When considering cosmetic surgery to enhance your body’s appearance, abdominoplasty often comes to mind. This popular procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a flatter, more toned midsection. However, many might not realise that combining abdominoplasty with other cosmetic procedures can provide even more dramatic and comprehensive results.
At West Coast Plastic Surgery, we see a growing trend among patients opting for multiple procedures during a single surgical session. This approach not only maximises the efficiency of the surgical experience but also offers several benefits, including a single recovery period, cost savings, and enhanced overall outcomes.
In this blog, we’ll explore options for combining abdominoplasty with other procedures, such as liposuction, breast reduction or augmentation, body lifts, and thigh lifts.
We’ll delve into the specific benefits of each combination, discuss important considerations, and provide insights into how to prepare for these transformative surgeries.
What is abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall. The primary goal of this procedure is to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile. It’s not just about aesthetics. This procedure also restores weakened or separated muscles for many, providing functional benefits such as improved posture and reduced back pain.
Benefits of combined procedures
Combining abdominoplasty with other cosmetic procedures offers a range of potential benefits. It can help make the surgical experience more efficient and satisfying.
Efficiency: single recovery period
and experience
One of the most compelling reasons to combine procedures is the efficiency of undergoing the recovery process once. Opting for multiple surgeries separately means enduring multiple recovery phases, which can be time-consuming and challenging. By combining procedures, you only have to go through the healing process once.
Cost-effectiveness: potential savings on combined procedures
Combining procedures can also be more cost-effective. Anaesthesia, surgical facilities, and post-operative care costs are typically reduced when multiple surgeries are performed in one session.
These savings can make a significant difference, especially considering the comprehensive improvements combined procedures can provide.
Enhanced results: comprehensive body contouring
Combining abdominoplasty with other procedures allows for a more comprehensive approach to body contouring.
For example, pairing abdominoplasty with liposuction can help address excess fat in areas that the abdominoplasty alone might not fully contour. Similarly, combining abdominoplasty with a breast lift or augmentation can provide balanced, proportional results that enhance the entire body’s appearance.
Common procedures combined with abdominoplasty
A range of procedures can be combined with abdominoplasty for a synergistic effect. These may help you to reach your personal body goals more effectively.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a natural complement to abdominoplasty. While abdominoplasty addresses excess or sagging skin and tightens abdominal muscles, liposuction targets and removes stubborn fat deposits that abdominoplasty may not address.
Thighs, hips, and back are common areas for liposuction. Combining these procedures allows patients to achieve a smoother, more contoured silhouette.
Breast augmentation, reduction or lift
For many women, changes in the abdomen are often accompanied by changes in the breasts, particularly after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Combining abdominoplasty with breast augmentation (enhancement), reduction (breast size reduction), or lift (mastopexy) allows for a more balanced and harmonious body contour.
Body lift
A body lift is a comprehensive procedure that addresses loose skin and excess fat on multiple body areas, typically following significant weight loss. This procedure often includes an abdominoplasty, thigh, buttock, and hip lifts. Combining these procedures provides extensive contouring and dramatic improvements in body shape.
Hernia repair
In some cases, patients undergoing abdominoplasty may also need hernia repair. Hernias, weaknesses or tears in the abdominal wall can be effectively addressed during an abdominoplasty procedure.
Combining hernia repair with abdominoplasty not only improves the cosmetic appearance of the abdomen but also addresses functional issues.
Thigh lift
A thigh lift can be combined with abdominoplasty for individuals looking to contour their lower body. A thigh lift targets excess skin and fat in the thigh area, creating a firmer and more toned appearance. When paired with an abdominoplasty, this combination enhances the overall body silhouette, providing smoother transitions between the abdomen and thighs.
Considerations and risks
While combining abdominoplasty with other cosmetic procedures can offer numerous benefits, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and challenges involved.
Understanding these considerations will help you make an informed decision and prepare appropriately for your surgical journey.
Extended surgery time
Combining multiple procedures means longer time spent in surgery. This extended duration can increase the complexity of the operation and the associated risks. To reduce these risks and anaesthetic time, a second surgeon is often invited to assist the primary surgeon.
Increased recovery demands
Recovery from multiple procedures can be more demanding than a single surgery. Patients should be prepared for a potentially longer and more challenging recovery period.
This means arranging for adequate support at home, planning for an extended time off work, and being ready to follow a comprehensive post-operative care plan.
Managing expectations
While combining procedures can offer enhanced results, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Each patient’s body responds differently to surgery, and the final outcomes may vary.
Your surgeon will provide a detailed overview of what to expect in terms of results and recovery, helping you set realistic goals.
Potential complications
As with any surgery, potential complications must be considered. These can include infection, bleeding, adverse reactions to anaesthesia, and issues related to wound healing. Combining procedures may increase the risk of complications such as prolonged healing, seroma, wound dehiscence, hypertrophic scars, asymmetry, deep venous thrombosis.
Preparing for a combined surgical procedure
For best results, you should take certain steps before a combined surgical procedure. This helps to minimise recovery time and maximise safety.
Consultation and planning
The first step in preparing for a combined surgical procedure is scheduling a consultation with your surgeon. In this consultation, you will discuss your aesthetic goals, medical history, and any concerns you may have.
Your surgeon will evaluate your overall health, assess the areas to be treated, and determine if you are a suitable candidate for combined procedures.
Preparing physically and mentally
Physical preparation involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the weeks before your surgery. This includes eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Mental preparation is equally important. Recovery from a combined surgery may be more demanding and require longer rest and care. Prepare yourself for recovery’s physical and emotional aspects by setting realistic expectations and arranging for adequate support.
Arranging support and care
Recovery from multiple procedures will require assistance. Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to help you during the initial recovery days. You’ll need help with daily cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
Follow-up appointments
Schedule and attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your progress, addressing concerns, and ensuring you’re healing properly. Your surgeon will guide you on when you can gradually resume normal activities and exercise.
Contact West Coast Plastic Surgery
If you’re looking to undergo cosmetic surgery, get in touch with West Coast Plastic Surgery. Your first step to having a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is to schedule an appointment with Dr Qadir Khan today. You can also send an email to admin@westcoastplasticsurgery.com.au to book an appointment or ask any questions you may have that are related to abdominoplasty and related surgeries.