Can I Have More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure at a Time?
More than one plastic surgery procedure can sometimes be performed during the same operation, but the combination needs to fit the patient's health, goals, and recovery resources. New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS discusses the benefits and tradeoffs of a combined plan.
Originally published July 16, 2020. The examples reflect his practice at the time; the decision to combine or stage procedures requires an individual assessment.
Key takeaways
🩹 A shared recovery can be convenient.
One period away from work or one trip for surgery may suit some patients, while recovering from several procedures can also be more demanding.
💬 Some costs may be shared.
Dr. Smith discusses operating-room setup, anesthesia, travel, and postoperative support as factors, rather than offering a universal package price.
🔎 Longer operations introduce additional considerations.
Position changes, technical complexity, and clot-prevention planning are part of his discussion.
🎯 The procedures should complement the goal.
Examples include multiple-area liposuction, breast and abdominal surgery, augmentation with a lift, and nose and chin surgery for facial balance.
🔎 Experience with the combination matters.
Dr. Smith encourages a detailed conversation about whether the proposed procedures work together and how recovery will be managed.
🎧 Episode guide
00:00 — Introduction
01:05 — Potential benefits of combining procedures
04:38 — Complexity and operating time
05:45 — Blood-clot risk considerations
07:21 — Examples of combined procedures
13:59 — Planning with your surgeon
Can a breast augmentation and lift be combined?
The episode describes this as an option for selected patients who want both increased volume and a change in breast position or shape. Dr. Smith explains that choosing an implant and planning a lift involve related but distinct decisions.
Will combining procedures always save money?
It may reduce some duplicated expenses, but it does not establish what your own operation will cost. Dr. Smith's examples concern shared setup, travel, and recovery needs. The extent of surgery and support required still need to be defined in an individualized quote.
What should I ask at consultation?
Discuss the goals for each procedure, whether the surgeon recommends combining or staging them, the anticipated operating time, and the help you will need afterward. The episode emphasizes this planning conversation rather than choosing a combination from its name alone.
🔗 Related reading and consultation
Combined or staged mommy makeover | Mommy makeover | Breast augmentation | Request a consultation
About the host — current biography
Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS specializes in mommy makeover surgery, breast surgery, and body contouring in Manhattan. He was named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2026 and has co-authored authoritative peer-reviewed publications on combined breast surgery and abdominoplasty and the surgical care of postpartum patients.
Educational information; surgical risk, recovery, and the appropriate combination vary. Show notes updated September 30, 2026.
