Haemi Lee, MD, FRCSC

Before any cosmetic breast surgery, it is best to make sure your health and safety comes first.  Mammograms before surgery are routinely ordered in patients who would already be a category for getting regular/early mammograms.  In a younger patient with no family history of cancer or personal history of breast masses, a mammogram may not be necessary as they are very low risk.  Make sure that you are seeing a board-certified Plastic Surgeon who has the updated expertise in breast surgery to have the safest outcome medically, and best result cosmetically.

I hope this has helped.  Best wishes!

Hi misch14 - thanks for the question. Traditionally tummy tucks used drains to control extra fluid buildup in between the fat and muscle layer which was separated during surgery.  Until scar tissue sticks these two layers down, there is a potential space which fills with fluid.  "Drainless tummy tucks" use techniques where there is less separation of these layers surgically, and sutures are placed  to adhere these layers so there is more contact, and less sliding.  I favour using this technique because it also helps reduce the tension at a the skin closure site, resulting in slightly better scars.  However, you may still need drains in some circumstances that will be decided during the surgery by a board-certified Plastic surgeon who will have the expertise to know when these are warranted. 

Best wishes. 

Hello. Your question is very common in the body contouring part of my practice.  If you're willing to go through with liposuction, both from a time and cost perspective, you might as well aim for your best possible long-term result.  I recommend that you reach you goal weight that can be sustainable. Then liposuction can really tailor your shape where you need it most. Sometimes with weight loss, you may find that you already lose weight in some areas and you might not need liposuction.   If the opposite occurs and weight is significantly gained, your contour may change unpredictably and you will not be satisfied.  

Be at the weight you will want to maintain and you will be happy with your result. Best wishes in your procedure!

Hello - this is a relatively common question asked as many patients during the healing phase are wondering if their result is normal.  In order to have revision surgery, you need to make sure that any asymmetries and distortions are not due to swelling which is temporary.  After surgery on the body, it is common to have prolonged swelling lasting at least 4-6 months.  In addition, surgical scars soften.  You may be surprised at how the labia will change at the 6 month mark.  You may avoid unnecessary surgeries and scars by waiting.  However, there are some issues that we know will not go away (notching, holes) and it is important that your board-certified Plastic Surgeon communicate these with you in order to further refine your result.

Best wishes

Hi and thanks for your question.  All implants develop a wall of scar tissue surrounding it.  The capsule is a scar pocket around the implant which is the natural reaction your body has to a foreign object.  This is made of collagen and cells that lay down the material for the capsule. Because this is a living layer, scar capsules can change over time.  Capsular contracture is the thickening and tightening of this layer.  The thickening and tightening makes the capsule and implant feel firm, can cause a shift in position, or at the worst can cause pain. 

Plastic Surgery research has found several factors associated with the development of capsular contracture.  In the early phase of healing it is important to minimize contamination, infection, and bleeding.  A board certified Plastic surgeon and breast specialist will employ techniques to clean and rinse the pocket with solutions often containing antimicrobial medication, a minimize touching the implant with the skin surface.  Minimizing the amount of bacteria (the "biofilm" ) in the pocket at the time of implantation is thought to minimize the long term reaction that may cause capsular contracture. 

Research is ongoing as to how the capsule changes over time. Surgical technique certainly affects the long term risk of developing this is the future. Other factors over time include implant rupture, use of radiation therapy to the chest, trauma causing bleeding, or late infections. It is best to have a maintenance plan with your Plastic surgeon who understands that implants can change over time and who is qualified to detect and treat these changes. 

Kind regards.