Liposuction/Who’s a Candidate ?

The general public seems to have a misconception about what liposuction is and who would be the best candidate for this cosmetic surgical procedure.  First of all, liposuction is not a procedure to be used for weight loss.  A good candidate would be someone who follows a healthy lifestyle and exercises regularly and wants to improve their body contour or get rid of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Liposuction will not get rid of cellulite.  Cellulite is superficial fat, whereas liposuction surgery addresses fat in the deeper tissue layers.

In the news of late, there are many companies on the market offering non-surgical liposuction.  Liposuction by definition is a surgical procedure.  The current advertised slimming devices, claim fat reduction without surgery, are often times only mildly effective at best.  These companies give no guarantee of results to be expected.

Liposuction is not effective in skin tightening or getting rid of loose skin.  The best option for this problem is tummy tuck surgery which can include some localized liposuction.  With a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed surgically and the underlying muscles are tightened to create a slimmer and smoother abdominal region.

Click here to read more about liposuction

What is the best age to have a facelift?

Actually, there is no best age to have a facelift.  We all age differently, some show early signs of aging by their 40′s, while others remain relatively tight until their 60′s.  These variances can be attributed to a number of factors such as, lifestyle, sun-exposure, smoking and genetic predisposition.

When a facelift is performed at a younger age the results tend to last longer because there is more elasticity in the tissue and the healing time is in many cases shorter.  A report by Drs. Lui and Osey in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery states that,” in both short and long-term follow-up, younger patients report higher satisfaction scores.”

The goal of facelift surgery is to restore a more youthful, rested appearance to the face by uplifting the sagging skin and improving the facial tone and tightening the underlying facial muscles.

The first step when considering a facelift is to consult with an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon.  At the time of your consultation the physician will educate you about the procedure.  Your goals and expectations will also be discussed and you will be given options to achieve your individual goals.

To read more about this procedure click here.

Men and Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic procedures for men continue to be on the rise due to greater acceptance of both  younger and older men who want to improve their appearance.

Today, we live in a world that emphasizes health and fitness.  Men are feeling the need to look more youthful and dynamic well into their 50′s, 60′s and beyond.  The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that, cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular with men as a way to deal with image maintenance and change.  For example, the aging executive may want to look younger, less tired and more vital or the older job seeker may want a competitive edge in today’s tight job market.

Men are more likely to prefer non-invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers.  If a man decides to go under the knife, according to the ASAPS, the five most popular procedures are:

Nose reshaping

Eyelid surgery

Liposuction

Male breast reduction

Hair transplantation

Click here to read more.

How Your Face Reveals Your Age

Most plastic surgeons will agree that there are three key areas of the face that can reveal  the true age of a person, that being the eyes, lips and neck area.  Many patients focus mainly on improving their facial features, whether it be through surgical intervention such as a rhytidectomy (facelift), blepharoplasty (eyelift) or non-surgical procedures such as injectable fillers or Botox.

But the front of the neck is often times the first thing people notice.  Sagging neck skin is a telltale sign of the aging process.  Restoration of the neck is an important part of facial rejuvenation.  Banding, wrinkling and fullness of the neck  are ways  the neck appears old.  In some cases, wrinkles can be treated with Botox…  But the best way to approach these problems in most cases is some type of facelift surgery.  The plastic surgeon will not only lift the face but also improve the neck contour during the surgical procedure.

At the time of your consultation, your board- certified plastic surgeon will evaluate your goals and desires and then discuss a treatment plan designed to fit your individual needs.

To read more about facial rejuvenation surgery click here.

Giuliana Rancic’s Personal Battle with Breast Cancer

Giuliana Rancic, host of “E News”, was recently interviewed on several TV shows where she publicly shared her personal battle with breast cancer.  Ms. Rancic was only 37 when her breast cancer was incidentally diagnosed when she was undergoing fertility treatments.

She first chose to undergo lumpectomy surgery on the affected breast, which  proved to be unsuccessful in removing all the cancerous cells.  Subsequently, she decided to have bilateral mastectomy surgery with immediate bilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction.  By undergoing immediate breast reconstruction,  the plastic surgeon is able to recreate the shape breast tissue through several surgical techniques, whether it be prosthetic reconstruction with tissue expander/implant or autogenous reconstruction which uses one’s own tissue.

It has been well documented that women who choose to undergo reconstruction after mastectomy surgery often times have a more positive attitude and anticipate a feeling of looking “whole” after their recovery.

In 1998 the Women’s Health and Cancer Right’s Act was passed. It states that insurance will cover reconstruction surgery in connected with mastectomy.  It further provides coverge–

. reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed

.reconstructive surgery on unaffected breast to produce a symmetrical appearance

.coverage for prostheses and physical complications of all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedema treatment

We have treated many women just like Ms. Rancic in our practice.  Click here to read patient #1 interview, click here to read patient #2 interview

Med Spa Boom

The number of medical spas have grown exponentially over the past few years.  In Massachusetts alone there are over 250 medical spas, from upscale  salons to medical practice based spas staffed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

At the present time these spas are not required to be licensed and are not regulated by the state if they are owned by, or affilated with a physician even thought the physician is not required to be present at the spa.

Over the past five years the  FDA received 930 reports of dermal filler injury administer by untrained personnel or in settings other that health clinics or physician’s offices.  These injuries ranged from facial palsy, infections, and scarring.

Dr. Jeffrey Dover, a well know dermatologist served on the task force to regulate medical spas.  He proposed cosmetic treatments only be performed by physicians or those employed by the medical practice.  He made reference to patients referred to his practice by their own doctor with brown spots to be lasered; under his trained eye these spots were in fact skin cancers.  If these patients had gone to a med spa, their spots might have been lasered and their skin cancers gone undetected.

Unfortuately, legislation to more tightly regulate medical spas was stalled in the State House last summer.

Click here to read the full article that recently appeared in the Boston Globe.

Botox Cosmetics/Frequently Asked Questions

What does Botox® do?

Botox® is a simple, non-surgical procedure that may help to smooth minor imperfections in facial skin, such as frown lines, wrinkle and creases that develop through the normal aging process.

Is that procedure painful?

The doctor will administer several tiny injections to the area being treated.  No anesthesia is needed.  Discomfort is minimal and brief.

Who is a good candidate?

Any male or female over the age of 18 who is concerned about their appearance may be a candidate for Botox® injections.

Will I look worse if I stop having treatments?

No.  Your lines will gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance.

How long do the results last?

The effects may last up to 4 months.  It is recommended that you have repeat injections every 3-4 months to maintain your result.  Recent studies have shown, if you follow the recommended treatment schedule for 20 months, the interval between treatments  could be extended to 6 months with no difference in results.

click here to view before and after photos