BBL or facelift surgery first? How far apart?

Question

I plan to get a neck a lower/ facelift and a BBL this summer. I'm definitely doing separate surgeries. I do not want to deal with the frustration and stress of recovering from both surgeries at the same time. Additionally, I have chosen 2 surgeons because each of then specialize in each surgery I would like to have. I would like to get both done from June 10th -early July because I am off during this time and will have to return July 25th. Which should I get 1st on how long between procedures ?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

These are both significant operations, and the limiting factor is less the order and more the amount of recovery time between them. A neck/lower facelift usually needs head elevation, low activity, and careful swelling control. A BBL often requires avoiding pressure on the buttocks and may make normal sleeping, sitting, travel, and return to work more difficult. Those recovery instructions can conflict with each other.

In most cases, I would not recommend trying to complete both between June 10 and early July if you must return July 25. It would be safer to choose the procedure that is most important to you first, recover well, and then schedule the second once your surgeon feels you are healed enough. Many surgeons prefer at least 6 to 12 weeks between major elective procedures, and sometimes longer depending on anesthesia time, blood count, swelling, and overall recovery. If both surgeons agree on a plan after reviewing your health history, they can help decide the safest sequence.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank You for your query. I would advice having a four to six week interval between the two procedures, if possible, as you will have to lie on your back/buttocks for the face lift and on your stomach  face-down for your BBL. If, you have a limited time for recovery it would be best to get your BBl done first and have the area off loaded when the face Lift is performed. You can discuss this with both your Plastic surgeons who can help you with your concerns. All the best!

Mark McRae, MD · Answer

Dear Intelligent 133927,

My advice is to rank your areas of concern and to go with the area of highest concern first. There are many reasons why surgeries may be delayed and so go first with the one that is your highest priority.
In my opinion your timeline is not realistic and I would recommend separating these two procedures with several months in between. At a minimum 6 weeks. You really want to be fully recovered before surgery #2.
You are right the 2 surgeries should not be combined as the time under anaesthesia would be quite long, and lengthy surgery puts you at a higher risk for complications. It would not be worthwhile.

In terms of time in between the surgeries:
Any kind of recovery delay or even a minor complication from surgery #1 would require you to cancel surgery 2.  You may be back to normal activities 2 weeks after facelift, but another surgery is not a normal activity. Surgery is a major stress on your body.

The safest way is always the best way. Start with priority 1, and leave priority 2 for another time. Your surgeon should still be available whenever you are able to get more time off.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It does not really matter which procedure comes first, but you should separate two general anesthetics for cosmetic surgery at least one month apart to give yourself time to recover from either procedure

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Without photos can’t tell if you are a candidate for a facelift. Assuming you are, do the facelift and forget the bbl. It will be a pure waste of money.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

There really isn't an absolutely correct answer without your input.  It depends on which procedure that your prioritize, understanding that a facelift is typically the less painful of the procedures. I agree with your choice of having two Surgeons, each specializing in the individual procedure.  Physical limitations after a facelift (which I specialize in) is two weeks avoiding bending over or raising your heart rate, and 4 weeks away from serious workouts.

Bruce B. Kadz, MD, FACS · Answer

Definitely the BBL first. If you do the facial procedures first, when you go in a short time to receive general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will have to work around fresh wounds which is not ideal. Provided that your blood count (hematocrit and hemoglobin in specific) are good, you should allow at least 2 weeks. Otherwise, if those numbers are low, you may have to wait until they are back to normal.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need more time between the two procedures because you will have to be off your back for the BBL and on your back for the facelift.  The facelift has more visible changes from surgery like bruising and swelling, so you might want to that that one first so you can hide longer.  But, do the one you want the most first.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I suggest you talk to each of your providers and share with them what your goal and plan is. They can give you their own input regarding preference on which procedure should be done first. some plastic surgeons are very particular about not laying on your back after a BBL. Your face procedure will definitely be done with you laying on your back so that may be an issue.
The best thing you can do is to communicate with your providers.
Getting the input of plastic surgeons, not involved with your case isn’t necessarily going to be useful or appropriate. 
The two most important variables with any cosmetic surgical procedure is understanding your candidacy for the procedure and provider selection.
When patients are in a happier with cosmetic surgical outcomes, the issue was usually related to either the patient not understanding the candidacy for the procedure or not having been careful enough in regards to provider selection.
The following are some general guidelines to find the right provider.
To find the best provider, I suggest patient schedule multiple in person consultations with experienced plastic surgeons in their community. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who have similar body or facial characteristics to your own. An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. An experienced provider should in fact have hundreds or preferably thousands of before and after pictures to choose from for commonly performed procedures. 
Being shown a handful of preselected images, representing the best results of a provider’s career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results will look like in the hands of each provider.
There is no correct number of consultations needed to find the best provider. The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you are to find the best provider for your needs. 
Take careful notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quantity and quality of before and after pictures. It’s not a bad idea to bring pictures of your own body/face to use as reference when reviewing before and after pictures. 
The biggest mistake patients make is scheduling only one consultation without properly vetting or comparing providers before scheduling surgery.
I Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

BBL or facelift surgery first? How far apart?

Answers (9)

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