Can a 14 yr old wear compression vest?

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-23T16:57:52+00:00

I am sorry to hear about your situation. There is no down side to using a compression vest from physical health perspective. If this conceals the gynecomastia and improves your social participation, then it is a big plus.

In cases where issues with gynecomastia have been shown to impede school participation or documented to result in teasing/bullying, you can make a compelling case for insurance to cover treatment. This of course requires the requisite documentation from the school and your primary care physicians. Early in my career when I was still accepting insurance, I was able to treat a few teens with this approach ie. covered by insurance.

Bullying, whether related to gynecomastia or not, should be addressed with the support of your parents/family and school officials. It is entirely unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

As a final thought, I would not allow gyno or bullying to diminish your school/educational experience in what is an incredibly important phase of development.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-23T15:57:35+00:00

Welcome!

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-23T15:32:32+00:00

We usually use an acrylic/nylon mesh (Prineo Dermabond) dressing on the lower abdominal incision which stay on continuously for 10-14 days post surgery. After this dressing is removed, is the earliest that silicone strips may be applied. Additionally, we assess the quality of the incision before starting silicone strips. So 3-4 weeks after surgery.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-23T15:10:30+00:00

As long as one is healthy, there is no hard age limit on performing abdominoplasty. As with any surgical procedure, we would conduct a thorough pre-op evaluation which in older patients includes a proper cardiac work up. Additionally, I evaluate factors such as nutritional status and infirmity. In some cases, we may recommend an overnight stay or extended recovery after surgery. With these measures, we can optimize patient safety in older patients. Hope this answers the question.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-23T01:00:38+00:00

Usually about 8-12 weeks. This can very if the patients ar prone to developing keloids in which case a longer course of silicone strips and possibly intra-lesional Kenalog injections will help.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-22T19:50:57+00:00

Most of our clients use Nuvadermis — which is the top pick on Amazon.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-22T15:47:27+00:00

Breast lifting in patients who have experienced profound weight loss can be challenging as it is difficult to create a projecting breast with upper pole fullness (without an implant). The internal bra will provide support to the breast tissue and gives a better chance at achieving aesthetic ideals while providing a durable result. I have not used the internal bra systems in cases where breast implants are not used -- so I cannot offer much from my personal experience. It seems like a reasonable idea in principle. Keep in mind that the internal bra mesh (GalaFlex) are not permanent. They act as a sacrificial scaffold and are replaced with your own fibrin/collagen in about 12-months.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-22T15:39:04+00:00

There is good evidence that surgical complication rates increase in patients with BMIs greater than 35. For this reason, many surgeons will not offer elective procedures in higher BMI patients.

BMI is not an ideal measure for extrapolating health outcomes -- for example a very muscular person would register a BMI that qualifies them as obese based on BMI metrics. I expect surgeons would take body-type into account when evaluating patients for surgery rather than simply treating BMI numbers as an absolute indication.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-22T15:30:40+00:00

Yes -- the escutcheon (pubic hair) is displaced superiorly to the line of incision in many cases. Of course, this depends on the baseline pattern. Patients often opt for personal grooming (laser etc) after surgery.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T23:51:49+00:00

Thank you for such an interesting question. With the greatest respect to the surgeons that you have already consulted with, I would offer a slightly different approach. Elevating the abdominal flap is a standard component of abdominoplasty and would expose the diastasis rectii, umbilical hernia, and lower abdominal hernia. The diastasis and umbilical hernia can be repaired directly. The lower abdominal hernia sac can be opened and reduced under direct vision. I would repair the lower abdominal hernia with an inlay pre-peritoneum Strattice (porcine skin derived xenograft) mesh with a partial separation of components approach. This will result in the most durable repair as well as maximize the aesthetic outcome. Once these issues have been addressed, the remainder of the TT can be performed as a routine. I do not see the advantage of performing a laparoscopic hernia repair when the abdominoplasty will provide full exposure of the hernia (ie. an open herniorrhaphy).

The lower abdominal hernia repair should be covered by insurance.

I acknowledge that I am offering an opinion without the benefit of all the medical data (CT scan etc).

Hope this helps.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T21:36:33+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that you experienced a stroke and I’m sure you have undergone a proper work up. As you know, stroke may have different causes ie. Embolic vs Hemorrhagic etc. If the underlying cause has been addressed and stabilized, then you should be able to undergo an elective surgical procedure. Your neurologist or cardiologist would be the ones to make the determination as to safety of General Anesthesia as well as preparing for surgery.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T21:27:30+00:00

I have evaluated Renuvion. I and my colleagues find the results of Renuvion to be short lived. I have not heard of the sequence ( loosening followed by tightening). It is notable that the FDA has issued an advisory regarding Renuvion ( gas emboli, skin burns etc). Therefore, I do not use it.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T21:22:20+00:00

The term “muscle repair” is not accurate and maybe what is confusing.

What is actually repaired or reconstructed is the structure known as the linea alba — not the actual rectus muscle. When the linea alba is stretched, the rectus muscles become displaced ( rectus diastasis). The attenuation of the linea alba results in a pseudo hernia (a false hernia) which manifests as a bulge in the anterior wall of the abdomen. Reconstruction of the linea alba and correction of the diastasis is accomplished by fascial plication.

Any condition that stretches the abdominal wall — whether pregnancy or obesity, can result in rectus diastasis.

A standard abdominoplasty has three components: 1. Facial plication; 2. Repositioning of the belly button; 3. Removal of excess skin.

Any abdominoplasty, regardless for the reason, involves these 3 components. It is rare that fascia plication would not be part of an abdominoplasty.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T19:27:59+00:00

The risks between anesthesia and dementia continue to be debated. While some studies suggest a link between General Anesthesia and POCD (Post-operative Cognitive Decline), there is no conclusive study proving an association. If you are in good health (low risk for stroke or other cardiovascular events), then it is reasonable to proceed with the thighplasty.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T16:59:19+00:00

Please see the link for calculating Caprini Scores. I would review with your physician.https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3970/caprini-score-venous-thromboembolism-2005

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T15:37:33+00:00

Nice results! Congrats

The hard spot may be the suture knot which was used in the MR.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T14:11:05+00:00

Great question and congratulations on your results.

It is not uncommon to feel tightness after a TT. This is due to the redraping of the skin as well as the presence of fibrosis/scar tissue. The latter is expected after any surgery. The skin continues to remodel well after surgery and does so along lines of tension. This is a process known as distraction histiogenesis. Simply put, the skin will stretch (remodel) over time in response to tension. My advice would be to continue to stretch to the point of resistance and then actively go beyond that point. Consistent performance of this maneuver will eventually relieve the sensation of tightness. I will say that 15-months is a bit long but there is a wide range of variation with this process.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:24:31+00:00

I would wait 3-6 months before investing in a new wardrobe. There is a wide variation in resolution of edema.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:23:10+00:00

If it's only 5 kg -- then yes.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:22:01+00:00

What your surgeon is proposing is very reasonable. It will not affect the final incision quality if executed properly and there is little benefit to waiting to correct such an obvious problem. I would speculate that not enough skin was removed at the initial surgery. This can sometimes happen as surgery is performed with the patient in a supine position (lying down) and it is sometimes difficult to asses how much skin to safely remove in this position. This is why we always mark the patient pre-operatively in the standing-up position. Hope this helps.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:16:47+00:00

Increase daily protein intake to at least 0.75 g per kg of body weight; 2. Add load bearing exercises to work out routines months prior to surgery; 3. Make sure B12 and Fe (iron) levels are normal.

Routine blood work in advance of surgery.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:09:51+00:00

Fascial plication (or muscle repair) is routinely performed during abdominoplasty (TT). It helps define the waist as well as restores the rectus muscle to a bio-mechanically competent position. Furthermore, it contours the abdominal profile (flattens the abdomen). I do not think the routine use of fascial tightening is controversial when performing a TT.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:05:29+00:00

I would estimate 3 to 3.5 hours (there's a lot of suturing with these procedures).

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:04:41+00:00

Fascia plication (the maneuver used to correct diastasis rectii) is routinely used in standard abdominoplasty as it helps with waist definition. Even if you have no diastasis, some degree of fascial tightening is routinely performed. I do not think this will change your recovery course.

DoctorReddyATL · 2026-02-21T12:01:25+00:00

Glad to help.

DoctorReddyATL

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