August 16th, 2009 admin
There is a great article in the New York Times about the “quickie” facelift. I confess I don’t know how it’s done or who the people are who do them, but I do know it took me nine years of surgical training and several more years in practice to learn how to do a good one. I also know that we never discuss “their” methods of performing a facelift at our annual meetings. And finally, I notice from this article that there are no plastic surgeons performing them at these centers. So what does it all mean?
I suppose it means that there is no free lunch. If what they were doing was so great we’d all be doing it. Conformity in plastic surgery is a beautiful thing. If everyone is doing it, then it probably works, if only a handful of people are doing it it probably doesn’t. As I said before, I am quite ignorant when it comes to the “quickie” facelift, and I intend to keep it that way.
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August 2nd, 2009 admin
Liposuction offers the potential to dramatically improve body contour.
Among all of my patients, liposuction patients are among our very happiest.
But there is recovery involved, and it is best to understand your body’s reaction to the procedure prior to planning the surgery.
If you are considering liposuction, you are likely concerned about the recovery process. This procedure, sometimes called liposculpture or lipo, offers the potential to improve both appearance and self-confidence.
We find that our patients have very little discomfort following the procedure, because we administer local anesthetic to all the areas where liposuction is performed. With this pain medicine on board, the body generates few if any pain signals. As with most plastic surgery, the discomfort level is highest in the first days after the liposuction procedure. Pain medications are sometimes used to help people overcome the pain, and it is important that you accept the reality that healing is a gradual process. Improvement comes in small advances each day until the desirable results of liposuction replace the discomfort of the procedure.
Often, in the beginning of your recovery, you will be fitted with a snug elastic garment. Snug but stretchy garments over the treated body area are very helpful for controlling swelling and shaping your skin to the new contours of your body. Another method for controlling swelling is light activity, and you will be advised to get up and walk around as soon as reasonable after your liposuction. Walking will also reduce the chance of blood clots forming in your legs. We tell all our patients that there is no bedrest following the procedure: Get up and walk!
After just a few days, most of out liposuction patients tell us that they begin to feel better, and if your experience follows these typical results, you will be back to work in a few days. Although you can expect to return to a moderate level of activity in two weeks, this does not mean that your healing is complete.
Here are a few points to remember in the typical liposuction recovery experience:
- Shape change will be noticeable quite soon after liposuction, but the final result of your desired body shape may take a few months to appear while residual swelling goes away.
- Your stitches will dissolve naturally in 10 days to two weeks.
- You should avoid strenuous activity for at least a month, depending on how extensive your liposuction was and the rate of your recovery as assessed by surgeon.
- Bruising and major swelling may be present for one to two weeks before fading.
- Minor swelling can persist for up to six months or more.
Of course, unusual symptoms like a sudden increase in pain should be reported immediately to your plastic surgeon. Even if you experience nothing abnormal during your recovery process, you will meet with your plastic surgeon on routine follow up visits so your progress can be monitored. As the swelling goes away you will be able to assess the results of your liposuction to determine if you have achieved the shape you were seeking. Going back for an additional Manhattan liposuction procedure to fine tune your contours may be an option.
Overall, it is important that you approach liposuction with realistic expectations about your recovery. It is not a difficult procedure from which to recover, but you will need to be patient as your sleeker body emerges.
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July 31st, 2009 admin
I believe most plastic surgeons are well-trained, caring professionals. However it is not beyond our abilities to inadvertently give people unwanted results. This doesn’t mean a complication like bleeding or scaring (although these are always possible), but changing the way someone looks so they are not recognizable.
When you see celebrities with “bad’” plastic surgery, sometimes they might have actually asked for that kind of change. No one really knows what was requested but their surgeon. Still, a tight facelift, a frozen forehead or gigantic breasts maybe the result of a well meaning surgeon. As hard as we try, we are still human and it is sometimes difficult to translate what someone wants in terms of results into the actual surgical result.
What about computer imaging? Mostly, this is just a marketing gimmick. Just because surgeon a can make you look beautiful on a computer, doesn’t mean she can in the OR. Just understand that a “good-bad” result is always a possibility no matter who your surgeon is. Check out this article from MSNBC for more insight.
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May 9th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
You have discovered that ending your relationship with your post partum bulge or your love handles is harder than getting help to fix your cable service. Your efforts at diet and exercise have not gotten rid of stubborn fatty bulges, and the loose skin from multiple pregnancies or weight loss simply hangs and hangs. For a smoother and shapelier torso your remaining option is the tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty.
With a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed surgically from the abdominal region and the underlying muscles are tightened to create a slimmer and smoother contour. The procedure also better defines the waist. This plastic surgery procedure is a major surgery and does require some recovery. Like any plastic surgery, not everyone is a candidate, but if you are considering a tummy tuck, consider these facts about this common cosmetic procedure.
- Your physical condition determines whether you are a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck. Ideally, men or women who are in reasonably good physical condition make the best candidates for the removal of excess fat bulges and loose skin, especially if they have already tried to get rid of it with diet and exercise.
- Because a tummy tuck is a surgery that requires a long incision, you will be left with a scar. To reduce this negative consequence, we place the scar in the lower abdomen that will typically be covered by underwear and bathing suits. And, with proper healing, the scar often becomes very faint. In my experience, most people don’t even care about the scar as they are so happy that their bulge is finally gone.
- Smoking interferes with recovering from surgery and increases the risks of complications following a tummy tuck. If you are a smoker, you will have to face quitting smoking two weeks before your surgery and during your recovery. Permanently quitting would certainly be best for many reasons.
- You should be aware that liposuction may be used in conjunction with your tummy tuck. Indeed, liposuction might be all that is needed to achieve the desired result on your abdomen. Be open to the possibility that you may only need the less invasive procedure of liposuction. When you meet your plastic surgeon, he or she will examine you and help determine the best option.
- When you visit your plastic surgeon for a consultation about a tummy tuck, be candid about your body-shaping goals. Your surgeon will be evaluating the skin and fat deposits of your body along with your expectations about results. Then, your surgeon will discuss with you what can be realistically achieved with a tummy tuck.
- The results of a tummy tuck can be very long lasting if you eat sensibly and stay active. If you overeat and gain weight excessively, then your skin and tissues will be forced to stretch out into new bulges.
A final thought for you to consider about tummy tucks is that nothing is standard with plastic surgery. Each body is unique with its own shape and underlying physical attributes. A plastic surgeon must assess each person individually and perform a tummy tuck that is suited to each body. If you get a tummy tuck, it will be the tummy tuck for your body and it will not necessarily look like the tummy of another person who also had the procedure.
Posted in Tummy Tuck | 1 Comment »
May 9th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
So you think you want a facelift. Your neck is hanging, the laugh lines are getting deeper and overall you look older. You should know that facelift surgery will fix these problems because a facelift not only pulls back the skin on the face, it also tightens the neck as well. It is a big procedure but it does the job.
However before considering such an undertaking, think about a necklift instead. Sometimes it’s all some people need. A necklift just tightens the neck and leaves the face essentially unchanged. To me, the sign of a youthful face is how well the jawline is defined. Try it yourself, pull back the skin on your neck and see if you look younger. If you do, a necklift is probably the procedure for you. Normally, I can reserve a full facelift for an older person with deep facial wrinkles. The necklift alone works for many people ages 40 to 55 or 60.
So if you’re thinking about a younger look, make sure to ask your surgeon about the necklift procedure. It maybe all you need.
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April 29th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
As I’ve already mentioned a few times, liposuction is not for the overweight or obese. That being said, what else can happen that during your liposuction procedure that may lead to a poor result.
In general liposuction is a great procedure for the right candidate. However, a common problem is uneven or wavy areas. These are usually the result of the surgeon misjudging the surgery as it goes along. It can happen to anyone. Correction requires a small repeat operation.
Another problem is fluid collection. This usually happens when a compression garment is not worn properly after surgery or the patient takes aspirin or similar drug. Besides stopping the medication immediately, the collection should be drained in the office and the compression garment worn as much as possible.
Still as I mentioned, liposuction is a great procedure. But like any surgery, be aware that nothing is guaranteed.
Posted in Home, Liposuction | 1 Comment »
April 18th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
Here is a very good article in The New York Times about silicone injections in plastic surgery. In short, it is extremely dangerous. Normally I see women who have been unsuspectingly injection in foreign countries. Most do not realize that they have gotten the injections, they only know that wanted a bigger buttock, cheek or hip and their doctor put silicone in.
Make sure you know what filler your doctor is using. Free floating silicone, especially for breast enlargement,should never be used. This is because he masks the ability to screen for cancer. (The material in gel implants however has been approved by the FDA and is enclosed in the implant shell.)
So again, make sure you are fully informed of what you are putting in your body. In the US, chose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Remember , just because someone wears a white coat doesn’t mean their intentions are pure.
Posted in Bad Plastic Surgery, Choosing a Plastic Surgeon, Discount Plastic Surgery | Comments Off
April 12th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
There is a great article in this month’s Vanity Fair. A five ten , 120lbs women goes to three NYC area surgeons and gives them a blank check to redo her look. She gets three different answers. It’s very interesting. I should mention that I do not know any of the surgeons personally.
To me, the lesson is never give a surgeon (or anyone for that matter a plumber, hair dresser etc. especially in these economic times) a blank check. Have specific questions ready and use the opinion of the “expert” to make up your mind. Remember, cosmetic surgery is a great thing but don’t let anyone demean you or give you a hard sell to get you under the knife. In the end, you’ll both pay dearly for it.
Posted in Choosing a Plastic Surgeon | 1 Comment »
April 1st, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
Cosmetic surgery offers you many possibilities for increasing your personal satisfaction with your body. It can be easy to get excited about what cosmetic surgery can do, but you need to proceed thoughtfully through the process of deciding to undergo an elective surgery. Your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon is a crucial time to communicate your concerns, goals, and have all of your questions answered to your satisfaction. Below I’ve listed some standard questions that should be part of any good consultation.
- What results can I expect from my cosmetic procedure? No matter which cosmetic procedure you are considering, you need to be given a clear idea of what a plastic surgeon can accomplish with your body.
- How many years have you been specializing in cosmetic surgery? This question will also help you assess the experience of the cosmetic surgeon.
- What are your educational credentials and training? Ideally you are looking for a cosmetic surgeon who has been specifically trained in plastic surgery during residency after medical school.
- What will my recovery be like? In relation to your specific procedure you need to find out how long you can expect recovery to take and what limitations on your activities will be necessary. This information is very important to know when you need to take time off from work. It varies by procedure, such as for eyelid surgery or a breast reduction.
- What are the risks of my cosmetic surgery? Any surgery presents a chance for complications like infection or bleeding. You should seriously consider any possible risks and their consequences for you. Your plastic surgeon should be willing to discuss them.
- Where will the surgery take place? You will want to know if your surgery will be at a hospital, surgeon’s office, or outpatient surgery center. Any of these locations can be appropriate depending on your procedure.
- Who will administer anesthesia? This question is particularly important if you will need to have general anesthesia during your procedure.
- What will my procedure cost? There is no need to be shy about discussing the cost. Your plastic surgeon should be forthright about the cost of his or her services. Be sure to get an estimate of total costs, including lab work and follow up visits so you will not have any budgetary surprises after your surgery.
- What will happen during my surgery? Your plastic surgeon should be willing to explain the technical details of your surgery. You have a right to know what will be done to your body.
I hope these questions help you when you go for your consultation. Remember there are never any guarantees with any surgical procedure, but you should at least have a clear idea of what you are getting yourself into
Posted in Plastic Surgery | 3 Comments »
February 27th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
Pickings have never been better for patients seeking plastic surgery. The economic downturn has forced a lot of surgeons to slash their prices and give all kinds of discounts to attract new patients.
If you are interested in surgery, fillers or Botox, please make sure you are receiving these services from a Board Certified surgeon and make sure that you understand all of the services the price includes. For example, many surgeons charge extra for garments, photos, “cosmeceuticals” and other extras that should be explained before you sign on the dotted line. Also, and most importantly, make sure the surgery is performed in a certified operating facility.
Remember, we have to make a living just like everyone else but safety, care and honesty never changes.
Posted in Discount Plastic Surgery | 4 Comments »
