The popularity of cosmetic plastic surgery has increased over the last decade, partly due to the various reality shows that chronicle individuals who undergo a procedure, or two. It is becoming quite common for patients to request a combination of procedures in order to achieve their ideal outcome in one surgery setting.
However, it is important for patients to fully understand the pros and cons of undergoing multiple procedures at one time. The most common reasons my patients want to undergo more than one procedure at a time are to save recovery time and to save money on fees associated with surgery. Every time a patient goes in for a procedure, he/she will need some time to recover and many times combination procedures do not have a longer recovery time than one procedure would. In addition, with every surgery there is a charge for anesthesia, surgery center, and other miscellaneous fees. By combining more than one procedure, patients can significantly cut their final cost.
On the other hand, there are some risks involved with a prolonged time in surgery. There are some circumstances in which multiple procedures can result in longer recovery time than a single procedure. The specific safe combination of procedures is based upon the patient’s general health and the procedures involved. For example, a tummy tuck is often combined with a breast lift.
The best way to determine if undergoing multiple procedures is right for you is by scheduling an initial consultation. We can discuss your surgery of choice and desired outcome in further detail.