How many procedures can be safely done at one time?
Why even combine multiple surgeries?
Combining procedures is advantageous because it entails only one recovery period and is economically more efficient. There are scenarios that naturally favor this approach. For example, facial aging typically affects both the eyes and face by a certain age. Pregnancies and breastfeeding affect both the breasts and abdomen. Treating just one area may produce a disharmonious appearance.
What surgeries can be safely combined?
It is usually safe to combine two procedures that are not more than two hours each.
Your surgeon will propose an efficient as well as safe plan for combining your surgeries. It is best not to press for more than the doctor recommends
Individuals interested in three or more procedures should prioritize and generally pick no more than two to start with.
Preferred combinations:
Breast surgery and brachioplasty, abdominoplasty or minimal/moderate liposuction
Breast surgery and rhinoplasty or blepharoplasty
Brachioplasty and medial thigh lift
Medial thigh lift and abdominoplasty
Face/neck lift and eyelid surgery
Face/neck lift and lip surgery
Face/neck lift and rhinoplasty
What other factors contribute to safety?
Extent of surgery: as a rule of thumb the larger the area to treat is, the less safe it is to combine it with other surgeries.
Type of anesthesia: deep sedation takes less of a toll on the body than general anesthesia. Many facial procedures are done under local anesthesia + deep sedation, therefore combining a facelift, necklift, rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery can be done with less constraints to operative time. Shorter operative time is desirable with general anesthesia.
Relative risk of each surgery: abdominoplasty with extensive liposuction each pose a risk of lower limb vein clots, which is greater when combining both surgeries. Abdominoplasty should be cautiously combined with other surgeries.
Facelifts should not be combined with a body or breast surgery.
Are the results better when combining multiple procedures?
Some individuals cannot commit to having multiple procedures done together. As the recovery is more demanding and not as comfortable as for one surgery done at a time. They may be more comfortable starting with a smaller scope of surgery.
In any event the results will be the same if two or more procedures are done simultaneously or separately, spread out over time.
