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Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS
- Iris Surgery Center
18 Miller Road
Sumter, SC 29150 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 803-773-6009
- Send E-mail
- www.garyculbertson.com
Answered Questions
Q:
Can laser hair removal cause the patient to get acne?
My daughter is having laser hair removal and she is getting more acne. Can the laser hair removal be the cause?
A:
It is doubtful that the laser hair removal is causing your daughter's acne to get worse. Please consider consulting your Dermatologist regarding the worsening acne.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
Do I need Liposuction and Breast Reduction to avoid having wings?
My plastic surgeon is telling me that I need to have liposuction in addition to my Breast Reduction because I will have left over "wings" after the reduction. This costs extra and I frankly don't have the money. Is it really necessary?
A:
Many plastic surgeons perform liposuction of the flank region at the time of the patients breast reduction to remove these "wings" and decrease the overall width of the breast. These areas can sometimes extend on to your back. If so, they are usually not addressed at the time of the breast reduction. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
Did a bumper car ride damage my tummy tuck, performed two weeks ago?
I had a tummy tuck two weeks ago. I went on the bumper cars at a carnival over the weekend. I was holding my arms across my abdomen but experienced a few good "bumps." I had a little pain afterwards, but nothing horrible. Everything looks pretty good, except for a tiny bit of swelling and twitching/spasms to the left of my belly button. My belly button, by the way, has a stitch that pulled loose six days after the surgery and is slowly closing, but still draining a little. Do you think the bumper car experience did any harm to the healing of the tummy tuck?
A:
I really hate to say this but you have to be kidding. It is extremely inadvisable to participate in activities such as bumper cars so soon after major surgery. You should return to your surgeon for an exam expeditiously. Be sure to ask your surgeon some questions on activity restrictions following your tummy tuck.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
View this question
I have had consultations with four board certified plastic surgeons concerning a breast lift. All have told me that with the lift I would probably lose a cup size which I do not desire. Only two would do an implant in conjunction with the lift. The other two said they do not do the implant at the same time. Since I am two for two what would be the best decision. At 48 years old I really don’t want to go through two surgeries, but do not want to jeopardize my well-being either.
A:
The issues you address regarding the aging breast are important. The two components of the appealing breast are the patients nipple position and size of the breast in relation to your body size. A mastopexy is a lift of the breast and often repositions or restores the nipple/ areolar area to a more appealing or youthful position. There are various types of mastopexy’s or breast lifts. Some entail quite large incisions. A breast augmentation enhances the natural appearance of the breast. They typically evolve very small incisions.
So, why the differences in options of your plastic surgeons? Often it is related to your expectations and patient safety. Many plastic surgeons believe that it is safer with less complications to the patient (i.e. re-operation, infection, tissue loss, etc.) to perform major breast lifts (large incision mastopexy’s) first and then follow with a breast augmentation at a latter date. Especially, if the patient is considering a very large implant/ augmentation at the time of the mastopexy.
We commonly perform minor mastopexy’s (creasant, circle, lolly pop, etc.) with breast augmentation. But, with major mastopexy’s or lifts I separate the procedures because I do not want my patients to take the risk of the higher complication rates. My practice is not in a large city. There are not another 100,000 patients waiting outside my door for plastic surgery. So, I must provide and recommend to my patients surgical procedures with high success rates and low complications. Besides, it has always been my philosophy that practitioners should do what is in the best interest of their patients and not their pocket book. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
What can be done for vertical scarring after breast procedures?
I have had three procedures on my breast resulting in vertical scars that are very noticeable and really bother me. The first procedure was done thru the nipple incision but the implant was too large. I had a smaller implant placed but my doctor said the incision would have to be done vertically. Then one night my implant flipped over and back into place the next day. I had another corrective surgery and they are OK now; however, my scars really bother me. What can I do? Help!
A:
It sounds like you have been through a great ordeal. We live in a McDonald's Society and expect everything expeditiously. The human body does not heal as rapidly as the delivery of fast food. Consider waiting at least 6 months to a year for your scars to mature before you undergo a scar revision. A member of ASAPS certainly could give you advice on how best to proceed.
Best,
Gar R. Culbertson, MD, FACS