If you have been considering breast augmentation in the Philadelphia area, there’s good news on the horizon. Researchers at the University of Akron in Ohio recently reported the development of safer breast implants using nanotechnology. The new implant material is an alternative to silicone rubber and is designed to minimize complications after surgery.

What is nanotechnology?

To put it simply, nanotechnology is a field of science that creates functional structures from extremely small particles, such as atoms. The smaller-sized components exhibit different properties than their larger counterparts and can therefore be used for different applications.

What are the benefits?

In addition to reducing complications, breast implants using nanotechnology may be especially helpful for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer because the nanostructured material will be able to deliver cancer drugs locally, thereby improving treatment and minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy.

Are current implants safe?

Both saline and silicone implants are approved by the FDA for safety and have a long history of use. Saline implants are made from a saltwater solution that can be naturally absorbed by the body, while new-generation silicone implants are made of a cohesive material that will not leak if ruptured. Keep in mind, however, that there can be risks associated with any synthetic material that is introduced into the body. By choosing an educated and skilled surgeon, you can greatly improve your chances for a successful implant procedure.

Many patients express concern about whether they are too young or too old to have a particular plastic surgery procedure. Often, women feel that surgery involving breast implants in New Jersey is only for younger women.

Actually, there is no “maximum age” for most cosmetic surgery procedures. Recent advances in surgical techniques have paved the way for women of varying ages to achieve the enhancement they desire with minimal downtime.

When female patients ask me the “proper age” for breast implants, I explain that age is not the only factor involved in determining whether a patient is ready for surgery. Other factors, such as the body’s development and the patient’s overall health, have more effect on my willingness to perform a procedure such as breast augmentation.

A recent trend in plastic surgery across the nation is to have a combination of treatments that target the areas most affected by pregnancy. Typically, this includes breast enhancement, a tummy tuck and some liposuction. Mothers of varying ages are taking advantage of these procedures and proving that there is not just one appropriate time for plastic surgery.

It’s easy to think that breast augmentation in New Jersey is only for younger patients. However, I have performed this procedure for adult women of varying ages who have been thrilled with their results. Breast augmentation is a perfect procedure for correcting a variety of concerns related to aging breasts, such as loss of volume. When performed correctly, this procedure can give a woman younger, fuller-looking breasts at any point in her life.

Considerations for Women 50 and Older

Women in their 50s have many of the same concerns as women in their 20s or 30s. However, there are other factors that are specific to this group, including:

Breast Health

I usually ask that a patient who is 50 or older have a recent mammogram in order to be considered for breast implants in New Jersey. If the results are normal and the woman leads an active life and does not suffer from any major medical conditions, then she is a good candidate for the surgery.

Degree of Breast Sag

Unfortunately, as we get older, gravity takes a toll on all parts of our bodies, including the breasts. Older women may have a higher degree of breast sag and may need to consider breast augmentation with a simultaneous breast lift. This will elevate the breasts and increase their fullness.

Menopause

Hormonal changes from menopause can cause fluctuations in weight, which may affect your breast size. It’s best to undergo surgery when your breast size is stable so you can choose the implants that will best flatter your frame. Most women in their 50s prefer modest breast implants for more subtle results.

Bullying can have a crippling effect on teenagers. As both bullying and plastic surgery seem to be on the rise, many people contemplate whether one has an effect on the other.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I’ve encountered a wide range of patients. One of the first questions I ask during a consultation is why the patient wants to have cosmetic surgery. This is an extremely important question to ask of younger patients.

Although bullying can damage a teenager’s self-esteem, the decision to have surgery should be personal and well thought out. I work diligently to ensure that teenagers don’t choose to have cosmetic surgery simply to be more acceptable to other people. In this instance, surgery may only serve as a temporary solution.

Another consideration when performing surgery on younger patients is whether the person’s body is completely developed. Although a patient’s motivation for surgery might be sound, I must also make sure his or her body is developed enough for a procedure such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation in New Jersey.

If you are considering plastic surgery because of bullying, I highly recommend seeking out counseling and intervention to address the problem. If you are seeking surgery to please yourself, an experienced, board-certified surgeon can provide accurate information about the procedure you want.

Maybe you’ve heard the buzz about BodyTite liposuction, a new treatment for body contouring and skin tightening. Women and men who have come into my office with questions about traditional liposuction and SmartLipo™ in New Jersey are often surprised to discover yet another option.

Naturally, people tend to have a lot of questions about how this procedure differs from other fat removal methods. BodyTite uses radio frequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) to melt fat with targeted heat. The procedure is performed with either a local anesthetic, a local with sedation, or general anesthesia.

I begin with a series of small incisions in the treatment area. This allows me to easily direct the radio frequency to pockets of fat with minimal trauma. Once fat is melted, it is suctioned out through a thin tube called a cannula.

One of the greatest benefits of BodyTite is that it stimulates skin tightening and collagen shrinkage. The probability of skin tightening is increased by the strength of the radio-frequency energy. Also, liposuction can give about an 85% reduction in fat, making it an effective procedure.

The best way to determine if this procedure is right for you is to speak with a qualified surgeon about your cosmetic needs. Since BodyTite is relatively new, it’s important to find a doctor who is familiar with the procedure and knowledgeable about its benefits.

Addiction to plastic surgery is a rare disorder that has gained a lot of media attention in recent years. Many patients choose to have more than one cosmetic procedure at the same time or over a period of time, but despite this, most people do not become addicted to it. In fact, very few people develop an addiction; there are a few traits, however, that can lead to a plastic surgery addiction.

Mental Disorders

You may have heard of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), where sufferers perceive flaws in their appearances that they feel ashamed of or try to fix. This disorder causes many men and women to repeatedly seek out cosmetic procedures in order to “correct” their appearances. However, the tragedy lies in the fact that most sufferers are never able to sufficiently “correct” their appearances; they are perpetually dissatisfied and continue to “fix” themselves until it becomes hazardous to their health, relationships or mental well-being.

Many people who suffer from eating disorders, which are deeply tied to body image concerns, are driven to plastic surgery as a solution to their distress. However, like those who suffer from BDD, plastic surgery cannot treat the psychological root of the disorder; it only serves as a temporary relief from distress.

Low Self-Worth

Although typically less severe than mental disorders, people who suffer from low self-worth often seek out plastic surgery to bolster their self-esteem. After undergoing a procedure, these people feel validated by the compliments they receive from others and often feel that they are now more attractive than before, even if they were already attractive. After a while, these people feel less satisfaction and begin seeking out plastic surgery to make themselves “more attractive” once again. It can become a vicious cycle resulting in an unhealthy addiction.

Psychological Dependencies on Attention

I have also seen some people who do not have low self-worth but who are driven to undergo plastic surgery repeatedly because they thrive on the attention they receive after undergoing it. These patients are not addicted to plastic surgery directly, but are addicted to the results and byproducts of plastic surgery.

No matter what the cause of plastic surgery addiction, it’s important for both patients and surgeons to be aware of the signs of addiction. That’s why responsible surgeons take the time to understand their patients’ motivations for undergoing surgery and carefully consider whether it is ethical to provide services for someone based on these motivations. Personally, I would never perform plastic surgery on Philadelphia or New Jersey patients demonstrating these tendencies.

Recovering from rhinoplasty in New Jersey is a gradual process that begins with rest and ends with showing off your newly refined profile. It’s important for rhinoplasty patients to follow their surgeons’ guidelines for recovery to ensure that they don’t over-tax their bodies and cause setbacks in their recovery. If you are considering undergoing rhinoplasty, then here are my recommendations for a smooth recovery:

Week 1: Rest

Rhinoplasty is a form of surgery, meaning your nose needs time to heal from the work that was done. During the healing process your nose and the area surrounding your nose may be swollen. This is natural, since it is your body’s reaction to the bone and cartilage reshaping that occurred, but it’s important to minimize swelling since it can have negative effects on your recovery.

To avoid excessive swelling, keep your head elevated above your heart. Try sitting up or standing during the day and using extra pillows at night to prop yourself up while sleeping. You should also sleep on your back to avoid causing trauma or damage to your nose, or causing it to become misaligned.

It is an absolutely BAD idea to exercise within the first week since it raises your blood pressure and can cause bleeding. After a few days, you can walk around more, but it’s a very good idea to stay calm and fairly still the first week.

Week 2: Light Exercise, No Weight-Lifting

Once you enter the second week of your recovery, you are less likely to bleed due to raised blood pressure, dryness, etc.; however, this does not mean you can return to all of your normal activities. I recommend light exercising during this time, which entails activities like walking and yoga, but you should not weight lift or participate in intense aerobic exercise during this time.

Week 4: Exercise, Return to Normal Activities

By week 4, you are ready to return to your everyday activities and can even participate in more intense exercise such as running, cycling or aerobics. You should still avoid contact sports because your bones and cartilage won’t heal until at least 6 weeks.

Following these guidelines should help you have a smoother recovery without setbacks that can be uncomfortable or produce undesirable results.

Many different factors may result in a need for revision surgery, from outdated techniques to an inexperienced surgeon. When men and women consult me about their dissatisfaction with their results from another surgeon, I talk with them in-depth about the different options for their revision plastic surgery in New Jersey.

If you are considering revision surgery, I recommend the following in order to achieve your cosmetic goals:

• Seek the opinion of an expert.

Sometimes, the problem is not the actual surgical outcome, but rather miscommunication or false expectations about the intended results. Search to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in corrective surgery and in your procedure. Your surgeon can then assess a possible treatment plan for your second procedure.

• Consider your reasons for revision surgery.

It is very common for people to experience temporary feelings of depression after plastic surgery. As you progress through your recovery, you may find your feelings changing. Give your body time to fully heal and allow yourself the opportunity to adjust to your new look.

• Choose your surgeon carefully.

Revision surgery is often more complicated and difficult than primary surgery because the surgeon is working with scar tissue. That’s why it’s imperative that you choose a qualified surgeon with training or experience in reconstructive surgery for your procedure.

• Be in your best health before surgery.

If you have consulted with a board-certified plastic surgeon and are confident in your decision for revision surgery, then it’s important to be in good health before your procedure. Also, follow the pre- and post- operative instructions provided by your surgeon; they are designed to optimize your results.

Since cataracts are the main cause of vision loss in men and women over age 55, cataract surgery is something many of us will have to think about at some point. As the lens of the eye becomes thickened and cloudy with age, many people put off cataract surgery due to fear or anxiety about the procedure. However, with today’s technology and advanced lens replacement options, cataract surgery is quicker, more comfortable, and produces better results than ever before.

When we perform cataract surgery in New Jersey, there are no stitches or injections, and the procedure is typically painless. Many patients are surprised to learn this, and to find that the procedure takes only a few hours from start to finish. Most patients can return to normal activities the day after surgery.

What many people find truly remarkable is the vision improvement that they experience with today’s lens replacement options. For those who opt for traditional lens options, cataract surgery restores clear, pre-cataract vision at one distance. However, for those who opt for premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), they may see better than they did before. Crystalens® is an accommodative lens that offers patients clear vision at all distances. RESTOR® and TECNIS® multifocal lenses can eliminate the need for bifocals or reading glasses.

So if your vision is growing cloudy, colors seem dull and you see glare and halos around lights, it may be time to consider cataract surgery. With today’s great options, we can have you seeing more clearly in no time.

BOTOX Cosmetic treatment has become so popular and so common that many people wrongly believe that it is not that important who administers their BOTOX in New Jersey. Women and men can get BOTOX injections from any licensed physician, but I recommend a physician with a unique understanding of the anatomy of the eye area such as an oculofacial plastic surgeon.

Oculofacial plastic surgeons have extensive, specialized training and knowledge of the delicate anatomy of the face and eyes. This comes into play when targeting specific muscles for optimal BOTOX treatment. The goal is to achieve a very natural result without impeding facial expressions. As an oculofacial plastic surgeon, I am very familiar with the underlying musculature in the forehead and orbital areas. I can easily identify the tiny muscles which, when injected with BOTOX, will relax and soften the appearance of crow’s feet, horizontal forehead furrows, vertical frown lines, and I can even create a more arched brow. With this kind of precision, results are natural looking, not exaggerated or overdone. With an oculofacial plastic surgeon, I believe complications are reduced and outcomes are improved.