is it really safe to have two plastic surgeries at once

It goes without saying that some people are more bothered by aging than others. For those who feel best when they look more youthful, keeping a young look can feel like a war with multiple fronts, because aging impacts your skin, your facial structure, your eyes, and more, all at the same time. For patients who truly want to make the most of their facial rejuvenation efforts, combining multiple procedures that they can benefit from (like a facelift and eyelid surgery) into one surgery can offer them more comprehensive results and an easier road than having each procedure separately. But to some, the idea of having two or more cosmetic surgeries at once sounds like a dangerous extreme. So, truthfully, is it safe?

The short answer is yes—combining most procedures can offer numerous benefits without compromising your safety. But the key word is can. It’s always best to use a board-certified plastic surgeon (as opposed to a “cosmetic surgeon,” a title doctors often use when they have not been board-certified in plastic surgery). But the more complex your cosmetic surgery gets, the more important your surgeon’s abilities are, so look for someone who also has ample experience in the type of procedure you’re considering. Some surgeons specialize in body contouring, others in breast surgery, others in all types of cosmetic surgery, so if you want to focus on your face and eyes, look for a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation.

An important part of making sure you can safely have your facelift and eyelid surgery at the same time is evaluating your health. Before any plastic surgery, you will undergo a medical exam with blood tests and potentially other tests to make sure you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery and recover well. Rest assured that as a plastic surgeon, I’m focused on your health and safety just as much as I’m focused on your appearance, so this medical evaluation will allow me to make sure that your health does not put you at a higher risk of complications.

Ultimately, the bottom line is that if you do your homework and find an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust, he or she will be able to make an accurate recommendation about how to provide the results you want in a safe way. In many cases, having your face lift and eyelid surgery at the same time can cut down on total recovery time and cost, while giving you the end result you truly want in a shorter period of time. To discuss whether you may be a candidate for this popular combination, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.