The key is not combining as many surgeries as possible, but doing so within safe limits. At Cirumed, we plan combined procedures to maintain the total surgical time under six hoursIf the required combination exceeds that limit, we prefer to divide the treatment into two interventions.
That's why procedures like abdominoplasty, the Lipo 360breast surgery or a BBL They can be combined in certain patients, but always according to the anatomy, the complexity of each surgery and the expected operating time.
In this guide we explain Why do we use the 6-hour limit as a safety criterion?, what procedures can be performed together and when it is more advisable to plan the Mommy Makeover in two stages.
Are you considering a Mommy Makeover?
The right combination depends on your anatomy, your health, your previous pregnancies, and your goals. At Cirumed, we assess each case individually to determine what can be safely combined.
⚡ The essentials — what you need to know
What is it: A Mommy Makeover combines body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty, 360 Lipo, breast surgery, and, in certain patients, BBL.
Safety limit: At Cirumed we limit combined surgeries to one total surgical time less than six hoursIf the plan requires more time, we prefer to divide it into two interventions.
What can we combine: abdominoplasty + BBL; BBL + breast surgery and, in selected patients, abdominoplasty + BBL + a simple breast augmentation.
What we don't do in a single session: A full abdominoplasty + BBL + mastopexy with implants is performed when that combination exceeds the established surgical time limit. In these cases, we plan the surgery in two stages.
The key decision: It is not about performing the greatest possible number of procedures, but about selecting a combination adapted to the patient's anatomy and that can be performed within adequate safety limits.
Why do we set a six-hour limit?
The duration of a combined surgery is one of the most important factors in deciding which procedures can reasonably be performed in a single operation. As surgical time increases, so does the risk of certain postoperative complications.
A study published by Gupta et al. in 2014Based on 1.753 procedures, it found that Each additional hour of surgery was associated with an approximate 21% increase in the likelihood of complications.
More recently, an analysis of 42.720 procedures published by Rohrich and colleagues identified the combined procedures as one of the main factors associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism and the need for hospital admission, along with a longer operating time.
Does this mean that surgery automatically becomes dangerous after six hours?
No. Six hours does not represent an absolute boundary between safe and unsafe surgery. At Cirumed, we use this limit as... planning criteria to avoid excessively long combinations and to decide when it is preferable to divide the treatment into two interventions.
The goal is not to perform as many procedures as possible in a single session, but to find the balance between the desired result, the complexity of the surgery, and the expected operating time.
Which procedures do we combine and which do we prefer to perform in phases?
Not all combinations have the same duration or complexity. Therefore, within a Mommy Makeover, we distinguish between procedures that can be performed together in selected patients and combinations that are preferable to be divided into two separate interventions.
Combinations we can consider
- Abdominoplasty + BBL.
- BBL + breast surgery, including mastopexy with or without implants depending on the case.
- Abdominoplasty + BBL + simple breast augmentation, only in selected patients and when the planned surgical time remains within our safety limits.
Combinations that we prefer to divide into two parts
We do not perform a complete abdominoplasty + BBL + mastopexy with implants in a single session when the expected duration exceeds the surgical time we consider appropriate.
The difference is important: a simple breast augmentation requires less surgical time than a mastopexy, which involves reshaping and lifting the breast tissue. When several complex surgeries are planned, dividing the treatment into two phases allows for better control over the duration and recovery.
It's not a fixed package: it's designed around your body.
The first important point to understand is that there is no single “standard Mommy Makeover.” Two patients may have the same procedure name and yet require different surgeries.
One patient may primarily need abdominal and breast augmentation. Another may also need Lipo 360 to define the waist. Yet another may benefit from adding a BBL if she has sufficient fat and if the combination is safe.
Therefore, a Mommy Makeover should be approached as a personalized plan. It involves analyzing what has changed in your body, what you want to improve, and which procedures can be combined without increasing unnecessary risks.
Do you want to know which combination suits you?
Dr. Aslani's team can review your photos, goals, and history to advise you on whether it's best to combine abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, 360 liposuction, or BBL in the same surgery, or if it's better to do it in stages.
1. Abdomen: abdominoplasty with muscle repair
The abdomen is often one of the main areas addressed in a Mommy Makeover. After pregnancy, there may be excess skin, localized fat deposits, and separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
Abdominoplasty allows for the removal of excess skin and improvement of the abdominal shape. When diastasis recti is present, it can also include muscle repair. plication of rectus muscles.
This part is key because not all protruding abdomens can be corrected with diet or exercise alone. If the abdominal wall has lost tension, surgical repair may be necessary to restore support.
2. Waist: Lipo 360 to define the contour
La Lipo 360 It works the abdomen, flanks, and lower back comprehensively. In a Mommy Makeover, it helps to better define the waist and create a more harmonious transition between the abdomen, back, and buttocks.
When combined with abdominoplasty, it's not just about removing skin. It also aims to improve the overall silhouette of the torso.
If the patient wants to add volume or shape to the buttocks, some of the extracted fat can be used for a BBL, provided it is safe and there is enough fat available.
3. Breasts: lift, implants or fat
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, breasts can lose volume, firmness, or position. That's why many patients include breast surgery as part of a Mommy Makeover.
The right option depends on each individual case. A mastopexy can lift sagging breasts. An implant can restore volume. Fat grafting can provide a more natural augmentation. In some patients, several techniques are combined.
The decision depends not only on the desired size, but also on the skin, breast sagging, tissue quality, and the result the patient is looking for.
Can a BBL be added to a Mommy Makeover?
Yes, in some cases a BBL can be added to a Mommy Makeover. The fat removed during 360 Liposuction can be used to enhance the shape of the buttocks, provided the patient has sufficient fat and the combination is safe.
Not all Mommy Makeovers include a BBL. The decision depends on the goals, anatomy, and total surgical time.
One surgery or in stages: the safety decision
One of the most important questions is whether all the procedures can be done in a single operation. Sometimes yes, but not always.
Combining surgeries has advantages: one more anesthetic, one faster recovery, and a more complete result. But it also increases surgical time. And time under anesthesia is a safety factor.
Therefore, at Cirumed, the decision is not made for convenience, but for safety. If the combination can be performed within a reasonable timeframe, it is considered to do it together. If the plan would be too lengthy, it is recommended to divide it into phases.
This principle is related to the Surgical efficiency in combined surgery: work efficiently through experience, not out of haste.
What does this mean for you as a patient?
For you, it means that a Mommy Makeover shouldn't be chosen as a closed list of procedures. It should be built around your body and what you truly need.
Your priority might be your abdomen. Your breasts might be the most important area. Your waist might need Lipo 360 to achieve a proportionate result. Or a BBL might make sense to balance your silhouette.
The goal is not to perform more surgeries, but to find the right combination. At Cirumed, safety always dictates the procedure, never convenience.
FAQ
A Mommy Makeover typically combines abdominoplasty with muscle repair, 360 liposuction, and breast surgery. A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) may also be added in some patients. The exact combination depends on each patient's anatomy and goals.
No. It's not a fixed package. Two patients may need different combinations depending on their abdomen, waist, breasts, available fat, and the desired result.
Sometimes yes, but not always. It depends on the type of procedure, the total surgical time, the patient's health, and the safety of the plan.
At Cirumed, we plan combined surgeries aiming to keep the total time under six hours. We can consider combinations such as abdominoplasty + BBL or BBL + breast surgery, and, in selected patients, abdominoplasty + BBL + a simple breast augmentation.
When a combination requires more extensive surgery—for example, full abdominoplasty + BBL + mastopexy with implants—we prefer to divide it into two procedures.
It can be safe in expert hands, with good patient selection and control of surgical time. Safety depends on planning, the team's experience, and risk prevention.
Pregnancy can leave excess skin, localized fat, and separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. Therefore, many patients require abdominoplasty with muscle repair as part of a Mommy Makeover.
It is generally recommended to complete motherhood before surgery, because a subsequent pregnancy can alter part of the result, especially the abdominal muscle repair.
It depends on the specific combination of treatments. In general, the patient should plan for several weeks of gradual recovery, avoiding strenuous exercise until cleared by the medical team.
Because published evidence shows that the risk of complications increases with longer surgical time. The duration of the procedure is therefore one of the factors we use to decide whether a combination can be performed in a single session or if it is more appropriate to divide it into two sessions.
Do you want to plan your Mommy Makeover?
Send us your goals and some photos via video consultation. Dr. Aslani's team will explain which procedures are right for your body and whether it's best to combine them into a single surgery or do them in stages.
