Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Blog in New York, NY | George Lefkovits M.D.

Italy Bans Breast Augmentation for Teens

2009-12-30T10:21:00.001-05:00

This month, Italy joins the US in banning breast augmentation for women under age 18. It may seem straightforward to people in the United States that a certain level of maturity is needed before a person can decide on life-changing cosmetic surgery, but in many countries there is no restriction on teens receiving breast augmentation or other forms of cosmetic surgery.

The reform comes after a growing number of cases of botched surgeries in the country and is part of a larger program. The government is also seeking to draw up an official registry of patients qualified to perform plastic surgery, similar to the board certification that plastic surgeons undergo in the United States. An official in the government described the current situation as "a Wild West, cowboy style system of plastic surgery for women," and a representative of the Italian Society of Plastic Surgeons said, "too many people carry out these operations without the proper qualifications."

Plastic surgery is a worldwide practice, but in many countries there is difficulty regulating the practice. In Britain, for example, there is no law against breast augmentation for teens, and the growth of plastic surgery procedures has led to some practices engaging in "irresponsible" sales techniques, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

In the United States, patients who do their research can be assured of the quality of training received by a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). If you are of age and interested in plastic surgery from a board-certified plastic surgeon, please schedule a consultation with Dr. George Lefkovits in New York.

Plastic Surgery Tax Axed in Senate Bill

2009-12-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

During the final days of debate, the Senate decided to remove a proposed cosmetic surgery tax, sometimes known as the BOTAX from their version of the healthcare reform bill. The 5% tax on cosmetic surgery procedures, defined as plastic surgery and similar procedures not recognized as medically necessary, was intended to help defray the cost of health care legislation, currently estimated at $871 billion. The tax may have generated as much as $5.8 billion over the 10-year life of the bill.

The bill was opposed by several interest groups, including Allergan, the maker of BOTOX® Cosmetic, who spent more than $1 million lobbying lawmakers during the first three quarters of this year, before the tax issue moved to the forefront. Allergan also launched a Facebook page to stop the tax. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons had previously released survey results showing that the majority of Americans opposed the tax.

In place of the BOTAX, the Senate introduced a 10% tax on tanning bed procedures.

If you are considering plastic surgery, you no longer have to worry that you will face additional taxes. To learn more about procedures that might be right for you, please schedule a consultation with New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits.

Breasts Can Help a Woman Feel More Feminine

2009-12-28T16:01:00.000-05:00

The size of a woman's breasts affects not just how attractive she feels, but also how feminine. A woman may be very attractive, feel attractive, but may not be happy with her appearance because she doesn't feel feminine. Consider the case of Nicole Kidman, who has long been considered one of Hollywood's most attractive women, but who has long had one particular issue with her own appearance, the size of her breasts. During an interview after her recent pregnancy, she talked about how she felt when her breasts enlarged during pregnancy: "They're not very big, my boobs, so they just became normal size. I loved it. I felt very Woman. When you've had a slightly androgynous body your whole life, having breasts is a nice feeling."

If you have always had a somewhat androgynous body, breast enlargement can help you achieve a more feminine shape, and help you feel more feminine as well. Whether you feel attractive or not, feeling feminine can be an important part of feeling good about yourself. Breast procedures like breast enlargement have been shown to help women's self-image. In a recent survey of patients, about nine in ten felt that their breast procedure helped their self-image.

If you would like to learn more about breast enlargement with New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits, please contact us today.

Study Explores Why Women Get More Wrinkles

2009-12-28T10:15:00.000-05:00

There are many reasons why about 90% of plastic surgery patients are women. Women are under more pressure to look younger and more beautiful for the majority of their lives. Age is not considered attractive in a woman the way it might be in a man. But women's faces also tend to wrinkle more around the mouth than men's, and Dutch researchers believe they have discovered why.

The researchers did a detailed analysis of the flesh and skin around the mouth in 25 male and 25 female cadavers, aged 75 to 93, and found a significant anatomical difference between men and women. The researchers compared skin thickness, wrinkles, muscle attachments, and other characteristics of the soft tissue around the mouths and found that women have:

Fewer sweat and sebaceous glands
Fewer blood vessels
Muscle fibers attached closer to the skin

The results suggest that women's skin around the mouth gets less lubrication and nutrients, which can make it less resistant to the effects of aging, and, with closer muscle attachments their skin is subjected Earlier theories suggested that men had thicker facial skin to support a beard, but this was not upheld by detailed analysis.

The results suggest that women who want to reduce wrinkles around their mouths should make sure they use an appropriate amount of moisturizers around the mouth area. It also supports the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for "smoker's lines" or "lipstick lines" around the mouth.

If you would like to learn more about anti-aging treatments to help you look younger longer, please schedule a consultation with board-certified New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.

Experimental Vampire Therapy for Facial Rejuvenation

2009-12-22T16:03:00.001-05:00

Ever wonder how vampires like Twilight's Edward Cullen keep their youthful appearance despite being a hundred years old or more? Perhaps it's the blood. Some London doctors are experimenting with what they call the S3 treatment for facial rejuvenation in which serum from your blood is injected into your face to stimulate it regain its taut, youthful appearance.

S3 therapy is not a facial filler and is distinct from treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. Instead, S3, or Stimulated Self Serum, therapy involves the use of serum extracted from your blood to encourage your skin to regenerate itself. After your blood is drawn, it is separated into its three components: the red blood cells, the platelets, and the clear fluid serum. The serum is then combined with vitamins and amino acids before being injected in numerous micro-injections into the skin of the face.

The theory for S3 comes from the dental treatment in which serum is injected into receding gums to stimulate their regrowth. In addition, some studies have shown that injections of plasma (serum plus platelets) into sports injuries can encourage healing.

At this point, there are no controlled studies to show that this particular rejuvenation procedure really works, but it does represent an intriguing, if strange, treatment possibility.

If you would like to learn about proven facial rejuvenation techniques, please call or email New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.

Plastic Surgery and Recovery from Drug Abuse

2009-12-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

One of the consequences of drug abuse can be a disastrous impact on your body. Many young men and women who abuse drugs find themselves and their bodies marked, wasted, or scarred as a result. These scars can be an unfortunate reminder that follows people for the rest of their lives and can prevent them from feeling fully recovered from their habits and abuse. But plastic surgery, by helping to restore the body, can help erase the physical scars and help emotional healing become complete.

An example of this is burlesque star Dita Von Teese, who says her drug habit in the 1990s took a toll on her figure. She credits seeing her gaunt form with inspiring her to change her ways. Her weight had dropped to about 90 pounds and she had a wasted appearance. She decided to give up drugs as a result, but while she was able to regain weight, her breasts never recovered, so as when she was 21 she decided to have breast implants. With an eye to a natural appearance, her breast augmentation has helped her gain a position as a world-recognized model and performer.

Weight loss during drug abuse is common, but not the only effect. Major nutritional deficits and dehydration can have a negative impact on the health of your skin, leading to a prematurely aged appearance. Facial rejuvenation procedures can help restore a youthful appearance.

If drug abuse has caused major damage to your body that has not healed even though you have been clean, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Please schedule a consultation today to learn more.

Plastic Surgery Can Combat Age Prejudice

2009-12-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

Like most prejudices, age-prejudice has a strong visual component. When people look at you, they immediately form judgments about who they believe you are. They look at your clothes, your hair, and your face, and they decide what kind of person you are. Often these judgments are made without the judge even knowing that is what he or she is doing. One of the most common prejudices in our society is age prejudice.

When someone looks at you and decides that you are "old," they are likely to make several summary judgments about you. They may think you lack energy. They may think you are out of touch. They may think you are boring. They may think you are a has-been or a never-was. And, unfortunately, how old we look often bears little relation to our chronological age, let alone how old we feel. People making snap judgments about you will never get to know the real you, and age prejudice can unfortunately seriously hurt you in your personal and professional life.

For people who find that they are encountering age prejudice on a daily basis, plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, can go a long way to improving how people receive you. If you are beginning to encounter the effects of aging, a combination of injectable fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can turn back the clock a little bit. If your drooping eyelids make it look as though you are tired and have lost your edge, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can restore a fresh, youthful appearance. And if furrowed or sunken brows make friends, family, and coworkers think you are perpetually angry, brow lift surgery can help you look younger and more relaxed.

If people around you are judging you on the basis of your appearance, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Please call or email him to learn more.

Tragedy and Triumph at Miss Plastic Surgery Pageant

2009-12-13T15:35:00.000-05:00

We had talked before about plastic surgery and beauty contests. In many places, women who have had plastic surgery are not allowed to compete in beauty pageants. In response to this ban, pageants specifically for women who have had plastic surgery have begun to spring up. The first was in China last year. This year, a similar pageant was held in Hungary. The Hungarian pageant was marked by a startling turn of events.

One of the favorites to win the pageant took an unfortunate tumble in the early competition. Her silicone breast implants were relatively new, and she was unused to walking in high heels with the additional weight of her breast implants. After the judges looked at the results of her breast augmentation and remarked at how tiny her scars were, she tripped and fell, badly tearing a ligament in her foot. However, she managed to recover and won third place in the pageant.

Considering the lengths people go to alter their appearance in other ways, it does not seem sensible that recipients of plastic surgery should be excluded from pageants. After all, plastic surgery is not about completely changing a person's appearance. Instead, plastic surgery is about fine-tuning or providing minor adjustments to what is already there.

If you would like to learn more about how plastic surgery can help complete your appearance, please call or email Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.

Research May Replace Breast Implants with Newly-Grown Breast Tissue

2009-12-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

In searching to find an alternative to breast reconstruction for mastectomy patients, a team of Australian researchers may have found a way to replace breast implants forever. The technology uses breast stem cells to stimulate a woman's body to grow new breast tissue. In the procedure, a sample of a woman's breast tissue is placed in a shaping structure similar in shape to a bra cup. The breast tissue is attached to blood vessels. The body then grows new breast tissue to fill up the cup. In the prototypes, a second surgery is then necessary to remove the cup, but researchers hope that in the next two years they will develop a cup that can be absorbed by the body, leaving only natural breast tissue.

The technique has advanced to animal trials, regrowing breasts on pigs in just six weeks. However, a prototype trial is set to begin in the next three to six months. Researchers are unsure how long it would take for women to regrow breasts because people stop growing at adolescence and it may take longer for growth triggers to be turned on.

Although this procedure has been studied for breast reconstruction, researchers mention that it could be used for breast augmentation as well. In the procedure, women would talk to their surgeon about how much enlargement they desired, and a custom-made scaffold would be designed to give women the size and shape of breasts they wanted.

Researchers believe the technology should be available in three years, but considering the number of challenges the technology faces, this seems to be optimistic. And it may be a long time before the technology gets approved in the United States.

If you would like to learn more about your options for getting the best breast augmentation results with current technology, please call or email New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.

Study Shows that Mothers and Daughters Age the Same Way

2009-12-07T15:32:00.000-05:00

In research presented at last month's American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) convention, doctors used computer scanning and 3-D modeling to compare the faces of mothers and daughters that were beginning to experience facial aging around the eyes. The results showed convincingly that patterns of facial aging were similar between mothers and daughters. The use of the computer software allowed an objective comparison between the two groups, instead of the subjective comparisons that had been used in other studies.

The surgeons compared ten pairs of mothers and daughters, with daughters as young as fifteen and mothers as old as 90. The greatest areas of similarity between mothers and daughters were around the tear ducts and in the lower eyelids. This is common and eyelid surgery among the most common plastic surgery requests for women. The hope is that an analysis of facial aging in mothers can help plan a preventative course of action so women will not come to look like their mothers.

If you would like to learn more about how surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation can help you keep your youthful appearance and avoid the matronly appearance of your mother, please call or email us to learn how New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help.

Breast-Friendly Fashions

2009-12-02T15:09:00.000-05:00

The typical fashion model is stick-thin, often with only the slightest hint of breasts. Designers often select such slender, shapeless models because the lack of figure is like a blank canvas that allows designers to construct their fashions without worrying that the model will alter the desired effect. It is truly that these models are as close to a human clothes-hanger as possible. However, this commitment to stick-thin models seems to be changing, and the trend will likely be toward fashions that are more friendly to women with ample curves.

The signs are everywhere. Last year a plus-size model won the competition for America's Next Top Model. In Spain, stores are no longer allowed to use tiny models. In France, the government is considering requiring that all airbrushed fashion images carry warning labels. But most remarkable is some of the action from within the industry itself. At London Fashion Week earlier this year, designer Mark Fast incorporated size 14 women into his show. And Glamour Magazine featured models in all sizes in its September issue, including seven top curvaceous models.

Although the death of several anorexic models in recent years has put the spotlight on the fashion industry, the concern about women's body image seems to be only one of many reasons why the fashion industry is turning around. This is a continuation of a trend that embraces curvaceous beauty. Most women like being curvaceous, with good breasts, a narrow waist, and larger hips. The popularity of breast augmentation and body contouring tells us this. The fashion industry, by not catering to this desire, is finally realizing that it has alienated itself from much of society, inspiring not just anger, but indifference.

If you like your curves and want to enhance them, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Please schedule a consultation today to learn more about the procedures we offer and how they can help.

iPhone Applications for Plastic Surgery

2009-12-01T15:01:00.001-05:00

iPhone applications and similar pay (a little) to play functions are being considered the foundation of the Internet 3.0 economy. Now that economy is reaching into plastic surgery, with two recently introduced applications. One of them was launched in October, and is primarily an information-gathering tool. The designer notes that modern patients are more information-driven than traditional patients, and to supply them the application taps into a database of more than 1,000 questions and answers about plastic surgery procedures.

The other application is more of an entertainment-oriented application. Its primary function is to allow you to upload pictures of yourself or others, then see what might be the result from plastic surgery procedures like tummy tucks, breast enlargement, or lip augmentation. Although the promoters of the application say that it will give patients "a clear visual of what they would look like post-surgery," most likely the images are fairly imprecise and really are intended for entertainment purposes only.

If you would like to really have your questions answered or get an idea about what results you might be able to expect from plastic surgery, the best way is through a consultation with a plastic surgeon, like Dr. George Lefkovits. If you live in New York City, Upstate New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey, please contact us to schedule an appointment today.

Study Shows People Make Snap Judgments Based on Facial Shape

2009-11-30T15:58:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how long it takes for a person to decide what kind of a person you are? According to a new study, about 39 milliseconds. Researchers were attempting to determine whether the shape of men's face may have been shaped by sexual selection, meaning that men with a particular facial shape would be associated with a characteristic that might have been selected for and be recognized as such. In an earlier study, researchers associated the width-to-height ratio of men's faces with their aggressiveness. Now, in this follow-up study, researchers showed the faces to study participants, who were asked to rate the faces on the basis of aggressiveness. They did two studies, one in which people were shown the face for 2 seconds before being asked to rate it, and a second where people were shown the face for a mere 39 milliseconds before being asked to rate it. Not only were the ratings from the two studies highly correlated, they also accurately reflected the aggressiveness of the men shown.

This study proves what we have always thought: people judge us by our appearance, instantly. Even before you are introduced to a person, they have decided what kind of a person you are. This means that if you have a narrower face or characteristics like a receding chin you may be facing an uphill battle to be taken seriously at work or when dating. And if your facial shape changes with age, you may find that people's reactions to you change.

If you think people are making unfavorable judgments about you on the basis of your face, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Facial implants can help change your facial shape, affecting the crucial width-to-height ratio and eliminating negative characteristics like a receding chin. A facelift can help combat a lengthening face to restore a more rugged, youthful appearance.

To learn more about how Dr. Lefkovits can help you make the right first impression, please call or email us today to schedule a consultation.

Breast Reduction Shown to Reduce Stress on Lower Back

2009-11-28T15:30:00.000-05:00

One of the main reasons women seek breast reduction is the stress on their lower back and the pain and even disability that can result over a lifetime of stress caused by the weight of large breasts. Large breasts, described as micromastia, is a recognized medical condition, and for some women it may be covered by insurance. A recent study published in the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows that breast reduction is a good treatment for women who have large breasts and may improve their overall health.

The study evaluated women before and after breast reduction surgery. It looked at kinematic data for the women performing an unconstrained lifting task, and modeled the maximal compressive forces in the lower back. It also used the functional ratings index (FRI), a subjective ratings system, to gauge the women's results. The FRI is a tool commonly used by chiropractors and others to evaluate a person's back and neck health. The study showed that compressive forces on the back were reduced by 35 percent by breast reduction surgery. The FRI showed an improvement of 76 percent after breast reduction, with most women reporting the greatest improvement for the frequency of pain and pain during travel.

If your breasts are causing you discomfort, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Please schedule a breast reduction consultation today to learn more.

50s Glamour Makes Comeback

2009-11-22T15:48:00.000-05:00

This year has seen an increased appreciation for women with curvaceous bodies. Women with larger breasts, wider hips, and ample buttocks have been grabbing attention away from stick-thin model types all year. Women with these body types have been praised for their resemblance to classic pinup figures and beauty icons like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Now an appreciation for these voluptuous beauties has transformed into a full-fledged return of many facets of 50s glamour.

Fashion powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana hired curvy actress Scarlett Johansson as its spokesmodel and this year launched a campaign that highlights many aspects of 50s style: hair rolled into big, luxuriant curls or swept into a bun; lipstick that is either nude or bright red in color; smoky, dangerous eye shadow, and slips, corsets, and pencil skirts combine to create a look that is both nostalgic and edgy.

Another surprising return is an upsurge in the popularity of the pointy bra that made the 50s silhouette so distinctive. The bra's original design came from Howard Hughes, who used his engineering knowledge to create its cantilevered underwire arrangement so he could better show off the breasts of Jane Russell on camera. Although Russell reports that she never wore the bra, its association with her and with the scandalous production The Outlaw ensured it would become a popular design as women tried to replicate Russell's assets in their own wardrobes. Makers of the bra claim its increased popularity has occurred several times over the decades since its introduction, typically following periods of economic downturn "as women seek to have more fun with fashion as a form of escapism."

The main requirement for pulling off this type of 50s glamour look is curves. If you find your curves are not all you wish they were, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help with body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or buttock augmentation.

To learn more, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lefkovits today.

Weight Loss Tips for Men

2009-11-18T15:55:00.000-05:00

Women are experts at dieting and exercise. Even if they never manage to lose any weight, they know all about how to go about it. Men, on the other hand, often have no clue where to start if they suddenly realize they are a few pounds overweight. You might think that liposuction is a good weight loss option, but this is not the case. Body contouring procedures like liposuction or a tummy tuck can refine, finalize, or perfect your results, but before you get one of these procedures, you should work to get the best results you can on your own.

So here are some tips to help you get started:

First, picture your results by getting out an image of what you used to look like when you were at a more ideal weight. Then make a definite, realistic weight loss goal. If you're looking to lose a lot of weight, say to get all the way back down to where you were before you put on your freshman 15, divide it into several portions and meet each smaller goal before going on to the next.

Next, you might consider challenging a friend or friends who also want to lose weight. You know how competitive you are. You know you want to win. And don't be afraid to make it interesting. Gloating is great, but it's even more fun when you have cash to flash.

Then make a battle plan. Talk to a doctor about a good diet for you. Identify your weaknesses and make plans to foil them. If there's no way you can resist those cookies in the cabinet, banish them. If someone is an enabler, avoid them when lunch time or happy hour rolls around. If you're a stress eater, try to find some other way to blow off steam.

And portion control is key. No matter what you're eating, if you eat too much you won't lose weight. Don't deprive yourself or walk around feeling hungry all day. Plan meals that are fulfilling but light and eat slowly to give your body time to feel full. Ditch empty calories in your drinks. Cut out sugary sodas, fatty lattes, and, sadly, cut back on beer. Alcohol can contribute significantly to your calories, but if you must drink, try learning to appreciate a fine cognac or scotch that doesn't need a sugary mixer to mask its taste. A beer and a whiskey sour have about the same number of calories (~150), but a straight jigger of whiskey cuts calories by about a third.

Finally, don't forget to reward yourself. All work and no play will make your diet harder and more likely to fail. If you make it a condition of doing well at your diet, rewards will make your diet more bearable without derailing its results.

And remember, don't be shocked if after you reach your weight loss goals, you still don't look like you want. Unfortunately, many of the effects of weight gain are irreversible by your work alone. The good news is that New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can put on the finishing touches to complete your look.

To learn more about body contouring, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lefkovits today.

Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures

2009-11-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

Combining plastic surgeries can be an ideal solution for people that desire multiple procedures to improve their appearance. Multiple plastic surgeries are generally safe, as confirmed by a study published earlier this year about combining breast enlargement and tummy tuck procedures. However, it is important to remember to keep the scope of procedures within reason. Although several plastic surgeries can be performed at once, adding too many procedures at once can increase your risks.

Conventional wisdom has long suggested that the length of time spent under anesthesia can increase the likelihood of some risks. Data on this is mixed, suggesting that lifestyle and genetic factors are more likely to contribute to risk than just the length of time under anesthesia, but it is still a reason to be cautious of having too many plastic surgery procedures at once.

Another concern is just that the stress of too many procedures may make recovery too long and uncomfortable. When your body is healing from multiple procedures, the recovery may be prolonged. In addition, your ability to care for yourself, including enjoying a good postsurgical diet and getting sufficient exercise may be limited. You may be at an increased risk for infections.

During your consultation with New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits, you will discuss your plan for plastic surgery procedures, and he will help you determine what constitutes a reasonable combination of procedures. Often two procedures is a good place to start your planning. You might have the popular combination of breast enlargement and tummy tuck. Or you might combine eyelid surgery with a facelift to rejuvenate your face. The combination of procedures for you will depend on the results you desire and your personal health conditions, so be sure to share details about previous surgeries and complications as well as information about your current health and medications.

To learn more about the pros and cons of combining plastic surgery procedures, please contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lefkovits.

To Maintain Attractive Breasts, Pay Attention to Your Décolletage

2009-11-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

With age, there are many things that can happen to breasts. With the constant pull of gravity, breasts can begin to sag, prompting many women to seek breast lifts. Following pregnancy or weight loss, breasts can lose volume in addition to sagging, so breast augmentation is a popular part of many Mommy Makeovers. However, another symptom of aging breasts that is less commonly appreciated is the effects of sun and age on a woman's décolletage, the area exposed when you wear low-necked clothing, essentially the tops of the breasts and the area between them or cleavage.

As a woman ages, her décolletage can show signs of age. As the skin of the décolletage changes, it can begin to look dull and acquire sun and age spots. It can also begin to wrinkle and gain a creepy appearance. This can lead to an aged appearance of your breasts, even if they have good shape and size. There are many things you can do to slow the appearance of wrinkles and maintain an attractive décolletage.

First, limit sun exposure. The sun damages all skin and can lead to premature bathing. Just as you do with your face, make sure you wear sunscreen and keep your décolletage shaded as much as possible.

Second, don't forget the lotion. The symptoms of aging are partly the result of a lack of nutrition and moisture that lotion can partly supply. Whenever you apply lotion to your hands and face, don't forget your breasts.

Finally, look into a cleavage-smoothing sleeping bra. These bras are designed to be worn during sleep to smooth the skin between your breasts. They are especially recommended if you sleep on your side or if you normally wear bras that push your breasts up and together and can contribute to the formation of creases.

And if your décolletage is showing signs of age, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help with skin treatments that reduce wrinkles and the appearance of age or sun spots. Chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing are both recommended to help keep your décolletage looking young.

To learn more about breast procedures like breast augmentation, breast lift, or décolletage treatment, please call or email Dr. Lefkovits and schedule a consultation today.

Men: Keep Looking Young

2009-11-07T15:15:00.000-05:00

In the past, it has not been as important for men to maintain a youthful appearance. Often, men gained a distinguished appearance with age. A few wrinkles, a touch of gray hair, and a stern brow can help men to look more masculine. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly important for men to look younger to remain attractive, or, even more important professional and competitive. This is part of the reason why plastic surgery for men is becoming increasingly popular.

If you are a young man looking to preserve your youthful appearance, here are some tips:

Follow the ladies' lead: Women want to remain young, and have for many years sought the ultimate regimen for keeping themselves looking their best. If you're not shy, you can ask, but if you're afraid it'll make you seem too feminine, watch her go through her morning or evening ritual. If you get caught, you can easily explain it away with a compliment on her beauty. Chances are she'll appreciate the extra attention. Don't worry about stocking up on skin care products: most manufacturers nowadays make masculine versions that don't have girly labels or scents.
Take some extra time: If you spend more time on personal care, the chances are your skin will be in better shape and help you look younger. Shave every day to scrape away old dead skin and stimulate collagen production. Get full nights' sleep. Reduce stress in your life, since stress leads to furrowed brows and furrowed brows lead to wrinkles.
Ditch the comb-over: Longer hair that is parted and lies flat cannot help but reveal that it is thinning. To maintain a youthful appearance, shorter hair that is upright and feathered conceals your bald spots better.

If you do these things, you will look younger longer. Unfortunately, though, even the best preventive medicine can't stop aging altogether, and if you're already showing your age, what can you do?

Plastic surgery for men and non-invasive cosmetic procedures are growing in popularity because they work. The most common age-reducing surgical procedures we offer for men are: eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), hair transplantation, and a facelift. The most common age-reducing non-surgical procedures are BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing.

If you would like to learn more about looking younger for longer, New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits can help. Please schedule a consultation today.

Fat Graft for Breast Lifts

2009-11-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits has long used fat transplantation for buttock augmentation and facial rejuvenation, but it is only recently that the technique has received a tentative endorsement for use in breast augmentation. This announcement has triggered a wave of excitement, including some exaggerated claims about the amount of augmentation a woman might be able to achieve with this technique. Breast augmentation with fat transplantation is certainly an exciting possibility, but the area where fat transplantation may be able to make the most difference is in breast lifts.

When breasts begin to sag, it is often due to a combination of factors, including changes in skin tone and the cumulative effects of gravity, but also lost breast volume. In reshaping the breasts during a breast lift, fat grafting can help surgeons to achieve an ideal shape and volume, according to results that were announced on October 24 at this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

In performing either a breast lift or breast augmentation, Dr. Lefkovits will use all of the most effective techniques in achieving the breast appearance you desire. If you would like to talk to Dr. Lefkovits about fat grafting, breast lift, or breast augmentation, please call or email us today to schedule a meeting.

Learn from Bad Behavior

2009-10-30T16:12:00.001-04:00

It's an old Latin proverb that "A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own." Last week, celebrity singer and bad-girl Amy Winehouse gave us all an important lesson. Winehouse, 26, had a breast lift (rumored to actually be breast augmentation) on Wednesday the 7th, but instead of taking her doctor's advice and devoting time to recovery, she was up and about the next day, and by Saturday night, the 10th, was on stage singing for Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing with the Stars.

Many people noted that her performance was off, and when the performance was over, she screamed, "I need to see someone, my boobs are . . . killing me." She stayed overnight at an area hospital and has recovered.

However, her experience reminds us that when your doctor gives you postoperative instructions, you should follow them diligently. Failure to follow your doctor's instructions can increase your risk of complications. Most complications of plastic surgery procedures are minor and easily remedied, but they can be uncomfortable and increase the time it takes before you are fully well again. In planning your plastic surgery procedure, talk to New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits about how long you should allow for recovery.

If you would like to learn more about breast surgeries and how to minimize your chances of experiencing a complication, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lefkovits today.

South Africa Cracking Down on "Cosmetic Surgeons"--Should the US?

2009-10-25T16:04:00.000-04:00

It is a common caution to people searching for a plastic surgeon: make sure you use a board-certified plastic surgeon rather than a self-styled "cosmetic surgeon." Although plastic surgery is a specialization recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, cosmetic surgery is not. Consequently, any doctor who has been certified to practice in the state can say he or she is a cosmetic surgeon.

If you have your surgery performed by a cosmetic surgeon, your doctor may actually be a regular surgeon, an ophthalmologist, an otolaryngologist, or even a general practitioner. None of these doctors, though potentially highly qualified in their respective fields, has been trained in either the aesthetics or the pragmatics of plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons have honed their skills in additional residencies and been tested on plastic surgery concepts.

The situation is very similar in South Africa, where doctors of any description commonly advertise themselves as cosmetic surgeons. However, the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has vowed to crack down on doctors who practice outside their area. The HPCSA has stated, "Only specialists in plastic surgery may perform cosmetic surgery on those requiring it." In this, South Africa is a step ahead of the United States, because it has defined cosmetic surgery as specifically a subset of plastic surgery, and therefore has grounds to pursue practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery without being plastic surgeons.

Perhaps the United States should follow a similar course of action. To many people outside the profession, the terms plastic surgeon and cosmetic surgeon are interchangeable, so distinguishing between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a self-styled board-certified cosmetic surgeon (who may actually be a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist) can be difficult. We should eliminate this confusion by recognizing cosmetic surgery as a subset of plastic surgery and only allowing board-certified plastic surgeons to advertise and perform these procedures.

If you are interested in plastic or cosmetic surgery, work with a board-certified plastic surgeon like New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits. If you would like to learn more about the importance of working with a board-certified plastic surgeon, please schedule a consultation with our office today.

Fat Grafting Side Effect: Improved Skin Quality

2009-10-20T16:29:00.000-04:00

According to a study published in the September 2009 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, fat grafting (or transplanting) may have additional benefits beyond increasing volume as either a facial filler or during buttock augmentation. Fat grafts may actually lead to improved skin quality, as measured by dermal thickness.

The study analyzed the effects of fat grafted into nude mice. In all cases, they found the fat had become well incorporated into the mice. It had developed blood vessels that would supply the grafts, a key to long-term survival of fat graft. However, researchers also found that the skin in the mice receiving fat grafts had become thicker as a result of the production of new collagen. Using several different types of controls, the researchers were able to eliminate the likelihood that increased skin thickness was related to inflammatory reactions.

This work is still very preliminary, and researchers caution that no work has been done to determine the longevity of newly-generated collagen. But if it turns out to be a real side effect, it means that fat graft recipients may get additional benefits that can further improve the results and longevity of facial fat grafting.

If you would like to learn more about facial fat grafting and whether it may be an option for you, please call or email New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.

Scar Reduction Drug Undergoing Trials in Europe

2009-10-14T16:25:00.001-04:00

Scarring is an unfortunate consequence of any surgery, including cosmetic surgery. In most cases, plastic surgeons like Dr. George Lefkovits in New York skillfully place incisions to conceal scars. For example, facelift incisions are placed so that they are concealed at the base of the ear or behind the hairline. Breast augmentation incisions are concealed either at the inframammary fold (the crease where the breast meets the chest) or at the base of the areola (the colored area around the nipple). However, the amount of scarring a person experiences can vary greatly, with a small number of people developing scars that are hard to conceal.

Now a new drug is being tried in Europe to further reduce the incidence of adverse scarring. In early trials, the drug reduced the appearance of scars in individuals who were prone to adverse scarring. Now the drug is undergoing a trial involving people undergoing scar revision surgery. If the drug proves successful, it may be approved for use in Europe and possibly the United States.

Dr. Lefkovits uses many techniques for reducing the visibility of scars in all his cosmetic surgery patients. In addition to gentle-touch surgery using as small an incision as possible and placing incisions in concealed locations, Dr. Lefkovits recommends steps patients can take postoperatively to reduce the appearance of surgical scars. Treated properly, most scars heal satisfactorily.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery and scarring, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lefkovits today.

Persistent Myths in Plastic Surgery

2009-10-08T16:22:00.001-04:00

Patient education helps people have realistic expectations for plastic surgery, and knowing what to expect makes people happier with their results. It doesn't matter how good your results are: if you're not happy with them, then your plastic surgery is a failure. So we take patient education seriously and strive to make every patient knowledgeable of possible benefits and risks associated with surgery.

One of the obstacles to patient education is myths about plastic surgery that persist partly because of media promotion, and partly because some plastic surgeons themselves promote false information about procedures in the interest of getting more business. Here are a few persistent myths that people still hold about plastic surgery:

Liposuction or tummy tuck is for weight loss. This is frankly not true. Liposuction and other body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck give their best results after you have gotten close to your ideal body weight.
Newer technology is better. One marketing ploy plastic surgeons use to promote their practices is calling attention to the big new machine they just purchased. Some new technology and techniques have been proven to be effective, while others have not. And remember that any tool is only as good as the doctor using it.
Plastic surgery can make you look like your favorite celebrity. Plastic surgery's goal is to improve one or more specific aspects of your appearance to help you look your best. It won't completely transform you into someone you are not, let alone a celebrity look-alike.
Plastic surgery leaves no scars. Plastic surgeons are masters at placing incisions so that scars are almost invisible, but they cannot prevent you from having a scar. Scarring is an inevitable consequence any time your skin is cut.
Minimally-invasive procedures are as good as surgery. BOTOX® Cosmetic injections revolutionized the industry because they are so effective, have no recovery period, and very low incidence of side effects. Facial fillers have had a similar impact. But no so-called liquid facelift is the same as surgery. For some people who require only minor correction, injectables are better, but you must always remember that injectable treatments give results that last for months, while surgical facelift results generally last years.

If you want to learn the truth about plastic surgery, please schedule a consultation with New York plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits today.