Back Liposuction - How to lose back fat

Back liposuction is a straightforward medical procedure designed to remove fat from the back. Back fat is a common problem found in men and women who sometimes find that despite losing weight from the front of the body, stubborn fat pockets remain at the rear.

Date: 6th January 2022

Last reviewed: 16th January 2024

What is back liposuction?

Back liposuction is a straightforward medical procedure designed to remove fat from the back.

Back fat is a common problem found in men and women where although weight has been lost from the front of the body, stubborn fat pockets remain at the rear. This type of excess fat can be quite noticeable as it tends to spill over clothing, such as the back of a bra strap and over the tops of trousers. This can have a huge impact on a person’s self-confidence and, in turn, can impact on clothing choices, as the presence of these bulges may lead to a person swapping tight tops for baggy t-shirts, for example.

But back fat removal surgery can help. Back fat liposuction removes stubborn fatty deposits by using specialist equipment to break them up before extracting them from the body. This leaves the back looking more sculpted and slimmer, with no fat hanging over the edge of clothing.

What does it involve?

Back fat Liposuction is the quickest, most effective way to remove unwelcome lumps and bumps from the rear of the torso. Back Liposuction can be used to remove fat from the upper back (around the shoulders) mid back (targeting fat that may spill over the bra strap) and lower back (around the flanks and hips, which may spill over the trousers).

Your journey here at Cadogan Clinic will begin with a consultation with one of our world-class Liposuction surgeons. The procedure itself will be carried out as a day case at our award-winning Chelsea clinic.

Back Liposuction is carried out under a general anaesthetic. Once you have been sedated, the consultant will then make a series of tiny incisions in the relevant parts of the back before inserting a fine tube called a cannula into the treatment area. The incisions are very small, meaning any scarring will be very discreet.

The cannula is moved around to break up the fat cells, ready for removal. If your surgeon is using a technique called BodyJet liposuction, or water-assisted lipo, fluid will be passed down the cannula to help dislodge this fat without destroying it, which means this fat could be used for Fat Transfer if you have opted for this treatment alongside your back fat removal. High pressure suction is then used to extract the unwanted fat cells. The treatment area is drained of any excess fluid before being stitched and bandaged. You will be able to leave the clinic with a friend or family member on the same day as your back fat removal surgery.

Once these fat cells are removed from the back, they do not grow back, meaning your back will keep its new lean, toned shape, as long as you maintain a healthy weight.

After your back fat removal surgery you will be expected to wear a surgical garment for several weeks. The purpose of this compression garment is to reduce the swelling and help the body to adapt to its new slimline shape. It is important that you follow all the Liposuction aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon in order to help aid the healing process. If you adhere to these instructions, you should expect a full recovery from your back fat removal surgery in six weeks.

You should start to notice the early results of your back fat Liposuction from around six weeks, and can expect the final result anywhere between six and 12 months, post-surgery.

What are the benefits?

Back Liposuction is a simple procedure, but it can produce life-changing results. The benefits of back fat removal include:

A leaner back
Improved muscle definition
The comfort to wear bras, swimwear, fitted tops and tight trousers with confidence
Rebalancing bodily proportions
Improve self-confidence and self-esteem
Improve mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and unhappiness

Why do we get back fat?

There are a number of reasons why we get back fat. The main culprits for the accumulation of fat in any part of the body is a lack of exercise and a poor diet. In the case of diet, it’s not just eating a diet packed with sugary and unhealthy foods which is causing your back fat, but foods that cause bloating can also enhance the appearance of fat around the back.

Genetics play a huge part in the appearance of back fat as this may make you prone to storing areas of fat in various parts of the body. Pregnancy can also cause stubborn back fat to form as carrying a baby can alter the shape of the back.

Women also experience a shift in their body shape when they reach menopause, with a drop in oestrogen causing the fat stored around the lower portion of the body to move the mid section, affecting the stomach, waist and lower back in particular.

Despite not being the cause of back fat, poor posture and ill-fitting clothes can make back fat look worse by highlighting this unwelcome body bulge.

How much does it cost?

Back fat liposuction costs upwards of £3,950 at the Cadogan Clinic. If you are having other areas of liposuction at the same time as your back lipo, then you can expect to pay more.

Two areas of liposuction costs £6,000 and three areas of liposuction costs £6,900.

The cost of back lipo includes up to two 30 minute – 60 minute consultations with a leading specialist plastic surgeon at our award-winning premises in Chelsea, your procedure carried out at London’s leading specialist cosmetic surgery centre of excellence, 24/7 on call nurse assistance, a dedicated patient co-ordinator, as a personal point of contact through your journey with Cadogan, a pre-operative medical assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery and a comprehensive post-operative aftercare courtesy of our specialist cosmetic nurses.

All quoted costs online are guide prices only, and subject to confirmation following your in person consultation. Costs are also dependent on whether you have your liposuction under local or general anaesthetic.

Back liposuction cost in the UK is not subject to VAT as it is a medical procedure.

Back fat liposuction cost is rarely available on the NHS for cosmetic purposes.

What else can I do to reduce fat in these areas?

There are a number of things you can do to help reduce fat around the back as well as considering surgery:

Maintain a healthy diet including fruit and vegetables, fibre, wholegrains, lean meats and poultry.
Increase your exercise to at least 150 minutes per week. Strength exercises such as lateral raises using dumbbells or an overhead press will help to build muscle in the upper back. Lat pulldown exercises and side bends will tone and reduce fat in the lower back and around the waist.
Working on your posture won’t reduce fat in itself, but will lessen the appearance of back fat as slouching can make the problem more noticeable.
If you are a woman who notices that back fat is especially obvious around the bra straps, make sure you are wearing the right size bra.

Despite our best efforts, some fat cannot be lost through diet and exercise alone. Sometimes people are unable to lose back fat at all. This is where back fat liposuction can help. Book an appointment with one of our expert liposuction surgeons to discuss how the Cadogan Clinic can help you. They will be able to discuss the specific options that may work for you, including upper back fat removal and lower back Lipo.

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Liposuction for the back, including the Love Handles, which sit around the hips and waist, can produce impactful results with a targeted approach. Even a small procedure in this area can make a significant difference, enhancing the overall appearance of the torso and making the waist look slimmer. It's rewarding to witness how addressing this specific concern can lead to a more balanced and sculpted physique with a small amount of surgical intervention, often resulting in newfound confidence for our patients.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

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