Many international patients, especially from USA, dream about getting multiple plastic surgery procedures done in one trip to Turkey. This is understandable - Turkey is far away, and patients want to maximize their time and investment. But as a plastic surgeon focused on patient safety, I want to share important information about combination surgery limitations and why sometimes it's better to split your procedures into separate sessions.
Why Patients Choose Combination Surgery
When patients travel from USA to Turkey for plastic surgery, they often ask about combining multiple procedures. The reasons are clear:
Save money on travel costs
Take less time off work
Have only one recovery period
Make the most of their time in Turkey
These are all valid points. However, as your surgeon, my top priority is always your safety and achieving the best possible results.
Understanding Surgery Duration and Its Impact
Let me explain why surgery duration is so critical for your safety and results. When we do full face rejuvenation, which includes procedures like:
This combination already takes about 6 hours. This is quite a long time for both the patient and the surgeon. Why is this important? There are two main reasons:
1. Anesthesia Time Matters
The longer you stay under anesthesia, the higher the risks become. Even though modern anesthesia is very safe, extending surgery beyond 6-7 hours increases potential complications. As your surgeon, I always think about:
How your body responds to long anesthesia
Maintaining stable vital signs
Managing fluid balance
Preventing blood pressure fluctuations
Controlling body temperature
2. Surgeon Focus is Critical
As a plastic surgeon, maintaining perfect concentration throughout the surgery is essential. After 6 hours of detailed work, even the most experienced surgeon's focus can start to decrease. This is why I'm very honest with my patients - I won't compromise your results by pushing beyond safe time limits.
Smart Combinations That Work
Not all combinations are too risky. Here are some examples of safe combinations I often perform:
Face lift + breast implant (total 6 hours)
Mini face lift + tummy tuck
Breast procedures + tummy tuck (mommy makeover)
The key is choosing combinations that:
Stay within the 6-hour time limit
Don't put too much stress on your body
Allow me to maintain perfect focus
Have compatible recovery processes
When to Split Your Procedures
Sometimes, I recommend splitting your desired procedures into two separate sessions. This is better when:
Total surgery time would exceed 6-7 hours
Procedures affect very different body areas
Recovery processes might conflict
You want extensive work in multiple areas
For example, if you want full face rejuvenation plus mommy makeover, it's safer to do these in two separate trips. Yes, this means more travel, but your safety and results are worth it.
Planning Your Surgery Journey
If you're considering multiple procedures, here's what I recommend:
Make a list of all procedures you're interested in
Discuss priorities during consultation
Consider which procedures naturally combine well
Plan timeline for staged procedures if needed
Think about recovery logistics
Remember, good results take time. Sometimes patience brings better outcomes than trying to do everything at once.
Why I Focus on Safety First
In my practice, patient safety always comes first. This means:
Being honest about time limitations
Not rushing complex procedures
Maintaining surgical excellence throughout
Giving each procedure full attention
Ensuring optimal recovery conditions
Understanding Recovery Time
Another important factor in combination surgeries is recovery. Different procedures have different recovery needs:
Face procedures need head elevation
Breast surgeries require arm movement restrictions
Body procedures might need compression garments
Some combinations can make recovery more challenging
This is another reason why sometimes it's better to separate procedures - to make your recovery easier and more comfortable.
Making Smart Decisions
When patients come to me wanting multiple procedures, I always:
Listen to their goals
Evaluate their overall health
Consider total surgery time
Assess recovery compatibility
Make honest recommendations
Sometimes this means telling patients we need two sessions instead of one. While this isn't always what patients initially want to hear, they appreciate the honesty and focus on safety.
Conclusion: Your Safety is My Priority
As your plastic surgeon, my goal is giving you the best possible results while keeping you safe. Sometimes this means doing procedures in stages rather than all at once. While I understand the desire to maximize your trip to Turkey, remember:
Surgery time beyond 6-7 hours increases risks
Surgeon focus must stay perfect throughout
Recovery needs vary for different procedures
Patient safety always comes first
One more thing to say; some interventions are for local anesthesia, and thats very logical to do some of the work udner local anesthesia to lower the general anesthesia duration. Don't forget to check my local anesthesia blog.
Are you thinking about multiple procedures? Let's discuss your goals and create a safe, effective surgical plan that gives you the results you want while prioritizing your safety and wellbeing.
Want to learn more about combining procedures safely? Contact our clinic for a personalized consultation where we can discuss your specific needs and create the best plan for your transformation journey.
Don't forget to visit our patient stories page: https://doctorcbs.com/patient-stories