Timing is the first question that needs to be answered when considering breast reconstruction surgery. Should the reconstruction be started at the time of the mastectomy or after it is over? There are good reasons to choose either alternative. Immediate reconstruction, performed at the time of the original cancer surgery, can decrease overall healing time and time away from work.…
For consumers, cost is of paramount concern for any item or service. Quality, convenience and a host of other factors are obviously important, too. That said, what determines the cost of a plastic surgical procedure? First there are the fixed costs, like, for instance, the current price of breast implants. Variability in cost depends in part on volume of use,…
Breast conservation is the goal of lumpectomy surgery for breast cancer. It is a good choice for large breasted women with relatively small cancers. But in even the best cases, significant residual deformities can occur. Sometimes the problem is caused by the surgery, sometimes by the radiation usually necessary after lumpectomy. We can improve the appearance of a partial mastectomy…
Which Facelift is right for you? It depends on what needs to be corrected. If your jaw line has lost definition, you have minor jowling, and minor excess neck skin, a mini facelift is probably what you need. However, if you have a “turkey” neck with neck bands and a straight line of skin from your chin to your chest…
Yes, breast reduction is a covered service by health insurance if certain criteria are met. What those criteria are depends on the insurance and the state. All companies require that the large breasts cause significant symptoms and that a particular amount of breast tissue be removed. Excessively large breasts can cause pain in the upper and lower back, neck and…
A plastic surgeon? Yes. A magician? No. When there is a cut through the skin, the skin needs to heal. To heal, it needs to lay down new collagen, which is never as organized as the collagen you are born with. Disorganized, heaped up collagen is the definition of a scar. So what do plastic surgeons do to avoid scars?…
When patients ask why is it called “plastic” surgery, I usually reply, “We had plastic before plastic had plastic.” The term plastic means to mold, and is from the Greek word plastikos. It was first used to describe a specialty of surgery in 1837. The first plastic, on the other hand, was made by Alexander Parkes in 1855 by…
How is a breast lift performed? Three components need to be addressed: nipple position, breast skin envelope, and milk gland position and shape. Nipple position is the most important. The other components are placed in relation to the nipple. An incision around the nipple is always needed to relocate it. Different amounts of breast skin are removed depending on how…
You’re not happy with your breasts, but not sure if you need an augmentation or a lift, or both. The rule of thumb to determine if you need a breast lift is pretty simple. You know the place under your breast where it meets the chest? That intersection is called the inframammary fold. If your nipple is above the fold,…
Silicone or Saline? Which Breast Implant is Best for You? The two most common complications of breast implants, rupture and capsule formation, are influenced by which type of implant you choose. The appearance and feel of the implants are also affected by implant type. Implant manufacturers have a lot of faith in their products these days and provide free lifetime…
Deciding to have a breast augmentation involves a lot of decision making. What kind? What shape? How big? A crucial but perhaps not so obvious decision is where to place the pocket that will hold the implant. Should it go over or under the pectoral muscle? This decision is not trivial. It impacts recovery, post-op activity level and the possible…
Are Your Hands Giving Away Your Age? Age spots, thin skin and a bony appearance are the telltale signs of aging on your hands. Our hands go through the same aging process as our faces. Over time, exposure to sun causes skin damage and age spots. Loss of volume makes our tendons stick out and our hands look bony. If…
