Why are mommy makeovers outpatient? It seems like pretty big procedures.

Combining cosmetic
plastic surgery procedures is not uncommon. Whether you are a reasonable
candidate for those procedures depends on your anatomy, your medical history,
realistic expectations of the outcome and an understanding of the pros and cons
of the various procedures.

Safety should always be the main concern. It is generally recommended that the
length of elective surgery be less than six hours. The procedures should be
performed in an ambulatory facility that is accredited by one of the
national organizations like the American Association for Accreditation of
Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF) or in a licensed hospital. I, as well as many plastic surgeons, would recommend an overnight stay at an appropriate facility where you
can be appropriately monitored. Most patients prefer undergoing one anesthesia
and one recovery period which is usually more cost effective.



Keep in mind that following the advice of any surgeon on this or any other web
site who proposes to tell you what to do without: examining you, physically
feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, and taking a full medical
history, as well as discussing the pros and cons of each operative option would
not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon certified by The American Board of
Plastic Surgery who is ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with, and discuss
your concerns with that surgeon in person. That way, you can have a better idea
what is safe and makes the most sense for you.

Before proceeding with a combination of these procedures, you should have
medical clearance from your primary care physician and a discussion between him
or her and your plastic surgeon.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Even though a mommy makeover can be a somewhat long procedure, it usually doesn't result in much shifting of fluids into and out of the vascular (blood vessel) system, so the anesthesiologist doesn't need to give the patient too much fluid via the IV. That means that this surgery is much less stressful for the body (heart, lungs, etc.) than a surgery that involves entering the abdominal cavity (like intestinal surgery). As others have mentioned, the biggest risk is deep vein thrombosis ( blood clots in the legs). There are several things that can be done to decrease the likelihood of this problem, including frequent walking after surgery. Almost all of my patients go home after mommy makeovers. There are options for overnight stays or home nursing care, but patients with attentive family care at home don't necessarily need those options. I call my patients at home and stay in close communication. Ultimately, you need to do what makes you most comfortable, and what your surgeon of choice recommends. If you'd feel better having a nurse or staying overnight at a care facility, that can be arranged.