What patients say
Dr. Rudolf C. Thompson is highly regarded for his expertise in cosmetic procedures, including

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
“Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends” reads a sign displayed with pride at the Thompson Center for Plastic Surgery. A gift from a patient, this saying perfectly captures the compassionate and welcoming environment that my team and I have created for my patien
Asked By: joanne57
ANSWER
I routinely use the urine cotinine (nicotine) test prior to any procedure that includes resecting large amounts of tissue and skin and closure under tension (tummy tuck, breast reduction or lift, facelift). I usually perform this test at the patient's pre-op visit, which usually takes place two weeks prior to the procedure. I do not routinely perform this test for routine breast augmentation cases where I am making a small incision and not closing the incision under tension. I recommend checking with your board certified plastic surgeon regarding his or her specific protocol. Good luck with your procedure!
Asked By: anon88412
ANSWER
Thank you for your question and photographs and thank you for doing all of your excellent research. Congratulations for all of your pre-consultation education which is very important! Option #4 that you mentioned is the best treatment and standard of care for your breast. The proper steps are as follows: 1) Dual-plane breast augmentation with an implant, 2) Lower pole release and radial scoring or the herniated breast tissue behind the nipple-areolar complex, and 3) circumareolar mastopexy (or areola reduction). These techniques will give you the best breast shape possible. All of these steps are equally important and need to be performed in your situation. Good luck with your procedure!
Asked By: lexiegeneva34
ANSWER
Thank you for your question. Although it is difficult to determine definitively with these photographs, I feel that you may indeed require a lift to achieve your best result. I use simple and quick measurements to determine this: 1) Nipple to inframammary fold distance under maximum stretch (less than 10 centimeters), and, 2) Anterior pole skin stretch (less than 4 centimeters). If a patient meets both of these criteria, then she is a candidate for augmentation (implant alone) with a mastopexy (lift). If not, then a combined augmentation and mastopexy (lift) will be required. Good luck with your procedure!
Asked By: KRMCD
ANSWER
It is not uncommon to get a fluid collection 5 weeks after a tummy tuck. Most fluid collections (seromas) occur after the drains are pulled. You have been properly managed with aspiration (needle removal of) the fluid collection and reinsertion of a drain. The key now will be to limit your physical activity (no exercise or strenuous activity whatsoever) for 7-14 days, and to simultaneously wear a compression garment to encourage the abdominal skin and soft tissue to "stick" down to the abdominal wall to close the potential space where the fluid is collecting. I recommend continuing close follow-up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Good luck with your recovery!
Asked By: kiakinkss08
ANSWER
Congratulations on your procedure and thank you for your question! Everything that you are experiencing in the early post-operative period is normal and not uncommon. It is normal to still be on pain medicine, especially after a combined procedure such as this, at only five days post-op. You should start tapering off the narcotic pain medicine in one to two days and moving on to another non-narcotic medication that your surgeon may have recommended. Of course, if your pain is not relieved by narcotic pain medication you should see your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon immediately. It is also normal for one drain to be draining more than the other at five days post-op. I hope this helps and good luck with your recovery!
Asked By: kellycookies
ANSWER
Thank you for your question and photographs. It is not uncommon to experience long term swelling after a tummy tuck procedure. Tissue healing and swelling usually completely resolves at one year post-op. It is difficult to assess whether or not your abdominal wall tightening is adequate based on these before and after photographs. I recommend following up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an in person examination and to discuss your concerns. Good luck!
Asked By: jo2606
ANSWER
Thank you for your question and for your photographs. It is not uncommon for patients to have more discomfort in one breast than the other in the early post-operative period (especially in the first week) after surgery. It is also common to have bruising on one side and not the other and for there to be more swelling on one breast as opposed to the other. I recommend continuing close post-operative follow-up visits and discussing your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
Asked By: DianaJ89
ANSWER
Thank you for your question. Many, if not all, of these women in your photographs have not had children or breastfed. They all, of course, have good genetics as well. It is possible to achieve a good breast position with good symmetry with a larger implant. However, all body types and breast types are different and this is very difficult to achieve unless the patient has not breastfed and has good genetics with a good soft tissue envelope. I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn what look and shape you might be able to achieve. Good luck!
Asked By: dhambrick1978
ANSWER
Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery. Post-operative care in a breast augmentation procedure largely depends upon your surgeons preference and the type of implant that was placed (textured or smooth). My protocol for patients who get shaped (teardrop) or textured round implants is a moderately tight post-operative bra (usually zip-up) for six weeks and NO massage. Massaging with textured implants runs the risk of causing fluid accumulation or bleeding within the implant pocket due to the friction forces of the textured surface of the implant. It also increases the risk of unwanted rotation of a shaped implant. On the other hand, in patients with smooth round implants, I have them start massaging at about one week post-op. I have them perform gentle yoga-pose arm raises almost immediately. A post-operative bra is optional for these patients and I do not use velcro straps. With regards to the square shape of your breasts, it is way to soon to judge the final shape and result of your breast augmentation procedure. It takes anywhere from 6-9 months for all tissue healing and swelling to resolve in order to assess your final result. I recommend following up in person with your surgeon to discuss his or her post-operative protocol. Good luck!
Asked By: sassy510
ANSWER
It is very reasonable and safe to perform breast augmentation surgery at the same time as (combined with) chin implant surgery and rhinoplasty. The total cost of the combined procedures would vary depending on what area you live in or what breast implant you and your surgeon choose for your augmentation. The cost would also depend upon the operating room and anesthesia fees based on how long the procedure would take. I recommend a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your desires. I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision and with your procedure!
Dr. Rudolf C. Thompson is highly regarded for his expertise in cosmetic procedures, including