In the 1990s, Kate Moss was one of the most popular models, gracing runways and magazines across the world. Her waifish figure made her a highly desirable, and controversial model. These were the years of Nirvana and “heroine chic.” Plastic Surgeons’ offices were filled with thin women who wanted to be even thinner. In particular, they requested liposuction of the buttocks to give a small, flat backside.
Pictures recently surfaced that rocked the world of females aged 25-45. John Stamos, known most famously for his role as Uncle Jessie on Full House and considered among the “hottest” men around (or so my wife says) is not so perfect after all. He has what people are calling a “deformed” belly button. What he has is more than simply an “outie” and he claims it is the result of a childhood operation to repair an umbilical hernia.
As 2011 came to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to look back at my top 3 procedures of the year. I performed over 500 surgical procedures in 2011, making it my busiest year ever. These procedures included cosmetic procedures of the face and body, as well as reconstructive surgeries from head to toe. To come up with my “Top 3”, I looked at several factors including the number of procedures performed, media requests about these procedures, and overall demand.
A photograph recently surfaced of Rocker Steven Tyler’s chest. I am writing this blog, not to poke fun at the Aerosmith frontman’s chest, but as an opportunity to discuss a very common problem among men. Gynecomastia, or male chest enlargement, is a complaint of men of all ages. It can develop anywhere from puberty to the 80’s. It can range from only mild chest enlargement or severe chest enlargement resembling female breasts. I have seen countless patients who report that they have not taken their shirt off in public for years, because of embarrassment. Imagine being a teenage boy and being so embarrassed that you will not go to the beach or the pool, or even change in the locker room. Surgical correction is possible and is life-changing!
Many people wonder about the appropriate age for cosmetic surgery and when someone is “too young.” This has been debated in the media. There is not one simple answer to this question and it depends on the procedure we are talking about. In general, a person needs to be physically ready for the procedure and the associated anesthesia. The body part that is being operated on needs to be in the proper stage of development, which usually means that it is no longer growing. Psychologically the person needs to be old enough to understand what is being done and be able to make a decision about it. It is always best if the person is old enough to really understand the procedure and be equipped to deal with the social after-effects of the surgery. As you can imagine, these are very individualized decisions, based on the person, the parents, and the specific procedure requested.
Cosmetic Surgery is designed to either change a body feature that you do not like, or to make you look younger. In today’s economic climate, cosmetic surgery is more than just a matter of vanity. It can mean economic survival for many because it may be exactly what some people need to get that job – or keep the job they already have.
As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in body contouring, I have performed cosmetic surgery on every possible body part – and some you didn’t even know existed. By far, the hardest body part to treat is the upper arms. This area is particularly susceptible to changes in weight and advancing age. This is because the skin is very thin and can sag easily. The result can be unsightly sagging and drooping that can be mild or very severe. My patients refer to their large sagging upper arms as “bat wings”.
Breast Augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures and not just in New York City. I am constantly striving to improve my technique for this procedure. Over the years I have altered my technique to create a “Rapid-Recovery Breast Augmentation” that requires half the recovery, half the bruising and swelling, and half the pain as other breast augmentation methods.
