So, you’ve decided that a traditional facelift will shave years off your facial appearance or the bridge of your nose could use a little reduction. The next important step for you is to decide which NYC plastic surgeon is the right one for you.
This doesn’t mean going online and signing up with the first surgeon who pops up offering to do the procedure at the least cost. There are a number of important factors to keep in mind. What do other patients think and feel about the surgeon? What is his or her professional background and training in the procedure of your choice? Are they generalist practitioners, or specialists in facelift or rhinoplasty surgery? Most important – and don’t be afraid to ask – do they have any past or pending malpractice lawsuits?
All of these issues will help narrow the field of three or more surgical candidates to, hopefully, the best one to do the job.
Next comes the professional consultation. This is the moment when the patient gets to enter the surgeon’s world and work space. Is it neat and tidy? Is it a modern facility with state-of-the art tools and technology? What are the staff members like? Are they welcoming, and do they pay attention to your personal needs?
The patient will be required to fill out paperwork and complete a questionnaire which will provide the surgeon and staff with the patient’s medical history and possible use of medications or herbal supplements, which can lead to complications on the operating table. After that, the big moment will have finally arrived and you will get to meet the plastic surgeon for the first time. Here, first impressions are key. He or she will either make a good impression or a bad one. They will come across as knowledgeable in their specialty or they won’t. They will have a good bedside manner or may appear cool and distant. Depending on your emotional makeup and cosmetic goals, the initial consultation can make or break a surgeon-client relationship. Such a relationship must be built on a foundation of mutual trust or it simply won’t work.
Once past the preliminary discussion, the surgeon will provide a full explanation of the procedure, the type of anesthesia used, pre-operation preparations, the recovery process, the patient’s reasons for having the surgery and the goals and expectations in play.
The qualified, board-certified surgeon may suggest alternative procedures and will discuss the risk of infection and other complications as well as the overall results to expect. The well-informed patient will have no fear in asking the doctor about how many procedures he or she has performed, how long they have been doing a specific surgical procedure, and how many required surgical revision.
The consultation is when all cards are laid on the table. Honesty and transparency are essential ingredients on both sides of the table. You may also find that you want to consult with more than one surgeon, and that is perfectly acceptable.
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025for a personal consultation.
When you think about your pending facelift in New York you are more than likely envisioning what you will look like with firmer skin and a more youthful-looking face and neck. A facelift is definitely a surefire way to revitalize your appearance. The majority of patients are highly satisfied with the outcome of the procedure. It takes some patience to get to that point though.
Get Positive Results
The best way to attain positive results has a lot to do with your outlook. Preparing yourself for what to expect immediately after your facelift surgery will help you develop the mindset to get through recovery and allow you to remember the beautiful face that awaits you after the less glamorous part is over.
The Procedure
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and most patients are able to manage perfectly well at home with the assistance of a friend or spouse during the first few days. Some individuals choose to stay in an after-care facility with a trained nursing staff that is familiar with assisting patients after surgery. Waking up from a procedure where anesthesia and sedation is used can leave you feeling groggy, confused, and even emotional or nauseous. That is why patients are not allowed to leave alone. Patients return after 1 to 2 days to the surgeon to have drainage tubes removed. The tubes are to prevent the buildup of fluid. Sutures that were used to close the incisions will remain for 5 to 10 days.
Managing the Pain
Over the counter or prescription medication will be prescribed by the surgeon to help control any discomfort. Usually the pain following a facelift surgery is mild. Cold compresses are recommended to help minimize bruising and swelling at home. Elevating the head will also help limit swelling. Swelling is a very common side effect of the surgery, but not to worry, it is only temporary. Chances are swelling will begin to look worse over the first three or so days before it begins to improve. Some very minor swelling can linger for 6 to 9 months, but your face will look better than it did before the surgery. You are probably the only person that will recognize the extra bit of puffiness. After that point the swelling will have completely subsided and the skin will have fully settled.
The Recovery
Typically, patients may return to work about 2 week following surgery. Everyone heals differently, so this time frame of a quick recovery is not set in stone. Strenuous activity must be avoided longer, for several more weeks, to avoid trauma and strain to the recently operated on facial muscles.
You may be concerned about the appearance of scars. Luckily, facelift scars become virtually undetectable over time. This is in part because incisions for the procedure are placed within the natural creases of the face. The skin will also return to a more normal skin tone. In the meantime, makeup can be used to camouflage the skin after the incision has healed.
We’re Here to Help
Remember that the bruising and swelling and all the other annoying parts about recovery will pass. Your rejuvenated face will be awaiting you sooner than you know. Dr. Miller in NYC will be able to answer your questions and provide more information about the facelift procedure and recovery at your consultation. Contact our office at (646) 791-3025 to schedule one today!
What makes good nose surgery results? It’s a question that ranks on a par with what makes good art or fine wine. Everyone has an opinion but not everyone agrees with it.
Like good art and fine wine, a good nose job conforms with certain guidelines and expectations. The patient must be pleased with the results. The results must be painstakingly accurate. The surgeon should always inject a large amount of skill and passion into the mix to achieve the desired results.
In general, a good nose job is flawlessly minimalistic and conservative. Less is more. No incision or suture goes to waste. The goal is simplicity, harmony, symmetry, and balance – a merger of outcomes in which the nose blends in seamlessly with all other facial features. What we’re talking about here is a wonderful fusion of surgical skill, medical prowess, and artistic sensibility. The scalpel is to a plastic surgeon a fine artist’s brush. Each deftly-made incision adds no more, and no less, than the procedure requires.
Every culture has its own standards of beauty. In Western culture, a beautiful nose is relatively small, straight along the bridge, with small nostrils that are neither flared nor pinched. The tip of the nose neither dips too far down nor projects too far outward or upward. A good cosmetic surgery result is refined and natural in appearance. It expresses the patient’s own personality, ethnicity, and the surgeon’s aesthetic skill to near perfection.
For men, a good nose job is bold and angular, exemplifying manhood. For women, the result is not as overpowering and flows gracefully and confidently in its total effect. In sum, the hallmark of a good cosmetic nose surgery is one whose results are subtle and understated. There is minimal scarring and the recovery is fast and relatively pain-free.
Plastic surgeons must be getting it right, because in 2012 there were 243,000 rhinoplasty procedures done in the U.S. alone according to the ASPS. That’s a sizable amount of completed procedures. Are you a good candidate for rhinoplasty? It depends on the state of your health and your willingness to face the potential risks associated with any cosmetic surgery.
Again, what makes a good nose job? Only you and your qualified plastic surgeon can provide the answer. Keep in mind, though, that the outcome will only be as good as the surgeon doing the procedure, the tools at his or her disposal, and the quality of the “canvas” that is your very own nose.
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified plastic surgeon and an expert in the field of facial plastic surgery located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Contact us at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.
A search for facial rejuvenation procedures can yield numerous results. Two, of many options, are facelifts and “liquid facelifts.” Despite the similar name, these two procedures are not the same. Learn more about each technique before determining which is right for you.
What Is Liquid Facelift?
A liquid facelift, offered at our New York office, is a procedure that uses one or more injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane. The filler material is injected into the skin to fill out lines and wrinkles. By softening lines and wrinkles, a more youthful look results. In addition to wrinkles, the cheeks, chin and other contours of the face may lose volume due to age or genetics. These issues can also be remedied with injectable fillers. Unlike a regular facelift, all areas of the face can be treated, not just the lower face. This is the best alternative to a traditional facelift.
Injectable fillers are temporary. Depending on the type used, results may last anywhere from 3 to 18 months. Sculptra or fat injections can produce longer outcomes. Patients who prefer a liquid facelift generally do so because the procedure involves little discomfort and little to no downtime. The injection site may have minor swelling or redness afterwards, but those who receive filler injections can go about their normal routine after leaving the office.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
Traditional facelifts are more invasive. Also known as rhytidectomy, facelifts restore a younger-looking appearance by lifting and tightening sagging skin and weakened muscles of the lower face and neck. Unwanted fat deposits can also be removed, something injectable fillers cannot do. Not only are wrinkles smoothed, but hanging jowls can be eliminated as well. Recovery is longer, necessitating about 2 weeks of leave from work. There are, however, less invasive options like the limited incision facelift which requires shorter incisions.
Though the advantages of a liquid facelift sound appealing, a surgical facelift also has its own benefits. The first is that the results are longer lasting and more dramatic. Facelifts do require touch-ups about every 7-10 years to maintain the same refined look, but this timeframe is much longer than what injectable fillers can currently provide. Cost is another factor. Filler treatments may initially be less costly, but follow-up procedures every few months to a year can add up and, in some cases, exceed the cost of a facelift. To learn more about liquid facelift, visit healthcare.utah.edu
Facelift vs. Liquid Facelift: A Comparison
Traditional Facelift
Liquid Facelift
Invasive, surgery is required
Non-invasive, injectable fillers
Last 10+ years
Last 3-18 months
Recovery in 14 days
Recovery in 1-2 days
Natural-looking results
Natural-looking results
Targets neck and lower face
Targets all areas of the face
Facelift vs. Liquid Facelift: Which is Better?
There is no final answer as to which procedure is better. It depends on the patient’s needs and preferences. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will help to clarify any questions you may have. Dr. Philip Miller specializes in facial plastic surgery and is an expert on facelift technique. Call (646) 791-3025 to schedule a meeting with Dr. Miller at his Manhattan New York plastic surgery practice.
Having a facelift or other major plastic surgery in New York is an investment in your future appearance and peace of mind. It’s money and time well spent when the procedure goes well. Sometimes, however, patients are too anxious to see the results or to get back to work or their normal routines long before the incisions are properly healed and the swelling has subsided.
Just as there are many things patients can do to optimize their facelift results (setting up a home recovery room before the surgery is one), there are many activities they should avoid so as not to interfere with or harm the recovery process and ultimately the results.
Cut Down on Physical Activity
Many active patients can’t wait to get back into the home gym or health club after cosmetic surgery. They stress out over missing even a few days of weight lifting, thinking they will lose all the progress they have made in the months or years leading up to facelift surgery. All that pain and gain for nothing. The danger is that any kind of strenuous exercise or heavy lifting places undue strain on the incisions and could undo the procedure entirely. It’s best to wait at least two weeks until most of the swelling has gone down and the incisions have had time to heal.
Avoid Blood-thinners Like Aspirin and Garlic
They may increase the risk of bleeding during recovery. Use only Tylenol and other pain killers on your doctor’s instructions (consult with your plastic surgeon if you are on blood thinners for circulatory problems or clotting). And no matter how greasy your hair may look and feel after surgery, wait at least two days before you wash it to prevent facial stress and soap irritation. If you wear makeup, hold off for at least a week so that the incision areas remain clean and clear of contaminants.
Don’t Smoke
Nicotine only diminishes blood flow, and your incisions need well-oxygenated blood in order to heal well. Don’t drink and drive. That means no alcohol, which interferes with blood circulation and causes dehydration. And don’t drive – at least, not until you feel well enough to do so. Wait a minimum of 48 hours before you even think of getting into a car.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
UV light damages the skin, and your facial skin following surgery is especially vulnerable. Wear sunblock with an SPF rating of 15 or higher if you expect to be exposed to the sun for any length of time. Refrain from tanning for at least six weeks.
Rest Well
Following facelift surgery, it’s normal to feel slightly depressed and sluggish. This is due to hormonal changes caused by the trauma of surgery. The feelings will pass over time. Finally, get lots of bed rest after surgery but plan on getting up as soon as possible. Moderate activity not only alleviates boredom and gets the blood flowing, it promotes healing and ensures optimum results from plastic surgery.
A qualified plastic surgeon can provide further help on making the most of your downtime after cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified plastic surgeon in NYC and an expert in the field of facial plastic surgery. Call his Manhattan office at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.
Following a facelift in New York City, the last thing you want is to deal with complications. By following a few simple tips, you can prepare your body to heal as quickly as possible and help avoid issues that can lead to infection.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking shrinks blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your tissue. This impacts blood clotting properties and makes it harder for your body to close wounds. An open wound is at risk of developing an infection. You must stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your surgery and ignore cravings for at least two weeks following your surgery.
Be Careful About Using Over-the-Counter Medications
Medications or supplements containing aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E thin the blood or increase bleeding. These situations slow the healing process. Avoid these compounds for at least two weeks before your surgery and for a few days after your surgery. If you have questions or are uncertain, always ask your plastic surgeon before taking a medication. Consult your doctor about safe options for pain relief following your facelift.
Build Up a Stock of Frozen Peas
Following your surgery, you want to keep swelling down. Stock up on packs of frozen peas before your surgery. You can also reduce swelling by keeping your head elevated when you’re resting in bed.
Resist the Urge to Peek
Do not remove your bandages, even if you’re itchy and can’t stand not knowing how you look. Wait for the doctor to do this. If you remove them too early, you risk infection. When the doctor does remove your bandages, don’t be alarmed by bruising and swelling. This is normal. Swelling generally subsides after a few days and bruising usually lasts a week or two.
Stay Out of the Sun
Avoid the sun and sunlamps for six weeks following a facelift. The heat from the sun’s rays or the heat lamp can lead to swelling.
Dr. Philip Miller, a renowned facial plastic surgeon in NYC, offers consultations to anyone considering a facelift. Contact us to schedule an appointment by calling our plastic surgery clinic at (646) 791-3025.
Whenever a new and more effective technique is developed to aid plastic surgeons in providing better care while maintaining attractive results, it is an exciting thing. Once such advanced technique is MicroRhinoplasty™. The former method of reducing a hump or bump on the nose with osteotomy is becoming a thing of the past with MicroRhinoplasty™ moving in. Dr. Miller in NYC has adopted this technique in appropriate candidates to replace the need to fracture the bones of the nose and reposition them.
MicroRhinoplasty™ is a much less invasive procedure performed with the use of an air-powered microsaw to remove the bony hump layer by layer. Surgeons are able to have an added degree of precision that was not available before and are able to correct the flaw until the exact level of reduction needed is reached.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed, with hump reduction being at the top of the list of most requested nose corrections. Hump or bump reduction requires that the bone or cartilage creating the formation be removed. Many patients can benefit from the MicroRhinoplasty™ technique and will enjoy the several advantages it offers. Who wouldn’t prefer to be able to spend as little as 5 minutes in the surgeon’s chair with just local anesthesia? Osteotomy, on the other hand, requires general anesthesia and a good deal longer spent in surgery. Since the nasal bones do not need to be fractured MicroRhinoplasty™, there are fewer risks of complications associated with osteotomy, such as inverted V deformity or “rocker” deformity. Patients also experience little, if any, pain and significantly less swelling and bruising. Additionally, recovery time is shortened.
The greatest benefit of all is, of course, the newly heighted confidence the patient will feel after his or her surgery. Facial harmony will result in a more eye-catching appearance, and in a good way.
Individuals who are looking to reduce a nasal hump and are interested in exploring their options should contact Dr. Philip Miller for a personal consultation at (646) 791-3025. Dr. Miller is one of the best facial plastic surgeons with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, NY.
The revolutionary use of stem cells in medicine is now being hailed as the latest breakthrough in the ongoing battle against the natural aging process. Stem cells are unique in that they are literally the tabular rasa, or blank slate, in cellular biology. They are known as “undifferentiated” cells, meaning they have the potential to be transformed into other types of cells – a liver or heart cell, or a skin cell – or regenerate old or damaged tissue.
This is why stem cells are frequently viewed as the body’s natural fountain of youth.
The Stem Cell Facelift is a new facial plastic surgery in New York utilizing adult stem cells harvested through liposuction from a patient’s own fat tissue. The fat stem cells are then separated out and comingled with stem cell growth factors, which activate and energize the stem cells. The mixture is then injected by a qualified physician into specific areas of the patient’s face to restore lost facial volume and a youthful appearance.
The technique promises a complete facial rejuvenation, and a growing number of patients are looking into this less invasive procedure with much hope and anticipation. The Stem Cell Facelift does indeed hold promise because of its efficient use of the body’s own rejuvenation potential to regrow or replace tissue that is lost as a result of normal aging. The use of stem cells has had remarkable results in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, for example.
The advantages associated with the use of stem cells in facial cosmetic procedures, however, should be weighed against any potential risks as the technology is still in its infancy. In one extreme case, a patient who had the procedure went back to her plastic surgeon with bone shards growing inside her eyelids.
Stem cell technology in cosmetic surgery is an exciting development that still has a long way to grow. One, therefore, should not overlook other non-invasive procedures with proven track records of success, such as Botox and injectable fillers used to remove facial lines and wrinkles, as well as time-tested surgical procedures like the traditional facelift.
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Contact our office at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.
A nose by any other name would smell as sweet. It makes no difference, then, whether you are a man or a woman or what kind of nose you have. Everyone’s nose has the same olfactory function, but not all noses are blessed with the same appealing shape or appearance.
In increasing numbers, men are turning to rhinoplasty to change the look of their nose but without fundamentally altering its masculine structure. This is where the cosmetic goals of men and women tend to diverge. When considering nose surgery, women are often looking for significant or dramatic results to achieve a more attractive and feminine appearance. The “male nose job,” by contrast, often has more specific goals in mind. A male patient may opt for nose surgery to remove a dorsal hump or to soften the appearance of a hooked or drooping nasal tip.
Change your Nose
Other male patients are looking to narrow the width of a “dominant” nose or reduce the overall size of the nose to balance out the face. Or they simply want to improve the overall shape of the nose but without dramatically changing its basic structure. Men, in sum, want a better looking nose that unmistakably says “me, mine, and man.” They don’t want results that appear feminine. In cases related less to aesthetics and more to function, men may undergo rhinoplasty to open blocked airways or repair a deviated septum. Regardless of a patient’s gender, the techniques used in nasal surgery in New York are the same and the risks and benefits are also the same. There is a slight risk of infection or nosebleeds following nose surgery, or a temporary loss of smell. To learn more about rhinoplasty, visit medlineplus.gov
Many Men are Choosing Rhinoplasty
That many men are choosing rhinoplasty for a more satisfying appearance is reflected in the more than 240,000 individuals who underwent rhinoplasty in 2012, 25% of whom were male according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). No longer is there a stigma attached to male rhinoplasty. A good example is Iran, rated the “nose job capital of the world,” where some 200,000 people are having nasal corrective surgery each year. Many of these patients are men. In today’s unisex world there are no gender barriers in nasal surgery, just different cosmetic goals and objectives.
Schedule a Male Rhinoplasty in New York
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified plastic surgeon and an expert in the field of facial plastic surgery with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.
Ultherapy™ is a cosmetic procedure for lifting loose skin on the face and neck without the need for surgery. Ultherapy™ uses ultrasound energy, a technology that has been trusted by expectant mothers for decades, and it is the only energy-based aesthetic procedure that has been FDA-cleared for non-invasive lifting. This simple, non-invasive procedure strengthens the skin from the inside out with no downtime. After just one or two treatments the skin will gradually reflect a more lifted and refreshed appearance. Take a look at this Ulthera result one month after treatment. Call our office today to set up a consultation.
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