If I get a tummy tuck, BBL and breast lift, will this be 3 separate procedures or can some of them be combined?

Question

If I need a tummy tuck and also want a traditional butt lift (not a BBL) and I also want a breast felt (not implants), will this be 3 separate surgeries? Or can some of them be combined?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question about combining procedures! Based on your goals for a tummy tuck, breast lift, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL), I recommend prioritizing the BBL first. The reason for this is that fat needed for the BBL can be harvested from areas like your abdomen, flanks, or other donor sites. If you perform a tummy tuck first, much of the fat from your abdomen will be removed and discarded, making it unavailable for transfer to your buttocks. By starting with the BBL, you’ll achieve a fuller, more contoured result and maximize the use of your fat.

Once the BBL has healed, typically within 3–6 months, you can then proceed with the tummy tuck and breast lift. Combining these two procedures is a safe and effective option since they target different areas and won’t interfere with your prior BBL. The tummy tuck will address loose skin and muscle separation in your abdomen, while the breast lift can rejuvenate your chest without the need for implants if that’s your preference.

This approach allows for optimal results. With the BBL, fat from your abdomen, back, or flanks can be used to contour your buttocks instead of being wasted. Additionally, staging the procedures avoids complications such as putting pressure on your buttocks while recovering from a tummy tuck. It also ensures safer recovery times by breaking the surgeries into shorter sessions, reducing the strain on your body.

I recommend discussing your specific goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in these combination procedures. They can guide you through the best timeline for achieving your ideal results while keeping your health and safety as a priority.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Fouad V. Atalla, MD · Answer

In many cases, a breast lift and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can be performed together in a single operation. However, in other cases, it may be recommended to stage the procedures separately &mdash; especially if significant work is needed in both areas. Adding multiple procedures increases the total time under anesthesia, which can raise the risk of complications such as blood clots and delayed healing.
Patient safety is the top priority. After a thorough evaluation, your board-certified plastic surgeon will determine whether a combined surgery is appropriate for you or if it would be safer to perform the procedures in stages. This personalized approach ensures the best possible outcome while minimizing surgical risk.

Erman Ak, MD · Answer

Some of these procedures can be safely combined, depending on your health, anatomy, and surgical goals. A tummy tuck and breast lift are often performed together. A traditional butt lift (which involves skin excision, not fat transfer) may be done in a separate stage, especially if combining all three would exceed safe operative time. An assessessment with a surgeon will tell what can be safely combined while minimizing risks and optimizing results. 
Erman AK, Dr. MD, Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Intellectual25050,

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

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself to create a surgical plan targeted towards your specific goals. A consult would allow us to hear your goals and make sure you're a great candidate for these surgical procedures. Each plastic surgeon varies in the amount of time allowed in the OR for one surgery. It's important to prioritize safety for any elective surgery.

Salvador Pantoja, MD · Answer

In mi practice, your safety and well being comes first. I will need to consider the amount of skin that needs to be removed and your blood work in order to determine if it;s possible and safe to proceed with 3 procedures on the same surgery.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The safe operation time for cosmetic surgery is 6 hours. All 3 procedures cannot be done at the same time. I routinely do the breast lift and tummy tuck at the same time. This combination usually takes 6 hours. I would then suggest you wait at 1-6 months before undergoing a butt lift. The butt lift is I perform uses the excess skin and fat to make a flap, which is turned in to create more buttocks projection. This has an advantage over the Brazilian butt lift in it is not dependent on fat as internal support.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

You can do these procedures together.  The tummy tuck and butt lift and combined as a circumferential abdominoplasty.  It is very common to combine a breast procedure and can easily be accomplished.

Rajaie Hazboun, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for posting your question here!Wether you can combine the surgeries or not will depend on your surgeon's judgement which will be based on your health , the length of the potential procedures and wether those procedures can affect each other from affecting blood supply or having competing tension thus affecting wound healing so talk to your surgeon and check if they feel comfortable combining your procedures.I hope this helps, best of luck!

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Whether all of these can be done safely at one time really has to be evaluated by your plastic surgeon after a good history and physical.  This seems like quite a bit of surgery, especially considering how much time it may take.  It also depends on thinks like how much liposuction you need and how much fat grafting to the buttocks you want.  In many circumstances, it may be best to split things up and perhaps do any two of 3 surgeries at once.  You would need a second trip to the operating room, which I know is less convenient.

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