Contacts: www.stonybrookphysicians.com | (631) 444-DOCS
11/4/2002
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Our board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Arora, Dr. Bui or Dr. Katz, offer patients a range of cosmetic service and treatment options, including the following:
Our program in cosmetic surgery now provides Botox therapy for facial and neck wrinkles. This nonsurgical method of removing and/or reducing such wrinkles recently gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of "frown lines" and, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, has already become the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure. Botox is a natural, purified protein that relaxes muscles by blocking nerve impulses. A few drops of it are injected with a tiny needle into the muscle that creates a wrinkle. When Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle weakens. As the muscle weakens, the skin overlying the muscle relaxes, and the wrinkles in the skin gradually soften and often disappear. Normal facial expressions are not affected by the treatments.
Before
Botox was first approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat two eye-muscle disorders'uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm) and misaligned eyes (strabismus). In 2000, it was approved to treat a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions, known as cervical dystonia. As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, Botox softened the vertical frown (glabellar) lines between the eyebrows that tend to make people look tired, angry, or displeased. But until this improvement was actually demonstrated in clinical studies, the manufacturer of Botox was prohibited from making this claim for it. By April 2002, the FDA was satisfied by its review of studies indicating that Botox reduced the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days. The agency then granted approval to use the drug for this condition in people between the ages of 18 and 65. Botox therapy is one of the safest available for reduction of wrinkles. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the only possible side effects are temporary and localized to the area of injection. It should be noted that the degree of improvement is variable. Occasionally, there is no improvement, and another form of treatment may be required.
Laser Hair Removal
Virtually all areas of the body can be treated if the hair has at least some pigment in it. Most treatment sessions last about 15 to 20 minutes. Each pulse of laser light feels like a small pinch or slight sting similar to the snap of a rubber band against skin. No local anesthesia is needed. A series of treatments are generally required. After each session, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy, but this reaction usually subsides quickly and returns to normal within a day. Chemical Peel In this procedure, Dr. Arora applies a chemical to the skin that removes its outer layer, which peels off, causing new, smoother skin to regenerate. He offers a variety of such treatments that remove cells from the skin surface and enhance the normal skin renewal process. This rejuvenation process helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of large pores, decrease roughness, enliven and even-out skin color and tone, and reduce the appearance of age and sun spots. More important, Dr. Arora's treatments will help to maintain healthy skin. He provides different chemical peels for each individual patient's special needs:
Collagen Implants Collagen implants are a long-established method of softening or "plumping up" lines or wrinkles. Collagen is a natural protein found just beneath the skin which helps to maintain the firmness and suppleness of the skin. The natural production of collagen declines with age, eventually resulting in lines, wrinkles, and sagging features. Dr. Arora injects minute amounts of collagen just beneath the skin in the areas being treated. This replenishment helps to soften facial lines and plump up the skin tissue. Collagen implants may be used to treat frown lines, nose to mouth lines, crow's feet, mouth corners, lip lines, or the border of lip to create full lips. It is sometimes used to smooth scar tissue. A single treatment takes just a few minutes. The effect can be seen immediately, and instant recovery is the norm. The results of collagen therapy can be quite extraordinary, although the treatments must be repeated every 4 to 6 months. Laser Vein Therapy Laser vein therapy is a new approach for treating varicose veins and telangiectasias (small spider-like veins), which can be painful and may lead to more serious problems if not treated. The laser procedure performed by Dr. Arora is less painful than conventional vein therapy involving surgery or injections, and it results in less bruising, swelling, and scarring. It is a safe and effective method to remove/reduce the following:
BODY CONTOURING SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline. Because of concerns that there is insufficient information demonstrating the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that new gel-filled implants, at the present time, should be available only to women participating in approved studies. Some women requiring replacement of the implants may also be eligible to participate in the study. Saline-filled implants continue to be available to breast augmentation patients on an unrestricted basis.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
The technique involves removing excess skin and repositioning the breast tissue and nipples. Women with small, sagging breasts are the best candidates for breast lift. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but results in larger, heavier breasts are less enduring. The procedure takes from one to three hours, and it is usually performed in an outpatient setting, but a one to two day inpatient stay is not uncommon. The patient may receive a general anesthetic or local anesthetic with sedation. Patients can go back to work in a week to 10 days and resume more strenuous activity in about a month. Scars are permanent, but usually fade and become less noticeable after several months to one year. The duration of results is variable. Factors such as pregnancy, age, weight fluctuations and breast size affect the longevity of the improvement. Women who have implants along with breast lift may have more enduring results.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
For complete tummy tuck, the surgeon generally makes an incision from hip to hip just above the pubic region. A second incision releases the navel from surrounding tissue. The surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall up to the ribs, lifts the skin flap, and tightens the abdominal muscles by pulling them closer together and stitching them into position. Excess skin is removed from the flap and a new hole cut for the navel, which is then stitched into place before the incisions are closed. For a partial or "mini" tummy tuck, the incision is shorter and the navel may remain in place. Patients will need to stay home from work for two to four weeks and should wait four to six weeks or more to resume strenuous activities. Scars will fade and flatten in three months to two years (although the long term appearance of the scars varies from individual to individual). Results of abdominoplasty are often permanent, barring major weight gain.
Panniculectomy
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction)
The procedure takes from one to four hours, depending upon the amount of fat to be removed. Procedures that are not too extensive can be performed on an outpatient basis on patients under local anesthesia, although some surgeons may use an epidural block instead. Extensive procedures are usually performed on patients under general anesthesia. Fluids as well as fat are lost during the procedure, so the patient will receive intravenous fluid replacement. After liposuction, the patient can expect some temporary bruising, swelling, soreness and/or a burning sensation. The treated area may feel numb for a few months. The best and most long-lasting results from liposuction are in those patients committed to a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition and physical activity. FACIAL SURGERY AND SKIN CARE SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
The effects of a face lift typically endure for five to 10 years. One special consideration for men: the procedure results in repositioning beard-growing skin behind the ears, so after a face lift, it will be necessary to shave the area behind the ear or seek hair removal treatment. A face lift may be done in conjunction with other procedures, such as eyelid rejuvenation (blepharoplasty), chin augmentation, forehead or brow lift and skin rejuvenation procedures such as dermabrasion or dermaplaning, laser peel or chemical peel.
Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
The forehead lift is typically performed on men and women in there 40s to 60s to slow the signs of aging, but it is also appropriate for younger patients with droopy brows or furrows above the nose. The surgery takes from one to two hours and is generally performed in an outpatient setting on patients under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. After a forehead lift, the patient can generally go back to work within seven to 10 days and resume strenuous activities within a few weeks. The effects of a forehead lift endure for five to 10 years, sometimes even longer.
Eyelid Rejuvenation (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid rejuvenation surgery consists of removing excess fat, skin and muscle from above and/or below the eyes. The effects of eyelid rejuvenation will last for several years, and in some people, they are permanent. If upper-lid surgery is done to improve vision, the procedure may be covered by insurance, so it is important to maintain excellent documentation. Insurance carriers require preauthorization, preoperative assessment of visual fields, photo documentation, and occasionally, other testing by an ophthalmologist.
Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
In a closed procedure, the surgeon makes the incision inside the nostrils and reshapes the nose from within, without direct vision. In an open procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision across the columella (base of the center of the nose) and resculpts the structures under direct vision. In some cases, cartilage or bone grafts may be required. Open procedures are preferred for more complicated cases. After rhinoplasty, patients can return to work or school within one to two weeks and resume strenuous activities within two to six weeks. The nose takes some time to settle into its new shape, and the final appearance may not be achieved for a year or more. Rhinoplasties performed to correct congenital deformities, relieve breathing problems or repair defects caused by trauma may be covered by insurance. Cases are judged on an individual basis and usually require preapproval. Our board-certified plastic surgeons ' Dr. Balvant P. Arora, Dr. Duc Tri Bui and Dr. Steven M. Katz ' perform cosmetic surgery to reshape normal structures of the face or body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Appearance is an important aspect of modern life. People today not only want to feel good inside; they also want to look good outside. People with a good self-image tend to have more confidence in their work, feel more secure in their relationships, and, as a result, interact more positively with friends, family, and new acquaintances. Having a good self-image has other very important components, but one of the most important is appearance. Sometimes even changing a minor cosmetic problem can make a big positive change, substantially increasing feelings of well-being and self-worth. Additionally, many people hold jobs where appearance is important. In fact, in any job that involves interaction with others, people are apt to be judged (at least in some degree) by the way they look. Often encounters are fleeting, so that first impressions count. For some, retaining a youthful and pleasing appearance may be their means of remaining competitive in a crowded marketplace. To achieve these ends, many men and women elect to undergo cosmetic procedures. The results are often beautiful and sometimes exhilarating but they are also often permanent, so it is important that you know what to expect before undertaking any of these procedures. These procedures are best performed by surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), such as our plastic surgeons.
A few words about your plastic surgeon and consultation visit Although it is good to learn about the various cosmetic procedures from the Internet or magazine articles, there is no substitute for a consultation visit. The following is a list of questions you should ask our plastic surgeons before making any decision about cosmetic surgery:
For a free consultation and/or an appointment with Dr. Arora, Dr. Bui or Dr. Katz, please call (631) 444-4666, or click here for information and directions to their office. |
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