Lynnwood Doctors

What is Wrong with my Neck? I Dislike My Profile. (photo)

I am not really what sure is wrong with my neck. I am 29 and fairly in shape I have come to really dislike my profile. Is there anything that can be done?

You could consider chin augmentation and possible neck (submental) liposuction to improve your facial balance.

A physical exam would allow for a better assessment and computer morphing would better let you determine if the changes make the improvements you're looking for.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

What Kind of Stitches Are Used in Rhinoplasty?

Do they dissolve or are they taken out? Do I have a choice? My friend had rhinoplasty last month and she had 16 stitches. She said getting the stitches removed was more painful than the surgery.

There is a lot of variation among surgeons regarding what type of sutures are used during rhinoplasty surgery. It also depends on whether an open or closed approach was used as well. There is typically a few incisions inside the nose that are closed with dissolvable sutures that go away on their own.

If an external incision is used (with an open approach) there are a few sutures along the small incision across the columella. These sutures are often a permanent type that need to be removed about a week after surgery. I prefer using a very fine dissolvable suture (7-0 chromic) in this area in which I only need to trim the knots out at the one week visit.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

It's Been 8 Months Since my Rhinoplasty and my Nose Looks the Same. Is This Normal?

I am African American. My PS narrowed my nostril and straightened my bridge. It now feels like there is a step off between the sides of my nose and my bridge. My doctor was supposed to make my nose looks slimmer. My PS is in NYC and has been performing nose jobs for 30 years. My PS gave me two rounds of steroids beginning at the 4th month.

I would expect you to notice at least some change to your nose after 8 months. It's hard to comment further without seeing your nose and what you looked like before surgery. It may want to compare current photos with postoperative ones to get a better idea of things.

Your nose will likely continue to evolve for about a year after surgery. If you have thick skin this will also prolong the skin redraping process and make it harder to see has dramatic changes to the size of your nose.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon