Charlottesville Doctors

How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

Are there times after the recovery period has ended that a patient may want to wear the girdle again?

I generally have patients wear a compressive abdominal binder for 3-4 weeks.  In the fourth week, I usually have them wear this only during the day. If the patient has Liposuction of the thighs or back they may have to wear garments longer (5-6 weeks) but I get them out of the binder first and transition to a more comfortable garment or even Spanx. 

Burton M. Sundin, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon

How much fat will be reduced from the arms by coolsculpting?

How soon will I see the effects of coolsculpting in my arms? 

Currently, treatment of the arms is difficult with Coolsculpting due to the dimensions and size of the handpieces. Only very select patients can undergo arm treatment. also this is an off-label use of the device. For most patients, treatment of the arms is not possible.  If you have a very large upper arm and if the device can adhere strictly to the back of the arm without involving the under surface of the arm and without causing numbness of the hand, then it can theoretically be achieved.  

I would recommend treating other areas until new handpieces enable treatment of the arms.

Burton M. Sundin, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon

Do Hypothyroid Issues Prohibit Zeltiq Treatments?

In what I have read about Zerona treatments it says if you have thyroid problems you should not have their treatment because it keeps treatment form working well. Is gthis the same with Zeltiq?

Hypothyroidism is not one of the conditions which would be contraindicated with Coolsculpting.  I am unsure as to why Zerona does not produce results in the setting of hypothyroidism, but this modality has multiple conditions that must be met. Coolsculpting is targeting fat cells and causing them to undergo cell death or what the company calls cryolipolysis. Hypothyroidism does not affect this process. I have treated many patients who are hypothyroid or on thyroid medication. 

Burton M. Sundin, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon