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A Valentine’s Special: Sweethearts’ Plastic Surgery

· Body Contouring, Eyelids, Face and Neck · No Comments

            Pairs’ plastic surgery is more common than might be expected. Patients often find themselves coordinating procedures with their closest support members. Over the past twenty years we have welcomed simultaneous plastic surgery combinations for siblings, friends, parent-child, significant other (his-hers, his-his, her-hers) and more.

 

Valentine’s month is therefore appropriate to discuss sweetheart plastic surgery. These procedures are commonly performed for both men and women.

 

Refresh the Eyelids

 

            Men and women both begin to first notice aging changes   around the eyes. The tired, heavy look is a combination of extra upper eyelid skin and lower eyelid bags. The lower lid bags are mainly small fat pockets that can be removed for a fresher, more rested appearance. Other factors, such as high blood pressure, salt intake and certain diseases can also contribute to puffy eyes.

 

Upper eyelid skin can cause hooding that adds to the tired look. The correction is performed by removing the extra skin and a small amount of fat. The combination of upper and lower eyelid tuck can create a dramatic difference in the overall facial youthfulness.

 

 

Neck Lift

 

Another area that commonly concerns men and women is the laxity of skin, fat and muscle under the jawline. Men often come for consultation pinching the waddle under the chin. Although women often opt for full face and neck rejuvenation, men sometimes prefer the less invasive necklift procedure.

 

We favor the use of ultrasound with neck tightening procedures. Combined with eyelid surgery, the procedure often produces dramatic results and can reduce the aging appearance by decades.

 

 

Body Sculpting

 

Men are usually more discrete about their desire for body contouring procedures but are nonetheless eager and willing participants. Ultrasonic body sculpting typically produces less pain and a rapid recovery, which makes it ideal for men.

 

The main difference between men and women is in the areas for liposculpting. Men want improvement in the belly and love handles, while women often target the thighs as well. In addition, a unique body sculpting area for men is the breast for a condition called gynecomastia. Ultrasonic is especially useful for this purpose.

 

Valentine’s reminds us that pair’s plastic surgery can be a unique experience for couples to share. Advantages can even include togetherness during recovery. As always, consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in the full range of procedures is important. Happy Valentine’s!

 

 

 

About the Doctor:

 

Dr. Perez has been selected among Castle Connolly/U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Top Doctors. He has lectured internationally on facial rejuvenation and body contouring topics and has been featured as a plastic surgery expert for major news outlets. Dr. Perez was an original investigator for Ultrasonic Liposuction studies and has been performing the procedure for 15 years. For more information call (954) 351-2200 or visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

 

Plastic Surgery, Diet and Exercise: 3 Coins in the Fountain…of Youth

· Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck, Body Contouring, Breast, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Choosing the Best, Eyelids, Face and Neck, Liposuction · No Comments

            Plastic surgery is more popular now than ever before. However, many misconceptions exist about the role of plastic surgery and overall wellness. We often see patients who believe that surgery is the solution to an overweight or sedentary lifestyle. The reality is that plastic surgery, diet and exercise are all pieces of the puzzle. The best results are achieved when each piece is correctly applied.

 

Eat Right

 

A well balanced, varied and moderate diet is both healthy and necessary to maintain ideal body weight. Patients sometimes think that liposuction is a treatment to remove large volumes of fat. Liposuction is not intended to be a treatment for obesity. In fact, fat is not very dense tissue so the weight of liposuction fat is often only a few pounds, hardly a dent in an overweight patient.

 

I often recommend that overweight patients work with nutritionists to reach a reasonable weight before considering surgery. The ideal body contour candidate is at a good weight and in physical shape.

 

Get to the Gym

            Another misconception is that “If I just have a six pack chiseled into my abdomen by a plastic surgeon I don’t have to do crunches”. Wrong. Exercise is critical to developing a lean, well defined physique as well as improving overall fitness. Zumba moms, spin fanatics and ballroom dancers are among our most common patients because they are fit, lean and want to look as good as they feel. We often work in tandem with personal trainers to achieve the best results.

 

So What’s Plastic Surgery For?

            Diet is to maintain weight. Exercise is for fitness and definition. So where does plastic surgery fit in? Well, I like to define plastic surgery as three types of procedures; we make big things smaller, we make small things bigger, and we pick up what Mother Nature causes to fall down.

 

Here are a few examples of the more common procedures we perform. Breast augmentation is common for women in such good shape that they’ve lost their breast fat. Breast reduction (for women or men) or breast lift may be necessary if there is too much tissue or loose skin. Tummy tucks are common among moms or yo-yo dieters because neither diet nor exercise will eliminate the stretch marks or tighten the loose belly skin and muscles. Liposuction is best for stubborn areas such as love handles and outer thigh saddle bags. And facial rejuvenation surgery such as eyelids, face and neck lifts help the face look as youthful as the body.

So remember the fountain of youth requires all three; diet, exercise and plastic surgery. One is not a substitute for the others. However, as with all plastic surgery, a skilled, experienced surgeon, a safe facility, and a competent anesthesiologist are also key to a successful outcome.

 

About the Doctor:

 

Dr. Perez has been selected among Castle Connolly/U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Top Doctors (again for 2012-2013). He has lectured internationally and been featured as a plastic surgery expert for major media outlets. Surgery is performed at the Broward Health Weston facility.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perez call (954) 351-2200. To learn more about any of these procedures, or to view our recent ABC News segments, featuring Dr. Perez visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

 

Breast Augmentation: Adequate vs. Awesome

· Breast, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Choosing the Best · No Comments

 

Breast augmentation surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in plastic surgery. In 2011 over 300,000 breast implant procedures were performed in the U.S., representing an increase over the previous two years.

Most of these procedures were performed by board certified plastic surgeons. However, as with most aesthetic surgery, these credentials are sometimes insufficient to achieve the best outcome. An eye for beauty and balance, as well as a good ear for patients’ desires, are just as important.

Patients are often lured by “free consultations” and car dealer-type discounts. However, simply putting in implants to enlarge the breast mound is not enough. Cleavage, implant pocket sculpting and nipple-areolar position are just a few of the many important fine points that cannot be overlooked if a woman is to achieve her personal best. Bikini season is here, so let’s talk about the difference between just an adequate breast augmentation and an awesome one.

 

It’s All About the Cleavage

 

Cleavage, the separation between the breasts, is an important part of a woman’s breast appearance. It therefore follows that a goal of augmentation surgery should be to narrow, and improve, the breast cleavage. I am often surprised by surgeons at conferences, or on their websites, who tout great results, yet show a wider cleavage gap after than in the before photos. Placing the breast implant closer towards the center of the chest can be a challenge for some surgeons because of the complex anatomy of the area. Nevertheless, an attractive cleavage makes a better result.

 

Drifting: the Breast Implant Kind

 

A significant portion of our practice is dedicated to corrective surgery for patients who are unhappy with their original augmentation. I have observed a common condition where the breast augmentation pocket is too far out and the implants fall towards the armpits when the patient lays flat. I call it drifting. Drifting is definitely not an attractive bikini beach look. The good news is that we have had great success in correcting this problem. Readers can visit our website for examples of before and after pictures of our corrective procedure.

 

And Don’t Forget the Nipples

 

Part of a thorough consultation for breast augmentation is analysis of the patient’s nipple-areola. Sometimes these important structures do not fall in a symmetrical and ideal position. If the patient desires, the areola can be modified or repositioned at the time of augmentation to achieve a more appealing result. Fine points in breast augmentation make the difference between just an adequate result and an awesome one. Take the time and effort to research the right plastic surgeon in order to achieve your personal best.

 

About the Author:

 

Dr. Perez is a member of the NOVO National Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics. He has served as a consultant for both Mentor (J&J) and Inamed (Allergan), leading breast implant manufacturers. Dr. Perez has lectured internationally on the subject of breast surgery and has been selected among the Castle Connolly (U.S. News & World Report) America’s Top Doctors. More information is available at www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com or call (954) 351-2200. Visit our website blog to learn about The Dirty Little Secrets of Plastic Surgery.

 

New Year, New You: 5 Plastic Surgery Procedures to Start the New Year

· Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck, Body Contouring, Breast, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Choosing the Best, Eyelids, Face and Neck, Safety · No Comments

            It’s resolution time again. Exercise, weight reduction and improving our appearance are always high on the list of objectives for the new year. Here are 5 popular plastic surgery procedures that produce a valuable, big-bang-for-the-buck change to begin the journey. The procedures featured here are very popular and offer a significant change with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

 

Eyelid Tuck

 

            The first place aging becomes evident is around the eyes. If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the eyelids are the curtains that allow us enjoy the view. The upper lids develop excess skin causing hooding.  The puffy bags on the lower lids create a tired look.

 

The procedure of choice to correct tired eyelids is the eyelid tuck or blepharoplasty. It is one of my personal favorites to perform and is the most commonly performed aging procedure for men. The procedure takes 45 minutes and patients soon enjoy a refreshed and less tired look.

 

 

Face/Neck Lift

 

Facelift territory includes the area of the cheeks, jawline and neck. As we age the skin and other tissues sag from the underlying bony structures. Although highly advertised under many catchy terms, surgical facelift procedures generally fall into two categories, mini and full. A mini-facelift is best suited for patients in their 40’s or younger who just want to freshen the cheek and jawline.

 

The patient for traditional face and necklift is in her late 40’s and older with laxity of the jawline and neck, often with turkey-like banding. Combined with eyelid surgery, the procedure often produces dramatic results and can reduce the aging appearance by decades.

 

 

Breast Augmentation or Breast Reduction

 

Breast augmentation surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in plastic surgery. Women choosing breast implant surgery want to achieve greater fullness and cleavage and fit their clothing more naturally. Many implant options exist and attention to detail is important. Breast augmentation is also one of the most commonly re-done procedures so women should carefully choose a compatible surgeon based upon credentials and experience.

 

Women who experience neck and back pain from heavy pendulous breasts can achieve a significant lifestyle improvement with breast reduction. Breast reduction can improve exercise tolerance, as well as lead to weight reduction and greater overall fitness.

 

Tummy Tuck

 

 

            Pregnancy or weight loss can create changes in a woman’s abdominal skin and muscles. In these cases, the procedure of choice is an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck. Tummy tuck surgery results in a substantial removal of excess skin and stretch marks, as well as tightening of the muscles. The result is a remarkable improvement in the belly with a very high degree of satisfaction.

 

Regardless of where you choose to start, these procedures, in the hands of a skilled surgeon, can produce dramatic results and patients who are among the happiest in plastic surgery. Bon voyage.

 

About the Doctor:

 

Dr. Perez has been selected among Castle Connolly/U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Top Doctors. He has lectured internationally and been featured as a plastic surgery expert for major news outlets. Dr. Perez is a member of the National Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics and was selected as a principal investigator for a national FDA-approved study on abdominoplasty. For more information call (954) 351-2200 or visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

 

It’s Thanksgiving: Time To Deal With The Turkey…Neck

· Face and Neck, Safety · No Comments

Jorge A. Perez, M.D., F.A.C.S.

            One of the most common areas requested for plastic surgery improvement by both women and men is the neck. Youth and attractiveness are defined by a strong jawline and a firm, clean neckline.

 

The aging process in the neck usually starts by age 40 and is affected by several components: the skin, bones and cartilage, and the underlying soft tissue, including the muscles and fat. Treatment options will depend upon the correct evaluation of each of these elements.

 

Jaw surgery or chin implants can help compensate for a bony profile deficiency. These procedures however can be complicated and should be approached cautiously with experienced surgeons.

 

Younger patients with excess neck fat alone and good skin tone may benefit from liposuction. Ultrasonic lipoplasty is an advanced liposuction technique that will also stimulate neck skin tightening.

 

The most common aging change affecting the neck is hanging skin, affectionately known as the “turkey neck”. In addition, loose muscles can contribute to the “gobbler” or wattle.

 

A muscular sling in the neck that is tight in youth but begins to separate as we age is called the platysma. The separation in this muscle causes two ridges that define the neck bands of age. A common treatment to correct this separation is to sew these bands together with a small incision under the chin.

 

A unique, less invasive, operation performed by our office is to combine neck muscle repair with ultrasonic lipoplasty for skin tightening in carefully selected patients. We were privileged to present this procedure last year to plastic surgeons in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

 

The gold standard for neck rejuvenation however, continues to be the conventional face and neck lift. The procedure allows for redraping of the cheeks, jawline jowls and neck in a more even and complete fashion. The anatomy of this area is complex, therefore a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in face and neck surgery is required.

 

Many options exist for rejuvenation of the neck and lower face. The procedures can be safe and effective in proper hands. The plastic surgeon, facility and anesthesia all play an important role in the outcome. Cost should never outweigh quality, experience and safety. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

About the Doctor:

 

Dr. Perez has been selected among Castle Connolly/U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Top Doctors. He has lectured internationally on face and neck rejuvenation surgery and has been featured as a plastic surgery expert for major media outlets. Surgery is performed at the Broward Health Weston facility with physician anesthesiologists.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perez call (954) 351-2200. To learn more about any of these procedures visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

 

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