When patients start exploring aesthetic surgery, it’s common for one question to come up early:
“Can I do more than one procedure at the same time?”
It’s an understandable thought. If you’re already preparing for surgery, the fasting, the recovery, the time away from work – combining procedures sounds practical. And in many cases, it is. But like most things in medicine, the answer depends on careful consideration and professional judgment.
Let’s look at when combination surgery makes sense, when it doesn’t, and what you should know before deciding.
Why patients consider combining procedures
There are several good reasons patients ask about doing multiple procedures in a single session:
- Efficiency. One surgery day, one anesthesia, one recovery period.
- Cost-effectiveness. Combining procedures can reduce certain facility or anesthesia fees.
- Comprehensive results. For some patients, achieving balance and proportion requires addressing multiple areas together — for example, combining eyelid surgery with a brow lift or pairing a facelift with neck contouring.
When done thoughtfully, combining procedures can deliver a more harmonious, natural result.
When it makes sense
Not all procedures belong together — but some combinations complement each other beautifully. Examples include:
- Eyelid surgery and brow lift: These two often go hand-in-hand for upper facial rejuvenation.
- Facelift and neck lift: Tightening both areas at once ensures a smooth, continuous result.
- Tummy tuck and liposuction: Liposuction refines the contour while the tummy tuck tightens the core.
- Breast lift and augmentation: A lift restores shape while an implant restores volume.
The key is balance — both aesthetic and physiological. The goal is to enhance results, not overwhelm the body.
When it’s not advisable
Even though combining surgeries can be efficient, it’s not always safe or wise.
Dr. Justo emphasizes three main reasons to proceed with caution:
- Surgery length matters. The longer you’re under anesthesia, the higher the risk of complications such as blood clots or delayed healing.
- Healing capacity varies. Everyone’s body has limits. Some patients recover beautifully; others benefit from spacing out procedures to allow for full healing.
- Safety always comes first. The priority isn’t “how much can we do” but “what can we do safely, effectively, and beautifully.”
If combining procedures compromises your safety or recovery, it’s better to stage them in phases.
The planning process
Every surgical plan is highly individualized. When a patient expresses interest in multiple procedures, Dr. Justo considers:
- Their overall health, medical history, and age
- The estimated surgical time and recovery demands
- The relationship between areas to be treated (for example, how one procedure may affect another)
- The patient’s goals and lifestyle
From there, he designs a plan that delivers the best possible outcome — whether that means one comprehensive surgery or a series of safely staged procedures.
Recovery and results
When combination surgery is appropriate, patients typically appreciate:
- A single recovery timeline
- More unified aesthetic results
- A reduced need for repeat anesthesia or facility time
However, recovery can still feel more intense. Swelling and fatigue may be greater when the body is healing from multiple areas at once. That’s why rest, hydration, and follow-up care are essential.
Dr. Justo and his team carefully monitor patients throughout the process to ensure recovery is smooth and results are optimal.
A final word
Combining cosmetic procedures can be a smart, efficient way to achieve balanced, natural results — when done safely and by a skilled, board-certified surgeon.
At the end of the day, the best surgical plan is the one tailored uniquely to you: your goals, your anatomy, and your wellbeing.
Because surgery isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what’s right, safely and beautifully.