Q. Tell us about yourself and your practice.
A. I have been in private practice for over 9 years in Scottsdale, Arizona. Prior to opening my practice, I served as a consultant in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale and was a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Arizona State University. Our boutique practice is dedicated solely to cosmetic surgery with a staff providing specialized attention to the details of customized patient care.
Q. Please explain the primary procedures performed by your practice.
A. I specialize in body contouring procedures including cosmetic breast surgery, liposculpting, tummy tucks along with facelifts.
Q. Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
A. I am certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery.
Q. Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery?
A. I perform all my surgeries at a free-standing out-patient surgery center on the hospital campus of Scottsdale Helathcare Osborn. I also have hospital privileges to perform cosmetic procedures at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospital.
Q. What is breast augmentation?
A. Breast augmentation surgeries are ideal in patients who have smaller breasts after pregnancies which are due to a process called breast involution. This occurs when the milk-producing tissue begins to shrink, causing the remaining breast tissue to decrease in volume. The surrounding skin remains intact causing a sagging, empty looking breast. Breast implant surgery can add projection and restore fullness. One of the big issues is what type of implant to chose. After having children, many women have thinner skin, creating a poor camoflauge layer over the implant. In these cases, silicone can be ideal to produce a more natural look and feel. Risks include bleeding, infection, and loss of sensation which occur in 1% - 2% of cases. Implants eventually rupture with a rate of 1% per year. Capsular contracture is the most frequent complication and involves a thickened scar developing around the implant to cause hardness and shape distortion. The nationwide rate is between 10% - 25% while our practice rate is less than 2%.
Q. Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
A. Breast augmentation surgeries are ideal in patients who have smaller breasts after pregnancies which are due to a process called breast involution.
Q. What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
A. Patients are often out of work for 5-7 days and can return to the gym between 2 and 3 weeks.
Q. What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?
A. Risks include bleeding, infection, and loss of sensation which occur in 1% - 2% of cases. Implants eventually rupture with a rate of 1% per year. Capsular contracture is the most frequent complication and involves a thickened scar developing around the implant to cause hardness and shape distortion. The nationwide rate is between 10% - 25% while our practice rate is less than 2%.
Q. Are the results of liposuction permanent?
A. Liposuction is ideal for stubborn areas of fat. The procedure removes fat permanently, but poor eating habits by the patient can cause the remaining fat to grow.
Q. How much does liposuction surgery cost?
A. Costs for liposuction depend on the area and the number of regions sculpted. Costs for one region can range from $1200 to $3600.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. Tummy tucks achieve dramatic results by removing excess fat, stretched out skin along with tightening a weakend abdominal muscles and a drooping pubic area. This can be achieved through a single incision between the lower abdominal/pubic junction. I recommend at least 6 months following pregnancy to allow the hormones a chance to return to normal. Risks include bleeding, infection, loss of skin and leg clots. The recovery is a longer process where return to a sedentary job is around 3 weeks with a 6 week absence from the gym.
Q. Will a person have a scar after the tummy tuck?
A. The scar is placed below the C-section area and results in a thin line.
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