Colorado Springs Doctors

Will Breasts Look Larger As Breast Implants Drop?

I had a full Breast lift and Breast implant surgery 4 days ago. I requested to go to a full C or small D. My results have been great. My nipples are now where they should be, and I no longer have droopy breasts. My breasts however, do not look as large as I would have hoped. My PS put in 450cc's memory gel silicone under the muscle. I started off as a B cup. Will my breasts look larger as the implants drop, or should I have gone for a larger size?

It is too early to assess the long-term size or shape of your augmented and lifted breasts. As has been recommended by other surgeons answering your question, you must give your surgery time to heal and settle.  When you have adjusted to your improved shape and appearance and the discomfort and swelling is resolved, you will have a better idea if you have achieved a pleasing and proportionate result.  I always warn patients that the larger the implants after breast lifts, the greater the risk of them becoming longer again with time. Best Regards from Colorado Springs.

Douglas J. Raskin, MD

Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

What Do You Know About The Semielastic Scarless Serdev Suture Breast Lift?

I have been considering a breast lift, but am concerned about scarring and loss of sensation in the nipple. Today I found a procedure called the "Semielastic Scarless Serdev Suture Breast Lift". It appears that Dr. Serdev uses sutures to raise and secure the breast. I can't find any doctors who do this in the US. Couple of questions: 1. Does this really work, and is it practiced in the US? 2. How long do the results last? 3. Is the cost on par with traditional breast lift methods??

The flood of "Designer Procedures" self-named by self-promoting surgeons to create a misleading aura of uniqueness, exclusivity, differentiation and innovation is very rarely more than deceptive marketing hype. Unfortunately, the list of such cleverly named procedures is getting longer every day.

It is understandable that this unfortunate and disingenuous advertising leads to confusion for people seeking reliable information on the internet.

• Many of these "Designer Procedures" are actually well established procedures used by many of us and most often not developed by the person who has just attached a clever name to it.
  • Be very skeptical of any procedure that has the surgeon's name attached to it and is advertised only by that surgeon.
  • A good surgeon stands out on the basis of his/her reputation; not a catchy procedure name.
• Many of these "Designer Procedures" may be more hype than substance: many of us don't use them, because they don't work particularly well, or may not be suitable for a particular patient.
• Be cautious, skeptical and trust your instincts; do more research and question the validity of such procedures with second opinion(s) from Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons. 
  • If the procedure has merit, most of us will be familiar with it and many of us will have adopted it. 
  • At the very least, we can help determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

Indentation in Bottom of Nostril, Left After Rhinoplasty, Why is This? (photo)

I got a rhinoplasty a month ago and there is a huge indention in the nostril base on the left side. It makes my profile from the left look much worse than the right... Even if the doctor 'smooths it out,' how will this raise the indention? He almost gets offended when I ask about it. Has anyone ever seen this? I completely did not expect this. Trent

The indented area at the the base of the columella where it meets the nasal sil (nostril base) is most likely a 'relative' depression.  In other words, the columellar skin was dissected and remains significantly swollen at 1 month following rhinoplasty.  The nasal sil region was not dissected and did not suffer nearly the same degree of swelling.  Hence the columellar skin stands out further than the nostril base.  In time the contour should significantly improve.  If they are not still to your liking then a minor revision procedure will be necessary.

Mario Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC.

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS

Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon