Pick Your Recovery Time

One way to choose among the various options for facial rejuvenation procedures is tell your surgeon how long you have to recover. This will let him or her tailor your procedures to your desired "down-time." If you have no down-time: choose from Botox, Restylane of other fillers, Intense Pulsed Light photofacials, or non-ablative skin tightening. If you have one weekend: you may select the above and /or MicroLaser Peels or Periorbital resurfcing. When you have 1 week available: enhance you appearance with a endoscopic browlift or submental liposuction (under the chin). A 2 week recovery gives you plenty of options: you could have either eyelid blepharoplasty, short-scar facelift, or a combination of the above procedures. A three week recovery is best for: facelift, necklift, and combinations of procedures on several parts of the face. At our office we'll discuss these issues and the features you would like to improve, and make individual personal recommendations. Call if you're interested.

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

It sounds appealing to be able to enlarge a small or disproportionate breast with a patient's own excess fat. Remove it from tummy or thighs and add it to the breast. The surgical term is "autologous fat graft or transfer." The technology exists to provide this procedure. It is very commonly used for contour enhancements in the face, especially the lips. It can correct facial & body contour deformities from various causes. In those areas it is safe, effective, and often partially permanent. Some unique concerns have been raised about fat graft to the breast. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has discouraged its use until studies demonstrate its safety. At the present time, I would suggest avoiding cosmetic breast fat graft unless you are enrolled in a university research study.

O.K. to Question Your Surgeon

Since the unfortunate death of Kanye West's mother, the media is catching on. We have advised patients to ask about cosmetic surgeon credentials and experience for a long time. The Wall Street Journal (Jan 9, 2008) ran an article "Learning to Ask Tough Questions Of Your Surgeon," emphasizing the American College of Surgeon's new patient's guidebook. (http://www.facs.org/)

In plastic surgery you can confirm board certification through http://www.abms.org/ (the American Board of Medical Specialties). We are happy to discuss our experience with patients. Just ask.