What is an upper body lift?
An upper body lift —also called a trunk lift or torso lift— is the surgery that removes the excess skin and lax tissue that gathers around the trunk: the upper back, the rolls along the bra line, the flanks and the side of the chest. It repositions the remaining skin to redefine the contour of the torso.
Unlike an abdominoplasty, which treats the abdominal wall at the front, an upper body lift focuses on excess skin of the upper trunk and back — a circumferential problem that abdominal surgery alone does not resolve. It is one of the body-contouring procedures done after major weight loss, and is frequently planned alongside other trunk surgeries.
Techniques used by Dr. Arístides Arellano
The technique and the path of the incisions are defined at the assessment, based on where the excess skin is concentrated and how much laxity needs correcting:
- Upper trunk lift: incisions placed across the upper back and the side of the chest —routed to sit hidden beneath the bra line— that allow removal of the upper-back rolls and tightening of the torso skin.
- Upper body lift combined with breast surgery: in women, excess torso skin often continues into breast descent; in those cases the lift can be planned together with a mastopexy or a breast augmentation to treat both components coherently.
- Upper body lift with liposculpture: liposuction of the flanks and back is added to refine the contour where fat predominates, while skin excision corrects the laxity.
- Staged planning: after massive weight loss the upper body lift is coordinated with other trunk procedures —such as abdominoplasty or a mommy makeover— in one or several operations, so a single surgery is not prolonged excessively.
How is it performed?
It is performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital operating room. It lasts approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of the excision and whether it is combined with other procedures. It usually requires a hospital stay for post-operative monitoring and the placement of drains; a compression garment is fitted afterwards and must be worn.
Incisions are routed to keep scars as hidden as possible under underwear or the bra line, but an upper body lift leaves permanent scars: this is the trade-off inherent to removing a large excess of skin. Their length and location are explained in detail at the assessment.
All surgery carries risk and requires a prior medical assessment. Results may vary according to each patient, their anatomy and their individual healing process.
Who is a good candidate?
- Lax excess skin on the upper torso, upper back and flanks that does not improve with exercise, common after major weight loss or bariatric surgery.
- Stable weight for several months; operating on a weight that is still dropping compromises the result.
- Good general health, without active smoking — a factor that increases the risk of healing complications, especially with long incisions.
- Acceptance of permanent scars in exchange for removing the excess skin, fully understood before surgery.
- Realistic expectations, reviewed in detail at the consultation.
Recommended post-surgical treatments
A compression garment must be worn for several weeks, and Dr. Arístides may prescribe manual lymphatic drainage and hyperbaric chamber sessions to speed the reduction of swelling and support healing. See the full guide: Post-surgical recovery and care.
Before and after
Most patients want to see before-and-after photographs before deciding. Out of respect for each person’s privacy, Dr. Arístides Arellano shows real cases —always with documented consent— during your in-person consultation, where you can review results from patients with a starting point similar to yours. Results may vary from patient to patient.
Approximate price
The cost of an upper body lift is defined at the in-person consultation, because it depends on the extent of the excess skin, the number of areas treated and whether it is combined with other trunk procedures (abdominoplasty, breast surgery or liposculpture); by its magnitude it is a surgery comparable to an abdominoplasty. Approximate price — the definitive cost is set at your private consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano. See the price list.
About Dr. Arístides Arellano
Dr. Arístides Arellano is a plastic surgeon holding a specialty licence: he practises under a Mexican medical licence (D.G.P. 1125959) and a specialty licence in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (0002008), both issued by the Directorate General of Professions (DGP), which reissued his certificate of professional standing in 2025. His career began before Mexico’s present-day specialty-board system existed: he belongs to the founding generation of plastic surgery in Puebla, the second generation of a surgical tradition started in 1971 by Dr. Francisco Arellano Ocampo. Trust is verified, not promised: both licences are public and anyone can look them up in the DGP’s National Registry of Professionals.
Related patient guide
Before deciding where to have surgery, read: How to choose a plastic surgeon in Puebla — part of the informational guide series reviewed by Dr. Arístides Arellano.
Trust is verified, not promised. All 210 scanned documents —degree, licences, diplomas, publications and certificates, from 1977 to 2025— are open in Dr. Arístides Arellano’s credential archive, alongside an explanation of the difference between a specialty licence and a board certification.
Recovery · step by step
- Days 1–3Hospital stay or strict rest at home, surgical drains if placed, and pain managed with prescribed analgesia.
- Weeks 1–2Drains and sutures removed as applicable; movements that tension the back and torso incisions should be avoided.
- Weeks 3–4Mobility improves progressively; exercise and strain with the arms and trunk are still restricted.
- Weeks 6–8Return to full physical activity is gradually authorised as medically advised.
- Months 3–12Residual swelling resolves, scars mature and progressively fade, and the definitive contour appears.
Frequently asked questions
What is an upper body lift or trunk lift?
It is the surgery that removes excess skin and lax tissue from the upper torso, upper back, flanks and side of the chest, and repositions the remaining skin to redefine the trunk contour. It is usually indicated after major weight loss.
How does it differ from an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty treats the abdominal wall at the front: it removes abdominal skin and repairs the separation of the rectus muscles. An upper body lift focuses on excess skin of the upper trunk and back. They are often complementary problems and can be planned together or in stages.
How much does an upper body lift cost in Puebla?
The price is defined at the in-person consultation, because it depends on the extent of the excess skin, the number of areas treated and whether it is combined with other trunk procedures. By its magnitude it is comparable to an abdominoplasty.
Does an upper body lift leave scars?
Yes. It leaves permanent scars; this is the trade-off inherent to removing a large excess of skin. They are routed to sit as hidden as possible under underwear or the bra line, and they mature and fade progressively over several months.
Can it be combined with other surgeries?
Yes. In women it is often combined with a mastopexy or breast augmentation, and in post-weight-loss contouring it is coordinated with abdominoplasty and liposculpture, in one or several operations depending on the case.
When is the right time to operate after losing weight?
When the weight has been stable for several months. Operating on a weight that is still dropping compromises the result, because the skin can become lax again. The right time is defined at the assessment.
How long is recovery after an upper body lift?
Initial recovery —basic mobility and drain removal— takes 1 to 2 weeks; return to full physical activity is gradually authorised between weeks 6 and 8, and the definitive contour appears over several months as the scars mature.
Every case is different. Discuss yours in a personal consultation.
Book a consultation on WhatsAppEvery figure published on this site is approximate and is not a quote. Any procedure or treatment first requires a private assessment consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano —$800 MXN, charged separately— and it is at that consultation that the definitive cost of your case is determined.
Educational content; it does not replace a medical consultation. Results may vary from person to person.