At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we often get questions from patients who are uncertain of the limits of what a given procedure can do or its applicability to their unique bodies and situations. Sometimes this is a function of a simple misunderstanding about how these procedures work. Sometimes it’s the result of cherry-picking the information they got from “Dr. Google,” resulting in a somewhat garbled and confused idea of what the procedures they believe they need can actually accomplish. Other times, the patient isn’t entirely wrong about what the procedure can accomplish, but also doesn’t have all the facts. This is especially pronounced in situations where “My mom’s cousin’s best friend’s girlfriend’s college roommate had XYZ done and it worked for her, so it should do the same for me.” That’s not always the case, because every person’s body is a little different, no matter how similar they appear on the surface! In a recent Instagram Live chat with ACA’s very own Dr. Thomas A. Pane, one of the viewers asked, “Will a body lift remove bra roll skin?” Dr. Pane chose to tackle this question because although a body lift may help resolve excess bra roll or other skin in some very limited circumstances, understanding how it works can help explain why it may not be the best possible solution for this specific issue.
A body lift is more for excising loose or hanging skin in the “equatorial” regions of the body around the waistline, whereas bra rolls are more on the upper body. If the loose skin is very low on the back, a body lift may help, but if it sits up higher, around the mid-ribcage to between the shoulders but below the neck, then typically not. In those cases, it may not even make sense to go all the way around the waist. In those cases, an extended tummy tuck may be an option and see how it goes. Sometimes down the line, patients may have a flank excision done, depending on where the loose skin is, how bad it is and whether the skin is more on a vertical axis or horizontally across the bra area.
Dr. Pane continued, “Usually, I would do an inverted V to excise loose skin in that area, if it looks like that’s what’s needed. I customize the incision depending on where the laxity is because I mark the creases, but when people are actually on the OR table it always looks a little different than when they’re standing. The idea is to get that addressed and get the skin off there and as snug as we can without causing problems.”
It is important to note that combination procedures such as an extended tummy tuck and breast augmentation or a body lift with back skin excision may not be the best or most desirable method for every patient or situation. In some cases, the amount of time the patient will be on the operating table and under anesthesia may be prohibitive to performing combination surgeries. When the patient’s overall state of health, age, medical history and other factors don’t contraindicate it, Dr. Pane may be more comfortable doing an extended combination procedure, but even he is bound by state law and surgical center rules governing how such procedures are done. If you’re interested in a combination procedure or a procedure which may address situations like this, an in-person consultation is the best and surest method to find out what the available options are and decide how best to proceed.
Another point we cannot emphasize enough is that when combination procedures are done, the risk of postoperative complications does increase somewhat. How much is a factor of your overall health, adherence to aftercare protocols and avoidance of environmental or
habitual factors which may slow or compromise the healing process. For this reason, it is vitally important that you follow all aftercare guidance provided by the surgical staff and make sure you keep follow-up appointments. This helps ensure better, faster healing with less chances of having unexpected problems with your recovery and the overall results.
If you have a question concerning any facet of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Pane and the staff of ACA are always happy to talk shop! Call us at (561) 422-4116; follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter; or click here to contact us online. Your question could even be selected as the focus of an upcoming Ask Dr. Pane segment, where Dr. Pane gets you the answers and straight talk you need to guide your cosmetic surgery and get the body you’ve always dreamed of while informing and educating others who share your concerns and interests. Remember, at ACA we believe the only bad question is the one you DON’T ask!