Can a mommy makeover and arm lift be done together and can it be done in 6 hours?

Question

I need a mommy makeover ( tummy tuck, lipo, breast lift and augmentation). But I also need an arm lift. Please help me!!!!!

Itzhak Nir, MD, FACS · Answer

The ONLY way that could be done is if 2 or 3 surgeons are simultaneously working on you. This should ONLY be done in a Hospital Setting for safety. Do not be fooled by those who tell you to do it all at the same time. I have seen the results and they are usually not good. Use good judgement and NEVER rush a cosmetic procedure. You want it done once and want it done correctly.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  I would not typically recommend combining a mommy makeover as you describe it (tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation mastopexy) with an arm lift.  I generally consider that too much to recover from at one time, as well as taking a significant amount of time in the operating room.  Good luck and take care, Dr. Howell

Francisco Bucio, MD · Answer

I wouldn’t combine those procedures. That is not a Mommy Makeover, an artificial cage term. The most commonly associated procedures are Breast augmentation or lift, and some combination of Liposuction, Tummy Tuck and BBL. Arm o thigh lift should be reserved for separate procedures. Safety first.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

The mommy makeover is a combination of
procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to
pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BeastSurgery are
performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia
repair.  The most common
#breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation,
#breastreduction. The ability to combine multiple plastic surgery procedures is the best thing about the mommy makeover, so the best thing to do is to seek out a local surgeon for consultation and ensure that he will be able to do the arm lift. Best of luck to you.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Mommy Makeover Surgery is a great way to recover your pre pregnancy body, and carries a high level of patient satisfaction. I tailor each Mommy Makeover procedure to my patients' particular needs. Most include Tummytuck, with or without liposuction to flank and thigh regions and breast lift, with or without implants. It is best to wait at least 6-9 months after your final pregnancy, to allow your body to recover from the pregnancy and allow you to lose as much of the weight gained as possible during that time. If breast feeding, you must wait at least 3-6 months to pass once breast feeding has ceased. I would do the arm lift separately, at another time, too much surgery. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good Luck!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In most surgeons hands this combination of procedures would exceed 6 hours of operative time and would unnecessarily risk additional complications and your safety.  Though I can understand the desires to have the procedures done in a single setting your safety is paramount and should not be compromised.  Hope this helps.

Jane M. Rowley, MD · Answer

There are many surgeons who could easily do this surgery in under 6 hours--AND do it well.  I do not think speed means a surgeon is rushing, I think it comes with experience and proper patient selection.  That being said I rarely do all three of those procedures together.  Seek several opinions.  Find a mature and experienced surgeon.  IF you don't have a lot of skin on your arms or one of the other procedures is less extensive, it may be possible to do what you want.  Good luck. Jane

York Jay Yates, MD · Answer

The desire to want to "get it all done" at once is understandable.  One trip to the operating room, one recovery period, and often reduced costs in combination.   We have to be wise about piling on too much and incurring unacceptable risks.   We know that longer procedures on multiple areas of the body have higher risks of infection, blood clots and anesthetic complications.  I am fairly conservative in my approach and in my practice I would find prefer a staged operation to complete your list.    It may be reasonable to stagger the procedures by only a few days or weeks depending on their nature.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Combining procedures is common and considered safe, but there is a limit.  Typically elective plastic surgery is limited to six hours of surgical time.  To perform all of the procedures that interest you this time allotment would be exceeded.  It's best for your safety to break these into two stages.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

It might be possible to meet those limitations at an organized formal center for post bariatric weight loss surgery body countouring where they have a team of surgeons all operating at once. For most patients, the limitation of this is the costs involved as it is hospital based with multiple surgeons.As an outpatient it is more likely a surgeon would be willing to do any two of these at one setting but not all three and it would almost certainly take close to five-six hours for those two.