Leg Lift Questions and Answers

Question:

my doctor told me i have spondyloithesis please explain & what happens if not treated thank you

Answer:

Hi Emily...Here's what Medline says about it... Spondylolisthesis Definition Forward slippage of a lumbar vertebra on the vertebra below it. Causes and risks The spine is divided into 5 anatomical sections: cervical (neck), thoracic (thorax or rib cage), lumbar (the lower back from bottom of the thoracic spine to the top of pelvis), sacral (pelvis) and coccygeal (tail). Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra slips forward on the vertebra below it. In children this normally occurs between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra and is often due to a congenital malformation of that region of the spine. In adults, the most common cause is degenerative disease (like arthritis) and the slip usually occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Other causes of spondylolisthesis include stress fractures (caused by repetitive hyper-extension of the back, commonly seen in gymnasts), and traumatic fractures. Spondylolisthesis may occasionally be associated with bone diseases. Spondylolisthesis may vary from mild to severe. It is associated with and can produce increased lordosis (abnormal anterior convexity of the spine or swayback). Symptoms may include lower back pain and pain in the thighs and buttocks, stiffness, muscle tightness, and tenderness in the slipped area. Neurologic damage (leg weakness or changes in sensation) may result from pressure on nerve roots and may cause pain radiating down the legs. Prevention People with marked lordosis should avoid back hyperextension (leaning way back), weight lifting, and contact sports. Lower back pain, although common in preadolescent and adolescent children, should be evaluated especially in the presence of marked lordosis. Symptoms marked lordosis lower back pain localized tenderness over the spine just above the pelvis pain in thighs pain in buttocks tight hamstrings stiffness in back Signs and tests X-ray of the spine (demonstrates misalignment of lumbar vertebra, and possible fracture) straight leg raise may uncomfortable or painful NOTE: Spondylolisthesis can be asymptomatic. Treatment Treatment varies depending on the severity of the spondylolisthesis. Most patients require only strengthening and stretching exercises combined with activity modification (avoiding hyperextension of the back and contact sports). Some practitioners also use a rigid brace. For cases with severe pain not responding to therapy or if the slip is severe or there are neurologic changes, the slipping vertebra will be surgically fused. This surgery has a higher incidence of nerve injury than do most other spinal fusion surgeries. Use of a brace or body cast may be part of treatment after surgical correction of the defect. Prognosis Conservative therapy for mild spondylolisthesis is successful in about 80% of cases. When necessary, surgery produces satisfactory results in 85 to 90% of people with severe, painful spondylolisthesis. Complications compression and transient or permanent damage of spinal nerve roots chronic back pain Call your health care provider if your child’s back appears to curve excessively, if the child complains of back pain or stiffness, or pain in the back, thighs, and buttocks. Update Date: 5/24/2001 Hope this helps.. Julie Adinolfe RN

Question:

I have very thin legs and have tried everything (weightlifting) to make them bigger. Is there any kind of implants for the legs?

Answer:

Dear Josie, There are implants for the calves but this procedure is fraught with problems and complications. There are no implants available for the upper legs (thighs). I would suggest that you contact Dr. Lloyd Carlsen in Canada as he is the world leader in leg implant surgery. I believe that he is in Montreal.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I had Lap RNY gastric bypass surgery 6/24/01. I am loosing weight at a steady gradual pace. I already have redundant skin from past dieting. I have hanging skin on my breasts,abdomen,upper arms and upper legs. When I attain my weight loss goal, I wish to speak with and meet a board certified plastic surgeon who will evaluate me and remove the redundant skin on my ever shrinking body. I am a registered nurse and I fully understand the risks involved. I desire a surgeon who will work with me to achieve a "normal" physical appearance. Thank you, Susan M. Stitt RN

Answer 1:

Dear Susan, It is important that you see a plastic surgeon who has quite a bit of experience with body lifts, as it is not the same as a tummy tuck, for example. Please let me know if you need further assistance Josh Korman, M.D. wwwkormanmd.com

Josh Korman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Mountain View, CA

Answer 2:

I appreciate your concern. Any sort of body lifting procedure that you are considering should not be attempted until you have reached a "steady state". It may take you up to 6 months to a year for that to occur.

Question:

I am considering some cosmetic surgery: probably a face lift and some liposuction, and perhaps laser resurfacing. How can I find out how to get prices and compare? Also, how do I find the most reputable cosmetic surgeons in my area? Is there a physician's referral service available? Thank you

Answer:

Dear Mary Ann, I would suggest that you visit either the ASAPS (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons') web site first. From that point you should seek advice from several in your area. You may chose to have the different procedures performed by different surgeons. I would also suggest that once you decide on your surgeon, make certain that he/she has privileges to perform the procedures that you desire done at a local hospital - they check credentials and save you the trouble.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am a 21-year old male college student, and I have been lifting weights for about four years. I am 6 feet tall and used to weigh about 250 pounds before I started lifting weights, so basically I was fat. Over the 4 years I have been liftng, however, I have burn a considerable amount of fat and gain muscle, but for some reason I still have fat on my chest around the nipple area from when I was fat that I can't seem to get rid of. I work out on my chest more than any other body part in an attempt to get rid of the fat, and I have a pretty good size chest, but the fat will not go away no matter what I do. This depresses me, so the only other route I know to take is either plastic surgery or liposuction. The main problems I have is that I have kiloid skin, and I believe I don't have enough money to do either since I am in college. So my main question is will plastic surgery or liposuction work? Which is better or safer especially since I have kiloid skin? What is the average cost for a specialty like mine for plastic surgery and/or liposuction? If the cost of the procedures are expensive, is there anything I can do to bring down the price?

Answer:

Dear Tavaris, The area that you describe is very amenable to ultrasonic liposuction which has essentially replaced the older excisional surgery on the area. If you are on any drugs which have helped you gain muscle mass, these can lead to the gynecomastia that you describe. The cost of liposuction varies across the country but about $2000 would be close to what you should expect to spend.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am 28 years old and was a 34 B with sagging breast after having 2 kids. I had two breast surgeries to insert implant in the past 8 months. The second one was to insert a smaller implants since they were too big (I had it done 4 months after the first one). And even now they still look big (34 D) since I have a short torso and skinny legs. I want to remove them and just have a lift (that was actually my original plan but my doctor talked me into having implants) but I am not sure if it would work and if I should be concern with having to go three surgeries on my breast in one year? and how much scaring should I expect? Any info will help. Thank you.

Answer:

Dear Illy, The scarring from a breast lift procedure is more significant than that from implant surgery. If the lift is significant, the scars are shaped like an anchor around the areola, down the front of the breast and along the fold under the breast. If a lesser lift is required, the scarring can be abbreviated. You should not be concerned with the operations within the past year as the implant surgery has little to do with the lift procedure and actually helps get more blood to the tissue that is moved.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

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