Back Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston, TX

A back lift is a body-contouring procedure that can restore a smoother, more defined look to your figure.
For many, the upper and lower back can be difficult to address with traditional weight loss methods, such as dieting or exercise. It’s common for patients to develop hanging skin, bulges, or “back rolls” in this area over time. (1) With a back lift, you can redefine your silhouette, allowing you to feel confident both in and out of clothing.
If you are ready to transform your figure, Dr. Oren Paul Mushin can help! Dr. Mushin is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Memorial Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery with more than 15 years of experience. He is trained in a wide variety of different surgical procedures and cutting-edge techniques to offer each individual unparalleled results.
To start working with Dr. Mushin, please schedule a consultation online or call (713) 722-7400.
Contents
About Back Lifts
A back lift is a surgical body-contouring procedure that refines and elevates the aesthetic appearance of both your upper and lower back. (2) It removes excess tissue, bulges, back rolls, and more to create a smooth and seamless transition between the neck, upper back, lower back, and tailbone. Dr. Mushin can also perform a back lift to address skin irritation, chafing, or discomfort from loose or hanging skin. With a back lift, you can restore a sense of comfort and feel confident in your body again.
Benefits
Back lifts offer numerous advantages, such as:
- Smoother-Looking and Feeling Skin: A back lift can effectively remove any bulges, rolls, and folds across the upper and lower back to restore a smoother and firmer look.
- Refined Contours: Dr. Mushin can perform a back lift to create a more proportionate, defined, and sculpted appearance across your back.
- Improved Functionality: A back lift can address discomfort from rubbing or chafing skin and tissue.
- Lasting Results: The results of a back lift can last for many years, especially with a healthy lifestyle and stable weight.
- Elevated Self-Esteem: Many of Dr. Mushin’s patients report feeling more confident and positive about themselves and their bodies after seeing the results of their procedure.
- Customized Solutions: Dr. Mushin designs each treatment plan around your specific goals, concerns, and existing anatomy. This ensures that each surgical technique is the most effective for your case and that the results align with your ideal aesthetic.
Candidates
You may be an ideal candidate for a back lift if you have excess skin around your upper or lower back that does not seem to be responding to traditional weight-loss methods, such as dieting or exercise. Anyone interested in a back lift should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can achieve. It is also important that patients are nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Mushin will confirm each individual’s candidacy during their consultation.
Personal Consultation
Dr. Mushin understands that no two patients are the same, which is why he asks that each individual attend a personal consultation before scheduling their back lift. During this consultation, he will meet with you to discuss the benefits and limitations of the procedure and what a back lift entails. He will also converse openly with you about your medical history, listen to your aesthetic concerns, and learn more about your procedure goals. He will also perform a physical assessment of the area.
Dr. Mushin will use this information to create a one-of-a-kind solution for each of your goals. He will also take the time throughout your consultation to answer and address any questions you may have.
To schedule your consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please reach out online or call our Houston office at (713) 722-7400.
Preparation
Once you schedule your procedure, Dr. Mushin will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions. He may direct you to:
- Take time away from your career and social commitments.
- Arrange transportation to and from your procedure.
- Discontinue taking medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
- Refrain from any nicotine use in the weeks leading up to your procedure and maintain cessation throughout your recovery.
- Avoid consuming any alcohol for several days before and after your procedure.
- Fill any prescriptions you may need as you heal.
By following these instructions, you can help ensure a safe and successful procedure, as well as a smooth recovery.
Procedure
Your back lift will begin with a member of our team cleansing your skin and administering general anesthesia. Dr. Mushin will then place an incision on your back, in an area where it can easily hide beneath your clothing.
Dr. Mushin will then begin performing each of your corrections using one of two techniques: the bra-line back lift or the vertical back lift. He will predetermine which approach he will use during your personal consultation.
- The Bra-Line Back Lift: This technique places an incision beneath the shoulder blades, where the band of a bra typically sits. Dr. Mushin may perform this technique to address excess tissue in the upper back, mid back, and waist.
- The Vertical Back Lift: The vertical back lift places an incision that extends vertically from your hip to your arm. This technique provides more comprehensive results and a more lifted appearance, but leaves more significant scarring.
Once he has made the incision, Dr. Mushin will remove loose or hanging skin and tissue from the upper and lower back, restoring a smoother and more contoured appearance. If there are significant amounts of fat throughout the treatment area, he may also perform liposuction to remove them.
Once Dr. Mushin achieves your desired appearance, he will carefully close each incision. He will then transport you to our recovery suite to rest under the care of our team until your anesthesia wears off.
Recovery
After a back lift, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will gradually subside as you continue to heal, but you may also manage them using a cold compress and the approved medications.
Dr. Mushin will also provide you with a compression garment to wear—this will minimize swelling and protect your new contours.
After about two weeks, you may be able to return to light activities and desk work. However, it can be up to six weeks or longer before Dr. Mushin gives you the go-ahead to return to physically demanding or strenuous activities.
You will see Dr. Mushin during follow-up appointments throughout your recovery so that he can monitor your progress.
During your consultation, Dr. Mushin will provide you with a set of comprehensive recovery instructions to help you navigate your recovery. These instructions will include directions on how to care for your incisions, return to certain activities, manage your side effects, and more.
Results
You will be able to see immediate improvements in the appearance of your back, but you will experience the total results of your back lift after a full recovery. Both your upper and lower back will appear more defined, contoured, and sculpted. Your skin will also look and feel firmer, tighter, and smoother as the procedure improves the appearance of laxity and looseness.
The results of your upper back lift will be long-lasting. However, weight fluctuations can alter your long-term appearance, making it essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Cost of Back Lifts in Houston, Texas
The cost of your back lift will depend on the surgical techniques Dr. Mushin uses, the amount of tissue he removes, whether he integrates any additional procedures into your treatment plan, and more. Once Dr. Mushin forms your treatment plan, he will give you a comprehensive cost for your procedure. He additionally offers financing for those interested.
To learn more about the cost of your procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (713) 722-7400.
FAQ
How will I know if I am a suitable candidate for a back lift?
You may be a suitable candidate for this procedure if you have noticed loose or hanging skin around your back that will not retract or conform to your figure. During your consultation, Dr. Mushin will assess your medical history and skin quality to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for your concerns.
What concerns can a back lift address?
A back lift primarily addresses loose and hanging skin around the upper and lower back. This can help restore a firmer, tighter, and smoother appearance to your skin, as well as enhance the proportions and definition of your back.
Will there be any significant scarring after my back lift?
Every surgical procedure leaves some degree of scarring. Dr. Mushin takes great care when placing each incision to ensure minimal scarring; however, certain techniques may leave more significant scarring than others.
How long will the results of my back lift last?
Back lifts provide long-lasting results, with many of Dr. Mushin’s patients experiencing their results for years.
Can Dr. Mushin combine my back lift with another procedure?
Yes, Dr. Mushin may combine your procedure with another for more comprehensive results. To learn more about the other procedures for which you may qualify, we encourage you to schedule a consultation.
References
- Hunstad JP, Repta R. Bra-Line Back Lift. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2008;122(4):1225-1228. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3181858fa4
- Hunstad J, Chen C, Abbed T. Bra-Line Back Lift. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2019;46(1):77-84. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2018.08.010










