Ask the Experts

Liposuction is an excellent way to improve the contour of the body and get rid of unwanted bulges – especially along the hips, outer thighs, inner thighs, abdomen, flanks in men, upper back, arms and knees. Liposuction is a procedure that reduces areas which bulge so that they better match the surrounding contour of the body. It is not intended to help someone lose weight or help someone who is significantly overweight. If you see specific bulges you would like reduced and are not more than 40 pounds over your ideal body weight, you are probably a good candidate for liposuction. -David L. Mobley, MD.

Regular activity can usually be resumed within 3 weeks. This includes exercise, running and weightlifting. For breast augmentation, push-ups or bench presses should not be performed earlier than 6 weeks after surgery. Golfers should start with a few 9 hole rounds at 3 weeks before a full 18 hole round at 4 weeks. Doubles tennis players should be especially careful as the closeness of partners can lead to accidental impacts. In general, work your way back into activities over one to two weeks rather than starting where you left off. -David L. Mobley, MD. 

When considering plastic surgery, it’s natural to focus more on the expected results than on the surgical process. However, to be fully informed, it’s important to learn about the safety of the procedure as well as the expected outcome. Although thousands of people have plastic surgery every year without complications, no surgical procedure is risk-free.

To maximize safety ensure that:

1. Your surgeon is adequately trained and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

2. The facility where your surgery will be performed is licensed by the state as an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), which must conform to strict safety standards.

3. Your surgeon is informed of any drugs you are taking and your full medical history – especially if you have had any circulation disorders, heart or lung ailments or problems with blood clots.

4. The surgical facility will use skilled, licensed personnel to administer and monitor your anesthesia and your recovery immediately following the procedure.

-David L. Mobley, MD.

It is not unusual for one breast to soften and the implant to settle faster than in the opposite breast. The breast with the tighter skin often will take more time to settle. I have seen this numerous times in my practice and in most cases the two breasts do even out. It is not unusual for an implant to take 1 or 2 months to settle. I instruct my patients to massage smooth implants, which helps the implant pocket remain open and facilitates settling of the implant.

You are still early in your recovery period and you may do just fine as the healing process progresses. Most of the time, the breasts will even out over the first two months in terms of softness and implant position. However, you should relay your concerns to your plastic surgeon. Ask him/her if things are progressing normally. You should get honest answers. If you feel this is not the case, then consider a second opinion. Always seek out a *board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in these procedures. Learn more about Breast Augmentation -David L. Mobley, MD.

Natural Is Possible…With An Implant or Fat.

When I hear my patients suggest fairly emphatically that they want an augmentation with the most “natural” result possible, I tend to favor breast augmentation with tear-drop or “anatomic” implants. Several models exist from the various manufacturers. Less upper breast fullness results with use of these implants for those that wish to avoid the “augmented” look. At Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center practice, we have the very high-tech Vectra 3D imager which can provide a representation of what your breasts may look like after augmentation with either a round, or anatomic/tear-drop implant.

You also mentioned fat grafting, which is certainly an appropriate alternative. Depending on the amount of donor site subcutaneous tissue/fat you have available, a very nice result can be achieved. Generally fat grafting is performed over a session or two (separated by about 4-6 mos) for increased volume in minimally droopy/ptotic, youthful breasts that you describe. Fat grafting is a lasting procedure, with the caveat that not all fat remains after transfer. I have a tendency to slightly overcorrect/overfill the area in anticipation of this fact. At least half of the grafted fat has been stated to remain after transfer. -Brian M. Derby, MD.