Can I Have Multiple Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Done at Once?

I'm interested in getting 3 procedures: Breast Augmentation, Chin implant and Liposuction. When I mentioned this to my surgeon he told me that it's better to do it all at once. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous about getting it done all at once. Is it better to do it all at once and get it over with? I know that it's going to save me money, but will the pain be 2 much or will I be able to handle it?

Asked 33 months ago by vivid

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Multiple procedures performed at same time

Performing multiple procedures at the same time can be done provided that the surgical time is not excessive. A breast aug and chin implant shouldn't take more than 2 1/2- 3 hours and depending upon how much liposuction, you are probably looking at another 1 -2 hours. Provided that you are healthy , it probably is OK. Just review this with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Safety is the most important thing to consider

Although many surgeons perform multiple procedures at the same time to convenience their patients while under anesthesia and for their patients to avoid needing to take different times off work during which they can recover, it is worth getting a second opinon for a surgeon to gauge the amount of surgery needed with your liposuction. If the total hours of the procedures becomes a lengthy surgery, then risks do increase while under anesthesia. Safety is the more important concern than... more

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Okay to do these three surgeries at one time

Having a breast augmentation, chin implant, and a liposuction is certainly acceptable to do at one setting. There is a cost-savings performing of procedures together, and one recuperative time period. That type of surgery should last approximately three to four hours, and that is an acceptable period of time to be performed as an outpatient procedure.

William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Length of Surgery

Dear Vivid, excellent question! We do multiple areas all the time- it is safe as long a the proper precautions in pre-op planning, compression garments of legs, and proper positioning on the OR table and mobilization during surgery. Pain with surgery is not that big an issue for most people. The OR time should be limited to around 5 hours. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD

Trevor M. Born, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

It depends on several things

It is safe to combine multiple procedures IF the total surgical time is under 6 hours, and if some of the procedures don't increase the risks associated with the others, and if the surgeon is comfortable with the combination. Yours seems to be a reasonable combination depending on how much liposuction is being done.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Multiple procedures are OK -- up to a limit

In general, doing multiple procedures at the same time is smart: It saves money: you don't have to pay the "start up" costs for the OR and anesthesia again, which makes the first hour of a procedure the most expensive; and you can fit your recovery (time at home, arranging time off work, child care, etc) all in one period. The only thing I caution my patients is that I limit my elective procedures to 6 hours or less. One of the worst possible complications from surgery (of any... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Having Multiple Procedures is Just Fine

We often do multiples at the same time. There are two main reasons. First, is cost. The first hour of surgical time is the most expensive so getting multiple procedures costs less in the long run. The second reason is convenience. Most patients think that if they're going to be down for one procedure they might as well recover from all of them at the same time. Again less social down time overall. Getting multiple procedures is safe. Anesthesia is safe for an hour surgery or 30... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Multiple Procedures are safe in properly selected patients

There have been a number of studies done to evaluate the safety in performing multiple procedures. When done in properly selected patients there was no increase in complications. You will also have one less anesthetic when done at the same time. Pain is usally not a factor, agiain many people prefer just one recovery. However, if you don't feel totally comfortable with having it all done at once, then have them done at seperate times.

Robert M. Jensen, MD

Medford Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Your safety is the first priority

It is common that multiple procedures be done at the same setting but your safety has to be the primary focus. The time that you are under anesthesia is important and where you will recover. It may be prudent for you to recover in an overnight care facility where the nursing staff can make sure to help you get out of bed to walk, encourage fluids and deep breaths, change your dressings, etc. I think your plastic surgeon will be able to help control your pain and once you have recovered, you... more

Michael C. Edwards, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Yes, it is safe for a healthy patient

Combining procedures can be either safe or risky. It really depends on what procedures and what the health status of the patient is. A young patient having breast augmentation, a chin implant, and liposuction (of limited areas) is really a safe procedure. The length of the combined procedures is not particularly long and does not pose a large risk in terms of anesthesia. You will have three (or more) areas that need to recover, but I do not feel that the pain will be "excessive."... more

Sirish Maddali, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

Multiple procedures

It is safe to do multiple procedures at the same time. It can save money and time in the operating room and for recovery. It also depends on the extent of the procedures and the time in the oprerating room, generally try to keep it under 6 hours and limit the areas of the surgery somewhat. Breast augmentation, chin augmentation and lipo in the same operative setting is reasonable depending on how much lipo is desired.

Walter D. Gracia, MD

Arlington Plastic Surgeon

Multiple procedures risks

Multiple procedures are commonly performed. Theoretically there is more risk to doing multiple procedures, especially if they are larger procedures such as liposuction combined with abdominoplasty for example. However there are good studies showing high levels of safety if multiple procedures are reasonably combined, especially in expert hands. However, if a certain threshold (different for every patient) is exceeded, disasters can occur. It is the judgment of a seasoned surgeon that will... more

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

If you are young and healthy, it's OK to do these procedures together.

Hi! I am assuming that you are thinking of 2 or 3 areas of liposuction. If you are young and healthy, in New York City we would do breast augmentation, chin implant, and liposuction together. You will not have much pain with any of these operations. The limiting factor is time under anesthesia, which you want to keep under 6 hours.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Can be done together but some complications are more common

Multiple plastic surgery procedures are frequently done on healthy people. Usually patients do well and do not have problems. However, you should be aware that with liposuction in particular, post operative complications are slightly increased when liposuction is done in combination with other surgical procedures. The most serious complication following liposuction is thrombophlebitis or blood clots in the legs. There are prophylactic measures which reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Consider the safety first

Generally speaking, as long as the recovery or technical aspects for the procedures do not oppose or contradict each other, you can consider having them done together. The chin implant and breast augmentation are quite independent and the liposuction may be, depending on where you are doing it on the body. Pain is usually mitigated by the fact that it is hard for the mind to concentrate on more than one pain area. Safety should be a primary consideration as far as time on the operating table... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It depends

These are good questions that have to be considered on an individual basis. I would trust your plastic surgeon. These are commonly done together to save down time in healthy individuals if your sugeon feels it can be completed in a relativley short time frame with minimal blood loss.

Charles Perry, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Multiple procedure possible for a healthy individual

It is not uncommon to perform these procedures in one surgery on a healthy indivudual. It is important to know how much Lipo will be performed. In general, the society recommendation is not to exceed 4-5 liters. Regarding discomfort, a pain pump could be used for the breast; tumescent fluid used for lipsuction already contains a local anaesthesia medication. Hope all that helps.