Plastic Surgery Blog
with Dr. Andrew Miller & Dr. Shain Cuber
Gaining weight after Liposuction
17-May-2012
Liposuction is a great procedure for sculpting the body but it should not be used for weight control. Although the fat cells that are removed after liposuction never return, the fat cells that remain can still enlarge, so you can gain some weight back. In order to maintain the results, proper diet and exercise are required. Every patient is different when it comes to gaining and losing weight, so that can also be an issue with weight control. Make sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon to perform the surgery, and to discuss any concerns.
FDA Approves New Silicone Gel Breast Implants by Sientra
17-May-2012
EDISON, NEW JERSEY - Plastic surgeons and patients now have another choice for which breast augmentation product they want, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a new silicone gel breast implant from Sientra.
Sientra joins the market as the third company to offer the controversial products in the U.S., next to Johnson & Johnson and Allergan, Inc.
Santa Barbara, California-based Sientra won approval by the FDA to market its implants for breast enhancement and reconstruction in women at least 22 years old. In addition to round implants, which are offered by its competitors, Sientra will offer implants in multiple shapes and sizes for use in other parts of the body, such as the cheeks and buttocks.
"While we have not implemented Sientra into our product offerings, we have been using Silimed buttock and pectoral implants, which is a portfolio of Sientra brand, for years with no problems," said Dr. Shain Cuber, an NJ breast implants specialist. "As soon as we receive all the proper information and speak with a rep, we should be able to offer Sientra in our office."
The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
17-May-2012
EDISON, NEW JERSEY - If you are interested in plastic surgery, it is important to understand that while cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery are often used to describe the same procedures, they are in no way interchangeable.
Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery is used to fix a deformed, non-functional or injured body part or facial feature and reconstruct it to make it seem normal in appearance and function.
Reconstructive surgery can be necessary due to:
- Developmental abnormalities
- Birth defects
- Trauma
- Tumors and disease
The plastic surgeon's aim is to help improve function, make a deformity appear normal or alleviate health complications associated with the abnormality. Because reconstructive surgery is deemed as medically necessary - helping the patient live a more normal life - it is often covered by health insurance.
Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty at the same time
17-May-2012
Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty can definately be done at the same time with great success. Anytime a combination of procedures can be performed there are several advantages. First, there is only one anesthesia instead of two. Also, there is only one recovery instead of two. Lastly the cost will be less because the operating room will only have to be used once. The recovery time would not be prolonged by doing both procedures because they are in separate locations and the swelling from one procedure does not really interact with the other. Make sure to choose an experienced board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon for a full evaluation.
Laser Hair Removal and sun exposure
17-May-2012
Laser hair removal is a great way to reduce unwanted hair over time. It is advised to wait 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after getting Laser Hair Removal, before any exposure to sunlight. Patients who show up for a session with a tan will either have to have the power decreased significantly or will have to reschedule. Tanning can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation or even burning after the laser hair removal procedure. Following the simple sunlight exposure instructions will avoid damage to the skin. Going on vacation and continuing the sessions when you return and after your tan fades will not be a problem and will still be effective. Be sure to make an appointment with an experienced laser hair removal facility to minimize your chance of any problems.
Lower abdominal fatty tissue
17-May-2012
The extent of the problem in the lower abdomen will help in deciding which procedure is best. Liposuction is a great option if there is just fatty tissue that needs to be removed. However, if there is extra loose skin in the area then a lift would also be needed. Both of these procedures require little to no down time. There will be a moderate amount of swelling involved which should start to subside in about a week. Mild swelling can last six to eight weeks depending on the severity on the problem. Make a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best solution.
Acne scar revision
17-May-2012
The most important thing to understand about acne scar revision is that it is very difficult and the results can vary from person to person. Having said that, there are a few different ways to improve acne scars. Usually, the deepest acne scars need to be removed by a facial plastic or plastic surgeon utilizing a small procedure where the acne scars are surgically excised and the small holes are sutured to create tiny lines that are flat on the surface of the skin that fade out with time. Also, Fraxel is one option to improve shallow acne scarring as well as skin pigmentation and wrinkles. Fraxel is a non invasive laser procedure that stimulates collagen production in the skin that can fill in the acne scars somewhat. There is minimal to no downtime and usually three to five sessions are performed. Once the excisions are finished a stronger laser procedure could be performed to further improve the acne scarring as well as smooth the excision lines. This CO2 laser procedure would require 7-10 days of recovery but is a more aggressive option. Also, some of the acne scars could be filled with fat or silicone. Be sure to make an appointment for a consultation with a Board Certified Facial Plastic or Plastic Surgeon to go over all the options.
Recent Study Reveals Plastic Surgery is Here to Stay
17-May-2012
EDISON, NEW JERSEY-Despite the ever-present struggle of the American economy, it appears that more and more Americans sought out plastic surgery in 2011 than they did in 2010.
According to a study released last month by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, cosmetic surgery procedures rose almost one percent for a total of 1.6 million procedures in 2011. Cosmetic minimally invasive procedures performed decreased almost two percent, with more than 7.5 million procedures in 2011 (http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/celebrating-15-years-of-trustworthy-plastic-surgery-statistics).
Top five surgical procedures were:
- Liposuction
- Breast augmentation
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Eyelid surgery
- Breast lift
Injectable Fillers and Wrinkle Reduction Treatments
17-May-2012
EDISON, NEW JERSEY - As we age, our face begins to show the effects of time and gravity. Whether from laughing, frowning, smoking or sun damage, our faces tend to develop fine lines and wrinkles long before we are ready for them.
Wrinkle fillers are the non-surgical solution for patients who are looking to reverse the effects of aging. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, injectable fillers are substances that are injected into the skin through small needles to fill or plump out fine lines and wrinkles (Link). In addition to injectable fillers, chemical peels can also reduce wrinkles in the face.
"Anti-wrinkle treatments are a popular non-surgical choice, as there is virtually no recovery time after treatment," said Dr. Andrew Miller, an NJ rhinoplasty expert. "There are a number of treatment options available to patients, so it advised to speak with a professional to decide which treatment would suit you best."
Stretched earlobes and their repair
17-May-2012
Stretched earlobes repair is a common procedure. It usually results from the use of gauges that stretch the earlobe, sometimes stretch the earlobe significantly. When the person gets tired of having the gauge in place, removing it will allow the earlobe to reduce in size a little bit, but the only way to fix the problem completely is with surgery. Earlobe repair is a quick and painless procedure that takes about a half hour to perform. A local anesthetic is given to numb the area. The earlobes will then be split all the way, and some of the overstretched skin will be removed, which makes it easier to suture back up evenly. After six weeks when they are fully healed, a repiercing can take place if desired. Make a consultation appointment with a board certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon to get a better understanding of what is needed.