Plastic Surgery While Menstruating

It’s not unusual for cosmetic surgery patients to express concern about menstruation before undergoing surgery. This anxiety is not warranted. Menstruation has no effect on surgery and doesn't increase bleeding or increase pain levels following surgery. In some cases, patients may have taken non steroidal anti inflammatory agents for treatment of menstrual cramps. Under these circumstances, it might be appropriate to re-schedule surgery to avoid bleeding complications that can be associated with these drugs. 

Mommy Makeover Preparation

The mommy makeover is one of the most extensive procedures performed in cosmetic surgery. For this reason, preparing for surgery in every possible way will not only improve your result, but the quality of the experience as well. It’s important to prepare physically, medically, and mentally for this procedure. 

It’s important to be in good physical condition before proceeding with this procedure. Ideally, results are best when patients are within ten percent of their ideal body weight. Although some patients are unable to reach this goal, they still benefit from the procedure. In addition, it’s also important to maintain good nutrition, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy life style.

It’s also important to be medically ready for the mommy makeover. Patients should be extensively evaluated to rule out other medical conditions. Areas of particular concern include cigarette smoking, blood pressure management, and the patient’s baseline hemoglobin.

Mental preparation for the mommy makeover is also extremely important and helps lower anxiety levels before surgery. It’s important that you have a comfort level with your anesthesiologist, surgeon, and the surgical facility. It’s essential that all your questions be answered so there are no surprises. 

Arrangements for post-operative care also need to be in order. It’s important to have a care giver not only for yourself, but your children as well. Addressing as many of these issues as possible before surgery will significantly improve results and the quality of experience. 

Compression Garments for Liposuction

Patients who undergo liposuction can expect swelling and discomfort following this procedure. In an effort to decrease swelling, most surgeons utilize compression garments in the postoperative period. Although each patient should be considered individually, we generally recommend three to four weeks of compression following liposuction.

Compression minimizes swelling, minimizes bruising, and decreases postoperative pain. It helps to remodel the soft tissue by collapsing the tunnels created by the liposuction cannula and controls skin shrinkage following the procedure. Compression contributes significantly to the contour improvement seen with this procedure.

Breast Fullness Following Breast Reduction

Some of the most satisfied patients seen in our practice have had breast reduction surgery. These patients note significant improvement in their symptoms as well as improved breast aesthetics. The procedure simultaneously reduces the breast volume, reduces areola size, lifts the breast into proper position, and creates upper breast fullness.  

This is accomplished by leaving attached underlying breast tissue, which supports the blood supply to the nipple areola complex and wrapping it in a tightened skin envelope. Results are usually excellent in the immediate postoperative period. Unfortunately with time, gravity causes the breast tissue to drift downward stretching the skin, creating recurrent sag.

This phenomenon is known as bottoming out of the breast and not only results in sag, but loss of the upper breast fullness as well. This phenomenon is more likely to occur if the patient has thin skin. The amount of sag that the patient has preoperatively and how much breast tissue is left behind are also factors. 

In an effort to minimize the development of recurrent sag and loss of upper breast fullness, surgeons have utilized various maneuvers. Positioning of the breast pedicle to a more superior location has been found to be helpful. Internal suture techniques have been utilized as well. Despite modifications in surgical technique, loss of upper breast fullness may still occur. Despite your surgeon’s best efforts, it’s important to realize that gravity is an unrelenting force.