Dr. Franklyn Elliott Answers Frequently Asked Questions
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Click on a cosmetic surgery procedure listed below to learn more:
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An arm lift (or brachioplasty) removes lax skin and, if needed, excess fat from the upper arms. The incision and the scar it leaves depends on the individual patient. In some patients, the incision is made along the underside of the upper arm. For patients who are looking for a subtler improvement, however, the incision may be limited to the armpit area. To discuss whether an arm lift can benefit you and what type of incision would be needed, schedule a consultation with Dr. Franklyn Elliott.
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Following arm lift surgery, patients typically need 1 – 2 weeks before returning to work. During the first week of recovery, try to get light exercise like walking and avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, as this could cause bleeding at the operative site. Avoid exercises and movements that directly stress the area of your surgery like weight lifting for 4 weeks after your procedure. After a month, patients can generally begin more strenuous cardiovascular exercise like riding a stationary bike or brisk walking. Avoid heavy lifting, contact sports and jogging for up to 6 weeks.
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During arm lift surgery (brachioplasty), there are three primary locations where an incision may be made depending on the individual situation, needs, and preferences of the patient. An incision can be made in the armpit, lengthwise along the front side of the arm, or lengthwise along the back side of the arm. A consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is required before an arm lift to discuss the different incision methods and determine the most beneficial surgical path.
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As long as the patient is healthy enough, there is no reason that an arm lift cannot be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures. Combining surgeries can be an excellent way to achieve even more comprehensive aesthetic results and cutdown on overall recovery time. It’s common for people to combine their arm lift with other body contouring procedures like liposuction or a thigh lift. However, it’s important to discuss this with your board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if combining procedures is the right approach for you.
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Patients who are considering breast augmentation have a wealth of options, from selecting the type of implants (like silicone, saline, or gummy bear) to choosing a size. The size of a patient’s breast implants depends largely on the patient’s preference, as well as what is medically safe and feasible. During your personal consultation, Dr. Elliott will guide you through your various options and help you reach a decision that you feel comfortable with.
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For women who prefer a subtler breast enhancement, breast augmentation can be performed using fat transfer injections to the breast instead of implants. During the procedure, fat is removed from the patient’s body with liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected in to the breasts to create a modest, natural-looking increase in breast size. It’s important to note that only about 60% of the injected fat will survive over time, so the patient should anticipate some reduction in breast size relative to the results immediately following the procedure and may require a follow-up procedure for further enhancement down the road.
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For women who want to increase the size and volume of their breasts, breast augmentation surgery is still the best way to achieve this aesthetic result. There are no creams, supplements, or medications that can effectively help a woman increase her breast size. Fat transfer injections to the breast that use a patient’s own fat that is removed with liposuction can help provide a modest increase in breast size, but they will not be able to replicate the results of breast implants.
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A rupture may occur when the shell of the implant breaks, but the fibrous capsule formed by the breast remains intact. A ruptured implant causes the fibrous tissue to become inflamed and form scar tissue around the breast. This is known as capsular contracture. The scar tissue can often produce pain or discomfort in the affected breast, as well as changes in size and firmness. This can be treated with a breast revision procedure.
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The first sign to look out for if you’re concerned about capsular contracture is a firmness or hardening around the affected breast. This is often followed by intense pain or discomfort. It’s not atypical for the breast implants to become misshapen or unnatural-looking. If you think you may be experiencing capsular contracture, it’s important to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon as soon as possible.
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Before undergoing breast augmentation surgery, prospective patients must make a series of decisions about their potential implant options. This includes choosing which breast implant material (silicone, saline, and cohesive silicone gel-filled) they prefer, implant size, shape, placement on the breast, and more. We will discuss all possible options and alternatives during breast augmentation consultation appointments and patients will even have the chance to try of different potential implant sizes.
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Breast revision surgery is meant to help patients alter the results of a previous breast augmentation procedure by removing and/or replacing the breast implants. Breast revision, like initial breast augmentation procedures, is not especially painful and recovery is fairly straightforward. For some patients, recovery from breast revision can be easier than the recovery from the original procedure since the pocket to hold the implant has already been created.
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When deciding between breast augmentation and breast lift surgery, it’s important to consider the main objectives of these specific procedures. Breast augmentation is recommended for women who are interested in increasing the size, volume, and shape of their breasts. A breast lift may be required for women who experience breast sagging and would like to achieve younger-looking, perkier breasts. Some women may choose to combine these two procedures in order to achieve even more comprehensive results.
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A breast lift procedure focuses on the height of the breasts, and generally does not affect their size. However, many mastopexy (or breast lift) patients do want their breasts to be larger or smaller in addition to looking younger. In this case, Dr. Elliott can often combine the breast lift with either a breast reduction or a breast augmentation. Having both procedures in one surgery can cut down on recovery time and costs and can help patients achieve the results they’re looking for sooner. However, each patient’s cosmetic goals and medical needs are unique, so the first step is a consultation with Dr. Elliott to discuss your surgical options.
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Although it is common for patients to associate these two procedures with each other, they are very different surgeries with very different results. A breast lift is performed for patients who want to lift or reposition breasts that sag, whereas a breast reduction actually alters the size of the breast itself. During a breast lift, skin is removed to help reshape the breasts and then the breast tissue is repositioned to provide a perkier, younger-looking breast contour. A breast reduction procedure involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. Certain patients prefer to combine breast reduction surgery with a breast lift for more comprehensive results.
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Any woman who experiences significant breast sagging and wants to improve the shape and positioning of her breasts may be a good candidate for a breast lift. Breast lift candidates must be in good overall health to undergo the procedure. In addition to providing perkier, younger-looking breasts, a breast lift can also help patients who have elongated breasts, downward pointed nipples, enlarged areolas and/or stretched breast skin.
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When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, the results of breast lift surgery are intended to be long-lasting. It’s important to follow your plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions closely during your recovery period in order to promote the best-possible long-term results. Certain changes to the body that occur due to natural aging, weight fluctuation, or becoming pregnant can impact the results of a breast lift over time.
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No. Although many women do choose to combine their breast lift surgery with breast augmentation to achieve even more comprehensive results, you can absolutely undergo breast lift surgery without getting breast implants. Breast lift surgery can help women who wish to achieve perkier, better-positioned breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning tissue from the breast area.
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Unfortunately, breast sagging cannot be successfully addressed with exercises. Since breast sagging is caused by factors that affect the skin and tissue of the breast over time like gravity or weight fluctuation, the only way to effectively lift the breasts is to undergo breast lift surgery. During a breast lift, sagging skin is removed from the breast and remaining tissue is repositioned to create a perkier, younger-looking breast contour.
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Although it’s true that many women who have their breast implants removed do choose to undergo breast lift surgery, it is ultimately up to the patient. It’s simply a matter of aesthetic preference and if having the implant removed has led to stretched skin and breast sagging. This is particularly common for women with smaller natural breasts who have larger breast implants.
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Not always. It is quite common to combine these two procedures into one surgery, but some women who undergo a breast reduction may not have a large amount of breast tissue removed. A breast lift will only be needed for women who experience stretched skin or breast sagging. We will determine this at your consultation and discuss all your possible surgical options.
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Breast reduction is intended to reduce the size and volume of the breasts to create a more proportional body contour. Although there is no specific age requirement for women who are interested in breast reduction surgery, I normally recommend patients wait until their breasts have fully grown and developed before undergoing the procedure. Continued growth and development in the breast area can negatively affect the results of your breast reduction. Additionally, other changes that occur in the body over time like significant weight fluctuation or pregnancy can have similar adverse effects on a patient’s breast reduction results.
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In many cases, undergoing breast reduction surgery can help women with larger breasts alleviate some degree of pain in their back or neck. It can also help with posture issues. Larger, heavier breasts can put a high level of stress on the spine. Breast reduction surgery can help reduce the volume and weight of the breasts to help women who experience these difficulties while also helping to achieve a more proportional silhouette.
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Unfortunately not. Chest exercises and weight loss can help reduce some amount of fat in the breast area, but they will not be able to reduce excess breast tissue responsible for larger breasts. Additionally, there are no medications or supplements that can help people reduce the size of their breasts. Undergoing breast reduction surgery is the only viable, dependable option for women and men who wish to reduce the size and volume of their breasts.
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Good candidates for breast reduction include women who wish to reduce the size and volume of their breasts. Ideal candidates should be in good mental and physical health coming into their surgery. Breast reduction candidates should be non-smokers, as nicotine can cause complications during surgery and recovery.
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Although this can vary from patient-to-patient, it’s common for patients to resume their normal daily activities (including work) after one to two weeks. This can be longer for people with jobs that require strenuous labor or lifting. Some soreness, bruising, and swelling will occur in the days after surgery, but wearing a compression garment can help minimize this and this will gradually fade over time.
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Bags under the eyes are caused by fat deposits. Genetics are often to blame for these fat deposits, but they tend to grow more prominent with age when the rest of the face loses volume. Lower eyelid surgery, or lower blepharoplasty, removes the fat deposits to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.
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Full recovery from eyelid surgery (AKA blepharoplasty) can take multiple weeks, but you will begin to notice progress soon after your procedure. The stitches are typically removed just a few days after your surgery. During the first week of your recovery, it’s important to give your eyes plenty of rest. Most patients can return to work after three to seven days, but this does vary from patient to patient. Any redness, swelling, or bruising that you experience after your procedure should fade within a week to ten days as well. You may begin exercising again after about two weeks, but there may be some restrictions that will be discussed in more detail during your post-surgical follow-up appointments.
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As long as the patient is healthy enough to undergo their surgery, it is generally safe to combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift. Some patients prefer to have both procedures done at the same time to achieve more comprehensive aesthetic results, reduce costs, and cut down on overall recovery time. But every patient is different and combining procedures may not be the right approach for everyone. This is something we can discuss during your plastic surgery consultation.
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This is a common concern for men considering eyelid surgery. However, there are specific techniques used on male patients during eyelid surgery to help refresh the appearance of the eyes while retaining their more masculine features. I recommend asking your plastic surgeon to see before and after photos of their past eyelid procedures on male patients to confirm that they can provide the results that you hope to achieve.
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I typically recommend for eyelid surgery patients to wait at least one week after their stitches have been removed after surgery before applying makeup or other cosmetics to the area around the eyes. Since makeup can cause the area to become irritated and potentially re-open the surgical wound, or lead to an infection, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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Fat transfer injections use the patient’s own fat that is removed from areas like the abdomen or thighs during liposuction to help add lost volume to different areas of the face and body. After it has been removed, the fat is then purified and re-injected to restore volume to the cheeks and lips, creating a similar effect to injectable facial fillers. Fat transfer injections can also be used to help patients who want to safely rejuvenate the appearance of the breasts, buttocks, and more.
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When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, fat transfer injections are typically very safe. Fat transfer can be a helpful way for patients who want to add volume to areas like the breasts, face, and buttocks. Since fat transfer injections only use purified fat that is removed from the patient’s own body during liposuction, there is only a minimal risk of an adverse reaction to your treatment.
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Women who seek a more modest, subtle increase in breast size may be good candidates for breast enhancement with fat transfer injections. Some women prefer a more subtle and less invasive procedure method, when compared to traditional breast augmentation with breast implants. Additionally, fat transfer injections may be used in conjunction with breast implants to help achieve a more defined shape during breast augmentation. Some women may use fat transfer injections to help restore their breasts after radiation treatments for breast cancer. A woman must have enough available excess fat to successfully perform a fat transfer procedure.
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Liposuction removes excess fat cells from a targeted area of the body, and can be a great way for patients who are already maintaining a healthy weight to minimize localized pockets of unwanted fat. The fat cells that have been removed will not return. However, if a patient gains weight after their procedure, the remaining fat cells in the treated area as well as fat cells in other areas of the body can expand, making the patient’s results less apparent. In other words, liposuction results can be extremely long lasting if the patient maintains their post-procedure weight, but subsequent weight gain in the treated area is still a possibility.
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You’re correct that there is some degree of fat in the breasts. However, in order for breast reduction to truly be successful in providing the cosmetic results that you want while also relieving the physical burdens that excessive breasts cause, such as back pain and shoulder pain, the best option is a true breast reduction. Unlike liposuction, which uses a very narrow tube to remove fat cells alone without affecting other types of tissue, a breast reduction involves removing fat as well as breast tissue and skin for a comprehensive result. Not only will breast reduction surgery allow me as your plastic surgeon to remove the precise amount and type of tissue necessary, but it will also allow me to sculpt your breasts into an attractive and youthful shape, rather than leaving the significant laxity that liposuction would result in.
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The incisions made during a liposuction procedure are quite small (sometimes only a few millimeters), meaning that post-surgery scarring is typically very minor. During liposuction, I work hard to make incisions in more concealed, less naturally visible areas to help keep them less noticeable. Keep in mind that liposuction scars will also fade considerably over time.
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As long as your surgery is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction can safely and effectively be used on areas all over the body. This can include the abdomen, hips, back, flanks, neck, thighs, breasts, and more. Before any liposuction procedure, a consultation with your plastic surgeon will be required to determine which areas of your body can be safely treated with liposuction.
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Although it is true that undergoing liposuction can sometimes reduce the appearance of some cellulite for some patients in certain areas, this is not a result that patients should expect. During liposuction, excess fat is removed from the body. Since cellulite occurs when there is an accumulation of damaged fatty tissue below the surface of the skin, it cannot be treated by just removing the fat from the area.
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Each man’s breast reduction is unique based on the type of tissue being removed. For men with the condition gynecomastia, the chest area may have excess breast tissue which creates an appearance similar to female breasts. In this case, the issue can often be resolved using a small, discrete incision around the bottom of the areola to allow for the removal of the breast tissue. For patients whose primary concern is excess fat in the chest area, liposuction alone may be able to produce a satisfying result. Liposuction only requires a few incisions that are large enough for the narrow metal tube used to remove the fat, so the incisions are only a few millimeters long and they leave little or no visible scarring. For men who have also lost extensive amounts of weight and, as a result, have excess skin in the chest that needs to be removed, a scar along the natural creases of the pectoral area may be necessary. Ultimately, it will depend on your unique needs, which I can evaluate during your in-personal consultation.
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The results of male breast reduction can be extremely long-lasting. Gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts in men, is caused by an excess of glandular breast tissue. Since male breast reduction removes the excess breast tissue, the results from your procedure can last a lifetime. However, in order to maintain your results, it’s important to follow your post-surgery instructions closely. Steroid use, abuse of recreational drugs like marijuana, certain medical conditions, or even considerable weight gain can lead to a recurrence of your gynecomastia.
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Unfortunately not. Gynecomastia, a condition in which excess glandular breast tissue causes an enlargement of the male breast, can only be successfully treated with male breast reduction surgery. Since the condition is genetic in nature and caused by an excess of tissue and not fat, diet and exercise will not be able to reduce the contour of the chest area. Additionally, there are no known medicinal treatments that can successfully treat gynecomastia.
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A mommy makeover is a plastic surgery which combines multiple procedures in order to improve the areas of a woman’s body that have been aesthetically impacted by past pregnancies. While every mommy makeover depends on the individual patient’s needs, these surgeries typically involve a breast procedure (whether it be an augmentation, a reduction, or a lift), a tummy tuck, and liposuction. Using a single surgery for multiple cosmetic procedures can allow patients to achieve the end result they’re looking for with less recovery time and expense than several individual surgeries would require, but a consultation is the first step toward determining whether you’re a candidate for a mommy makeover.
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Unfortunately not. A Mommy Makeover and its component procedures (liposuction, tummy tuck, and cosmetic breast surgery) are meant to provide body contouring improvements, not weight loss. While it is true that excess skin and fatty tissue is removed during a mommy makeover, what is removed typically does not weigh that much. This is why I recommend that my Mommy Makeover patients reach their goal weight before undergoing their procedure in order to achieve the best results possible.
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As long as the patient is in good physical and mental health, combining cosmetic surgery procedures can be a great way to achieve more comprehensive aesthetic results, while cutting down on overall recovery time and costs of multiple surgeries. As an example, many patients combine a cosmetic breast surgery with a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover. However, combining procedures is not necessarily the right approach for everyone. It’s important to consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon to find out if you are healthy enough to combine plastic surgery procedures.
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While it’s true any cosmetic surgery procedure can lead to certain potential complications and risk, when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, a mommy makeover is typically a very safe procedure. To help minimize your risk of surgery complications, it’s important to be in good physical and mental health before your surgery. It’s also very important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon with considerable experience performing mommy makeovers and follow their pre and post-surgery instructions closely. Ask your doctor if he or she is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
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Patients should be in good physical and mental health before mommy makeover surgery, including reaching a stable ideal bodyweight. Mommy makeover patients should stop all tobacco/nicotine use for at least 3 weeks before and after their procedure (and ideally not smoke or use nicotine all together) to promote good healing. Alcohol consumption should be limited to less than 1-3 drinks per week leading up to surgery. Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, etc.) that can increase bleeding for 2 weeks before and after your procedure.
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Every patient is different, however I often recommend for patients who are considering multiple cosmetic procedures like a tummy tuck and cosmetic breast surgery to combine these procedures into one treatment session as part of a mommy makeover. The benefits of a mommy makeover include achieving more comprehensive aesthetic results while cutting down on overall recovery time and hospital costs. We will discuss your options and whether or not you are a good candidate during a pre-surgery consultation appointment.
Other Facial Procedures:
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Both of these procedures restore firmness to facial skin that has become lax and wrinkled by the aging process. However, a facelift traditionally uses an incision within the creases of the face and the hairline behind the ear. A short scar facelift, on the other hand, only requires small incisions concealed by the temporal hair and extending downward in front of the earlobe, so the procedure is less invasive and scarring is minimized.
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Although the effects of anti-aging procedures like facelifts are inherently temporary, because new signs of aging are always forming, the structure of the ears changes very little throughout our lives. Therefore, the results of plastic surgery on the ears can easily last into the patient’s adulthood and beyond. Keep in mind, however, that in order for you to attain the results you’re looking for, it’s important to follow your post-surgical instructions closely, including keeping your bandages on for a specified period of time so they can support your ears’ new shape.
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Patients can normally resume their daily routine about ten days after their chin surgery procedure, though they should refrain from more strenuous activities for a few weeks. Patients can typically begin more intense, high impact exercises again roughly four to six weeks after their surgery. Keep in mind that with any plastic surgery, it can take several months for all residual swelling to fade so that your final results are truly settled. It is important to closely follow all of your post-surgical instructions and maintain communication with your plastic surgeon in order to successfully heal and achieve the best possible results from your chin surgery.
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Although neck lifts are commonly combined with other procedures like a facelift, chin surgery, or eyelid surgery to provide more comprehensive cosmetic results to the face and neck area, the procedure absolutely can be performed as a stand-alone surgery. During a neck lift, excess skin is removed, and sagging neck muscles are tightened to improve definition and create a more-toned, younger-looking appearance. Depending on the patient’s needs, I may also use liposuction to remove excess fat in the neck and jowl area. For men I often just take out the excess skin directly by simply removing whatever is excessive in the front of the neck under the chin. While this does leave a scar, it is hard to see in this location after 3-4 weeks and it is a simple procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.
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As with any other cosmetic surgery procedure (especially facial procedures), scarring is a common concern for patients undergoing ear surgery. During an ear lift (otoplasty), I am able to make very small incisions in the back of the ear, which helps keep visible scarring very minimal after ear surgery. Some patients may require their incisions to be made in the front of the ear. In these cases, I am careful to make the incision as discreetly as possible to help limit visible scarring.
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For many patients, a short scar facelift can be paired with another facial cosmetic procedure to help achieve even more comprehensive aesthetic results. For example, it’s quite common to combine a short scar facelift with eyelid surgery. In addition to achieving greater results, combining multiple surgeries into one procedure can help cut down on total recovery and surgical costs. However, not everyone is a candidate for this kind of combination procedure. So, it’s important to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon first to confirm that combining your short scar facelift with another cosmetic procedure is the right choice for you.
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For patients who are healthy enough to undergo multiple procedures in one sitting, chin surgery can be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures for the face including rhinoplasty and ear surgery. In some cases, an additional procedure may be recommended to help keep the balance of the facial features intact following a chin augmentation or chin reduction surgery.
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Generally speaking, the recovery period following a short scar facelift is the same as recovery from a traditional facelift. Patient should expect some degree of swelling and bruising for about 2 weeks following surgery, however swelling can sometimes persist longer. Patients can normally resume daily activities like work after 2 weeks and exercise after 3 – 4 weeks depending on the nature of their work and exercise routine.
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Post-weight loss surgery is intended to help patients get rid of their loose, excess skin after their weight loss. For patients who experience sagging skin following their weight loss, post-weight loss surgery can provide comfort and an improvement to the appearance of their skin. While the procedure is not a requirement, it is highly unlikely that their skin will correct itself after massive weight loss without surgery. It’s a matter of personal aesthetic preference.
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A good post-weight loss surgery candidate is typically someone who has experienced a considerable amount of loose, sagging skin in one or multiple areas of their body after significant weight loss. Ideally, you are a good candidate for post-weight loss surgery if you are at your healthy goal weight before undergoing your surgery. It’s important for patients to be in good mental and physical health and maintain positive, but realistic expectations for their procedure and recovery. Patients must quit smoking and other forms of nicotine before their surgery, as nicotine can lead to complications and affect the body’s ability to properly recover after surgery.
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In some cases, it is safe and very beneficial for patients to combine multiple post-weight loss procedures into one surgery. For example, some patients can safely combine tummy tuck surgery with an arm lift. Combining procedures can help patients achieve even more comprehensive body contouring results while cutting down on recovery time and surgical costs. However, it’s important to remember that combining procedures may not be an option for every patient. This is something you should ask about during your consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
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Medically, the nose reaches nearly its full adult size by around age 14-15 (or sometimes a couple of years older for boys), and at this point, surgery may be an option to make cosmetic changes to the shape and/or size of the nose. However, keep in mind that rhinoplasty is a true surgery, so it requires patients to be firmly committed to their health throughout the preparation and the recovery. As a result, a teenager’s maturity level and their comprehension of the procedure will determine whether or not they are a candidate, so some patients may achieve a better result if they wait until their later teen years or into adulthood. All the factors that affect cosmetic nose surgery will be discussed at a pre-surgical consultation, where I can meet the potential patient (and the parents, if applicable), examine the patient’s nose, and make a confident recommendation.
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Regardless of whether it was performed to alter the shape or size of the nose, smooth out bumps or depressions, or correct issues with the nostrils, the results of a rhinoplasty are intended to last a lifetime. As you age, your nose may experience normal drooping, however a rhinoplasty can strengthen the nose and allow for more graceful aging. If properly performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, a rhinoplasty should not require any additional maintenance over time.
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In addition to providing outstanding aesthetic results for patients who want to alter the size, shape, or contour of their nose, rhinoplasty surgery can also offer certain medical benefits for some people. Breathing issues caused by a deviated septum or structural nasal obstructions can often be corrected with a rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty surgery can also help patients who have experienced a nasal fracture in the past.
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While rhinoplasty is thought of by some as a way to help resize the nose, for many patients the shape of the nose is as important as the size. Rhinoplasty can help effectively reshape the nose for people who want to make their nose less wide, to refine the tip of the nose, or whatever change is necessary to help achieve the more balanced appearance they desire.
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In many cases, yes, rhinoplasty can be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures. It is most commonly combined with chin surgery. Combining rhinoplasty with chin surgery can help some patients who wish to achieve even more complementary results by focusing on both features at one time and helping to attain better facial balance. Undergoing both surgeries together can also help patients reduce their overall recovery time and surgical costs.
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Thigh lift candidates are people who experience excess loose or stretched skin on their thighs as a result of considerable weight loss. A thigh lift can help remove excess skin from the inner (medial) thigh region and/or the outer (lateral) thigh. Since a thigh lift is a body contouring procedure and not weight loss surgery, patients should be at or near their ideal weight before the time of their surgery. Thigh lift patients should be non-smokers in good general health who maintain realistic expectations before and after their procedure.
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Recovery time after a thigh lift depends on the type of thigh lift procedure you undergo as well as your anatomy and healing ability. Speaking generally, most patients can resume their normal daily activities (including work) within two to three weeks after surgery. It’s important to go easy on your legs and not put them under too much stress in the weeks following your thigh lift, as this can negatively impact your aesthetic results. Patients can normally return to more strenuous exercise routines after six to eight weeks. Following your pre and post-surgery instructions is crucial to a good recovery from your thigh lift.
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The results achieved with thigh lift surgery are intended to be long-lasting. It’s important to maintain a stable, healthy body weight following your procedure in order to ensure the best-possible, long-term results. Make sure to closely follow your plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions and attend regular follow-up appointments as instructed.
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Yes. It’s common for thigh lift patients to combine their surgery with other cosmetic surgery procedures including a tummy tuck or a butt lift to provide more comprehensive body contouring. This is commonly referred to as a lower body lift. It’s important to confirm with your plastic surgeon that you are a good candidate to undergo a combined plastic surgery.
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Essentially, liposuction specifically removes unwanted fat. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, focuses primarily on removing excess skin on your abdomen, which often becomes stretched due to pregnancy or weight fluctuations. A tummy tuck can also repair abdominal muscles which have changed shape as a result of pregnancy, and which can create a “pooch” on even a slender midsection. For patients who would benefit from skin firming and muscle repair as well as fat reduction, liposuction can often be combined with a tummy tuck for a more comprehensive result.
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Though every woman’s body may respond differently to pregnancy and surgery, I recommend that all my patients wait until they are finished having children before undergoing a tummy tuck or any other body-contouring cosmetic procedure. During a tummy tuck, excess skin and tissue is removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened. By repairing any separation in the abdominal muscles that results from pregnancy or weight gain, a tummy tuck is able to create a flatter, trimmer midsection. The effects that pregnancy can have on the body before or after a tummy tuck (including weight gain, stretching of the skin and muscle separation) can negatively affect or even reverse some of the results of your procedure. Some patients may require an additional tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck to re-achieve their initial results before any subsequent pregnancy.
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A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure and not weight loss surgery. This means that undergoing a tummy tuck will not help patients who seek to lose a considerable amount of weight. Although fat is sometimes removed during a tummy tuck, the procedure primarily removes stretched, excess skin. The total amount of fat and skin removed during a tummy tuck doesn’t weigh very much. This is why tummy tuck patients should reach their goal weight before having their surgery.
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In addition to providing the outstanding aesthetic results it is most commonly known for, a tummy tuck can also provide a number of medical benefits including potentially improving posture. Posture issues are very common for people who experience a loosening of the abdominal muscles. By surgically tightening these muscles (while also removing the excess skin and fat), a tummy tuck can add stability to the abdominal muscles, which may improve back support and posture.
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The amount of recovery time patients need after a tummy tuck can vary from patient-to-patient depending on their condition and the specific details of their procedure. However, recovery after a tummy tuck is typically pretty straightforward. In most cases, patients are able to return to most of their normal daily activities like work 2 weeks after their procedure. Some light physical activity like walking during recovery can even help keep your muscles active and help the healing process, but I would advise that patients wait 4-6 weeks before partaking in any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting. It’s also important to closely follow your board-certified plastic surgeon’s pre and post-surgery instructions to promote the smoothest possible recovery from your tummy tuck.
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A mini tummy tuck is designed to help patients who are seeking more minor re-contouring of their abdomen. Unlike a full or traditional tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck is focused specifically on addressing the area below the navel. During a mini tummy tuck, excess skin is removed between the bellybutton and pubic area. It’s important to speak first to a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if a mini tummy tuck will be able to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
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Depending on the patient’s specific needs and preferences, I may recommend one of three different types of tummy tuck procedures: standard tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, or extended tummy tuck. A standard tummy tuck procedure is the most commonly-performed type of tummy tuck, while a mini tummy tuck may appeal to patients who only seek rejuvenation in the area below their navel. An extended tummy tuck can help address the flanks (or love handles) as well as the abdominal area. We will discuss all these options in-depth during a tummy tuck consultation.
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Unfortunately not. Although non-surgical fat reduction treatments can help some patients by removing excess fat from the abdomen, there is no non-surgical way to remove the excess skin and tissue that is removed during tummy tuck surgery. Additionally, in many cases a tummy tuck is able to surgically repair abdominal muscles that may have become widened or damaged by pregnancy or other body changes and this cannot be corrected without surgery.