(Dr. Levens’ monthly column is carried by the Coral
Springs Forum newspaper.) Dear Dr. Levens: I am 55 and quite thin, but nonetheless have
excess skin that creates “love handles” at my waistline. Liposuction
doesn’t seem like it would be the answer since I really don’t have
excess fat, just extra skin from gaining and losing weight many times over
the years. What do you suggest? --SR
Dear SR: When significant excess skin is the
problem, surgical removal is usually the only effective option. If
the skin bulging you describe is primarily in front, the solution
might be abdominoplasty which involves an incision at the bikini line,
removal of excess skin, and tightening of abdominal muscles when necessary. If
the bulges occur along the entire circumference of your waist, the
surgical option would be a lower body lift which involves incisions
and skin removal at the sides and back as well as the front. The
lower body lift is usually used for patients who have lost massive
amounts of weight and have virtually disfiguring amounts of excess
skin. If your bulging is annoying but not truly severe, a simpler
solution would be slimming undergarments and clothes with forgiving
waistlines which don’t produce and cinch-and-bulge effect.
Dear Dr. Levens: What are the post-surgery restrictions
for eyelid and browlift surgery? Can they be done at the same
time? How low before I could return to work? ---KK
Dear KK: Both are out-patient procedures and
they are often done at the same time. Recovery schedules are
very similar. For 1-2 weeks days after a browlift, you will feel a
tightness in your forehead and possibly a mild headache. Both improve
as swelling decreases. Numbness of the scalp can persist in small
areas but will gradually improve. After eyelid surgery, there
is very minimal discomfort and some swelling for the first 7-10 days. For
either procedure, patients return to work and social activity in 7-14
days. Aerobic activity should be avoided for 2-3 weeks. Patients
usually should not drive for 5-7 days or until all swelling is gone
and vision has returned to normal. It is also imperative to
avoid sun exposure.
Dear Dr. Levens: Our niece was born with a
somewhat deformed nose. She is 6 months old. It is overlarge
and misshapen and this is not a family trait. Will it correct
itself and if not, when could it be surgically corrected? --JP
Dear JP: It might correct itself as she grows. If
by age 10 or 12, it is still truly disfiguring, surgical correction
would be appropriate. Of course, surgery can be done sooner
if there are breathing or airway issues.
Dr. Levens is a Board-certified plastic surgeon. He has served
as Vice Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Coral
SpringsMedicalCenter.His
column appears monthly. Send questions to Cosmetic Surgery
Today, 1725 University Dr., Suite 440, Coral
Springs, 33071 or email info@DrLevens.com
Interested in seeing past questions? Please
see our archived Q
& A section.
Dr. Levens has been providing plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive
surgery procedures for patients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach,
Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Delray Beach, Ft.
Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Miami, North Lauderdale,
Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Wellington,
Weston and throughout South Florida since 1989.
