Having multiple procedures - how dangerous is many hour general anesthesia?

Question

In the next 365 days, I plan to have quite a lot of operations, such as a mommy makeover, but also bbl, rhinoplasty, lipo and similar procedures, but my doctor with whom I am doing rhinoplasty keeps me under anesthesia for more than 9 hours, so I am interested in whether frequent and very long anesthesia can have consequences on my health. Is it dangerous to go to general anesthesia for 3 months, which lasts for 8 hours, and can I have consequences in the form of a stroke, heart attack, and a year anafter the operation. Thank you very much

Dino Mendez, MD · Answer

Typically, we recommend surgical procedures to be space 3-6 months or more apart so that your body can completely heal, and all anesthesia effects can be cleared from your system. Studies in our literature show higher safety when cosmetic surgeries are kept 5-6 hrs or less. That being said, surgeries longer than this can be performed safely, so long as the patient is a healthy candidate, and the surgeon/anesthesiologist is monitoring the patient closely with their vitals, fluid status, etc. These risks you mention (stroke, heart attack etc) can happen in the acute period after surgery (not after 1 yr), but are rare. So, as long as the patient is healthy, at an ideal BMI, medically cleared from a primary care doctor (if indicated) and a safe surgery is performed.

Danivel Cespedes, MD · Answer

Undergoing multiple long surgeries (8+ hours) under general anesthesia within a short period&mdash;like every 3 months can increase health risks, including blood clots, cardiac stress, poor wound healing, and even rare events like stroke or heart attack.
While general anesthesia is generally safe when managed by professionals, repeated long exposures can strain your body, slow recovery, and reduce surgical precision especially during complex, combined procedures.
For both safety and best results, it's recommended to:
Prioritize your most important surgeries firstSpace procedures 3–6 months apartAvoid combining too many major procedures in one sessionA staged approach, guided by a board-certified plastic surgeon, reduces risk and helps you heal properly with better outcomes.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sensible192673,

some plastic surgeons may want to split this into two operations depending on the time needed. Its best to see a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine your options and whether it would take too long, more than 4 hours, to do all.
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

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Great question. Undergoing surgery that can last from 6 to 12 hours is considered safe. However, cosmetic surgeries rarely take longer than 6-7 hours. I recommend you get all the information and details about your surgery duration from your surgeon clearly before your surgery. Best of luck to you.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Safety is always the number one priority in surgery.  Combining procedures is common and considered safe but there is a limit.  It is recommended that surgical time be limited to six hours for elective plastic surgery.  I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  It is important that you feel comfortable and confident as you prepare for surgery.

Having multiple procedures - how dangerous is many hour general anesthesia?

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Answer: Surgery duration risks

Answer: Surgery duration risks

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Having multiple procedures - how dangerous is many hour general anesthesia?

Answers (7)

Answer: Surgery duration risks

Answer: Surgery duration risks

Answer: Safety

Answer: Safety

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Everything you need to know about Mommy Makeover

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.