Is it better to have breast reduction or tummy tuck first?

Thank you for the question. Generally speaking, these types of combination surgical procedures are done routinely. However, you are wise in being concerned about the safety of combination surgery; risks/possible complications do increase with increased length of surgery…

It is best to evaluate each patient's suitability for combination surgery on an individualized basis. During this consultation process, after a complete history and physical, the SAFETY of combining these surgical procedures becomes of paramount importance. Plastic surgeon, anesthesia provider, duration of surgery, surgery facility all important considerations. Your best bet: choose your plastic surgeon very carefully; everything else including good judgment/advice/planning, anesthesia provider and safe surgery facility will follow.

  I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to SEE lots of examples of their work AND preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.If you choose to have the procedures performed individually, it will be your choice  which procedure is performed first.   Factors such as time off work and availability of assistance at home may come into consideration.  Spacing out the surgery a few months will likely be in your best interests. I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to mommy makeover surgery concerns), helps. Best wishes.

 In our practice, we have optimized our routine for doing these procedures so much that we most often performed them at the same time for patients who are good candidates for both procedures. In other words, it is not necessary to do them separately if it has been determined by us that you are a good candidate for the surgery, and you are healthy for the operation.