Surgery possible for patient who takes warfarin due to AVR?

Male Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thank you for your great question. One has to outweigh the risks and benefits of stopping Warfarin and bridging to Lovenox and the cardiologist can help figure out exactly these risks. With something like this, the warfarin is usually stopped a few days prior and then Lovenox is started. Lovenox is stopped 6-12 hour prior to surgery. Following surgery Warfrain is started again, however either Lovenox or a Heparin drip must be started until the INR is at a theraputic level. If your cardiologist feels that post op, a heparin drip is required, this necessitates a stay in the hospital until INR is theraputic. In my experience with my own patients, this can take anywhere from 2-4 days. Some cardiologists are very cautious and do not let people go home until an INR is at an acceptable level. You also face two types of risks with this procedure. There is a risk of a thromboembolic event when the blood thinners are stopped, and risk of bleeding when blood thinners are started again.

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Is removal of 20 year old textured implants required?

Breast Implant Removal

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Member Response:

Thank your for your excellent question! Before deciding to remove textured implants a visit to to a board certified plastic surgeon should be the first step. If you are not having any symptoms, and wish to remove your implants, that is a personal decision and the proper procedures that are correct. for you should be discussed with your plastic surgeon. If you remove implants and do not replace them with anything, yes you will definitely be flatter than you are now. A visit to a plastic surgeon should help you determine if you would require a mastopexy ( breast lift at the same time.) In my practice, like many of my colleagues, I have patients with diverse desires. Some women choose to remove implants and replace them with another set of implants at the same time, and I have also had patients who have decided to not to replace implants and opted to have a mastopexy at the same time as well as other patients who have decided not to have any surgery except remove the implants.

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Is there a way to tighten/raise the outer corner of my eyes? (Other then botox)

Cosmetic Surgery

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Yes there are definitely other options besides botox. You may need surgery to give you a more permanent correction. Without seeing pictures it is difficult to say exactly what procedures you would benefit from. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to see what you would benefit from.

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Botched surgery

Vaginal Rejuvenation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without knowing more information, and examining your medical records, its hard to say why the incision opened up. There are things that can be done to fix this such as a scar revision. In addition, there are factors that can be controlled to prevent further complications such as stopping all nicotine products, and all medical issues such as diabetes is controlled. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over all of your options.

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Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation & Nipple Piercings

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Nipple piercings will be removed during surgery. They don't need to be removed permanently. Every plastic surgeon has their own different preferences, but my preferences are to leave out any nipple piercings for one month following surgery. Best wishes!

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Jen

Cheek Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without seeing pictures its hard to say exactly what procedures you would benefit from. I would suggest visiting a board certified plastic surgeon to determine what if any procedures would be right for you.

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Dog bite chunk off lip

Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. At times, do bites leave worse scars than other types of injuries. If it is within a year of the date of injury you may be able to do steroid injections to soften this up. If that doesn't work I think you would benefit from a revision surgery. Depending on how big the area is; it may be able to be done in the office. Best wishes!

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Post Operative Care

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

This is a great question! I ALWAYS see my patients post op. I think that is the mark of a responsible surgeon. I think it is also just as reasonable to be seen by another surgeon in the same practice as well as well being see by a midlevel provider such as an NP / PA for some post op visits as long as they are working in close supervision with the attending surgeon. Be very wary of some of the practices out there that advertise a very low price "too good to be true price" I have had patients come from these places with horrible experiences where the first time they meet their surgeon is right before the operation and they don't see them post op. Best wishes!

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Facelift or Threadlift

Facelift

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without seeing pictures, its impossible to recommend what procedures you would need to achieve your goals. There are many benefits and and drawbacks to a thread lift vs facelift. I am in the school of thought that a facelift is a better and more long lasting operation. Also you mentioned an overbite, you may also be a candiate to correct that with orthognathic surgery where the the a cut in the jaw called an osteotomy is made to move your jaw. Your first step should be to meet with a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Best wishes!

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Mini Arm lift

Arm Lift

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Member Response:

Thank you for your great question! Without examining you, it is impossible to determine costs. Costs for procedures depend on region, surgeon fee, OR Fee and anesthesia fee. Depending on your situation, it may be possible to do a mini arm lift in the office under local anesthesia. The same can be said about fat grafting to the hands. Both these procedures can be combined. Your first step is to. visit a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Best wishes!

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Surgery for a patient on Suboxone

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Thanks for this question. I have operated on many patients with complex pain management regimens. I always work very closely with my patient's pain management doctors in order to come up with a game plan for post operative pain control prior to undergoing for surgery. Best wishes!

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Eye bags surgery

Eyelid Surgery

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Member Response:

Thank you for this great question! You would need to be examined by a board certified plastic surgeon first prior to figuring out what procedures are the correct ones for you. You may need something as simple as a filler or you may need what it's called a blepharoplasty which is a surgical procedure. Also, there are minimally invasive surgical options also present such as radiofrequency energy devices like an Acutite. And in person examination with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you will be able to determine what procedures are correct for you.

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Grants

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your excellent question! Also congrats on the weight loss! Losing that much weight is an amazing accomplishment! You will need to be examined by a board-certified plastic surgeon first, to see if you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. Based on what you are describing, Insurance may cover what is called a panniculectomy. With this, excess skin is removed, however Insurance will not pay for rectus abdominis plication which is part of a tummy tuck. Sometimes, this can be combined with insurance so part of the operation is considered cosmetic and part of it is considered insurance. In addition, to help defray the cost of surgery, you may want to look into being operated on buy a resident cosmetic surgery clinic at an Academic institution where they have a plastic surgery residency program. In addition, normally with this amount of weight loss, you may need several procedures to reach your goals

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Plastic surgeon in training

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for this excellent question! Your best bet is to find a plastic surgery residency program at an academic institution that has a resident cosmetic clinic. Your surgery will be done by a chief resident in their final year of training under the guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon. I would highly recommend against going abroad as one cannot guarantee safety standards. I have personally taken care of several patients who have gone abroad to either Mexico or the Dominican Republic and have returned with horrible mycobacteria infections that have required return trips to the operating room as well as several months of antibiotics. I would also highly recommend against advertisements that offer cosmetic surgery at a deep discounted price as you get what you pay for. By having your surgery performed through a resident cosmetic surgery clinic, You will get cost savings while not compromising your safety. Best wishes

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How to overcome irrational fear of dying from anesthesia or surgery?

Rhinoplasty

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Member Response:

Thank you for your very important question. Undergoing surgery of any type can be very nerve-racking. It is normal to feel some nervousness prior to any procedure. I always tell my patients that there is no such thing as a minor surgery. If you feel that you have irrational fears, you may benefit by being seen by psychologist or psychiatrist to help get through this. I agree with my other colleagues, and unless this is dealt with and treated, I would not recommend undergoing any elective surgery. Going to a board-certified plastic surgeon Will help ensure that your surgery is done in the safest manner possible and the highest standards of safety are adhered to. In addition, make sure that a board certified anesthesiologist is present for any anesthesia administered and the surgery is performed at a facility that is accredited by your state, Medicare and/or AAAA. All of these things further ensure safety. Best wishes!

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Zygomatic Minor

Cosmetic Surgery

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Member Response:

Thank you for this question. There could be many things going on here that is causing this. You would need a full evaluation by a plastic surgeon that is well versed in facial reconstruction. Depending on what the root cause of the problem is, a surgical plan if necessary can be formulated. Please consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or board-certified ENT. I would not put this off and get evaluated soon. Best wishes!

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Belly Button

Wound Care

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. Without examining you, and reviewing medical records of what was performed prior; it is impossible to determine what the exact problem is and what needs to be done if anything to correct it. Since your last procedure was only done two weeks ago, it is too early to determine what the final results of your latest procedure Will be. I would suggest continuing to follow up with your plastic surgeon and follow all of their instructions very carefully. Also, it is very important to keep the line of communication open with your plastic surgeon and let your surgeon know of any trouble your having and if anything doesn't look were seem right. Best of luck!

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Are surgeons comfortable with removing nipples from a male???

Cosmetic Surgery

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. Nipple reduction surgery is something that is performed on Male patients. I would call a board-certified plastic surgeon and asked them if they have experience in performing this procedure. In addition, without examining you, it is impossible to determine what the proper procedure for you would be. You also have to be evaluated to make sure that you do not have gynecomastia.

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Breast Reduction after nursing

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! For best results, I always recommend waiting three months after you have stopped nursing in order to proceed with the breast reduction. In addition, please be aware that if you plan to have another child, please note that you may have decreased milk production after a breast reduction. Best wishes!

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2 part surgery

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question! Without examining you it is difficult to determine if you are a person that would need eight two part of operation. There are times where I recommend splitting the augmentation and breast lift. This is for patient safety. This is what your surgeon maybe suggesting. It is reasonable to split the procedures. My reasons for splitting the procedure is in massive weight loss patients where the nipple has to be raised more then 10 cm or in patients who desire to have a very large implant where it would be unsafe to perfrom a lift and an augmentation at the same time. Best wishes and make sure your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

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From a non-binary person: Making already small breasts smaller? B to A cup?

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Yes it is possible. It is best to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation so that it may be determined what the correct type of incisions to use for this may be. You may be able to do this with a circumvertical "lollipop" style breast reduction or may need the wise pattern or "inverted T" style reduction. Best wishes!

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Injections just dont work

Lip Augmentation / Enhancement

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Member Response:

Thank you for this very wonderful question. Sometimes if you don’t see an effect the filler may be injected in the incorrect place such as injecting too deep. Is a plastic surgeon doing your injections? Other options for lip augmentation are using a silicone lip implant which an be done in the office. In addition, fat grafting can also be done which is more permanent. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Where do I even start for research?

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thank you for this excellent question. A great place to start is using the Find A Surgeon tool on this website. ALl of the surgeons listed here are Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are members in good standing with the ASPS. In addition, you need to find a surgeon that will safely help you achieve your goals. You may have to meet with a couple of surgeons before you find the one that is right for you. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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BBL

Buttock Lift with Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Those meds do not preclude you from having surgery. However, there may be other things in your medical history that may or may not make you a good candidate for surgery. In addition, medications that increase risk for surgery are blood thinners as they can make you bleed after surgery as well as other medications that can increase the risk of blood clots such as DVT from forming. Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to to see if you are a good candidate for surgery and to figure out which procedures are right for you to achieve your goals

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Would a breast lift help with my back pain?

Breast Lift

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Member Response:

Thank you for this very great question. The cause of your back pain may be due to large breasts or it may be due to other issues such as problems with your spine. Most patients do report that they do get relief of back pain after a breast reduction but it is hard to say how much relief you will get. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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How long should I wait

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Excellent question! It is usually up to the preference of the surgeon. My personal preference is that I wait a minimum of 2 months between surgeries and sometimes longer. Before proceeding to the next surgery, it is important to make sure that you have fully healed from the first surgery. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Curious about a lot of procedures, unsure where to begin.

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. At your current height and weight your BMI is a 54 which puts you at increased risk for complications of surgery such as DVT/PE and wound breakdown. I think your best bet is to lose weight either on your own or with the help of bariatric surgery. Once you are at your goal weight, your risk profile improves for surgery and the cosmetic outcome is also better. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Liposuction or Tummy Tuck

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Hi Katie, Thanks for your excellent question. Without examining you it is impossible to tell what procedures would be proper to achieve your goals. It depends on your skin quality and if you have rectus muscle diastasis if you have had children. I am in Wall township not too far from Berkeley Heights, I would be happy to provide an in person consult. If you are interested please email or call my office. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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surgeon disappeared for a month i have complications

Facelift

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Member Response:

Really sorry to hear of your predicament. I would ask who the surgeon's covering doctor is while he is away and request an appointment with the covering physician. If you feel that you are having a medical emergency related to this, then seek medical attention at an emergency Room. Best wishes.

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Very Old Hard Breast Implants

Breast Implant Removal

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear of your situation. There are many fine teaching institutions i the greater Houston Area that have plastic surgery residency programs. You may be able to get into a charity clinic at these institutions such as Baylor, UT Houston, or Methodist. I would call the plastic surgery depts at these hospitals and see if they have such clinics where you can get evaluated by the plastic surgery resident team. You will be in good hands under the care of a resident team as a chief resident who is about to graduate usually performs the surgery under the guidance of a board certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes!

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Breast lift and reduction

Breast Lift

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Member Response:

Thank you for this excellent question. When a breast reduction is performed, you also get a breast lift at the same time. Excess breast tissue is removed, and the nipples are placed in the proper aesthetic position. The procedure that would be best for you can only determined after and in person consultation. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Eyelid Droop

Botulinum Toxin

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Member Response:

Thanks for your excellent question. Sorry to hear that your eyelid is dropping. Sometimes a prescription eyedrop can be prescribed to stimulate a muscle to help lift the eyelid in these cases. You still may not get full relief. Botox usually lasts 12 weeks. You may or may not see some relief by your wedding Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine what the appropriate course of action will he for you. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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labia minora torn during childbirth

Vaginal Rejuvenation

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Member Response:

Thanks for this excellent question. Yes this can be fixed and the procedure is called a labiaplasty. This procedure is also frequently done for cosmetic reasons as well. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes! 📱Facebook: rahulvemulamd 📸 Instagram: rahulvemulamd Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Looking deformed after (medical) surgeries.

Panniculectomy

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Member Response:

Thank you for this excellent question. First of all, sorry that you are experiencing these symptoms. As far as panniculectomy is concerned many insurances have it as a plan exclusion, do you need to read the fine print. Even if it’s not an exclusion, the criteria is usually very strict such as the pannus has to be hanging several Cm below your pubic bone, you must have failed conservative therapy under the guidance of a dermatologist. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if your plan indeed covers panniculectomy and if you would meet the criteria to have it covered by insurance. Best wishes!

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Excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately insurance companies do not consider this medically necessary and will not cover the procedure. In some circumstances, Insurance companies will cover a panniculectomy which is removal of skin below the belly button. However, you must meet strict criteria for this and this is usually done for people who have lost a massive amount of weight either through Bariatric surgery or on their own. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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How much will it cost to remove my back neck fat

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for your question. Without examining you and seeing pictures it is impossible to give a price range. You may be a candidate for liposuction or you may need a surgical excision of the excess skin and fat. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Tummy tuck vs Liposuction

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your great question. You need to be examined to determine what procedure is correct for you. In addition, liposuction is safe. Unfortunately the deaths you have most likely heard of are due do unqualified practitioners performing liposuction who have taken weekend courses and not properly trained. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Costs

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. It depends on the area. I see that you are in NJ many of us here in the area charge a consultation fee. My office is in Wall, NJ not too far from where you are. If you are interested in a consult, I’ll be happy to waive the consult fee. Please email me; contact info below. Best wishes!

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Capsule contracture

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately this rarely happens that one develops a capsular contracture this early. Insurance does not cover this to fix it. Depending on which implants you have, a portion of the surgical cost to correct capsular contracture may be covered. However, you may still have an out of pocket cost. My method to correct this is to remove the implant as well as the capsule. This can also happen again. If someone has recurrent capsular contracture several times, then I would consider taking out the implant and leaving them out for several months. I also send cultures at the time of surgery. Please visit your plastic surgeon to go over all of your options.

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Aspen Technique as alternative to surgery

Breast Implant Revision

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. I believe that there is currently a trial for Grade 3 capsular contracture but to my knowledge this hasn’t been proven to be effective for higher grade capsular contracture such as grade 3 or 4. If you go this route please know that you may not get any relief and will have spent a lot of money on this

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Age

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Excellent question. You should be done with puberty and breast development should what is considered Tanner Stage 5. In addition to your body being ready, another equally important aspect should be that you need to be mentally ready and be mature enough for breast implants. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Boob job on one side?

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for this excellent question! It definitely is possible to get operated only on one side to achieve more symmetry. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Breast Fat Transfer Health Risks

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your excellent question. The changes that are seen from fat grafting appear a specific way on breast imaging and specifically trained breast radiologists are able to distinguish between calcifications that are benign vs potentially malignant. Having said that, if there is any question, this may lead to you having more imaging such as MRI’s or increased number of breast biopsies as well. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Fat Transfer + Breast Lift

Breast Lift

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Yes, fat can be harvested from multiple locations. On average with each session of fat grafting, you retain scout 40-60% of fat that’s grafted. You may need multiple sessions to achieve your goal. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Would I be a candidate?

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. If you are generally in good health you should be a good candidate for breast reduction. Most patients also have questions regarding insurance coverage. This depends on your specific plan. Make sure you read the fine print as some plans have exclusions where they won’t cover breast reductions or have very strict criteria. Your next step should be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Asymmetric jawline

Cosmetic Surgery

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Member Response:

Thank you for this excellent question and thanks for the pictures! First of all hard to say why you have this. You could have just been born that way or if you had any traumatic injury to the face, this can cause asymmetry as well. If you feel the asymmetry is getting worse over time, it could also be a very condition called Parry-Romberg disease To correct this I always start with injecting an HA filler like voluma to correct. This however is not permanent and will need repeat treatment in 2-5 years. Another option is a silicone implant to permanently correct the asymmetry Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Best Fat Removal Procedure

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question Your husband would need an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best for him. He may be a candidate for liposuction, Abdominoplasty or both. Also he may need to lose more weight prior to any procedures as men tend to carry a lot of their fat intrabdominally around the internal organs. That fat cannot be removed. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Extrusion

Breast Implant Revision

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Once an implant becomes exposed it must be removed. If you have had radiation, you are at greater risk for implant exposure and extrusion. If my radiated patients with an extruded implant, I do not put anything in back as the same time. I would wait a minimum of 3 months prior to restarting reconstruction. Best wishes!

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Risk of exposure

Breast Implant Revision

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question: If you feel that your implant is too big or feel that it is at risk for exposure then I would visit your operating surgeon for all of your options. After a mastectomy and subsequent tissue expansion the skin is very thin and implants have a tendency to become visibility and have ripples. This necessarily does not means it’s at risk for extrusion. In a case like this, I would give my patients the option of fat grafting, to decrease implant visibility or if they are a candidate for a tissue based reconstruction, I would offer them a procedure such as a DIEP flap and get rid of the implant all together. Best wishes!

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Age

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Age is only one aspect to determine if you are a candidate for breast implant surgery. Your overall health matters too. I have patients that are in their 70’s that are healthier than some of my patients in their 50’s. Your first step is to meet with a plastic surgeon to see what procedures you would need to achieve your goals. Then also need to consult with your primary care physician to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery and are optimized for surgery Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Is there an age requirement and does it matter breast size?

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! There is no age limit to do the breast reduction, however you should be completed with breast growth which is also called Tanner stage 5. Once you visit a plastic surgeon, it can be determined if a reduction is the correct procedure for you and the timing of it. You can possibly even get insurance coverage depending on your specific plan. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Body contouring for Post-Op Gastric Sleeve Patient

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Excellent question! One we get asked all the time. It is definitely possible to do all of those procedures at once, however I wouldn’t advise it. I limit my cosmetic surgeries to no more than 6 hours under anesthesia. You should probably split the surgeries into two or 3 surgeries. I would pick the procedures that are the most important to you. In addition, be wary of some places that advertise that they can do all of this at bargain basement prices. You get what you pay for and can end up with severe complications. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Breast Reconstruction after double mastectomy

General Reconstruction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. One breast suddenly becoming larger and more painful a couple of months after your surgery is definitely not normal. It is hard to say exactly what is going on without examining you. I suggest that you make an appointment to see your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Best wishes!

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Glue removal

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear about your husband. Condolences to you and your family. As far as the glue, without seeing a picture it is hard to say exactly what you have over your incision. I usually use dermabond prineo over all of my incisions which is a combination of glue and tape. I leave this on for 3 weeks prior to taking it off. Please consult with the plastic surgeon that performed your procedure for their specific protocol Best wishes!

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Soft capsules

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Anytime any type of implant is inserted into the human body, the body produces a capsule around the implant as a protective measure. A soft capsule is actually a good thing. Sometimes when the capsules become too thick, it can deform the appearance of the breast and cause pain. This is called capsular contracture. If you do not like the appearance of your breasts you can visit your plastic surgeon to see what options you have for revision. Long term, chances are that your capsules will remain soft, however, there is always a chance that in the future you can develop capsular contracture. Best wishes!

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Fat injections in cheeks

Cheek Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. How long ago did you have these injections? If it was very recent, please note that on average 50% of fat that is injected anywhere gets absorbed by the body within 6 months of injection. Also immediately after injection, you may have some swelling as well. If you are more than 6 months from the time of injection still have an unsatisfactory appearance, I suggest you visit your plastic surgeons for options. I do agree with my colleagues here that in this scenario, you would benefit form removal with either buccaneers fat pad removal or micro liposuction. Best wishes!

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Cost of proceedurre

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. It is a little vague from your description. There are some nipple revisions that can be done in the office if minor and if they are more extensive it needs to be done in the operating room. Without examining you, it is difficult to provide answers on price. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Pro bono

General Reconstruction

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Member Response:

Thanks for the question. I think your best bet is to go to an academic medical center with a plastic surgery residency training program that may be able to do the surgery at reduced or no cost. Best wishes!

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ISO surgeon who specializes in breast reduction

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Breast reduction is a common procedure that most plastic surgeons perform. I am on the Jersey shore in wall township, and more than happy to provide a consultation. Please call my office to set up an appointment. Best wishes!

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Implant and scar revision

Breast Implant Revision

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. I think at 2 months from the procedure, it is a little too early discuss revision. I wait a minimum of 3 months before any revision if needed, but preferable to wait 6 months. It’s always good to voice your concerns to your surgeon. In addition please follow your surgeon’s post operative instructions as directed. Best wishes!

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Belly Button Revision

Cosmetic Surgery

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Member Response:

thanks for your question. Unfortunately this does occasionally happen after a tummy tuck. The procedure you need is called an umbilicoplasty. Often times this can be done in the office. This is not covered by insurance and there will be an out of pocket cost to this. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Fat transfer with low body fat

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question, On average about 40-50% of fat that is injected gets absorbed by the body. From the body type you are describing it seems like you may not have enough fat to go up two cup sizes. It may best to supplement any fat grafting with a small breast implant. Without examining you, it is impossible to say what procedures would be best. Also note that liposuction in people with an very low BMI who do not have much fat to begin has a higher chance of contour irregularities in the areas where fat is taken from Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Dental Implants and Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

I would like to echo my colleagues here and strongly advise you to not go abroad for these procedures. Some of the most horrible complications I have seen from cosmetic surgery have been from people who have gone to Mexico, & DR. Fixing a complication could end up costing you more than the original surgery. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Dangerous

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. If you are not healthy enough for surgery such a procedure can be dangerous. If you are a proper candidate for surgery, a surgery such as you are describing can be done safely in the right patients with an experienced board certified plastic surgery performing the operation. For a procedure like this my criteria is BMI less than 32, non smoker, non diabetic or Hgba1c under 7 if a diabetic, no Major medical problems such as cardiac or lung disease. Also limit surgery to no more than 6 hours under anesthesia. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Waxing after surgery

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. This is generally left up to when your surgeon clears you. My criteria is that I don’t allow for anything like this until all the incisions are completely healed and my patient is released to full activity; this happens around 6 weeks. However if any open wounds are present, a procedure like waxing should not be Done with open wounds. Please consult with your operating surgeon for their instructions Best wishes!

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Breast Plant Exchange

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. If your surgeon is just removing the implants and not re-inserting them, it’s reasonable to do that in the office. However, if the surgeon is planning on replacing the implants at the same time as the removal, I personally would not do it in an exam room in the office. I would do it in an operating room setting. If your surgeon has a certified OR in the office, make sure it’s being done in the OR under the most sterile conditions possible. Best wishes!

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Ulthera an option?

Eyelid Surgery

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Without examining you, it is impossible to say what procedures are needed to reach your goals. In general, surgical procedures will give a better result. Non surgical modalities such as ulthera only provide subtle improvement and may need to do it multiple time to get results close to surgery. This can end up being more expensive than surgery Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Breast

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Excellent question! A mommy makeover is a general term used for improvement of the breasts and abdomen. It generally involves an abdominoplasty ( tummy tuck) with a breast procedure. Depending on your particular anatomy, for the breasts you may need a breast reduction, mastopexy ( breast lift), just breast implants or a lift with implants. The operation is tailored to meet your specific goals. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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3 breast augmentation—still problems

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

I am sorry to hear of your situation. Surgeries to remove implants are considered cosmetic. Please also be aware that after removal of implants your breasts will be significantly flatter than they are now. My experience is many patients request a secondary procedure such as a breast left for cosmetic improvement . As far as financial assistance, you may be able to go to a chief resident cosmetic surgery clinic at a plastic surgery residency program to have a lower cost of surgery. I would also strongly advise you from going outside the country as the standards for surgery are not the same as the United States. Best wishes!

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Tummy tuck issues

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear you are having this issue. I would return to the surgeon that performed the procedure for a physical examination. Your surgeon may order additional testing such an ultrasound or CT scan to see if there are any fluid collections that can be causing these problems. You may need revisional surgery. However, one step at a time. First visit the original operating surgeon. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Stuck

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without pictures and examining you it is impossible to tell if you would be a candidate for coolsculpting. Coolsculpting is a non invasive fat removal device where fat cells get destroyed by the body over several weeks after treatment. You may need additional treatments to achieve your goals. Another option may be liposuction which can get rid of unwanted fat. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Scar Tissue keeps opening

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. You would need to be examined by a plastic surgeon first to make sure that you don’t have any hernias near your incision. The scar can be revised. Since you have open areas, it is possible to get insurance coverage. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Fat transfer

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for this question. This is actually a very common question that I get asked all the time by my patients. The answer unfortunately is no. Even though family members are genetically related, another person’s fat would be recognized by your immune system as your body being under attack and the your body would reject any transplanted fat. People with organ transplants avoid this by taking medication to suppress the immune system. Best wishes!

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Am I a candidate for a breast reduction?

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Based on what you are describing you seem to be a good candidate for a breast reduction. But you most get examined first. I always tell my patients of child bearing age the following: you may have decreased milk production or have the inability to lactate. You may need another cosmetic procedure at some point in the future given your young age. This also may be covered by insurance if you do not have a plan exclusion for breast reduction . Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Diastasis Recti repair

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Umbilical hernias can be done by both plastic and general surgeons. Especially those of us who are double boarded in general and plastic surgery are usually comfortable in handling this. The rectus diastasis repair is generally done by plastic surgeons. Medicare should cover the umbilical hernia, however the rectus diastasis is considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. Please use the find a surgeon feature on this website to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your geographic area. Best wishes!

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Can I go super small

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

It is possible to go extremely small. This involves removing the majority of breast tissue. Based on your body habitus going extremely small may not give you symmetry and may be out of proportion to your body type. After an in person consultation, the proper size can be determined. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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In-house financing/avoid third party medical credit card

Vaginal Rejuvenation

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. At my practice we offer many types of financing including in house. Please contact us for a consultation. Prior to giving you a price, I would have to fully examine you to determine what procedures are needed in order to achieve your goals.

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Gynecomastia with incision under nipple only(no liposuction)

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for this great question. If you will be flat depends on the quality of your skin, if you have skin that is sagging, stretch marks, and the nipple areola complex is hanging low below the fold (ptosis) you may need a skin excision procedure as well. This is my experience with weight loss patients . Many of my weight loss patients main concern is that they no longer have a female appearance to the breast but have a sagging and deflated skin that does not go away with diet and exercise Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Calf augmentation

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Calf augmentation can be done with either fat grafting, implants or a combination of both. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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panniculectomy-

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. It is hard to determine which procedure would be the best for you without examining you. In addition, either a panniculectomy or Abdominoplasty will have the best results when you have lost as much weight as possible and your diabetes is controlled. My criteria for any elective surgery is BMI of 32 or less and Hgba1c < 7 for diabetics. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedures are best to achieve your goals. Best wishes!

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Breast uneven

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for your question. Some asymmetry at this time is completely within normal limits. Without examining you, it’s hard to determine what if anything should be done. I would like to echo my colleagues on here and it’s best to visit your operating surgeon for advice Best wishes!

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capsular contracture

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear that you may have capsular contracture. In order to determine if you really have a capsular contracture, you need to be examined. Please return to the surgeon that placed your breast implants for an evaluation. If you’re capsular contractor is very severe, you may need removal of the implants in caps in order to determine if you really have capsular contracture, you need to be examined. Please return to the surgeon that placed your breast implants for an evaluation. If your capsular contractor is very severe, you may need removal of the implants and capsules Best wishes!

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Scar revision

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for this very excellent question. The scar can definitely be revised. You need to be examined to figure out how to best revise. At times some people opt to combine the revision with other procedures such as liposuction or a tummy tuck. Please meet with a board certified plastic surgeon who can determine what procedures are best to achieve your goals.

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Cleavage Augmentation

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without examining you, it’s hard to give you a definitive answer. However, in order to improve the appearance of your cleavage, you would probably benefit from fat grafting, +/- implants. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who will be able to best assess the proper procedures to achieve your goals

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Diabetes

Rhinoplasty

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Member Response:

Thank you for your excellent question. The biggest issue with diabetics is delayed wound healing. My criteria for any elective surgery in diabetics is to have the hemoglobin a1c (Hgba1c) under 7. That will greatly improve the risk profile for surgery. It is best to follow up with your primary care doctor and / or endocrinologist to make sure your diabetes is well controlled prior to surgery. Best wishes!

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To begin

Arm Lift

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Member Response:

Thank you for your excellent question. It’s hard to give you an answer without fully examining you first to see the extent of your excess skin. Following this we can formulate a plan to best achieve your goals. The price for a surgery depends on 4 things: 1.) surgeon fee 2.) anesthesia fee 3.) operating room fee 4.) cost of any implants such as breast implants It is very important to consult with a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to ensure that you get the highest level of quality and safe care. Best wishes!

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Price

Rhinoplasty

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. It’s hard to answer that without examining you. Price for cosmetic procedures consists of three things, the surgeon fee, Operating room fee and anesthesia fee. This can vary widely depending upon the surgeon and the facility. Once you have been examined by a board certified plastic surgeon, you can will have a better idea of what price you are looking at Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Mom life

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. There are many procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast lift and liposuction and fat transfer to the buttocks to help achieve your goals. However, at a weight of 255, it would be best if you can get your BMI down to 32 or under to make all these surgeries safe. Once you achieve your weight loss goals, you can then safely proceed to surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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I Still look Pregnant but I am not

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Without performing a physical exam on you it’s hard say what is going on. I would advise you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to ascertain exactly what the problem is and come up with a plan to fix it. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Age limits

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thanks for your questions. I don’t have any age limits and look at the overall health of a person to see if they are healthy enough for surgery. Thinks like obesity, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease may preclude you from surgery. For example, I have patients who are in their 60’s and early 70’s who are healthier than some of the 50 year olds I take care of. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a good candidate for the type of surgery you seek. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Lip reduction surgery

Lip Augmentation / Enhancement

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear this happened. Please consult with a plastic surgeon board certified by the American board of plastic surgery to go over all of your options Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Pain killers

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for huge question. I usually use a long acting medicine called experel which is injected into the tissues at the time of the breast reduction. This should last anywhere from 24-72 hours to provide pain relief. Afterwards I did prescribe my patients a low dose opioid such as Tylenol # 3. However most patients don’t even end up taking this and are able to manage their pain with Motrin and Tylenol. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Scar revision

Facelift

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Depending on how bad the scar is, we may be able to do it under local anesthesia in the office. My office is not too far from you, if would like to come in to discuss Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Surgery

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Thank you for this question. I agree with all my colleagues here A couple of tips 1.) do not go outside the country especially to places like Mexico and the Dominican republic, they don’t have the same safety standards as the United States 2.) choose a surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of plastic surgery. Surgeons you find using the surgeon finder on this website ensures that they have met this standard 3.) choose a surgeon who you feel comfortable with. Even though someone is board certified, you may not mesh well with that person. This should be a partnership between you and your surgeon Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Ok doctors! I had the gastric sleeve 4 and half months ago. Im down to what is where i should stay a

Breast Lift

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question! Most people take anywhere from 12 to 18 months after the gastric sleeve to stabilize with wait. Before operating, one would want to make sure that you are stable with a wait for at least six months. If you get surgery today and you lose a lot more weight over the next six months or so, you may be unhappy with the results of surgery and may need to have it done again. It’s better for you to wait so that is done right way. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Empty Nose Syndrome

Rhinoplasty

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Member Response:

At your consultation and pre operative visits your surgeon will go over exactly what procedures are being done and obtain your consent. A procedure that you do not consent to cannot be done legally. If you have a discussion with your surgeon regarding all of your concerns, and it is discussed in detail exactly what procedures will be done before hand I do not think you will have anything to worry about. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Thigh and abdominal skin removal after extreme weight loss

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Hello thanks for your question. Yes they can be performed st the same time. However I usually approach my patients in the following way. I perform the abdominal skin removal first and at the same time liposuction the thighs. Following this, I come back 6 months later to perform a thigh lift. Cost varies by region and surgeon and the three fees you are looking at are surgeon fee, anesthesia fee and OR fee. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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MRI

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Your PCPcan write for the MRI as well as your ob / gyn. You can also find another plastic surgeon that is willing to take over your care that can also order the MRI. I also strongly encourage you to have routine breast cancer screening with mammograms. When you go for your mammograms be sure to tell your mammo technician that you have implants so that they can perform and implant displacement technique to do the study. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Penis surgery

Gender Confirmation Surgery

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! As of right now penis transplant is a Procedure that is only done at select transplant centers around the world. Only a handful of procedures have been done and not mainstream. In addition I believe that the only people that the procedure is being offered to right now are people who have lost their penis due to Trumatic injuries. In addition people who undergo a transplant need to take antirejection medication for the rest of their lives and there is still a chance that the body can reject the transplant. Also prior to any type of transplant, extensive testing to make sure the tissue of the donor and recipient are a match so an organ won’t be rejected For right now, the best option would be to have a penis made using a radial forearm free flap or an anterolateral thigh flap performed by a plastic surgeon that this well versed in transgender surgery. What you propose of a living donor penis transplant may not be a reality for decades. Best wishes

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Capsular Contracture

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. I am seeing more and more of people like your mother who have had early generation implants with severe capsular contracture. Unfortunately there is no effective non surgical treatment. Effective treatment consists of removal of the implants and capsules. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Fat transfer

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

I tell my patients not to put any pressure on the buttocks for 3 weeks after the procedure which includes sitting. Where the fat is taken from May be sore for several months and swollen as well and this will improve over the course of a few months. Most people are able to resume all of their normal activities by 6 weeks. Best of luck! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Am I too old?

Liposuction

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Member Response:

Age by itself does not exclude you as a candidate for surgery. When determining who is a candidate for surgery, I look at the bigger picture and look at a person’s overall medical condition. I would advise you meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to assess what procedures would help you achieve your goals and also meet with your primary care physician to make sure any and all medical conditions are optimized prior to surgery. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Lips

Lip Augmentation / Enhancement

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Lip augmentation / enhancement is a very broad topic. There are many ways to augment lips including injectable filler such as juvederm, fat grafting and lip implants. I usually start with injectable filler so one can see if they like how the enhancement looks and then decide if they want a more permanent solution. Depending on what filler is used and how much of it is used you are looking at at least $450+ Please meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to see what options are right for you. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Keloid removed

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

If you have had the keloid removed or injected and it is already recurring, You may want to ask your surgeon about having it removed followed by low dose of radiation therapy. In my experience when doing it this way, there is a 90% success rate. Insurance may also cover this. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Reconstruction

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the prophylactic mastectomy. There are two main ways to reconstructive breast, one is to use implants and the other is to use your own tissue. There are advantages and disadvantages is to each type. I would recommend meeting with a plastic surgeon who does all aspects of breast reconstructive surgery to figure out what is the best method for you. Also please note that reconstruction is rarely involves one operation and you may need multiple procedures to achieve your goals. Breast reconstruction is a big part of my practice and I make sure all my patients understand all their options. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Can I have implants after oncoplastic surgery for DCIS?

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! It is possible to have implants later. However since you will most likely be getting radiation after your oncoplastic procedure, this can lead to a higher incidence of complications with implants such as capsular contracture. Another option to increase the size of your breasts if you need is fat grafting. Best wishes Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Removing tattoo

Tattoo Removal

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Member Response:

Thanks for the question. It can usually take 6-10 laser treatments to remove a tattoo. It depends how large the surface area is the tattoo is and how many different colors. If it is only one color than only one laser can be used. Cost varies by type of laser used and region. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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General price

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. This is a procedure that can be done in the office under local anesthesia. Cost for in office procedures vary by region. I would call plastic surgeons in your area to see how much they charge. Your surgeon will also send this to the pathology lab. There will be a charge for that as well, but if you have insurance it may cover the lab costs. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Consultation costs

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question! Costs will vary from different regions and what you are seeking a consultation for. For cosmetic, some surgeons will offer complimentary consultations or a small fee for consultation which can be applied toward a procedure. For insurance cases you may have to pay a co insurance or deductible. Call some offices to see what their policy is. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Weight

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Everyone has a different body type. How your skin responds after weight loss has a lot to do with your skin quality. If your skin is stretched out and has a lot of stretch marks chances are your skin will become saggy and will not shrink back. If you do not have a lot of stretch marks your skin may shrink back. Once you are at a stable weight for about 3-6 months is the best time to visit a plastic surgeon. Best of luck with your weight loss! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Planning to recieve a reduction

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Excellent question! When doing a reduction, a lift is also performed. Your nipples will be placed in the proper position. Best of luck! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Surgery Abroad

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Thank you for your question. Please consider not going outside the country. You don’t know what you are getting and you don’t know the standards. There are many complications and reported deaths from people going outside the country, especially to the DR and Mexico for surgery. Also all those procedures you listed, should be staged and not performed in one surgery Within the coming weeks I will be operating on a very beautiful girl that went to the DR for her surgery and now has avoidable complications. Best wishes! Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Scar Revision

Dermal Fillers

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! From your description it seems like your incision may have been closed with staples that’s why you have that appearance. I think the best option would be to excise that scar and perform a more cosmetic closure. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Capsular Contracture??

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. It very well could be a capsular contracture. You will need to be examined by a plastic surgeon to to determine what is going on. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to investigate this further and to determine the next step. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Surgery cost and payment

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. A mommy makeover which usually consists of an abdominoplasty ( tummy tuck) with a breast lift (mastopexy) with or without breast implants depending on your anatomy and goals. This is considered a purely cosmetic surgery and will not be covered by health insurance. The cost consists of three things, the surgeon fee, Operating room fee and anesthesia. Cost depends on region and operating surgeon as well as the type of implants used. Please meet With an ASPS member surgeon to go over all of your options for surgery. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Cortisone to fix lower eyelid malposition caused by scar; ectropion

Eyelid Surgery

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. You have a condition called sclera show ( the white of the eye being more visible ) you may also have a condition called ectropion where the eyelid turns outward. You will need a revision surgery as a steroid injection won’t help in this situation. Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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BBL

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Yes definitely makes sense what you are describing. In order to figure out what procedure is best for you, inplant or fat transfer please meet with a board certified plastic surgeon Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery Active Member, ASPS

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Breast augmentation with fat

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

thank you very much for this very excellent question! In order to do a breast augmentation with fat only , you must have none to minimal ptosis ( sagging of the breasts). If you are found to have ptosis then you would also benefit from a mastopexy (breast lift) at the same time as your augmentation. Please note that if you do fat only, you may need more than one session Of fat grafting to achieve your desired size. As far as where the fat is taken from, it can be taken from areas where there is excess fat that you find undesirable. Please consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in order to learn all of your options regarding cosmetic breast surgery. Best of luck!

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Compression garment

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thank you for this question. Compression garments help prevent the formation of fluid collections also called seromas. It is very important to follow your surgeon’s instructions in wearing the compression garment

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Tummy tuck/ hysterectomy

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thank you for this question. There are many ways that hysterectomies are performed. You would need to ask your gynecologist the way the hysterectomy is being performed. Regardless of the way your hysterectomy is performed the tummy tuck can still be performed.

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Visceral Fat

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for this excellent question. Visceral fat is the fat this is in and around your internal organs. This cannot be removed. Only way to remove it is to remove your internal organs. For my patients with visceral fat I suggest that they lose weight first before any cosmetic procedures. Sometimes it may help to have bariatric surgery to lose weight. Best wishes!

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Payment Options

Mommy Makeover

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear about your credit situation. For cosmetic surgery procedures, it is customary for Payment to be made in full before the surgery is performed. One option I would suggest to you for your surgery is to split it into multiple surgeries. For example pick which procedure is the most important to you and do that one first. This way you can stay within your budget and get the surgery done that you want. Another option is to go to a resident run clinic at at plastic surgery training program to limit your costs. Your surgery will be done by a chief resident under the guidance of a faculty member who is a board certified plastic surgeon. With this you can still expect the highest quality of care with your surgery being done in a safe manner. Doing it this way however might case you to have a long wait for surgery as space is limited in these clinics. Please also be very careful of going out of the country. Standards are not the same as the US

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Breast procedure

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Dear Molly Thank you very much for your question. There are many reasons that one breast can be larger than the other. If the reason is found to be a congenital anomaly, occasionally insurance will consider this reconstructive and may cover your surgery. However, it is advisable to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon to go over all of your options. Even if your Condition is found to be reconstructed in nature your particular insurance plan may have an exclusion where they want to cover it. Unfortunately all insurances are not created equally and your plastic surgeon should be able to help you figure all of this out. As far as the cost associated with the surgery, it depends on the surgeons fee, anesthesia fee and operating room fee. This can vary a lot between different centers and different regions. Best of luck

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Breast Revision Recovery for body builder

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I’m sorry to hear that you have been having so much trouble. You may want to consider switching the location of your implants to above the muscle. However, be aware that if the implant is switched to above the muscle and you do not have enough breast tissue to cover the implant, it may be visible. Please meet with an ASPS surgeon to Learn about all of your options for revision breast surgery

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I need a tummy tuck

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Hi Shatona, Thank you for this question. A tummy tuck or an Absominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which is not covered by insurance. In certain circumstances, insurance will cover a panniculectomy which is not a tummy tuck. For a panniculectomy, only excess skin is removed and muscle plication ( tightening) is not performed. And liposuction is not performed either. For a panniculectomy each insurance has different criteria for approval and some insurances also have a plan exclusion where they won’t cover it under any circumstance. Please call your insurance company for this. There care times where an operation can be done which is partly cosmetic and partly covered by insurance. Since we do not have pictures, If is difficult to let you know what procedures you will need to achieve your goals. Please meet with Ana ASPS member surgeon to discuss this. Best of luck!

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Will state insurance cover breast reduction for a 16 year old

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Thank you very much for this excellent question. Managed Medicaid plans differ from state to state with rules and criteria for covering breast reductions. I would call your insurance provider first to see exactly what your specific plan requirements are. In general most managed Medicaid plans follow Medicare guidelines set by CMS. For this it must be demonstrated and documented that reasonable attempts have been made to relieve symptoms such as neck and back pain. These include but not limited to pain medication, physical therapy, evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, and weight reduction. You must also have grooving from your bra straps that is 1 cm deep. In addition, if you have skin rashes and infections underneath your breast folds which are worse in the summer months you may qualify. You must also be under the care of a dermatologist and must have documented failure of topical therapy for these rashes. You must also wait until your breast growth has been completed.

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What age should you get a nose job?

Rhinoplasty

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Member Response:

Hi Vivek thanks for your question. A nose job or rhinoplasty should not be done until full growth has been completed. Completion of growth can be assessed by taking an X-ray. Best wishes!

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Tattoo Excision

Tattoo Removal

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Member Response:

Hi Jessie Thanks for your question. The most common way to remove tattoos are by the use of lasers. It can take 6-10 treatments to completely remove the tattoo. In addition more than one type of laser is necessary If the tattoo is made up of different colors. It is possible to do a surgical excision of a tattoo however, this will leads a scar. To find a surgeon that performs Tattoo removal, use the find a surgeon tool on this website. You can be assured that any surgeon that appears on this website is board certified by the American aboard of plastic surgery. Best wishes!

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Pubiaplasty?

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Sorry to hear about your experience this far. From what you are describing, it seems like there is still excess skin that needs to be removed and may be a candidate for an abdominoplasty. Without looking at pictures it is impossible to tell exactly what procedures you need. Please meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon to go over all of your options at this point. Best of luck!

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Is this price fair ? Tummy tuck, make breast

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Dear Kyle, Thank you for your question regarding pricing of your cosmetic procedure. Pricing for cosmetic surgery usually includes the surgeon fee, Operating room fee and anesthesia fee. In addition there may be other fees involved such as for surgical garments, cost of any implants, and medications such as Experel. Many facility and anesthesia fees are also Usually charged by the hour. How many hours your surgery will take depends on the complexity of your surgery and as well as the experience of your surgeon. Surgeon fees can also vary depending on the experience of your surgeon, reputation. All of these fees can vary by the facility as well as the region the surgery is being performed in. Remember that surgery MUST be performed in a safe manner. I personally limit cosmetic surgery to no more than 6 hours of operating time. Also please ensure that your surgeon is board certified by the American board of Plastic surgery. Best of luck with your surgery!

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Surgery for Minors

Breast Reduction

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Member Response:

Hi Naja, Thank you very much for this excellent question. Yes minors (individuals under the age of 18) can get breast reduction. Before being considered for a breast reduction, breast growth must be completed and this is also known as Tanner Stage 5. Performing a breast reduction prior to growth being completed can lead to unacceptable cosmetic results. Another thing to be aware of for any woman of child bearing years is that there is always chance that there’s is a decreased ability or inability to lactate (milk production) during nursing. In order to determine if you are a candidate for a breast reduction, please consult with a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Best wishes!

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Vertical Wrinkles on mid stomach

Tummy Tuck

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Member Response:

Hi Maries, Thank you very much for your question. These vertical lines you are referring to may be stretch marks. There are operations to help this, however, when undergoing a surgical procedure, you will have a scar. Without pictures or examining you, it is impossible to tell exactly what procedure would help you achieve your goals. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon regarding the proper procedures needed. Best Wishes!

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Multiple Same Day Surgery

Eyelid Surgery

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Member Response:

Hi Margaret. Thank you very much for this excellent question. All of these procedures can be done under local anesthesia. However my main concern is when combining all of these procedures, I personally tend to prefer doing all of this under General anesthesia. In addition to reduce potential risks of surgery / anesthesia, I also limit my anesthesia time to six hours for cosmetic cases. If you do decide to have all of these procedures done at once and I also limit my anesthesia time to six hours for cosmetic cases. If you do decide to have all of these procedures done at once and decide to proceed with local anesthesia, I would strongly advise that there is a board-certified anesthesiologist that is present to monitor your care. Also please verify that your surgeon is also board certified by the American Board of plastic surgery. Best wishes!

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Lumpectomy

Body Contouring

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question. Having a lumpectomy can indeed leave a cosmetic deformity. If this happens reconstruction can be performed with fat grafting. Another option also may be doing a mastopexy (breast lift) or breast reduction at the same time as your lumpectomy. All of this depends on the size and shape of your breasts now as well as the how much breast tissue may be excised at the time of your operation. When I do these procedures I ALWAYS work in close coordination with the patient’s breast surgeon to maximize cosmetic results while doing an operation that is oncologivallu safe. Please consult a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to see what the right operation for you will be. This can only be determined after an in person consultation. Best wishes!

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Aspen Therapy

Breast Augmentation

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Member Response:

Thanks for your question! Aspen Ultrasound technique is not proven for advanced capsular contracture and a majority of plastic surgeons do not offer this service. You may benefit from surgery for longer lasting results. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over all of your options.

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