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

Question

I also need liposuction on my love handles if possible at the time of tummy tuck. Im not sure if its best to get one done before the other and what is the amount of recommended time I should wait before the two surgeries.

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck and breast reduction can be combined, unless there is a specific reason that you would like to separate the two procedures. If one is covered by insurance, and the other is self-pay, the hospital and physician can bill insurance for the covered portion of the operation.  I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon in your area to schedule a consultation for more information. Best of luck to you!

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. In my practice I usually perform both procedures in the same surgery. For safety reasons, to be a good candidate for breast reduction and tummy tuck at the same time, your labs and cardiovascular preoperative evaluation must be optimal.Therefore, you must be a healthy person, within an appropriate BMI and no history of diseases that increase the surgical / anesthetic risk degree.Finally, I recommend you a skilled certified plastic surgeon in body contouring surgery and experienced in cases like yours where the planned operating time is less than five hours.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

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

In my opinion, it is very reasonable to get both procedures performed at the same time.  Please check with your surgeon as to his or her preferences.

Michael J. Weinberg, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question.A tummy tuck and a breast reduction can be done together and we frequently perform them together. We only do them together when it's safe and this means that your BMI is acceptable and you essentially have no medical problems.Picking one first is really a personal issue. The timing between surgeries usually depends mostly on your job, how well you recovered and your finances. It should likely be a minimum of three months.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

If one procedure is cosmetic and the other reconstructive, the surgicenters in New York will not permit the combination for insurance and pricing issues is the reduction is not self pay.  Many patients opt for the reduction, which is covered by insurance, first and then have subsequent tummy tucks.  Ideally, I prefer to perform the tummy tuck first and then decide on the breast size based on what would be in proportion to the new abdomen.  A minimum of two months should separate the procedures.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A breast reduction and a tummy tuck can be performed in the same setting in  many cases. It depends upon the patients overall medical condition as well.  Best of luck.

Jeffrey Antimarino, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  For many women the breast reduction procedure and the tummy tuck can be done at the same time.  Much of this depends upon how large your breasts are as the larger breast reductions take longer in the operating room.  The best way to know is to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.   I do these procedures together quite often but will do them in 2 stages if the total operating time is going to be longer than 4-5 hours.  The advantages of doing the surgeries together are: 1 surgery, 1 recovery and usually less cost.  However, surgeries lasting longer that 5-6 hours have a higher risk of infection or DVT formation.I hope this helps

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

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.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, deman00.  Breast reduction and tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks/waists can be done at the same time safely.  However, if you want to stage your procedures, get the procedure that you want more first.  After the first procedure, give your body time to recover.  I would wait couple months in-between.  Best wishes.

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