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FAQ's



What are breast implants made of, and where are they placed?

Implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel (approved by the FDA). They are placed behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest wall muscle. Placement behind the chest wall muscle offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue only. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Possible disadvantages include elevated pain in the first few days following surgery.

Should women who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant wait before undergoing a breast lift or breast reduction?

Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery, since pregnancy and nursing can counteract its effects by stretching the skin. However, the procedure should not affect your ability to breast-feed.

Breast reduction surgery is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed, since many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples are removed.

Does breast surgery cause scarring?

Yes, although scars can be hidden with a bra, bathing suit or low-cut top. During surgery, incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. Scars do fade with time.

On what areas of the body can liposuction be performed?

Liposuction sculpting can remove undesirable fat from the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, chin, neck, upper arms and back/ bra area that have not responded to diet and exercise.

Are there different liposuction techniques?

There are several different methods surgeons use when performing liposuction, including tumescent liposuction, the super-wet technique, and ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). In all types a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible. A cannula (small tube) is inserted and moved back-and-forth beneath the skin, breaking up the fat layer and suctioning it out. Tumescent liposuction and super-wet liposuction use fluid injection, which facilitates fat removal, reduces blood loss, provides anesthesia during and after surgery, and helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery. UAL liquefies fat with ultrasonic energy and is highly precise.

Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?

The best candidates are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven't responded well to diet and exercise. Older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity can be helped. Abdominoplasty can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy, although results from the procedure will diminish if they continue to bear children. For this reason, women who plan to have children again are advised to delay abdominoplasty. Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight are also encouraged to wait before undergoing the procedure, since skin in that area typically loosens after substantial weight loss.

What problems can a facelift correct?

A facelift can reduce signs of aging (wrinkles, lines, sagging skin, drooping brow) by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and redraping the skin around the neck and face.

What are the advantages of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?

By removing excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids, blepharoplasty can rejuvenate puffy, sagging or tired-looking eyes. It is typically a cosmetic procedure but can also improve vision by lifting droopy eyelids out of the patient's field of vision.

What can rhinoplasty do for me?

Rhinoplasty can reshape, reduce or augment the nose, remove a hump, narrow nostril width, change the angle between the nose and the mouth, or correct injury, birth defects, or other problems that affect breathing.

What days do you see patients?

Dr. Lavine sees patients for consultation on Tuesday and Thursday. He performs surgery Monday through Friday.

How much is the consultation fee?

The fee is normally $50 and is applied toward the procedure if you schedule surgery. However, we are currently offering a coupon for a Free Consultation.

Do you offer a guarantee?

Because medicine is not an exact science it is difficult to guarantee a specific outcome. However, Dr. Lavine does offer what he calls the "12 Month Rule" which states that if a complication occurs within 12 months of the original surgery, there will be no physician's fee to return to surgery. If a patient has to be taken back to the operating room, there may be facility and anesthesia fees incurred but there will be no doctor's fee.

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