Isn't Life BEAUTIFUL!

Multiple Procedures, Multiple Problems?

2010-02-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Some patients request multiple cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures at one time – breast enhancement, liposuction, face lift and more, all at once. There are some procedures that can be done at the same time safely, but in general, the longer an operation, the greater the risk of infectious complications and extra days in the hospital.

The popular Mommy Makeover is a combination of face and body cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures designed to bring your body back to its pre-pregnancy state…and it can be very effective at achieving those results. In your initial consultation, we will discuss all the procedures that will give you the look you want, and how to schedule them for your health and safety.

In a study of nearly 300,000 operations performed at 173 hospitals from 2005 to 2007, the 30-day rate of infectious complications rose by almost 2.5% for every 30 minutes between incision and closing, and ranged from 3.7% for cases lasting up to an hour to 31.4% for cases that took more than 6 hours. I keep all of this in mind as I create a schedule to achieve your most beautiful results without unwanted complications.

Off the Fence about online Plastic Surgery Consultations

2010-02-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

Today, dozens of plastic surgeons offer “virtual consultations” on their web sites. But is it a good idea to get a plastic surgeon’s recommendation before a face-to-face consultation?

I always respond to emails about general questions on specific procedures, but offering a medical recommendation without a thorough consultation? It’s not something I do or recommend.

For one thing, many of my patients come in thinking they want a specific procedure, when what they really want is a result. For example, many women request a breast lift, seeking to have the breasts appear more rounded and sit higher on the chest, when actually, a breast enhancement would do the job a lot better. I get to show you that in a face-to-dace consultation.

Other patients have unrealistic expectations, from, say, a cosmetic facial resurfacing, confusing it with the structural benefits of an actual face lift. Laser resurfacing is excellent for freshening the complexion and restoring a youthful glow almost immediately; but only a face lift will address underlying muscles and sagging structures.

Refer to my website, read about the procedures you have in mind, and send an email with your questions as well as to set up a consultation in person. The web is fine for making contact but nothing substitutes for an in-depth consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

What’s new in injectibles

2010-02-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

Botox has been called the fountain of youth. When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, Botox injections are fast, simple, relatively painless and successful at relaxing wrinkles and frown lines on the forehead and between the brows effectively, for a reasonable period of time, about 3 to 6 months. The result: a younger, fresher look to your face.

Now, we have a worthy new competitor, called Dysport. Dysport works very similarly to Botox in reducing the wrinkles of the upper-face, but costs about 20-percent less. That’s great news for women who want face-freshening benefits at less cost.

Last year, more than 5 million Americans had Botox injections. This year, we may see Dysport patients outpace Botox users.

As long as Botox is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, it's extremely uncommon to develop any type of serious side effect. Most Botox problems are associated with having Botox injections performed by someone not fully qualified to do so.

So whether you’re seeking the fountain of youth or just want to refresh your looks a bit, you can rest assured that Botox or Dysport can do the job nicely, if you put your face in the hands of a qualified medical professional.

What's the most popular plastic surgery?

2010-02-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

Breast augmentation is not only my specialty, it’s the No. 1 plastic surgery in the U.S. Last year, more than 300,000 women underwent breast augmentation.
Today, women have the choice of saline and silicone implants. Both are great implant choices; silicone implants feel more like breast tissue and they are safer than ever.

Women in their 30s who've just finished having children and want to return to work or just want to get their former bodies back are a growing segment of women having breast enhancement. That’s because breast enhancement isn’t just for women who want to increase their cup size; it’s to improve the shape and “lift” of the breast to fit the contour of the body.

Breast implants are great devices, but they may need to be replaced. Most implants have a warranty that covers problems with implants. How you look and feel after a breast enhancement is immediate and should last you a long time.

Mammogram Controversy

2009-12-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Recent recommendations for breast cancer care are out of touch with today’s high medical standards for breast cancer care.

The sponsored panel which recently recommended screenings starting at age 50 and that women not do self exams, is not considered mainstream medicine and not advocated by those involved in oncologic care of the breast: note that the panel did not have a single oncologist.

This recent opinion bucks the trend of over 50 years of breast cancer care and service, calling it “anxiety overscreening" and "overdiagnosis.” In the opinion of many including the American Cancer Society and physicians involved in cancer care of the breast such as myself, there is the greatest value for women patients who had the benefit of early breast cancer detection and care.

As a representative of the American Cancer Society, I strongly maintain that baseline screening with mammograms begins at age 40, and continue to recommend yearly mammograms after that as well as monthly self breast exams.

Taxing Middle Class Women Is Unfair

2009-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

Congress is proposing a five percent tax on cosmetic medical procedures.

A cosmetic tax would have its greatest impact on middle class women, who choose cosmetic surgery for a variety of lifestyle reasons. A tax on elective medical procedures presents a number of problems, including:

• Discriminates against women. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 91% of all cosmetic procedures are requested by women. No woman should be penalized for this choice.

• Taxes Middle-Class. Cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive luxury for the wealthy. 86 percent of cosmetic surgery patients are working women. ASPS found that 71% of plastic surgeries were for individuals making less than $60,000 a year. Elective surgery taxes are not “luxury” taxes affecting a privileged few.

• Makes physicians tax collectors. Physicians would become tax collectors; the proposed tax holds physicians liable offices to collect cosmetic taxes.

• Violates Patient Privacy. The IRS could conduct audits of medical practices to determine whether procedures were elective and/or cosmetic, giving the IRS access to patient medical records and photographs.

• Compromises Patient Safety. Since the tax would be levied on procedures performed “by a licensed medical professional,” women may be tempted to choose elective cosmetic and medical procedures from non-medical personnel at salons, spas and other non-medical locations, which carry inherent safety risks.

The line between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is not always clear. A cosmetic tax would leave the decision in the hands of tax auditors rather than medical professionals and their patients.

Brighten Up – It’s Almost 2010!

2009-12-20T10:58:00.000-08:00

Brighten your eyes and skin quickly in time for that special New Years Party!
You can bring in the new decade looking younger and more refreshed in just an hour.

Start with Botox at $9.95 a unit. While you’re having BOTOX done why not complete the look with an Eyebrow Makeover? Danielle, our Aesthetician, will make over your brows to give your eyes an added lift. A full shaping starts at $20.00 & up.

If you need to fill some wrinkles, we also have a Restylane special: for a limited time just $400.00 a tube.

And, you can brighten up your skin with a holiday Photofacial with our IPL laser. It takes only 15 minutes. Special holiday price is $200.00 (reg. $300.00).

As you add another year to the calendar, you can look brighter and younger in no time at all. Call to make an appointment at 732-683-1033.

Here's wishing all a Happy and Healthy New Year! See you soon.

How To Talk So Your Plastic Surgeon Will Listen

2009-11-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

When you’re picturing yourself after plastic surgery, what you’re seeing in your mind can be hard to really describe to your doctor; but it's important to have that talk. An in-depth consultation is arguably the most important part of your plastic surgery decision – that and choosing a board certified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure.

Find a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure you want, not just occasional face lift. The best choices are board certified plastic surgeons who understand how to restructure the internal anatomy, to give you pleasing results that will last.

Good results in breast enhancement, nose shaping or face lift are certainly within your reach, but not without you reaching out to your doctor first. Find a doctor who is willing to be honest and tell you what is achievable, and best suited for your body and face.

Results Too Good To Be True?

2009-11-05T09:29:00.002-08:00

Buyer beware: some medispas may be advertising results they cannot achieve, and that creates unrealistic expectations.

Get real. The notion that any plastic surgery can be quick, simple and without scars of any kind, is simply unrealistic.

Look at celebrities who have had just too many plastic surgeries: too many face-lifts, breast enhancements, nose shapings. They are the poster-children for patients who pay thousands of dollars for disappointing results, or for “quick” procedures that don’t last.

On the other end of the spectrum, especially when it comes to face-lifts, are patients who are the victims of under-correction. The recent popularity of thread-lifts or mini face lift may require little time and investment, but these also have very little lasting power.

Choose a board certified plastic surgeon who really know what he or she is talking about, and talk to your doctor in depth
about the results you want compared to what you can realistically expect.

Surgery or Nonsurgical Beauty Treatments?

2009-11-05T09:29:00.001-08:00

If price and speed are your major considerations, perhaps plastic surgery isn’t for you. After all, today’s wide variety of IPL laser resurfacing techniques, administered by a qualified medical professional, can refresh your face and last for months.

Plastic surgery is for when you want to reshape the facial anatomy, lift or reshape the breasts, enhance your overall body shape, or reshape your nose.

But especially for the face, you can still get beautiful results from today’s amazing cosmetic facial treatments.

Check out our Pre-Holiday Beauty Event at Plastic Surgery Plus from 5-7PM on December 1, where we’ll be showcasing a variety of facial treatments that can have you sporting a holiday glow. Dr. Bhattacharya will be discussing and demonstrating a laser facial to show results you can see on the spot. Plus there’ll be specials on wrinkle treatments Dysport (the new Botox), and Radiesse, for that one night only, December 1. Call for details 732-683-1033.

Sunday Oct 18: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Annual Walk, Point Pleasant Beach

2009-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 18, The American Cancer Society presents Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Registration: 8:00am ~ Walk Begins: 10:00am
Point Pleasant Beach, Arnold Avenue Bandshell

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is not a race; it is a celebration and a time to share in the camaraderie of thousands of other people with a common goal: to end breast cancer, a disease that threatens the lives of so many women of all ages.

There is no registration fee or minimum fundraising amount, and people of all ages are welcome to participate.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is your opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, raise breast cancer awareness and raise funds to find a cure for breast cancer, once and for all.

You're making a difference, even making history, when you're part of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Click to help women receive free mammograms

2009-10-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

This year, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since its inception a quarter century ago, NBCAM has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer.

Did you know that The Breast Cancer Site has a click-a-day program? You click once a day, they receive financial support from sponsors and they donate 100% of the sponsor funds to charity to provide free mammograms.

If you have a blog or website, you can also add their button for others to click and spread the word.

Please schedule your mammogram appointment today, donate to a cause that supports free or low-income mammograms, and spread the word.

Oct. 16, 2009 is National Mammography Day...get yours today

2009-10-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

In 1993 President Bill Clinton proclaimed the 3rd Friday of each October as National Mammography Day. This year, October 16th is a day for women to make get a mammogram, and spread the word on free mammograms available to others.

Breast cancer, aside from skin cancer, is the most common cancer that affects women.
According to the American Cancer Society an estimated 192,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer was expected to be diagnosed among women in 2008. They also estimate that another 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2009.

Those numbers are alarming, especially since if detected early enough through self/clinical exams and mammography, most types of breast cancer can be treated.

Please schedule your mammogram today, if you have not already done so, and make sure you receive one on a regular basis if you are over the age of 40, have a family history of breast cancer, or have a prior history of radiation treatment.

If you under the age of 40 please remember to perform monthly self breast exams and visit your health care professional at least every 3 years for a clinical breast exam.

Free mammograms are available on National Mammography Day...call our office to find out where in our local Freehold area.

Living with Advanced Breast Cancer

2009-10-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Are you a woman living with breast cancer, or have a loved one who is?

While many breast cancer organizations focus on early detection and early-stage breast cancer, there are too few resources available for the approximately 155,000 women in the U.S. who are living with advanced breast cancer – cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

The Many Faces of Breast Cancer is an organization that hosts educational events throughout the country to support and address the unique needs of women living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, educate women about lifestyle changes and symptom management, and update women about breast cancer research.

The Many Faces of Breast Cancer addresses issues faced by women living with advanced breast cancer, and educating women and their loved ones about treatment options, local resources and support.

If you are living with advanced breast cancer, these events provide you with an opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, leading medical experts. Find out more at ManyFaces@zenogroupevents.com.

Forehead Lift cures migraines?

2009-09-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraines. In August, news of a surgical “cure:” in a double-blind study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, more than 80 percent of patients who underwent surgery in one of three “trigger sites” significantly reduced their number of headaches. More than half of reported a “complete elimination” of headaches compared with about 4 percent of the placebo group.

The surgery in question is the classic forehead lift, a cosmetic procedure to smooth furrowed brows. Could this cosmetic operation could relieve migraines and turn back the clock in one fell swoop? The possibility has migraine specialists – and sufferers - intrigued.

Because some migraines are caused when sensitive nerve branches are squeezed and irritated by muscles, deactivating those muscles through surgery could bring prolonged relief. Using BOTOX for migraines, for those same muscles — when paralyzed with Botox injections — eases headaches in some patients for roughly three months. Forehead lifts might result in a longer-lasting, perhaps permanent, alleviation of pain.

(Note that conclusive research on Botox as a treatment for chronic headaches is not yet ironclad. Allergan, Botox’s maker, is pursuing the approval of Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines.)

Many headache specialists emphasize that migraine surgery isn’t applicable to most sufferers. Suitable candidates are those who endure frequent migraines and have failed more tried-and-true methods of controlling their headaches

Also, note that the classic forehead lift for cosmetic effect differs significantly from the surgery for migraine sufferers. The latter removes frown muscles more thoroughly and entails padding nerves with fatty tissue.

Migraine surgery varies according to where the patient’s trigger sites are: forehead, temples or back of the head. It’s unclear whether or not the migraine sufferers whose pain had disappeared a year post-operation will remain headache-free for life.

Could forehead lift surgery also ease migraines permanently? All of this is still in the testing phase. We’ll keep you posted.

Safety is...a real MediSpa

2009-09-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

In 2006, a woman receiving wrinkle-filler injections began having a grand mal seizure. The woman was fortunate: she was in a medical office, with a doctor and staff equipped to help her.

Another woman in Raleigh, N.C. was not so fortunate. She scheduled a “photo-facial,” but during the treatment, the laser was set too high. The woman insisted the treatment was painful, but the aesthetician continued. This woman was left with oozing blisters which sent her to the emergency room. Instead of a smooth complexion, the results was deep scars and white spots where burns had permanently destroyed her pigment...and she spent more than $10,000 for treatment, which was not covered by health insurance.

Many cosmetic procedures—Botox, wrinkle fillers, laser facial treatments and more—are being performed in places called “medi-spas.” Fact is, a medispa can be anything from an area within a dermatologist’s office to a storefront at the mall that offers Botox along with manicures and massages. Those “non-medical” medispas may be putting you at risk.

And there are no federal regulations mandating who can and cannot perform cosmetic procedures and no laws to guarantee truth in advertising. It’s up to you to do research.

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 45 percent of dermatologic surgeons reported an increase in the number of patients coming in for corrective treatments after a cosmetic procedure performed by a non-physician. And not every MD is a qualified expert in facial rejuvenation procedures. You want a specialized physician familiar with skin and with facial anatomy: a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. You want to put your face in the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon surrounded by qualified staff and a completely equipped and modern medical facility. Anything less is risky business.

Youth In A Jar? Not Too Smooth...

2009-08-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

In today’s world, we want immediate feedback. In beauty, that seems to have translated into a new cosmetics category gaining popularity overnight: instant-results skin creams. These products promise immediate brightening, lightening, lifting or tightening with ingredients that temporarily camouflage blemishes, spackle the skin or stiffen it to feel tauter.

But many instant cosmetics do not provide much beyond instant benefits. Quick-fix beauty products may offer instant gratification, but any longer term results can be weak. Cosmetics and creams can only go so far towards true facial rejuvenation.

If you are looking to freshen your looks quickly, think cosmetic lasers.

Intense Pulsed Light Devices (IPL) treat rosacea, acne scarring and more, plus they stimulate new collagen production. Performed in the plastic surgeon’s office with minimal downtime, IPL skin treatments offer younger looking skin with improvements so subtle, your skin won't look obviously treated.

For skin resurfacing, today’s Erbium laser is one of the most efficient and popular lasers. The Erbium offers very rapid healing time – about two to four days - and shorter periods of skin redness compared to the carbon-dioxide laser. With it, fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, blotchy pigment irregularities and acne scarring can all be improved.

3D Facial Rejuvenation is a method of Dr. B’s that addresses all three layers of the skin, from surface to deep dermis. Add permanent fillers or Botox and you can further smooth lines in the brow, around the mouth, and actually prevent the appearance of new wrinkles.

Just let a qualified plastic surgeon handle your laser facial; there’s nothing worse than a complication or a poor result when you were expecting to look your best.

“Mommy…did you get a Makeover?”

2009-08-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

You’ve gone through childbirth, child rearing, and you’re ready to re-enter the workforce, or just ready to restore yourself. No matter how much you diet and exercise, it doesn’t seem to change your shape.

More women baby boomers are choosing The Mommy Makeover, a combination of plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments designed to make the best of any age, any stage of life.

A Mommy Makeover can employ plastic surgery to correct obvious aging effects like loose abdomen, flattened breasts, sagging muscle tone, even a tired face. The Mommy Makeover can offer a renewed post-childbirth figure and face.

Nonsurgical options like laser facials and Botox are easily incorporated into the Mommy Makeover, which is personalized just for you. So your personal Mommy Makeover may combine breast enhancement with BOTOX, tummy tuck with laser spider vein removal, eyelid surgery with BOTOX, Juvederm, or IPL Laser Facial Rejuvenation.

If you already maintain a good level of health and fitness and have realistic goals for your body, go for it. It may not be possible to have exactly the body you had before giving birth, but you can still look as good in your bathing suit now as before you were chasing kids on the beach.

Ask Dr B – Do you have questions about this topic? Post them here!

Cosmetic Surgery: Not Suitable for Children

2009-08-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

If you read the news lately, it seems that more and more teenagers these days, especially girls, are opting for cosmetic surgery to enhance their appearance. In truth, plastic surgery for teens is still relatively uncommon, with only about three percent of those 18 and younger undergoing such procedures each year.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the three most common teenage cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries include nose job, breast reduction, and otoplasty (pinning back the ears).

Breast implants for teens, which seems to spark the most controversy, actually ranks 6th on this list, making it a relative rarity.

As I plastic surgeon, I believe that for some teenagers, aesthetic surgery can be a benefit to physical and emotional development. If your teenager is struggling with self-confidence or negative peer relationships as a result of a particular physical feature, if you suspect there is a serious risk to your child’s emotional health, and if that child has approached you to discuss his or her worries, you may want to consider consulting a plastic surgeon along with your child to explore the options.

If your teen does decide he or she wants surgery, as the parent you must consider carefully whether this will positively impact your teen’s life, or if it’s just the latest fad. It’s up to both you and your plastic surgeon to must make certain that your teen has realistic expectations about the procedure, and that the right procedure is chosen. And while there are always exceptions, it is my opinion that there are some aesthetic surgeries that should not be done on teenagers.

Breast enlargement should generally not be done before the age of 18. If your teen wants breast implants, keep in mind that saline breast implants have only been approved by the FDA for women at least 18 years old, and for breast reconstruction.

Liposuction is not a sound solution for removing unwanted baby fat. Most teens continue to experience major changes in body shape for several years, and interfering with that process can be damaging.

And while everyone wants high cheekbones, cheek implants produce only subtle results, and it is unlikely that the average teenager would really appreciate the subtle changes of cheek implants.

Ask Dr B – Do you have questions about this topic? Post them here!

Be The Biggest Loser, Dance You’re A** Off…but what about extra skin after weight loss?

2009-08-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

After bariatric weight loss surgery, the last thing you want is more surgery. But if you just lost a lot of weight, this may be one of the first things on your mind.

Dramatic weight loss, from gastric bypass surgery or just plain old diet and exercise, is a tremendous achievement. But after you lose 100 pounds or more, something is shaken loose: the skin all over your body. That excess tissue that hangs from the abdomen below the belt line, from under the arms, in fact, from all over the body. You just can’t fit into clothes with large amounts of excess flesh.

Can plastic surgery help? Yes – you can contour the entire body with surgery, in stages beginning with the most critical areas: usually the abdomen, buttocks and breasts for women. A qualified plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and tissue, and bring the remaining skin tight against the body.

Dr. B advises not to do it all at once though; this greatly increase the risks that all surgery carries. And minimizing scars is vital. Where scars will fall and what they will look like can all be managed. Scars may be hidden along the bikini line, under the armpit, or underneath the breasts in women.

Body contouring after weight loss can be another step to achieve your goal of getting the life and look you really want

Ask Dr B – Do you have questions about this topic? Post them here!

Need a (Breast) Lift?

2009-08-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

Many women describe the look they want by lifting their bra straps for a “breast lift.” It’s true that when it comes to breast enhancement, the idea is to reverse the natural affects of aging, pregnancy, and gravity. But according to Dr. B., it's not about lifting the skin, but reshaping the breast itself for a rounder, firmer appearance and thus, an uplifted look.

In many cases, women who think they want a lift really need a breast augmentation to fill out sagging breast skin and reduce droopiness. Not all women who want breast implants are trying to increase their cup size; a breast augmentation balances the shape of their breasts and aligns them with the natural contours of the body.

Good news is that breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, with a smaller incision and faster healing, compared with a true breast lift. In addition, once you begin with a breast lift you may be committed to reoperation in order to maintain the look you want – because breast tissue will continue to sag as time goes on.

Breast implants also may need replacement at some point – like all medical devices, they do not last indefinitely. A qualified plastic surgeon can discuss breast enhancement vs breast lift so you get the look you really want.

Ask Dr B – Do you have questions about this topic? Post them here!

BOTOX with a beer?

2009-08-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Did you get your invite to the “Botox Party"? This is wild stuff: people gather for Botox injections at someone's house or a hotel banquet room. The atmosphere is social and festive, including alcoholic beverages. Sure sounds….dangerous.

While Botox the injections are quick and minimally invasive with few side effects or risks, Botox is still a medical procedure. Drinking alcohol before, during or after any medical procedure could not only affect your decision-making, but actually impact the outcome of the procedure.

Yes, Botox® is generally safe and effective - but only if you adhere to sensible guidelines that ensure that all goes smoothly. And if it doesn’t…best to have a qualified plastic surgeon administering your Botox; who better to successfully manage any unexpected side affects than a medical professional familiar with facial anatomy…and one who hasn’t had anything to drink.

Ask Dr B – Do you have questions about this topic? Post them here!