Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
700 Olympic Plaza Circle, Suite 420 | Tyler, Texas 75701 | 903-526-2500
700 Olympic Plaza Circle,
Suite 420
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-526-2500
1. What is the difference between silicone and saline implants?
Overall silicone implants are softer and feel more natural than saline implants. In addition, silicone implants are much more expensive than their saline counterparts.
2. What types of incisions can be used to place breast implants?
There are 3 types of incisions that are approved. The transaxillary incision is make in the armpit, and hides very well. The disadvantage is that sometimes it is noticeable when the arms are raised. Furthermore, if revision surgery is needed, it is very difficult to use the transaxillary incision again. Generally a periareolar or inframammary incision needs to be made for secondary surgery. The periareolar incision also hides very well, and is made at the bottom border of the areola (dark portion of the nipple complex). It can be reused for any subsequent surgery. The inframammary incision leaves a scar at the bottom of the breast, but in larger breasts, hides very well in the fold. This incision give the surgeon the greatest visualization during surgery, and like the periareolar incision, can be reused if needed.
3. Will I lose nipple sensation?
That depends mostly on the type of incision used. The transaxillary incision leads to the least amount of altered nipple sensation. Overall, any loss of nipple sensation is usually temporary.
4. Can I breast feed after Breast Augmentation?
Most women are able to breast feed after the surgery, but there are some who may not, either on one side, or both. The risk for this is very small for the transaxillary incision, and greatest for the periareolar incision.
5. What is the lifespan of the implant?
About 10 years in general, although this varies from person to person. Implants need to be replaced because of leakage, excess scar tissue or infection.
6. If I get implants will it affect mammograms?
Yes. Although radiologists know how to modify their mammogram technique on women with implants, as much as 10-20% of the breast may not be visualized on the mammogram.
7. How long is the surgery?
Usually about 2 hours.
8. How soon can I get back to normal?
Most women are back at work within a week, and are doing normal activities by 3-6 weeks.
1. How do I know if I need a breast lift?
Generally if the nipple is at or below the lower fold of the breast, then a breast lift is indicated.
2. Where are the incisions?
This depends on the severity of the breast droop. For mild droop, a standard breast augmentation will probably correct the problem. Otherwise, a small incision can be placed at the superior border of the areola which hides well. For moderate droop a donut or Benelli type of lift is used. This places the incision completely around the border of the areola and hides very well. For severe droop, the incision looks like an anchor. It goes completely around the areola, then down in a straight line from the bottom of the areola to the fold of the breast, and on the lower breast fold itself.
3. What are the risks?
Bleeding , infection, altered nipple sensation, wound healing problems, and asymmetry can occur. Scars may or may not be noticeable, depending on the way you heal.
4. How long does the procedure take to complete?
About 2-4 hours, depending on the incisions used and size of the breasts.
5. How long before I can get back to normal activities?
You can probably return to work within a week. Normal physical activities can be resumed after about 3 weeks.
6. Is this procedure covered by insurance?
No.
1. Does insurance cover the cost of the surgery?
Depending on the insurance company’s requirements, most do cover the cost of surgery. They look at the woman’s weight to height ratio, and the relative size of the breasts. In general most insurance companies will pay for reduction surgery if they determine that at least 500 grams (about a pound) will be removed from each breast in a non-obese woman.
2. Where are the incisions?
Generally the scar will be in the shape of an anchor. It goes completely around the areola, then down in a straight line from the bottom of the areola to the fold of the breast, and on the lower breast fold itself.
3. Can I breast feed after this procedure?
This varies from person to person, but about 25% will not be able to breast feed.
4. What are the risks?
Bleeding , infection, altered nipple sensation, wound healing problems, and asymmetry can occur. Scars may or may not be noticeable, depending on the way you heal.
5. How soon can I get back to normal activities?
Usually woman can go back to work within a week, and begin normal activities within 3-6 weeks.
1. Can liposuction help me lose weight?
In general liposuction is not for weight reduction. It is used to alter the contour of the body. The amount of fat that is removed during the process ranges between 1-10 pounds. Liposuction can help a person to feel better about one’s looks, and therefore inspire him/her to eat better and exercize more in order to lose weight.
2. Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
Anyone in good health with good skin tone, who has excess fat deposits is a good candidate. Those with excess or loose skin need to have skin removed in addition to liposuction.
3. How long does the surgery take?
This depends on the number of areas of the body which need liposuction. In general each part of the body (e.g. abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, hips) takes about 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours.
4. What are the risks of liposuction?
There can be some bruising, temporary numbness, and contour irregularities. In addition, there are general risks of surgery.
5. What is the recovery time after liposuction?
You can usually get back to work within a week. You will need to wear a special pressure garment under your clothing for about 3-6 weeks to help with the healing.
6. What incisions are used?
All incisions for the instruments are about ¼ of an inch long. Depending on the number of areas of the body requiring liposuction, there may be two or more such incisions.
1. How do I know if I need a tummy tuck or just liposuction?
If you have excess, loose skin, have had children, and are older than 45 years, then you probably need a tummy tuck as opposed to liposuction. The two procedures can be combined in one surgery to refine the results of the tummy tuck.
2. How long does it take to do a tummy tuck?
In general the operation takes between 3-4 hours.
3. Will I keep my belly button?
Yes, the belly button will be brought out though a new skin opening in its original location.
4. What will the scar look like?
Depending on how much skin is removed, there will be a horizontal incision just above the pubic hair line, usually from hip to hip. This hides very well beneath underwear or a bathing suit. There will also be a round scar around the belly button.
5. What are the risks for a tummy tuck operation?
Bleeding, infection, partial or complete loss of the belly button, loss of sensation of the abdominal wall,wound healing problems, fluid collection under the skin and widened scars are possible complications.
6. Is this an outpatient procedure?
You will usually stay one night in the hospital and go home the next day.
7. Will this surgery tighten my abdominal muscles?
Yes, as part of the operation the rectus abdominus muscles are sutured together in the midline. This is especially helpful for women who have had multiple pregnancies, because their muscles have separated in the midline.
1. What kind of scar can I expect?
On the upper eyelid, the scar is hidden in the eyelid crease. On the lower eyelid, the scar either runs just under the lash line, or is placed on the inside of the eyelid where no incision is seen.
2. How long does the procedure take to perform?
Both upper eyelids require about 1 hour, as do the lower eyelids. Therefore it takes about two hours to do upper and lower eyelids on both sides.
3. Will I be awake for the surgery?
Usually yes. However, oral sedation is usually given along with a local anesthetic. This is tolerated very well by the patient.
4. How much pain can I expect?
Actually the amount of pain after eyelid surgery is very low. Usually tylenol is all that is required after surgery.
5. What is the recovery time?
There can be swelling which may last up to 2 weeks, and bruising that can last up to 3 weeks. In general most people are socially acceptable in about 2 weeks.
6. What are the risks?
Bruising and some swelling occur, and resolve relatively quickly. The most serious complication is blindness, which is extremely rare. It can occur as a result of bleeding to the back of the eye, which puts pressure on the optic nerve. When diagnosed and treated early, the blindness is almost always reversible.
1. Where will the scars be?
The scars for the facelift are hidden in the temple hairline, on the front of the ear canal rim, and back behind the ear into the hairline. Usually only a hairdresser will be able to notice them.
2. Will I get the “windblown” look after my facelift?
No. We aim to give you a natural look, not one that is exaggerated. After your facelift, most people won’t immediately recognize that you had the procedure. They will only notice that you look refreshed.
3. If I smoke can I have a facelift?
Absolutely not. The nicotine in cigarettes chokes off the blood supply to the face, and severely impairs healing. You can be left with a large patch of dead skin, or have a skin infection as a result of the lack of blood flow to the skin. You must quit smoking for a month before surgery, and 2 weeks after surgery at the very minimum. Nicotine gums and patches are not permissible either.
4. How long do the results last?
This will vary from person to person depending on the age, skin tone and genetic makeup. In general, the results can last from 5-10 years.
5. Will the facelift get rid of the laugh lines?
It will soften them, but not quite get rid of them. There is no good solution at this time for elimination of the laugh lines just lateral to the corner of the mouth and nose.
6. Will the facelift tighten my neck as well?
Yes, the neck lift is part of the facelift.
7. What is a mini facelift?
This procedure involves shorter incisions, and less dissection limited to the cheek area. It can be done under local anesthesia. It can improve the jowl area, but does not address the neck. It is best for younger patients, or as a redo procedure after a standard facelift.
8. What is the recovery time after a standard facelift?
There will be swelling of the face and neck for about a week, and bruising which may last up to 3 weeks. For the minifacelift, the recovery time is much shorter.
9. What are the risks of having a facelift?
Bleeding requiring reoperation to evacuate the blood clot under the skin is sometimes necessary. The loss of a skin patch can rarely occur, and this is much more likely in a smoker. Sometimes in thin- skinned individuals some lumps of fat may be noticeable under the skin for a period of time. Occasionally the nerves which move the muscles of the face can be injured during a facelift. This can lead to weakness of one side of the face which is usually temporary, but can be permanent.
10. How long will I be out of commision after a facelift?
Most of the swelling will subside in about a week. All of the sutures are removed by the second week, and the majority of the bruising will be gone by 2-3 weeks. Most go back to work in 1-2 weeks.
11. Is this an outpatient procedure?
No. Usually the patient will stay overnight in the hospital.
12. What are the risks?
There can be injury to the nerves which control the facial muscles. This may lead to weakness of one or both sides of the face. Usually it is as a result of bruising to the nerve, and is usually temporary. Rarely will the nerve damage be permanent. There are other general risks as mentioned earlier.
1. What can a browlift do?
A browlift raises the eyebrows to a higher location to give a more youthful appearance. This can sometimes also help with drooping of the upper eyelids. During the procedure the muscles that cause the frown lines are cut out, so that the frown lines will become softer or disappear over time.
2. How is it done?
There are 2 types of approaches to a browlift. The standard open technique (coronal) involves making a long incision across the top of the scalp almost from ear to ear just behind the hairline. In this operation some skin is removed, enabling greater elevation of the brows. The second type of approach is by making small incisions at the top of the scalp and uses an endoscope. The amount of elevation of the brows in less dramatic. No skin is removed. I do almost exclusively the endoscopic browlift.
3. Where are the scars for a browlift?
In the coronal approach, the scar is hidden well in the hairline and extends from above one ear and crosses to the other side to above the other ear. In the endoscopic approach, two one inch incisions are make near the midline of the top of the scalp behind the hairline, and two one inch incisions are make behind the hairline near the temple.
4. Can a browlift be combined with other facial surgeries?
Yes. A browlift can be combined with a facelift and eyelids surgery.
5. What are the risks?
Bleeding under the skin requiring removal of blood clots and control of bleeding is rare. The scars can sometimes be noticeable, especially in those with dark hair or thinning hair. Bruising tracking around the eyes sometimes occurs. There can be some hair loss in the area of the incisions. In addition, there can be some numbness of the scalp behind the incision line particulary when using the open (coronal) approach.
6. What is the recovery period?
In general patients feel normal in about 1-2 weeks. There may be some bruising tracking around the eyes that may last up to 3 weeks.
1. How is it done?
There are several ways to make lips bigger. The most common ways are : collagen injections, alloderm placement , placement of a soft implant such as goretex, and fat injections. Each has advantages and disadantages. For example, the collagen injection is “non surgical”, but only lasts for a few months. The Alloderm works well, is easy to do, but may not be permanent. The goretex implants work well, last forever, but can sometimes be felt, may get infected, and can erode through the lips. The fat injection use your own fat, and can last forever. In general however, more than one session is required to get the desired look.
2. Where is the incision placed?
All of the methods listed above use a needle-size introducer to augment the lips. This is placed on both corners of the red portion of the lips. The scars heal almost invisibly.
3. Do the results last?
The results last a lifetime for fat injection and implant placement. The results of the alloderm placement may or may not be permanent. The collagen and Restylane injections only last up to a few months.
4. Will I look like a duck after this procedure?
No. However, in the initial period of the operation the swelling can last up to 1-2 weeks, giving the “duckbill” appearance. This will settle down, and a more natural appearance will emerge.
Designed for Dr. James R. Motlagh by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons