Author: Allure Plastic Surgery

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – A question that has probably crossed your mind as you contemplate plastic surgery is “How long will the results of my tummy tuck last?” And the answer is…FOREVER!

While there is no guarantee as to how long your results will last, Good Housekeeping magazine shared the following findings in their June issue:

“In a small study, 70% of tummy tuck patients weighed less a year later, with most feeling less hungry, too. Removing fat cells, the researchers speculate may lower levels of appetite-stimulating hormones.”

There is usually a high rate of long-term success when it comes to a tummy tuck but more may be contributing to it than lower hormone levels.

“I cannot attest to the decrease in hormones when it comes to the success of my patients since I don’t do such testing in my facility,” says Dr. Elliot Heller. “But what I can attest to is their renewed self-esteem which most cherish enough that they change their lifestyle and work hard to maintain their results, and sometimes even improve them.”

Another reason may be that the majority of tummy tuck patients have tried almost everything; healthy diets, workouts and supplements but are not seeing improvements and are finally losing their “drive.”

“‘Why am I not seeing improvement when I’m doing X, Y and Z?’ is one of the questions I get asked most as a trainer,” says Nicole Nichols, fitness expert and editor-in-chief at SparkPeople.

Indeed, it is easy to become discouraged when you aren’t seeing the fruits of your labor – especially when it comes to weight loss.

But when you do, perhaps with the help of a tummy-tuck – things change quickly.

“When a patient sees themselves for the first time after a tummy tuck, it’s emotional,” says Heller. “They are often overwhelmed to finally see the results they’ve been working so hard to achieve. And because we ask them to lose as much weight as possible before the procedure (improves their end result), they know how to maintain their results and rarely have trouble doing so.”

There of course is never a guarantee that your results will last forever, however, when it comes to a tummy tuck, our experience and the results of scientific studies point to the odds being in your favor.

Call today for free consultations for a tummy tuck, liposuction or even a facial rejuvenation with a fac-elift, lip enhancement or rhinoplasty in NY.

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK – Patti Stanger, star and producer of Bravo’s hit reality series Millionaire Matchmaker, is no stranger to whipping the most updateable specimens into dating superstars. But just because she knows how to dress, talk and act the part, it doesn’t mean that she’s never had to overcome obstacles of her own.

In a recent Life & Style article, Patti admitted that she had plastic surgery so she could go out and, “compete with all the young girls.”

At 52, Patti isn’t the only one feeling the pressure to turn back the clock in order to be more competitive in not only the dating world, but also the job market. And this phenomenon doesn’t exclude men either.

The number of men opting for face-lifts rose by14 percent in 2010, and Botox injections increased by nearly 10 percent, according to figures released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

As a television personality and straight shooter, Patti is candid about her choice saying, “Come on, this is the game here, and HDTV exaggerates all the features. Yeah, I’m proud of it, because we’re all doing it.”

Patti’s procedures include a breast reduction paired with a lift and blepharoplasty (eye lift.)

Blepharoplasty wasn’t Patti’s first choice though. “I wanted a face-lift but my surgeon suggested an eye lift,” she said.

This may sound like a negative but, in fact, Patti lucked out with her choice of surgeon.

“Many times, a patient thinks they want a certain procedure but that procedure isn’t meant to address what they want improved,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, one of the best plastic surgeons in Staten Island. “A face-lift addresses the lower half of the face while blepharoplasty addresses the eye area – they are like apples and oranges. Patti looks great as a result of her surgeon’s advisement.”

What does Patti think about the results?

“I felt pretty; like I could compete with the younger girls,” she said. “Even David (her boyfriend) thought I was younger than I was when we met!”

If you are in the market for refreshing your look like Patti, you don’t have to take the surgical plunge at first.

“Restylane, Botox and Fraxel treatments are excellent choices for facial rejuvenation that require little to no downtime,” says Dr. Miller who is also a Staten Island face-lift specialist.

Call today to schedule a free consultation with a top plastic surgeon.

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK – Just when you thought she had hit rock bottom and given up her plastic surgery obsession, real life Barbie Jenny Lee admits to having nearly doubling the number of plastic surgery procedures she has had.

Back in 2004, Jenny Lee admitted to Oprah that her struggle with poor self-esteem caused her to dislike the face staring back at her in the mirror – even after 25 procedures. She was upset that she had changed her appearance so drastically. Not only because she was still unhappy with her appearance, but that as a result, her child didn’t even know what her mom looked like naturally.

It seemed like Jenny was ready to stop changing her appearance but, nearly seven years later, on an episode of Oprah’s “Where Are They Now,” Jenny admitted that she had fallen off the wagon and opted for and additional 33 procedures, which brought the total number up to a staggering 59 procedures.

Surgeons go to great lengths prior to performing a procedure on a patient to determine if they are choosing plastic surgery for the right reasons.

“Failing to identify an internal struggle in the patient could lead to a lifetime of addiction to plastic surgery as they continue to search for that one procedure that will make them happy,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a plastic surgeon in New York City. “We call this body dysmorphic disorder.”

Such is the case with Jenny Lee who admits that she would be very happy if she could be OK with her appearance, “just OK,” she insists.

“Sometimes the patient is aware that their self-esteem or body image issues are more than skin-deep, while others are in such a state of denial that their symptoms don’t exist,” says Dr. Heller. “This is why the consultation is the single most important aspect of a successful plastic surgery.”

Consultations help the physician and their patient get a clearer understanding of what each other’s expectations are and whether plastic surgery is the answer.

“As a physician, my goal is to improve the well-being of my patients, not set them up for a lifetime of struggle and regret,” says Dr. Heller, who is a Manhattan rhinoplasty specialist. “Performing a plastic surgery procedure on a patient who has mental turmoil would be the same as giving a recovering alcoholic their first beer, knowing that they just graduated from A.A. – it’s that serious.”

If you are interested in plastic surgery including breast implants or liposuction, but are unsure of whether you want it for the right reasons, call today to schedule free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day to discuss any concerns or interests you may have.

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK — Yes, we agree that age is just a number, but we can’t deny that certain variations of procedures such as breast augmentation suit certain age groups best.

The reason for this is because the body and our psychological state go through certain changes as we age. Also, with breast augmentation the longevity of implants must also be considered – they don’t last forever.

“Breast implants can be a great uplifting experience for women of all ages,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a Staten Island breast augmentation pro. “Even as women age, they still have a desire to feel feminine and beautiful.”

Young Women
Many females in their 20s come to realize that they aren’t just “late bloomers” but non-bloomers when it comes to their cup size. These young women often opt for breast augmentation to enhance an area that makes them feel self-conscious however, because of their young age they may need to replace them eventually. Saline implants have a 15-year average when it comes to longevity while the new silicone implants (released back into the market in 2006) have only been studied for six years although, they are predicted to last longer.

“I would be doing my patients a disservice if I didn’t tell them that their implants require a lifetime of maintenance,” says Dr. Heller who also performs tummy tuck and thigh lift procedures in Staten Island.

Because they may need to be replaced and these patients often have minimal breast tissue, incisions such as the inframammary (along crease under breast) and axillary incisions (in arm pit) are ideal. The inframammary incision can easily be reused for a subsequent procedure (if needed) while the axillary incision is ideal for augmentation when the patient has small breasts, which makes it difficult to predict incision placement and ensure that it’s hidden in the crease created by the addition of the implant.

Middle Aged Women
A large amount of women in their 30s and 40s seek breast augmentation for the first time because they are experiencing a dramatic change in their life. Some have just ended long-term relationships and are re-entering the dating world, about to change careers or are finished growing their family and ready to get their breasts back into pre-mommy condition.

Breast-feeding can really do a number on the body, especially the breasts. The periareolar incision is made around the nipple – just outside the dark skin of the areola – and blends seamlessly with the color gradient change. It does not affect the sensation of the nipple and also allows the surgeon to remove a little extra skin to provide a lift.

“For women reentering the dating world, the risk of scarring is their biggest concern,” says Dr. Heller.

The TUBA (transumbilical breast augmentation) incision is the least detectible incision as it is hidden inside the belly button. Although it is the least detectible, it does make it difficult for the surgeon to achieve optimal and natural placement of the implant since they are working at such a great distance from the placement site. The better choice may be the inframammary incision, which, hides the scar in the natural crease beneath the breast and is ideal for accurate sub muscular placement of implants.

Mature Women
Yes, women over the age of 40 have breast augmentation procedures. Some are having them replaced and some are just dissatisfied with what gravity has done to the girls.

“Women are women at any age,” says Dr. Heller. “Even when they are 50+, they want to look and feel feminine.”

The majority of these women will opt for a lift or augmentation with a lift. Incisions that are ideal compliments to a lift are periareolar incisions and inframammary incisions. As mentioned before, additional skin can be removed from around the areolar to provide a lift or reduce its size (another request of aging patients) and by adding a vertical incision from the center of the inframammary incision up toward the nipple, surgeon can also lift the breast with the removal of additional skin.

If you are interested in enhancing the shape or size of your breasts, a tummy tuck or thigh lift, contact Associates in Plastic Surgery for a free consultation with a top plastic surgeon in Staten Island.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK — Everyone knows that when you are in Mexico, you don’t drink the water but, what they seem to forget time and time again is that you shouldn’t have plastic surgery there either if the prices seem too good to be true.

The most recent victims of a Mexican plastic surgery massacre were two Texas women; Mimi Valdez and her niece Chrissy who shared their story in an interview with San Antonia’s new station KENS 5. Both women had recently lost close to 150 lbs. and were tired of toting excess skin and looking at a body changed by pregnancy.

In their process of looking for a surgeon, they found a bargain that seemed too good to be true from a Tijuana facility called Jerusalem Hospital. The procedures would cost $5,000 and the center’s medical director, who gave them a virtual greeting upon visiting the Jerusalem Hospital website, seemed sincere when he said, “Your happiness is right around the corner.”

The trip wasn’t nearly as peaceful or glorious as the name and spokesman suggested.

Mimi, who was opting for a tummy tuck, documented her trip to the facility, which she claimed was in a strip center and looked nothing like the images on the website. What also wasn’t appealing was their results.

Chrissy claimed that there was skin protruding from her breast augmentation incisions – one of the several procedures included in her “mommy makeover.” Mimi also claimed that she was left disfigured and that upon returning to the states was told by a doctor that complications from her surgery had put her life in jeopardy.

“I admit that I made a wrong decision to go through with surgery,” says Chrissy. “I knew I wasn’t going to get my money back and I was already there which caused me to, unfortunately, ignore my intuition.”

But, there were more red flags aside from the appearance of the facility that Chrissy and Mimi missed before committing to their procedures.

According to Patients Beyond Borders, a resource for safe medical travel, there could have been more than 1 million people who traveled to Mexico for prices that are lower than those in the states. And facilities across “the border” are campaigning hard to lure more in – especially Jerusalem Hospital. On their website, there are several odd findings like “Tijuana, health without borders” – a link where they show off their not-so-credible accreditation. They also make sure that potential patients who visit their home page know that: “Your patient liaison will schedule your surgery and assist you with flight and hotel booking.” Now if that doesn’t scream, “We are trying to lure U.S. citizens to our clinic” we don’t know what does.

Oh, and patient liaisons and procedures are available 24 hours per day in case you want to have surgery on a whim because that’s always a good idea – a recommendation no moral/experienced surgeon would ever make.

“While there are certainly some quality plastic surgeons in Mexico, it is extremely important not to be lured by ‘bargains’ that seem too good to be true,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a NY facelift and liposuction specialist. “There is a strong correlation between the price and experience/skill of a surgeon. A procedure isn’t really a bargain when you have to return to the states for ‘reconstructive’ work to fix the damage that was done.”

Call today for a free initial consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon in NY or to learn more about procedures such as a mommy makeover, breast augmentation, or fat transfer.

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK – There is nothing rare about stars having cosmetic surgery, but it is rare when one actually admits to it.

That’s just what Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards did as revealed in a recent article by Life & Style weekly.

In a candid interview, Kyle disclosed that she had both rhinoplasty and liposuction procedures to improve areas that had become sources of insecurity.

After bringing four children into the world, Kyle felt that her body was in less than desirable condition and found herself getting frustrated as she was unable to get rid of her love handles – no matter what she tried.

“Even a single pregnancy can leave women insecure about their bodies when they are unprepared for the way their breasts, waist, thighs, and skin change,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a Staten Island tummy tuck pro. “I would say that Ms. Richards fared pretty well if the only area that didn’t ‘bounce back’ was her flanks.”

The procedure not only gave Kyle a confidence boost, it made her “feel better!”

Kyle’s second surgery was to address a feature that had been a source of insecurity for her whole life; her large nose. Reluctant to make a move as drastic as having facial plastic surgery, Kyle was comforted by her plastic surgeon who assured her that, “it would be such a minute, natural change that not even her mom would notice.”

Kyle has managed to come out of her multiple plastic surgeries on top, unlike many stars in the media today.

“I believe the success of Kyle’s procedures lies heavily in her reasons behind opting for surgery and using an experienced surgeon,” says Dr. Heller, who regularly performs breast enlargement and liposuction procedures. “When you have an area or feature that is reducing your quality of life, cosmetic surgery can be a game changer. It’s when patients attempt to ‘fill a void’ with the temporary high of surgery that things get dangerous.”

Kyle doesn’t seem willing to cross that line as she jokingly claims she can still move her eyebrows, “a trick in Beverly Hills.”

If you are interested in post-pregnancy body contouring or facial plastic surgery with a best Staten Island plastic surgeon, call us today for a free, initial consultation.

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NEW YORK CITY – Breaking up is hard to do, as Neil Sedaka so famously sang in 1962. The times have not changed that much and it does not matter if you are male or female, ending a relationship is rarely easy. As popular as the revenge dress is becoming, some men are getting in on the revenge action by scheduling breakup surgery to help them confidently get back into the dating game.

Going back on the market has its own stresses and putting your best face forward can make it easier to have the confidence that women look for in a man. Botox and other fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, making you look as youthful as you feel. It can also reduce hollowness and make you look more alert no matter how late a date lasts. A skilled New York plastic surgeon will make sure it is done well and you are still able to express a full range of emotions.

If it is the amount of hair on your back, chest, or neck that is a source of embarrassment, then laser hair removal is the answer. In as little as three sessions, your chest and back can be smooth and ready for the next speed dating session. Sometimes an additional session or two are needed to account for the life cycle of hair growth or any hair that grows related to hormones. Hair removal can also make it quicker to prepare for a last minute date by offering a permanent solution that razors and shaving cream cannot.

For other men, their insecurities lie a little lower on the body. Male enhancement means that, even if you were insecure “down there” in your last relationship, you do not have to be insecure in your next one. Phalloplasty is a procedure to lengthen the penis naturally, by releasing the suspensory ligament.

Dr. Elliot Heller respects the privacy of his patients as well as the sensitive nature of this type of procedure. He assures his patients that, “You can be confident talking about your goals in a safe environment. I will help you set realistic expectations about how much enhancement I can achieve.” It is also possible to increase the width of the penis through inserting fat harvested from the patient or a product called Alloderm.

Occasionally, it seems as if a relationship really is forever and you decide to tattoo the lovely lady’s name on your body. Well, if that is the case, than laser tattoo removal is probably your next step. Just as getting the tattoo was a big commitment, laser tattoo removal requires anywhere from six to 20 sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. It will be a while before you can remove this sign of a past relationship, but modern machinery has a much higher success rate than older, abrasive techniques that replaced a tattoo with a scar.

Finally, one type of breakup procedures that men have been seeking secretly for years is a hair transplant. It used to be done on the sly, only to become glaringly obvious as soon as the man took his hat off. Fortunately, technology has made a huge difference here as well and surgeons are able to achieve more natural results. It is also becoming less taboo to discuss, as seen by soccer star Wayne Rooney’s tweet acknowledging his second hair transplant procedure in June 2013. He quipped, “I was going bald at 25, why not. I’m delighted with the result.”

There are a variety of other procedures that men can choose to enhance their physical form. Allure Plastic Surgery has extensive experience with male breast reduction, liposuction, and stretch mark removal due to rapid weight gain. Who knows, maybe you will meet your next date while she is waiting for her New York breast augmentation and breast lift consultation.

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK – When it comes to clearing and smoothing your skin fast, if you’ve been trolling the drugstores, supermarkets and DIY recipes on YouTube, chances are you haven’t experienced any REAL results.

That’s because you were looking in the wrong places. If you want fast, visible results, your best bet is to pay a plastic surgeon a visit.

“People try the cheaper, less invasive route first, but all they end up doing is spending time and money waiting on a miracle that isn’t found on a shelf or their fridge,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, a top Manhattan plastic surgeon. “When patients come see me for the first time they are shocked to learn that effective procedures aren’t as scary or costly as they envisioned.”

Where did you go wrong?
Chances are you’ve been drawn in by drastic before and after photos and touching testimonials from people who had tried everything without results. But low and behold, they found it – that one product or homemade concoction that actually works. The next thing you know, you’re signing up for a year’s worth of Proactive or spreading last night’s leftovers on your face and crossing your fingers.

Why topicals don’t work – fast?
Most topicals – over-the-counter, prescribed or homemade recipes – work, just not fast. They take time to yield visible results and often, never drastic ones.

“Their concentration of active ingredients is much lower than that what is available to physicians,” says Dr. Miller, a NYC facelift specialist. “Higher concentrations and mechanical resurfacing are fast and effective, but also run a risk for scarring when not left in the hands of an experienced administrator – preferably a physician or surgeon. They are also the only way to provide significant improvement in severe cases.”

So what DOES work, you ask?
The following procedures are safe and yield fast – sometimes instant- improvement of skin clarity and texture.

We’ll start with the least invasive:

• Intense pulsed light therapy – Low on pain and high on results, IPL therapy improves skin tone by zapping redness and discoloration. This “photo facial” is ideal for rosacea sufferers, sun damaged skin and post-hyperpigmentation caused by trauma or fading acne blemishes.Results can be seen instantly and improve with subsequent procedures – usually performed in four-week intervals.
• Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion – Microdermabrasion uses fine crystals to resurface the skin similar to – but safer and more controlled than – a sand blaster. This procedure is ideal for people looking for a “lunch time” glow or desiring to improve their acne, scarring and discoloration.Smoother, glowing skin is revealed instantly and after approximately seven sessions, fresh skin should be visible.Dermabrasion is simply a more intense version of microdermabrasion.
• Chemical Peels – Glycolic peels work similar to topicals such as Retin-A by causing the skin to exfoliate its outer layer, only faster and deeper.These peels take just a few minutes in-office and approximately three days later, you will notice your dull, outer layer of skin beginning to peel.Like the previous procedures, improvement becomes more dramatic with each subsequent peel.
• Fraxel resurfacing – The gold standard in acne scar removal, clarity and texture improvement, the Fraxel laser provides fast and substantial improvement.The Fraxel laser works by removing tiny cylinders of skin at the treated sites.”What makes the Fraxel so effective is that it actually removes portions of damaged skin while leaving behind just enough undamaged skin to promote rapid healing,” says Dr. Miller. “What’s even more fantastic is that this process – the damage and healing – can actually induce collagen production, further improving skin tone and texture.”As a bonus, by removing portions of skin and reducing the skin’s surface area, fine lines and laxity can also be improved.This procedure is obviously more invasive than others and requires approximately three days of downtime. Afterward, you will need to diligently protect your fresh, pink skin from the sun to prevent hyperpigmentation.Makeup can be worn immediately to cover pinkness, which will fade over time as the skin rejuvenates itself.Severe cases of acne scarring may require multiple procedures to achieve desired improvement.

All of these procedures can be used to treat any area where improvement is desired such as the face, neck, chest and hands.

Call today for a free consultation to learn which procedure is best for you or to find out more about cosmetic surgery procedures like breast augmentation, cellulite removal or rhinoplasty in NYC.

MANHATTAN AND STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK – The recent trend of Korean plastic surgery has many plastic surgeons in the states worried – especially Dr. Elliot Heller.

“The root of the problem with Korean plastic surgery isn’t entirely a new one,” says Dr. Heller who offers breast augmentation and facelifts in Manhattan. “Just as curly haired girls wish they had straight hair, many Asians wish they had ‘western’ eyes and noses.”

Initially, the craze involved Asians creating the optical illusion of larger, more western eyes with cosmetics and specialized contact lenses. The transformations can be so drastic that television shows like this one have featured ‘live’ transformations of Asian girls for entertainment, which have Heller concerned.

“While I cannot understand the foreign language spoken in the video, it seems evident that the hosts of the show are shocked and disappointed with the girls’ features prior to their makeovers,” says Heller who is a tummy tuck NYC provider. “I’m afraid that this feedback is just the mentality that is rooted in ‘permanent’ makeovers with Korean plastic surgery.”

Plastic surgeries in South Korea drastically surpass those performed in other countries according to Seoul TouchUp, a Korean medical tourism agency.

And the results achieved by such plastic surgeries are even more dramatic than one could imagine. For example, when viewing the images in this buzzfeed article titled “31Crazy Before and After Photos of Korean Plastic Surgery,” it’s hard to accept that the results are real and not touched up afterward with a image editor like Photoshop.

“There is no denying that changing your image can be fun,” says Heller. “It’s one of the main reasons many people enjoy dressing up on Halloween.

But plastic surgery isn’t makeup and it isn’t make-believe. Plastic surgery is real and so are the results, which are sometimes irreversible – just ask Bruce Jenner or Mickey Rourke.”

There isn’t anything wrong with trends or following them for that matter. You can always buy a new pair of boots or get a new haircut when they go out of style, but a new face, that’s a little more tricky – and costly.

Here’s to hoping Korean plastic surgery patients don’t find out that hooded eyes and strong jaws are the new trend anytime soon.

Contact Allure Plastic Surgery today to schedule a free body or facial plastic surgery consultation with a top NY plastic surgeon.