• Injection Rhinoplasty Injection rhinoplasty is when a filler such as Radiesse is used to fill in a portion of the nose to alleviate the appearance of a bump.  This is typically a procedure used to correct small defects, and should be done with extreme caution by a surgeon highly skilled in the arts of rhinoplasty and injectables.  Nasal skin is extremely thin so any abnormality can become very visible, and detract from the results you were hoping for.

    Injection rhinoplasty is very different from a rhinoplasty surgery in which the structure of the nose is modified to bring balance & harmony to the face.  And while a traditional procedure may take a bit longer to heal and be a bit more of a recovery, it’s also more likely to offer a result you will be pleased with.

  • Rhinoplasty Consultation First & foremost, it is important that you consult with a surgeon who is Board Certified.  This ensures that they meet a strict set of criteria which are very important when considering a rhinoplasty, as it takes quite a bit of skill and experience to perform one successfully.

    The second question you need to ask is how many rhinoplasty surgeries have they done?  You want to make sure the surgeon you choose has a great deal of experiencing in performing a rhinoplasty, and does them on a fairly regular basis.

    I’d also recommend asking to see before and after photos of previous patients to ensure that your aesthetic and the surgeon’s are a good match.  Digital imaging can also be an extremely helpful tool in helping you and your surgeon set a realistic goal in terms of your final results.

    Ultimately you need to feel 100% comfortable with your choice of surgeon.  Be sure to give them a detailed medical history, including any issues such as snoring, trauma, allergies, use of nasal sprays, recreational drugs, etc.  Schedule a consult and allow them to perform a detailed internal and external exam of your nose and bring in any records of past trauma they can review.  This will help them to make an informed decision on just how they can help you achieve a desirable result.

  • Rhinoplasty In any rhinoplasty surgery, bringing balance & harmony to the face is the goal.  For men, this is very important since a nose that appears feminine would in fact detract from the face.  A poorly shaped or disproportionate nose not only affects your appearance but can also impact your self esteem.  The end result should be masculine & well balanced.

    Specifically men tend to prefer a stronger profile than women, which means the dorsal line of the nose needs to be straighter and very, very slightly curved for women.  Also the angle of the nose (the angle the lower nose creates with the upper lip) needs to be slightly smaller for men than for women, usually close to a 90 degree angle for men versus more like a 100-110 degree angle for women.

    Ultimately though, it’s a balance between what you envision and what your surgeon feels capable of providing.  It might be a good idea if available to get a computer rendition of what you’re picturing, to give your surgeon a better visual to work with.

  • Breast Implant Implants themselves do not increase the risk of cancer.  However placing implants above the muscle can slightly decrease the accuracy of mammography.  It’s important when getting them you inform the person doing the mammogram that you have implants, as they will take an additional xray of each breast in order to be able to view almost all of the breast tissue surrounding the implant.

    Breast implants should not inhibit self-exams, and if there are any questionable problems that crop up with a mammogram, there are other methods of detection that can be implemented if needed, such as an MRI which is unaffected by implants.

    For patients with an increased risk of breast cancer, I’d recommend a preoperative mammogram just to be sure there isn’t anything that should be investigated before surgery.  It also may be prudent find an imaging center that is comfortable imaging around implants.  Discuss this with your surgeon as it’s likely they will have a referral they can send you to.

  • Breast Augmentation In order to find the right implant size, I highly recommend consulting with a surgeon who allows you to try on implants at the time of your consultation.  This will give you the opportunity to try on actual implants so that you can see if a certain size gives you the result you are looking for.

    Size is usually based on breast characteristics such as your personal goals and what you have pictured in your mind’s eye, as well as physical characteristics such as breast tissue elasticity, nipple location, current amount of breast tissue available, and the width of your breast.

    You’d also want to keep in mind variables such as where you want your incisions, and whether or not the implant’s placement is well hidden beneath the breast.  As every body type is different, your unique anatomy would also play a role in size selection and choosing an option that ‘fits’ your body well.  I’d schedule a consultation and thoroughly discuss all possible options with your board certified plastic surgeon, before making any concrete decisions.

  • Breast Procedures First, take note of what the marks look like.  If you notice marks after surgery that look a bit blue in color it’s possible that the implants have made the veins in your breast tissue a bit more noticeable.  Those aren’t stretch marks, and there will not be much you can do to reduce their appearance.

    If they look a bit red in color, it’s possible they are stretch marks.  Whether or not you get stretch marks is often left up to genetics.  If you are prone to getting them, it will often show up in areas like your outer thighs or arms during rapid growth spurts.  There is really no way to avoid them, or to predict in whom they may occur beforehand.

    Skin elasticity plays a large role in whether or not your skin can stretch to accommodate implants without leaving marks.  If you are young the skin’s elasticity will be higher than if you are older.  You can also try to improve elasticity using moisturizers.  Data is not conclusive as to whether or not emollients like cocoa butter can help, but they certainly don’t hurt.

    So for patients concerned about stretch marks I’d recommend a skin care regimen rich in moisturizers and emollients for at least a week before, and for a month after surgery.  I’d also recommend discussing all potential problems or issues with your surgeon beforehand, so that you’re well prepared for everything.

  • Breast Implant Congratulations on celebrating such a wonderful milestone!  By no means is being 50 a disqualifier for breast augmentation.  Good candidacy is left to your overall health, genetics, the health and condition of your skin and breast tissue, as well as your expectations.  I’d also recommend getting medical clearance from your primary care doctor beforehand.

    You may have different goals for the breast augmentation surgery than a 20 year old would.  For that reason, I suggest that you be very open in what you are looking for and what your goals are with your surgeon.  I also recommend asking if they have experience doing breast augmentation with women in your age range.  Last, if you have any concerns regarding skin laxity, I’d also consider discussing the possible necessity of a breast lift  to compliment your augmentation.

  • Breast Implant This is one of the most frequently asked questions in my practice.  Breast augmentation prior to pregnancy is perfectly safe & while there is a very small chance of trouble with breastfeeding in some women, ultimately it should not affect the ability to breast feed.  This is especially true if you opt to have the implants placed beneath the muscle.

    That said, if you’re actively trying to get pregnant right now, I’d recommend waiting until after the pregnancy to have your surgery anyway, as it is true pregnancy can often change the shape of the breasts, and even the size.  That may then require a possible additional surgery, in the form of a breast lift.

  • Vaser Liposuction First and foremost, be certain that the surgeon you are consulting with is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  Anything less than board certified and you are risking your health and safety.

    Secondly, I would ask about how many VASER procedures they have done & how experienced they are with this type of liposuction.  Ultimately your final results will boil down to your unique goals, and the skill of your surgeon, so it’s important to choose a surgeon with experience in the type of procedure you are considering.

    Third, it would be wise to view before & after photos of the surgeon’s previous work.  Vaser is different from traditional liposuction in that it uses ultrasonic energy to melt fat, which is then removed with a traditional liposuction technique.

    It’s often used for body contouring procedures and in areas where a small amount of fat needs to be removed… which means it requires more skill from the surgeon.  Before and after photos can help you to make an informed decision, coupled with the other suggestions I have listed.

    Finally, trust your instincts; did you feel comfortable & well cared for when visiting with this doctor?  Was he/she honest & open with information and answers to your questions?  Did this seem like someone you can trust?  All of those questions are important to ask yourself when consulting with a surgeon, and if you’re not 100% comfortable it might be wise to keep looking until you are.

  • Liposuction If you’re genuinely worried or the swelling seems abnormal, I recommend contacting your surgeon immediately.  They will be able to determine if there is a cause for concern.  However try not to be alarmed as some swelling is to be expected.  It’s prudent to keep in mind that after any kind of liposuction, swelling can remain for up to 4 months after your procedure.

    Being active can also increase swelling & slow down the healing process.  It may be a good idea to limit some of your activities in order to facilitate healing more quickly.  Also, your surgeon may recommend that you continue to wear the compression garment in order to keep the swelling down as much as possible.  Again, if you’re worried, talk with your surgeon.