In 2023, tummy tucks and breast lifts placed third and fourth in the list of the top cosmetic surgeries performed. Both are procedures that tighten up the chest and core area, so it makes sense that they’re so popular amongst patients.
Getting both a tummy tuck and breast lift can be a great idea if you’re considering going under the knife. Instead of going through surgery and recovery twice, you can consolidate it into a single timeframe.
However, is this a good idea? What are the pros and cons of combining these surgeries? Keep reading to find out.
Pros and Cons of Having a Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck Together
Pro: A Comprehensive Transformation
Getting one procedure done may already significantly alter your body’s appearance. However, if you’re unhappy with both your chest and stomach, then having a tummy tuck without a breast lift (or vice versa) can leave you with an unbalanced look.
If you address both areas, then you can get a more proportional and harmonious appearance. As a result, it’ll have a more profound effect on your self-esteem.
Pro: A Single Recovery Period
Tummy tuck recovery can take up to eight months before you’re feeling normal again. And with a breast lift, it can take months for you to heal and get the final results.
Considering those lengthy recovery times, wouldn’t you like to kill two birds with one stone? By combining the two procedures, you’ll have one downtime, which will reduce the overall time you’ll have to take off from work and refrain from daily activities.
Pro: It’s Cost-Effective
There’s no question that any type of surgery will be pricey. It’ll be significantly cheaper if you go to Mexico, but the surgeries will still be things you have to save up for.
The good news is that if you combine procedures, you’ll often get a discount. This is because costs related to anesthesia, surgical facility fees, and other associated expenses will be consolidated into one operation rather than two.
Pro: It’s Convenient
Not only do you save money by getting a breast lift and tummy tuck together, but you’ll also save time and effort.
Scheduling one surgery is logistically easier than planning multiple procedures. The various consultations, pre-op appointments, and post-op care will all be combined so you only have to go through them once.
Con: Longer Surgery Time
The longer you have to be under anesthesia, the higher your risk for complications, such as blood clots. And when you combine procedures, naturally, the surgery will be longer than if you had them separately.
This is why it’s imperative that you stop smoking and live a healthy lifestyle before any surgery.
Con: Higher Initial Discomfort
Recovering from two surgical sites can definitely be more challenging. It’s common to experience increased pain and more limited mobility, especially in the abdomen and upper body.
However, you can prepare for these disadvantages ahead of time. Plus, knowing there will be more discomfort (rather than being left in the dark) can make you more mentally prepared.
Con: A Greater Strain on Your Body
Because you’re having more than one surgery done, there will be a greater strain on your body. This may slightly slow down the overall recovery process compared to getting one procedure at a time.
Getting a breast lift and tummy tuck together may also put you at an increased risk of complications. While it’s rare, things like infection, delayed healing, or issues with scarring will be more likely to happen.
Con: There’s Intensive Aftercare
Following post-op instructions can already be difficult for one surgical area. Handling two will be even more challenging, and it can feel overwhelming.
If you don’t have extensive support at home, then getting these two procedures in one go may not be ideal.
Who Should Avoid Getting These Procedures Together?
We’ve outlined the pros and cons in the above sections, but maybe you’re still unclear on whether you’re a good candidate for these two procedures. If that’s the case, here’s a quick overview of cases where it’s not advisable to proceed.
Poor Overall Health
In general, you should be in good health and cleared by your GP for plastic surgery. If you have infections, untreated illnesses, or compromised immunity, then you should postpone the surgeries until you’re in better health.
If you have chronic health issues, disorders such as autoimmune diseases, or are obese, then these can make combined procedures riskier.
Smokers or Recent Smokers
Smoking reduces blood flow and oxygenation in your body, and both of these are essential for healing. If you’re a smoker or recent smoker, you may experience delayed healing, as well as infections, tissue necrosis, or poor scarring.
Those Unable to Commit to Recovery
There’s a huge amount of downtime, rest, and post-op care needed. If you can’t get enough time off of work or don’t have a reliable support system, then recovery will be extremely hard. You must also be dedicated to following care instructions diligently.
Can You Get a Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation at the Same Time?
Before we end this article, you might have another combination on your mind: a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. The good news is this is definitely possible!
In fact, if you’re also interested in a breast lift, then a good route to go is the mommy makeover. This is a combination of several procedures that’ll result in the best version of yourself. Some procedures you can get with a mommy makeover include:
- Breast implants
- Breast lift
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
Basically, whatever you need done to restore your body’s pre-surgery look, a plastic surgeon can do it for you.
Will You Combine a Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift?
There are many pros and cons to getting a tummy tuck and breast lift. But generally speaking, if you’re in good health and aren’t a smoker, it can be worth combining the procedures. Not only can you get better prices, but you’ll only have to go through surgery once.
Just be prepared to have a longer healing period and have more post-op pain and discomfort. Ensure that you have a good support system so you’re well taken care of.
Get in touch with us today if you’re interested in a tummy tuck with breast lift. Dr. Valdez have performed over 3,000 successful operations over his 16-year career.
References:
- Breast Lift Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-lift/results
- McDaniel JC, Browning KK. Smoking, Chronic Wound Healing, and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2014;41(5):415-E2. doi:10.1097/WON.0000000000000057
- Phan K, Kim JS, Kim JH, et al. Anesthesia Duration as an Independent Risk Factor for Early Postoperative Complications in Adults Undergoing Elective ACDF. Global Spine J. 2017;7(8):727-734. doi:10.1177/2192568217701105
- Plastic Surgery Statistics. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/plastic-surgery-statistics