What is single stage surgery?

Single-stage cosmetic or plastic surgery refers to a procedure in which two or more distinct types of aesthetic changes are performed in a single operation. For example, a patient might undergo both a breast lift and breast augmentation in the same surgery. By combining procedures like these, a patient can achieve comprehensive results without the need for separate surgeries. This approach reduces recovery time, minimises costs, and ensures a more streamlined process, all while addressing multiple concerns in one surgical visit.

Some commonly combined plastic surgery enhancements include: 

• Breast Lift and Augmentation (Mastopexy and Breast Implants)
• Tummy Tuck and Liposuction (Abdominoplasty and Liposuction)
• Facelift and Eyelid Surgery (Rhytidectomy and Blepharoplasty)
• Nose Job and Chin Augmentation (Rhinoplasty and Chin Implant)
• Liposuction and Breast Reduction (Liposuction and Reduction Mammoplasty)
• Facelift and Neck Lift (Rhytidectomy and Platysmaplasty)
• Thigh Lift and Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift (Augmentation Mastopexy)
• Brow Lift and Eyelid Surgery (Browplasty and Blepharoplasty)
  
  

Dr. Hertess is highly confident in performing single-stage surgeries to help patients achieve their aesthetic goals, ensuring a faster recovery and reducing the hassle of multiple hospital visits. By combining procedures tailored to individual needs, she delivers optimal results in one seamless operation, making the entire process more efficient and convenient.

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What are the benefits of having single stage surgery?

Single-stage surgery offers several key benefits for patients. It allows for more rapid recovery since you only need to heal once from one surgery, rather than multiple times. With just one hospital visit, you'll save both time and effort. Additionally, combining procedures can be more affordable than having them done separately, helping to lower overall costs.

Most importantly, single-stage surgery provides faster, comprehensive results, achieving multiple aesthetic goals in one go with less inconvenience and disruption to your daily life. Having different procedures at different times can take weeks or months out of your life.

Are there more risks involved in single stage surgery?

All plastic and cosmetic surgery carries inherent risks, and there are pros and cons to single-stage surgery. However, there is a slightly higher risk when multiple procedures are performed at once, as the body is under added stress. Combining surgeries means a longer time on the operating table, which can impact how your body responds. Naturally, there are more areas of the body to heal, and with more procedures, there are also more wounds to care for initially.

Although all surgery carries inherent risks, with over 27 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Hertess ensures you are in extremely capable hands, providing expert care throughout the entire process.

When does single stage surgery work best?

A breast lift with augmentation (also known as augmentation mastopexy) is one of the most successful and popular single-stage procedures in cosmetic surgery. Combining both a breast lift to address sagging and a breast augmentation to enhance volume, this procedure allows patients to achieve more youthful, fuller, and lifted breasts in one surgery.

It’s particularly successful because it addresses two concerns—sagging (ptosis) and volume loss—simultaneously, offering comprehensive results in one operation. The benefits include a shorter recovery time compared to having separate surgeries, less overall disruption to the patient's life, and reduced costs.

When performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Hertess, this procedure is often highly effective in delivering natural-looking and satisfying results for patients.

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Will Medicare cover my plastic surgery?

Medicare coverage for single-stage surgeries largely depends on the type of procedure, whether it’s deemed medically necessary, and the specific circumstances surrounding the surgery.

Medically necessary procedures, such as breast reconstruction following a mastectomy due to cancer, may be covered. However, cosmetic procedures performed solely for aesthetic reasons, such as breast augmentation for purely cosmetic enhancement, are typically not covered by Medicare.

It’s important to discuss your surgery with your surgeon and check with Medicare directly or through your health insurance provider to understand what is covered in your specific case. In some instances, patients may need to submit evidence or a referral from a healthcare provider to demonstrate the medical necessity of the surgery for Medicare to consider coverage.

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Can I have single stage surgery with breast reduction and implants? 

Yes, it is possible to have single-stage surgery that combines both a breast reduction and breast implants, often referred to as an augmentation mastopexy with reduction. Combining these procedures can be beneficial for patients who want to reduce the size of their breasts while also improving their shape and volume.

However, an extensive breast reduction, particularly for overly large breasts, may require a separate-stage surgery due to the significant amount of breast tissue removed, which necessitates a longer and more careful healing process.

Dr. Hertess will assess your breast anatomy and specific needs to determine if a single-stage surgery for both breast reduction and augmentation is possible, ensuring the best results and safe healing.

When is single stage surgery not possible?

So, when is single-stage surgery not possible? There are certain instances when a single-stage surgery may not be suitable for patients. This can be due to factors such as excessive sagging of the breasts, which may require more extensive lifting than can safely be done alongside augmentation in one procedure.

The size of the implants a patient desires may also affect whether both procedures can be performed together, as larger implants might require additional considerations for safety and the desired results.

Additionally, compromised breast tissue or poor skin quality may limit the ability to achieve the best aesthetic outcome in one surgery, as these factors could affect healing and the final shape of the breasts.

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