NOTICE: Ask Dr. Garcia is intended for educational and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute a formal medical evaluation nor consultation. No doctor-patient relationship has been formalized by this communication. If you desire such, please feel free to call and schedule an appointment. Otherwise, please be advised that all information that has been given here should be cleared with your primary care physician before changing or instituting any therapy. Explanation of off-label use of substances may be discussed here in but does not reflect an endorsement nor promotion of such off-label use.

• Dear Dr, I had a breast augmentation with saline in 2007 after 2 babies,my breasts were sagged but z dr didn`t offer a breast lift! So after the augmentation my breasts sagged even worse, in 2009 I had a breast lift and an augmentation of silicone size 355cc, I wear 32DD cup, and I had a baby 5 months ago, my breasts sagged again,the nipple is still up but the lower part of my breast is sagged and I hate the fold on the side of the breast! What do u think can be the reason for this sagging??and what are possible solutions? And do u think it shld be replaced with an even smaller one?and is the timing ok or should I wait more before having my 3rd surgery?plssss helpppp!!!

  Answer:  the sagging at this point is due to the pregnancy tearing the tissues again along with time. No lift will last forever and in most cases the lift has to be redone in 3-7 years, depending on activity level. If you have implants, as that adds weight to the new breast mound, the time period where the lift will last is less than without an implant. I think you likely need a repeat breast lift in your case. I would suggest using the smallest implant that will make you happy in order to lengthen the longevity of the lift. I would do it once you have lost your baby weight, but if you are thinking about having more children, I would not repeat the surgery until you are ready not to have any more kids. All the best. JG 1.3.12

• How soon after a breast lift with replecement of implants can you do a new lift, during the lift not enough skin was removed and my breasts are still very droopy with folds on the sides and in the middle. nipples are assymetrically placed , also the scar lines are very different in each breast. One implant is under the scar line. thanks.

  Answer:  I would wait 3-6 months if at all possible. 12 months would be better. JG 4.25.11

• dr garcia, 6 weeks after breast lift with implants , one breast nipple is 1 inch lower then the other, also this breast has an indent between the muscle part and the lower part. The volume seems the same in both breasts, just the shape and the nipple. If they have to replace the nipple , i am afraid there is not enough skin and or the breat will change in shape , making it even more different then the other. One breast has more skin above the nipple, the other has more skin under the nipple. What can be done ? This is awfull, also the stiches under the nipple do not heal well and are opening a bit, fluid is comming out, i am afraid this will leave a bad scar on both . Please help for some solution.

  Answer:  I think it best to allow the muscles to relax and see where the implants settle into place before making any decisions on further surgery. I think you need to see your surgeon and ask if placing some new sutures into the incision will speed the healing and improve the scar appearance long term. I wish you the best. JG 3.29.11

• I had breast uplift with implants 4 weeks ago and have very strong muscles. The implants were placed under the muscle and they do not seem to drop. I wear a special bra with strap but the muscles seem to stay bulging and the implants do not drop at all. I had bigger implants 10 years ago and they never dropped until 6 months ago because of sudden extreme laxity of the skin, then they dropped. Am i going to experience the samne issue now with smaller implants but breast uplift , not able to drop. I have huge breasts even with smaller implants only 165 cc but i am very tiny and muscular build. I seem very full on top of the breasts but when the volume eventually would come down which i hesistate to think so, my breasts would hang to low. Maybe there is not enough tissue removed ? Thanks for reply.

  Answer:  to some degree, yes, but less time though as you are older and the tissues are not as strong now. Until everything settles, it will be too soon to see what you will look like. 3.21.11

• 10 years ago i had breast implants which gave me a D cup, went with 225 cc from a B to D due to my very small frame. Now after breast uplift with smaller implants , first 200 cc , changed them for 165 cc , i still appear to have a big C cup, Is this possible due to the sagging breasts that were lifted, putting everything higher and appears fuller ? When should i expect to notice the final cup size ? I don´t feel swollen any more though there is so much fulness in the upper part of the breast, because of my small frame i have asked for the 165 cc with same diameter as the 200cc but less projection. Would that make less full on top as i have a lot of muscle and own breast tissue. Due to diet i have lost sone fat but gained a lot of muscle, will this make sense that for that reason i don´t see much smaller breasts ?

  Answer:  repositioning tissue can make what appeared to be a flatter breast more full, yes. All depends on how much of your own tissue was moved.I would say that your final cup size will be seen in 4-6 months. The less projection, the less upper pole fullness, but I think you need to allow your own tissues to relax to see your end results. JG 3.14.11

• Three weeks after breast uplift with implants i changed the implants for smaller onces, now they seem even bigger or at least the same size then the once before. Is this due to swelling from reopening the pockets ? Will there be again more swelling like before. According to the nurse the swelling would not be much more now, since the healing process was not finished yet and the pockets were opened before. I also still have some bulging on the upper breast which i tought would be gone now with the smaller implants. I also feel bloated everywhere, is this due to the liquids given with the surgery ? Also constipated , is this also common after surgery ?

  Answer:  yes, just swelling and should get better in time. Repeat surgery will cause at least the same amount of swelling as the first go around, if not more. Everything you are seeing is normal and will get better with time, got to give it a little bit. Best of luck. JG 3.12.11

• after breast uplift with implants, it seems my breast are a lot narrower then before, the implants seem not to drop untill now. My surgeon is against wearing bras with straps to pull down the implants. What is the best solution to let them drop , they bulge on top of my breasts now. Will they get rounder again as they drop, will the shape get wider at the bottom again ?

  Answer:  well, some fullness up top is normal, in time they will droop, massaging the muscles if the implants are below the muscle will help. Narrowing of the breast, at least yoru breast tissue before the lift is required to give the breast a better shape and projection. It can take a few months for the implants below the skin to settle into place. JG 3.7.11

• Would the change from a 200cc implant to a 160cc implant on a small frame result in sagging of the upper breast ? Would choosing an implant with the same diameter but less projection be better to avoid this then an implant with smaller diameter but same projection ? Which one would be best ?

  Answer:  no way to tell, but it might leave some sagging.Less projection can still lead to the same potential sagging. The diameter of the implant should be chosen by your natural breast diameter and not an end result required. JG 3.6.11

• I read and hear everywhere that i have to wait at least 3 months for having my implants exchanged for smaller ones after a breast lift with implants under the muscle. If not there will be risk for capsulaer contraction or other complications as the tissues are not healed yet. Is this correct, hoe high is the risk to change the implants 4 weeks after the breast uplift ? Would it be safe to do ?

  Answer:  I respectfully disagree, as capsular contracture cannot form for the first 6 weeks after the surgery, and after 6 weeks the risks of capsular contracture never goes away. If one is convivnced the wrong size has been used, the sooner the better. At times the surgeon will ask you to wait to make sure that the swelling goes down and then you look like you had desires, rather than having a surgery that was not needed. If the size implant exchange that is contemplated is small, you should wait, if it is a large difference, I would say you could proceed. JG 3.6.11

• When downsizing from a 200cc implant to 125 cc implants, is it nessesary to redo the breast uplift, mening removing more skin ?

  Answer:  no, but you will look a little empty towards the top of the breast, or a little saggy. JG 3.2.11

• How long does it take for the swelling to go down after a breast uplift with implants. When can one expect to see the final cup size and shape ?

  Answer:  most of the swelling is gone in a couple of months and final result will be in about 6-12 months. JG 3.1.11

• How long is recommended to wait to replace implants for a smaller size after a breast uplift with implants ? Can it be done in two months ? Maybe immediately ?

  Answer:  if the implants are clearly not the size desired or planned, it can be done as soon as one wishes,but if you are unsure, it is best to wait. JG 2.28.11

• how much reduction in breast size can i expect after a breast uplift with replacements of implants ? I had a d cup with previous 225cc implants, now a breast uplift with skin removal is done and replacement of 200cc implants. I have the impression my breasts will be fuller then before ? I even don´t fit into my dcup bras any more, have at least an ecup now. One breast is also fuller then the other ? When will they start to drop ? Thanks for reply

  Answer:  I cannot say what cup you will be but the diameter of your breast will be more narrow, and the amount of breast volume should be almost the same, just higher up and a different shape is all. They will start to drop the day after surgery and at some point in the next 5 years or so it might require a repeat lift. All depends on your weight size and the strength of your tissues. JG 2.25.11

• Does a breast uplift with tissue removal loose some of the volume of the breast. meaning by doing a breast uplift without implants loosing a bit of a cup size ? I noticed some woman who had this done ended up with a bit smaller breasts then before.

  Answer:  normally a breast lift does not need to have any tissue removed, but if you elect to have tissue removed, the breast size will, by definition, be smaller. Also, the breast will be narrower after a breast lift in most cases, and that can appear to make the breast smaller. JG 2.21.11

• Hi Doc, I am 53 yr old. 5`1 tall, 116 pounds.asian. BWD approx 13cm.ribcage 29.I am 11 days post op. I was a full 34c but am probably the biggest I have been in the bust all my life with a little extra weight on.usually a small c.Had a mastopexy and augmentation with 325 mentor mod+ cohesive gel implants.My support bra is currently a c and breasts are high and full/largish.(torpedo`s)Will be a d or dd i guess?.I think I may have gone too big but was told would lose size under muscle placement.Will i shrink a 1/2 cup size after swelling and when they do a lift do you lose a little in size with the removal of extra skin.lollipop technique.they look good but i have a push up bra look all the time.? are implants too wide for my chest.i have almost a centimetre cleavage gap at moment. if i lose weight down to optimum weight will my breasts shrink as well?concerned.thanks

  Answer:  I think there is lots of swelling still and I think your size will decrease to a good extent, too early to be worrying about it I believe. If your breast changed in size before the surgery with weight fluctuations, then weight loss after the surgery will likely decrease them again. Best of luck.JG 9.1.10

• I went for a mastopexy and augmentation in november last year now one of the implants is bottoming out. my PS said that we can do a revision mastopexy with the inflamamary crease but what my question is if its done wount the nipples go downward with the surgery ? and cant i replace the low profile implants with high profile implants wount that help with the hanging of the boobs still ?

  Answer:  if you have true bottoming out, lifting the implant back up should not change nipple position, just where the nipple is on the mound of the breast. As to changing from a low profile to a high profile will have no effect on preventing the implant or breast from sagging, the bottomong out has to do with poor tissue support rather than implant shape, sorry. JG 8.6.10

• I went to a local doctor, but I`m from a small town where everything costs more. I have previously had gastric bypass. I was told I need an anchor lift and I prefer silicone implants. What would that cost with you?

  Answer:  hard to say without seeing you, but maybe about $12,500. JG 7.24.10

• Hi Dr. Garcia. You did my breast augmentation about 7 years ago...however after having twins..they dont quite look as well as they did and the left one has continually giving me problems and pain. How much does it cost to remove the implants and do a breast lift for the extra tissue? And do you give a returning patient discount :-)

  Answer:  returning patients are offered a discount yes. I cannto say what it would cost as time is the greatest issue with the fees, so I suggest calling the office, telling them you are a prior patient and then we can meet and discuss what options would best suit you. Congratulations on the twins too! JG 7.20.10

• If you have a breat lift at age 50 about how long can you expect it to last?

  Answer:  depending on how large you are, you might need a revision in 3-7 years. JG 7.19.20

• Is there a certain age that you would say a woman should not get a breast lift done? And if so what would the age be?

  Answer:  no, there is not, but the older one is the less time it will likely last. JG 7.19.10

• I have size D cup breasts and need/want a lift. I`ve gone to a few surgeons, however there is no answer as of yet as to what procedure I should undergo. My choices so far have been 1) a lift with an implant, 2) a breast reduction 3) just a lift, 4) a reduction with an implant. Please help...confused.

  Answer:  well, a lift alone will leave you more perky for a while but the same cup size, a lift with an implant will make you more perky for less time than a lift alone due to the additional weight and will also make you larger, a reduction will make you more perky for a period of time and smaller, and a reduction with an implant does not make sense to remove what you have naturally and replace it with something that has the chance of rupture or scar tissue. If you are happy with your breast size, just get the lift alone. JG 7.6.10

• I would like my silicone inplants removed, they are under the mucsel & 22 years old. Would like to know the down time from work and ball park $ for this to be done. Thank you

  Answer:  back to light duty typically in two weeks, what the cost would be depends on whether you also have a breast lift at the same time to correct the loose skin, I would need to see you in person to tell you whether that would be needed. JG 5.27.10

• Dear Dr. Garcia, Thank you for the response regarding a breast reduction and lift. You said that one can probably expect to have it covered by insurance. I think I read in a packet from you after a consult for something else that you do not accept insurance except for Nevada residents using HPN. Is this still the case? Thank you for all of your help on many topics that I have inquired about over the years.

  Answer:  as of this month I have rescinded my contract with HPN and no longer accept any insurance cases. I still do perform breast reductions on a cash basis, but if you look at your insurance carrier`s provider list, there should be at least a couple of plastic surgeons there that can put in for it to be a covered benefit on your insurance. All the best and glad I have helped in a small way. JG 5.5.10

• Dear Dr. Garcia, I am very interested in a breast reduction but also need a lift. Does this involve two surgeries or do they go hand in hand . Are there prices for each? When you do the surgery, what can your patients expect as far as results go? Do most patients need a lift who want a reduction? thank you so much.

  Answer:  yes, they go hand in hand. Results vary from patient to patient and in most cases a breast reduction is covered by insurance and that will save you quite a bit of money. All patients that have a reduction need a lift done at the same time, yes. JG 5.4.10

• Do all or most women need more surgeries with their breast implants? really worried about that. Are there women who never need another operation? Im afraid of the caps scar. And what if my body rejects it too. What are the chances of this happening? Also if implant is small can I keep them for ever? will the chances be better?

  Answer:  The latest reoperation rates are about 20-24%, taking into account all reasons why a woman would want or need a second operation. The implants are not truly rejected, as they are not living tissue, they just have negative side effects, like the capsular contracture, a known risk, not relaly a complication. I would say that the implants being smaller do have a lesser chance of reoperation than larger implants, yes, but I cannot say what the break off point would be. JG 4.5.10

• oh yea and if i was to be working out with weights as a female (with little breast tissue) will i lose sum fat from breast too? coz i was reading building chest muscle can tone up breast but also happened to read something bout muscle burning fat ..

  Answer:  not every woman that loses fat loses breast tissue, it depends on what percentage of their breast is made up of fat versus breast gland, the more fat in the breast the more they change with weight loss. Making the chest muscles bigger without weight loss will not affect the size of the breast though. Toning muslces will not tone your breasts, it is an old wive`s tale. JG 4.4.10

• hi doc. will breast enlargement pills work on some females giving slight fullness? obviously to the breast

  Answer:  Sorry but none of them work. JG 4.4.10

• Dr. my aunt had a breast lift,it has been over a year and she still has discoloration on her scars like a dark red color,also brownish, is there any kind of laser or prosedure that you can suggest.thank you

  Answer:  you can try some YAG lasers to try to fade the color a bit. All the best. JG 3.23.10

• hey dr garcia, if breast implants are performed and then hardened and then tried different things to fix the problem but it only got worse, does that mean breast implants aren`t for me? and if so what about the ugly results? if implants can`t put in how would u fix the deflated and unbalanced look?

  Answer:  I would say so, your body just does not tolerate the silicone shell of the implant. You might need to remove the implants and then have a lift of the breast to take care of the stretched out skin. JG 3.13.10

• Dear Dr.Garcia, How long would you have to stay in LV after you have a breast lift with no complications? If you live less than 7 hours away can you leave and come back?

  Answer:  well, I see the patients in one week to remove sutures and then again after three weeks. I guess if all is well the day after surgery, one can leave and come back one week later. JG 3.9.10

• Dr Garcia, Hi, I had a breastlift with augmentation 2 yrs ago. I had a lollipop scar on both breast and a scar under my left breast only. I noticed that the right breast is about 1 inch lower and has a more natural drop. The left breast is slightly higher and seems more padded as compared to the right. Could this be the result of the incision under the left breast scar preventing the left breast to drop? Would it get worse in the future . Do you suggest to repair it? My skin has tendency to form hypertrophic scars.

  Answer:  it could be, but it also might be that the tissues of the breast on the right are not as supportive of the weight.It will be easier to lift the right rather than get the left to drop I am afraid. JG 3.2.10

• Hi Dr Garcia. 2 years ago I had an areola reduction using purse string sutures. I am not happy with the look. Sometimes they look puffy and there is some puckering. Is it possible to have the sutures removed? Is there another procedure that looks better? Also if I rub the incision at the bottom of the areola there is a burning sensation. Is that normal? Thanks.

  Answer:  puckering is very common with a pursestring procedure because of the technique utilized. The suture can be removed and in most cases the scar and areola will sretch out to the previous size and possible wider. TThe burning sensation is likely scar tissue around a nerve and is nothing serious or anything you nee to worry about. JG 2.20.10

• Dr. Garcia I am researching the breast lift procedure and wondered if you use the Bermant Tumescent LeJour Short Scar Breast Lift Mastopexy technique? Is this better than just the surgery to remove extra skin and raise the nipple? Does this type of lift last longer than the anchor technique? Is this technique more expensive? Thank you for your help.

  Answer:  I use the Hall-Findlay technique, the length of the scar is dictated by the amount of skin that has to be removed, one can market a short scar, but if you need a long scar and all you get is a short one, there might be some extra skin where you do not want it. All lifts are intended to lift the nipple, unless it is a secondary procedure being performed for bottoming out of the breast mound where the nipple is in good position but the inferior aspect of the breast skin has stretched out. I think every surgeon believes the technique they use lasts longer than the others, that is why they do it, but in all honesty, they are all pretty similar when you look at them after 5 years in women of equal parity and equal residual breat size. I cannot say that any technique is appreciably less expensive than the others. JG 2.1.10

• When one gets a breastlift do you have drains after? Also what is the pain like after the procedure? Thanks

  Answer:  it varies, usually not, but of there is a lot of bleeding at the time of surgery, they are sometiems used. The pain is not bad, easily controlled with pills. JG 1.24.10

• Hello Dr. Garcia, I am a fifty year old woman and have suffered the emabarrasment of having tuberous breasts. I am now considering a lift with implants. Is there a preferred technique for this type of breast deformity. Also Is this condidered a cosmetic procedure? Thank you in advance for your response.

  Answer:  it is considered cosmetic and the breast tissue itself usually is cut into to allow the tissue to splay out and then the lift can shape it more effectively. The pressure from the implant also helps push on the tissues to allow them to stretch out and correct the tuberous issue. I wish you the best. JG 1.19.10

• Hi Dr Garcia. I am about 5 weeks out of breast lift surgery and I have a question concerning loss of sensation. My doctor said that she didn`t cut any nerves with the method she used and the only place she removed tissue was the outside of one breast and only 70cc`s. She keeps assuring me that there is no way the sensation loss I am experiencing is going to be permanent. My question is, right now one breast seems to have no swelling left. It`s very soft and natural and hasn`t changed for days. If it`s not swelling and it`s not damaged nerves, what would keep me from being completely numb and this point. The swollen one I feel absolutely nothing. The other one I can feel the slightest pressure when I pinch. Before my nipples were hugely sensitive. I will be devastated if I lose it. Before surgery she told me that if I got an augmentation I ran a lot more risk of losing sensation, but with the breast lift it was almost completely impossible. So this is one reason I skipped implants. Let me know what you think.

  Answer:  well, there is always a risk, it can be minimized but never totally removed. There are times where the nerve is stretched and not cut and that can make the senation lessen for a period of time. I would never estimate the sensation to be lost for a full year though, some people just take time to settle in and heal. The risks of nipple sensation alteration are always higher with a breast lift than a breast augmentation, not sure why she said that. I would say to give it some time is all for now. JG 11.29.09

• Hello, I have had four children. During my pregnancies my breasts went from a 34c to a 38DD! Well you can imagine that after 4 episodes of this the skin on my breasts is loose the breasts themselves are not sagging and I do not necessarily want them bigger (I am 5`2 and about 115lbs). I am lucky that I got back into shape and do not have any stretch marks. Short story long, we are going on vacation and my goal is to wear a bikini - is there any procedure to help tighten the skin on the breasts? Thanks!

  Answer:  the only thing would be to have the skin in excess cut out, I do not feel that the skin tightening lasers out there are safe nor effective, sorry. JG 11.25.09

• Hello Dr. Garcia. I did a breast reduction about a year ago with you, and I know it takes a year to heal, but a month has passed from within year, and I have been feeling pain still with nerves, like very tight.. And, maybe its muscle rejoining? I am trying to figure it out.. But is there anything I can do to ease the pain?

  Answer:  stretching and warm compresses or a haeting pad, it is very common, it is usualy the scar tissue in the breast stretching, not much else can be done, though, sorry. JG 11.17.09

• Hello Dr. Garcia, I have been giving thought to a breast lift with symetry sometime in the future. I am a California resident and was wondering if I could be given a ball park figure for the cost of a consult and the above mentioned procedure? I am 54 years of age and in good health I am currently a 38DD and my left breast is noticably larger than my right. Any information you would be willing to offer would be very much appreciated. thank you for your time. Linda Green

  Answer:  our fees are $9300, all inclusive. JG 11.10.09

• Thanks for your feedback Dr Garcia. I`m the lady with the breast lift who has several seromas in the breast that keep blowing up. I`m almost 2.5 weeks from my surgery. I had one other question about areolas. The really swollen breast`s aureola is about twice as big around as the good boob even after it`s drained. Do you think my aureola might change size after all my healing is done? Can it possibly shrink back down half the size it is now? Or will the skin be stretched out from all this swelling and stay twice as big?

  Answer:  I do think it should shrink back down, yes. JG 11.8.09

• Hi Dr G. I just got a vertical mastopexy without implant and am a bit over 2 weeks ago. I was a D-cup. The left breast had about 80 cc`s removed to match the other. The left breast has also since gotten a seroma or seromas and keeps getting huge. I`d say at LEAST 1 full cup larger..maybe more. It dwarfs the other. I have gone back twice to drain it. It goes down then fills right back up. Is this ok? Also on the breast that keeps blowing up, I am noticing the aureola is almost double the size. :( Do you think there is anyway the aureolas could even out or do you think it got all stretched out and will remain this size? The aureolas are so different in size I`m fretting that they couldnt even possibly match in the end. Is it possible that the other will expand more..? Is it possible that big hugey boob will go down and aureola will get smaller again? Is it problematic to keep filling back up? Can this mess up my healing? Make stretchmarks, create distortion? Make scar tissue? Thank you for any advice you can give!

  Answer:  well, if it is stil like that it might need the surgeon to put in a small drian for a few days to allow the pocket to collapse and allow it then to settle down, best of luck. JG 11.7.09

• Hey Dr. Garcia --- I am looking for a board certified plastic surgeon to perform a laser bra breast surgery. Do you perform this procedure? Approximate cost and downtime. Thanks for your cosideration. I am SWF, 59, no drinkie, no smokie. Have huge saggy breasts from 3 children, starting to have neck/back pain, fatigue, numbness in hands. I live in Colorado...would you consider me for a patient? Thanks for your time. Pam

  Answer:  I personally do not do the laser breast lift, the only one I know who performs it is Dr Grant Stevens in Marina Del Rey, Ca. Sorry. JG 10.21.09

• Hi Dr. I have a follow up question, Im the one who had the chin implant and breast implants plus lift. Im glad to know my chin might improve...but on the breast firmness issue...im only 29 and I lost about 50 pounds. I had the lift and the dr said he removed a lot of the loose skin so the skin would be much tighter, it is improved some, but not as much as i wish it would be. Would a future lift procedure that removed even more skin help or is it too late as the skin was already stretched???

  Answer:  well, your skin is likely not as strong as it would have been without the weight loss, so in time, it can be redone, but it will give and loosen again over time. JG 9.29.09

• Hi Dr..I had a medium size chin implant put in on May 19, 09. I really like it and my only problem is on the right side below my lips down to the bottom of the chin area is still tingly when I touch it, it doesn`t hurt, but it feels tight sometimes when i move my mouth. Do you feel this may get better?? Also, I had a breast lift with silicone implants placed at the same time. 275 cc. I really liked my breasts at first, but after they dropped i feel they look kinda saggy again, I like when I raise my arms above my head how i can see the roundness of the implandt. Im probably 15 pounds or so from my goal weight, do you think if I lose weight it may make the roundness of the implant show a little more? I wish my my breasts would be more firmer im hoping if I lose some more weight that will be the case. Thank you so much for your time :)

  Answer:  it should get better, and it can take up to one year in some patients. As to your breasts, it is impossible for me to say if your breasts will change shape with weight loss, they will likely get smaller though. The firmness or lack thereof is due to the tissues stretching and there is nothing to prevent that I am afraid. JG 9.29.09

• Assuming no implants, does breast size typically shrink with a lift? If so, by how much? Thanks :)

  Answer:  well, a lift will narrow the breast, but not reduce the absolute volume or size, it might look smaller cup size but will be fuller instead. JG 9.2.09

• Dear Dr. Garcia, I had a breast reduction many many years ago. Of course if left scars under the breasts and down the breasts and around the nipples that have faded in time. Now I want a breast lift. Do PS normally cut in the same areas so I don;t have more scars? What is your procedure like? Also can I have the areola made smaller at the same time? They were cut off with the reduction and repositioned. What is the down time and your approximate cost? Thank for all your advice and knowledge you are so generous in sharing. Have a great holiday weekend.

  Answer:  yes, they will likley cut in the same location as the existing scars. The areola can also be made smaller. It will help greatly if you can get a copy of the operative report for the new surgeon so they know what previous technique was used to limit risks. Down time is about 2 weeks light duty and then full activity in one month, fees vary from surgeon to surgeon though so you need to decide on the surgeon and then get the quote. Best of luck and Happy Independence Day. JG 7.3.09

• When breasts are droopy and deflated post childbirth, is that fixed with implants, lift, or both?

  Answer:  in some women it is just implants, in others it might need both. JG 5.30.9

• on tues i had a breast lift with implants and they seem way too big to be swelling at this point. how long does swelling usually occur for? can i expect my breast to reduce in size even after almost a week since my surgurey?

  Answer:  need to give it 6 weeks at least. JG 5.25.09

• HI Dr Garcia. Can you give me an idea on how much a breast reduction cost. I live in the Tampa Bay area. Also is it appropiate to email different doctors to get an idea on prices? Because I went this past week to a consultation, and the cost seems to be too high for me. I don`t think is worth it going around making appts on places I can not afford.

  Answer:  I have patients email the photos all the time and fees vary from surgeon to surgeon so its best to decide on a surgeon and then ask the price, or you can see a couple and decide that you like more than one and then ask them their prices. Prices in Las Vegas are between $7500-$9000 all inclusive. Best of luck. JG 5.21.09

• hello Dr pierce, MY DAUGHTER IS 24 YEARS OLD HER BREAST IS AS SHE IS 13 YAEARS OLD .IS ANY SAFE CREAM COULD SHE USE IT TO ENHANCE HER BRAEAST ? THANK YOU

  Answer:  no creams trhat will help,only surgery.Sorry. JG 5.17.09