Question:
Can a tummy tuck & breast lift be done at the same time?

I will be celebrating my 1 year anniversary next week and am seriously starting to consider plastic surgery. I have a small umbilical hernia that my surgeon says he can repair and do a tummy tuck at the same time. It will cost me about $5,000 out of pocket to cover the extra charges the insurance doesn't cover. I'm wondering two things: 1. should I consult a plastic surgeon as well, and 2. can a breast lift be done at the same time as a tummy tuck? I would like to have both procedures but really hate the thought of having two different anesthetics and recovery times.    — georgiacarol (posted on August 25, 2001)

August 25, 2001
Yes, I do know it's possible to do both, and it does save a considerable amount on the out of pocket expenses, especially if your breast reduction can be covered by your insurance. One of my sisters DID get the breast reduction covered, and had both together. The other sister couldn't get the breast reduction covered so just had the tummy tuck and a hernia repair done at the same time. Best wishes.
   — Yvonne R.

August 25, 2001
Breast reduction and abdominoplasty are two surgeries that are often grouped together. I personally always try to have more than one reconstructive surgery done at a time, for the same reasons you mentioned, you kill two birds with one stone for anesthesia and recovery time. Plus my plastic surgeon said the other bonus is that the body only registers the worst pain, so the second procedure is kind of a freebee. I had my breast reduction done with my bat wing removal and the following month had my tummy tuck with breast implants and a neck lift. The breasts are the easiest by far. Breasts should be covered as long as they can remove 500 cms of tissue.
   — Jill L.