Total Views: 359
Steve Laverson, M.D.
- Suite D-304
477 N. El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 760-753-6474
- Send E-mail
- www.feelbeautiful.com
Answered Questions
Q:
Is pregnancy after a tummy tuck possible?
I 'm a single 40 year old woman w/22 year old son. My lower abs are in horrible condition from pregnancy & weight gain/loss cycles. I'm considering a tummy tuck summer 2012, I'm also open to possibility of having another baby & am wondering what to expect after having a tummy tuck and possibly becoming pregnant a year or 2 after procedure. Are there any possible risks for the baby because of the procedure? What can I expect to happen with my tummy? How will the newly tightened muscles respond?
A:
Tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall, removes loose abdominal skin, and contours the abdomen to re-create a youthful shape and more fit appearance. Pregnancy will loosen the abdominal wall again, to some degree. Although one study demonstrated safe pregnancy to term in 24 women following tummy tuck, it is generally recommended that the procedure be deferred until after the final pregnancy.
Q:
Polyacrylate Hydrogel in Breast
I had breast augmentation with Interfall gel in 1995 in Russia. I moved to the USA, Florida in 2005 and everything was fine. In 2010 I noticed thefirst bad signs- my breast became swollen and I felt some moderate pain. For last year my breast size changed from C to DD - looks lumpy and uneven. I had my mammogram done- everything was fine. I had ultrasound and oncologist consultation- nothing really bad, just the gel with fibrosis tissue. Can I find someone here who would take my case?
A:
Medical grade Polyacrylamide hydrogel (Aquamid) is very safe and long lasting for small volume soft tissue augmentation in the face. Interfall gel, from what I have heard, is not the same. Other women have had similar problems. Breast glands have resident bacteria, and it is difficult for the human immune system to manage these bacteria around a foreign body such as injected polyacrylamide. Best management depends on your presentation, and whether the problem is infection or sterile inflammation (e.g. "foreign body reaction"). See a surgeon, or several surgeons, near you for opinions.
Q:
View this question
I am a 20 year old athletic women looking for larger breasts. I am currently a size small B and want to be a full C. What is better, subpectoral placement of implants or not?
A:
There are advantages to subpectoral placement and advantages to subglandular placement. Subglandular placement entirely eliminates the possibility of implant animation with contraction of the pectoralis muscle. If you are athletic and exercise your arms a great deal, depending on how much myotomy of the lower portion of the pectoralis origin is performed, you will have some movement of the implants (and thus the breasts) upon exercise if the implants are deep to the muscle. If you are very lean and small breasted, the implants directly beneath your skin (subglandular) will be more obviously visible as implants in the subglandular position. If you are lean and choose saline implants, subglandular placement is not recommended in my opinion because of the unavoidable rippling, wrinkling, and edge visibility that will result. Mammography is a factor to consider, but at age 20, unless you have a family history of breast cancer, is less important. Discuss this issue with your surgeon, or perhaps several surgeons. Every woman and every situation is different. Your anatomy and personal preferences should be individually considered in this decision.
Q:
View this question
My insurance company agreed to pay for my breast reduction but only if they remove one pound from each breast. My question is how much is a pound in cup size? I wear a size 36 DD. What size would I be after the surgery?
A:
One pound is about 450 grams. Dr. Paule Regnault, a plastic surgeon who has studied this matter in some detail, offers a general estimate for a 36" chest - your breasts will diminish by one cup size for every 200 grams that are removed.
It is thus estimated that 450 grams will reduce your breasts by two cup sizes.
Q:
View this question
I had a breast reduction done two months ago. I am pleased with the outcome but have one concern. Since the surgery, my both breasts are numb underneath my nipples. Can you tell me if this is normal and how long will it be before I get feeling back in them again?
A:
It not uncommon to experience diminished sensation of nipples, areolae, and/or breast skin after breast reduction. This is most often temporary, but may be long lasting. Rate of return of sensation is variable. Numbness may persist for many months, or perhaps return in the next month or two.