Health Focus is a weekly article in the Lake County News Herald featuring a Q & A with Dr. Vanek.
Q: I want 2 or 3 procedures… can they all be done at the same time?
Having multiple plastic surgery procedures at the same time is very common and can have many benefits. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that about 40% of all U.S. cosmetic plastic surgery patients have two or more procedures performed at the same time. The popular TV show “Extreme Makeover” often demonstrated these, although they often are much more “extreme” than I would recommend.
Multiple procedures can save you time and money
Doing multiple procedures can reduce your total time in surgery, so it saves money on anesthesia and facility fees. It also allows you to recover from these surgeries simultaneously, minimizing your time away from your work. There also may be an emotional benefit if patients need multiple procedures to achieve their desired results more quickly.
Some of the most commonly combined plastic surgeries are brow or forehead lift with a face and neck lift; breast augmentation and breast lift with tummy tuck (the mommy makeover); tummy tuck with liposuction; tummy tuck with face lift; and face lift with fat grafting.
All surgery carries some risk, so it is important that you are in good health, especially because of the extended time under general anesthesia. However, a 10-year study released in 2005 concluded that there was no statistically significant increase in complications in patients who underwent prolonged anesthesia. As always, I recommend that you consult only with a board-certified plastic surgeon (or double-board certified, like myself) to discuss your specific wishes. Ask if they are experienced in the combination of procedures you’re seeking. Over my 25 years, I have significant experience and would be happy to discuss this with you.
Contact us to set up your own consultation or answer any question you may have.
Dr. Paul Vanek MD, FACS
Vanek Plastic Surgery
9485 Mentor Ave #100
Mentor, OH 44060
440-205-5750
