Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is specifically designed for those who have suffered the pregnancy stretch-out, weight gain and loss with subsequent floppy belly, or just laxity from the passage of time. A thoughtful approach to re-beautifying the abdomen directs our pre-operative surgical planning toward excess skin and fat removal and muscle tightening. The goal is a flat, contoured belly, with good muscular strength and appearance, and a properly positioned belly button. Side benefits include instant weight reduction and strengthening of the muscle cylinder supporting your back as well. The sculptured abdomen of youth blends muscle support with beauty.

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Breast Augmentation

Breast enlargement is the single most effective form of surgical personality enhancement, a veritable pat on the back for feeling good about oneself. The relatively short post-operative downtime is readily surpassed by the exhilaration, enthusiasm and confidence gained. As a rule, women derive a tremendous long-lasting psychological boost from breast enlargement. This includes those who have never developed breasts proportionate to their height and weight, and those who lost such after pregnancy and breast-feeding. The positive effect of such enhancement makes a woman feel good about herself and often extends to her family as a whole.

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Breast Reduction

There is perhaps no more aggravating anatomic condition for a woman than large, heavy breasts. This encumbrance is associated with neck, back and shoulder pain, ill-fitting clothing, and interference with athletic endeavors and acts of daily living. At times socially embarrassing, significantly enlarged breasts become a self-conscious issue. Correction centers on removal of wedges of breast tissue and rewrapping the breast into a smaller, rounder and more compact structure, raising the nipple while bringing the breast closer and higher. Often, this jump-starts a weight-loss program. Surgery lasts between 1 1/2 and 3 hours, often as an outpatient, and is usually followed by a one-week recovery period prior to returning to work.

Breast reduction brings not only weight relief but often leads to a better appearance both in and out of clothing. The classic neck, back and shoulder pain associated with heavy breasts should be readily relieved after surgery. The effects are immediate and the recovery period relatively short. There are newer breast reduction procedures which further reduce incision lines (see below). This procedures is not limited to any age group but spans the full range from teenager to grandmother.

The new vertical breast reduction is a technique that reduces the amount of surgical scars and eliminates the need for drains. It is ideally suited for breast uplift or mastopexy as well. This shapes the breast and nipples to a more perky uplifted position, often without the need for breast implants. This quick procedure can readily be performed in an outpatient setting.

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Mastopexy (Breast Uplift)

For those whose breasts have stretched out without excess weight, there are re-suspension procedures available. The mastopexy is designed to uplift the breast, reducing its loose skin envelope while increasing breast volume and redirecting nipple/areola position. There are several different mastopexy procedures available to address the many ways breasts may sag. The euphoria, bonding and pleasure mother and baby mutually enjoy with breast-feeding often is later paid for with breasts that lack substance and volume. This aesthetically unacceptable trade-off need not be permanent. Ptotic, droopy or "washed-out" breasts can benefit from repackaging, often utilizing small implants for support.

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Liposuction

Fat removal by suction was developed for people with isolated areas of excess bulge or generalized fullness of abdomen, hip or thighs. Ultrasonic and power-assisted liposuction have opened up new vistas for those suffering from fat accumulation in more difficult anatomic regions such as chest, flank and back, especially in men. The reduced ability to redeposit fat in a previous area of liposuction offers an additional side benefit. Following established safety parameters allows larger-volume fat obliteration with lower complication risks. Though dramatic changes occur within one month, shrinkage continues over the course of a year.

Facial Rejuvenation

With age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes wrinkles. Facial cosmetic surgery turns the clock back, but the aging process does continue inexorably forward. This surgery redirects and resupports as it removes the looseness which develops with age. We are an eye-contact society; we wish our eyes to sparkle while the rest of our face blends nicely into the background. This is approached through a menu of tissue alterations, addressing the forehead, face, eyelids and neck, either individually or in combination. Each of these areas also has a variety of procedures to specifically individualize the improvement based on need. The goal is to choose the procedure best suited to the patient's needs, desires and financial considerations. After surgery, one should follow a lifestyle directed toward delaying the aging process to prolong the effect of their new correction. Exercise, diet, stress reduction, limiting sun exposure and no smoking are all basic foundations to a good long-term result.

What you get is more than what you see. Removal of external excess skin is further enhanced by maneuvers designed for tightening neck muscles, removal of bulging eyelid fat, tailoring overactive eyelid and eyebrow musculature and resuspending facial support structures. Laser resurfacing adds another dimension to the long-term sucecss of these procedures.

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Rhinoplasty

More than any other facial feature, teenagers are most keenly aware of their noses. It's there in the mirror every day, front and center. The embarrassment of a big or distorted nose extends into adulthood, distracting from an otherwise glowing personality. Rhinoplasty ("nose job") was originally designed for reduction of nasal hump and projection and straightening deviation. The operation today is directed toward both appearance and strength. Providing cartilage support of the nasal top is extremely important for long-lasting results -- as important as size, shape and position.

Sometimes nasal airway obstruction can be dealt with simultaneously by adjustment of a deviated septum, while utilizing the septal cartilage removed for nasal tip correction. The open rhinoplasty approach, through small incisions beneath the nose, allows an excellent access for alteration of internal structures which shape the external appearance. Adjusting nasal bone position, nostril flare, and angulation relative to the upper lip, hump and nasal tip all combine to make rhinoplasty the most complex of cosmetic surgeries that we perform. The greatest challenge of rhinoplasty continues to be the cleft lip individual, where marked nasal distortion requires the most imaginative of surgical endeavors for improvement.

Rhinoplasty is best planned for after completion of facial growth, normally age 16 for girls and a few years later for boys. After surgery, as swelling resolves over several months, the nose will continue to improve in size and shape. A good rhinoplasty should not bring attention to itself, but rather allow the nose to blend naturally with the other facial structures.

Before & After Photos