Our eyes contribute enormously to the overall aesthetics of our faces. As we age, the muscles around the eyes weaken and the skin becomes loose. This may produce drooping skin in the upper eyelids, and bulging fat of the lower eyelids, which creates a tired and sad appearance. Blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin from the upper eyelids, … Read More
Options for the Brow and Forehead
Gravity and changes in the shape and position of our eyebrows can contribute to an aged appearance. There are many options available for rejuvenation of the brow and forehead. The least invasive option is Botox®, which uses a medication to relax the muscles of the forehead and brow, to soften vertical and transverse wrinkles. Ultherapy®, which uses ultrasound to … Read More
ULTHERAPY® has arrived!
I recently introduced Ultherapy to my practice. This was a difficult decision…the technology is both relatively new and very expensive. However, it fills a much needed gap for patients who are not ready for a facelift, but who need more options for rejuvenation than Botox or filler alone can provide. What is Ultherapy®? Ultherapy® is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that … Read More
Composite Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation
On April 11, 2013, I attended the first Composite Breast Workshop in New York City. What is a “composite breast”? A composite is a combination of two or more distinct substances, each with different physical characteristics, in which each substance retains its properties while contributing to the whole. In this case, implants and fat are used to create a more … Read More
A Brief History of Chemical Peels
Skin resurfacing for beauty has been in use for thousands of years. In prehistoric times, women would use rocks and shells to abrade the surface of their skin. In Babylonia and India, women used pumice stones to exfoliate the top layers of the skin. In the Middle Ages, the first chemical peels were performed; women would soak cloths in … Read More
New Options in Breast Augmentation
On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the Allergan 410 shaped, cohesive gel breast implant (commonly known as the “gummy bear” implant) was (finally!) approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. This device has been in use for more than 18 years in Europe and Canada, and has been studied in clinical trials in the United … Read More
“Why do you want to be a plastic surgeon?”
On Friday, January 11, I had the privilege of interviewing medical students for the combined plastic surgery residency program at Columbia and Cornell. One of the questions I always ask is “What made you decide to become a plastic surgeon?” The answers are as varied as the students, but most point to a single moment, a single case, or … Read More
Non-surgical rhinoplasty
If anyone had used the phrase “non-surgical rhinoplasty” 10 years ago, most plastic surgeons would have been completely confused. However, with the recent advances in non-invasive facial rejuvenation, it is now possible to subtly change the shape of your nose without undergoing surgery. Fillers, such as Radiesse, can be used to augment areas that need more volume. Keep in mind … Read More
I think I ruptured my breast implant…now what?
One of my earliest (and favorite) patients called me three weeks ago. She had undergone her yearly screening mammogram in May, which was very painful, and she noted a subsequent decrease in the size of her left breast. I asked her to come in to see me, and indeed, her left breast was significantly smaller than her right. I … Read More
Why I perform breast augmentation surgery
I love performing breast augmentation in my New York plastic surgery practice, because it is an operation that challenges me in many ways. It forces me to examine the many elements that determine breast shape. It allows me to use my surgical skills to provide an aesthetic result for a given patient. (I also get to use some great … Read More