Tampa Oculoplastic Surgeons

12 Years After Gore-tex Implant in Upper Lips, I'm Unhappy. What Are My Options?

I Need Help and Can't Find a Doctor Who Can Answer Me Honestly.  I Have a  Gortex  Implant in my upper lip. I had it done like 12-13 yrs ago and I have retraction, I haven't been able to smile fully with my upper lip s o the skin above my lip has slowly been lengthening and spreading out to overcompensate for my lip not spreading during smiling. It has caused the corners of my mouth to go down too. Do I even bother having it removed? Won't the Scar Capsule create the same retraction? I need honesty please. Thanks!

  The Gore-Tex can be removed (probably with difficulty).  It is impossible to say if the scar tissue will contract and cause the same retraction.  If it bothers you, it is probably worth trying.  If necessary, your lip can be augmented with injectables once you are healed.

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Options For 28 yo Female with Under Eye Swelling/ Eye Bags? (photo)

I noticed I developed eye bags in April 2011. I went to a surgeon and he said that this was not fat under my eye, but it was swelling. He said I could try Juvederm, but it may not work because it's not fat under my eye. I asked him if there is a way to get rid of the swelling and he said no because it is probably hereditary. He said I should not do cosmetic surgery because I am far too young.

  Well, if you ask different doctors, you will get different opinions.  This looks like herniated orbital fat to me.  But you are very young for eyelid surgery so please consider an alternative such as an HA filler (I prefer Restylane over Juvederm here).

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox Cost for Palmar Hyperhidrosis

I am wondering how much Botox costs to treat palmar hyperhidrosis. I believe most doctors inject a total of 1 vial between the two hands and that a vial costs a physician around $500. Yet, it seems prices are quoted significantly higher than this. Are doctors adding their own markup? Also are there any insurance companies that will cover the cost of Botox for palmar hyperhidrosis?

 I agree that you would most likely require a whole vial of Botox or 100 units.  The cost should range from $800 to $1500.  It is costly, but is very beneficial and the patients I have treated have been very happy.

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon