Is a Breast Lift with Tummy Tuck too much recovery pain to handle?

Question

I need a breast lift and tummy tuck procedure done but I am afraid of the recovery pain. Is the pain or recovery time doubled because more than one procedure is being done? Should I do them separately or all in one shot? I have two kids but had them naturally so never went through c-section or any surgery in my life.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

I would do both procedures at the same time which is typical of mommy makeover surgeries. Here is how to make the procedures less painful afterwards: Have your surgeon use Exparel. Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection and great for Tummy Tucks and other surgeries. Not only does it prevent pain but also most muscle spasms. It lasts the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump. This means patients can enjoy the same effect of a pain pump, but without any catheters and no pain pump to carry around.Exparel will be available for those concerned about minimizing discomfort after surgeries such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation.Exparel costs the same as a pain pump and produces the same result but with less hassle and works great.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. A tummy tuck and breast lift are great procedures to combine as they address some of big changes that happen after pregnancy or weight changes. It is often referred to as a mommy makeover. It is a bigger procedure and may often require a night in the hospital. I would consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss your options in more detail, review if there are any medical reasons to stage the procedure.  If they deem you are healthy to have have the combined procedure, then you will only have one recovery.  In addition, it is the tummy tuck procedure that will be the drive the level of discomfort and typically the breast lift is much more secondary.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The combination of the breast lift with the tummy tuck is a very safe and common one.  Most of the pain will probably be in the abdomen, especially if significant muscle tightening is done.  A breast lift doesn't hurt that much in most cases.

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

It's very normal to be concerned about post-op pain.  The good news is that the breast lift is not a painful surgery. Most women who have both operations together tell me that the breast lift portion was easy, and most of the discomfort was related to the tummy tuck, especially if liposuction of the flanks was done at the same time.So, I hope you would have a similar positive experience too.All the best,PS:  Our new "TAP block" technique for tummy tucks significantly reduces post-op tummy soreness!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The combination of breast surgery (lift and/or implants) with a tummy tuck is often called a mommy makeover, and it is usually done in one operation. That way you have less overall recovery time (as compared to different surgeries on different days) and less expense. The use of Exparel, a long-acting numbing agent, has made a big difference because patients feel less pain and don't need as much pain medication.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

It is very common to combine a breast lift and a tummy tuck at the same time. Provided you are in good overall health, this can be done in about four hours which is quite safe. The pain of the tummy tuck is more severe than the breast lift itself. Adding a breast lift to a tummy tuck does not add much more pain as it's the tummy tuck with it's muscle tightening which causes the most pain. I would suggest taking about one week off from work to recover and avoid heavy lifting for about four to six weeks after surgery. Consult with a few board certified plastic surgeons to a comprehensive examination to see if you are a good candidate for this type of surgery.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Frank Lista, MD · Answer

Having a breast lift and tummy tuck at the same time is a very common procedure. In fact combing these two operations together is one of the most common operations we perform. Having both of these operations together is called a mommy makeover. It is usually completely safe to have both operations performed at the same time. In fact it may be safer to have these operations performed together, under one anesthetic, rather than undergoing the two separate operations. At The Plastic Surgery Clinic we use a pain relief pump so patients have very little pain after their surgery. The best part about combining these operations is that it reduces the recovery time by half. For example if recovery for a tummy tuck is usually about 3 weeks. And the recovery for breast lift is about 3 weeks as well. However if you perform these operations together then recovery is still only 3 weeks rather than the 6 weeks that would be required if you had performed them seperatley.

Andrea Marando, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It all depends on how fit you are, on your pain threshold, on the amount of help and support you might be having after surgery and finally also on the surgical technique your surgeon will use. Gentle handling of tissues, use of infiltration containing local anesthetic, close monitoring and appropriate pain relief  post operatively is essential. I am sure that you will find your surgeon helpful. It might be also useful to talk to some other patients who had the same procedure and ask their experience.All the best.Andrea Marando

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Performing breast and belly surgery simultaneously is known as a 'mommy makeover', and is quite common. It is true though that an abdominoplasty alone is a large surgery.  The use of anesthetic infusion pumps after surgery has made the recovery from a tummy tuck much more manageable. These devices send a constant flow of numbing medicine right to the abdominal wall for up to three days after surgery, making the experience much less uncomfortable. Breast lifts are not that uncomfortable afterward, and you should not experience significant pain. There is usually just mild skin sensitivity/discomfort.If you are young and healthy I usually encourage both surgeries simultaneously. Recovery after a tummy tuck requires one to two weeks before going back to work; recovery time after both tummy tuck and  breast surgery is the same.  However, If you are still uncertain, do them separately.Best of luck!

Sean Younai, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast lift and tummy tuck combination, otherwise known as mommy makeover is not a small procedure. Never the less it can be done safely, and well if the patient is not very heavy and if the patient has not had extreme weight loss. Even in those circumstances there are patients who do well, but in my opinion it is best to individualize.

Is a Breast Lift with Tummy Tuck too much recovery pain to handle?

Answers (18)

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