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Massive weight loss is a major accomplishment, but many men are left with a significant amount of excess skin across the chest, arms, and upper torso.
This loose skin can hide the muscular definition they worked so hard to achieve. A male upper body lift helps restore the body’s true shape, creating cleaner lines and a more athletic, masculine contour. At Cruise Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, gynecomastia surgery key opinion leader Dr. Joseph T. Cruise specializes in body contouring procedures for men. With a focus on natural-looking results and refined technique, Dr. Cruise designs each upper body lift procedure to fit the patient’s unique anatomy, lifestyle, and goals. His expertise ensures that your body reflects your dedication to a healthy lifestyle as the culmination of your weight loss journey.
After major weight loss, the skin often cannot retract fully, leading to excess tissue that obscures the underlying muscles.
A male upper body lift is a specialized cosmetic surgery designed to remove loose, sagging skin from the chest, arms, and upper back following significant weight loss or bariatric surgery. This procedure involves removing excess skin, tightening the tissues, and enhancing the body’s natural definition. An upper body lift can be combined with procedures such as liposuction to address pockets of stubborn fat. Dr. Cruise personalizes every plan to ensure a masculine, powerful outcome that fits the patient’s body type.
The upper body lift procedure is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited Newport Beach surgical center.
Depending on the areas treated, surgery typically lasts 3–5 hours. During the procedure, Dr. Cruise carefully places incisions to remove excess skin and sculpt the chest, arms, and upper torso. Incisions are often concealed along the chest fold, upper back, and natural arm creases. When needed, liposuction is used to remove stubborn pockets of fatty tissue, enhancing definition.
The skin is re-draped smoothly over the reshaped tissues, creating strong, clean lines without distortion. Once the procedure is completed, patients typically return home the same day with detailed recovery guidelines in place.
A male upper body lift can improve your physical comfort, reduce the risk of skin infections, and uncover the muscular structure hidden by excess skin. The procedure addresses several issues caused by skin laxity after weight loss, including:
The benefits of an upper body lift are both physical and emotional.
Dr. Cruise’s sophisticated upper body lift techniques focus on achieving natural strength and symmetry, helping your body look as powerful as it feels. Removing excess skin allows you to:
You may be a good candidate for a male upper body lift if you have lost a significant amount of weight, achieved stability at your weight loss goal, and are dealing with loose skin after weight loss surgery or natural weight loss.
Common areas affected include the chest, arms, and upper torso, where skin folds can interfere with both body image and physical comfort. Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smoking, and committed to maintaining their results through a stable diet and regular exercise. During your consultation, Dr. Cruise will perform a detailed evaluation of your anatomy, overall health, and goals to create a personalized surgical plan. In some cases, an upper body lift may be combined with a lower body lift, tummy tuck, or other body contouring procedures to achieve a comprehensive transformation.
Recovery after a male upper body lift generally requires 10–14 days off from work and physical activity. Patients wear compression garments to support the healing process and minimize swelling.
Dr. Cruise provides personalized aftercare instructions and checks your healing at post-op visits to help promote a smooth recovery and excellent scar maturation. Early movement is encouraged after the first week, but heavy lifting and intense exercise should be avoided until cleared—typically after 6–8 weeks. Visible improvements are seen immediately, and results continue to refine as swelling resolves.
Following Dr. Cruise's guidelines carefully and staying active within safe limits will promote a smooth recovery and protect the results of your procedure.
You’ll see a dramatic difference in your upper body shape almost immediately after surgery. As healing continues, the chest, arms, and upper back areas will look firmer, tighter, and more sculpted.
Most patients report greater ease with the way their clothing fits and a major boost in self-confidence during daily activities and physical exercise. Long-term results are highly sustainable when paired with a healthy lifestyle and stable weight management. Scars fade substantially over the first year and are placed strategically to minimize visibility. Your body image will finally reflect your hard work, dedication, and strength.
As one of the top male plastic surgery specialists in Newport Beach, Dr. Joseph Cruise brings unmatched expertise to the male upper body lift procedure. His deep understanding of male aesthetics ensures results that look clean, powerful, and authentic—not overdone or feminine.
At Cruise Plastic Surgery, you’ll receive personalized attention from a board-certified plastic surgeon at every stage—from consultation to aftercare. Dr. Cruise’s experience with massive weight loss patients, combined with refined body contouring techniques, makes him the trusted choice for men who expect the best from cosmetic surgery.
Costs vary based on the amount of excess skin removed and the complexity of the procedure. A customized quote is provided during your consultation. Visit our pricing </patient-resources/pricing/> page to learn more.
Yes. Many patients combine an upper body lift with a tummy tuck, lower body lift, or gynecomastia surgery to achieve complete body contouring.
Expect about 10–14 days of downtime with a gradual return to exercise over 6–8 weeks. Dr. Cruise provides a detailed recovery plan to guide your healing.
If you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, your results are long-lasting. Major weight gain or loss could affect the results over time.
In cases where chest sagging is significant, repositioning of the nipple-areola complex may be part of the breast lift or male chest contouring process.
