Can I combine a BBL, tummy tuck and arm lift and what position should I sleep?

I completely understand why a patient would want to combine a number of procedures at one time. However I firmly believe that safety is of paramount importance, and I believe that better results are frequently achievable by staging some surgeries.
In this particular case, i understand that some surgeons will elect to perform them at one time. I however believe that combining all of these at one time would significantly increase operative time, surgical risks, increase recuperation time, and postoperative risks. In my opinion, this is too much surgery at a single setting.
As a practitioner who performs a large number of both BBL's and abdominoplasty procedures, I know I get better results when I separate these surgeries. Reducing tension on the incision line is a major focus during abdominoplasty procedures. We perform quilting sutures to close dead space as well as to decrease tension. We perform multilayered closure of the incision, with each layer designed to remove tension from the layer more superficial. Postoperatively we have the patient assume a flexed potion and apply surgical tapes and compression garments all of which to reduce tension. All of these small steps contribute to creating the most attractive scar possible.
After a BBL, we recommend not sitting or sleeping on the buttocks to reduce pressure in the tissues so that the tiny fat grafts can absorb oxygen it needs to survive.
After a long combined procedure that you are describing, the post operative position needs adversely of one surgery adversely effect the other. Sleeping on your abdomen protects the buttock fat, but is not desirable for the tummy tuck incision. Sleeping in a beach chair position is best for your tummy scar but would be detrimental to your BBL and decrease net fat survival. Sleeping on ones side would add pressure to the lateral buttock fat placed which is so critical to proper buttock frame creation and contours. For these reasons, I rarely perform these two together today. I get far better results on each doing them staged than I did performing them at the same surgery, and to me the end results are our best measure.
I recommend discussing these issues with your board certified plastic surgeon and see what he/she feels best for your particular situation.
Best of luck!

That is a lot to do at once- risk of blood clots, etc are much higher. Also, recovery will be difficult as you ask how you will be able to sleep, just moving around wil not be easy.Perhaps Vaser ultrasound liposuction of the arms can be done instead of arm lift with abdomen, waist + BBL as one surgery. Then, if you still need a tummy tuck, it can be safely performed 6 weeks- 3 months later.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations. 

Hello geereal,

Thanks for your questions! I would recommend you getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery done first, and an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) combined with brachioplasty (arm lift), six months after the initial procedure. Dividing the surgical plan into two stages would the best option for: 1) removing excess fat from specific areas such as arms, back, abs and flanks while reshaping your figure and giving you a fuller, beautifully rounded backside, and 2) getting rid of excess skin, and eliminating stretch marks in both your arms and abdominal area, while tightening your skin for a more athletic look. Based on my experience, after performing BBL surgery you must avoid sitting or sleeping on your back for 6-8 months or else the desired outcome will be negatively affected. Putting pressure on your bottom by sitting down or laying on it during the recovery period can stiffen, deform and even cause the transplanted fat cells to be reabsorbed. On the other hand, if you get an abdominoplasty done at the same time, you’ll be required to sleep on your back and keep your upper body elevated or else you would hurt the results. Hence, it wouldn’t be suitable to get all the procedures performed at once. Your plastic surgeon would need to evaluate you in person and estimate your Body Mass Index (BMI) in order to determine if you are a good candidate for these procedures at the moment. Good luck and may God bless you! Dr. De La Cruz. 

That is a lot of surgery for one sitting.  Additionally, you are not going to be able to sit on the transferred fat for your BBL, nor lay on your stomach after abdominoplasty which only allows you to sleep on your side or stand up.  After 5 to 6 hours your complication rate goes up significantly.

For safety reasons your procedure should be performed in a fully accredited facility or hospital by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who uses a Board Certified Anesthesiologist.  The surgical time should not exceed 6 hours, with liposuction aspirate not exceeding 5 liters.  Combining these procedures might exceed several of these parameters. 

geereal.    I recommend staging these procedures because of the sleeping issue and safety factor as well. Combining BBL and Tummytuck does not allow you to sleep in any other position than on your sides as you should not lay on your back or on your buttocks for at least two weeks after BBL surgery to allow fat take. Also there is a slightly higher statistical chance of blood clot traveling to the lungs combining these procedures. Do the BBL first, thus allowing your surgeon to harvest as much fat as needed for transfer do you buttocks. 3 to 6 months later you can do the Tummytuck and arm lift. Be certain to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

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

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a procedure where fat is harvested from areas of the body with excess localized fatty deposits and "transferred" to the buttocks as fat grafts.  Since the grafts require new blood supply growing into the fat cells, strict avoidance of pressure is required to allow successful "take" of the grafts in the desired position on the buttocks.  The patient will generally avoid sitting and spend most of the time lying on their belly.  A Tummy Tuck is a procedure where the post pregnancy of post weight loss abdominal wall laxity is repaired with internal sutures and excess skin and fatty tissues are removed.  This procedure, known as Abdominoplasty, requires the patient to remain in an elevated sitting position postoperatively.  These procedures require contradictory positioning postoperatively and should not be combined.

I do not usually combine the two because I like to harvest fat aggressively from the abdomen and do not want to risk potential skin viability of the tummy tuck.

I would recommend staging these procedures for health and safety reasons, If you combine these procedures the recovery will be more difficult and complication rate increases. Seek a plastic surgeon who performs many of these procedures, has great reviews and photos, and is an expert in this field.