Blog

Articles from Dr. Jenq

Plain answers from Dr. Tina Jenq, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, on surgery, recovery, costs and skin.

More articles

Breast Reduction and Bra Size: Why Cup Size Can Be Confusing

It is difficult to guarantee a specific cup size after breast reduction because bra sizes vary between brands and mainly reflect the width of the breast footprint. Dr. Jenq plans around proportion to your body frame rather than a letter size. For many patients that falls around a B, C, or small D, depending on chest width and body proportions.

Lymphatic Massage After Surgery: How It Helps You Heal

Lymphatic massage, also called manual lymphatic drainage, uses gentle, steady pressure to move fluid toward working lymph nodes and can reduce swelling and firmness after surgery. Dr. Jenq generally recommends starting around 3 weeks after surgery, once tissues are more stable. Most patients benefit from it for up to 4 to 6 months.

Drainless Surgery for Chest and Abdomen

In drainless surgery, Dr. Jenq uses quilting sutures to attach the lifted skin and fat layer back to the muscle, closing the space where fluid would collect instead of draining it later. It adds about 15 minutes to chest surgery and about 25 minutes to a tummy tuck. Patients avoid drain tubes, though drains may still be recommended in some cases.

Earlobe Repair: Split, Stretched and Keloid Earlobes

Most earlobe piercing problems, including embedded earrings, split or stretched earlobes and keloids, can be repaired. Most repairs are done in the clinic under local anesthesia in under an hour, with stitches removed in about a week. After a split is repaired, many patients can re-pierce the ear in a new spot.

Submuscular vs Subglandular Breast Implant Placement: Why I Usually Recommend Under-the-Muscle Support

Submuscular implants sit partially or fully beneath the pectoralis muscle, while subglandular implants sit above the muscle and beneath the breast tissue. Dr. Jenq usually recommends submuscular placement because it offers more durable long-term support and better implant coverage, though it can cause animation deformity and a slightly longer recovery. Subglandular and subfascial placement can be good choices in select patients.

Swelling and Firmness After Surgery: Understanding Scar Healing

A firm or thick area under an incision is usually normal scar tissue: collagen forms quickly to strengthen the wound, then slowly remodels and softens. Swelling that is soft, bubble-like or appears suddenly may be fluid instead, which an exam or in-clinic ultrasound can tell apart. Rapid swelling, redness, drainage, fever or worsening pain should be checked promptly.

Targeted Nipple–Areola Complex Reinnervation

Targeted nipple-areola complex (NAC) reinnervation is a surgical add-on for patients having chest surgery with free nipple grafts. Dr. Jenq preserves intercostal sensory nerves and brings their ends to where the nipple grafts are placed, giving sensation a clearer path to return. About 80% regain sensation with the technique; in Dr. Jenq’s practice, about 60% regain some touch sensation without it, though erogenous sensation is lost.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy): How I Think About Shape and Support

Dr. Jenq approaches a breast lift (mastopexy) with two complementary techniques. Skin recontouring removes excess skin and lifts the nipple, while an internal mastopexy moves the breast gland higher and secures it with anchor sutures to the upper chest muscle. Combining both improves shape and upper breast support and creates a more stable, long-lasting lift.