Is Scheduling Multiple Surgeries at the Same Time a Risk?

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 29, 2017

Undergoing surgery, at any time or for any reason, can be a scary experience. It’s for this reason that so many patients, particularly those undergoing cosmetic surgery, wonder if it’s possible to get multiple surgeries done at the same time; even when the different surgeries require different surgeons. While this may be a perfectly safe option, for the most part, surgeons usually advise against it.

Internal Dangers

This is because while there are complications involved with any surgery, those risks increase significantly when more than one surgery is being performed.

With any major surgery, a person’s blood count will drop as open wounds allow more blood to leave the body. For the same reason, the protein stores within the body also become depleted. The immune system is also placed under a great amount of stress during and after any surgery. This system is not as able to respond to wounds, infection, and scarring as it would if surgery had not been performed at all.

Anesthesia Danger

Another danger associated with multiple surgeries is that the patient will need to be placed under general anesthesia for longer. There are always a number of risks when using general anesthesia, such as a sudden spike in blood pressure, poor aspiration, or even being awake or feeling sensation during the procedure but being unable to communicate this to the surgeon (this is called “anesthesia awareness”).

When a patient is placed under general anesthesia for an extended period, chances are good that things will go wrong. And while it may be necessary for surgeries that require a long time in the operating room, surgeons avoid it if possible. There is one last complication of anesthesia: never waking up.

Worse Recovery

Recovery can also be much more difficult when many surgeries are performed at the same time. Surgery places a huge amount of stress on the body as it is literally opened or cut into. Afterwards, it needs time to repair and restore itself, and the body is trying to recover in several different places at once, working overtime and dividing resources.

If you have recently had surgery and suffered other injuries as a result, you may have a valid surgical malpractice claim that entitles you to compensation. Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complicated personal injury claims, so call us at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., toll-free at (888) 228-3860 to get the help you need.