Should You Get a Breast Lift or Tummy Tuck First?

A breast lift (mastopexy) and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are two of the most common cosmetic procedures women turn to to achieve their ideal figure. 

For some women, mastopexy can be used as a substitute for breast augmentation and performed as part of a “mummy makeover”, providing a comprehensive upper body transformation. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at breast lift and tummy tuck surgery, including which should be performed first for optimal results.

Our board-certified surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, specialises in many body contouring surgeries – including breast lifts and tummy tucks. With extensive experience in the field, he can design a bespoke treatment plan for you. 

Benefits of Getting Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck Separately

• Less intense recovery period – While one recovery period is advantageous in terms of not having to go through two separate bouts of healing, a combined recovery can be more painful and intense as you’ll be recovering from multiple procedures at the same time.

• More room for flexibility – You may have a better idea of what you want one area of your body to look like after having the first part of your body re-contoured. 

• Ability to spread out the costs – Combining both procedures can make the one-off cost difficult to cover for some patients. Therefore, it may be more financially manageable to cover the cost of just one surgery before saving up and having the second procedure at another time in the future. Two separate procedures does, however, end up working out more expensive. 

Does It Matter if You Get a Breast Lift or Tummy Tuck First?

Either procedure can safely be performed before the other. However you’ll need to wait a few months between surgeries for your body to recover fully. Most patients tend to opt for the body area that’s bothering them most when choosing between the two.

Can You Have a Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck Together?

As mentioned, breast lift and tummy tuck procedures are often performed together in a series of surgeries known as a “mummy makeover”. 

These surgeries are ideal for women following pregnancy and childbirth who want to restore their pre-pregnancy figure or for women after significant weight loss. 

Some patients can also choose to vary the combination of surgeries involved in a mummy makeover according to their needs. For example, some patients opt for breast augmentation instead of a breast lift. 

Benefits of a Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck Together

Less time under anaesthesia – Undergoing both procedures within the same surgery means you’ll only have to be placed under general anaesthesia once, which can reduce the risk of anaesthesia-related complications. 

Save money – Individual surgeries require you to spend money on surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia fees, and much more. Therefore, by combining a breast lift and tummy tuck, you’ll only have to pay these fees once. 

Only one recovery period – Combining the two procedures means you’ll only have to endure one recovery period. This is beneficial for your body as it won’t have to go through two bouts of pain and swelling, and it also makes getting time off work considerably easier. 

Faster results – It takes time to recover from a cosmetic procedure before you can schedule another one. You can achieve your desired results even faster by combining the two procedures. 

Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck Procedure

Mastopexy is performed using one of the four breast lift incisions: crescent lift, periareolar lift, vertical lift, or an inverted-T lift. Treatment involves the surgeon removing the required amount of excess skin and then reshaping the breast tissue. The remaining skin of the breasts is brought back together and tightened, as the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches.

A full, traditional tummy tuck first involves the relevant incisions being made along the bikini line and around the naval. Excess skin is removed from the lower abdomen, and any muscle separation is repaired. The remaining tightened skin is then draped back over the abdomen while the belly button is repositioned for a natural-looking tummy. 

The exact procedure of a combination breast lift and tummy tuck can vary depending on the surgical techniques used. A breast lift comes first when performed in a combined procedure, although Dr Tillo will discuss and design a bespoke surgical procedure with you during a consultation. 

Typically, Dr Tillo combines only simple breast lifts with a tummy tuck. This is because complex types of mastopexy such as the wise-pattern lift tend to be more effective when performed separately to abdominoplasty.

How Long is Recovery After a Combined Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck?

After 2-3 weeks, you should be able to resume light activities such as walking and complete simple chores around your home. A full recovery usually takes around 6-8 weeks – after which you can return to a full exercise routine.

You will also be asked to wear a compression garment for the first six weeks post-procedure to minimise swelling and speed up the healing process. 

When Can You See Results After the Combination Procedure?

The results after a combination procedure are immediate, with the breasts sitting in an elevated position and the removal of excess abdominal skin revealing a noticeably flatter stomach. 

However, these results gradually improve over the first few months as your body heals and the post-surgical swelling subsides. The final results of a combination procedure may take up to 6-12 months to become visible. 

Schedule a Consultation With CREO Clinic Today

If you’re interested in breast lift and tummy tuck surgery, contact us to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with CREO Clinic today. Only the best and most experienced surgeons can perform the two procedures together, and Dr Tillo is one of the leading surgeons in the field.