Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Plastic Surgery >
  • ... >
  • Services >
  • Plastic Surgery Center >
  • Our Services >
  • Body Contouring & Reshaping >
  • Upper Bodylift
Plastic Surgery
About Us
Services
Plastic Surgery Center
Our Services
Body Contouring & Reshaping
Liposuction
Abdominoplasty
Upper Bodylift
Lower Body Lift
Panniculectomy
Thigh Lift
Brachioplasty
Breast Procedures
Facial Aesthetics
Fat Grafting
Laser Hair Removal
Non-surgical Skin Care Services
Preparing for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
FAQs
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
Gender Affirming Surgery
Hand Surgery Program
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Surgery Program
Life After Weight Loss Program
Nerve Disorder Center
Plastic Surgery After Cancer
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Regenerative Cell and Tissue Therapies
Making an Appointment
Preparing for Your Visit
Residency and Fellowships
Research & Clinical Trials
Our Experts
Patient Stories
Our Locations
Contact Us
Plastic Surgery
About Us
Services
Plastic Surgery Center
Our Services
Body Contouring & Reshaping
Liposuction
Abdominoplasty
Upper Bodylift
Lower Body Lift
Panniculectomy
Thigh Lift
Brachioplasty
Breast Procedures
Facial Aesthetics
Fat Grafting
Laser Hair Removal
Non-surgical Skin Care Services
Preparing for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
FAQs
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
Gender Affirming Surgery
Hand Surgery Program
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Surgery Program
Life After Weight Loss Program
Nerve Disorder Center
Plastic Surgery After Cancer
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Regenerative Cell and Tissue Therapies
Making an Appointment
Preparing for Your Visit
Residency and Fellowships
Research & Clinical Trials
Our Experts
Patient Stories
Our Locations
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

​Upper Body Lift (Bra-line Lift)

Overview

Upper bodylift, or a bra-line lift, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin of the upper back that extends to the side of the chest. It is a procedure that commonly is performed in patients who have lost a large amount of weight and have loose sagging skin.
 
This procedure can dramatically tighten the loose skin of the back and improve the extra rolls on the back, but comes with a visible permanent scar that runs along the bra line. This procedure is performed most commonly with a breast lift for women or chest contouring procedures for men, giving the entire upper body a rejuvenated appearance.

Contact UPMC Plastic Surgery

Oakland

UPMC Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center 
3380 Blvd. of the Allies
Suite 158
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-641-3960
Free parking adjacent to our building

North Hills

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at UPMC St. Margaret
200 Delafield Road
200 Medical Arts Building, Suite 3000
Pittsburgh, PA 15215

412-710-8274

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at UPMC Passavant
9102 Babcock Blvd, Suite 206
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

412-710-8274



Uptown
UPMC Mercy Plastic Surgery
1350 Locust Street
Suite G103
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-232-5616

 

Who Is a Candidate?

Patients of any age with loose skin on the back may be candidates for this procedure.

Before the Procedure

Your plastic surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your lower body including any scars from previous surgeries. 
 
Your plastic surgeon will give you specific guidelines about preparing for surgery including:
  • Smoking cessation
  • Medications to avoid
  • When to take your prescribed medications
  • Proper washing techniques
  • Restrictions regarding eating and drinking the night before surgery

Procedure Details

Your plastic surgeon will listen carefully to your concerns about excess skin of the back and side chest, and your surgical goals and expectations. The length and position of the scar on your back can usually be limited to the location of a bra for women, and the surgeon can draw the approximate scar location on your skin with a medical skin marker.
 
A common alternative to removal of the skin is liposuction. Although this option usually avoids a long scar and may deflate some of the rolls of the back, it may make the loose skin worse. The risks and benefits of all procedures will be discussed in greater detail at your initial consultation.
 
It’s important to know that although the upper bodylift can have a significant impact on the upper back, it will not change the appearance of lowest part of the back or the buttocks. The low back and buttocks may be best treated by a lower bodylift.  Your surgeon may recommend performing an upper body lift and a lower body lift at separate times to maximize safety, and to achieve the best results.
 
In addition to the aesthetic evaluation, your surgeon will perform a careful evaluation of your overall health, as well as issues that could cause complications, such as:
  • Blood pressure
  • Bleeding tendencies
  • History of adverse scar formation after previous surgeries

Where Will the Surgery Be Performed?

The surgery usually is performed as an outpatient procedure. If it is combined with other operations, you may need to stay one or two nights in the hospital. You must be driven to and from the hospital by a friend or family member.

Type of Anesthesia

An upper bodylift is done under general anesthesia.

Immediate Postoperative Recovery

In most cases, patients may experience pain in upper back and side of the chest for the first two or three days. Compressive wraps are placed around the chest and back.

Short-term Recovery

In most cases, patients will be able to go out in public in four to five days but vigorous physical activity is limited for four weeks following surgery.

Risks

An upper bodylift tightens the skin on the buttocks and thighs but does involve a permanent scar, and is considered major surgery.  In addition to the risks associated with anesthesia, infection and bleeding can occur but are uncommon.  Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients.
 
Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the surgery.

Anticipated Results

An upper bodylift usually produces a tightened and more attractive appearance of the upper back and helps with the appearance in clothes. The permanent scar may stay thick and red, but tends to fade over time and reaches its final appearance over 12 to 18 months. 
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login