Patient Portal

Ezine 14 December 2003

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the 14th issue of my ezine. This is intended to be a free and a fun way to learn about plastic surgery. I am still overwhelmed by the tremendous number of questions I keep receiving. Once again, I picked out a few that I think are interesting and let you see how I answered them. I again thank everyone for their interest and ideas. Keep emailing your questions…
THANKS AGAIN– our Yahoo Store has far exceeded our expectations and we want to thank everyone for their support!
Our first question is from PI:
Email Question – My husband has a cyst on the back of his head. He went to the emergency room today and they said it was a cyst. Should it be causing his hair to fall out in that spot? When you touch it the skin is kind of squishy. With it being on his head should we be worried about anything else being wrong? Thank you.
Email Answer – A cyst is a harmless sac-like growth in the deeper layers of the skin, which is filled with a soft, whitish brown material that sometimes oozes onto the skin surface.
Cysts can be removed with surgery and it is a simple office procedure. The hair can fall out for many reasons but not usually because of a cyst unless it gets infected. If it is infected, it needs antibiotics and/or incision and drainage. Once that starts, you really should think about having the cyst removed on an elective basis.
Check out our site for more information on cysts as well as patient pictures.
Thanks for your question.
Our next question is from YT:
Email Question – THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST 30-50 NEW MOLES (FLAT). SOME ARE SMALL, SOME ARE A LITTLE LARGER. SOME ARE VERY DARK, SOME ARE LIGHTER. I GET MOST ON MY BREAST, STOMACH AND BACK. I AM NOW GETTING THEM ON MY NECK AND FACE.
WHY AM I GETTING SOOOO MANY SOOOO SOON. I AM ONLY 32 YEARS OLD. I HAD ONLY A FEW UP UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAY, I FIND A NEW ONE, OR I KNOW ONE IS GOING TO FORM. IT STARTS AS A LUMP, I THINK IT IS A PIMPLE, THEN IT DOESN'T GO AWAY AND IT TURNS INTO A MOLE.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED AND IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN GET RID OF THEM. WILL LASER HELP????
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
Email Answer - Yours is actually a common story - you have genetics and your sun exposure to blame. Remember, though, laser breaks up the pigmentation. We only do this if we do not think it is cancer!! Any mole or lesion can become cancer at a later time if sun damage, genetics etc. are predisposing factors. You should do skin screening every month for the rest of your life! Skin cancer is very common. It is one of the biggest epidemics of our time. If you live long enough, practically everyone gets it!
Don't forget, not every mole can be treated with laser so I would caution you to make sure you see a doctor! Check out our site for more information on moles as well as the patient pictures (removal by laser or surgery). Thanks for your question.
Thanks for your question.
AGAIN, thank you all for your questions!
Thinking of visiting a plastic surgeon??
I think a great place for you to start is the 7 critical questions on our site at http://www.prplastic.com/ These are the things you should look for in your selection process. I think they will be helpful.
The ASPS site at www.plasticsurgery.org will also give you a list of board certified plastic surgeons in your area.
I am always available if you decide you would ever want a consultation with me. I frequently see patients from out of town and we try to make special provisions.
Remember, no other plastic surgeon I know has ever had an ezine. They don't know how to tell others about what they do, what they should ask other surgeons etc. Some have a boring stuffy newsletter that is preprinted and they just add their name or something. This is not like that! You will not find useless stuff intended to get you to come in and see me and spend money in my office. Just help. And meaningful information.
Remember, knowledge is power.
By the way, I hope you have a great Christmas and get lots of presents. I hope you all have fun but stay healthy…
Email me – ask whatever you want. You are the ones that will help make this ezine fun and exciting. What do you want to know?? Ask anything! Ask away…
Best regards,
Dr. Sam Speron
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
P.S. I want everyone to remember I’m doing this for you. I want everyone to become a well-informed consumer. But, I also want it to be easy and fun to read. I want you to look forward to getting it. Email me. What’s boring? What’s exciting to you? Let me know. You are the heart and soul of this newsletter. Are we still having fun??