56 yo, 5'3, 116lbs, what's the recommended interval between 2 lipos?

Question

I'm thinking of having a facelift w/a small amount of fat xfr to my cheeks via ps who only does faces. I would like to have lipo/tt w/fat xfr to my breast a few months after that (diffr ps). Is that ok? (56 yo, 5/3, 116lbs)

Rajesh Vasu Chokka, MD · Answer

As these are two different areas, fat can also be taken as a donor, from abdomen and thighs and the gap between these procedures can be between 4-6 weeks.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

You should plan a minimum of 6 weeks between two procedures. While face lift is procedure with very short recovery and minimal blood loss, abdominoplasty and liposuction with fat grafting to the breasts is extensive procedure with much longer recovery time. You should discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon(s).. good luck.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

When considering multiple cosmetic procedures like liposuction and fat transfer, it’s essential to allow adequate recovery time between surgeries. For your specific situation:
1.	Interval Between Liposuction Procedures: Generally, surgeons recommend waiting at least 3 to 6 months between liposuction procedures. This allows your body to heal properly, reduces risks of complications, and helps maintain the integrity of the tissues involved.
2.	Fat Transfer: If you're planning to have a facelift with fat transfer to your cheeks, this is a relatively common practice, and it typically does not significantly impact your ability to have liposuction later. The fat transfer itself can also aid in rejuvenating your appearance.
3.	Combining Procedures: Since you mentioned having the facelift with fat transfer first, followed by liposuction and a tummy tuck (TT) with fat transfer to your breasts a few months later, this can be a reasonable approach as long as your body has healed adequately from the first procedure. Make sure to consult both surgeons about your overall plan, as they can provide recommendations based on your health, recovery, and goals.
4.	Consultation: Always discuss your plans with your plastic surgeons. They will consider your individual circumstances, including your health, recovery ability, and the specific techniques they'll use, to provide tailored guidance and recommendations.
In summary, with appropriate intervals and professional guidance, your plan can be feasible. Always prioritize your health and safety when scheduling multiple procedures.

Roger Smith, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello rosenhop,
In general, there is no reason why you cannot have liposuction to a DIFFERENT area of the body with just a few days between procedures, however, once we start combining procedures and fat transfers as you mention in your question, the answer become more complicated. After a face lift with a fat transfer, it will likely be recommended that you wait 6-12 weeks between procedures, though certainly your facial plastic surgeon will guide you in that respect. There will be significant fluid shifts after a large surgical procedure like the abdominoplasty/liposuction/fat transfer to the breast that you mention you wanted to have following your facelift, and your facial plastic surgeon will want you to be well out of the acute post surgery phase before the tummy tuck. As I typically recommend, the most important thing to do is communicate your surgical plan with your facial plastic surgeon so that they can most appropriately guide you based on their experience and practice preferences. Good luck!
Best,Dr. Smith

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Ideally, you should wait at least 8 weeks after your first surgery before doing a second to allow your body time to heal.  If you have medical issues, you may need to wait even longer.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeons will be the best to answer this question as opinions will vary and will be contingent on how your progress through recovery from your facelift.  That being said waiting between 3 and 6 months should be adequate for you to then undergo your second procedure.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Each plastic surgeon will have their own opinion so I suggest you ask yours.
If the first procedure is only to harvest fat for facial fat grafting then personally, I wouldn’t really care what the timeframe between the procedures were.
Fore significant liposuction are usually asked patients to wait six months.
Liposuction and fat grafting skills very quite a bit among plastic surgeons. The number of plastic surgeons who approach mastery of liposuction and fat grafting is in reality quite small.
Doing these procedures well is more difficult than most people realize.
I cannot emphasize the importance of provider selection enough.
 Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

56 yo, 5'3, 116lbs, what's the recommended interval between 2 lipos?

Answers (7)