Full Tummy Tuck and Arm Lift wanted. Is it possible to do both procedures together?

Question

I have a gastric band and have lost 7.5 stone. I have been left with a very saggy belly and arms and I would like both procedures done together. I would like to know if this is possible and am hoping I wouldn't have to have any fluid out of my band beforehand. Will to travel anywhere but surgeon must be registered with proof of doing these surgeries many time. Thank you

Alfred Sofer, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you are in good health and your BMI is under 30, typically, these procedures can be done at the same time. However, this is best to be answered by your board certified plastic surgeon during a consultation who is comfortable and experienced performing multiple procedures at once.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

In most cases, this combination of surgeries can be performed together very safely. There are many variables that may lead the surgeon to be more or less enthusiastic about the combination procedures. You need to see a board-certified plastic surgeon, as you say, experienced in these procedures, for an evaluation to see if this is the right way to proceed for you.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

These procedures can be combined if:1- you are generally healthy and can tolerate a long procedure2- you spend the night in the hospital3- neither area is complicated or excessively severe in nature requiring a longer intervention

Always visit with a surgeon certified by the American Board of plastic surgery.Best of luck!

Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Sarah Mess, MD · Answer

These procedures can be combined provided you are healthy enough and prepared for the recovery. I encourage you to ask very specific questions regarding post procedure care to make sure you have a good understanding of what your limitations will be during recovery.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.   Congratulations on your weight loss.  If you are healthy, it is very common and safe to perform a tummy tuck and arm lift in the same surgery. 
If you are an appropriate candidate, a tummy tuck be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the
bikini line.  Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  An arm lift can have dramatic results if you have loose skin.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The
most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I
recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic
surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

This sounds like a reasonable request.  Depending on the area to be treated, the size of the area, the amount of tissue to be removed, the amount of separation between the two areas in order to preserve the blood supply to both and maximize the wound healing potential, your general health, the amount of time each procedure will take, and the experience of the surgeon with combination procedures, it is possible to have more than one operation at the same time.  The surgeon will need to discuss all of these issues with you and make a safe plan that will give you a well thought out, well executed operation with an excellent outcome.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I have a very large experience treating weight loss patients.  Congratulations.  I commonly perform a lower body lift first and often treat the breasts and arms at the same time.  If you are only doing the front of your abdomen, then having your arms treated at the same time can be done if you are otherwise healthy. But, I will say that many times the lap band balloon is deflated a bit before surgery to minimize indigestion after surgery. Best of luck.

Rick Rosen, MD · Answer

Congrats on the weight loss. It is very common to perform these procedures together and is safe to do so if the surgeon commonly performs these procedures and you are in good health. I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon who performs these regularly for a consultation

George C. Peck, Jr, MD · Answer

Without a consultation, it is difficult to give you sound medical advice. In general, an abdominoplasty can be coupled with a bilateral brachioplasty in the appropriate surgical candidate. Best wishes!

David A. Lickstein, MD · Answer

Typically, procedures can be combined if the surgical time is not too long, and the incisions will not affect the healing of each other.

Full Tummy Tuck and Arm Lift wanted. Is it possible to do both procedures together?

Answers (11)

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