The general public knows pulmonary emboli as "blood clots to the lungs". This rare occurrence starts with venous blood clotting in the legs or pelvic region. The clotted blood then can travel to the lungs where it can affect a significant portion of the lungs ability to oxygenate the body. There are multiple causes for this condition and one of them is the... read more »

Abdominoplasty or as it is more commonly known "Tummy Tuck" is gaining more popularity and has become noticed by the media. As usual there is often a slanted view in order to be provocative and gain an audience. Recently a piece was published in "Live Science" entitled "Tummy Tucks May Be Riskier Than Other Plastic Procedures". Well....."Duh"!!!! Nothing could be... read more »

Simple answer is no. Implants can last a life time, especially the gel (silicone) type. Implants need to be replaced only if there is some clinical sign (symptoms) that on further exam reveals a problem which otherwise cannot be corrected. This situation is not common.

Recently there has been some controversy in regard to breast self-exam. Several medical articles indicate that there is no benefit to this procedure in early diagnosis of breast cancer. The reasoning stems from patient anxiety over what they feel leading to over use of extensive work-ups involving mammograms, MRIs, aspirations, and biopsies. Certainly this is true; but that is because... read more »

A popular new combination of surgeries has hit the late 30's to 50's crowd. Women finished having babies are looking in the mirror and noticing saggy breasts and abdomen. These are areas that naturally age and with the added physical stress of pregnancy can look in need of some rejuvenation to help with uplifting the spirit as well as the... read more »

There are several occasions where surgeries can be combined under one procedure. The opportunity to do this depends on length of the overall OR time, health of the patient and anatomical proximity of the areas to be operated upon. Of equal importance is the infection category of the wounds created since cross contamination of one site to another should always... read more »

I see many people for weight sensitive surgery such as liposuction, body contouring, tummy tuck , and even face lift where the person's size does matter. I stress that the closer one is to their "ideal weight" the better the result. I also stress that this "weight" is different today than it was 15,20,30 years ago. I am the same... read more »

As a plastic surgeon my duty to my patient is to advise on the concern that this person has; and not diverge on tangential or unrelated areas that I may see as needing improvement. I think it is unethical, for example, to mention rhinoplasty (nose job) when the person is being seen for liposuction, unless the person brings up the... read more »