Can you have an arm lift and tummy tuck at the same time?

SimplyMarvelous,Good afternoon.  Great Question!  I understand the drive to combine procedures: less surgeries, less recoveries, and less money! But, this needs to weighed and balanced against the risks of surgery. Everything in life has risk! The most severe risk/complication we worry about with a Tummy Tuck is a blood clot; this is because blood clots have the potential to travel to lungs and this could be lethal…likely, no… you are more likely to get in a car accident driving today. This is important to understand because blood clots are directly related to how much you move around post-operatively. So if we combine surgeries with your Tummy Tuck we need to make sure that you will be able to move around to make sure we do not increase the risk of blood clots.Ok…back to the question, can you combine an arm lift and tummy tuck? Yes, you can; but should you…well that depends. What does it depend on? Well, it depends on how big of a tummy tuck we are doing, how big of an arm lift we are doing, how healthy you are, and how much you are able to move around prior to surgery. The best way to answer those questions is by an in-person consult to help make these determinations. I notice that a lot of the answers on this page are centered around the comfort of the surgeon, his/her experience with multiple procedures, and the importance of utilizing a board certified plastic surgeon... and I agree with these thoughts (and for the record I meet all of the criteria above).  But that is NOT the most important question.  The most important question is:  Is Combining the Surgeries Safe Specifically to You!  Again, that is something best determined by an in-person consultation.  I hope that helps; best of luck on your decision.Sincerely,Matthew J Nykiel, MD   

There is no contraindication to performing these procedures at the same time. It can be done but you need to understand what you are getting into.When we operate on the abdomen you are in a stooped posture and will have limited use of your core musculature. I educate my patients on how to compensate for this by using their extremities. If you have an arm lift at the same time this compensatory mechanism is gone making your recovery more challenging. You also become far more dependent on your support group for a prolonged period of time.Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring after significant weight loss to review viable options for you.Good luck and I hope this was helpful

Dear Simplymarvelous,

Yes, it is possible to combine an arm lift (brachioplasty) with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in a single surgical session. In fact, I frequently perform both procedures together for suitable candidates. The decision to combine surgeries often depends on the patient's overall health, the extent of the procedures, and their individual goals.

Combining surgeries can offer some advantages, such as a single recovery period and potentially reduced overall downtime compared to having the procedures done separately. It can also be cost-effective since certain fixed costs, like anesthesia or operating room fees, are incurred only once.

However, it's essential to consider the total operative time, as longer surgeries can increase the risk of complications. Patient safety is always paramount. Also, undergoing two significant procedures can make the initial post-operative period more challenging in terms of mobility and discomfort.

Every patient is unique, and while combining procedures might be suitable for one person, it might not be for another. It's essential to have an in-depth consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess your specific situation, discuss potential risks and benefits, and determine the best surgical plan tailored to your needs.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thanks for rthe question. Yes you can but it will depend on your health status and your plastic surgeon´s preference. Have a great day. Dr Sigler

It is possible to perform both tummy tuck and arm lift at the same time it is very important to ensure that your surgeon is comfortable doing both. It is imperative
that you seek the advice of a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience in brachioplasty / arm
lift.

I wish you the best.

Dr. Gabbay. 

Thank you for your question.  If you have chosen a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in both procedures and you have been determined to be a worthy candidate, then it should be fine for you to have both surgeries performed together.  I have performed several of these combined procedures at my practice.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Multiple procedure surgery is quite common. The two surgeries you mention usually can be safely carried out together. In fact, because of the positioning of the patient, this would be quite a straightforward combination of procedures.

     An arm lift and tummy tuck can be routinely performed in combination in healthy patients by a body contouring expert.Kenneth Hughes, MDBeverly Hills, CA

An arm lift and tummy tuck may certainly be performed together.  It is safe to do. It is a lot to recover from, and I have some patients who choose to have these performed separately.The advantage of course is: one recovery period rather than two!You will definitely want to make sure you have someone to help you at home for the first week. Meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out more!

This is a great question and the answer is yes it is possible! However, the main determinant on how many procedures I will perform at the same time, is TIME...Safety comes first and I believe it is best to limit the duration one is under anesthesia. After a full evaluation of the patient I assess how long these procedures will take and then determine how many procedures I would be willing to do at the same time, or how best to separate the procedures. The best thing to do is to schedule a consultation to be evaluated and then have a frank discussion with your plastic surgeon on the risks vs benefits of doing the surgeries combined or in stages. Hope this helps and good luck!Ankur Mehta MD