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Robert T. Stroup, Jr., M.D.
- Suite 238
1611 South Green Road
Cleveland, OH 44121 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 216-691-4004
- Send E-mail
- www.advancedconcepts.net
- Suite 206
13170 Ravenna Road
Chardon, OH 44024 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 216-691-4004
- Send E-mail
Answered Questions
Q:
Breast lift and tummy tuck - reasonable results?
I had a mastopexy and tummy tuck 11 weeks ago. I am very happy with my results, for the most part. I do have two questions that I don't want to "overly offend" my plastic surgeon with by harping on them. There is a "ring"- only way I know how to describe it - around my belly button that I am concerned with which will be obvious during swim suit season. The ring is a very fine but red line where the scarring from the new hole was created. It is obviously well outside the circumference of the belly button itself. Will it fade a good deal more? Also, my left breast was a full DD while my right was a small D. While they are MUCH perkier, my left is still bigger than the right and the shape is a little different than the other. Is it reasonable to expect the breasts to still be dissimilar? The left is still a tad bit bigger than the right and spills out over my bra cup somewhat. I go back to my plastic surgeon in May. What do you advise?
A:
At 11 weeks, one would still expect scars to be very immature - i.e., reddened and thick. This will improve over time, but could take a year or more. Regarding your breast size, it sounds as if you had a lift on one side and a small reduction on the other, and that your symmetry is improved, but the two breasts are not exactly alike. There is still a lot of healing which has to occur before you can make any judgments about final results. Swelling must all go down, scars soften and fade, etc. I would wait until at least 6 months post-op before you critically compare them.
Q:
Is Restylane really safe in the tear troughs?
Is Restylane use safe in the tear troughs? I have been considering this procedure for some time for chronic dark circles under my eyes but I know it is considered an "off label" use of Restylane. Is it really safe and effective?
A:
This is an "off label" use, but can be quite effective. Care must be used in the injection technique in this area, so as to avoid an intravascular injection which can cause serious problems.
Q:
Consultation with surgeon concerning high profile breast implants -
I recently had a consultation with a plastic surgeon regarding breast implants. I asked him specifically about high profile implants. He stated that he does not use them because they cause damage to the skin. Is this true?
A:
High profile implants, of a reasonable size relative to the patient's soft tissue, are an acceptable choice in a patient with a narrow chest/narrow breast base. As long as the size is reasonable, one would not expect any compromise of the skin.
Q:
If you have had problems with Capsular Contracture, will the battle ever be won or should I give up on having nice breasts?
I had a Breast Augmentation in August. Three weeks later, because the implant wouldn't budge during massages, the one breast was opened back up. My Plastic Surgeon said that I had a significant amount of scar tissue, that he hadn't seen in previous years experience. Four months later, the same breast still has issues. It seems to be riding high. I can see my scar because it hasn't dropped. I know I have scar tissue pushing it up, because I can feel it. I also believe the implant is stuck to my chest wall now. When I lean over, the nipple area is loose vs the other breast that is full of implant. My Plastic Surgeon will not touch it until we reach the year mark. I've been massaging more than ever and feel I've gained nothing. Is there any hope for someone with multiple issues regarding scar tissue. I assume scar tissue is what is holding it to my chest wall due to the previous capsulectomy. Am I fighting a losing battle against my scar tissue or can this be beaten? Also, is there a difference between scar tissue and capsular contracture. My Plastic Surgeon has only called it scar tissue.
A:
It sounds like you have a Grade III capsular contracture. The "scar" your surgeon is referring to is probably the capsule, or lining of the breast implant pocket. Besides massage, you and your surgeon may want to consider the use of Accolate, to medically soften the capsule. If that combination doesn't work you would probably need a complete capsulectomy and implant re-positioning. Don't give up. You can still get a good result.
Q:
I'm size 34ddd and my surgeon is planning on removing 800gr. of breast tissue; what will that bring my bra size down to?
I am having a Breast Reduction. I am currently a size 34DDD. My surgeon is planning on removing 800 grams of tissue from my breasts. What will that bring my bra size down to?
A:
This will probably leave you with about a "C" cup.