Is it safe to have two procedures done under anesthesia 37 days apart from each other?

Question

I’m going to have a Right SI fusion on 07/30 and a deep plane facial surgery on 09/05. In terms of anesthesia, is it safe to do it?

William Portuese, MD · Answer

As long as you're an excellent health, and it's certainly acceptable to undergo to general anesthetics 37 days apart. It doesn't really matter which procedure goes first.

Serdar Bora Bayraktaroglu, MD · Answer

I can confirm that yes, having two surgeries under anesthesia 37 days apart is generally safe for a healthy individual, as modern anesthetic drugs are fully eliminated within hours. However, your main concern is systemic healing and physical recovery, not the anesthesia. An SI joint fusion requires significant inflammatory resources for bone healing, just as a deep-plane facelift demands tissue recovery. Furthermore, postoperative mobility restrictions from your back surgery must not conflict with your facelift recovery positioning. Ensure both your orthopedic surgeon and facial plastic surgeon coordinate and clear you.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Two anesthetics 37 days apart can be safe for some healthy patients, but the decision should be based on your recovery from the first operation, not just the number of days between surgeries. After an SI fusion, the main concerns are mobility, blood clot risk, pain medication use, wound healing, infection risk, anemia, and whether you can safely tolerate the positioning and length of a deep plane facelift.

Before proceeding, your spine/orthopedic surgeon, facelift surgeon, and anesthesiologist should all agree on the timing. Ask specifically when you can stop or continue any blood thinners/anti-inflammatory medicines, whether there are restrictions on lying flat or turning your head/neck, and whether updated labs or medical clearance are needed. If there is delayed healing, fever, infection, calf pain, chest symptoms, shortness of breath, or limited mobility after the SI fusion, the facial surgery should be postponed until you are fully cleared.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The risk of complications increases with orthopedic procedures like SI fusion, especially blood clots (DVT)
It is best to do a full rehab after the SI fusion before undergoing another general anesthesia. 
Regards
Dr. J

Safa Manav, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Yes, it is generally safe to have two procedures under anesthesia 37 days apart, provided you’re in good health and your medical team agrees with the timing. The key factors include your overall health, how well you recover from the first procedure, and the specific requirements of each surgery. Both your orthopedic and cosmetic surgeons should coordinate to ensure that your recovery from the first surgery is adequate before proceeding with the second. Always follow your doctors’ advice and ensure you’re fully recovered between procedures.

Arthur Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

There isn't much to go on from your description. 
Age, past medical history, current medications, height and weight, etc. must all be considered.
Should none of these things be abnormal and your sacro iliac fusion goes smoothly you should be able  to proceed.

All the Best,

Dr. J

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It is perfectly safe as far as anesthesia is concerned. The big unknown is whether you will be in a lot if pain still from your back surgery. You should ask your back doctor what they advise

Is it safe to have two procedures done under anesthesia 37 days apart from each other?

Answers (7)

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