Back Lift Surgery in Turkey — Bra-Line & Upper Back Lift, Istanbul

Bra-line back lift — the facts in 30 seconds

What it is: surgical removal of the loose skin and fat of the upper and mid back — the "bra rolls" — through a horizontal incision hidden along the bra line; often combined with liposuction of the back and flanks.
Who it's for: rolls made of loose, foldable skin after weight loss, pregnancies or ageing — at a stable weight, non-smoking, with no plans for major further weight change.
Who it's not for: firm, fatty rolls under elastic skin — liposuction alone does that job with no scar.
The trip: 6–8 nights in Istanbul — surgery on day 1–2 in an accredited hospital, 1 hospital night, drains (if used) out before you fly, follow-up continues remotely with photos.
Recovery: desk work at 7–10 days, arms below shoulder height for 2–3 weeks, compression vest 4–6 weeks, exercise at 6 weeks, scar fading through months 12–18.

From the Surgeon

A word to international patients

Four 60-second messages from Dr. Erdal — a welcome, practical planning tips, a look inside the patient journey and quick recovery answers.

Welcome to International Patients

Tips for International Patients

Inside the Patient Journey

Recovery Questions, Answered in 60 Seconds

▶ More on the YouTube channel

The Approach

Why a bra-line back lift with Dr. Erdal?

Back rolls are one of the most frustrating contour problems in body surgery — they survive weight loss, defy the gym, and show through every fitted top. Dr. Erdal's approach starts with an honest diagnosis of what the roll is made of, and only then chooses the operation.

✓
Diagnosis before design — skin or fat?
A roll of loose skin needs excision; a roll of firm fat under elastic skin needs liposuction. The pinch test, your weight history and your skin quality decide — not a menu. Patients are told plainly when a scar-free liposuction is enough, and when it would disappoint.
✓
A scar you plan together, in your own bra
The incision line is drawn with you standing in the bra or bikini top you actually wear, so the scar sits under the band. Its length is decided by your excess, not by a template — and you see the line before surgery, not after.
✓
Contour, not just excision
Removing the fold is half the operation. Liposuction of the surrounding back, flanks and the roll beneath the bra line blends the transition so the result reads as a smooth back, not a tightened strip.
✓
Tension management for a fine scar
Layered deep closure, tissue advancement that spreads tension, and a compression vest protocol are what keep a bra-line scar narrow. The technique is unforgiving of shortcuts; the planning is where the scar quality is decided.
✓
One plan for the whole upper body
After massive weight loss the back rarely sags alone. Arms, breasts and the bra line are assessed together and staged safely — an upper body lift when appropriate, a single procedure when that's what you need.

Your Options

Three ways to treat back rolls

The right operation depends on what your rolls are made of and how much skin needs to go. Dr. Erdal performs all three; the honest recommendation is the one your anatomy makes. Beltline rolls are a different problem — see back lift types explained.

Back Liposuction Alone

Removes fatty rolls through 3–4 mm ports with no visible scar. Works only when the skin is elastic enough to shrink back over the treated area.

No excision scar; local or general anaesthesia
Recovery measured in days, not weeks
Ideal for firm rolls in younger, elastic skin
Leaves loose skin looser — the wrong choice for true skin folds

Bra-Line Back Lift

Excises the fold of loose skin and fat along a horizontal line at bra-band level, tightening the tissue above and below. Usually combined with liposuction for a blended contour.

The definitive treatment for loose-skin rolls
Scar hidden under the bra or bikini top
Surgery 2–3 hours, 1 hospital night, home on day 6–8
Trade-off: a horizontal scar that matures over 12–18 months

Upper Body Lift

Bra-line back lift combined with an arm lift and/or breast lift in one planned operation or two safe stages — the standard answer after massive weight loss.

Treats the back, arms and breasts as one contour
One recovery instead of three
Operating time capped for safety; staging when needed
More scars, planned to connect and hide together

"Recommended" reflects the operation that answers the most common presentation — loose-skin rolls after weight change — not a universal preference. Your skin decides, and Dr. Erdal will tell you plainly if a smaller operation serves you better.

Scar Healing

How a bra-line scar matures over time

The scar is the price of the operation, and honest planning means understanding it before you pay. It follows a predictable curve over 12–18 months — and its final quality is decided as much by placement and tension control as by your skin.

Early Healing

Weeks 0–6

Red, slightly raised and firm. Tapes and the compression vest limit tension; arms stay below shoulder height for 2–3 weeks so the closure isn't stretched. Sutures dissolve or are removed by week 2.

Inflammatory Phase

Months 2–6

Redness and firmness peak around months 2–4, then soften. Silicone gel or tape starts at week 2–3. Sun protection is essential — the back is exposed in summer, and UV darkens young scars permanently.

Remodelling

Months 6–12

The line flattens and fades from red to pink. Massage improves pliability. Most patients stop thinking about the scar during this phase — it disappears under the band and behaves.

Final Maturation

Months 12–18

A fine, pale line in most patients. Slight widening at the points of highest tension is possible and is discussed in advance; minor scar revision under local anaesthesia is available if wanted.

Important: scars never disappear entirely. The goal is a fine, pale, well-placed line that sits under a bra band or bikini top. Skin type, tension, genetics and scar-care compliance all matter; Dr. Erdal provides a written scar protocol (silicone, taping, sun protection, massage) and reviews progress on your photos through the first year.

Recovery

Your week-by-week recovery roadmap

Bra-line back lift recovery is shorter than a tummy tuck and gentler than most patients expect — the rule that matters is protecting the closure from stretch in the first weeks. The milestones below are a guide; yours will track close to them.

Day 0–1

Surgery & hospital night

Surgery takes 2–3 hours under general anaesthesia (longer with liposuction or combined procedures). One night in the hospital with pain control, clot prevention and early walking — you're up the same evening. The compression vest is fitted before you leave the theatre.

Day 2–5

Hotel recovery & drains

Daily checks at the clinic. Tightness across the back is the dominant sensation and is managed with oral analgesics. Drains, if used, come out within days once output falls. Short walks several times a day; sleeping on the back with pillow support or on the side is allowed.

Day 6–8

Final check & flight home

Wound review, garment check and fit-to-fly clearance. Most international patients fly on day 6–8 with compression stockings and hourly aisle walks. Lifting your carry-on is not allowed — use wheeled luggage and airport assistance.

Week 2–3

Desk work & arm rules

Sedentary work resumes at 7–10 days. Arms stay below shoulder height, no lifting above 3–5 kg, no reaching, pulling or driving until cleared. The vest is worn day and night. Silicone scar care begins once the incision is sealed.

Week 4–6

Range of motion returns

Arms progressively regain full elevation; driving and light housework resume. Swelling is settling and the new back contour is visible. Compression continues to week 6 in most plans.

Week 6–8

Exercise cleared

Cardio, swimming (once scars are fully sealed) and strength training return, upper-body work last and gradually. The garment is discontinued. Scar tapes or gel continue.

Month 3–18

Refinement & scar maturation

Residual swelling resolves by month 3–6; numbness around the scar recovers over months. The scar fades through months 12–18 to its final pale line. Long-term maintenance is stable weight and sun protection.

Your Istanbul Journey

End-to-end care, from first contact to home

Every international patient receives a fully coordinated experience — designed around the specific needs of upper-back surgery: arm restrictions, garments, and a recovery that can't involve lifting your own suitcase.

💬01

Free Video Consultation

Send photos of your back (standing, arms relaxed at your sides and then raised; from behind and both sides), plus your height, weight and weight-change history, via WhatsApp or the form. Dr. Erdal personally reviews your case and schedules a free video consultation within 24 hours. You receive a plain recommendation — liposuction alone, bra-line back lift, or an upper body lift — with the scar plan drawn out.

💰02

Transparent, All-Inclusive Quote

A written quote with no hidden costs: surgery, hospital night, anaesthesia, pre-operative tests, compression vest, drains, medical tapes, scar-care kit, transfers and all follow-ups. Liposuction or combined procedures are itemised separately.

✈️03

VIP Airport Pickup

A private transfer meets you at Istanbul Airport and takes you directly to your accommodation. No taxis, no language barriers.

🏨04

Hotel Coordination

We coordinate your stay at Antwell Suites İstanbul — a recovery-friendly residence minutes from the clinic, with a separate bedroom and a full kitchen. After back surgery you'll appreciate a walk-in shower and a bed you can get into without twisting.

🔬05

Pre-Op Day

Blood tests at an accredited hospital, anaesthesiology consultation, and an in-person consultation with Dr. Erdal — including marking of the scar line with you wearing your own bra or bikini top, so the line sits where the band will cover it.

🏥06

Surgery Day

Bra-line back lift under general anaesthesia at an accredited hospital, 2–3 hours (longer with liposuction, arm or breast procedures). One hospital night with full monitoring and clot prevention is included.

🩺07

Follow-Ups & Drain Removal

Daily clinic checks during your stay — garment fitting, wound review, drain monitoring. Drains, when used, come out within the first days. Your compression vest, tapes and scar-care starter kit are provided.

📱08

Home — Day 6–8

Fit-to-fly clearance, written aftercare and a scar protocol for the 12–18 month maturation window, plus clot-prevention advice for the flight. After you return, photo and video follow-ups continue through the first year with WhatsApp support throughout.

🏨 Your Home in Istanbul — Antwell Suites

Premium 1+1 suites designed for recovery comfort, minutes from the clinic

1+1 SuiteFull kitchenSeparate bedroomWalk-in showerClose to clinicRecovery-friendlyDaily housekeepingGround-floor clinic

🤝 A companion is encouraged after a back lift. For the first week you can't reach, lift or pull — dressing, luggage and the small tasks of a hotel stay benefit from a second pair of hands. Your companion stays in the same 1+1 suite and uses the transfer vehicle at no extra charge.

Your Surgeon

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal

Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal — Plastic Surgeon Istanbul

Dr. Erdal — ACS Clinical Congress 2025, FACS Induction

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal

MD, FACS, FEBOPRAS · Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) — inducted ACS Clinical Congress 2025
FEBOPRAS — Fellow, European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Associate Professor — Plastic Surgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine
International training: Memorial Sloan Kettering (USA) & Ghent University Hospital (Belgium)
15+ years of surgical experience with thousands of body contouring & breast procedures
Award-winning surgeon: ISAPS World Congress 2023 — Gold & Bronze Award
30+ peer-reviewed publications in international journals
Member of ACS, ASPS, ISAPS, EBOPRAS & TPRECD
Ministry of Health — International Health Tourism Authorization (USHAŞ)
English consultation · direct surgeon communication · no third-party agents

"A back lift is judged from behind, in a fitted top, by someone who has never seen the scar. The operation succeeds when the contour is smooth, the transition is invisible, and the line sits exactly where the band hides it — that precision is planned before the first incision."

— Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal, MD, FACS, FEBOPRAS

The Team

Personal care, from first contact

A dedicated team for international patients

From your first inquiry to your 12-month follow-up, our coordinator manages all international patient communication — scheduling, travel guidance and remote follow-up after you return home.

All communication is in English. We respond to WhatsApp and email within 24 hours, seven days a week. No agencies — direct surgeon communication at every stage.

Peer-Reviewed Research

30+ publications in leading international journals

Dr. Erdal is an active researcher with work published in Annals of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and ISAPS journals. Academic research informs surgical decisions — and vice versa.

Patient Reviews

What patients say

All reviews sourced directly from Google. 5.0 stars · 60 verified reviews.

★★★★★

"As someone terrified of surgery, choosing Dr. Erdal was the best decision of my life. From the very first consultation, the confidence he gave me left all my fears behind. I am incredibly happy with my results — natural and exactly what I hoped for."

B.A.

Google Review · 5 stars

★★★★★

"I had an excellent experience and couldn't be happier with the entire process and results. From the first consultation, I felt listened to, understood, and genuinely cared for. The results look natural, balanced, and exactly what I hoped for — better than I imagined. A true artistic eye."

M.D.

Google Review · 5 stars

★★★★★

"Dr. Erdal is incredibly attentive both before and after surgery. A surgeon with whom you will feel completely safe. He explains the entire process in detail beforehand. His clinic is bright and beautiful. I highly recommend him."

S.A.

Google Review · 5 stars

★★★★★

"Dr. Erdal performed my surgery 2.5 years ago. I am truly satisfied with both the result and his care. Despite being an anxious person, he patiently answered all my questions. The result is very natural and suits my body perfectly."

Y.D.

Google Review · 5 stars

★★★★★

"I met Dr. Erdal and simply said 'I trust you completely.' Not a single person has guessed I had surgery. He is a master of his craft — patient, warm, and exceptional. The result changed my confidence entirely."

G.K.

Google Review · 5 stars

★★★★★

"Everything from consultation to post-op was perfectly organized. The hospital was modern and clean. Dr. Erdal's calm and professional demeanor made me feel safe throughout. Absolutely worth travelling to Istanbul for."

L.M.

Google Review · 5 stars

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

'Back lift' is the umbrella term. The bra-line (upper) back lift treats the roll at bra-band level; a lower back lift treats beltline rolls through a beltline incision, usually as part of an extended tummy tuck or lower body lift. The back lift types page maps which operation each roll needs.

Yes — as part of Dr. Erdal's body-contouring practice. Firm, elastic flanks are treated with liposuction; loose beltline skin through the flank extension of a tummy tuck or a lower body lift. Upper and lower rolls together are staged 3–6 months apart for safety.

A bra-line back lift — also called an upper back lift — removes the loose skin and fat of the upper and mid back that forms 'bra rolls' or 'back rolls', through a horizontal incision placed exactly where a bra band sits. The excess is excised, the tissue above and below is tightened, and the scar is hidden under the bra or bikini top. Liposuction of the surrounding back and flanks is often added for a smoother contour.

Patients whose back rolls are made of loose skin, not just fat: typically after significant weight loss, after pregnancies, or with age-related skin laxity — and anyone whose rolls persist despite a stable, healthy weight. Skin that pinches into a hanging fold is the surgical sign; rolls made of firm fat with elastic skin are better treated with liposuction alone. Non-smokers, stable weight for 6+ months, and realistic expectations complete the picture.

The scar runs horizontally across the back at bra-band level, curving gently to follow the natural fold, and extends toward the sides as far as the excess requires. Its line is drawn with you wearing your own bra or bikini top before surgery, so it sits under the band. It fades from red to pale over 12–18 months; it never disappears, and honest planning means choosing a line you can live with.

Significantly less than the US, UK or Western Europe, for the same operation performed by a double board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited hospital. Dr. Erdal provides a written, all-inclusive quote after your free consultation — surgery, hospital stay, anaesthesia, tests, compression garment, transfers and follow-ups included. Liposuction or combined procedures are quoted transparently. The cost guide on this site explains what drives the figure.

Most patients walk the same day, return to desk work at 7–10 days, and resume exercise at 6 weeks. Arms stay below shoulder height for 2–3 weeks to protect the closure, a compression vest is worn for 4–6 weeks, and drains — if used — come out within the first days. International patients typically fly home on day 6–8.

Yes — commonly with liposuction of the back and flanks, an arm lift (brachioplasty), or a breast lift; together these form an upper body lift, the standard approach after massive weight loss. Combining procedures means one anaesthetic and one recovery, within safe limits on total operating time that Dr. Erdal sets case by case.

Only if the skin is elastic enough to shrink back once the fat is removed. In younger patients with firm skin and fatty rolls, liposuction can be enough. When the roll is a fold of loose skin — the classic post-weight-loss or post-pregnancy back — liposuction alone leaves the fold deflated and looser. The pinch test at consultation separates the two honestly.

The dominant sensation is tightness across the back rather than sharp pain, controlled with scheduled oral analgesics; most patients are off stronger medication within days. Numbness around the scar is normal and recovers over months. Sleeping on the back is allowed with a supportive pillow arrangement — the incision line is designed to tolerate it.

As with any excision surgery: seroma (fluid collection), small wound-healing delays where tension is highest, scar widening, asymmetry, temporary numbness, and rarely infection or bleeding. Nicotine dramatically raises wound-healing risk and is stopped at least 4 weeks before and after. Dr. Erdal discusses each risk and its prevention at consultation — the honest version, not the brochure version.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal is double board-certified (FACS, FEBOPRAS), an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery with 30+ peer-reviewed publications, trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Ghent, and authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health for international patients. You deal with the surgeon directly — no agencies — before, during and after your trip.

Patient Guides

Learn more about the bra-line back lift

In-depth guides written by Dr. Erdal to help you make an informed decision.

Bra-Line Back Lift — The Complete Patient Guide → Am I a Candidate? Skin vs Fat, Weight and Timing → Recovery Timeline — Week by Week → Scars — Placement, Healing & Care → Cost in Turkey — What Drives the Quote → Back Lift vs Liposuction — Which Do You Need? → Upper Body Lift — Combining Back, Arms & Breasts → Your Istanbul Journey — Day by Day → Back Lift Types Explained — Bra-Line, Upper, Lower → Lower Back Lift — Beltline Rolls & Lower Body Lift → Glossary — Back Lift Terms Defined → All articles →

Get in Touch

Start your consultation today

Our team responds within 24 hours. Send photos of your back (from behind and both sides, arms relaxed and raised) via WhatsApp for the fastest initial assessment. Free video consultation available.

💬

WhatsApp — fastest response

YouTube — patient stories & Shorts

@dr.ayhanisikerdal

📍

Location

Teşvikiye Caddesi No:9/12 · Şişli · Istanbul, Turkey