Are Rhinoplasty & Liposuction safe if done at same time?

The two procedures can usually be perfomed together. However, large volume liposuction or excessive surgical times do increase risks.

Most, though not all, plastic surgeons would consider performing liposuction at the same time as a rhinoplasty though a few factors can make it more prudent to perform them separately. With multi-liter liposuction, I would consider performing these separately as there may be an elevated risk of infection secondary to effects from performing the rhinoplasty.

The advantage of performing these procedures together is one recuperation versus two, one operative session, less time off of work or school and lower total costs.

In general, the two surgeries can be safely perform in combination. However, it also depends on the specifics of each procedure. The amount of blood loss expected, the total length of each procedure, the total amount and surface areaof liposuction might all influence the safety issue. In general, I would probably do the liposuction first, dress any wounds and then proceed to the rhinoplasty.

Robin T. W. Yuan, M.D.

It is very common to combine various procedures.  The main determinants of whether it is advisable are total surgical time, type of anesthesia, changes of position to reach different areas, and the procedure mix with regard to possible infection risk.  Generally it is wise to avoid combining "clean" operations with very low risk of infection with potentially "contaminated" operations with a higher risk of infection.  In your case, the liposuction would be considered to be "clean" and the rhinoplasty would be "contaminated".  That being said, the risk is still quite low and depending on the extent of the liposuction (time), and re-positioning, the two procedures could possibly be combined as long as you understand the risks.  Please be sure that you get all of your questions answered so that you understand all of the risks of your surgery.

I personally would not do these together because among the worst things that can from liposuction is an infection that can rage down the tunnels in the fat which are filled with a great broth of serum to encourage bacterial growth.  The rhinoplasty can shower bacteria into the bloodstream and can infect the liposuction areas theoretically.  That's why I personally wouldn't even offer this to my patients.