Rita Rudner

A Woman Knows…Cosmetic Surgery performed by a female surgeon,committed to the quality care of womenSpring Specials Call for DetailsSURGERY OF THE BREAST SKIN CARE COSMETIC SURGERY complimentary consultationCHARLOTTE ANN RHEE, MD, FACS 631-424-6707www.liplasticsurgery.comGood AdviceBreast Surgery Combined with Tummy Tuck and/or Liposuctionby Charlotte Rhee, MD, F.A.C.S., P.C.Many of my patients come to me seeking help with the changes that can occurafter childbirth. Following childbirth, a woman’s breast can grow to uncomfortableproportions or just the opposite can happen. A woman’s breast canactually lose volume and shrink, resulting in the breast appearing “deflated.”Additionally, a large number of women come to me seeking help with thepost partum changes of their abdomen. During pregnancy the skin and abdominalwall muscles are stretched. Following childbirth, the abdomen canprotrude and the skin can be loose or sag. In some cases, the abdominal muscles can be soweakened that the individual may look like she is still pregnant. Despite daily workouts includingsit ups and crunches, a tummy tuck may be needed to restore these muscles.Breast ReductionWomen with very large pendulous breasts may experience varied medicalproblems including back and neck pain. Also, the weight of large breasts cancause the bra straps to dig into the shoulders leaving groove markings. Largebreasts get in the way of physical activities such as running, making exerciseand weight loss very difficult if not impossible. Breast reduction (reductionmammaplasty), is a surgical procedure which makes breasts smaller.There are many different breast reduction techniques. The more traditionalmethod (inverted T-scar) leaves the breasts with a vertical, long horizontalscar (along the breast crease). “I utilize the Lejour technique, which leavesthe breast with a single vertical incision (lollipop scar) and, in my opinion,with a rounder more natural appearing breast and a better cosmetic result.” Breast reductionsare performed as an outpatient procedure and are covered by insurance.Many of my patientswho have breastsurgery also have otherprocedures performedat the same time. Thisallows for one surgeryand one recovery.advertisementBreast AugmentationWomen who come to me seeking breast enlargement have very similar goals to those seekingbreast reduction. Both groups of women want to have breasts that are proportional to theirbody size with the most natural result possible. In certain situations, a breast lift is also neededto tighten lax skin. The laxity can be the result of pregnancy or weight loss. When a breast liftis needed, I utilize the lollipop scar technique. A breast lift procedure is very similar to a breastreduction. The only difference is that with a breast reduction, breast tissue is removed.Combined Breast/Tummy Tuck and Liposuction Procedures.Many of my patients who have breast surgery also have other procedures performed at thesame time. This allows for one surgery and one recovery. The most common combined proceduresperformed by Dr. Rhee are breast surgery, whether it is a breast reduction or augmentation,combined with tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty. For those patientswho desire breast augmentation together with a tummy tuck, I am able to placethe breast implants through the tummy tuck incision, leaving the breasts withoutany scars.Liposuction is also commonly performed at the same time. Despite diet andexercise, certain areas of the body are prone to carry excess fat. For these areas, liposuctioncan help. The most common areas for liposuction are the love handles(upper hip area) and thighs.Patients who have combined procedures do surprisingly well. In addition tohaving the benefit of just one recovery process, there can also be a significantsavings in price.To learn more, please call our Huntington office to schedule a complimentaryconsultation with Dr. Rhee at (631) 424-6707. Located at 257 E. Jericho Tpke., HuntingtonStation. www.liplasticsurgery.com.Dr. Charlotte Rhee is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing inbreast surgery.To advertise: 516-505-0555 x1 or ads@liwomanonline.com LONG ISLAND WOMANApril 2012 5