Dear Jenn, Upper arm liposuction, especially using ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is a wonderful procedure as long as your skin is in good condition to allow for a smooth and even contraction over the area after the fat is partially removed. If the skin is in large excess, a brachioplasty is a better procedure to undergo. This difference between the two is immense though in terms of recovery, risk and scarring. I would suggest that you visit with a plastic/cosmetic surgeon in your area to determine which procedure is best for you.

Dear Virginia, Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep up the good work. Visit with a plastic surgeon for your options in removing the excess skin. There are a number of procedures such as lower body lift, abdominoplasty, brachioplasty (arm lift) that can help. I have worked with a number of former sumatori (sumo wrestlers) who retired and lost many hundreds of pounds. The contour can be greatly improved with the only drawback being a number of long scars at various placed on your body.

The only way to get rid of stretch marks is to cut out the area of skin that has the stretch marks. On the abdomen that means an abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty is an operation where excess skin on the lower abdomen is cut away and the underlying muscles tightened. Hope this is helpful to you. Carmen Paradis M.D.

Dear Sarah, I trained in Halifax and, unfortunately, Dr. Caines died about two years ago. There are other competent plastic surgeons in the area who can perform an abdominoplasty. What is done is that an incision is made and the skin and soft tissue of the abdomen is raised up to the level of your rib cage. The muscles of your abdomen are then tightened and then the excess skin is removed. A new belly button is made and everything is then closed. Often there is some associated liposuction if needed or desired. The cost varies but is usually somewhere between $4000 and $8000 U.S.

Dear Holly, There are the same complications as with women. The chest wall tissue tends to be thicker in males and, thus, placement should be above the muscle for a more natural appearance of the new breast.

Dear Molly Artificial insemination works all right, but it does not sound like u r a candidate for it. IVF sounds like the only answer here, but u need to consult with a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist before u make any further decisions. Good luck

Hi Mona, I don't understand your question. Are you asking if it makes you more susceptible to catching diseases in the future? If so, then it shouldn't. If you're asking if it increases the odds of catching a disease at the time of the insemination, then the answer is yes. Hope this helps!