Doctor Q&A

The implant card is usually the best way to confirm exactly what was placed: manufacturer, model/style, profile, size, and serial or lot numbers. SCX and SSX are both Natrelle Inspira silicone gel implants, but they are different styles with different gel cohesivity and feel. SCX is not only for cancer reconstruction patients; it can be used cosmetically when appropriate, depending on anatomy, goals, surgeon preference, and availability.

If your signed consent or preoperative order...

At 6 weeks, scar taping can be useful only if the incision is fully closed, dry, and cleared by your surgeon. For Hypafix or paper tape, I would not routinely use alcohol wipes because they can dry and irritate healing skin. Wash gently with mild soap and water, let the skin dry completely, and avoid putting moisturizer, oil, or silicone gel under the tape because it will not stick well and may irritate the skin.

Apply the tape smoothly without stretching it tightly; the goal is gentle...

RF treatment very early after fat transfer is usually avoided because heat, massage, swelling, and inflammation could theoretically affect newly healing fat cells and their blood supply. That said, one RF session on the thighs or abdomen does not automatically mean your BBL fat graft was damaged, especially if the buttock grafted areas were not treated directly or the settings were mild.

At 5 months, changes in shape can also come from normal swelling resolution, skin relaxation, weight...

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you are a great candidate for rhinoplasty. Maneuvers for your surgery would include dorsal hump reduction, tip refinement, nasal tip deprojection, tip derotation , among other maneuvers. A chin implant can be performed at the same time. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. With good surgical...

Over-resection (excessive tissue removed) is one of the primary reasons patients undergo revision rhinoplasty. A revision procedure could restore a more natural appearance to your nasal bridge and a conservative de-projection of the tip. The procedure is complicated, so it's important to select a surgeon who is certified in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology—ENT with an extensive track record of excellent revision rhinoplasty results. Good luck to you.

Congratulations on the weight loss! An extended abdominoplasty with 360 lipo and fat transfer to the buttocks (BBL) with a bilateral mastopexy (breast lift) with Aveli to treat the buttock cellulite for the first stage. Second stage would be a bilateral brachioplasty (arm lift) with liposuction. Use that fat to transfer to the breasts after the mastopexy. Hope this helps!

Dear YDahl,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Der Gorgeous,
Your goal to narrow the breast and go smaller can be accomplished with a revision of your breast reduction. You look very good right now and appear to be a B cup, but that doesn't matter, you can go smaller if you want to.
The nipples are pointing high and the nipple to fold distance is excessive, so as part of the revision, while reducing the horizontal width (modestly to avoid an unesthetic loss of lateral curvature), excess skin and breast tissue would be removed as a...

Hi there,
I think you would have a great result with UTM or OTM, but in your case I may steer you towards under the muscle. Specifically, this is because of the slight indentation on the upper outer aspect of your left side towards your armpit. In my experience, an under the muscle approach does a better job a smoothing out that corner. On your right, I would do a dual-plane augmentation with would potentially help lift your right nipple to match your left, which is just a touch higher. In...

Breasts will undergo natural changes in appearance over time, so it is not unusual for your breasts to look different after 14 years. Having said this, there are at least two conditions that should be investigated. These are capsular contracture and failed/ruptured silicone gel implants. The latter can be evaluated by an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound. A visit to your surgeon or any other board-certified plastic surgeon can determine the presence or absence of a capsular contracture.

Yes, modern “gummy bear” implants (cohesive silicone gel) are still generally considered softer and more natural-feeling than saline implants.
Saline implants are basically a silicone shell filled with saltwater, so they tend to feel more like a water balloon and can have more rippling, especially in thinner patients. Gummy/cohesive silicone implants are filled with a thicker gel that behaves more like natural breast tissue, which is why they typically feel softer, move more naturally, and...

A few months between a facelift with small-volume fat transfer and a later body procedure is often reasonable, but the timing should be based on recovery rather than the calendar alone. In many cases, surgeons prefer at least 3 months between elective operations, and 3 to 6 months is a common range when the first surgery involved anesthesia, swelling, bruising, and fat graft healing.

For your plan, the bigger issues are overall medical fitness, anesthesia time, and whether you have enough...

A well-planned forehead, brow, temporal, or midface lift should not disappear in a few months, but it also does not freeze the aging process. Most patients keep some improvement for years, while the exact duration depends on the technique, fixation strength, tissue quality, skin elasticity, facial anatomy, weight changes, sun damage, and smoking.

As a broad estimate, surgical brow or forehead lift results often last several years and may remain noticeable for 5 to 10 years or more in the...

Based on your photos, I can see asymmetry in brow position, with a more noticeable lateral brow descent, along with volume loss in the upper eyelid and periocular area. These changes are quite common after significant weight loss.
In this situation, I typically recommend a temporal lift.This procedure specifically elevates the outer part of the brow, creating a more open and refreshed eye appearance while reducing the “tired look.”
In addition, I would perform fat grafting to restore vol...

I completely understand why you are feeling self-conscious about this, but please let me reassure you that having a small pocket of fluid accumulate after your drain was removed is a incredibly common part of the healing process. When a surgical drain is taken out, your body naturally continues to produce fluid in that space, and it can sometimes collect under the skin—a very typical occurrence known as a seroma. At just three weeks post-op, your body is actively working to reabsorb...

Based on your photo, you do appear to have some mild upper eyelid drooping (ptosis), especially with a higher-than-average eyelid crease. This combination is actually pretty common. A ptosis repair could help lift the eyelids to a more open and balanced position, and in many cases it can also soften or lower the appearance of a very high crease. However, ptosis surgery alone may not fully “make the eyes smaller.” What it really does is improve eyelid position and shape so the eyes look mor...

It is completely normal to notice changes in the periocular region as you approach your mid-30s, and it can be incredibly frustrating when your eyes look tired even when you feel perfectly rested. Looking at your photo, you actually have excellent skin quality and strong bony support, meaning an invasive upper or lower blepharoplasty would be premature and counterproductive for your anatomy right now. The heavy, fatigued appearance under your eyes is primarily a shadow caused by a mild...