Will A Vertical Backlift Remove My Stretch Marks?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi there I am interested in getting more information on your back lift surgery and, potentially, your waist line narrowing procedure and a rhinoplasty revision. I have horizontal stretch marks on my back that I would be looking to cover up with the vertical scar as I understand skin must be excised with the procedure. Is the vertical line typical in your back lift surgeries? Further, with the waist line narrowing procedure, I would like to discuss the risks associated with this procedure. Finally, my plan is to have a rhinoplasty revision which I understand sometimes involves using ribs depending on the procedure. I’d like to have the information to form a plan appropriately while weighing the risks associated with all procedures. I have already had a few cosmetic procedures. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

A:The vertical backlift is an excisional concept for lower torso/waist narrowing  when excess back skin in particular exists. The indications for the procedure is if such excessive skin is from weight loss or liposuction….although some may just have it naturally. It differs from the more common horizontal or bra line lift which removes skin horizontally across the back which has a very different torso tightening effect. Through either type of backlift rib removal can be performed.

The key question in your case is what is your primary objective? While horizontal skin stretch marks may get removed in the process that would be an incidental effect and that alone would not serve as the reason to do the surgery given the scar tradeoff.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon