Upper back and lower back
The upper back means the rolls around the bra strap; the lower back is the area above the hips and below the ribs, which blends into the flanks. The fat is tougher than on the stomach, so it takes longer to treat, and a device that loosens the fat first is common.
Who it suits
Liposuction is probably not for you if:
- you are still losing or gaining weight, or your BMI is well above the healthy range
- the problem is loose, hanging skin rather than fat (that needs a skin-removal operation)
- you smoke and won't stop before surgery: smoking slows healing and raises the risk of blood clots
- you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy soon
- you hope it will change how you feel about your whole body, not one area
Recovery
A garment covering the back for several weeks, sleeping on your side or front with care, desk work after about a week, gentle exercise at three to four weeks.
Risks
Common in the weeks after any liposuction:
- bruising and swelling, which can last up to six months
- numbness, which usually settles in six to eight weeks
- small scars where the tube went in
- fluid leaking from the cuts for the first days
Less common, and the reason you want a specialist and a proper hospital or clinic:
- lumpy or uneven results, sometimes needing a second operation
- bleeding under the skin (a haematoma)
- numbness that lasts for months
- changes in skin colour over the treated area
- infection, or an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
- a blood clot in a leg vein, which can travel to the lungs
- fluid on the lungs from the fluid injected during surgery
- damage to internal organs, which is very rare
Your surgeon should tell you how likely each one is for you, and what they do if it happens. See the full guide to liposuction risks and side effects.
Cost
One area of the back costs €2,500 to €4,500. With the flanks and stomach it's €3,500 to €7,000.
By law every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and a doctor can only practise independently as a specialist if they hold specialist registration. For liposuction, look for an entry in the Specialist Division under Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. You can search the register yourself on the Medical Council's website.
Questions people ask
Can back lipo fix bra-strap bulges?
If the bulge is fat, yes, it usually improves it. If it's loose skin after weight loss, a skin-removal operation may be needed.
Is the back done under local anaesthetic?
Sometimes, for a small area. Larger back work is usually done under sedation or a general anaesthetic.