GYNECOMASTIA:
You may be surprised that
gynecomastia information is one of my most frequently visited pages, so there
are a lot of men out there with the same concerns.
This surgery is usually done under local anesthesia with or without a mild
sedation in the office. It is easier to treat the condition in men who
are close to ideal body weight (i.e. gynecomastia NOT mostly due to being overweight).
The risks are those of most surgeries, and include bleeding (usually minor),
infection (rare), scarring (usually mild), blood or fluid build-up (uncommon),
contour irregularities (unusual), need for touch-up (uncommon), and
dissatisfaction (also uncommon if the patient has a realistic expectation).
Cost is currently $3700
for Surgery/supplies/anesthesia in the office, but may be higher depending
upon the particular problem. We recently moved into new facilities, with
certified ORs, and still maintain a fee structure below that of the
surrounding hospitals. If you have further
questions, let me know. We currently have a relationship with MBNA
bank for unsecured financing loans for qualified cosmetic surgery patients,
although many patients achieve suitable financing, at reasonable rates, via
their credit unions or home equity loans. Please call the office for
details concerning the MBNA program.
An informative online version of my brochure is found at: www.plasticsurgery.org/surgery/gyne.htm
You should also inform the office of any health problems that you have,
including medications, allergies, and smoking history. If traveling from out of
town, I will need to review photos from frontal, both sides, and both 45
degree oblique angles, from neck to mid abdomen, to assess suitability, and
you would need to plan to spend at least 3-5 days in Richmond, for consultation,
surgery, and follow-up, with possible need to return at a later date for
follow-up. If you have further questions, let me know.
About Sending Photos:
Please send five views, and any special views that show problems if you are
inquiring about revision surgery. The photos should be taken in good
lighting, against a dark background, and framed from neck to waist in all
views, so that overall body proportion and symmetry can be assessed.
If you send digital photos, please use JPEG (.jpg) format, and simply
attach them individually, rather than sending a Zip file. Polaroids or
similar types are fine by mail, also, but seldom show as good detail, and may delay reply somewhat.
PRE-OP QUESTIONS:
]] SURGERY DATE:
]] NAME:
]] FULL ADDRESS:
Street:
Apt:
City:
State:
Zip:
]] Phone Number(s) with Area code:
Home: ( )
Work: ( )
Cell: (
)
Pager: ( )
]] Preferred Stable E-mail Address:
]] Age:
]] Date of Birth:
]] Social Security number (needed for OR posting):
]] Height:
]] Wt:
]] Do you smoke?
How much and how many years?
You will be urged to quit if you smoke, and will not be a candidate for
surgery if a major breast lift, facelift, or abdominoplasty is contemplated
due the much higher
complication risk in smokers.
]] Do you have any medical conditions such as: Diabetes,
high blood pressure,
or heart disease?
]] List any medications you take regularly and dosages
and their reason (include aspirin, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, homeopathics):
]]Have you ever, or are you currently using
anabolic steroids for bodybuilding reasons?
They increase the risk of bleeding complications.
]] Are you allergic to any medicines?
]] Is there a family history of breast cancer or breast
disease?
FOR LIPOSUCTION AND TUMMY TUCK PATIENTS: (Be sure
to send photos of all areas of concern from front, back and sides)
]]Which areas of concern do you think will benefit from liposuction?:
]]Have you had liposuction before?
}}Have you had any abdominal or leg surgery in the past?:
What?:
]]]]Please send these answers back to me, and I
will save them for your file.
To cut data, use the cursor to highlight it
with the left mouse key depressed, and click Ctrl-C. To paste it,
place the cursor on the new document and click Ctrl-V. Answers can now
be added to the pasted document.
PRE-OP REQUIREMENTS and RECOMMENDATIONS:
]] Some patients may require lab work or an EKG before surgery, this will
need to be coordinated for patients from out of town, especially if they are
having surgery in the Office Surgical Suite. Hospital patients will
have these tests at the hospital, as warranted.
]] To limit risk of bruising and bleeding: No aspirin, ibuprofen
(Advil;Motrin;Nuprin) or other arthritis pill, or any combination medicine
(such as cold or flu pill) that contains them for 7 days pre-op.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C should be stopped for 3-4 weeks pre-op due to
potential for increased bleeding and impairment of clotting.
]] Stop any homeopathic medicine (herbal teas; Ginseng, St.John's Wort) for
at least 4 weeks pre-op, because they are unregulated regarding side
effects, and many may impair clotting, or interfere with serum chemistry
pre-op.
]] Do not drink alcohol for 24 hrs. pre-op
]] Do not shave axilla for 10 days (Breast augmentation patients only), or
groin hair (lipo patients), until the AM of surgery to limit risk of ingrown
hair.
]] Arrive for surgery with an empty stomach and nothing by mouth for 8 hrs
pre-op (except cardiac meds with a sip of water)
]] Wear a loose garment that buttons in front to the hospital or office the
day of surgery (e.g. a sweat suit)
]] Do not wear jewelry to the hospital or office for surgery
]] If you are from out of town bring light snacks, saltines, baggies for ice
chips, lifesavers or hard candy, mild soda (e.g. ginger ale) or juice to
keep in your hotel room, along with books, or magazines.
]] For Abdominal Liposuction or Tummy Tuck patients, extra care should be
taken to clean the belly button with soap and water and a q-tip with each
shower for a week before surgery.
]] Patients who smoke, should obviously quit smoking for several weeks ahead
of time to prevent impairment of wound healing, and heightened discomfort
associated with Nicotine, Carbon monoxide poison gas in smoke.