Cindy Wu, MD

Dear Ms. Carter.  Before embarking on your vacation, check in with your plastic surgeon for an exam to make sure things are healing well.  If you are taking a long flight, make sure to get up frequently and walk in the aisle to encourage circulation.  The same applies if you have a long drive ahead of you.  Do not mix narcotic pain medications with alcohol, as this combination is unsafe.  Also, check with your surgeon on lifting restrictions and wound care instructions before you leave.   I hope you love your result and can enjoy them on your holiday!

Dear Sun 2407:  Thank you for your question and photos.  Some plastic surgeons do not recommend implant massage, and some do, depending on the type of implants that were placed and the post op duration of the patient.  In general though, with time, implants will drop into the pocket.  I would ask your plastic surgeon whether s/he recommends that you do any sort of massage to the implants.   Good luck!

Thank you for your question and photo.  It is common for breasts to be swollen 10 days post op, resulting in breasts that may appear too large.  In addition, submuscular implants always sit high initially, then gradually settle into the pocket over weeks to months, filling out the lower pole of the breast.  After 6 months, swelling should subside and the implant should have started to settle into place.  In general, I recommend a full year before undergoing revisional surgery.  However, if at that time you desire revision, I would recommend that you talk to your plastic surgeron about options.  Best wishes!

Dear Juliecathlyn.  Thank you for your question and pictures.  From your photos, it appears that you may have some fluid underneath the incision.  Because there is no redness or inflammation, it does not look infected.  I would recommend that you see your plastic surgeon back in the office for removal of this fluid in the office.  Good luck!  

Dear Helanham.  Thank you for your question and photos.  From your photos, it appears that you would benefit from a lift as well as an augmentation with implants.  If you are already booked for a tummy tuck and Brazilian buttock lift, then you may want to wait until you have recovered from that surgery before undergoing the breast surgeries.  Good luck!

Dear lisa2828.  Thank you for your question and photos.  I would recommend that you bring up your concern with your plastic surgeon.  If you are concerned with the implants or breast tissue sagging, then a breast lift or mastopexy may be needed.  Be sure to discuss this with a board certified plastic surgeon.  Good luck. 

Dear Girlmom88.  Thank you for your question and photos.  Based on your photographs, you would be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty with liposuction and a breast lift.  Your question regarding if you need an implant for upper pole fullness depends on whether you feel that in a shaping bra, you have enough breast volume.  The shaping bra simulates what the breast lift would do to lift your nipple and breast tissue up.  If in a shaping or pushup bra, you feel that you still need volume in the upper pole, then you made need an implant.  However, I would recommend that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you in person, to determine the surgical plan that is right for you.  Good luck!

After breast augmentation, it is normal to have some changes in nipple sensation.  Most commonly, women experience less sensation (hyposensitivity), and some have more sensation (hypersensitivity).  Both indicate your body's natural healing reaction to surgery, and both are temporarily, and should improve with time.  I would recommend de-sensitizing the nipples by gently touching or massaging them a few times during the day, and increasing the duration as your hypersensitivity improves.  However, I recommend that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon to get his/her permission to do these de-sensitizing exercises.  Good luck. 

Dear juliecathlyn.  After breast augmentation, women may experience a feeling of tightness or swelling.  If the swelling on one side is much more than the other side, then you should have an examination by your plastic surgeon to make sure that you don't have fluid buildup or bleeding.  If you are concerned, then it is always advisable to see your plastic surgeon in the office.  Good luck. 

Dear anonbreastgirl.  Thank you for your question and photos.  Tuberous breast deformity is marked by enlarged areola, herniation of the breast tissue into the areola, and a high fold with a constricted base.  Based on your photos, you do have tuberous breasts.   A mastopexy with implants is typically the recommended surgical procedure for tuberous breasts.  However, you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your surgical options.  Good luck!