Syed M. Sayeed M.D. - Precision Surgery of NY

A: From your description and photos, it seems you might be dealing with a common postoperative issue associated with blepharoplasty, known as eyelid hollowing. If your procedure included the removal of the fat pad, this can cause a hollowed appearance. Your concerns and expectations are indeed realistic, as it's important for patients to feel satisfied with their results.

For remedial options, practitioners often suggest dermal fillers or fat grafting to restore volume under the eyes, making the area less hollow. However, these are just possibilities and an in-person consultation is necessary to provide a definitive treatment plan as it's really hard to make an assessment from photos alone.

A: Hi, as a plastic surgeon specializing in eyelid surgery, it's important to evaluate each patient's specific concerns and goals. Upper eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, can indeed address excess skin on the eyelids and help open up the eyes. However, if the issue also involves a lower set brow, it may be beneficial to consider a brow lift in addition to eyelid surgery for optimal results. It's best to have an in-person consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual needs, address potential side effects, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Many specialists offer complimentary consultations, or will deduct the cost of a consultation from any proposed surgery costs.

A: Hi, sorry to hear that you're experiencing shadows and puffiness under your eyes.

Puffy under eyes after filler injections can be a common issue. There are a few potential causes for this, including the filler being too close to the surface or the wrong filler choice.

In your case, since puffiness persists after removal, I would advise to have in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon, or more specifically an oculoplastic surgeon, who can determine if there is any additional filler still present, and/or whether you are a candidate for lower blepharoplasty surgery.

A: From what I can gather from your symptoms and the way the breasts look in the photo, I would agree you may be suffering from a degree of capsular contracture given that there is distortion of the right breast. Pain, tightness and discomfort is common in patients who suffer from capsular contracture. However, in order to properly diagnose you, it is crucial to communicate your symptoms or concerns during an in-person appointment with a plastic surgeon for proper evaluation and treatment. Plastic surgeons universally use a grading scale to assess the condition of breasts with implants, called the baker classification scale.

The main treatment option for capsular contracture is a capsulectomy with implant repositioning, removal or replacement. A capsulectomy is a surgical intervention that involves the removal of the thickened scar tissue layer, known as the capsule, surrounding a breast implant. The capsule can cause the breast to become firm, painful, and distorted.

The cost of breast revision surgery can vary depending on several factors, including the expertise and qualifications of the surgeon, the location of the surgeon, the type of implants used (if replacement is requested), the complexity of the procedure, and if any additional treatments are required. In New York, you can expect to pay between $12,000-$15,000 for a Capsulectomy due to the complexity of the procedure.

Severe cases of capsular contracture, specifically Baker grade III or IV, may be eligible for coverage by insurance. However, it is important to note that coverage can vary between insurance carriers so there is no guarantee that they would help cover the cost of treatment.

Overall, it's important to consult with a plastic surgeon to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on individual circumstances. They can also help you determine if your specific case meets the criteria for insurance coverage.