Question: Is the best placement of the implant behind or in front of the muscle?
Answer: In our practice, the majority of implants are placed behind the muscle for 3 reasons:
- Future breast cancer detection
- Better implant camouflage
- Effect on capsular contracture

Question: When should implants be placed in front of the muscle?
Answer: Body builders or patients with enough breast tissue to camouflage the implant often have implants placed in front of the muscle.

Question: What type of implant should I choose?
Answer: Only under special circumstances can you be enrolled in a study to receive silicone implants. This is an option you may discuss with Dr. Elliott. Saline implants have provided excellent results for those choosing them.

Question: What size will my scar be?
Answer: Most patients having straightforward augmentation will have a scar in the range of 3 cm. or less. This scar is placed in the crease under the breast.

Reduction / Lift

Question: Will I lose nipple sensation from my breast?
Answer: There is a very small risk of losing nipple sensation.

Question: Is the nipple disconnected during breast reduction?
Answer: This is not usually the case except with extremely large reductions. The nipple is not usually removed in our practice.

Question: Can large breast reductions be done with a short scar?
Answer: Yes, this is possible, but the skin tone must be good and the patient must be the appropriate candidate.

Question: What is the difference between a breast lift and a reduction?
Answer: Usually breast lifts are cosmetic operations designed to restore the youthful appearance of the breast. Breast Reductions are performed to reduce breast size for the relief of back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Question: What kind of scar will I have with a tummy tuck?
Answer: The scar will depend on the extent of the tummy tuck. Full tummy tucks have a scar that lies beneath the bikini line from hipbone to hipbone. Planning is key, we ask our patients to fit their garments, showing us where they would prefer their scars positioned.

Question: Should I have a tummy tuck if I plan to get pregnant in the near future?
Answer: Child bearing after abdominoplasty would negate the effects of the procedure. There are other methods of contouring, such as liposuction, which works well for these patients.

Question: What is a mini tummy tuck?
Answer: This is a short scar tummy tuck, with a small incision above the pubic region. Excess skin is removed, muscles are tightened and liposuction is often performed.

Question: Will fat come back after liposuction?
Answer: No, with liposuction the fat cells are permanently removed. However, to preserve the effects of the liposuction, one must maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Question: How big are the scars of liposuction?
Answer: The scars from liposuction are quite small, usually much less than 1 cm. depending on the size of the instruments used. These incisions are usually hidden in a body crease or in areas covered by undergarments.

Question: Should I have liposuction if I plan to lose weight?
Answer: Liposuction works best as a body contouring procedure. If a patient plans on losing weight, this should occur prior to the procedure for maximum benefit. Many patients use liposuction as a jump-start to a more active and healthier lifestyle. In our practice, staged liposuction, with various body contouring procedures, has proven to be very helpful to weight loss patients.

Question: After liposuction, will I gain weight in other areas of my body?
Answer: There is no greater tendency for other parts of your body to gain weight after liposuction.

Face Lift

Question: When should I have a facelift?
Answer: The correct timing of a facelift depends on your pattern of aging. There is no "correct" age. If you are not ready for a facelift there are other methods to rejuvenate your face such as chemical peels, Botox, Restylane, microdermabrasion and lasers.

Question: Will a facelift address my drooping brow?
Answer: No. A brow lift is often combined with a facelift to address drooping brows and excess upper lid skin.

Question: My skin has sun damage. Is it wise to have a facelift?
Answer: Sun damaged skin should be conditioned first, as improvement in skin tone and texture prior to undergoing a facelift helps to achieve maximum benefits.

Question: What does a lower facelift do?
Answer: Lower facelifts address signs of aging in the neck such as lax neck skin jowling at the jaw line and drooping cheeks.

Rhinoplasty

Question: I have been unable to breath for years through my broken nose. Do I need a Rhinoplasty?
Answer: This depends on the cause of your nasal obstruction. Very common with a broken nose is a deviated septum. A Septoplasty is actually what would improve breathing in this case, but it would not change the actual cosmetic appearance of the nose.

Question: I have a large nose and a small chin. Can a Rhinoplasty improve my appearance?
Answer: With any correction of the size of the nose, the appearance of the chin must be taken into account. Often times a chin implant is used in conjunction with nasal work to achieve facial harmony.

Question: I am dark skinned and thick skinned. I have been told that nothing can be done to change the shape of my nose. Is that true?
Answer: Thick skin does respond differently than thin skin. Because of this, reshaping must be approached differently. This does not, however, exclude you from having a Rhinoplasty and achieving your goals.

BOTOX

Question: What are some common side effects of Botox?
Answer: 1. Bruising. Be sure to advise your plastic surgeon of any blood thinning products you are taking or if you bruise easily.
2. Shortened effect of Botox. There are a few patients in whom Botox will not work. In addition, the effects of Botox are dependent on the amount used. A small amount used over the entire face will diminish the effects of Botox.

Question: Does Botox require a skin test? When can I return to work?
Answer: No, Botox does not require any test dose and you can return to work right after injection.