Plastic Surgery Marathons: Is It Safe to Have Multiple Procedures at Once?
In recent years, the demand for plastic surgery in Brazil has skyrocketed. Alongside this growth, more patients are interested in undergoing several procedures in a single session—such as tummy tucks, rhinoplasty, and breast surgery. But is this “plastic surgery marathon” really safe?
In this article, we explore the risks, safety tips, and recommendations for anyone considering multiple plastic surgeries at the same time.
What Is a “Surgery Marathon”?
In public healthcare, the term “marathon” is often used when hospitals perform a large number of procedures in a short period, attempting to reduce long waiting lists.
Recently, cases reported in Bahia and other parts of Northeast Brazil highlighted serious complications during public cataract surgery marathons—some patients even lost their vision.
While these initiatives can help the population, they also show the potential risks when planning, structure, and staffing are not adequate.
From Public Health Marathons to “Body Marathons”
This analogy applies to plastic surgery: just as rushing procedures in public hospitals can lead to problems, trying to “fast-track” several surgeries on your own body can be dangerous.
Many people want to save time by combining multiple plastic surgeries—for example, rhinoplasty, liposuction, breast augmentation, and tummy tuck all in one go.
But is this really safe?
Risks of Having Multiple Plastic Surgeries at Once
- Longer anesthesia time – The more time under anesthesia, the higher the risks of complications like thrombosis, infections, or heart issues.
- Greater surgical trauma – Your body needs to recover from each procedure. Combining surgeries increases the impact and extends recovery.
- Challenging post-operative care – Caring for several operated areas at the same time is harder and may slow healing.
- Team fatigue – Just like doctors get tired during public marathons, performing multiple complex surgeries in a single day can lead to mistakes.
What Experts Recommend
Experienced plastic surgeons stress the importance of individualized evaluation. In some cases, combining two procedures can be safe (for example, liposuction plus abdominoplasty). However, performing three or more major surgeries at once significantly raises the risks.
It’s also essential to ensure the hospital or clinic has full infrastructure—including ICU and a multidisciplinary team—to handle emergencies.
How to Plan Plastic Surgery Safely
If you’re thinking about undergoing more than one procedure, follow these steps:
- Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon (member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery or your country’s equivalent).
- Discuss your goals openly – explain all the procedures you want and listen to the surgeon’s assessment.
- Ask for a personalized surgical plan – in many cases, splitting surgeries into stages is safer.
- Check the facility’s infrastructure – make sure there’s emergency support on site.
- Prepare for recovery – arrange home support, since aftercare can be demanding when multiple areas are healing.
Why a “Body Marathon” Can Backfire
Just as public health marathons don’t replace a well-organized healthcare system, a “plastic surgery marathon” doesn’t replace safe and structured surgical planning.
Your body needs time to heal. Rushing major changes may lead to complications that prolong or compromise the results.
Conclusion
The desire to change several parts of the body at once is understandable, but safety must come first. A “plastic surgery marathon” may seem convenient, but it raises risks and makes recovery harder.
Talk to a qualified plastic surgeon, weigh the pros and cons, and don’t hesitate to split procedures into stages. The process may take longer, but your results will be safer and longer-lasting.
