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Hayley A. Brown, M.D.
- 10001 S.Eastern Ave.,Ste.406
Henderson, NV 89052 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 702-990-1972
- Send E-mail
- www.deserthillsplasticsurgery.com
Answered Questions
Q:
Can the size of fat earlobes be reduced?
I have big earlobes and as I age, they are getting droopier. Can the size of my ear lobes be reduced? I have never worn large earrings - this is not an issue because I've tried them & they hurt. What do you suggest?
A:
It is quite simple to perform an earlobe reduction. A wedge of redundant earlobe can be removed and the remainder rotated together and closed. A small scar will result, but it is hardly perceptible.
Q:
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I want to get a breast reduction. I have really large breasts for my size, 34D. I would like to go down to 34B or 32B. If I have a breast reduction, can I then get breast implants the size of the breasts that I want? In time down the road, I wouldn't want my breasts to sag. How much will the reduction cost?
A:
If you have desires to be smaller breasted, a breast reduction is the operation for you. All bras fit differently, there is no way to guarantee final cup size after breast reduction, but results are dramatic. Some tissue must be left behind so that the skin and nipple/areola heal properly. Breast implants provide additional volume and increase cup size. A breast implant is not indicated in your situation. Breast implants do not provide permanent superior medial fullness or prevent sagging. Breast implants add weight, and contribute to a sagging as implants respond to gravitational forces. Patients with loose or lax tissues are most at risk for sagging issues. No one wants their breasts to sag; unfortunately you will never win the battle with gravity. The key would be to maintain a smaller bra size so there is less weight pulling down on the breast. I charge $7000 for a breast reduction, which is all inclusive of the anesthesia and operating room fees.
Q:
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I want to get breast implants, but plan on having a large family. I have already given birth once and noticed a huge change in my breasts from the pregnancy. If I wait to have my breasts done until I am finished having children, I won't really be able to enjoy them. Will it be a waste to go ahead and have my breasts done now, if I plan on getting pregnant within the next two years?
A:
There are always chances of breast appearance changes from pregnancy, weight fluctuation, and gravity. Most patients want to look good now, not knowing what the future may bring. Breast implants typically require maintenance surgery for rupture (implants have about a 10 year life span) or for cosmetic desires.
After a pregnancy and associated weight fluctuation, women usually experience some breast size changes and sagging. It is hard to predict ahead of time which patients will desire reoperation due to these changes. Sometimes breast surgery results are stable after pregnancy. As long as you are prepared for future reoperation, likely related to your cosmetic desires, there is no reason why you would need to wait. There is always a risk of inability to breast feed after breast surgery.
A consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will help with your decision making. Depending on your breast exam, some advice can be given whether or not you may be at risk for needing a second surgery after childbearing.
Q:
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I am 53 years old and had a tummy tuck done two years ago. I'd like to know if I can have it done again. I have loose skin and I don't want to wait until it starts hanging to have the procedure repeated. Please advise.
A:
It is unusual to have such an early recurrence of loose skin only two years after abdominoplasty, unless you have subsequently had a significant weight loss. It is normal to have some redundant skin in the sitting position. If there truly is a significant amount of skin excess to allow removal of all of the skin below the umbilicus and a primary closure, then yes it is possible to repeat the operation. Sometimes a lesser type of procedure such as a complete scar revision with additional skin taken out around the scar is a suitable option.
Q:
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In June, 2010, I had a breast augmentation/lift. Before the surgery I was a size 34A. How do I know if I really did get what I paid for? I went with 425cc's that brought my breast size up to a 36D. The incisions that were performed were around the nipples and under the breasts. My breasts before surgery were very saggy as a result of having three children. It has been four months since surgery and I find that my breasts have dropped significantly and are becoming saggy again. I have consulted my surgeon about this issue and she mentioned to me that my skin has alot of elasticity and therefore the breasts will drop. She also mentioned to me that even if I wanted them to be perky, it would be impossible because of my skin type. Is this true? Should I have gone with a larger size? I am still wearing the surgical bra at night and a regular supportive bra with no underwire during the day for support. However, I don't find either of them helping. I paid alot of money for this surgery and I am unhappy with the results. I did mention to the doctor that i did not want the breasts to look like basketballs on my chest but I was also not expecting them to be saggy as they were before. The point of me getting the breast augmentation/lift was to correct the saggy issue from the start. If a patient is unhappy with her results, will the surgeon re-do the procedure or correct it? I hope you can help clarify some of this for me.
Thank you.
A:
Recurrent sagging is always an issue if you had loose tissues, and the desire to go with a large implant size. Loose tissues and laxity of the breast skin, as a result of breast feeding, weight fluctuation and pregnancy, does not support weight well. Gravitational factors are out of the surgeon's control. Going larger would be a mistake and would aggravate your problem. Your surgeon's revision policy should have been discussed ahead of time. I'm sure your surgeon wants a satisfactory result for you. However, your situation is somewhat predictable, and I hope you had realistic expectations. Revisionary surgery often requires financial obligation, typically for outside costs we can't control such as anesthesia, OR fees, etc. Desires to maintain a large implant size, will potentially lead to recurrent sagging over time. I would follow your doctor's advice, and maintain an open, honest relationship to get the most out of your investment.