What is a Mommy Makeover and which procedures does it combine?
A Mommy Makeover combines a breast lift, tummy tuck, and flank liposuction performed in one surgery, explains Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills. This combination can be done safely in appropriately chosen patients. It addresses several common post-pregnancy concerns together rather than requiring separate operations for each area.
Can multiple plastic surgery procedures be done in one operation?
Multiple procedures can technically be combined in one operation, but Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills cautions it is not always recommended. Adding arm, back, hip, and thigh liposuction to a Mommy Makeover significantly increases operating time and positioning changes, which can make recovery harder and raise complication risk.
How long is it safe to stay in surgery for plastic procedures?
Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills follows the usual recommendation to limit surgery to about six hours. Complication rates tend to increase once operating time exceeds that window. Spreading extensive work across two surgeries can protect safety and allow a more manageable recovery for the patient.
Why might a surgeon recommend splitting procedures into two surgeries?
Splitting extensive procedures into two surgeries lets a surgeon work at a comfortable pace for the best possible results, says Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills. Operating on the entire body at once lengthens surgery, complicates recovery, and raises post-operative complication risk without good reason.
Q: Can you have multiple procedures done in one surgery? For example, I’m wanting to have a breast lift, tummy tuck and some liposuction. Should those be separate or which ones can be performed together? The liposuction would be on the flanks, hips/thighs, and back/bra area, and upper arms.
A: Three things you describe- breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction of flank- when done in one surgery is what is called the Mommy Makeover. This can be done safely in appropriately chosen patients. The additional liposuction of the arms, back, hips, and thighs adds a significant amount of time and changes in positioning in the operating room. Without seeing you in person it is difficult to say how much time this would add to surgery, or even if you are a good candidate for liposuction.
Personally I think the safest way to give you the *best results* is to do the breast lift, tummy tuck, and maybe flank liposuction in one surgery, and liposuction of the arms/ back/ hips/ thighs in a second surgery.
Can it all be done at once? Technically speaking yes. Would it be safe to do all at once? Possibly, but not recommended. The usual recommendation is to limit surgery to 6 hours, because the rate of complications tends to increase once you go over that time. Also, if you were to get all of those areas operated on at once (essentially your entire body), it would make recovery a lot more difficult, putting you at risk for post-operative complications for no reason.
There are a lot of factors that add time to your surgery, and each surgeon has a comfortable pace and rhythm. Its better for a surgeon to work at a speed that allows him or her to get you the best possible results, rather than speed through to give you an average result trying get it all done in one surgery.
I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon in person to get an accurate assessment on how much can be done in one surgery, because a lot of this is based on your exam and overall health.
Best of luck!