Will I need to stagger BBL, tummy tuck and liposuction?

Question

Is it required to have staged surgery for a tummy tuck abdonimiplasty , lipo and bbl? Do Drs. generally do these procedures altogether or seperately?

Luis Suarez, MD · Answer

It will depend on your clinical history and bloodwork results. If everything is good, and everything is within parameter with no underlying conditions. Then definitely. It’s a very common combination of procedures. You should be able to move forward with all them together. As long as you’re perfectly healthy.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

NGiron,
Interesting question. It's a very frequent question. It is understandable that clients would like to have as much done as possible in one setting. I am up the opinion that there are safety issues and technical issues that preclude BBL, tummy tuck and liposuction being performed expertly at the same setting.  I recommend to stage or stagger the procedures in the following manner: 
(1) liposuction of your abdomen, upper and lower, back upper and lower with grafting/transfer to your buttocks. 
(2) Allow 3 to 6 months to pass or until tissues are soft and responsive. 
(3) Tummy tuck with judicious liposuction to continue to curate your shape.

Please see the advice of from board certified plastic surgeons via in person consultation.

Best wishes.

Earl Stephenson Jr, MD, DDS, MBA
ESJ Aesthetics

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Each surgeon has their own opinion of whether these procedures can be combined. While you may be cleared to have them all at once, consider your recovery. In the initial phase of your recovery, you won’t be able to sit/lie on your back with a BBL, and you won’t be able to lie on your front because of the tummy tuck. This will make sleeping difficult, something that is crucial in recovery.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding combining a BBL, tummy tuck, and liposuction. Many patients want to maximize their time under anesthesia and address multiple areas in one surgery, but whether these procedures should be done together or staged depends on several factors.

Most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will not perform a BBL and tummy tuck in one surgery due to recovery positioning. A tummy tuck requires lying and sleeping on your back for proper healing, while a BBL requires avoiding pressure on your buttocks by sleeping on your stomach or sides. Since these two procedures have opposite recovery requirements, combining them is not ideal and can compromise results for one or both surgeries.

Most plastic surgeons prefer to stagger these procedures in two stages for safety and optimal healing. Typically, the first stage includes liposuction 360 of the abdomen, flanks, back, and possibly thighs to harvest fat for the BBL. The fat is then transferred to the buttocks and hips to create volume and contour. During this time, you will need to avoid sitting or lying on your back for at least two to three weeks to allow the fat to heal properly.

Once you have fully recovered from the BBL, usually three to six months later, the tummy tuck can be performed. This allows for muscle tightening, excess skin removal, and lifting of the pubic area. Since liposuction was already done in the first stage, additional liposuction may be minimal.

The reason most surgeons stage these procedures is to allow for better recovery positioning, reduce surgical risks, and maximize results. Performing all three at once increases surgical time, the risk of blood loss, and post-op healing complications. Separating these procedures ensures that both your BBL and tummy tuck heal optimally, rather than compromising fat survival or incision healing.

Some surgeons will perform a tummy tuck and liposuction at the same time but stage the BBL separately. This allows for body contouring while avoiding the recovery conflict of a tummy tuck and BBL. However, in patients with a higher BMI, larger fat transfers, or extensive muscle repair, most surgeons prefer full staging for safety and optimal aesthetic outcomes.

I recommend discussing staging options with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring and BBLs. Many offer virtual consultations where they can assess your body, medical history, and goals to determine the safest and most effective plan for you.

Good luck, and I hope this helps answer your question regarding the best approach for combining a BBL, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.

This is a very common question. A tummy tuck and a BBL (includes lipo 360) can be done at the same time and I've performed many BBL & tummy tuck combo procedures at my practice. That said, for optimal results, these two procedures are best done separately. This allows for more predictability of the result. Furthermore, the recovery is more difficult when procedures are combined. The patient can only sleep on her sides and this makes for a very uncomfortable recovery. In addition, the post-surgery pain is much greater. Hope this helps.

Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Take Care,

Moises Salama MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

Performing all these surgeries together depends on safety. The doctor who performs these procedures has to be comfortable with the extensive length of time and the health of the patient. The longer the procedure and the more procedures performed at the same time add to the risks and potential complications. I would consult with at least 3 different plastic surgeons before you make a decision.

Morad Askari, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question. Some surgeons combine all three procedures, while others prefer to stage them to optimize healing and results. If significant muscle repair is necessary or a larger BBL is planned, staging may be the safer option. Additionally, it is recommended to keep the surgery time under six hours for a safer recovery. Consulting with a surgeon will help determine the best approach for your goals and body type.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Whether a BBL, tummy tuck, and liposuction can be performed in a single surgery depends on various factors, including your health, BMI, the extent of the surgery, and your surgeon's approach. Many surgeons prefer to stage these procedures separately because a tummy tuck requires lying flat during recovery, while a BBL necessitates avoiding pressure on the buttocks, which makes post-operative positioning challenging. For optimal results with a lower risk, some surgeons may recommend performing the BBL first and waiting 3 to 6 months before proceeding with the tummy tuck. However, if your surgeon has experience in safely combining these procedures, they may choose to perform them together.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon to create a surgical plan targeted towards your specific goals. Each plastic surgeon varies in the amount of time allowed in the OR for one surgery and what procedures they will do together/separately. It's important to always prioritize safety as these are elective procedures.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ngiron0512,

some plastic surgeons may want to split this into two operations depending on the time needed. Its best to see a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine your options and whether it would take too long, more than 4 hours, to do all.
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery