When and How to Combine Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining cosmetic surgeries can help patients achieve comprehensive results. However, doing so safely and effectively requires the guidance of a seasoned and reputable plastic surgeon. This blog will explain how combining surgeries can deliver a more dramatic rejuvenation and why targeting the same areas (face, breast, or body) is the safest and most effective approach.
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What Are the Advantages of Combining Plastic Surgeries?
Combining plastic surgery procedures can offer many advantages. First and foremost is the convenience of one surgery versus multiple procedures and downtimes. A consolidated recovery period is a big plus for people with busy lives who want to minimize their downtime.
Second, combining procedures can be more cost-effective, as some expenses, such as anesthesia and facility fees, are only incurred once.
What Are the Best Practices for Combined Plastic Surgery?
While there are many advantages to combining plastic surgery procedures, best practices must be followed to ensure safety and success.
Choose an Experienced, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
During the consultation, a reputable plastic surgeon will evaluate your overall health, review your medical history, assess the areas of concern, and ask about your aesthetic goals. This personalized approach ensures that the combination surgery is personalized to help each patient meet their unique needs and expectations.
A qualified plastic surgeon will also be transparent about the risks and complications of combining cosmetic surgeries to help you weigh the benefits against the risks and help you make an informed decision.
Safety Over Convenience
Getting multiple plastic surgery procedures at once may be enticing and can be an excellent solution in some cases, but safety should always come first. The length of time you’re under anesthesia is a significant safety factor. The longer the surgery, the higher the risk of complications. So, your surgeon may recommend breaking up procedures into two or more sessions if the combined time under anesthesia is too long.
For example, if you’re having a facelift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty, your surgeon might perform the facelift and eyelid surgery together but recommend waiting for a separate session for the rhinoplasty. This approach will minimize the time under anesthesia, lower your risk of complications, and make recovery more manageable.
Combining Cosmetic Surgery for Different Areas
A qualified plastic surgeon will only combine procedures in the same general areas. You can combine different facial or body surgeries. However, it is not advised to combine facial and body procedures—for example, a facelift with liposuction or eyelid surgery with a tummy tuck.
Know the Recovery
Combining procedures can extend the recovery period as your body will be healing from two or more surgeries. However, with realistic expectations and proper planning, you can ensure a recovery experience conducive to proper healing and the best results possible.
5 Commonly Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Now that we’ve covered patient safety, best practices, and choosing a surgeon, let’s look at some commonly combined plastic surgery procedures. We’ll also look at how they typically go together:
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- Facelifts and Neck Lifts: A facelift provides a more youthful mid-to-lower facial appearance, while a neck lift corrects sagging skin and muscle banding in the neck. Combining these two procedures offers a seamless transition from the face to the neck and can prevent an unbalanced outcome. Many plastic surgeons include a neck lift with facelift surgery. The recovery from a combined facelift and neck lift is similar to recovery from a facelift surgery alone, but there may be more swelling and bruising in the neck area. Patients should be prepared to wear compression garments and follow post-operative care instructions.
- Facelift and Eyelid Surgery: A facelift addresses sagging skin and deep creases around the lower face and neck, and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) corrects droopy eyelids and puffiness around the eyes.Combining these procedures offers a more complete facial rejuvenation and a youthful, refreshed look from the brows to the chin. Facelift and eyelid surgery involve similar recovery protocols: managing discomfort and swelling, avoiding strenuous activities, and keeping the head elevated.
- Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty: Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery) is often combined with otoplasty (ear correction) to address the ears’ position, size, and shape. Together, these procedures can greatly improve facial symmetry and balance. Patients who are self-conscious about the shape of their noses and ears may find that addressing both areas at once will give them a more confident and harmonious appearance. Since rhinoplasty and otoplasty are less invasive than other procedures, they can often be combined in one session without extending the recovery period.
- Cosmetic Breast Surgeries: Women who want breast enhancement can combine procedures such as a breast lift with breast augmentation or breast reduction. Breast augmentation involves placing implants to increase size and shape, and a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin. Combining these procedures allows for a more customized approach to address both volume and positioning in one surgery.
- Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, and Arm Lift: A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes loose skin and fat while repairing lax abdominal muscles, and liposuction reduces localized fat. An arm lift can be combined with tummy tuck surgery or liposuction for even more dramatic results.
When combined, these cosmetic body procedures can sculpt the midsection for a flatter, more toned abdomen. Those who have lost a substantial amount of weight can address significant changes to their bodies with these procedures.
Women who have experienced one or more pregnancies can benefit from a complete Mommy Makeover, which is a combination of breast and body procedures.
Recovery from a tummy tuck and liposuction or a Mommy Makeover can be extensive, but the results are worth it for many patients. You should expect some initial discomfort and swelling, but these will subside over the following several weeks.
How to Ensure Safety and Success When Combining Plastic Surgeries
Considering multiple plastic surgeries to address several areas of concern in one expanded surgery can be enticing. However, combination procedures require careful planning, a clear understanding of the risks, and a focus on both safety and results.
Combining cosmetic surgeries can be a great way to achieve comprehensive aesthetic enhancements. However, it’s essential to proceed with caution and always follow the advice of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to help ensure the safety and success of your procedure.
Dr. David Pincus, “Top New York Plastic Surgeon Of The Decade”
Our highly esteemed, board-certified plastic surgeon is proud to have been named a “Top Plastic Surgeon of the Decade” by IAOTP, the International Association of Top Professionals – New York.
Dr. Pincus offers combination cosmetic surgery options in Smithtown, NY, including comprehensive facial, breast, and body rejuvenation. With his experience and expertise, you can trust Dr. Pincus to prioritize your safety and satisfaction!
Board-Certified Facial, Breast, and Body Plastic Surgeon in Smithtown, NY
Call (631) 352-3556 to reach our Long Island top plastic surgery practice and schedule your consultation.
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