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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:
What can I do to help my floating up sub-muscular implants go down one week post surgery?
I am one week post-surgery and my sub-muscular implants are floating up very high on my chest. I'm wearing a band, but it doesn't seem to help. I'm in extreme pain, so pushing them down is difficult and they just work their way back up. Will they go down eventually? Is there anything I can do to help them go down? I teach fitness classes and have strong chest muscles. Should this have been a detriment to my getting implants?
A:
It is best to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Yes, there are normally methods to help position implants post operatively, but it can depend upon how the surgery is done. Sometimes medications can also help the process. Start with the individual who performed your procedure with your issues. If you are not satisfied may I suggest you get a copy of your operative report from your surgeon and consider a second opinion from one of the many members of ASAPS. Best,
Gary R. Culbertson,,MD, FACS
Q:
Can a small amount of my chin bone be shaved off to make my chin profile more symmetrical and how much would this procdure cost?
Instead of having a level chin, the right side of it hangs down slightly, making it appear slanted and uneven. In order to make my chin profile more symmetrical, can a small amount of my chin bone be shaved off? How much would it cost to have this procedure performed?
A:
Facial asymmetry is often common. The procedure you are describing is part of the field of Orthognathic surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthognathic_surgery). These procedures are most commonly performed by Maxillofacial surgery. With advancements in technology, adjustments in the chin size and shape can be performed more expeditiously, with less discomfort, a shorter recovery time and a cheaper cost, with liposuction and fat grafting. Consider giving a member of ASAPS a call to discus your concerns.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson,MD, FACS
Q:
Is it normal to still have pain in the abdomen two years after having a tummy tuck?
I had a tummy tuck two years ago and still have pain in the abdomen. Sometimes I feel short of breath when I breathe. Is this normal?
A:
It would be a bit unusual to complain of abdominal pain and shortness of breath two years following an abdominoplasty. May I suggest you start with your primary care physician and the surgeon who performed your abdominoplasty regarding your concerns. Many issues such as asthma, reactive airway disease, irritable bowl syndrome, etc. may need to be addressed.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
When doing a rhinoplasty, how do you determine the correct shape of the nose?
When performing a rhinoplasty, how do you determine the correct shape of the nose?
A:
This is a great question. The decisions associated with the surgery of Rhinoplasty have been well addressed for many hundreds of years. Some practitioners utilize the proportion of the patient's face, others use mathematical formulas and still others base their decisions upon analysis of thousands of patient groups divided up by ethnicity and culture. Many surgeons combine parts of these decision trees in the analysis and performance of Rhinoplasty.
Perhaps a better question is how do I know that my surgeon knows what he is doing when he performs my Rhinoplasty surgery? First, make sure your surgeon has hospital privileges to perform the surgery you desire. This will hopefully insure he has the training, background, certification and experience to perform the procedure you desire. Second, request to see the surgeon's pre and post operative photographs of their actual patients who have had Rhinoplasty surgery. You do not want to see patients pulled from a national databank of their surgeon's results. Lastly, for your own safety, make sure the facility where you have your procedure done is accredited.
Members of ASAPS are the experts in Aesthetic or Cosmetic Surgery. They train for many years to perform the Art of Aesthetic Surgery and are required by strict ethical guidelines to follow the requirements of practice I have listed above. Rhinoplasty is an integral part of their profession. Consider giving a member of ASAPS a call about your cosmetic concerns.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS
Q:
Will fat transfer fail for people with psoriasis ?
Will fat transfer fail for people with psoriasis? Does this depend on the severity of psoriasis and location of the site where fat is taken (whether it is close to psoriasis patches)? Does it mean that people with psoriasis cannot have fat transfer?
A:
Fat transfer can be performed in the psoriasis patient. Issues of medications that suppress the immune system in the psoriasis patient are the most common concern for unfavorable results. Contact a member of ASAPS for a consult to see if you would be a candidate for a fat grafting procedure.
Best,
Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS