May 9th, 2012
The Los Angeles Times recently published an article about the growing trend of couples having plastic surgery together. The piece by Susan Carpenter generated a bit of buzz. Plastic surgeons in New York and across the country put out press releases noting that they had observed the same trend in their own practices.
It makes sense that, as the article puts it, plastic surgery is “increasingly a couples activity.” As the years pass, men are becoming more comfortable with the notion of cosmetic improvement. Steady growth in the numbers of men seeking plastic surgery annually has yielded a total increase of 121% in plastic surgery for men in the past 15 years, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
While we do notice more couples coming in together to our New York plastic surgery consultation room, we have actually been working with husbands and wives and boyfriends and girlfriends for decades. Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty or an eyelid tuck, has been in demand by both men and women for some time. Our patients appreciate the way eyelid surgery can restore a youthful, alert appearance, and some feel it helps them be more competitive in the professional world.
Here in fashion-conscious New York, liposuction is especially popular for partners to undergo together. But even when their motivations are similar, the target areas tend to be different. The LA Times article mentioned that men pursue liposuction for the abdomen, chest and chin, while women are interested in slimming their bodies from knees to neck.
The president of the ASAPS, Dr. Malcom Z. Roth, was quoted in the LA Times article speculating about the rise in plastic surgery for couples. He believes that as married people age, one partner, “the courageous one,” looks into cosmetic surgery and the other follows suit. He said he has heard a husband comment that he doesn’t want to look older than his wife and vice versa. He also noted that couples occasionally mark an anniversary with cosmetic surgery for each partner.
We would be happy to talk with both you and your partner about plastic surgery in New York. Browse through our website and you’ll see that we are as comfortable and experienced treating men as we are with our female patients. Why not give us a call at 212-570-6080?
Tags: better bodies, couples plastic surgery, looking better, looking good, looking younger, normal aging
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery, Liposuction, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery in the News | No Comments »
May 1st, 2012
The uproar over silicone breast implants that spawned a variety of lawsuits began in the 1970’s. The brouhaha culminated in the late 1990’s with a class action settlement that drove Dow Corning—the leading manufacturer—into bankruptcy. Even though numerous studies and intense scrutiny by the Federal Drug Administration could not find a connection between silicone breast implants and cancer or other diseases, our New York breast augmentation patients occasionally still ask:
Are silicone breast implants really safe?
The short answer is yes. Silicone breast implants are safe. What happened in the 1970’s and 80’s was that some women’s implants leaked liquid silicone filler into the breast pocket and to nearby locations in the body. This happened for two reasons: the 1970’s model implants, known as “second generation implants,” had shells that were thin and tended to rupture fairly easily, and they also occasionally leaked even through intact shells. Women believed that breast cancer and autoimmune diseases like lupus were the result. The high failure rate of the devices and subsequent health scares caused the FDA to ban silicone implants in this country for fourteen years.
Today, plastic surgeons are using the FDA approved fifth generation of silicone breast implants. These not only have a tough, durable shell, they are also filled with what’s called a “cohesive” silicone gel. Even if an implant somehow becomes cut or torn, the cohesive gel retains its shape.
This cohesive gel has the additional advantage of feeling solid yet pliant, very much like healthy breast tissue. And there’s no rippling under the skin or sloshing sound occasionally reported by patients with saline breast implants. Plastic surgeons and patients alike are fans of the natural look and feel silicone breast implants offer today.
Are there times when saline breast implants are the right choice? Yes, some patients still prefer saline, and we use those implants as well. One major advantage these devices offer is an adjustable fill level.
If you’re leaning toward silicone implants but still not convinced they’re safe, consider this: silicone has long been used in the manufacture of a variety of medical devices used inside the body. These include tubing for shunts, drains and catheters, and components of heart valves and joint implants.
Still not sure which type of breast implant is right for you? The best way to figure it out is through a consultation with us to discuss breast augmentation in New York. We’ll walk you through the choices and work with you to make the right decisions. Give us a call at 212-570-6080.
Tags: breast implants, breast surgery, patient safety, silicone breast implants
Posted in Breast augmentation, Plastic Surgery, Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 25th, 2012
Every so often there’s a horror story published about eyelid surgery gone wrong. If you follow plastic surgery, once in a while you’ll read about someone whose results are asymmetrical droopy lids. Rarely the outcome is worse, even to the point of a patient not being able to close their eyes.
Our New York eyelid surgery patients therefore have many questions when they come in for a consultation. They’re interested in the procedure, knowing what a powerful tool it can be in refreshing and rejuvenating the appearance. But they’re cautious too, given that the eyes are ultra important in form and function.
Actually, we are also very cautious in our philosophy about eyelid surgery. In our New York practice, our approach is conservative and consultative. (We sometimes steer a patient toward delaying surgery with non-surgical treatment including BOTOX® Cosmetic, fillers, laser treatment and other options!)
When eyelid surgery—known medically as blepharoplasty and more commonly as an eyelid tuck—is the right choice, we design a surgical plan to deliver natural looking results that banish a tired, old or even angry appearance. The goal is for you to look vibrant and youthful, without acquaintances being able to put their finger on what’s different. We avoid “permanently surprised” and cat-like distortions. We also take care with fat removal, so bags under the eyes are smoothed but not hollowed out.
Our surgical plan will be created specifically for you. We customize eyelid tuck surgery to fit the varying needs of women and men, and we address a variety of areas around the eye as needed. Upper lids can be opened up with excess skin eliminated, and at the same time we can smooth muscles on the forehead to diminish wrinkles, if desired. We can even remove moles. Fat pouches can be removed from lower lids to eliminate bags. We make incisions carefully so scars are invisible after healing, and overall recovery is generally uneventful with minimal discomfort.
Unlike some other areas of the body, where the eyes are concerned the difference between a great result and a poor one is measured in tiny fractions. That’s why—whether you’re thinking about an eyelid tuck or blepharoplasty in New York or elsewhere—you should seek a plastic surgeon with lots of experience and a delicate touch.
Get some additional information through our list of Frequently Asked Questions and the information on this site devoted to eyelid surgery. If we can help further, call us at 212-570-6080.
Photo available from freedigitalphotos.net
Tags: blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery, eyelid tuck, looking better, looking good, looking younger
Posted in Before Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
April 17th, 2012
If your child’s ears stick out and the thought of cosmetic surgery has crossed your mind, don’t feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about it. With so many children suffering the attacks of bullies these days, the federal government has an entire website devoted to bullying. Prominent ears can be a factor in your child being a target.
For this reason, ear surgery, or otoplasty, is an option many parents think over. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 27,000 adults and children underwent ear surgery in 2011.
But we know from talking with parents in New York, ear surgery can seem like a big step. If your child has large ears, or ears that stick out, you might feel conflicted about whether cosmetic ear surgery is the right choice. Here are some points to consider.
- Does your child feel uncomfortable about his ears? Whether he is being bullied or not, if he is unhappy about his ears the feeling is likely to persist. On the other hand, if you are the one who’s bothered, it’s best not to project your feelings on your child.
- Can your child understand that the most important qualities people have are internal and not related to looks? Can you work with her to learn that cosmetic surgery can change someone’s looks but not solve other issues?
- If your child is being bullied, are you working with him to learn coping strategies that rely on inner strengths and other key resources?
- If your child is very young, have you thought about whether she would be likely to choose otoplasty when she’s older (meaning it might make sense to go ahead now)? If you were in her shoes, would you opt for ear surgery for yourself?
- Is your son or daughter confident enough to feel optimistic about the surgery and mature enough to be patient with a short recovery process?
If you are leaning toward otoplasty for your child, you should know that the surgery is generally very safe and poses few risks. There’s not much discomfort involved in recovery, and aside from wearing a bandage around the head for a few days, there’s not much to worry about. We have performed otoplasty on New York patients as young as four years old.
Also know that if your child is being bullied, otoplasty is one step toward easing the pain—not a cure-all. As a parent, you need to research the situation, ally yourself with other parents and school personnel and actively teach your son or daughter how to handle it. Your child needs your love, strength and understanding—whether you choose ear surgery or not.
We invite you to come in and talk with us about cosmetic ear surgery in New York. We would be happy to share information and tell you all we have learned in working with kids—and adults—who are unhappy with the look of their ears. The final decisions are yours.
Call our Park Avenue office at 212-570-6080 for an appointment.
Photo by Frederic de Villamil, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Tags: ear surgery, ear surgery for children, otoplasty, otoplasty for children
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
April 9th, 2012
The look of a woman’s breasts can signal so many things—femininity, youth, confidence and more. They are an important component of a woman’s feelings about herself. That’s why it can be so devastating when someone has a deformity like tuberous breasts. In our New York practice, we see many cases of tuberous breasts each year and we are happy to say there is indeed hope for women with this condition.
Tuberous breasts are sometimes called tubular breasts, zucchini breasts, constricted breasts or even “Snoopy breasts,” referring to the famous beagle’s nose. No one knows exactly why they form, but we do know how.
If you have tuberous breasts, the base of your breasts—where breast tissue meets the chest wall—is smaller than average. As your breast tissue grew, it was forced forward and perhaps downward in an elongated manner. This concentration of tissue may have caused your areolas to stretch and grow large and puffy as well. Tuberous breasts can be asymmetrical, even to the point of just one breast looking misshapen.
For our patients in New York, tuberous breast surgery begins with the creation of a plan to address each one’s unique needs. We normally start by releasing constricting tissue at the base of the breast. We take great care to preserve existing breast tissue and reposition it in a more traditional, rounder breast shape. The majority of women we work with benefit by electing saline or silicone breast implants to help enlarge and resculpt their breasts.
We use incisions around the edge of the areolas for most patients with tuberous breasts. This approach allows full access to breast tissue, and we can reduce the size of the areolas if needed. The small scars that remain after surgery are nearly invisible.
Over the years we have noted the impact tuberous breasts can have on a patient’s body image. Some might ordinarily not think too much about cosmetic surgery—they tell us they could live with breasts that are small, or perhaps a bit larger than average. But those who consult us just can’t make peace with breasts that don’t look “normal,” knowing there’s another choice.
That’s why we welcome you to arrange a consultation with us in New York. Tuberous breasts can be greatly improved through a procedure that’s part cosmetic surgery, part reconstruction. We would very much enjoy working with you to make that happen. Call us at 212-570-6080 for an appointment or contact us online.
Photo by Elmo Love, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Tags: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast surgery, constricted breasts, tuberous breasts, tubular breasts
Posted in Before Plastic Surgery, Breast augmentation, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
April 3rd, 2012
If your complexion is looking old and tired, we’d advise you to visit us in Manhattan for a facelift, right? If you’re seeing wrinkles starting to form, we’d suggest you schedule treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic, right?
Well maybe, and maybe not. The fact is, the sooner you understand a bit more about facial aging, the better equipped you will be to avoid it as long as possible and seek the right treatment down the road.
The unfortunate truth is that the aging process happens at both the skin’s surface and underneath. You’ve probably heard that as the years pass, surface cell turnover slows down. This means dead flakes of skin hang around longer and cause a dull appearance. In addition, sweat and oil producing glands slow production. The result can be a dry looking complexion laden with fine wrinkles.
The best thing you can do for your facial skin is to take great care of it. This means wearing sunscreen daily, eating a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, avoiding pollutants including smoke and getting plenty of rest. When those measures don’t do the trick any longer, you can consider steps like prescription strength creams, chemical peels and laser treatment.
Underneath the surface, different processes are at work. The muscles that help us express human emotion—laughter, anger, puzzlement and more—eventually cause what are known as dynamic wrinkles. These creases are the right places to use Botox or an alternative like Dysport. Quick, comfortable injections can smooth these grooves for as long as a year.
Collagen and elastin fibers, which form the natural foundation of support for our skin, break down over time. Combined with the unavoidable force of gravity, this weakening of tissue under the skin causes sagging. Some areas of the face—such as the nasolabial lines that run from nose to mouth and the fine lines above the upper lip—are great targets for an injectable skin filler like Restylane® or Juvederm®. We offer several different injectables for plumping the skin from underneath, and we can work with you to find the best choice.
For many women and men in Manhattan, a facelift is eventually the right call. Especially when it comes to tightening up a saggy neck or restoring a youthful jawline, there’s no better option. Even patients who have delayed surgery with skin fillers find that elevating the cheek skin back to a more youthful position with a facelift creates the dramatic difference they’re after as they get older.
When you understand facial aging processes, you’ll see that you need different approaches for different reasons. You’ll know why Botox won’t help lift saggy cheeks, and it will make sense that even when you elect to have a facelift, you’ll still need to take care of your surface skin.
Once you feel confident in having some basic knowledge, other questions will probably arise. What about a mid-facelift or mini-facelift—would I be a good candidate? When should I elect Dysport over Botox? Which filler would be best for my needs?
We enjoy developing relationships with patients for the long term. We look forward to helping you combat the first signs of aging with minimally invasive treatment, and if you decide a facelift is in your future, we’ll be here for you then too. It all starts with a no-obligation consultation and evaluation. Give us a call at 212-570-6080 or contact us online.
Photo by Lin Fuchschuber, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Tags: BOTOX, Dysport, face lift, facelift, facial aging, Juvederm, mid-facelift, mini-facelift, Restylane, skin care
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
March 28th, 2012
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) just released their annual statistics covering 2011. The biggest news? Liposuction is more popular than ever.
According to the ASAPS, “From 2010-2011, there was almost a 13% increase in the total number of liposuction procedures with over 300,000 procedures performed.” For the first time in three years, reports the ASAPS, liposuction outranked breast augmentation as the #1 cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States.
You may think the news isn’t surprising, since men and women elect liposuction, while breast augmentation is surgery for women. There’s certainly truth in that.
Women consult us about liposuction in New York for many reasons. Sometimes it’s part of a major procedure such as a belt lipectomy or body lift, or an integral component of a mommy makeover. Liposuction can also be useful for a little fine-tuning, such as around the thighs and knees. Even when we’re performing a facelift for a patient in Manhattan, liposuction can help remove sagging fat pockets and allow us to tighten the neck and jawline. ASAPS figures show that over 280,000 women underwent liposuction in 2011.
Men also benefit from liposuction. We often use liposuction during New York male breast reduction surgery along with removing unwanted breast gland tissue. And, of course, men with and without man boobs elect liposuction to banish love handles that mar an otherwise trim physique. More than 41,000 men chose liposuction last year, says the ASAPS.
What is a bit surprising is the growth in liposuction procedures in a sluggish economy. Indeed, overall cosmetic surgery figures have been holding pretty steady year over year, experiencing just a 1% rise from 2010 to 2011. Obviously, even during these years when cosmetic surgery numbers have remained fairly consistent, liposuction has surged in popularity. 13% is a big jump considering all these factors.
Since liposuction was introduced to this country thirty years ago, many improvements have been made to the instruments and techniques used. And many applications have been found for this powerful cosmetic surgery option. No doubt about it, both men and women recognize liposuction’s potential just as plastic surgeons do. There’s widespread understanding that the procedure can play a lead or supporting role in cosmetic surgery.
We’ve been enthusiastic about liposuction from the beginning, developing our own instruments to get the best results with the least trauma for our patients. It’s a rare surgery day in our practice that we don’t employ liposuction in some way—it’s that useful.
We would be very happy to offer you the benefits of our experience with liposuction. If you’d like to explore the possibilities, contact us online and we’ll be in touch soon.
Photo by David Whitehall, available under a Creative Commons attribution license
Tags: liposuction, plastic surgery statistics
Posted in Liposuction, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery in the News | 1 Comment »
March 25th, 2012
If you’re asking for the definition of a mommy makeover, you may not want to hear a quick answer like “it all depends,” or even “whatever you want it to be.” But for moms seeking plastic surgery in New York or any other city, a cosmetic surgery makeover is about tuning up a post-pregnancy body. It’s about a few procedures that make sense for each individual woman—not a specific one-size-fits-all solution.
Having said that, there are some generalities that apply. At the heart of most of our New York mommy makeover surgeries is an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck. For many women, loose skin and lax muscles that result from pregnancy just cannot be improved through diet and exercise. When tissues are stretched to the extreme as they are during childbearing years, they simply can’t bounce all the way back on their own. A tummy tuck can tighten up the abdomen both inside and out.
Similarly, after pregnancy it is not unusual for small pockets of extra fat to persist—love handles, tummy pooches, flabby thighs. Even women who have succeeded in losing every bit of their pregnancy weight suffer this frustration—that’s why targeted liposuction is a common component of a mommy makeover.
Breast surgery is also on the menu for most mommy makeovers. In our New York practice, we often perform breast lift or breast uplift surgery for women whose childbearing years are behind them, so we can raise breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. If breastfeeding and gravity have resulted in a saggy, “empty” look, we might recommend breast augmentation as well. For some women, breast reduction is the right move.
As you can see, mommy makeovers can be customized to fulfill each woman’s unique needs. In fact, many moms choose facial rejuvenation procedures to complete their new look. Options include non-invasive treatment such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and wrinkle fillers, eyelid surgery or even a complete facelift.
Every mommy makeover we plan in our New York plastic surgery consultation room is designed to help our patients look as young, healthy and vibrant as they feel. For even though each woman is unique, the one thing our patients have in common is they tend to put the needs of their families first for a few years. We enjoy knowing we have played a part in helping these women invest in themselves.
If you’re in the habit of giving your all to your family, perhaps it’s time to think about taking care of your own needs too. You can feel attractive and self-confident again, and the irony is, when you feel great about your appearance you may find you have renewed energy for your work and family too.
If you’d like to find out about your mommy makeover options, we’d be happy to consult with you. We have more than 30 years of experience right here in Manhattan, and we have helped many moms regain their pre-pregnancy bodies. Give us a call at 212-570-6080.
Photo by Clintus McGintus, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Tags: abdominoplasty, BOTOX, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, breast uplift, eyelid surgery, facelift, mommy makeover, tummy tuck
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 13th, 2012
In our plastic surgery practice in New York, breast reduction for men is one of our leading procedures. We’ve developed a reputation for gynecomastia surgery because we perfected the technique years ago and designed our own specialized instruments, and because few plastic surgeons truly focus on male breast reduction.
But we’ve performed breast reduction for New York women hundreds and hundreds of times as well. Like male breast reduction, the procedure for women is tricky. It always calls for a variety of techniques to be used during surgery and demands careful resculpting of the breasts to achieve a symmetrical, natural result. Both men and women should carefully choose a highly experienced, board certified plastic surgeon for breast reduction.
In what ways is breast reduction different for women than for men?
• Motivation for surgery: Like men who choose gynecomastia surgery, women often suffer profound embarrassment over the look of their chest. Enduring years of double takes on the street and unkind remarks is demoralizing, and many women choose shapeless clothing, curtail their social lives and avoid intimate relationships because of their breasts.
But contrary to the experience of most men, women with heavy, pendulous breasts suffer physical pain as well. Neck and shoulder aches are all too common, as are bra strap grooves and rashes. These ailments can sometimes be the basis for securing insurance coverage for female breast reduction—a feat that is even more challenging for men, unfortunately.
• Surgery and recovery: Breast reduction for women takes longer and is a bit more invasive than it is for men, as more tissue is removed. Breast glands, fat and skin all need to be addressed in order to reduce the size of the breasts and boost breasts and nipples to a more youthful position on the chest wall.
Recovery takes a little longer for most women because of this. Drains are sometimes used after surgery, and many women benefit from pain medication for a few days. But, just like our male patients do, we find that women generally bounce back quickly and feel delighted about their new look.
In fact, seeing our patients’ bodies and lives transformed is the reason we thoroughly enjoy performing breast reduction for New York patients. Few other procedures have such power to open new doors for women as well as for men.
Though we understand that plastic surgery is a big step, if you’re suffering the emotional and physical pain of overdeveloped breasts, we encourage you to at least come talk with us. A consultation will help you understand your options and make informed decisions. There’s never any obligation or pressure—the choices are yours.
Photo by Katie Tegtmeyer, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Posted in Before Plastic Surgery, Breast reduction, Plastic Surgery, Plastic surgery science | No Comments »
March 10th, 2012
Whether you’re considering cosmetic surgery in New York or New Zealand, preparing thoroughly for your consultations will pay off in many more ways than just one. Putting some forethought into the process will help you fine-tune your goals for the procedure, plan a smooth recovery and, most important, identify the plastic surgeon who’s the best match for you.
Here are five things to bring to each plastic surgery consultation.
1) A list of questions. No cosmetic surgeon should ever make a patient feel rushed. But in the excitement of meeting for the first time, it’s very easy to forget to ask key questions. A list will help you stay on track and compare the input you get from different plastic surgeons.
2) A notepad. This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many of our New York cosmetic surgery patients don’t think about bringing plenty of paper with them. We encourage you to take notes so you can review our meeting when you return home.
3) Photos to show us. Sharing photos is a great way to start a conversation about your goals. Think about images that will be most helpful. You might bring photos of your face from a few years ago, if you’re thinking about a facelift, for example. Or images of your sister’s cute nose, if you’re the one in the family who inherited Uncle Frank’s larger version. We have many before and after plastic surgery photos that can also help.
4) Your medical history. If you have a condition that may need to be taken into consideration, such as high blood pressure, you may want to bring your official records. Otherwise, jotting a few notes about your medical history should suffice.
5) A friend or loved one. Many people prefer to have their cosmetic surgery consultations in private, but do consider bringing someone you trust. A friend or loved one may help capture nuances and details you might miss, and they can also help provide objective feedback.
Finally, do plan to arrange at least two consultations with board certified plastic surgeons. Even if you believe you know who you want to work with, a second appointment will help you compare approaches, and may even change your mind!
If you’re seeking cosmetic surgery in New York, we would be delighted to hear from you. In fact, we work with many patients every year from across the nation, and we can help you plan a trip to Manhattan for plastic surgery. Give us a call at 212-570-6080 and we’ll chat.
Photo by Dr. Stephen Dann, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.
Tags: cosmetic surgery consultation, plastic surgery consultation
Posted in Before Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
