Dr. Katherine Kottwitz, MD

A drainless tummy tuck, also known as a modern tummy tuck, is a fundamentally different surgery than a traditional tummy tuck. In a traditional tummy tuck, the skin and fat layer is lifted to allow for muscle repair, leaving a space where fluid accumulates, necessitating the use of drains. In a drainless tummy tuck, stitches are used to repair the layers in their original position, eliminating the space where fluid would accumulate, thus eliminating the need for drains.

The amount of weight loss that will ruin a tummy tuck result varies from person to person. Ideally, patients should be at their goal weight before a tummy tuck, as this allows the surgeon to remove the correct amount of skin. Losing around 30 pounds after a tummy tuck is unlikely to ruin the result, but losing 50 pounds may result in excess skin requiring further surgery.

Pregnancy after breast implants does not guarantee the need for a breast lift. It's difficult to predict how a person's body will change after pregnancy and nursing. If you started with small, non-saggy breasts, a breast lift is unlikely after pregnancy. However, if you were borderline needing a breast lift before pregnancy, you're more likely to need one after nursing. It is recommended to wait at least six weeks after nursing to be examined for potential corrections.

Whether there's a drop-and-fluff stage after an implant exchange depends on the procedure. If the exchange is done while the patient is awake and involves a simple size selection, the immediate post-op result is similar to the long-term result. If the exchange involves a significant size increase, there will likely be some drop-and-fluff. The drop-and-fluff process is generally faster during an exchange than during the initial augmentation.

Our practice does not believe the surgical bra is the most important factor in determining the outcome of surgery. We recommend wearing a soft bra for comfort after surgery. Patients can choose to not wear a bra or switch to a different soft bra if the provided one is uncomfortable. Avoid underwire bras for six weeks after surgery if you have an incision under the breast to prevent rubbing on the incision while it is numb. We recommend wearing the soft bra you're sent home in for your first day home, but after that, it's up to you!

At Amelia, your first step isn't a consultation. It's a quick Amelia Orientation video that you can stream for free anytime, anywhere. The Amelia Orientation video is less than 30 minutes.

Capsular contracture is when the natural scar around an implant becomes firm and tight. It can cause the implant to look spherical, misshapen, or asymmetric, and can be painful for some patients. Asymmetry or implant displacement in the first two weeks is not capsular contracture. Capsular contracture takes at least six weeks to form and can occur at any time after six weeks post-op. The risk of capsular contracture is higher around the time of the first surgery, and implant exchange increases the risk.

During a breast lift or reduction, the nipple position is moved, which requires a circular incision around the nipple. The circular incision is usually smaller than the original areola size. Areolas don't stretch much after breast implant surgery. The lollipop incision technique is a good lift technique because the tension is held by the vertical incision, not just the areola incision. An incision only around the areola for a breast lift is not a good technique because it can widen over time due to tension. Lollipop or anchor incision techniques are better for breast lifts than an incision only around the areola.