Earlobe Reduction

This does not seem like a huge issue, but it can be for some patients.  Earlobes that are too large can have a negative effect on patients.  Patients often complain that they look older just because their earlobes are too large or pendulous.  More often this is an issue that women deal with, especially those who wear heavy earrings.  It can stretch the earlobe and leave them hanging really low.
Another subset of patients are those who are just born with large earlobes.  The earlobes can be thick and pendulous as though they have been wearing large earrings, but in fact it is just their genetics.  This can be corrected with earlobe reduction surgery.
These procedures are done in the office setting with just local anesthesia.  There is often very little down time associated with this procedure.  The results are excellent.  Patients are very happy with the changes that they see.  My goal with this surgery is to make this look natural.  Patients can wear earrings after this procedure, once all the tissues have healed.

Top Physician for Women 2013

I know that choosing the right plastic surgeon is a personal endeavor for all patients.
Once again, I want to extend my deep gratitude to all patients who voted for us.  For a number of years now, we have been voted Top Physician for Women by South Jersey Magazine.  We did it again for 2013!
This represents our hard work, as we strive to provide the best care in plastic surgery to our amazing patients in South Jersey.  We want all of you to know that we will continue to be the best and earn you trust.  If you are thinking about plastic surgery, allow us the privilege of providing that service to you.  Come and meet us and see why we are the Top Physicians for all of South Jersey and dare I say all of New Jersey!

Breast Augmentation and Re-shaping without Implants- Mastopexy or Implants?

Breasts come in all different shapes and sizes.  Breast enhancement surgery is meant to restore volume and projection.  You can sometimes have adequate volume but poor projection and appearance.  This patient seems to have enough volume but poor appearance and even asymmetry of the breasts.
We can improve this situation and it does not always have to involve the use of implants.  Implants are necessary when the patient has lost volume of breast tissue.  This patient underwent a breast lift and re-shaping using her existing volume.  In this case, she also has breasts that look different (asymmetry).
I used mastopexy techniques to re-shape her breasts without the need for implants.  The patient now has a more pleasing shape and contour with an improvement of her symmetry. The scars have healed well and they often do heal well, even in dark skinned patients.

Breast Augmentation- The Most Common Procedure!

In 2009, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation became the single most common cosmetic surgical procedure that we perform in the United States.  This is still true as of 2012.  What is amazing is that it surpassed liposuction.  As a patient, there are a number of things that I think you can glean from this information.

First, it is very common!  Many millions of women get this procedure everyday in this country.  In my practice, this is the most common surgery that I perform.

Second, it is safe.  If this was not safe, we would not be doing as many.  This is true from the standpoint of implant safety concerns (gummy bear implants), anesthesia related problems (virtually none), and post operative pain management concerns.  Patients will tell me that they feels comfortable enough after surgery that they often will go out to dinner with their loved ones the same night of the surgery!

Third, patients love this procedure.  In so many instances, I have seen this procedure positively change a woman's whole personality.  My patients will tell me that it makes them feel confident socially and professionally, and even at home!  This is truly the most amazing and gratifying aspect of this procedure for me as a surgeon.    

The dreaded split ear lobe

This is a common problem that I treat for many patients in our area.  Although this is a common problem, it is a difficult one nonetheless.  The case below demonstrates a patient whose ear lobe not only ripped, but also at some point became infected.  We can correct this in an office setting with just local anesthesia, but the key component is to allow the infectious process to clear up first.  Often, I will re-pierce these earlobes for the patients about 6-8 weeks later.  My general recommendation is to wear only light earrings (studs) after these repairs.  The integrity of the lobe and strength of the tissue is weakened after these types of tears, so heavy earrings can potentially re-create the same problem.

The Importance of Choosing a Board Certifed Plastic Surgeon

As a patient, it is very important to choose the right plastic surgeon.  Recently, we teamed up with one of our breast implant companies, Sientra, to showcase the importance of choosing a board certified plastic surgeon.  Please take a moment to view this video.  There is only one board in the US that certifies us to practice our craft and that is the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
It is recommended for patients to not only seek out board certified surgeons, but also to actually ask at the time of the consultation if their surgeon is in fact certified by the ABPS.  I want my patients to know that I am certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

Power of Liposuction

Liposuction is a powerful tool to improve the contour of the abdomen.  It does not have to be some big procedure.  Often it takes only a little bit of vision to make simple improvements.  This patient has a lost some of what makes her sexy after pregnancy.  Her skin is good quality because she is young and the rectus muscle is still in good condition.  Minimal office liposuction can make a subtle, yet powerful change to her abdominal contour.