Pleasanton Plastic Surgeons

I Will Be Having my Mommy Makeover Done on March 12th Will I Be Able to Take a 4 Hour Car Trip After 17 Days?

I will be having a full tummy tuck, breast lift with aug, and lipo of the flanks. I really want to make it to my daughter's sport competition which is a 4 hour drive. I would be sitting in a chair for 4 hours during the competition. It will take place about 17 days post-op. Will my body be able to handle this?

Thanks for your question!

It is always best to ask your treating surgeon these types of post-op questions.  In our San Francisco area practice Mommy Makeovers are a common group of surgeries we perform. 

Usually two to three weeks is enough time for what you're describing but post-op recovery can be variable and should be tailored by your surgeon for your particular needs.  The big concern for long distance travel in the immediate (first few days post-op) is the formation of DVT which can be life threatening. 

Ask your surgeon and good luck with your procedure!

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

After 15 Years Fat Injections to my Tear Troughs Are Still Lumpy and Look over Corrected. Do I Have Options for Removal?

After 15 Years Fat Injections to my Tear Troughs Are Still Lumpy and Look over Corrected. I Have Been Told by 4 Top NYC plastic surgeons they cannot remove it or minimize it...With new technology, I am not sure why it can't be reduced with laser or some kind of injection... At 55 finally I am losing more of my own fat around the injections sites and the lumps are becoming more prominent. Three years ago I had a surgeon inject filler around the lumps to try to even out the area with some success but now the filler is gone and the area looks worse...Help!

Thanks for your question -

Fat injection in the tear troughs can cause contour deformity - exactly what you're describing.  The issue with fat transfer here is that the skin in this area is very thin and the distance between the skin and the bone is relatively short.  This means that injection contour can sometimes be seen through the skin.

Sometimes this fat can be directly excised as part of a lower lid blepharoplasty or through micro liposuction to try to debulk the area.  Typically more injections don't make things better.

Find experts in the area.  Syd Coleman has a great deal of experience in facial fat grafting and would be a useful consultation.  Good luck!
 

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Can I Get Lidocaine for Nipple Sensivity After Breast Cancer Surgery?

Thanks for your question -

Patients that have had a lumpectomy can have altered sensation of the breast or nipple.  The vast majority of the time that sensation should improve over time.  It is possible that increased sensitivity could be permanent but that is rare.

Lidocaine injections aren't typically used to manage chronic sensitivity because the drug effect is short lived (typically 4-6 hours).  Physical therapy can help with desensitization that doesn't improve with time.

I hope this helps.

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon