more about plastic surgery fees on Dr Kernohan’s pricing page.
Please contact Dr Kernohan’s team on 1300 39 38 99 for a price estimate or to set up a consultation today.
Funding Your Upper Body Lift Surgery
You are likley to get Medicare or your health insurance to cover part of the surgery if you meet the criteria. Find out more details on Dr Kernohan’s page about Medicare item numbers for Upper Body Lift Surgery and Lipectomy after Massive Weight Loss.
Read more about an Upper body lift surgery payment options.
Finding the Right Upper Body Lift Surgeon in Sydney
Choosing the right surgeon is critical when undergoing plastic surgery. Here are a few tips that can help:
- Have a close look at the credentials and experience of the surgeon – look for a specialist plastic surgeon
- Make sure that the surgeon performs upper body lift surgery as one of their procedures for post-weight loss patients
- Look for before and after photographs of past patient results
- Go to consultation and make sure the surgeon answers all your questions and you feel completely comfortable.
Upper Body Lift Surgery FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get about the upper body lift surgery:
