Contouring the upper and lower back


Stubborn deposits of back fat can persist despite diet and exercise. The upper back, mid back, lower back, and sides of the torso are common areas where both men and women accumulate fat. While an active lifestyle and a healthy weight can help, localized fullness may remain.
BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOGRAPHS
Explore photographs from our back gallery. Individual results vary.


Discuss your goals and the treatment options for your anatomy with Dr. Darren M. Smith at a consultation in New York City.
Using VASER ultrasound-assisted liposuction alongside power-assisted and BodyTite-assisted liposuction, Dr. Smith works discreetly to reduce stubborn fatty bulges on the back. Tissue across the back and flanks is naturally fibrous, and VASER loosens the fat from that dense connective tissue before any of it is suctioned.
These energy-based methods allow extremely precise sculpting thanks to fine-tuned fat cell removal and carefully controlled heat-based collagen and elastin production to encourage skin tightening.
Selectively targeting and removing unwanted fat cells while preserving surrounding structures translates to reduced recovery times.
Less localized trauma and swelling can mean a shorter, more comfortable recovery. Through controlled tissue tightening, Dr. Smith reshapes areas like back bra bulges and stubborn back fat rolls.
Back fat can accumulate for a variety of reasons. Weight gain and obesity typically correlate with excess fat developing all over the body, including the back.
Even if the rest of your body is slim, many people are prone to accumulating fat in the back area due to factors like genetics, gender, aging, and posture issues.
As we age, skin elasticity and collagen levels decrease, which can lead to back fat and “bra roll” bulge. Some individuals may have an inherited tendency to store fat in the upper, middle, or lower back region. Poor posture and weak back muscles also allow back fat to become more pronounced.
There are a few distinct types and areas of the back where fat accumulation occurs:
| Types of Back Fat | Description |
| Upper back fat/bra roll | Bulges along the bra line and mid back below the shoulder blades |
| Mid back bulge | Fat accumulation along the sides of the spine in the middle back area |
| Lower back fat | Above the buttocks in the lumbar area causing “muffin top” effect |
| Flanks | Fatty areas on the sides of the torso under the arms |
Recovery time will depend on how extensive the liposuction was. Most patients can return to normal daily activity in 48 hours, light exercise in 4-5 days, and full exercise in 2 weeks. Bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort are common during the first week. Here are more recovery details:
There are many benefits that make liposuction an effective option for removing unwanted back fat:
The best candidates for back liposuction include:
Patients bothered by localized fullness or bulges in the back they struggle eliminating through lifestyle changes. Diet and exercise alone often cannot fix stubborn back fat due to genetic tendencies.
Those already near their ideal body weight, with isolated areas of fat in an otherwise toned body. The patient should not have a significant amount of excess weight to lose first.
People with relatively good skin elasticity, that will likely snap back well after fat removal. The amount of sagging skin will impact how dramatic the results appear.
Healthy individuals who do not smoke and are free of significant medical conditions that impair healing.
Both men and women who wish to have a more defined and contoured back profile. Upper body enhancement is a popular goal for those looking to refine both male and female physique.
Lastly, it’s for patients with realistic expectations who understand the limitations and possible risks.
Fees for back liposuction are quoted individually after your consultation and depend on several factors:
Number of areas being treated – Prices will vary based on the number of liposuction areas
Use of newer technologies like VASER, laser or RF assisted liposuction can increase the cost but may also improve skin tightening results.
Extent of contouring being performed – More sculpting of intricate treatment areas takes more time and surgical skill so it may affect costs.
Where the surgeon’s practice is located – Prices are usually higher in Manhattan and major metropolitan areas.
If you’re considering liposuction for bra rolls, it’s just as important to understand what happens after surgery as it is to know what goes on during the procedure.
Here’s a breakdown of a typical recovery after back fat liposuction.
For the first 48 hours, you should plan to get some rest, but you can and should be up walking around. You will likely have bruising and swelling. Fluid will likely leak from the incisions. All of this is normal and will subside with time.
Avoid showering for 48 hours after surgery. You’ll also get a tight-fitting compression garment to help reduce swelling and prevent excessive fluid build-up.
Dr. Smith asks you to wear this garment for 4 weeks after liposuction. Avoid heavy lifting and exercise during this stage. If you work a desk job, many patients are able to return to work in about 48 hours.
If your job involves heavy physical activity, plan to take more time off. Dr. Smith will help you design a strategy that meets your professional needs. After 10-14 days, Dr. Smith will generally clear you to submerge your incisions in a bath, pool, or the ocean.
Light workouts are generally reasonable at 4-5 days and full workouts can be resumed at 2 weeks.
At this point, your swelling and bruising should be significantly improved, and the incisions will be healed. You will begin to see your new shape emerge. Let your comfort be your guide as you continue to increase your activity level.
Some swelling is still normal as everyone heals at their own pace. After week 4, most postoperative restrictions can be lifted. If you’re unsure of what’s safe and not safe, call our NYC office for clarification. We’re always here to assist.
By this point most patients feel largely recovered from bra fat liposuction, although final results will not be visible for another 6 weeks or so.
You should now be able to resume normal activities and begin to enjoy your new toned, slim figure. Some patients may have residual swelling, but you shouldn’t have any real discomfort at this stage.
Your body will continue to improve over the coming months. However, keeping up with a healthy lifestyle is suggested to maintain your results.
One of the greatest benefits of liposuction is that removed fat cells are gone permanently. However, it does not prevent any remaining fat cells in the area from expanding or new cells developing.
That is why maintaining a stable healthy weight is key for long-lasting results. As long as the patient’s weight remains steady, the improvements in body contour and reduction of back fat achieved through liposuction should be very long lasting.
While liposuction is highly effective at removing unwanted back fat and contouring a leaner torso, there are limitations to the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session.
Removing excess fat too aggressively in one treatment can increase risks and compromise skin retraction. For those who have a large volume of fat to remove, it may be divided over two staged procedures for optimal safety and aesthetic results under Dr. Smith’s guidance.
How well skin tightens following back liposuction depends on several factors – the patient’s age, skin elasticity, volume of fat removed, and technology used. VASER contributes here too, because the tightening it produces in the deeper tissue gives a contouring advantage. Dr. Smith uses BodyTite-assisted liposuction when added skin tightening is a goal.
For mild to moderate fat removal, skin usually retracts well, especially in younger patients. Excessive skin laxity is more likely if large volumes were removed or the patient had poor skin elasticity prior to surgery.
There is some discomfort and soreness expected after surgery while the body is healing. Dr. Smith prescribes pain medication to help you manage it during recovery. Most patients compare the degree of discomfort to that experienced after an intense workout.
Anesthesia is used to keep you comfortable during the procedure itself. Moving carefully after surgery and icing the area can help manage post-op discomfort. Any significant discomfort generally subsides within the first week or two.
We advise our patients that they can return to a light workout in 4-5 days and a full workout after approximately 14 days. Starting exercise too soon can slow healing. After about 2 weeks, patients can ease back into their normal exercise routines as comfort permits. Activities like yoga, pilates, and light weight training can help maintain results.
If you do not want to have, or cannot have, a minor surgical procedure, there are some non-invasive ways to reduce fat instead of liposuction:
Emsculpt Neo – This noninvasive treatment combines radiofrequency energy and electromagnetic energy to burn fat and build muscle. It can be used in multiple body areas.
Ultrasound Cavitation – It is a non-surgical method that uses ultrasound energy to break down fat cells below the skin. In our experience, this is a variably effective treatment.
SculpSure – It is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes a hands-free heat laser belt. Through specific wavelengths and therapeutic heating, it is billed as being able to eliminate stubborn fat cells without surgery or downtime. However, Dr. Smith has not been impressed with the effectiveness of this device.
Diet and exercise – Losing excess weight through calorie restriction and cardio can slim fat all over the body. Do note though that spot reduction of specific regions, such as back fat may be difficult.
During your consultation with Dr. Darren Smith, he will evaluate if you are a good candidate for back fat liposuction.
Ideal candidates include men and women bothered by localized fat in the upper, mid or lower back that has not responded to diet and exercise.
Patients should be in good health, have reasonable skin elasticity, and be close to their goal weight. Dr. Smith customizes each treatment plan to safely remove unwanted back fat and refine the contours for a slimmer, more athletic physique.
Call 212.633.0627 to request a preliminary estimate before booking a consultation. The phone estimate is preliminary; your final personalized quote follows an examination and treatment plan.
Request a consultation with Dr. Darren Smith to discuss whether back liposuction fits your goals. The surgical consultation is $500, collected at booking and credited toward your procedure. Read how liposuction fees and financing work.
Dr. Smith’s practice is located at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10022, in Midtown Manhattan. The office welcomes patients from across the five boroughs, the tri-state area, and well beyond.
Choosing where you have surgery matters as much as choosing who performs it. New Yorkers come to Dr. Smith because his work reflects the city itself: refined, exacting, and never one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or traveling in for a consultation, you’ll find a practice that treats every patient with precision and discretion that have made Manhattan a destination for plastic surgery patients from around the world.
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Our practice is located at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan. We welcome patients from the five boroughs and the surrounding tri-state area. If you are traveling for care, explore our guide for out-of-town patients.
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