Once you have decided to undergo breast lift surgery, you will want to start planning for your surgery and recovery. Please ask Houston breast surgeon Dr. Lapuerta all of your questions prior to your procedure. He will explain the process for the procedure and everything you will want to do to prepare. You may have additional questions and Dr. Lapuerta will be more than happy to answer them.

To prepare for your breast lift surgery, you will want to make sure you have someone to drive you to and from the hospital where you are having your procedure. You will not be able to drive yourself and you may want someone with your for the first day or two to help you during your recovery.

Make sure you have your pain medications filled before the procedure. You will not feel well enough to have them filled after the procedure, and you will want them immediately on hand.

When you have your prescriptions filled, you will want to purchase some recovery foods. Recovery foods are any foods that are easy to prepare and eat. Some of these foods include:

• Gelatin
• Pudding
• Frozen foods
• Juices
• Crackers

Set up your bed and couch with pillows, blankets, movies, books, and other easy entertainment for your enjoyment. Having these items on hand and within your reach will make your recovery more pleasant and easy. You will not feel like getting up and choosing a book or movie. Having them near you will help aid in your recovery by allowing you more rest.

For more information about how to prepare for your breast lift surgery, please contact our Texas breast surgery office. We serve patients in and around the Houston area.

People who have jobs where their fingers or thumbs are constantly gripping something, like power tools or steering wheels may suffer from a painful and irritating condition called trigger finger. It also affects people who have rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or gout. However, it is unknown exactly what the cause of trigger finger is. A popping or snapping sound occurs when straightening the finger, giving the condition its name. Extreme conditions of trigger finger may result in the finger becoming locked in a bent position.

Trigger finger is the result of the inflammation of the tendon or the sheath that surrounds the tendon. Nodules may form on the tendon, which prevent the tendon from moving freely within the sheath.

Symptoms of trigger finger may begin with soreness at the base of the finger or thumb. A painful clicking or popping may then occur when the finger is straightened. If the digit is not treated, it may then become locked.

The first step to ending trigger finger is to stop the repetitive motion that has caused it. Rest and a splint will often help, as will heat/cold treatment and anti-inflammatory medication. Corticosteroid injections may reduce swelling and pain, too, but it is not a permanent fix. If nothing seems to relieve the problem, surgery may be the best solution.

Surgery involves small incisions in the skin to remove the nodules around the tendon, as well as scar tissue that may have formed. After this, your finger or fingers should be back to normal after a period of rest. Therapy involving strengthening exercises will also help.

If you suffer from trigger finger and are in the Houston, Texas area, please contact Dr. Lapuerta at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.

We use our hands every single day for multiple tasks. Most of us make a living using our hands for something. However, repetitive use of our hands or fingers can lead to problems like carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger. These are painful and debilitating conditions that can become very serious problems if not dealt with.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive or grasping actions with the hands or wrist. It may also be caused by arthritis, broken or dislocated wrists, and even pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, and obesity. Repetitive action can cause swelling around the tendons, which can compress the median nerve. This nerve runs from the forearm into the hand. Pain, numbness, and hand weakness are the result.

Trigger finger is a kind of tendonitis, which results from the inflammation of the tendon or sheath surrounding the finger or thumb. Strain, pressure, and grip are the cause of trigger finger. Those who use pistol-grip power tools are often affected, as are long haul truck drivers and farmers. Inflammation of the tendon can cause the formation of nodules to form. These nodules cause friction and irritation and result in pain and the inability to bend the digit straight in some instances. Straightening the finger causes a popping sound.

While rest, splinting, and anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen are often recommended, sometimes the only solution is surgery. However, this is a last resort. The goal is to release pressure on the tendon by making a small incision in the skin to release tension.

If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger in the Houston, Texas area, please contact Dr. Lapuerta at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today.

The area between the vagina and rectum is called the perineum. This part is often cut or tears during childbirth. Perineoplasty is performed so that the excess and loose skin is folded under and the underlying muscles of the perineum are sutured together to tighten the vaginal opening, or introitus. A perineoplasty is often performed as part of a vaginoplasty since it deals with the vagina rather than the labia (as in a labiaplasty).

Damage to the perineum may cause difficulties such as:

• Anal incontinence
• Decreased sexual gratification
• Pain during intercourse
• Vaginal looseness

The perineoplasty procedure can restore the vagina to its pre-childbirth dimensions, but may not address looseness or discomfort deeper within the vagina. A vaginoplasty procedure can address these issues.

A perineoplasty can be performed under local anesthetic. Recovery can take up to six weeks. During this time, you must avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, sexual intercourse, and using tampons.

If you are interested in finding out more about the perineoplasty procedure, please contact Houston, Texas based triple board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lapuerta at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for an initial consultation.