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

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.

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