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Back AirSculpt®

What to Look for in Back Fat Removal Surgery

woman's back

Back liposuction has been one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures and perhaps the most misunderstood. Although liposuction techniques have improved dramatically over the years and have become safer and more sophisticated, the procedure's core goals have remained largely the same when addressing the back region.  

It's also one of the more challenging procedures in plastic surgery, as surgeons must anticipate which bodies will respond favorably to altering the relationship between skin and fat.

Traditional back liposuction is a cosmetic procedure in which body fat is suctioned out of targeted areas of the back through a small incision. A cannula is inserted into the tissue, and a tumescent solution (a combination of saline, local anesthetics such as lidocaine, and adrenaline) is administered. The amount of fat needed for the desired result is then suctioned out. This method has newer variations, such as ultrasonic liposuction (UAL), which uses ultrasonic energy to break down fat.

This is not a weight-loss method and cannot help treat obesity or cellulite; it is best suited for people who are already close to or at a healthy weight. It may take a few months for the final results to be noticeable until the swelling is gone. As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of side effects, such as hematoma, fluid build-up, and, in rare cases, blood clots.

It's also important to remember that although the results of back liposuction are technically permanent, any weight gain can increase the number of remaining fat cells or lead to the formation of completely new fat cells. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle (proper diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise) is needed for results to stay.

The search for the right surgeon is also critical, especially when reviewing the before-and-after photo galleries. When deciding, make sure your back liposuction surgeon has the proper credentials and sufficient experience.

Generally, the details listed below produce the most impressive results when it comes to back fat removal.

Discreet, Not-So Noticeable Scars

The best plastic surgeons go to great lengths to cover up the marks to produce natural results. Liposuction does not involve an extended scalpel cut like back lifts. Instead, a thin tube called a cannula is inserted through tiny incisions in the skin to reach fat deposits, leaving small scars. 

The insertion site is often the only visible mark of back liposuction surgery. As with any cosmetic procedure, the goal is to make incisions in the natural stretch lines of the skin, in the shadows, or in places hidden under clothing. Beyond the location of the incision sites, the technology used to perform the liposuction also matters greatly.

Newer back fat removal techniques like AirSculpt allow surgeons to drastically minimize the appearance of post-op scarring compared with traditional liposuction. Scars, if they appear at all, will resemble small freckle-like blemishes.

Smooth Contouring

Here, we're talking about two things: avoiding contour irregularities, such as lumps and bumps, and making sure one treatment area flows smoothly into the next. 

Avoiding Content Irregularities

Contour irregularities are among the most common complications of liposuction. These textural hiccups can happen if surgeons remove too much fat or target an inappropriate plane. Suctioning only surface fat - the padding just under the skin - rather than the deeper subcutaneous reserves in certain areas can leave noticeable lumps. Hence, a proper plan is the key to an unadulterated-looking result. Some people are also more susceptible to bumps, such as those with soft, easily malleable, or 'pasty' skin.

To minimize dents during body contouring with liposuction, surgeons may employ a tactic called fat equalization. This technique involves going through the target areas on the back with a specific cannula, called an exploded tip or basket cannula, without suction to help scatter loose fat cells so they can act as tiny fat grafts on the treated areas.

Ensuring Balanced, Natural Results

Reducing an isolated area tends to enlarge nearby problem spots, even if they weren't as troublesome initially. For example, having liposuction on the back but neglecting the upper arms of the hips may result in a flat, boxy appearance. Similarly, targeting only the lower back to smooth out a back muffin top can make bra rolls appear more prominent. In the before and after photo above, you can see how our featured patient achieved a smooth back and trim waist by combining back bra roll and stomach liposuction in one treatment.

Beyond ensuring all the appropriate areas are treated, the best surgeons will use their artistic eye to make the results look natural. Sometimes, this may require removing more fat from one side of the back than the other. In some cases, patients may need to be maneuvered during their treatment to give the surgeon better access to different parts of the back. Awake liposuction treatments make it much easier for surgeons to work with their patients to accomplish this goal.

Naturally Revealed Muscle Definition

Overly exaggerated results from liposuction can make doctors cringe. The best way to subtly define muscle is to follow the peaks and valleys inherent in the area you're contouring. 

There are also areas of the body where convexity must be respected, such as the lower back for women. 

While the sculpted look is in high demand, it's not for everyone. Many patients see the results of others and desire the same, not recognizing that their body characteristics are very different at the base. Ideal candidates have a BMI of less than 28, are healthy, fit, non-smokers, have good underlying muscle tone, and do not have excessive skin laxity.

Tightly Fitting Back Skin 

One of the most significant characteristics shared between the strong candidates is taut, elastic skin. That's why lipo results in 20-year-olds are almost always better than in 30-year-olds, and why 30-year-olds tend to look better than 40-year-olds, and so on.

During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will perform a series of tests to determine the amount of excess fat and the skin's elasticity or how quickly the skin recovers after treatment. After liposuction, the skin will somewhat retract, especially if patients adhere to post-operative compression garments. 

Surgeons can also encourage skin retraction by using laser energy during surgery. But these devices can only do so much for sagging skin and come with a slew of potential risks like thermal injury, not to mention precluding the option to transfer fat. Therefore, one might need to couple a back liposuction procedure with a back lift in cases where loose skin is a significant concern. That said, skin-tightening add-ons like Renuvion pair excellently with minimally invasive fat removal and can serve as a first step before resorting to the more invasive backlift approach.

Back AirSculpt® Has It All

If you're considering a procedure for the best back fat removal results, AirSculpt might be your ideal choice.

Minimally invasive Back AirSculpt® doesn't use scalpels, stitches, needles, or general anesthesia to treat your excess fat. We also use a patented approach that simultaneously removes fat and helps tighten the surrounding skin, giving you the optimal aesthetic. This mechanical technique gives surgeons enhanced finesse to sculpt your back precisely, ensuring a smooth, natural, and toned look. Patients who need a bit of extra tightening can also pair their treatment with Renuvion, which requires no new entry points to tighten the back dramatically.

For more information on how we can help you, call your nearest AirSculpt® office to get started with a complimentary consultation. 

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