Month: September 2023

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY – If you are under the impression that plastic surgery can perfect your appearance or improve your social life, you may be in for a surprise. Sure, it can correct structural issues like a cleft palate and help fight the signs of aging. But it will not make you more popular or look like your favorite celebrity.

Knowing the facts and having realistic expectations about plastic surgery is one of the first and most important steps toward having a successful experience. Because the choice to undergo a cosmetic procedure is a voluntary and emotional decision, it is crucial for you to determine why you want to go under the knife.

If you are considering plastic surgery to impress or please others, look like someone else, or improve your quality of life, you may want to re-examine your motives before going through with the procedure. If you do not, you may come out of surgery envisioning more dramatic results and plan to undergo additional procedures in an effort to attain the look you originally expected.

Breast augmentations and breast lifts are two procedures many patients, including those from Manhattan and NYC, typically anticipate different results from.

“Those who have extremely droopy breasts cannot expect them to look youthful and perky after a lift surgery,” said Dr. Elliot Heller, one of the best plastic surgeons in NY. “At the same time, patients who want to achieve a natural appearance should not think that choosing a size bigger than what their plastic surgeon recommends will help give them that look.”

Because your body’s anatomy is different from everyone else’s and vice versa, you also cannot expect to take a photo of someone else to your plastic surgeon showing what you want your breasts to resemble and think your chest will wind up looking exactly like that.

The more rational your assumptions about the results of any procedure, whether it’s breast augmentation, rhinoplasty or even Botox, are, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the product and your overall image.

So, how do you know if you have realistic expectations and are a good candidate for plastic surgery? The best prospects for cosmetic procedures are patients who already have good self-esteem, want to decrease the effects of aging, are undergoing surgery for themselves (not someone else) and have considered plastic surgery for several years.

If those statements describe you, it may be time for you to undergo the cosmetic procedure you have had in mind. Experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Heller can help you make sure you are ready for surgery and chose the procedure that is right for you. To learn more and make sure your plastic surgery expectations are realistic, call 866-996-2607 today to schedule a consultation.

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, plastic surgery consultant Justin Jedlica said he thinks women who undergo cosmetic procedures are accepted by society more than men are. Jedlica, who has experienced 128 plastic surgeries, is a living testament to the way esthetic procedures can alter the look of different parts of your body and society’s view of your appearance.

Jedlica first entertained the idea of plastic surgery at 13 or 14 years of age and at 17 years old he began the search for a cosmetic surgeon. After three consultations, Jedlica chose the doctor who would perform his nose job a few days after he turned 18 years of age. Instead of spending money on clothing, cars and other luxuries like friends his age had, Jedlica had saved his money toward the surgery.

Saving up for his procedure was not the only obstacle Jedlica faced, he told The Huffington Post. After his nose job, Jedlica saw more tweaks he wanted to make, desiring a more “over-stylized,” “feminine” and “cartoonish” look that he felt he had a difficult time getting doctors on the same page with because he was a young male and their acceptance of his surgical decisions was not as great as if he were a female.

“Even though Justin refutes the claims, psychologists and others have said he has body dysmorphic disorder,” said Dr. Andrew Miller, a New York City plastic surgeon. “It has certainly become an obsession, something he has centered his whole life around.”

Since his first nose job, Jedlica has spent more than $100,000 and experienced 127 procedures, including fillers in his lips (like the Juvederm Dr. Miller offers in New York), and arm, chest and cheek implants (which many Manhattan patients have completed the same time as a cheeklift) in an effort to look like a Ken doll. While Dr. Miller’s patients may not desire as extreme a transformation as Jedlica, they appreciate the time he takes to make sure their goals are realistic and the surgery they want is for the right reasons.

Dr. Miller has many years of experience with performing a variety of facial procedures, like laser wrinkle removal, rhinoplasty, photofacial and more that are sure to give patients the look they want. He understands that despite society’s acceptance or nonacceptance of cosmetic procedures, both men and women desire to change the way they look, and has the knowledge and expertise necessary to determine which procedure is best for you.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options and whether plastic surgery is right for you.

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Rap music star Kayne West recently banned his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, from more plastic surgery.

Kardashian wanted to undergo a tummy tuck in June immediately after giving birth to she and West’s daughter, North West. The tummy tuck, Kardashian thought, would give her a head start on losing the baby weight, but since Kayne West lost his mother in 2007 due to post-plastic surgery operative factors, he was not convinced it was a good idea. Every year thousands of women like Kardashian seek plastic surgery after giving birth to regain the figure they had before pregnancy. The loose skin that results from stretched breasts, abdominal skin and muscles cannot be exercised away, but cosmetic surgeries can help correct it.

In an effort to protect Kardashian and the well-being of their daughter, West made the ban on cosmetic surgery a condition for the continuation of their relationship even though it has made Kardashian’s post-baby weight loss journey more difficult. Instead of a procedure she has turned to Atkins to bounce back to her pre-pregnancy weight. West does not mind if she gets fillers or Botox, but he is against any procedures that involve anesthesia.

“Though West has a good reason for banning Kardashian from future plastic surgeries after the devastating loss of his mother, the chances of dying during or after a cosmetic procedure are slim,” said Dr. Elliot Heller, a New York cosmetic surgeon at Allure Plastic Surgery. “Only those with serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease or depression, or that smoke and drink on a regular basis would have a reason to worry, but I always ask my patients about their lifestyle before procedures and advise those types of patients to not undergo any cosmetic surgeries.”

If you want to change your appearance with the help of a tummy tuck or liposuction performed by a plastic surgeon from New York City or Manhattan like Dr. Heller, do not let celebrities’ cosmetic procedure preferences or experiences stop you in your tracks.

When you turn to Allure Plastic Surgery, you can trust you are in good hands. Dr. Heller and his colleagues have the experience and training necessary to safeguard your health before, during and after surgery. Call 866-996-2607 today to learn more about the surgical procedure options available at Allure Plastic Surgery and schedule a consultation.

Staten Island, New York – As you age, you may begin to notice that areas of your face no longer look as full as they once did. Do you long for the days when you had the cheekbones of Kim Kardashian, but have resigned yourself to a more sagging appearance?

There’s good news – you can regain that full, healthy look and get rid of your droopy cheeks through a fat graft or filler injections. Both can help you get back that youthful look you thought was lost forever. Fat injections have quickly become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and are now even more popular than liposuction. In 2011, Botox and injections accounted for 82 percent of all procedures performed.

So what makes these procedures so great, and how do you know if you should opt for fat grafting or filler injections?

Dr. Andrew Miller, a top plastic surgeon in Staten Island, says that the only way to be sure which one will work for you is by having a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon. It also depends on how much work you really want done.

“Harvesting fat for a fat transfer generally requires liposuction,” says Miller, whose practice performs countless liposuction procedures in their Staten Island office. “If the patient is already planning to have liposuction performed, it makes sense to simply move the fat from one location to another. Fat grafting can be an expensive procedure to perform on its own, especially because the effectiveness of the procedures isn’t 100 percent guaranteed. But the beauty of it is the fat can then be injected almost anywhere.”

The nasiolabial creases, the areas around the mouth and lips, and the cheekbones are the standard spots to have injections or fillers. These areas tend to flatten and elongate over the years, aging patients who otherwise still look youthful. While the lips, cheeks, jawline and under eye areas are the most common, fat can also be injected into the buttocks to create a firmer looking bottom – yes, through fat grafting you can have cheekbones and buttocks more like Kim Kardashian’s!

Today, there are more options than ever before for patients to regain that youthful fullness to their face. The other option is what patients commonly know – using man-made fillers. Restylane, Juvederm, Artefille, Sculptra and Radiesse are the most commonly used fillers.

One advantage to using filler injections is the immediate results patients see. Because patients are able to visually see the results right away, they can make a decision about when they feel their face has reached their desired fullness. Another advantage is that, because these are non-permanent solutions, if the patient decides they are unhappy with their new appearance, they can simply stop the injections.

“In some hands, fat grafting can be somewhat unpredictable,” says Miller. “It takes a very skilled surgeon to perform this procedure, and even then the results may not always be ideal. We have fine-tuned our technique over the last 15 years to create results that are quite reliable and natural appearing. Unfortunately, everyone continues to age over time, so we freeze several syringes of fat to re-inject at a later time.”

If the graft takes, the new look of the face will be permanent. However, if it doesn’t, the fat will simply be reabsorbed into the body.

You can take a quick look through celebrity photos over the years to see how popular the procedure has become, even if celebrities aren’t admitting to having work performed. Madonna, Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox and even America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston all appear to have had either fat grafting or filler injections.

But they’re not the only ones taking advantage of fat grafting. Ever wonder how those new celebrity moms find the time to work out enough to be back in their skinny jeans just weeks after their baby is born? Many plastic surgeons speculate it may not be from rigorous diet and exercise, as the celebrities would have us believe. Instead, some think they may be undergoing fat grafting, where the excess fat is removed from their abdomens, and then placed either in their buttocks or breasts to make them look trim and back to their photo ready selves.

While this isn’t recommended for the average citizen, fat grafting and filler injections can go a long way in helping you regain the self-confidence of your youth. When making your final decision about which procedure is best for you, take into account all of the facts, but most importantly, listen to the advice of your surgeon. He will be able to best explain the procedures and determine which is the best option for you. And in no time, you can be on the road to a fuller, healthier and younger looking self.

Manhattan, New York –Men, have you been secretly longing for some help south of the border, but have been too embarrassed to visit a plastic surgeon in NY? Dr. Elliot Heller, a member of one of the top plastic surgery clinics in NY, assures that there is nothing to be embarrassed about, and nothing to gain by secretly wishing for a larger member.

“Phalloplasty is becoming a much more common procedure,” says Dr. Heller. “Now, we can lengthen, widen and totally reconstruct penises, allowing men to gain back their total self-confidence. Men aren’t embarrassed to come to us for nose jobs in NY, and this procedure should be no different.”

Some may blame David Beckham’s recent underwear ads for a rise in men interested in penile enlargement procedures. When men heard the women in their lives oohing and aahing over the images, they may have immediately gotten a bit self-conscious about what they look like in their skivvies, leading them to wonder if they could be helped by a bit of cosmetic surgery.

While many may worry that their penis is smaller than average, their worries may be for naught. The average erect penis is 5 to 6 inches with a circumference of 4 to 5 inches. Flaccid penises have more variation. But, for men who are average, and even some who are above average, the size of their penis may still be a worry. That’s when phalloplasty may be the answer.

Many people may not realize that half of the penis is actually located inside the body. It is attached to the pubic bone by the suspensory ligament. During a penile enlargement procedure, this ligament is released, which can result in an increase in length of 1 to 2 inches. The larger the penis is, the greater the gain in length will be. This is because there will be more penis length inside the body to work with.

During the male enhancement procedure, a small incision will be made in the pubic region. A skilled surgeon will be sure the incision is made in a location that can be concealed by pubic hair so it will not be visible to the naked eye. Once the surgeon located the suspensory ligament, he will dissect it and release it, allowing the length of the penis located outside the body to grow.

To widen the penis, harvested fat or a man-made filler called Alloderm can be injected. In patients with an excess of fat located in the pubic region, that fat can be liposuctioned and then grafted to the penis. This procedure will also expose more of the penis.

Another option for men who think their penis might be on the smaller side is what is known as a pubic lift. This works in patients who have an excess of skin in the pubic region. Often, this can lead to what we call “hidden penis syndrome.” A pubic lift will remove the extra skin and lift the pubic region, allowing the penis to become more visible.

“This is a very sensitive topic for many men,” says Dr. Heller. “In truth, most men have an average sized penis. As plastic surgeons, we can explain the benefits and offer our advice as to which procedure is the best. However, the only person who can know for sure if this is right for you is you.”

When deciding upon the procedure, it is important to find a plastic surgeon who is sensitive to the topic and who will handle the procedure with skill and confidentiality. You should always feel comfortable enough to have a completely honest conversation with your cosmetic surgeon, and likewise, he or she should be honest with you about realistic expectations from the procedure.

New York City, New York – Are you a man who secretly desires to look younger, but are worried about what others may think if you choose to “go under the knife?”

There’s good news for you – more and more male patients are turning to plastic surgery to achieve a more youthful look. In fact, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that there has been a 60 percent increase in male plastic surgery patients since 2000.

The majority of cosmetic procedures are still performed on women, and that is exactly why men need to properly research before choosing their plastic surgeon in Manhattan.

“The way surgeons approach a male face and body must be totally different from the way we approach those of a female,” says Dr. Andrew Miller, a plastic surgeon in New York. “The face especially is incredibly complex. Plastic surgeons must understand the intricate differences in what makes a face soft and feminine versus what makes a male face seem more rugged and handsome. Without understanding these differences, a man seeking a small update to his appearance could leave the surgeon’s office with a more feminine look than he desires.”

Since plastic surgery isn’t just for women anymore, what are the procedures men are turning to the most?

Men typically want a quick turnaround. They don’t want to be down for long, and want procedures that make them look and feel younger, while also allowing them to jump right back into their active lifestyles. For many men that means turning to the less invasive procedures, such as Botox.

Botox is a great way for men to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and furrowed brows that come with aging. In men especially, Botox injections can be effective to ease a furrowed brow, making the patient seem more friendly and approachable. A constantly furrowed brow, even when you’re unaware of it, may be making you look angry or unfriendly. But a few Botox injections can solve that problem, softening wrinkles and helping men appear more youthful for up to four months.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox injections among men increase 233 percent from 2000 to 2005. Because of that, surgeons are becoming more and more comfortable with the injections. Just as with anything else, the more often you do something, the quicker you’re able to master it. This is true for surgeons injecting Botox. And that’s why many men are turning to it – they know that by choosing a surgeon who regularly injects Botox, they’ll leave the office looking refreshed and well-rested, rather than stiff and frozen.

Fat and filler injections are another great option for men wanting to add a more youthful fullness to their faces. Men love the immediate results. You can’t beat the convenience of being able to quickly pop into your surgeon’s office and emerge a short time later, looking younger than you did before.

As men no longer have to hide their vanity for fear of not being masculine, hair restoration is also seeing an increase. While it isn’t an immediate fix, for many men it is a longer term solution to helping them feel more confident. Transplantation involves taking a piece of hair-bearing scalp, then dividing it into grafts. These pieces are then placed in sites in the balding area. It takes several sessions to complete, so men won’t have their full head of hair back for a few months.

Ablative skin resurfacing is also having its day. Many men have never thought about maintaining a skin care ritual the same way women do. Most women would never dream of going to bed without washing and moisturizing their most visible asset. Until recently, men who did the same often got a bad rap. But now, they’re realizing they should have taken more time to care for their skin. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion remove damaged or wrinkling skin to reveal smoother and younger skin.

Facial rejuvenation can help you feel younger and more confident, but you shouldn’t take your choice of surgeon lightly.

Dr. Miller encourages all potential patients to thoroughly research plastic surgeons before selecting one. You should consider the surgeon’s education and experience. Ask them to explain their medical background, including their education, residency and fellowship. Then, ask the surgeon how many procedures the surgeon has performed similar to the one you want. If you’re looking for Botox injections, and the plastic surgeon doesn’t have experience using Botox on men, you may want to look elsewhere.

Always ask for photographs to best show the results the surgeon was able to gain. Results vary from person to person, so this is the best way for you to see the surgeon’s true ability. Before and after photos will give you an accurate representation of how well the surgeon was able to perform the procedure.

If possible, ask for referrals. Being able to speak with former patients will also help you assess the effectiveness of the procedure. If the male patient was satisfied that the look he wanted was achieved by the surgeon, you might just be in luck.

There are so many benefits to plastic surgery, and men everywhere are now realizing they can reap those benefits without fear of feeling or looking less masculine. By taking the time to carefully choose the right cosmetic surgeon, men can gain back the confidence of their youth in no time.

© 2013 Sinai Marketing and Allure Plastic Surgery. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing and Associates in Plastic Surgery is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – Now that Halloween has passed, your home may show signs that the scary celebration is over—the kids’ costumes are in the closet, the rotted pumpkin is set out at the curb for Monday’s trash collection and the candy bowl on the kitchen counter is empty. But even though the Halloween candy your kids collected is gone, it cannot be ignored because it is showing up on your face in the form of acne.

“It has long been debated whether sugar causes acne,” said Dr. Andrew Miller, a top plastic surgeon in New York. “It turns out, though, that sugar can be one of the main causes of those pesky pimples.”

Sugar raises your blood sugar levels and increases insulin, which stimulates the production of several acne-producing hormones and causes general inflammation. That is why the evidence of your long-gone Halloween candy has winded up on your skin.

In the future you will know to eat as little sugar as possible, but in the meantime you need a solution for clearing your complexion. There is no guarantee that over-the-counter acne products will get rid of your pimples, not to mention that many of them take weeks or months to produce noticeable results.

If you are looking for a treatment that insures fast results, you can turn to Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Miller of Allure Plastic Surgery. He offers an acne procedure that uses an Nd:YAG laser to dry up overactive oil glands and a glycolic acid peel that keeps pores clear to prevent future breakouts. This combination of treatments will reduce your acne and likely also prevent unwanted scarring.

Dr. Miller also offers a number of other skin-and-face-related cosmetic procedures in NYC, including facelifts, rhinoplasty, wrinkle removal and photofacials. Whether you desire a quick fix to a simpler problem, like acne, or want to permanently change the structure of your face, Dr. Miller is your plastic surgeon.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – This just in: 33-year-old singer/songwriter drops $100,000 on plastic surgery to look more like 19-year-old pop sensation Justin Bieber – wish we could say we’re joking but, we’re not.

Toby Sheldon claims that when the “Bieb’s” stardom took off and his face was plastered on every billboard, young girl’s T-shirt and every perfume bottle in sight, “all I kept thinking when I saw his picture was, ‘I want to look like him.’”

In a sense, Sheldon’s desire to look like a star who is – according to droves of adolescent girls – one of the hottest guys walking the earth, is relatively normal.

“It’s not uncommon for a patient seeking plastic surgery to bring me a picture of a star like Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts whose looks they admire,” says Dr. Elliot Heller, a top plastic surgeon in New York. “It’s typically a single feature they want; their nose, lips or chin – not their entire facial anatomy.”

But Sheldon’s case of “Bieber fever” is far more serious than daydreaming about looking like a movie star. He has spent his entire life savings on plastic surgery to become Bieber’s doppelganger – and he isn’t done yet.

“I know there is more work to be done in order to make a full transformation into Justin Bieber’s doppelganger like a nose job and jaw reduction, which my surgeon has suggested,” says Sheldon.

So far, Sheldon has subjected his image to hair implants, Botox, Aquamid® (not yet approved by the FDA) injections to his face and lips, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and most recently, a smile surgery similar to the controversial “Smile Lipt.”

Although Sheldon claims his obsession is not as much with Bieber as it is with attaining a more youthful appearance – of which he feels Bieber represents best, it seems obvious to most that he is suffering from body dysmorphic disorder.

“Body dysmorphic disorder isn’t always apparent when the patient first enters a plastic surgery consultation, but after one or two procedures, the signs can really become apparent,” says Dr. Heller, who performs breast lifts and breast augmentation in New Jersey. “I won’t perform surgeries on these patients because most are trying to achieve with physical changes, something that must be addressed on the inside. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Indeed body dysmorphic disorder sufferers tend to alter their physical appearances to point where they are unrecognizable and just as unhappy as or unhappier than before.

If you are interested in plastic surgery but are unsure if you are opening yourself up to becoming a victim of body dysmorphic disorder, consider why you are seeking the procedure and what you think it’s going to do for you.

If you want rhinoplasty because you have a large hump on your nose, you were teased about it growing up and are tired of it being the only thing you see when you look in the mirror or at photos, plastic surgery is right for you.

If you have never thought you were beautiful or handsome and want a celebrity’s nose and lips because everyone thinks they are good looking and therefore you will be just as good looking with their features, you are setting yourself up for failure.

“Plastic surgery won’t cure depression, make you the object of every man or woman’s desire or in Sheldon’s case, look like a teenager when you are in your mid-thirties,” says Dr. Heller. “But it can boost your confidence and self-esteem, which can have an exponential positive impact on your life – when sought for the right reasons.”

Call today for a free initial consultation or to learn more about beast augmentation, a tummy tuck or rhinoplasty in New York.

STATEN ISLAND, NEWYORK – As we age, one of the first places where signs of aging become apparent is our face. This isn’t exactly convenient when your face is about the only body part you can’t cover completely with out looking like – well, a robber.

But have no fear ladies and gents. There are many wrinkle reducing treatments – seven in fact – that provide excellent results with little to no downtime.

Here’s the breakdown from Dr. Andrew Miller, one of the best plastic surgeons in Staten Island:

1. Chemical Peels – Also called chemexfoliation or derma peeling, a chemical peel is an excellent way to improve your skin’s texture and clarity. Rejuvenation is achieved by applying a chemical solution to the skin which provides a controlled “burn,” prompting the skin to peel. This reveals fresh skin that is typically smoother, less discolored and less wrinkled than old skin. Areas commonly treated with chemical peels include face, neck, décolletage and hands.
2. Laser Treatments – Laser resurfacing with the Fraxel is a fantastic way to rid your skin of discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. The laser removes tiny fractions of old/damaged tissue, leaving behind healthy islands of skin. While this sounds gruesome and like it would require lots of downtime, the healthy islands of skin left behind actually promote rapid healing, which means you are recovered in as few as 3 days.
3. Botox – Botox, also known as Botulinum Toxin A, is used most commonly to reduce crow’s feet, forehead lines and other fine lines and wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle contractions – think smiling, squinting and frowning. By strategically administering small doses of this toxin into culprit muscles, we can temporarily paralyze them, effectively reducing the depth of the creases they cause. Results last approximately four months.
4. Collagen – Collagen is a protein that is found throughout your body that is responsible for your skin’s plumpness. Collagen injections are used to fill finer lines and wrinkles other fillers cannot. The best results are achieved with subsequent injections.
5. Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane & Juvederm) – Probably the most popular injectable dermal fillers on the market today, Restylane and Juvederm use hyaluronic acid – a natural component found in skin – to plump and support features that have grown gaunt with age. Results typically last four to eight months.
6. Polylactic Acid (Sculptra) – Polylactic Acid is a breakthrough dermal filler that reduces wrinkles by promoting new collagen formation. Sculptra is usually administered in a series spanning three months and produces results that last an average of two years.
7. Fat transfer – Fat harvested through liposuction of the arms, hips thighs or stomach, can be purified and used to correct troublesome areas of the face. If you are already in the office having a tummy tuck or another body contouring procedure, you can have your fat harvested for future fat transfers at that time. Extra fat is stored in the freezer so over the course of a year, you and your surgeon can slowly build your results to the desired level with subsequent injections. Fat transfer provides the longest lasting results of all filler procedures.

To learn more about how dermal fillers at our Staten Island office can help you turn back the clock and which one is right for you, call today for a free initial consultation. Allure Plastic Surgery also offers popular procedures that include the Brazilian butt lift, male breast reduction, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation in Staten Island.