Here you will find a brief discussion and information about some of the more common plastic and cosmetic procedures.

Rhytidectomy, or "face lift" as it is commonly known tightens the face and neck by delicate removal of excess 
loose and saggy facial skin. The underlying tissue and facial muscles are reinforced, hence a vibrant, more youthful appearance. Surgical incisions are often invisible as they are hidden in the hair line, and the natural facial contour.  
Anesthesia:  Face lift may be performed under general anesthesia, or under local anesthetics with IV sedation. 
Recovery:   Recovery time may vary as each individual has different healing ability due to age, previous medical history, and current health problems. Full head bandages and special drains are removed in a few days. Sutures are removed in 10-15 days. Swelling and skin discoloration last for 2-3 weeks. Skin tightness and/or numbness may last for a few months. Most patients are able to resume their regular activity and get back to work in about 2-4 weeks. 
 

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Possibly, one of the most aesthetically pleasing surgical procedures. With aging ( not to mention gravity ) tissues lose their elasticity and appear wrinkled and saggy. As is the case with the skin of the forehead. A droopy forehead will also change the shape of the eye brows and the upper eye lids. During a very simple surgical procedure the skin of the forehead is lifted through incisions completely hidden in the hairline. Excess wrinkles are eliminated, and the eye brows and the upper eyes get a natural and youthful appearance. 
Anesthesia: May be performed under a general anesthetic or local with sedation to ensure  patient comfort and safety. 
Recovery: Recovery time may vary as each individual has different healing abilities. However, most patients experience some tightness and/ or numbness for 2-6 weeks. Sutures are removed in about 7-14 days after the surgery. Most patients are able to return to work in about 7-10 days.

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Blepharoplasty - Aging frequently results in the stretching of the skin and weakening of the muscle of the eyelids. Furthermore, fat accumulates around the eyes causing the appearance of droopy and puffy eyelids. In a very simple and yet delicate procedure, the excess skin and fat are removed to enhance one's youthful appearance. 
Anesthesia:  Almost always performed under local anesthetics with IV sedation to ensure patient comfort. 
Recovery:  Patients do very well with this procedure as the bruising and pain are minimal. most patients are able to resume their normal activities in 1-2 weeks.

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Rhinoplasty -The reduction of the hump or bridge, or contouring of the tip of the nose is performed by a skilled surgeon. Rhinoplasty has become a very popular surgery. Best candidates are those who are looking for improvement, not perfection in the way they look. 
Anesthesia:  May be performed under a general, or local anesthesia with IV sedation, depending on the extent of the surgery or patient's preference. 
Recovery:  There is less bruising or discomfort with the newer techniques. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities with in a weeks time.

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Septoplasty- The nasal airways are often obstructed by a deviated septum or oversized internal structures that restrict free air flow. With no visible scars the septal deviation is corrected and the oversized structures either reduced or removed, hence the free air flow is maintained. Under most circumstances this procedure is covered by most health insurance policies. 
Anesthesia:  May be performed under a general or a local anesthetic with IV sedation.  
Recovery:  Surprisingly there is minimal pain and discomfort after nasal surgery. Most surgeons elect to pack the nasal passages with a soft, foamy packing material to ensure the proper healing, and decrease the chance of  bleeding post operatively. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities in about 1-2 weeks.

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Chin / cheek implant- Facial implants, made specifically to enhance the natural contour of the face are placed through very small and often invisible incisions. No one but you may know that they are there as these prosthesis look and feel natural. Often the change is subtle, yet greatly enhances the overall appearance of the face. 
Anesthesia:  May be performed under a general or a local anesthetic with IV sedation.  
Recovery:  Minimal bruising and discomfort is usually expected which resolves over a few days.

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Laser/ Chemical peel-  What can be said about laser that already has not been said! In short it has revolutionized the way we practice medicine today. In either technique, the upper most superficial layer of skin is peeled away to let the body heal itself by the generation of a new youthful appearing layer of skin. The skin often tightens and most wrinkles are removed in this process. 
The laser has a multitude of applications in cosmetic surgery:  

• Facial resurfacing
• Tattoo removal
• Scar removal
• Treatment for aging spots and sun damaged skin,
• And in a variety of other surgical procedures. 

Anesthesia:   May be performed under a general or a local anesthetic with IV sedation, depending on the extend of the surgery or the patient's preference. 
Recovery:  May take over several weeks depending on the skin type and the extent of the procedure performed. Make sure to discuss with your surgeon the post operative instructions in detail at the time of initial evaluation.

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Augmentation mammoplasty as it's technically known is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of different reasons. The most common indications are to enhance the body contour for personal reasons, to correct an asymmetry in breast size, or to correct a reduction in breast size with aging or after pregnancy. There are several types of breast implants, as well as different surgical techniques most commonly used today. Which in most part depends on the patient type and expectation, and on the surgeon's preference and expertise. Briefly, the procedure consists of developing a pocket behind the breast tissue, either in front or behind the pectoralis muscle, for the placement of the breast implants. Probably, more research and technology has gone into perfecting this procedure than any other cosmetic procedure. Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed worldwide. Make sure to inquire about the different surgical approaches and the types of implants at the time of consultation ( or by E-Mail !). 
Anesthesia: Most often performed under a general anesthetic to ensure complete patient's safety and comfort. 
Recovery: Swelling, excessive firmness, bruising, altered nipple sensitivity and discomfort is expected lasting for a few weeks up to 2 months. Rest and oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will make the initial recovery period very pleasant. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities and return to work in a about 1-2 weeks.

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Women with very large pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excess weight. Usually large breasts can make a women or a teenage girl feel extremely self conscious. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breast making them smaller, lighter and firmer. The goal is to give a woman a smaller better shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body. This procedure is often covered by most medical insurance policies.  
Anesthesia: Most often performed under a general anesthetic.  
Recovery:  Some bruising and discomfort is expected lasting only for a few days. Rest and oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will make the initial recovery period very pleasant. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities and return to work in a about 2-4 weeks.

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Breast lift and mastopexy, like most other cosmetic procedures, are individualized to the specific needs and expectations of the patient. The size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple is often reduced and the whole structure moved up to a higher location on the breast. Excess skin and soft tissue are removed, hence giving the breast a new "lifted", upturned contour in the process.  
Anesthesia: Most often performed under a general anesthetic.  
Recovery:  Swelling, bruising and discomfort is expected lasting only for 1-3 weeks depending on the extend of the surgery. Rest and oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will make the initial recovery period very pleasant. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities and return to work in a about 1-3 weeks.

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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) - The best candidates for this procedure are men or women who are bothered by excess fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that will not respond to diet or exercise.  The typical patients are women who through multiple pregnancies have stretched their abdominal muscle and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal.  Although scarring is extensive, the end result is often satisfactory and beyond patient's expectations.  Nearly always done under General Anesthesia.  Overnight stay for observation may be necessary depending on the patients general health.  
Anesthesia: Most often performed under a general anesthetic to ensure the utmost patient safety and comfort. 
Recovery:   Recovery time may vary as each individual has different healing ability due to age, previous medical history, and current health problems. Restricted activities for 2-3 weeks. Swelling and bruising may persist for 2-4 weeks. Special garment is required for 4-6 weeks. Special drains may be placed at the time of surgery which will remain for 2-5 days. Sutures are removed in 7-15 days. Most patients are able to resume their regular activity and get back to work in about 2-4 weeks. 

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Liposuction - Suction assisted lipectomy (SAL) is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from virtually any area of the body, including the chin, neck and cheeks, the upper arms and chest, the abdomen, flanks (love handles), buttocks, hips, inner/outer thighs, inner knees, calves and ankles.  We all know from personal experience that there are areas of fat deposits within our bodies that would not simply respond to diet and exercise. 
Although a relatively newer surgical technique, it has undergone drastic improvements over the past few years. Today liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures performed worldwide.  Most people obtain excellent results from this procedure, and often plan for additional surgery on other parts of the body. Liposuction may be performed on virtually any part of the body. The most common areas are:  inner/outer thighs, knees, calves, ankles and arms. 
Anesthesia: Depending on the extend of the surgery and the preference of the surgeon, this procedure may successfully be performed both under a general, or a local anesthetic with IV sedation. 
Recovery:  Swelling, bruising and discomfort is expected lasting for 2-3 weeks. A special garment is required for up to 4 weeks. Rest and oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will make the initial recovery period very pleasant. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities and return to work in a about a week.

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Thigh Lift  -   Although advances in liposuction has decreased the need for this procedure, still there are women who will obtain the most aesthetically pleasing results from a thigh lift.  The excess skin and soft tissue of the inner thighs is removed rendering a tighter, leaner appearance to the upper thighs.  A similar procedure may be performed on the sagging loose skin of the upper arms ( Brachioplasty ). 
Anesthesia: Most often performed under a general anesthetic.  
Recovery:  Some bruising and discomfort is expected lasting only for 1-3 weeks. A compression dressing or a special garment is used for up to 4 weeks.  Rest and oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will make the initial recovery period very pleasant. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities and return to work in a about a week.

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