dr.kreidstein » Surgical Procedures http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:56:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Hymenoplasty without Hypocrisy http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/question-answers/hymenoplasty-without-hypocrisy/ http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/question-answers/hymenoplasty-without-hypocrisy/#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 12:36:51 +0000 Dr. Kreidstein http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/?p=68 Fewer consultations in our practice are as emotionally charged as the patient seeking hymenoplasty.  Patients seek this procedure for many reasons, but most commonly it is to physically reverse an unwanted sexual encounter, or to enable a marriage which requires virginity as a precondition.
Our patients are often surprised to find themselves in a Plastic Surgeon’s office, not associating plastic surgery with a gynecologic procedure.  It so happens that reconstruction of female genitalia, either following cancer surgery (vulvectomy) or in transgender surgery is a common part of plastic surgery training, and repair of a torn hymen is extremely simple relative to these other reconstructive procedures.  An office like ours is also able to provide the privacy and confidentiality that is impossible to offer in a general hospital.
Does hymenoplasty ‘work’?  Sutures used in the repair have fully dissolved by 3- 6 weeks following surgery, and the hymenal membrane heals without visible scar making detection of surgery impossible.  Bleeding and pain during intercourse has been described to us as ‘ a bit more than the first time’, but that was not seen as a negative characteristic.  No doubt confidence in one’s ‘virginity’ is the most important criteria for a successful performance.
Is hymenoplasty immoral? We are in no position to give advice here, but until men are required to be virgins at marriage it seems hypocrisy to expect that of women.  What of beginning a marriage with a lie?  Not ideal, but every relationship has its share of deceptions, and it is for you to decide if this one is necessary.

Fewer consultations in our practice are as emotionally charged as the patient seeking hymenoplasty.  Patients seek this procedure for many reasons, but most commonly it is to physically reverse an unwanted sexual encounter, or to enable a marriage which requires virginity as a precondition.

Our patients are often surprised to find themselves in a Plastic Surgeon’s office, not associating plastic surgery with a gynecologic procedure.  It so happens that reconstruction of female genitalia, either following cancer surgery (vulvectomy) or in transgender surgery is a common part of plastic surgery training, and repair of a torn hymen is extremely simple relative to these other reconstructive procedures.  An office like ours is also able to provide the privacy and confidentiality that is impossible to offer in a general hospital.

Does hymenoplasty ‘work’?  Sutures used in the repair have fully dissolved by 3- 6 weeks following surgery, and the hymenal membrane heals without visible scar making detection of surgery impossible.  Bleeding and pain during intercourse has been described to us as ‘ a bit more than the first time’, but that was not seen as a negative characteristic.  No doubt confidence in one’s ‘virginity’ is the most important criteria for a successful performance.

Is hymenoplasty immoral? We are in no position to give advice here, but until men are required to be virgins at marriage it seems hypocrisy to expect that of women.  What of beginning a marriage with a lie?  Not ideal, but every relationship has its share of deceptions, and it is for you to decide if this one is necessary.

]]> http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/question-answers/hymenoplasty-without-hypocrisy/feed/ 0 Liposuction for Breast Reduction http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/breast/liposuction-for-breast-reduction/ http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/breast/liposuction-for-breast-reduction/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:01:12 +0000 Dr. Kreidstein http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/?p=50 Liposuction is a very attractive option for breast reduction, primarily because it spares the breast from conspicuous scars.  It is most successful when the breasts have a good shape with little ptosis (the areola is not too far below the inframammary fold), the breast tissue is not dense (gland can’t be reduced by liposuction), and the amount of reduction required is not more than one or two cup sizes.  Be sure to discuss this option with your plastic surgeon if you are considering breast reduction.

Liposuction for Breast Reduction

Liposuction for Breast Reduction

]]> http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/breast/liposuction-for-breast-reduction/feed/ 2 Drains and Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/body-contouring/drains-and-abdominoplastytummy-tuck/ http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/body-contouring/drains-and-abdominoplastytummy-tuck/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:10:35 +0000 Dr. Michael Kreidstein http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/?p=39 Patients often express surprise that they will not require drains after their abdominoplasty/tummy tuck. Although some surgeons continue to use drains, our experience over the past 10 years matches published reports in which drains can be eliminated if certain steps are taken during surgery. Most importantly, we place ‘progressive tension sutures’ to attach the skin back to the muscle layer. Not only does this close the space that would otherwise accumulate blood/fluid, but it allows the final wound edge closure to occur without tension. This helps to prevent the scar from riding up (above the bikini line)after surgery, and may prevent scar problems that arise from excessive tension.

]]> http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/body-contouring/drains-and-abdominoplastytummy-tuck/feed/ 6 Are all facelifts the same? http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/rejuvenation/are-all-facelifts-the-same/ http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/rejuvenation/are-all-facelifts-the-same/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:51:18 +0000 Dr. Michael Kreidstein http://wysework.com/projects/brittany/drkreidstein/development/blog/?p=23 There are few procedures in plastic surgery with more variations than the facelift.  Understanding something about this operation may help you to understand the controversies, and may help you to ask the right questions when you meet with a prospective surgeon.With dozens of variations, the facelift is a fascinating operation for plastic surgeons.  Surgeons may modify their technique over the years, or do the same operation for 40 years.  What follows is a summary of some important decisions a surgeon must make in developing their technique.
1. incisions: if placed behind the hairline, the scar is better hidden, but the hairline is pulled back and can create deformity, especially if the procedure is repeated.  So called short scar techniques minimize the scar behind the ear, but are less effective at correcting loose neck skin.
2. mini-lift vs formal facelift: Some procedures involve simple excision of skin from in front of the ear and possibly a suture hitching up the deep tissues.  Results from such a procedure will be quite temporary, as there is little to stop the tissues from stretching out.  If your surgery will take less than two hours, it is likely there is insufficient work to provide a durable result.
2. volume correction: A youthful face is not an old face with tight skin! Ask your surgeon to explain what efforts they will take to re-establish youthful contours in your face.
Understanding these issues will help you to understand why results, costs, and surgical recovery times can vary widely from surgeon to surgeon. 

]]> http://www.drkreidstein.com/blog/surgical-procedures/rejuvenation/are-all-facelifts-the-same/feed/ 0