Abdominoplasty can sometimes be done at the same time as other procedures if it is safe and suitable for the patient. This may allow different areas of the body to be treated during one operation. Before combining surgeries, the patient’s health, goals, and recovery needs are carefully assessed to make sure the plan is appropriate. Below is a list of surgeries that can be combined with this procedure:
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, which involves placing implants to change the size or shape of the breasts, may be performed at the same time as abdominoplasty. Patients who want to address changes in both the abdomen and breasts may consider combining these procedures in one operation.
This combination may reduce the need for two separate recovery periods. However, it also means a longer time in surgery and may require more support during healing. A consultation is needed to assess the patient’s health and whether this approach is appropriate based on the extent of surgery needed.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift may be combined with abdominoplasty for patients who have noticed changes in breast position over time, often after pregnancy, weight changes, or ageing. This procedure reshapes the breast tissue and raises the breast to a higher position on the chest. It focuses on lifting rather than increasing volume and does not involve using implants.
When performed with abdominoplasty, both the abdomen and breast areas are addressed during the same operation. This may reduce the number of times a patient undergoes surgery. The suitability of combining these procedures depends on general health, skin condition, and the extent of correction needed in each area.
Liposuction
Liposuction may be added to abdominoplasty to remove fat from nearby areas such as the waist, hips, or sides of the abdomen. This can help adjust the shape of surrounding areas during the same operation. Although it can assist with body contouring, liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure.
Including liposuction may increase recovery time, depending on the amount of fat removed and the areas treated. The decision to combine these procedures is based on the patient’s health, treatment goals, and how the body is expected to recover. These factors are reviewed during the consultation at Form & Face in Sydney to ensure the plan is safe and appropriate.
Muscle Repair
Abdominal muscle repair is often included as part of an abdominoplasty, especially when the muscles have separated due to pregnancy or weight changes. This condition, known as abdominal separation, can affect core strength and abdominal shape. The repair is done by bringing the muscles back together and securing them in place.
This step is performed during the same operation as skin and tissue adjustment. Not every patient will need muscle repair, and it is only done if the separation is present. An assessment during the consultation will help decide if this part of the procedure is required.
Reasons for Combining Abdominoplasty with Other Surgical Procedures
Combining abdominoplasty with other procedures may be considered when a patient wants to address more than one area of concern in a single operation. Common combinations include breast augmentation, breast lift, or liposuction. These combinations are sometimes chosen after pregnancy, weight changes, or for patients who have multiple areas they would like treated during one surgical session.
There may be practical reasons for combining surgeries, such as reducing the number of times a patient needs to have anaesthesia or completing multiple procedures in one operation. This approach may also mean going through one recovery period instead of separate ones for each procedure. However, combining surgeries is not suitable for everyone. Dr Benjamin Norris carefully assesses each patient’s health and goals to determine whether combining procedures is appropriate. The decision is based on factors such as the extent of surgery needed, expected recovery, and overall safety.
Reasons to Choose Dr Norris for Abdominoplasty in Sydney (Bondi Junction) and Bella Vista
Dr Benjamin Norris is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), with over 20 years of training and surgical experience. He completed his medical education in Auckland and later trained in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery in Australia and the United Kingdom. His background includes experience at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford and a Consultant role at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
In his current public hospital role at Westmead, Dr Norris performs complex reconstructive and microsurgery for facial, head, and neck conditions. In private practice, he offers a range of procedures and regularly updates his knowledge by attending cosmetic plastic surgery centres in Europe and the United States. This ongoing professional development supports his approach to both individual and combined surgeries.
Dr Norris carefully plans abdominoplasty procedures, with or without additional surgeries such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or liposuction. He reviews the patient’s medical history, health status, and goals before confirming whether combining procedures is suitable. During the consultation at Form & Face in Sydney, he explains each part of the surgical plan, recovery expectations, and safety considerations to help patients make well-informed decisions.