Tummy tuck and breast reduction - together or separate? Could I go back to work after 2 weeks? (Photo)

Question

I am 5'7", weigh 165lb, age 52, healthy and on no medications. A highly qualified PS has said these combined procedure could take up to 8 hours. I am concerned about the length of the op, if it was 8 hours. I also have two weeks off work - a desk job, I can't take 3 weeks. So need to be back at work after the two weeks - would I manage with the two procedures. or should I spilt them?

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

I would recommend, if the budget and timing allows, to combine the two procedures so that you have only a single recovery time.  Breast and body surgery is often combined and and is commonly referred to as a "mommy makeover".  While the 8 hour time period for the surgery does seem to be on the longer side, keep in mind that every surgeon operates at a different pace.  As long as the surgery is done safely with appropriate padding and DVT precautions, you should be fine and I think planning to go back to work at 2 weeks for a desk job should be very reasonable.  You may wish to consult with more than one surgeon if you have having doubts or misgivings.  Best of luck!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank  you for your question regarding combining a tummy tuck with breast lift and breast augmentation or a mommy makeover.   One of your specific questions is this eight hour mommy makeover  safe. The general answer is "yes".   However, you should really do your research. You should go to an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who is performed hundreds of mommy makeovers.  You want to be a "routine case".   In unexperienced hands, your procedure can take much longer than eight hours and thus, increase  your potential for complications both from anesthesia and surgery.  Eight hours is an "acceptable" amount of time to be under anesthesia. Your second question regards returning to work two weeks after a mommy makeover.  Every patient heals differently and at a different rate. In general, considering the work you have and the mommy makeover procedure you were considering, I believe you will be able to return to work two weeks after your mommy makeover. Good luck! If you have any further questions regarding tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation, mommy makeover, or "long" procedures, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr.Katzen.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I have combined these procedures frequently.  Personally I don't like performing more than six hours of surgery at one time.  Your combo should take about six hours.  I can't imagine why it would take eight hours.  If you are cso ncerned snout excessive surgical time, by all means have them done  separately.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

If you are in good health you can have a combined procedure but not if it is planned for 8 hours. This increases your risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary embolus). Based on your photo I would estimate closer to five hours to complete a breast reduction and tummy tuck. If you are unsure discuss this with your plastic surgeon about doing in two separate phases or seek a second opinion.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  These two procedures are commonly performed together in a procedure called a "mommy makeover" and can be safely performed at the same time - obviously depending on your medical and health status.Although 8 hours does seem like a long time, every plastic surgeon operates at a different pace, and some even have assistance which could make the procedure quicker.  You should consult with several plastic surgeons and get their opinions, but as long as safety measures are enacted - such as DVT prophylaxis and possible overnight stay at an aftercare facility - then these two procedures can be performed at the same time.Two weeks should be sufficient time for you to go back to work, baring any complications.Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Roger Tsai

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The combination of a tummy tuck with breast surgery - lift, reduction, or augmentation - is a mommy makeover and usually done in one session. Surgery time is a bit of a sensitive issue; many plastic surgeons would plan this as about a 5 hour procedure and consider that plenty of time to do a meticulous job.

David Stoker, MD · Answer

You appear to be a great candidate for a tummy tuck and breast reduction to be performed at the same time.  It is important to choose your surgeon carefully because for your procedures there are large differences between surgeons in techniques, safety and results.  I do a lot of this combination of procedure and for me I would expect the surgery to take less than five hours. Attached is a link to a paper I published in 2009 regarding safety of performing tummy tucks and breast surgery together in our series of 268 patients undergoing that combination of procedures. Check out the before and after pictures on my website for "mommy makeovers" as well as for each of your procedures individually.Good luck!

George John Alexander, MD, FACS · Answer

These procedures are routinely performed together and my patients often do well taking two weeks off from surgery and then restricting strenuous activity until six weeks after surgery.  The benefit of having one recovery is usually easier on patients than trying to take time off for two separate surgeries.  Of course, the best doctor to review this with is your board certified plastic surgeon who is performing the surgery.  They should be able to provide realistic recovery time frames for you.

David S. Motoki, MD · Answer

Are you looking for a true functional breast reduction or a breast lift? A functional breast reduction is performed to relieve chronic back pain associated with large breasts by making the breasts much smaller. A breast lift is performed to improve the sagging appearance of the breasts. A breast lift requires less time than a reduction. In my practice, a breast lift and tummy tuck are commonly combined in healthy, highly motivated patients. Combination procedures of this magnitude do require an experienced surgeon, operative team and a certified surgical center to minimize risks. Highly motivated patients can be back to a desk job in two weeks or less. Ultimately, the surgeon you choose is in the best position to advise you.

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
First I want to congratulate you for making this important decision. Deciding to get an aesthetic procedure to change your body and get a new life style is a big step!
  
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get a tummy tuck, this is because all the extra skin located in this areas plus your abdominal muscle needs to be repaired and a breast reduction because you have enough tissue to reshape to reduce and lift it. Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. For us your safety, always, is going to be first.
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Tummy tuck and breast reduction - together or separate? Could I go back to work after 2 weeks? (Photo)

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