| Question: |
I have a large keloid on my side from an outpatient surgery that I had as a teen and I have a large keloid across my lower pelvis from my c-section. I have learned to deal with these scars but I was wondering if there is any treatment and if I decided to have a tummy tuck would the doctor have to make an incision other than where my c-section scar is or could he cut in the same area. Also, what are my options when it comes to a breast lift. Would I have big obvious keloids from the incisions?
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Dr. Pearlman Hicks
Afr. Amer. Surgery
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Answer:
I have been a plastic surgeon for more than 30 years and still I have a difficult time answering your question about keloids. The fact that you do have them already pre-disposes you to have then again, however this is not always the case. some areas are more likely to keloid while others are not so likely. Also a person may keloid in the C-section area and not keloid further up in the abdominal area. What I am trying to say after more than 30 years experience with Afro-American patients it is impossible to say who will or who will not keloid and where. There are however things that can be done to lesson the occurrence and prevent them from getting too large. I would have to examine you in order to give you a more precise answer.
Sincerely Dr Pearlman D. Hicks MD FACS
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| Question: |
Should I wait to get my rhinoplasty procedure if I think I will have another surgery in about 5 years? |
Dr. Russel Kridel
Rhinoplasty
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Answer:
If you are a teen and have stopped growing, it is ok to have rhinoplasty. The revision rate for rhinoplasty is low. There is a three months waiting period after rhinoplasty for surgery. After three months, the nose is healed and it would be okay to put on a mask for anesthesia.
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| Question: |
Under what conditions will insurance pay for my rhinoplasty, as I have trouble breathing through my nose? |
Dr. Russel Kridel
Rhinoplasty
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Answer:
If you are having difficulty breathing and the surgeon addresses the issue with the septum, insurance may pay a portion of the surgery. If there is a compromised nasal valve that requires grafting, insurance may step in and pay. Other costs may be deducted from insurance for time the operating facility devoted to the cosmetic portion of surgery and anesthesia required for the time to perform cosmetic surgery.
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| Question: |
Are there any guarantees that a nose job will not alter my singing voice? |
Dr. Russel Kridel
Rhinoplasty
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Answer:
It would be very rare that rhinoplasty would change your singing voice. Many entertainers get rhinoplasty. The voice box is located in the larynx. If there were some major obstruction in the nasal cavity before the surgery, then there could be a resonant change in the airflow.
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| Question: |
How will I feel after a facelift procedure? Will I feel the same way I do today when I smile or close my eyes? |
Dr. Andrew Ordon
Facelift
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Answer:
Of course, there is a period of adjustment but before long you feel just as you do now. One hundred percent normal. That is because we don't simply pull skin anymore. Today's lift creates a foundation out of lifted muscle beneath the facial skin. So the lift is natural looking and natural feeling. I'd say that our patients look fine after a couple of weeks but may not feel completely normal for a couple of months.
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| Question: |
What will happen to any beauty marks that are in the area of my cheekbone once I have a facelift? |
Dr. Andrew Ordon
Facelift
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Answer:
It depends where they are but they get moved just a little. The closer they are to the jawline the more they get moved. Beauty marks on the cheek bones, mouth area or chin are barely moved at all.
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| Question: |
About 2 year ago I had a procedure that left me looking overly done. I was told over time it would look more natural but little has changed. Am I not being patient enough? Can this be corrected? |
Dr. Andrew Ordon
Facelift
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Answer:
I presume you are asking about facial surgery. Time always helps. But it doesn't cure all. The old theory of facial lifting was to pull tight and "take out" as much as possible. The new, cutting-edge technique is to perform a vertical lift and preserve facial volume. This new technique is the best way to do a primary (first time) lift but can also be employed to "rescue" a bad lift and make it more natural looking. Less done. I do this sort of thing regularly because I have developed a bit of a reputation as a "fixer". It is one of the most personally satisfying things I do as a plastic surgeon.
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