Author: Allure Plastic Surgery

NYC, NEW YORK – Some claim that SmartLipo is an effective alternative to a tummy tuck, but SmartLipo isn’t for everyone.

What is SmartLipo, You Ask?
SmartLipo is the gold standard of the laser liposuction realm; the ‘Fraxel’ of the laser liposuction world – if you will. Since being approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006, it has been making waves and gaining praise for the results it delivers.

An improvement upon liposuction techniques of the past, which often worsens loose skin, SmartLipo can actually improve it. The laser first produces wavelengths that rupture fat cells, allowing the liquefied fat to be gently suctioned away with specialized cannulas. These cannulas are smaller than traditional varieties and only require a 2mm incision for insertion. Don’t let size fool you though. Just as much fat can be removed with these smaller cannulas and the collagen production they induce coagulates and tightens the skin.

For patients with excess fat and skin in their tummy area, SmartLipo has many benefits that sound more alluring than a tummy tuck. A tiny incision and local anesthesia trumps a hip-to-hip incision and being put “under.” And since time is a luxury for most, the reduced downtime associated with laser liposuction makes it seem like a no-brainer choice – at least at first glance.

“There is no doubt that SmartLipo has many great qualities, but it’s not right for everyone,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, one of the best plastic surgeons in NYC. “Depending on the patient’s particular case, laser liposuction may not yield the results they desire. My patients often opt for the procedure that produces the best results opposed to the one with the lowest downtime.”

You Get What You Pay For.
When it comes to plastic surgery, you get what you pay for. And by that we aren’t necessarily referring to the price of the procedure, but its qualities. Less invasive procedures produce less dramatic results, which is fine if you only require minor improvement but if your case is more severe or complicated, you are sure to be disappointed with your results and investment.

Is SmartLipo Right For You?
The ideal candidate for SmartLipo has some excess stomach fat, skin that is either minimally lax or not lax at all and tight abdominal muscles. Although SmartLipo can tighten skin, if your skin is very loose, you have a lot of excess fat and or your abdominal muscles are damaged, SmartLipo’s skin tightening effect won’t make enough of a difference to make you happy.

Tummy Tuck
For those who require more than laser liposuction, a tummy tuck is in line. Although this surgical procedure does produce a scar that is quite a bit larger than that used in SmartLipo, it allows the surgeon to remove not only excess fat, but large amounts of excess skin.

“We can also go in and repair abdominal muscles that were damaged during pregnancy,” says Dr. Heller.

The incision for this procedure can run from hip to hip however, it is hidden well beneath the bikini line and beats having a pouch of loose skin and fat hanging over your bikini at the beach.

The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, requires general anesthesia (some surgeons may use local anesthesia with a sedative) and approximately one to two weeks of downtime. The aftercare includes a comprehension garment and drainage tubes which, aide in successful healing.

“Neither of these procedures are a replacement for diet and exercise,” says Dr. Heller, a NYC Tummy Tuck and SmartLipo pro. “You should be in good shape before having these procedures and ideally, not have intentions of growing your family.”

If you are interested in a fat transfer or flattening your tummy with SmartLipo, contact our office for a free consultation to make sure you’ve chosen the best option.

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK — They say a picture is worth a thousand words however, these days they may be worth a thousand dollars, maybe more. And we mean that in more ways than one.

When it comes to plastic surgery, some patients are making money and some are spending it.

The rapidly increasing popularity of social media sites is causing people to become more conscious of their appearance and is serving as a catalyst for facial rejuvenation according to statistics released by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc.

Spending money: Getting plastic surgery because of envy.

“Unflattering self-images and envy of the good looks of others were convicting people to address their image long before Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest blew up,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, a New York plastic surgeon. “Because the main component and most entrancing feature of social sites is photo sharing, people are flung into the ‘perfect storm’ of comparing themselves to others, which fuels a desire to improve or change their appearance. So I am not surprised at all that an increase in plastic surgery, particularly facial plastic surgery, seems to correlate with the popularity of social sites.”

An article that delves deeper into why social sites – Facebook in particular – trigger envy can be found here.

Making money: Getting plastic surgery to get the job.

There have been many studies including this one from Psychology Today, which claim that better, younger looking people have less trouble finding jobs and make considerably more than less attractive individuals.

Today’s economy has reduced the job market and pushed back retirement for many. Because of this, many individuals see plastic surgery as job security or an investment that yields a great return if it helps them get a job sooner, or secure one at a higher wage.

What procedures are people making/spending money on?

Cosmetic, minimally invasive procedures increased by nearly 100 percent from 2000 to 2012, according to results of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual Plastic Surgery Statistics Report.

Many procedures fall under this category but those that saw the largest increase include:

1. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport) + 680 percent
   • Reduces forehead lines, crow’s feet and other lines caused by repetitive muscle contraction
2. Soft Tissue Fillers (Juvederm, Radiesse, etc.) + 205 percent
   • Plumps wrinkles, cheeks, lips and reduces dark circles
3. Laser Resurfacing (Fraxel or Ablative lasers) + 198 percent
   • Improves fine lines, sun damage and acne scarring

“When used individually, these procedures yield subtle, facial enhancement,” says Dr. Miller who is a Manhattan rhinoplasty (nose job) specialist. “But when combined, you get a much more dramatic result with little to no down time.”

To learn more about improving your image with little to no downtime, contact Allure Plastic Surgery for a free initial consultation.

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Manhattan tummy tuck patients are finding that the procedure does more than just flatten their tummies; it reduces their facial wrinkles and plumps their rears as well. And no, we aren’t pulling your leg.

For those of you who don’t know what a tummy tuck is, it’s a surgical procedure that allows surgeons to flatten tummies by removing excess fat, skin and repairing damaged abdominal muscles. Now, this process in particular isn’t what plumps wrinkles and butts but, it does set up tummy tuck patients perfectly for fat grafts.

How, you ask?

Fat grafting – in a nutshell – is the process of augmenting areas of the face or body with harvested fat. The reason a tummy tuck is the perfect precursor to fat grafting procedures is that it includes liposuction (how fat is harvested) of excess, unwanted fat.

“Fat harvested from a tummy tuck is often disposed of,” says Dr. Heller, a NYC plastic surgeon. “But instead of letting that fat go to waste, it could be processed and used to improve other areas.”

Fat grafting can be used for the following.

• Plump thin lips
• Reduce hollow temples and cheeks
• Erase smile lines
• Lighten dark circles
• Improve the size and shape of the buttocks
• Increase cup size
• (and more)

The most popular fat grafting procedures include the Brazilian butt lift and a fat transfer facelift. Here’s a closer look at each.

The Brazilian Butt Lift
“The Brazilian butt lift has surpassed butt implants as the leading butt augmentation procedure in my opinion,” says Dr. Elliot Heller who performs SmartLipo and liposuction in New York City. “The procedure not only eliminates the need for introducing foreign objects (implants) into the body, it reduces the risk of infection since a much smaller incision is needed to redistribute fat into the butt than is needed to insert an implant.”

The other aspect of the procedure that allows it to deliver results that trump those achieved with implants is the liposuction used to harvest fat. Fat is removed from areas like the tummy and thighs not only for augmentation, but to enhance the patient’s new curves by accentuating the areas around them.

When adding this procedure to a tummy tuck, it doesn’t mean the surgeon won’t remove unwanted fat from the lower back or thighs because they have harvested enough from the stomach during the tummy tuck. An experienced surgeon will make sure that they liposuction areas that accentuate not only the flatness of your post-tummy tuck belly, but the shape of your post-Brazilian butt lift rear.

Fat Transfer Facelift
As we age, the fat and tissues in our face begin to droop and/or deteriorate, leaving us with sunken features and wrinkles. But you don’t have to be old to have a similar facial condition. Some people are suffering from a disease, genetically inherited a gaunt face or have lost an extreme amount of weight (you don’t just lose it in your body.) The fat that is harvested from a tummy tuck can be processed and reinjected into hollow areas of the face to restore fullness and reduce wrinkles almost as drastically as a facelift. In fact, the results of a facelift can be drastically improved with fat grafts.

It is important to keep a couple of things in mind if you are to be eligible for a fat graft.

First, you must have an appropriate amount of fat available for harvest or you will be advised to gain weight before the procedure.

Second, fat is not necessarily permanent. The body will reabsorb the fat that does not establish by creating its own blood supply. However, improved techniques have increased the retention rate of relocated fat and surgeons often “over augment” areas to compensate for some reabsorption that will inevitably occur.

If you are interested in adding a Brazilian butt lift or other fat grafting procedures to your tummy tuck, contact our offices for a free initial consultation with a top plastic surgeon.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Men and women alike are looking for effective ways to improve their appearance and first impressions however, many are going about the search alone.

“In today’s economy, putting your best face forward is more important than ever before,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, a NY facial plastic surgeon. “Men and women are rushing into surgery with high expectations only to be disappointed with the results because they were ill informed. This is especially true with face lift procedures.”

When it comes to facelifts, there are many procedures (beware of surgeons who only offer a couple) – that fall into two main, surgical categories:

• Mini facelift
• Full facelift

We will briefly explain the difference between these two categories of facelifts so you can have “an edge” when you enter into a consultation with a board certified, facial plastic surgeon.

Mini Face Lift (Lifestyle Lift®, S Lift, Weekend Facelift, etc.)

• Minimal jowling
• Minimal downtime
• Minimal longevity (3-5 years)
• Does not address brow or eye area

As the name implies, mini facelift procedures are good for treating patients who have minimally lax skin, want minimal downtime and are OK with minimal longevity when it comes to results. Incisions placed around the tops of ears allow the surgeon to excise excess skin to provide a slight lift to the neck, lower face and lower, mid-face.

“The media has glamourized mini facelift procedures more than I feel the procedures deserve,” says Dr. Andrew Miller who also performs rhinoplasty in New York. “Most of my patients who meet the qualifications for a mini facelift opt for Botox and filler treatment until they are ready for a full facelift.”

Full Facelift (Deep Plane Facelift, SMAS Facelift)

• Heavy jowling
• Moderate loose skin
• Lasting results (7-10 years)
• Can lift deeper tissues
• Does not address brow or eye area

The presence of heavy jowls and banding in the neck area are the best predictors to needing a full facelift. Incisions hidden under the chin, behind ear and in the posterior hairline create a sling effect that provides a clean neck silhouette and allow for deep tissue lifting.

Since it’s not only our skin, but also our tissues that sag with age, repositioning deep tissue yields maximum results by providing a better foundation for re-draping skin over during a lifting procedure.

“Facelifts do a fantastic job of addressing sagging in the neck and lower face, but the rejuvenation stops at the mid-face,” says Dr. Miller. “Surgeons who claim to be able to resolve wrinkles around the eye with these procedures are attempting to lift the skin at a tighter and at a steeper angle. This may reduce some wrinkling but also yields an unnatural, overstretched result.”

Popular add-ons for facelift procedures that provide natural enhancement include:

• Fat grafts – Prevents “gaunt, skeletonized appearance in patients with minimal facial tissue
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)– Reduces hooding and bags by excising excess skin
• Brow lift – Repositions brows that have drooped with age
• IPL laser – Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Most would agree that Arrested Development character Lindsay Bluth-Funke looked much different in the season four premiere than in past episodes. But is that difference enough to accuse Portia De Rossi of plastic surgery?

According to articles like this one from Hollywood Life, it is. The article revealed exclusive reports from surgeons who believe that the “work” De Rossi had done may include rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, Botox and fillers such as Juvederm.

“It’s true that De Rossi did look different in in the show’s most recent episode but, I would not be quick to say she has had plastic surgery,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, a plastic surgeon in New York City. “As a plastic surgeon I feel that it should be the patient’s choice to share their procedures with others. Patients shouldn’t be made to feel pressure to address such topics.”

Plastic Surgery Etiquette 101
When it comes to addressing an “alleged” plastic surgery, you only need to remember one thing:

If they don’t tell, don’t ask or – since we are on the subject – publicly speculate. Why? Because going under the knife is a personal choice and experience. Many of those who choose to have surgery are already somewhat sensitive about their appearance like De Rossi, who has battled an eating disorder in the past. Plus you may be accusing someone of having work done when they never had.

“What they can do in Hollywood to change and actor/actresses appearance is amazing,” says Dr. Miller, a mini face lift expert. “It is very possible that De Rossi’s transformation was achieved by a skilled professional with face lift tape and some handy makeup application.”

One defense to Portia De Rossi’s new look is that when in character, she wears a long, blonde wig to hide her sleek bob.

“A new hair ‘do can definitely change your whole appearance,” says Dr. Miller. “When a patient has a procedure and wants to divert the attention from the work they have had done I always suggest changing their hairstyle or color to keep onlookers guessing.”

That’s not to say that we agree De Rossi has had work done. Although De Rossi looked different in character, while in attendance at the show’s season premiere, she looked much more like the natural beauty we all know and love.

“De Rossi is a beautiful woman; in or out of character,” says Dr. Miller, a NY tummy tuck expert. “If she’s had work done and chooses to keep it private, I hope others will respect her decision.”

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Most women (and men) would agree that curves on women are flattering – especially when they are in all the right places. But what if yours aren’t?

With the help of a plastic surgeon and key procedures like a breast lift and Brazilian butt lift, your curves can be “relocated” to perkier, sexier positions, in – get this – a single day.

Brazilian butt lift: More than a raise for your rear
The Brazilian butt lift repositions and reshapes the buttocks by injecting your own, processed fat – harvested through liposuction – into your buttock.

“This is where it is pays to have preexisting curves – even if they are in the wrong places,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a NYC liposuction expert. “If a patient is extremely thin, she will either be advised to gain weight in a healthy manner or opt for butt implants. What’s nice about gaining weight or having a little excess fat to begin with is that it allows us to enhance your results with targeted contouring via liposuction.”

Fat is generally harvested from areas around the buttocks such as the midsection, lower back, hips, thighs and love handles. The patient’s body type and desired results help to determine where the majority of fat will be harvested.

If you have an apple-shaped figure, which is characterized by fat accumulation isolated to your midsection, fat will be harvested from your tummy, lower back and love handles to whittle your waist.

Women who gain weight mostly in their lower half (pear shaped) will benefit most from liposuction of their hips and thighs.

Once an appropriate amount of fat has been harvested, it is processed and artfully reinjected into the buttocks with specialized cannulas. The cannulas not only allow for optimal control of fat placement, but also dramatically reduce the risk for infection since the procedure is closed.

It’s important to seek a consultation with a plastic surgeon in NY if interested in a Brazilian butt lift since, as mentioned earlier, he or she may want you to lose or gain a certain amount of weight to ensure that the procedure is feasible and your results are optimal.

What about the girls?
Chances are, if you have curves in all the wrong places they aren’t only isolated to your lower half, but your upper half as well. Yes, we are talking about the girls – your breasts. If you have ample sized breasts, the saying “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” probably hits close to home.

“Larger breast are more apt to sag,” says Dr. Heller. “While they may look good in a bra, they are more often a source of insecurity than pride.”

Breast lift
A breast lift is a procedure that uses a surgical incision to raise and reshape the breasts.

There are several types of breast lift techniques/procedures that can be used to:

• Lift and maintain breast size
• Lift and reduce breast size
-Or-
• Lift and increase breast size

Depending on the condition of your breasts and the results you desire, your surgeon will determine the appropriate technique to use.

One aspect of a breast lift that shouldn’t be overlooked is scarring. Even though surgeons take care to place incisions in areas that make scarring less visible, because the incisions are made on the breast, some level of scarring will remain. However, the dramatic improvement is worth the sacrifice of a minor scar or two.

If you are interested in sculpting your body with a Brazilian butt lift, breast lift or Smartlipo, feel free to contact Allure Plastic Surgery for a free, no obligation consultation.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Wouldn’t it be great if for Father’s Day, you could give that special man in your life a gift so grand that it changes his life? Of course it would.

A gift so grand, it would put a smile on his face and possibly improve his relationships and even career. Too bad you can’t give him the gift of confidence for Father’s Day – or can you?

Plastic surgery boosts confidence

According to research published by Clinical Psychological Science, if he has ever expressed dislike with any of his features say, his crooked nose, receding hairline, stubborn belly fat or enlarged breasts, plastic surgery can increase his quality of life.

The goal of the long-term study conducted by professors at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, was to determine if people who choose to have plastic surgery are different from people who don’t or wanted to but changed their mind, identify what goals they set for themselves prior to surgery and whether or not surgery achieves those goals.
The results revealed that plastic surgery patients were no different psychologically than anyone else, didn’t set unattainable goals for surgery and reaped the following benefits from their procedures:

• They felt healthier
•  Developed better self-esteem
• They felt less anxious
• Felt area operated on functioned better post-op
• Felt more attractive in general

No negative affects were identified and there seemed to be a high rate of physical and psychological improvement for patients.

“If there is one pay-off for the work we do that trumps all others, it’s seeing the confidence of our patients soar when we help them improve their unwanted features,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a Manhattan liposuction practitioner.
If you think your man would appreciate a boost in confidence, the following Allure Plastic Surgery procedures are always in high demand among men wanting a change:

• Tummy tuck (removes loose stomach skin and fat)
• Liposuction (clears stubborn belly fat)
• Male breast reduction (reduces enlarged breast tissue or loose skin)
• Hair removal (eliminates hairy backs and a unibrow)
• Hair transplant (hides balding)
• Laser tattoo removal (erases embarrassing ink)

If you are worried he may become offended by you footing the bill for his improvement, don’t. As long as the procedure is for improvement he has expressed interest in and not simply something on your wish list, he will appreciate your financial and emotional support.

We only advise that you seek a plastic surgeon in Manhattan who is experienced in the type of procedure he will be having. And almost importantly, wish that special man in your life a Happy Father’s Day from us here at Allure Plastic Surgery.

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK, NEW YORK — For some men and women, stretch marks are worn proudly; a badge of motherhood or dedicated weight training. However, for the majority of women – and men – they are an eyesore and constant reminder that they are no longer that slim teen they used to be.

For these people, the quest to find a magic potion that will fade their red or silvery stripes to pretty porcelain is costly, time consuming and in fact, a waste since there is no such over-the-counter product.

Stretch marks are the result of tears in the dermis caused by underlying tissues (fat and muscle) growing more rapidly than the outer skin. These tears are common in men and women and typically a result of the following changes:

• Pregnancy
• Puberty
• Weight gain (muscle or fat)

Common areas where these stripes appear include:

• Breasts
• Abdomen
• Arms
• Thighs

Because stretch marks can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, there is a huge market for creams that either prevent or treat stretch marks.

“There is no magic cream that will make stretch marks disappear and I personally find it upsetting that they make false promises since people waste valuable time and money hoping for a miracle that will never arrive,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, who performs male breast reduction and liposuction in New York. “What’s worse is that as time passes, stretch marks become even more difficult to treat. So while people are trying to save money waiting for their creams to deliver they are – in essence – making them more difficult to resolve.”

When stretch marks first appear, they are typically red or purple in color and known as striae rubra. As their elastin fibers thicken, they begin to fade to a silvery white color and are called striae alba. Many patients confuse this color change as a positive fading brought on by creams.

On the subject of prevention, if your friend rubbed peanut butter on her stomach throughout her pregnancy and never got the first stretch mark, you might want to do some research before you start rubbing everything in your pantry on your growing belly. You see, stretch mark sufferers are often genetically predisposed to have them.

“If your mother had stretch marks, you will probably get them as well,” says Dr. Heller who also performs breast augmentation in NY.

The best way to prevent stretch marks or reduce the severity of those that will occur is to remain in good health and attempt to gain weight slowly so that your skin has the opportunity to adjust. This is easier said than done for women who are pregnant but is a feasible task for those who are attempting to gain weight for cosmetic reasons.

So how do you make stretch marks disappear, you ask?

“The truth is, it’s nearly impossible to make stretch marks disappear completely, even with the state-of-the-art technology we have available to us today,” says Dr. Heller. “However, the improvement we are able to achieve is still significant and pleasing.”
Effective treatments include:

• Acid peels
• Fractional lasers
• IPL lasers

What makes these procedures effective for treating these scars is their ability to renew the outer layer of skin, reduce redness and repair or boost the collagen layer. Fractional lasers such as the Fraxel provide the greatest improvement by removing tiny cylinders of tissue which promotes rapid healing that reveals fresh skin and jumpstarts collagen production. An added bonus of Fraxel treatment is that it tightens the skin since removing tiny cylinders of skin reduces its surface area.

These treatments perform best when used in a series and are again, most effective during the striae rubra stage although still very effective in treating older stretch marks.
If you have any questions as to which treatment is best for you or when you should initiate treatment – maybe you plan to have more children or continue bodybuilding – contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon at Allure Plastic Surgery for a free initial consultation.

MANHATTAN AND STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK – If your children or significant other didn’t get you exactly what you wanted for Mother’s Day, it’s OK because at Allure Plastic Surgery we know what you want.

Typical Mother’s Day gifts include jewelry, nice smelling perfume or a massage which are nice choices, don’t get us wrong, but we’re betting what you really wanted was to turn back the clock.

Time and raising a family takes a toll on a woman’s appearance that can be equally reflected in the condition of her face and body. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to change that. And even though Mother’s Day has passed, any day is a good day to celebrate your motherhood.

With that said, we would like to share the top facial and body procedures that are hits among our New York mommies on the go.

Face
Women who want to return from lunch looking like they just had a mini vacation love our version of the “lunch time lift.” This zero-downtime procedure includes Botox injections for crow’s feet and forehead furrows and dermal fillers such as
Juvederm or Restylane. We can get creative with the fillers and fill in nasolabial folds (smile lines), reduce dark under-eye circles and plump your cheeks and lips. Depending on the experience of the surgeon and your skin type, some redness could occur but should fade within a few hours.

Body
Two problems that tend to worsen with childbirth and age are fat accumulation and leg veins (spider and varicose.) Mesotherapy and sclerotherapy are two excellent procedures that help resolve these issues in as little as 10 minutes!

Mesotherapy injections enzymatically reduce the size of fat cells, banishing cellulite. Sclerotherapy – the gold standard in spider vein removal – involves injecting a saline solution into unwanted veins, which causes them to collapse and be reabsorbed by the body.

“Sclerotherapy is a magical experience for most patients,” says New York plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Miller. “The veins that have bothered them for so long instantly disappear as I inject them, giving the patient instant gratification.”

Both procedures are performed in-office, require no downtime and can yield instant improvement although a series provides the best results.

Other popular procedures for women who have the luxury of more than a lunch break include eyelid surgery, breast enhancement and rhinoplasty in New York.

If you are interested in a little beauty boost on the go, stop by Allure Plastic Surgery for a free consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in New York today.