Can I Combine My Tummy Tuck Surgery with Other Procedures?

Tummy tucks are transformational procedures alone, but when combined with others, patients can see even more impactful and natural-looking results. This blog discusses which procedures are popularly combined with a tummy tuck, what the benefits are of combining procedures, and what recovery looks like when you combine procedures.

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Is a Tummy Tuck Best Performed Alone?

Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is a body contouring procedure that can benefit people with excess skin, loose abdominal muscles, and stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise. For some patients, combining their tummy tuck with another procedure can be more beneficial, but everyone is different. The decision depends on your specific aesthetic needs and goals for your procedures.

Popular Procedures to Combine with a Tummy Tuck

One of the benefits of combining your tummy tuck with another procedure is it creates a more cohesive result. For example, a tummy tuck will flatten and tighten the midsection, but if you still have pockets of fat around the hips, liposuction can be effective at smoothing that area and making both results look a lot more natural and balanced.

In addition to liposuction, other complementary procedures include breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. This specific combination of procedures (abdominoplasty plus a breast enhancement) is commonly used in a Mommy Makeover, as the midsection and breasts are typically most affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding. As the breasts and midsection are also affected by weight fluctuations and aging, typically at comparable rates, this combination really goes hand-in-hand for a stunning result.

Lastly, tummy tucks are often useful in helping post-weight loss patients reveal their new curves. After rapid weight loss, the skin and underlying tissues can fail to restrict back in place, resulting in a sagging, loose appearance to the belly, arms, thighs, and more. The only remedy for this is surgery: abdominoplasty, arm lifts, and thigh lifts. These body contouring procedures eliminate loose skin and tighten the underlying tissues to reveal the toned contours and musculature underneath, giving post-weight loss patients a fantastic result.

Will It Save Time and Costs to Combine a Tummy Tuck?

If you are already planning to undergo two procedures, such as a tummy tuck and a breast lift, then yes, it absolutely saves time and costs to combine them. This comes down to how costs are outlined in a surgical plan: the cost of a breast lift includes the surgery itself, known as the surgical fee, the cost of anesthesia, the cost of using the facility where it is performed, the fees associated with surgical staff and supplies, and any other fees. The same goes for a tummy tuck. But when you combine these procedures into one setting, you’ll only need to pay for additional fees once. You will, of course, pay for the two surgeries, but the other fees are greatly reduced when you combine your procedures.

The other factor is recovery. If you were to undergo a breast lift by itself, you’d pay all the fees, undergo surgery, and then go through the typical two weeks (give or take) of recovery, with residual recovery taking another month or so. Then, if you wanted a tummy tuck, you’d pay all the fees again and then undergo another bout of recovery. This equals about two months of recovery, back to back!

What Can I Expect for the Recovery Process If I Combine My Tummy Tuck?

When you combine procedures, your recovery is all at once. Sure, you’ll have more treatment areas to care for, but it is much faster than if you have them alone. When you combine procedures, you don’t extend recovery anymore; you typically abide by the recovery period of the longest healing period. In most cases, abdominoplasty has the longest recovery time of three weeks.

Let’s continue our example of a combined tummy tuck and breast lift. After surgery, your breasts will be protected in a wrapping, and you’ll be placed in a surgical bra. Your midsection will similarly be in a compression garment to help reduce swelling and promote healing. Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions for both your breast lift recovery and your tummy tuck aftercare. You’ll be slightly groggy, sore, and a little tired from the anesthesia. You will have to have a responsible driver take you home and help you settle in at home.

During the first week of your breast lift/tummy tuck combo recovery, you’ll be sore with limited mobility: you likely won’t be able to fully straighten your posture (you’ll be slightly stooped) or lift your arms. The posture is because of the tummy tuck, and lifting your arms will be difficult due to the breast lift.

After two weeks, you’ll start to feel like yourself again, with a gradual increase in mobility and activities. Your surgeon will clear you to return to normal activities as they see fit, but you may need to take a total of three weeks off before you can return to work, as tummy tuck recovery can take longer since the abdominal muscles need to heal and reattach. (If you had a breast lift alone, you’d likely be cleared to return to work after 7-10 days).

Of course, everyone is different, but the typical healing time for a combo procedure is about three weeks of downtime.

Want to Learn More About Combining Tummy Tuck Surgery in Southern California?

If you’d like to find out if you’re a candidate for a tummy tuck or how to combine procedures for the best results, call AesthetiCare Cosmetic Surgery Institute today at (949) 661-1700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation at any of our Southern California locations.