Richard V. Dowden, M.D., C.M., F.A.C.S.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Inc.
6770 Mayfield Road, Suite 410
(Mayfield Heights) Cleveland, Ohio 44124
(440) 449-7470
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about
Breast augmentation:
How can I word my Internet Forum question so as to increase the likelihood that a plastic surgeon will answer it?
There are several website forums on the internet on which one can post questions for other women to answer, or for plastic surgeons to answer. One often sees postings directed to doctors go completely un-answered, and then later the resulting frustration on the part of the posting person over the fact that they got no response from any doctor. At recent plastic surgery meetings, several of us discussed this situation, and it was clear that most plastic surgeons are very selective about which questions they will answer. From these discussions several suggestions have been assembled. These suggestions are just ways to increase the likelihood that your question will get answered by a plastic surgeon.
Tips on how and when to ask your question:
1. Make sure the subject heading includes the actual question or subject, don't just ask for doctor response:
Wrong way:
- "Doctors please respond"
- "Patients or Docs"
- "Any MD - help!"
- "MD response needed"
Right way:
- "Need MD info about anesthesia safety"
- "Any MD's use Brazilian implants?"
- "MD help - Textured implants?"
- "Looking for MD opinions about Arnica"
2. If you would like a response from one particular MD whose name you know, be sure to put his/her name right into the subject heading. Most MD's don't open up every posting.
3. Most busy plastic surgeons have only brief periods of time when they can browse the forums, and you may need to repeat a question a few times to try to catch the opinions you seek. For many surgeons, the weekends and nights are the best times.
Tips on what kind of questions to ask:
Think for a moment what it is you are really asking the doctor to do: you are asking the doctor to give information or an opinion to someone they have never seen. Because of this, doctors will be very selective about which questions they will answer. Doctors will prioritize the questions: those likely to get answered, those maybe getting answered, and those not getting answered. Here is a compilation and some examples:
A. Questions likely to get an answer from an MD are those that indicate that someone is running a significant risk, or headed for trouble. These are likely to get answered by an MD even if no MD is requested:
- That the surgeon is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery:
"My gynecologist has put in hundreds of breast implants, is that OK?"
- Evidence that there has been inadequate screening:
"My PS didn't ask, but should I mention that I have hepatitis?"
- Equivocation about disclosing changes in health information:
"My BA is tomorrow but I just found a breast lump - should I tell my PS?"
- Signs that the surgeon may be planning something unsafe:
"Thursday I'm having BA, tummytuck, liposuction, facelift and rhinoplasty!"
- Symptoms suggestive of a neglected serious problem:
"My breast is swollen and bright red, and I have a fever, what should I do?"
- Signs that the patient is planning something dangerous:
"I'll surprise my PS by driving back to my home state right after my surgery."
B. Questions less likely to get a doctor's response are those that are already thoroughly answered on the various MD's websites. Such questions could be readily answered if the patient had done a little basic looking on her own. The question might possibly get answered, but don't count on it:
- "MD's - What is a textured implant?"
- "Question for docs: are implants safe?"
- "For any MD - How are implants put behind the muscle?"
- "Doctors - What is this Overfill?"
- "Docs: What is Mondor's cord?"
What kinds of questions NOT to ask:
Questions that are usually given very low priority (that is to say they may get answered by other persons on the forum, but probably will not get an answer at all from a doctor) include the following types of questions:
A. Questions that would require a personal physical exam to answer:
- About specific characteristics of the woman's breasts:
"My breasts are drooping from three children, do I need a lift?"
- About chest size and shape:
"I have a deep inward breastbone, will that make a difference?"
- About the effect of any given implant volume for them:
"I am 5'2" 118 lbs 34A - what size will 450cc make me?"
B. Questions which they must ask only their own plastic surgeon:
- Whether the implant size they have chosen will be correct for them:
"Do you think 360 will make me look heavy?"
- How Overs or Unders will look on them:
"I'm the same build as Sally Celebrity on TV, should I have Overs?"
- How to prepare for their surgery:
"Is it OK to take Arnica before surgery?"
- About how to treat their breasts postop, eg bra, heat, showers etc:
"I'm three days postop, can I go to a tanning booth?"
- What various feelings, sounds, appearances mean:
"I have an itchy red spot on my left breast, what is it?"
- About whether to massage or not:
"How and when should I start to massage?"
- About when to resume sports activities:
"Mine were Overs, Crease, Smooth, when can I do aerobics?"
- About pregnancy or breast feeding:
"I am four weeks postop, is it OK to get pregnant now?"
- About whether they are progressing normally:
"High two weeks postop, when will they drop?"
- About resuming employment activities:
"I am a flight attendant, when can I go back to work?"
C. Questions about a specific plastic surgeon:
- "Is Dr. Doe in Dodge City a good PS?"
- "Dr. Doe charges for every visit, do you think that is right?"
- "I cancelled a week before surgery and Dr. Doe is keeping the fee!"
- "Dr. Doe is charging me for my redo, is that right?
D. Seeking comparisons between various implants:
- "Are Pips better than Spectrums?"
- "Are McGhans better than Mentors?"
- "Are Beckers better than Mentor HP?"
E. Questions about personalities:
- "Does Sally Celebrity have implants?"
- "What size are Sally Celebrity's implants?"
- "Does Sally Celebrity have unders or overs?"
Of course there is nothing wrong in asking questions, even these - but don't be too disappointed if you get no answer from any doctor. You may get answers from other women on Support Forums.
As you prepare postings to forums on the Internet looking for information about breast augmentation, keep the above in mind if you are seeking an MD reply!
This page Copyright © R.V. Dowden, MD, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
This information may not be reproduced or distributed electronically or in print without permission from Dr. Dowden.
Note that while the information given by Dr. Dowden during a consultation is completely current and up-to-date, the information of this website is only as current as the date of last update, and therefore may become out-of-date.
6770 Mayfield Road, Suite 410
(Mayfield Heights) Cleveland, Ohio 44124
(440) 449-7470
Note: To ensure privacy for our patients, all of our outgoing phone lines have their caller ID permanently blocked; if your phone does not accept blocked ID calls you will not be able to receive any calls back from our office.
Last Update: 7:27 PM on 01/01/2009
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http://dr-dowden.com/main/augment.html
URL of breast enlargement via navel page:
http://dr-dowden.com/main/tuba.html
Keywords: Breast implants through the navel;
Transumbilical breast implants; Belly-button breast implants;
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Belly-button breast enlargement; Belly-button breast augmentation;
Breast enlargement through the navel; Breast augmentation through the navel;
Navel breast enlargement; Navel breast augmentation; 'Scarless' breast enlargement;
'Scarless' breast augmentation.