Q. Tell us about yourself and your practice.
A. I have been in practice in Knoxville since 1986. Prior to this time, I attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, preformed by general surgery residency from 1979 to 1984 at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and then completed my Plastic Surgery Residency in Philadelphia, Pa. at the University of Pennsylvania, from 1984 to 1986. I am Board- certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
My practice was originally based at the University of Tennessee Medical Center where I still have a faculty appointment as an Associate Professor of Surgery. In 2001, I moved my practice to my current location in the Meridian Building in Bearden to accommodate the expansion of my practice and to be more accessible to our patients .
I have a full time aesthetician, and a nurse injector in my practice. Additionally we do Pearl Fractional Laser facial resurfacing in the office.
I have been a past president of the Tennessee Society of Plastic Surgeons, and have served on the board of directors of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS). Currently I am on the ASPS Council of State Affairs, Plastic Surgery Education Committee, Practice Management Education committee, and the Product Advisory committee.
I am married with three college age children. My recreations include rowing (through the Oak Ridge Rowing Association) and choral singing (at the Church of the Ascension).
Q. Please explain the primary procedures performed by your practice.
A. About 80% of the operations I perform are aesthetic or cosmetic in nature. I perform a higher number of breast procedures than anything else. This includes breast enlargements, breast lifts and breast reductions. I also perform a high volume of tummy tucks and liposuctions. My practice also includes operations for facial aging including facelifts, eye lid surgery and forehead lifts.
On the reconstructive side, I manage children with cleft lips and palates, women with breast reconstruction, and a number of post traumatic reconstructions.
Q. What payment options do you offer?
A. We accept most credit cards, and have financing through Care Credit.
Q. Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery?
A. I have privileges at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Ft. Sander’s Regional Medical Center, Parkwest Hospital, Baptist Hospital West, and the Physician’s Surgery Center of Knoxville.
Q.How many procedures of this type have you performed?
A.I am not sure what type of surgery you are talking about. However, I perform over 200 breast lifts or breast augmentations annually. Usually we also do about 75 to 80 tummy tucks.
Q.What is Breast Lifting?
A.Breast lifting is an operation designed to create a more youthful, "perkier" breast, by correcting the sagging of the breast. The entire breast will be lifted to a higher position on the chest wall, and can be made larger with the addition of an implant, or made smaller by the removal of some tissue. Usually the size of the areola will be reduced. There will always be some scars in the areas where skin is removed to perform the lift.
Q.What is the recovery period like?
A.The recovery period is usually one to two weeks, depending upon a women’s work and lifestyle. In some cases the recovery is shorter if breast implants are not used. I ask women to avoid heavy lifting for two weeks, and will allow them to shower the day after surgery.
Q.Who is an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery?
A.The ideal candidate, or most common candidate, is a women who has had changes in her breasts as the result of child bearing and breast feeding, or significant weight loss. It is probably best to be finished having children, and to be back to a weight at which you are comfortable. Any medical conditions such as high blood pressure should be under control.
There are also a number of women, who have never had children, in whom the breasts have always been sagging. These women are also excellent candidates for this operation whether or not they have had surgery.
Q.Are there risks and complications to a breast lift surgery?
A.There can be risks with any operation. Usually risks or complications of this operation are not very common. These can include minor infections, bleeding, or problems with healing. There will always be some scars, and this is really not a complication.
Q.How long do the results last?
A.This will depend upon a number of things such as: weight changes, subsequent childbearing, size and weight of the breast, the strength of your tissues, and the type of support you wear in a bra. To maintain the best results, I recommend not using very large implants (if these are to be used) as they will add weight to the breast, maintain your weight and level of fitness, and to wear good support in your bra -- particularly when exercising.
Q.How much does breast lift surgery cost?
A.The cost, including anesthesia and operating room costs, will be between $6025 and $8475, depending upon the amount of lifting and the type of implants that will be used.
Q.What are some of the most common benefits of breast lift surgery?
A.The benefits are to have a better look to your body, better self esteem, and sometimes relief of back discomfort. Many women express concerns about being seen without a top on by their husbands or partners because of the shape of their breasts. These women feel much more confident and pleased with their appearance after this operation, in intimate settings.
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