Ask Dr. Elliott: Can I Combine Breast Reduction with a Tummy Tuck?

We all live with the knowledge that aging will happen and will, most likely, leave us feeling less confident in our appearance. But for some women, the aesthetic affects aging has on the body are compounded by factors like pregnancy, motherhood, or weight fluctuations. Fortunately, as cosmetic surgery (and the medical field in general) makes one advancement after another, regaining your self-image has become more and more attainable, and a prime example of this is our ability to combine multiple cosmetic procedures into one surgery. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at why two particular plastic surgeries—breast reduction and tummy tuck—can make a perfect combination for some patients.

• Excessive breast size and sagging skin often appear together.

In general, there are two primary causes of excess abdominal skin—pregnancy and significant weight loss. Aging can have an effect as well, but the problem often begins with one of these two events, and both of these factors can also make the breasts look large, droopy, and out of proportion with the rest of the body. Because many women who are concerned with their large breasts or less-than-firm stomachs are experiencing not just one but both of these issues, they may choose to have both areas improved at the same time.

• The breasts and stomach can be reshaped to complement each other.

In terms of body contouring procedures like breast surgery, a tummy tuck, and liposuction, the key is sculpting the areas of the body so that they’re proportionate and complementary to the other areas—for instance, having the right balance of breast and midsection. Choosing to combine breast reduction and a tummy tuck can allow your board-certified plastic surgeon to contour both areas in a way that brings out the best in your upper body.

• Breast reduction and a tummy tuck have a similar recovery time.

One factor to consider before a multi-faceted plastic surgery is that you’ll be recovering from multiple procedures at the same time. Many patients find this to be convenient, especially when their chosen surgeries require similar amounts of downtime (like the breast reduction and tummy tuck, both of which can take several weeks of healing time before resuming normal daily activities). In other words, it’s easier for most patients to, for instance, take two to four weeks out of their year to recover from a combined surgery than to take the same four weeks this year plus an additional four weeks of healing time next year.

For some patients, breast reduction and a tummy tuck can be a great combination that allows them to regain confidence in their appearance, but the key is, “for some patients.” Plastic surgery needs to be customized to address your unique concerns and your individual medical situation. Whether your cosmetic struggle is with overly large breasts and excess skin or with something else entirely, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to discuss your options. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news by following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.