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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.

 

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.

 

The Forty-Something Facial Freshen-up: Are You Ready?

· Choosing the Best, Eyelids, Face and Neck, Safety · No Comments

The appeal of plastic surgery spans age groups from teens to seniors. Although not always the case, certain procedures such as nose reshaping and breast surgery apply to younger patients. Older candidates typically seek procedures to address aging issues.

 

Forty is a magic number for many of us. In our practice, one of the most common reasons listed for seeking plastic surgery consultation is “turning 40”. Legendary comedian Jack Benny remained at his trademark “39” for decades!

 

Patients in their forties present a unique and interesting demographic subset. Breast and body contouring procedures are popular among the “Mommy Makeover” group (that’s next month’s column).   In addition, forty is the age when many patients begin to first notice the signs of facial aging. Skin care. facial lasers and injectables are very popular.

 

Among the more common surgical procedures that appeal to forty-somethings are eyelid tucks, cheek lift and neck firming. These 3 procedures, each performed by us in under an hour, can offer a natural, fresher look with a rapid recovery and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

 

 

The Eyes Have It

Eyelid changes by age 40 may include extra upper lid skin and lower lid bags. The eyelid tuck procedure known as a cosmetic blepharoplasty, popular among both men and women, address these problems effectively. The results are usually a more rested, less angry and tired look, to the face. Blepharoplasty is the most common facial surgical procedure.

 

Face Time

Full face and neck lift remains the gold standard for facial rejuvenation. Nationally, most of these patients are in their mid-40’s-mid-60’s, although in South Florida we see patients well into their 70’s and 80’s.

 

A less invasive alternative to full face lift that appeals to the forty-somethings is the isolated cheek firming. Lifting the cheek and jawline can be done with a small incision “mini” face lift. Although they come by many catchy names, including the “lunchtime” lift, and others, these “mini” or mid-face lift procedures effectively freshen the cheek and jawline with natural, not pulled, results.

 

Up To Your Neck Yet?

A third area of rejuvenation is the neck. Some patients first notice the effects of aging when they can pinch the skin under the neck. For these patients, an isolated neck tightening procedure is a great option. Loose skin, fat and muscle can contribute to the extra wattle. They can all be addressed through a small incision under the chin.

 

Our preference is to add advanced ultrasonic treatment to achieve greater tightening of the neck skin. We were recently honored to present our unique isolated neck rejuvenation technique at international plastic surgery congresses in Greece and Korea.

 

 

Turning 40 may be a major milestone but with the many skin care and surgical options available today at least the signs of aging can be delayed. The three surgical procedures we’ve outlined here take relatively little time and offer a rapid recovery with a high degree of satisfaction when patients fully understand the risks and benefits. However, as with all plastic surgery, a skilled surgeon, a safe facility, and a competent anesthesiologist are 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 “Seniors and Cosmetic Surgery” segment, featuring Dr. Perez visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

 

It’s Spring. Time for a Lift? Face, that is. (Original Article)

· Eyelids, Face and Neck · No Comments

Spring is that time when we like to freshen things up. The options to freshen our appearance seem endless and often confusing. Lasers, peels, fillers and other “non-surgical” choices often compete with the more traditional surgical procedures. However, just like an artist chooses the right colors for his canvas, the plastic surgeon must guide the patient to choose the right treatment for the desired effect.

The last decade has seen an explosion of fillers used to treat facial wrinkles. In addition, it seems every day we hear another slick “lift” procedure advertised that promises dramatic results with minimal down time. It is more important now than ever for patients to seek honest, competent advice from multiple practitioners versed in the whole array of treatment options.

I like to evaluate the facial rejuvenation patient by dividing the face into thirds. We start at the top by examining the forehead and eyebrows. If the brows are below the rim of the bone, or if the patient is bothered by significant forehead wrinkles, a forehead/brow lift procedure may be indicated. I have a high threshold for recommending this procedure however, since these patients can look overdone and surprised. Botox offers a simple alternative for forehead wrinkles. It works well but is temporary and expensive.

The middle third of the face are the eyelids. If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the eyelids are the curtains that allow us enjoy the view. They are truly the most expressive part of the face and the first place we notice our age. Usually by age 40 most of us have aging changes around the eyes. 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 a commonly performed surgery with a very high degree of patient satisfaction. 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.

The lower third of the face includes the area of the cheeks, jawline and neck. As we age the skin and other tissues sag from the underlying bony structures. In addition, wrinkles in the skin, often affected by smoking and sun exposure, contribute to the facial aging changes. The two problems should be treated differently. Facial laxity is treated by surgical face and neck lift procedures, while skin changes are best addressed by injectable fillers or topical treatments such as peels and lasers.

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 advantage is that it is quick procedure with a rapid recovery. My preference for isolated mild neck fullness is a less invasive, unique ultrasonic liposuction tightening procedure.

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. It is another one of my favorite procedures to perform.

As with all procedures, an honest consultation with a reputable and experienced physician is the best place to customize an individual treatment plan.

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