There are doctors who will do lipo 360, tummy tuck, and BBL or even the tummy tuck with BBL. How does one recover from both?

Question

How does one recover from both of these at the same time if for the tummy tuck you have to sit/lay on you back and for the BBL you normally have to lay on your side or stomach? Is it safe to have them together?

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Thank you for recognizing this important point. Most board-certified plastic surgeons prefer to stage these procedures. It is safer and better for your recovery. BBL and Tummytuck operations each carry a higher incidence of blood clot formation and possible harm or blockage of the lungs. Performing them simultaneously statistically increases the chances of this occurring. Also, recovery from BBL requires no pressure on your buttocks for two weeks after surgery to preserve fat take. You also cannot lie on your stomach after tummy tuck, so this limits the positions that you can recover.  Also, the maximum OR time for an ambulatory operation should be no more than 6 hours, Lipo 360, BBL and TT can take longer.  It is best to perform the BBL first, to allow your surgeon to harvest as much fat as possible for transfer. 4 to 6 months later, tummytuck surgery can then be performed. Be certain to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon  to increase chances for the safest and best possible results. Best of luck.

Ashley B. Robey, MD · Answer

It is certainly possible to perform these surgeries at the same time; from a recovery standpoint, it does present a bit more of a logistical challenge but certainly a doable one. Following a BBL (fat transfer to the buttocks), I advise patients to not sit on their buttocks directly for the first two weeks and then for about 15 minutes at a time for weeks 3-4. For sitting, one can sit on a "booty pillow" that distributes pressure over the posterior thighs. For sleeping, patients will sleep prone (one their belly), often with a body pillow under their torso so that they have some flexion at the hips to help alleviate the tightness sensation of the abdomen. There is certainly a maximum amount of time recommended for elective surgery; depending upon what areas you want treated, it is possible that some of them may have to be staged.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

we do this often in our practice together and there is a 2 week healingtime. we do quicker healing and more weight loss with hormonal therapy before and after (see linke to dr jill stocker in our practice this can be done virtually for weight loss, skin tightening and faster healing).  
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There are doctors who will may perform these procedures together, however my preference is to stage them. I personally
do not recommend my patients perform a BBL and a Tummy Tuck at the same 
time as it makes recovery difficult not being able to sleep on your back
 (BBL) or stomach (TT). In my opinion, candidates 
should proceed with the liposuction and BBL and then later addressing 
the loose skin (tummy tuck), as liposuction alone won't address excess 
skin. As always, consult with a plastic surgeon in person so they may better 
address the procedures with you and help you achieve the aesthetic 
results you desire. Good luck!

Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lovenit,
I instruct my patients not to sit for 2 solid weeks after BBL. We provide them a specialized pillow that our patients can sit on during that time. They can sleep on their sides. 
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Eric W. Khairalla, MD · Answer

What an exciting time this must be for you! Typically, we encourage patients to do a tummy tuck first. This is a more invasive procedure, requires longer healing times, and is focused on your abdomen. The mindset behind this recommendation is that after your belly area is significantly flatter you may have a new perception of your buttocks and liposuction goals and we have the ability to perform the BBL procedure more artistically. Wishing you health and happiness! Dr. Eric Khairalla

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You raise a good point.  Some procedures make sense to have done at the same time, for example a breast augmentation with a tummy tuck, while others present more challenges.  It's true that positioning can be an issue for those who have a tummy tuck and BBL at the same time.  Recovery can be quite uncomfortable as you will need to remain off of your tummy as well as your back.  The sides are an option but still can be quite uncomfortable.  After a tummy tuck the preferred position is semi reclined.  Perhaps it's best to have these procedures done in stages.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

It is possible to get these procedures done at the same time. This just means your recovery will be longer and harder. However, it is possible, as long as you consult a board certified plastic surgeon everything should be taken care of from pre-op care to post-op care. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.
Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Personally I prefer to do these separate procedures.During these mega-session operations puts patients at increased risk for complications, makes for an awfully challenging recovery and in my opinion results are compromised because people will cut corners to finish surgery at a reasonable time.I clearly understand the motivation both from patients and plastic surgeons perspective of getting everything done in one session. It’s far more efficient for the plastic surgeon and serves as cost savings and a single recovery for the patient.Mini plastic surgeons prefer to do the BBL first followed by a tummy tuck six months later.My preference is for patients to do the tummy tuck first followed by the BBL unless they are short on fat for grafting.It varies quite a bit from patient to patient. Doing this on the small petite non-obese patient may be very reasonable but doing so a large obese patient may be inappropriate.Find the right board-certified plastic surgeon and everything falls into place.To do that I suggest you schedule multiple in person consultations.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

There are doctors who will do lipo 360, tummy tuck, and BBL or even the tummy tuck with BBL. How does one recover from both?

Answers (9)

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