Is it safe to get a facelift under local the same week as mommy makeover?

Dear JenyAnnKennedy,

it is better to wait until you are fully healed from tummy tuck but every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

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

This is something that should be discussed with your surgeon, as they’re more familiar with the specifics of your situation. Generally speaking, however, it is not advisable as the mommy makeover will be interfering with the recovery of your facelift. That means not only will you increase risks and delay your facelift recovery, your body won’t be in prime condition for the mommy makeover either (which sounds quite extensive), jeopardizing your safety for that as well.

It is my impression that your second surgery has too many components, in particular if done in general anesthesia? Your surgeon should consider adding one more procedure to face lift (breast augmentation) to decrease surgery time in second surgery. It is ultimately decision between you and your surgeon but you should be properly informed about risks involved with prolonged general anesthesia. Hope this helps.

While facelifts can be performed under local anesthesia in select cases, there are important limitations. During a facelift, surgeons inject a special solution under the skin that includes adrenaline to reduce bleeding. However, under local anesthesia, we cannot use this solution as effectively or in sufficient volume, which may increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure.

This is why we generally recommends general anesthesia for facelift surgeries — it allows better control of bleeding, a safer operating environment, and smoother recovery overall.

Your safety and the quality of results always come first.

Well, it is possible to have back-to-back surgeries like you are suggesting it is not in your best interest. Safety and health of the patient is always paramount. The sedentary requirements following any prolonged surgery during the healing process increase your risk for blood clots and or other untoward effects. I would recommend doing one surgery fully recovering 8 to 12 weeks out and then having the second surgery.

No, it is not safe, even if done under local anesthesia, because it is invasive surgery. You need to wait at least 6 weeks between the surgeries. Your body has to heal every surgery. Your second surgery will be quite long and large and you need to be in your best physical health for it. I would even suggest doing the arm lift later to avoid such a long procedure. Your body has to heal each and every place touched by the surgeon.

It would not be advisable to undergo these procedures so close together. You will have swelling and bruising from the facelift and your body will be in the early phases of recovery. Your surgeon is the best one to advise you as she/he is most familiar with your medical history and how you progress through recovery, but generally you will want to wait at least three to six months between procedures.

Without posting photos, very difficult to respond therefore until a virtual or posted, photos are done by you I would separate the two surgeries for your safety. Again, best of virtual consult with.