Many women who come to speak with us have an idea of what final results they are looking for but they are not sure which procedures they will need to achieve them. One of the most popular requests women desire is to have their body restored to the way it was before they had a baby. We also hear many requests from patients who have experienced significant weight loss and were left with loose skin and saggy breasts.
At Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics we often perform a tummy tuck in conjunction with a breast lift to address these concerns. These two procedures are part of one of our most popular packages called a “mommy makeover” but you don’t necessarily have to have had a baby to take advantage of this combination procedure. Let’s look at some of the reasons tummy tuck and breast lift surgery are so popular.
The Cosmetic Surgery Surge
The Aesthetic Society (formerly the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or ASAPS) reports that in 2021 there was a 54% increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries performed. There are a few factors that have played a role in this increase and a few are tied to the recent pandemic.
In mid-March 2020, in response to the Covid pandemic, all elective surgeries were canceled. This meant that women who were scheduled for a tummy tuck and breast lift had to reschedule their procedures and new patients had to wait for their transformations. By the time 2021 arrived, cosmetic surgeons were backlogged and spent the year catching up while also taking on new patients.
Procedures such as tummy tucks and breast augmentations have increased over the past few years. Tummy tucks have increased by about 85% and breast lifts are up by 70%.
In addition to the backlog of procedures that surgeons had to catch up on, cosmetic surgeons across the country saw an increase in surgical procedures that may be attributed to more women working remotely. Historically, women who spent their time in an office, traveling, and attending meetings were now working from a desk at home.
Many women who desired to undergo a breast lift or tummy tuck could not curtail their travel or work schedule for the length of time necessary for recovery. Working from home, however, afforded them the time they needed since they could hide the surgical recovery evidence during zoom calls and online webinars.
Not having to attend in-person meetings or go into an office, dressed in business attire to interact with coworkers face-to-face made having their much-desired surgery a reality. We all know that despite looking professional in the visible areas that can be seen on zoom calls, everyone is wearing their Pj pants!
Reclaiming A Sense Of Self
Many women experience feelings of depression as they age or after having children because they no longer look like they used to. Let’s face it, social media and society, in general, puts an extreme amount of pressure on women. We are supposed to be everything to all people, beyond superhuman, and on top of it, look fresh, well-rested, sleek, toned, and put together.
Women are beginning to understand their value and that it is important for them to take care of themselves. This does not only mean their physical health but their mental health as well. Cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures can restore a woman’s self-esteem and boost her confidence levels.
Combining A Tummy Tuck And Breast Lift Surgery
We have discussed two reasons that cosmetic surgeries are on the rise, now let’s look at the benefits of combining a tummy tuck and breast lift.
1. Contrast
First, let’s just state the obvious, when an improvement is made to one area, it can sometimes highlight flaws found in other areas. This concept is true when applied to home improvements and it also can be a factor in cosmetic surgery.
For example, if a woman has breasts that are sagging and excess skin in her abdominal area and she opts to only undergo a tummy tuck procedure, she will still be unhappy with her appearance. The contrast between her flat tummy and more contoured torso will make her breasts appear to sag even lower. This normally results in the decision to undergo a breast lift to complete her transformation so she achieves her desired physical appearance.
2. Psychological Benefits
Combining a tummy tuck and breast lift can circumvent any psychological issues that spacing these procedures out would create.
When waiting between multiple procedures there will be an interim period where things are not as you want them to be. This often causes women to be unhappy and self-conscious about the areas that have not been corrected. This can sometimes lead to depression and further negative body image issues. Combining the procedures helps the final results manifest in about the same timeframe and avoids an in-between period.
3. Anesthesia-Related Benefits
Combining a tummy tuck and breast lift surgery can save you some aggravation and some money when it comes to anesthesia.
Many patients experience side effects after being sedated using general anesthesia. They wake up from surgery feeling nauseous or vomiting which can last several hours. Combining these two procedures into one surgical session means you only have to suffer through these side effects once.
Another factor to consider when it comes to anesthesia are the costs involved. There is a fee for the services of the anesthesiologist and the anesthesia medication so combining a breast lift and tummy tuck will eliminate the costs associated with anesthesia for a second procedure.
4. Shorter Total Recovery Time
Both a tummy tuck and breast lift require six full weeks of recovery before patients are cleared to resume all activities.
There are lifting restrictions to ensure you do not damage any of your incision lines, some time off of work required, no driving for a period of time, pain, soreness, and problems finding comfortable sleeping positions.
Not to mention, that while you are experiencing these early recovery days, you will need some help at home. If you have children or pets, you will need to consider what type of care they require. You will not be able to pick up your kids or take a big dog out for a walk. Combining a tummy tuck and breast lift surgery means only having to coordinate all these elements one time instead of twice.
It also means having to feel uncomfortable, refrain from driving, sleeping in a recliner, and experiencing all the other recovery-related challenges only once.
A Tummy Tuck with a Breast Lift: You Can Achieve Your Desired Results Faster
Having a tummy tuck and breast lift simultaneously will allow you to have the body you want faster with a lower risk for complications.
It also may allow the surgeon to create smoother contours and more natural-looking transitions between the abdomen and the breast area because it is all being completed at once.
After recovering from your tummy tuck and breast lift you will have your desired aesthetic and you will not have to wait between procedures to look the way you want.
Create Your Customized Plan Today
If you are unhappy with the way your body looks, you have options. The experts at Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics are here to help you visualize these options and then make them a reality.
Visualizing your end results and discussing these with your cosmetic surgeon will help them determine which procedures will be the best and safest to provide you with the results you want.
We invite you to contact us to learn more about the benefits of having a tummy tuck and breast lift, as well as additional procedures you might be interested in learning more about.
Set up a consultation today to discuss your desires and what you would like to accomplish in enhancing your appearance. Doctor Angelina Posteov, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon and the team of skilled professionals at Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics will help you create a plan to turn these desires into results.
