Advertising

In numerous instances around the country, physicians can advertise their cosmetic surgery services in newspapers, magazines and web sites, even though they do not have the proper training in the techniques they advertise. Some claim to have developed their own processes, while others cite reduced costs and speedier recovery times to appeal to patients.

Plastic vs. Cosmetic

One of the major distinctions that patients should make is the difference between “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery”. Dr. Phil Haeck, former president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, noted that professional plastic surgeons must spend years in residency programs to learn and apply the proper techniques. They must also be Board Certified, which signifies that they have completed the necessary training.

Doctors who advertise their cosmetic surgery services are often certified in other specialties, such as obstetrics or orthodontics, but have neither the experience nor the training to carry out such procedures.  According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, more than 50,000 physicians who are not Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are conducting cosmetic operations. The Academy, which is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, also cites that less than 8 percent of its members are Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.

Faulty Techniques

One of the ways that these not-certified surgeons conduct these low-cost operations is to place the patient under local anesthesia. This process saves on the cost of an experienced anesthesiologist, who can monitor the patient’s respiration and track the dosage.

In the case of Kellee Lee-Howard, a Miami woman who underwent a liposuction from a non-certified doctor, an error in the anesthetic dosage was fatal. An autopsy showed that Lee-Howard died of an overdose of the anesthetic Lidocaine. Dr. Alberto Galleran, a Miami plastic surgeon familiar with the case, said that the dosage showed “a basic misunderstanding of the principles of pharmacology and patient safety”.

“Practice Drift”

Another factor that allows unqualified surgeons to perform cosmetic surgery is that they sell the patients on combining procedures. This “practice drift” gives the doctors the opportunity to expand their practice – and their fees. Debbie Daniels of Paducah, Kentucky, suffered from abdominal pain and hernias after her obstetrician offered to combine liposuction with her hysterectomy. The surgeon made an improper incision (lengthwise instead of crosswise) and removed much of the skin and connective tissue in her abdomen.

Patients should only have cosmetic procedures conducted and overseen by doctors who are Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. The best way to prevent the unfortunate and sometimes very permanent, negative consequences seen in these cases is to consult with a highly trained, experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

This is an ideal procedure to remove the excess skin fold under the lower eyelid. It can result in achieving rejuvenated look of the eyes adding to a youthful face. It significantly reshapes the appearance of the eyes, dramatically improving one’s facial appearance.

Procedure

The Lower Eyelid Skin Pinch is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia. After numbing the lower eyelid, an incision is made under the eyelash. The incision is scar-less and the fat in the lower eyelids or excess wrinkles are removed. The skin is then hidden under the eyelid’s inner.

Sometimes a chemical peel or a facial resurfacing is done to smoothen or tighten the skin surface under the eyelid, removing fine lines and that crepey look.

Bruising or Pain?

Many patients worry if the procedure can cause bruising under their lower lids. Since the skin under the lower eyelids is thin, some degree of redness may be apparent, though usually no bruising occurs; though if it does, it which will eventually resolve within a week. This is no way correlated to pain or discomfort; typically Dr. Slupchynskyj’s patients do not experience these symptoms.

Recovery

Recovery largely depends on the patient’s medical condition. Individuals who are smokers or have diabetes may take a longer recovery period, as these conditions affect the wound healing.

Individuals get back natural looking eyes with no scar anywhere near the lower eyelids anywhere from 5 to 10 days without any evidence of a lower eyelid pinch performed.

Ideal Candidates

Any individual having an additional fold, wrinkle, saggy or puffy under the lower eyelid is an ideal candidate for Lower Eyelid Skin Pinch. Individuals desiring to undergo Blepharoplasty are best candidates if they are healthy and non-smokers. For smokers, cessation for 2 weeks before the procedure is required.

Candidates with dry eyes, bulging eyeballs, sclera show and individuals with conditions such as diabetes will be carefully evaluated by Dr. Slupchynskyj before undergoing any Blepharoplasty procedure.

Just one simple nose job procedure and those men and women can have more confidence than they may have had their entire life. It may seem trivial and inconsequential to the readers that have been blessed with gorgeous symmetry. However, it is an unfortunate fact that many others just want one quick and easy fix in order to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Nose surgery, known as Rhinoplasty, owes much of its popularity and success to how in-demand it is to be confident in one’s appearance. The tiny difference between an asymmetric and symmetric nose can garner a lot of attention—the nose is one of the first features noticed on another person’s face. And, one’s nose shape can throw facial proportions out of balance. Too large or long a nose can make eyes appear smaller, less noticeable.

Rhinoplasty does not completely alter the face, seeing as it is just the foundation of finally giving a person the right shape and size they were unfortunately not blessed with at birth. It can be that much of a difference in an individual’s life. This is why it is important to feel comfortable in the hands of the surgeon changing our perspective, as well as altering our beauty into something much more memorable.

While going through with a surgery, even something as simple as a nose job, it is essential to choose a doctor that has impressive experience and the reputation to support it. Your surgeon needs to be compassionate with your wishes; willing to listen to all of your questions and answer accordingly; and to assist in helping you understand the situation you’re in, as well as the expectations that are realistic.

Finding the best surgeon for your Rhinoplasty is the most important decision you will make. That is why it is imperative to decide on a skilled Rhinoplasty Specialist who has your best interests at heart in order to achieve the results you desire.

It was also shown that patients who had a face-lift and a neck-lift looked about 5.7 years younger in their “after” photos. Eyelid surgery shaved off another 2 years from the estimated age, and work on the forehead took off another year. The patients who had all four of these procedures done were estimated to look 8.4 years younger in their “after” photo.

In the field of cosmetic surgery, this is valuable data, because many individuals considering a cosmetic procedure want to know exactly how young they may end up looking. One of the researchers said, “Some of our patients like to have concrete numbers to look at, and the more information you can provide, the more it facilitates decision-making.”

I agree that the more information and data a patient has when considering any cosmetic surgery, the more informed and balanced their final decision will be. After the preliminary research, the next crucial step for a potential patient is selecting the right plastic surgeon. It is, however, important to keep in mind that there is no standard or guarantee that every person who undergoes facial plastic surgery will look exactly 6 to 8 years younger. Every person is unique.  Results will vary depending upon what the individual’s goals are, their lifestyle, medical history and certainly the surgical skill and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure.

In my experience, there is no doubt that enhancing what is naturally there, whether through surgical or non-surgical means, has helped my patients feel and look their best. After performing hundreds of facial cosmetic surgeries and follow-ups for people from all around the world, I have first-hand experience witnessing the positive impact that successful cosmetic facial procedures can have on confidence level and overall well-being. For many, facial rejuvenation can provide a boost in confidence that cannot be found elsewhere.

The researchers noted that they were not able to obtain data on the total number of liposuction procedures performed in either Florida or Alabama, which was an obstacle in determining the overall fatality rate.

So what can we do when we are seeking a cosmetic procedure, but are fearful of the risks involved with general anesthesia? Luckily, there are options available that do not use general anesthesia and are far less invasive. For example, I have created the SLUPlift, which is a minimally invasive mini-suture face lift. This procedure uses only a local anesthetic and is done in 1 to 2 hours at the office. The SLUPlift is a very popular option for individuals who want a more youthful look with a short recovery time, while avoiding the risks of general anesthesia.

In fact, I offer several types of cosmetics surgeries using only local anesthesia. Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) Surgery is another popular one, with results lasting 10-15 years. Neck Lift surgery is another option using local anesthesia, as are some rhinoplasties. Local anesthesia eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia, does not require lengthy hospital or office stays, and wears off quickly after the procedure.

If you are interested in any cosmetic procedure, a consultation would be the next step needed to determine which procedure and what type of anesthesia would be best for you. With over 18 years of experience and dual board certification, I have seen hundreds of individuals who want a change in their appearance without the risks of anesthesia. Together we can identify the safest option for your individual needs.

What are the advantages?  Firstly, non-surgical and minimally invasive age reversing procedures are relatively painless.  Second, local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia (“going under”) is typically used. These treatments not only take less time for me to perform than traditional surgery, they offer decreased down-time to my patients translating to less time taken off from work. Side effects typically are minimal, if any – minor swelling, redness, or light bruising – which generally disappears within a day or two.  Results can be seen almost immediately.   There is far less chance of scarring or infection, since these procedures are done with the least amount of cutting possible.

I developed the SLUPlift – a mini-suture facelift at the request of my international and US based patients who did not want to undergo a long recovery face often associated with traditional full facelift surgery.  The SLUPlift mini-suture facelift is a good choice and very popular with my male and female patients wanting a quicker, virtually painless procedure that gives them a more youthful look, but does not take them away from work or other life activities for extended amounts of time.  

The procedure takes less time than traditional facelifting surgery, and involves a tiny incision in the front and back of the earlobe. Then, the skin is elevated just in front of the earlobe and the jowl area is tightened. Perhaps the most attractive part of this procedure is that it is done under local anesthesia with an average recovery time of only a few days, and results are instantaneous. Swelling and bruising are minimal, and scarring is virtually nonexistent. The SLUPLift provides long lasting, natural looking results due to my surgical technique – making this procedure quite advantageous over other face lift threading procedures which only give you good results for a few years at most.

To see proven results and learn more about the minimally invasive SLUPLift mini face lift, visit http://www.sluplift.com.

As many men and women age, they begin to feel pressure about their appearance, especially in a competitive job market. They may start to question themselves when they start noticing fine lines or changes in their skin texture or body weight. Insecurities about their personal beauty may surface because of the natural aging process. With the media constantly giving us the impression that younger is better, and airbrushed models are the norm, it’s understandable how these insecurities can arise.

Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj believes that beauty comes from within and from good health, first and foremost. Naturally, everyone wants to stay energetic, youthful, and beautiful – but this means different things to different people. Beauty is not defined by a standard or by the media; it’s defined by you, the individual. There are no cookie-cutter faces or bodies – and if there were, who would want to look like everyone else, anyway? People are beautiful because they have unique features that fit with their individual personalities. As we age, our facial features or bodies may change in ways we don’t exactly like, but our dislike of certain things should be based on our own preferences and definitions, not someone else’s and certainly not the media’s. 

We all want to live to experience a healthy old age, but in order to get there we need to go through the various stages of life. Aging is a natural process that should not be feared, but embraced. As we get older, we get wiser, more even tempered, and confident in who we are. That being said, we absolutely have the opportunity to age well physically as well as mentally and emotionally. Certainly diet, exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle will put you on the right track to feeling great as the years pass, but there are some things about our physical appearance that may not be solved by these methods alone.

If you are someone who feels that your beauty is not up to your standards, there are simple, non-invasive and minimally invasive ways in facial rejuvenation to make you look and feel your best.

Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj, one of New York City’s Best Plastic Surgeons with 18 years of experience and dual board certification, has seen hundreds of individuals who want a change in their appearance that best suits their unique personality and desires. Beauty is present in any age group, not just an exclusive bonus for those in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s. Dr. Slupchynskyj will consult with you to help you decide how you can remain a beautiful individual without conforming to other’s standards. He can explain options that will make you look and feel your best regardless of age. He won’t be talking to you about changing your appearance to look like a supermodel or famous actor; he’ll be talking to you about you, and the beauty that only you can show.

To learn more about Dr. Slupchynskyj and the services he offers, visit http://www.sluplift.com/.

Published this week in the journal Nature Communications, the data details amazing results from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  Mice were genetically altered by the scientists in order to make them age much faster than normal.  They became weak and old in a matter of 17 days.  Stem cell-like cells were taken from the muscle tissue of healthy, young mice and injected into the aging mice.

This procedure essentially turned back the hands of time; the aging process was reversed. The aging mice were only expected to live up to 28 days but instead lived three times longer, past 66 days.  The mice had improved muscle strength, blood flow to the brain and were healthier than they were prior to the injection.

Dr. Laura Niedernhofer, an author of this study, states, “The young stem cells seem to secrete something that is quite beneficial. Just what that is, we’re not entirely sure.”

Further research is required in order to uncover what that “something” is.  Currently, studies are underway on humans being treated with muscle cells.  Dr. Niedernhofer reports, “The beauty of them is we can take them out of muscle and expand them so we have a useful therapeutic population of cells, If all of us could be treated with our own cells, we could eliminate problems with rejection and immunity.”

The results certainly sound promising but scientists warn that caution must be exercised, as we cannot necessarily translate these findings to natural human aging.

There has been much marketing and hype about a facelifting procedure called the Stem Cell Facelift. This is essentially a Fat Grafting procedure. Stem cells are present in fat but there is no proven scientific finding to back up claims that stem cells are responsible for reversing facial aging.  Current studies on humans are being conducted using stem cells from muscle tissue, not fat, and this is starting to shows tremendous promise with regards to treating disease and illness.

Is facelift surgery right for you?

Facelift surgery is no longer just for the rich and famous, and over the past decade, the number of men having plastic surgery has increased dramatically. Women will generally begin having cosmetic surgery in their late 30’s and early 40’s, whereas men start in their mid to late 40’s. Historically, women worked harder at maintaining their youthful appearance, through exercise, healthy eating, having one or two smaller procedures done earlier rather than waiting until their late fifties and sixties for a full facelift, brow-lift and eyelid lifts.

Men’s roles have changed recently, as they have become more aware of their own health and well being, and appearance. A highly competitive workplace, where youth and vitality are rewarded, has changed men’s minds about plastic surgery. It is no longer considered vanity, but a legitimate means of showing the world that you want to look as good as you feel.

So, is plastic surgery the best option for you? There is only one sure-fire way to find out and that is from a board certified cosmetic surgeon, such as Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD, FACS.  During a consultation with Dr. Slupchynskyj, he will discuss his various plastic surgery procedures that may be right for you.

Here are three popular plastic surgery techniques Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj has performed: Rhytidectomy, Brow lift and Blepharoplasty.

Rhytidectomy

Rhytidectomy simply means improving your face by removing skin. As we age, we lose some of our muscle tone throughout our body, including the face. Loss of that muscle tone in the lower face creates sagging skin, or jowls. The fatty deposits that used to be in our cheeks eventually settle under our chin and jaw, giving an appearance of a double chin, even on a thin person. Plastic surgery removes or repositions facial fatty deposits, tightens facial muscles and removes excess skin.

The surgery usually takes anywhere from one to three hours, all depending upon the degree of aging for that specific patient. If you would like additional changes made to improve your appearance, discuss these with your surgeon during your initial consultation. Improvements such as jaw and cheek augmentations, fat grafting and lip augmentation may all be done at the same time as your rhytidectomy.  The time in surgery will be longer, of course, but if you have been considering having your chin or cheekbones augmented, it makes sense to have it done at the same time as your face-lift.

Brow lift

A brow lift or forehead lift is a way of minimizing frown lines, forehead creases and sagging eyebrows through surgery. The old style method is called a coronal brow lift that requires an incision in the hairline from ear to ear and may not be suitable for men with receding, or thin hairlines. The newest technique uses an endoscope and instruments placed within small incisions in the hairline to reposition, or alter the tissue and muscle causing the wrinkles and furrows.

Blepharoplasty

If your upper eyelids are sagging down over your eyes, or you have puffy bags under your eyes making you look old and tired, even if you aren’t, then blepharoplasty may be for you. This eyelid surgery removes excess fatty deposits and skin from your upper and lower eyelids. This surgery alone can take years off your appearance. It is becoming very popular among middle-aged and older men.

Consult with your surgeon about all precautions that you need to take prior to surgery, and any possible side effects and recovery times after surgery.

Benefits of Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery offers both physical and emotional benefits.  You will feel more youthful and your self-esteem will catapult. In most cases, many patients experience a more confident and outgoing lifestyle. They find themselves less self-conscious about their facial flaws. Facial plastic surgery allows men and women to worry less about their appearance and allows them to focus on other important aspects of their lives.

Consider the following prior to any cosmetic surgery:

Plastic Surgery Expectations – It is important to note that cosmetic surgery is meant for improvement or enhancement and not perfection.  In other words, don’t expect cosmetic surgery to turn you into a super model.

Plastic Surgery Risks – With any kind of medical procedure there are risks involved. It is important that you understand the risk factors involved with the type of surgery you are anticipating to have done.

Plastic Surgery Expenses – The overall cost of having cosmetic surgery all depends on the surgeon’s level of training, surgical skill and experience and the type of procedure you are having. It is also important to ask if there are any additional costs for corrective procedures or follow-up care that may be needed.

Recovery Period – It is important that you are aware of the physical effects you may experience after surgery. Following cosmetic surgery, it may take a few days, or weeks to recover.

Make sure Dr. Slupchynskyj is fully aware of all details regarding your previous surgeries and medical history. If you are currently on any medications or if you are experiencing any medical problems, it is important to inform the doctor. This will help him make a more comprehensive assessment and help you get the best results from your procedure.

The Right Plastic Surgeon – This point cannot be overstated.  Your choice of surgeon will be the difference between the results you desire and those you don’t.  For any facial surgery, it is critical to consult with and select an experienced Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon whose results are proven.

As a patient, you will need to discuss your medical history with your doctor for full evaluation of health, both physical and mental. An internal and external nasal examination is always done during the initial consultation. External examination includes the physical structure, measurement of nasal angles and physical characteristics of upper, middle and lower section of the nose. Internal examination checks for the nasal septum, nasal valves, lining, form of the nasal ridge and tip. Depending on the type and scope of the procedure, the surgeon might recommend just using local anesthesia instead of putting you completely under.

Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty Surgical Techniques:

Traditional Closed Rhinoplasty – technically known as Endonasal Rhinoplasty

This is generally the procedure chosen by most plastic surgeons yet it is not as advanced a procedure as the open rhinoplasty technique and should be limited to minor cases, such as a simple bridge reduction with no need to work on the nasal tip.  With a closed procedure, incisions are made inside the nostrils, but there is no direct visualization of the nasal structures, specifically the tip or any existing scar tissue. Another issue with this kind of surgery is the right and left nostril incisions are done separately, and can pose a challenge for repositioning the nasal skin to the surgeon.   Many plastic surgeons are not trained or experienced in performing rhinoplasty much less an open rhinoplasty procedure.  It takes superior skill, which can be found with a double board certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj who is specifically trained and experienced in rhinoplasty surgery.

Open Rhinoplasty Technique

An open procedure makes an external bridging incision across the two nostrils in addition to the incisions made on the nostrils. This makes it easier for the surgeon to both fold the nasal skin upward and be able to directly see the internal nasal area. More room to work is created for the surgeon, and risk of distorting the nasal cartilage is highly reduced.

Open Approach Advantages:

• Better visibility. With the skin out of the way, the lower nasal structures and tip is easily seen.
• Better accessibility – more room for the surgeon to get to what they are working on.
• Lessens or eliminates distortion of the nasal cartilage.
• Better results.
• Also often recommended for complex deformities such as cleft-lip rhinoplasty, tip tightening, mid-vault corrections and all revision surgery.