Upper torso surgery

When is upper torso surgery warranted?

The skin’s connective tissue structure can be so weakened by weight loss or weight gain that the skin around the breasts, back, armpits and torso stretches, but the overall picture can also be made worse by stubborn fatty deposits. The aesthetic effect can be significantly improved with upper torso surgery. In doing so, our plastic surgeon removes excess skin and adipose tissue, then tightens the tissues to achieve a beneficial change in body contour.

What happens at the first consultation?

Our plastic surgeon will examine you during a personal consultation and, based on their references, show you what the expected best result will be if you decide to have surgery, and inform you about the necessary corrections. As this is a very complex procedure, it is especially important that the surgical opinion is based on your unique attributes.

Preparing for surgery

As with all surgeries, before upper torso surgery you will need to have a full examination, which includes lab tests and, if necessary, other tests (e.g., ECG, x-ray and abdominal ultrasound). In our Private Hospital, we perform all the necessary tests at the same time to save you time and to make your preparations for upper torso surgery more convenient. At this point, our anesthesiologist and plastic surgeon will have another brief consultation to discuss the details and provide some lifestyle advice to help you prepare for upper torso surgery and speed up your recovery. These include quitting smoking, at least temporarily, as nicotine slows the healing processes, consuming adequate amounts of fluids, vitamins, and trace elements (vitamin C, selenium, zinc) and discontinuing the use of aspirin, ginkgo biloba and other natural remedies, because they affect blood clotting.

What happens during surgery?

Excess fat is removed by vacuum liposuction, then the plastic surgeon first makes an incision above the middle of the back, following the so-called bra line, which then continues on both sides, along to the armpit, to remove excess skin and excess fat. This is followed by a correction of the skin of the breast and belly. For women, breast augmentation is usually also required, followed by implant placement, restoring the fullness and firmness of the breasts. In men, when the chest is corrected, the plastic surgeon removes the excess fat and skin tissue that has accumulated on the breasts and belly by suturing it around the nipple areola in the direction of the armpit incisions. Of course, upper torso surgery can be performed with another solution or combination of procedures if the condition of the patient - and the desired result - requires it. Throughout this combined surgery, our plastic surgeon uses only absorbable sutures throughout, sparing you the inconvenience of later suture removal. At the end of the surgery, he inserts surgical drain tubes that remain inside both the chest wall and the upper back for a period of time determined by the plastic surgeon. This procedure, under anesthesia, takes 4-6 hours.

Recovery, regeneration

After upper torso surgery, you will need to spend two nights in our Private Hospital, where you can relax in pleasant and exclusive surroundings. The day after the surgery, our plastic surgeon will put a waterproof dressing on your wounds so you can take a shower. You will need to wear the special corset - which we provide for you - for eight weeks. During the first two weeks, it is important to avoid all strenuous physical activity, long walks, and splaying of the legs. In the first week you will need help with daily tasks, but after two weeks you can gradually return to your previous rhythm of life, and after three weeks light exercise is allowed. The solarium, sunbathing, and the sauna are not recommended for two months. You will be recalled by our plastic surgeon on days 7 and 14 and at weeks 6 and 12 for check-up examinations. The visible scars heal in approximately 6 months and those under the skin heal in about 2 years. Although we try to filter out all risk factors during preoperative examinations for upper torso surgery, unforeseen complications may occur. Such complications may include wound infection, blood and blood serum build-up, and keloid scarring.