Beware of Coloring Your Hair Following Facelift Surgery

The ability of patients to apply makeup and fix their hair following facelift surgery are important benchmarks in their recovery process. For many patients, there is no recovery until these activities can be resumed. Facelift patients are obviously motivated by appearance, and for this reason, hair color is extremely important to them.

After facelift surgery, we recommend waiting until all the wounds have healed before proceeding with coloring the hair. This usually takes about three to four weeks. Once this point has been reached, patients can safely resume coloring their hair.

Is Liposuction Permanent?

Liposuction is typically performed to remove fat cells located in problem areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise. When these fat cells are removed with liposuction, they are gone forever. The only exception is when the patients are morbidly obese. Under these circumstances, fat cells can experience re-growth.
 
Unfortunately, poor lifestyle choices such as overeating can result in weight gain. This can lead to enlargement of the remaining fat cells in areas that have been previously treated with liposuction. This can result in re-accumulation of fat in these problem areas and a recurrence of the original problem.

 
 
In most cases of weight gain following liposuction, the previous problem areas are minimally affected. The weight gain is usually more evenly distributed throughout the body and is therefore less problematic. It doesn't significantly impact body contour and the overall aesthetic result.
 
Weight gain can have a significant impact on a patient’s result following liposuction. For this reason, it’s extremely important that patients maintain a healthy lifestyle following this procedure. This will prove to be the best way to protect your investment and make it all worthwhile.

Know Your Options for a Smooth & Happy Breast Augmentation Procedure

Several questions need to be answered before proceeding with breast augmentation surgery.  These pertain to the following issues: 1) Implant size, 2) Implant type, 3) Incision location, 4) Under or the over muscle, and 5) With or without a breast lift.
 
Depending upon the answers to these questions, a large variety of treatment options potentially exist. Each patient should be considered individually since no two patients are the same. Patients may have unique anatomic findings and specific aesthetic goals that impact their treatment plan.

In general terms, data shows that the majority of implants are placed under the muscle through an inframammary approach. There is a greater tendency to use silicone gel implants than saline implants, but saline implants are still frequently used.

When breast sag is present, most surgeons perform a breast lift, but occasionally plastic surgeons place the implants on top of the muscle to avoid scarring.

There’s no best breast implant. It’s important that each patient be carefully evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with breast augmentation. It’s essential that he or she listens to you and understands your aesthetic goals.

It’s also important that you listen to your plastic surgeon; he or she may recognize anatomic limitations that might prevent you from accomplishing your aesthetic goals. These discussions need to occur before surgery, not after. This results in less confusion and patients who are ultimately happy with their breast augmentation.

Saline Implant Deflation

When patients have deflated saline implants the results can be very dramatic. These implants flatten rapidly and patients suddenly find themselves with significant breast asymmetry. This can create anxiety and because of this, patients are eager to have the problem corrected as soon as possible. For this reason, we don’t see a lot of women with deflated implants for prolonged periods of time.

Surgeons are also eager to correct the problem as soon as possible. They realize that with time, the implant pocket starts to shrink. This may be accompanied by creases and folds in the deflated implant, which can cause erosions through the skin.

With the passage of time, revisional surgery becomes more difficult with a greater potential for complications. When implants are replaced early, all that is necessary is a simple exchange of the old, deflated implant for a new one. When the empty implant is left in place for a prolonged period, the implant pocket may need to be re-created because of shrinkage.

Although we recommend removal and replacement of a deflated implant at the earliest possible date, we realize this isn’t always possible. In theory, empty saline implants can be left in a place indefinitely. If this situation arises, it’s important to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon as soon as possible.

How Do I Know My Nose is Broken?

Nasal fractures occur frequently following facial trauma. In many cases, fractures are accompanied by bruising, swelling, bleeding, distortion of nasal structure, deviation of the nose, and difficulty breathing through the nose.

In many cases, the diagnosis of a nasal fracture is relatively simple. Some patients have obvious deformities such as nasal flattening or significant nasal deviation, which makes the diagnosis apparent. In other cases, the diagnosis of a nasal fracture can be very difficult because of swelling. In these cases, swelling may need to resolve before the diagnosis can be made.

When patients have obvious or displaced nasal fractures, they will usually require corrective surgery. Not all nasal fractures require treatment. In some cases, the bone and cartilage are not displaced and because of this, surgery is not necessary. 

When corrective surgery is performed within three weeks of the fracture, closed nasal reduction is performed. This is a relatively simple procedure that re-positions and stabilizes the nasal bones. If repair is not done within three weeks of injury, correction should be delayed for one year and then a formal rhinoplasty performed. 

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin while simultaneously tightening the abdominal muscles. Patients can anticipate limited physical activity for ten to fourteen days following surgery. We typically tell our patients bathroom and kitchen privileges initially with slow resumption of normal activity over the next two weeks. Patients can usually return to work in two weeks if no strenuous activity or heavy lifting is involved. After six weeks, they can resume all their normal activities including heavy lifting.
 

Patients typically wear an abdominal binder for three weeks following surgery. This minimizes swelling and increases comfort. Drains are placed at the time of surgery and are usually removed within two weeks of surgery. Pain management is extremely important, especially when the abdominal muscles are tightened. Most patients are initially given narcotic pain relievers and switched to double strength Tylenol five to seven days following surgery.

Patients with small children should have assistance with childcare for at least one week and patients should not drive while taking narcotics.

For many patients, abdominoplasty is a life-changing experience. After unsuccessful dieting and exercise programs, this procedure results in dramatic changes in self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image.

Cold Compresses After Blepharoplasty?

In the first 24-48 hours following blepharoplasty surgery, we recommend cold compresses. Our primary concern during this time period is bruising and swelling. We feel that cold causes the small blood vessels in the eyelids to constrict. This potentially minimizes bleeding and swelling and makes patients more comfortable in the early postoperative period. 

After 48 hours, we feel that the impact of cold compresses on bleeding and swelling is minimal. Despite this, many patients continue to use cold compresses because they find them soothing.
   
Swelling and bruising are potentially significant problems in the postoperative period. We therefore utilize cold compresses, elevation of the head, and avoidance of strenuous activities that can increase blood pressure. When these steps are taken, patients have lower complication rates and a more comfortable recovery.