Vero Beach Doctors

Can I Mix Tretinoin Cream with a Moisturizer So It Goes on Smoother?

I have 0.1% tretinoin cream which seems hard to apply evenly on my face. Can I mix the pea-size amount with a moisturizer to apply at night or will this impair its effectiveness. I am 58 years old.

Absolutely, I recommend it if the Retin A is irritating you. To avoid irritation, try to put the Retin A on every other day for about a month. Also, make certain that your skin is dry (eg let it dry for 20 minutes before applying RetinA)

If these dont work, mix it with some moisturizer such as Scientific Daily Hydrator

Kenneth Beer, MD

Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

Tiny Black Scab and Puckered Nipples Normal 14 Days Post Op? (photo)

Everything has been fine. I have been to my PS nurses twice, to remove staples and the second time a stitch was out and it was irritating me. Both times they have looked at them and said that they are healing well and to really scrub at my scab. They said that the puckering of my nipples was normal and it would go away. I keep scrubbing this scab but it wont go away, it has gotten smaller but it wont go away. Im scared its necrosis and also that my nipples wont unpucker. Any advice?

Your breasts have a very normal appearance for 2 weeks postop.   The minor amount of scabbing will continue to improve and the puckering of the nipples will also improve.  It is important that you have been following up with your surgeon's office, but you should see him or her directly at one the upcoming visits so that you can have the full reassurance that you are seeking.

David J. Levens, MD

Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

Who Pays for the Cost of Emergency Room After Surgery if It Becomes Necessary?

If something goes wrong and I end up in an ER as a result of a breast augmentation surgery, who will pay for the ER's cost? I asked my insurance company, and they said because it's cosmetic surgery based reason, they don't cover the cost. I called my surgeon's office and the receptionist said if insurance doesn't cover, it would be on me. Really? Then how much I need to be prepare myself for this worst scenario?

Many plastic surgeons participate with a company called CosmetAssure that will provide coverage for certain common complications that occur after cosmetic surgery. 

You should inquire about this type of program and consider this as one factor in choosing yoiur surgeon.

David J. Levens, MD

Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon