Posted on September 5, 2010 in Body, Dr. Zubowski, Latest News, Non Surgical Procedures, Office News
We’re nearly three-quarters through 2010, and cosmetic procedures continue to capture the imaginations of men and women who want to jump start their careers, improve their relationships, or begin dating again.
A recent survey of over 2,000 adults by Harris Interactive for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reports that young mothers were likely to undergo a body makeover, and Baby Boomers want to fight age-related physical changes with Botox® and fillers. The survey revealed that interest in cosmetic procedures is soaring. This mirrors our own experiences at the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Paramus, NJ.
Many patients want big changes that “refresh” their image without shouting “cosmetic surgery.” I advise them that significant improvements can only be accomplished through surgery. In the Harris survey almost 56% would choose a tummy tuck; 23% would opt for liposuction, and 13% would request a facelift. Those deeply committed to making significant changes are undaunted by recovery time. In fact, at my Paramus NJ center, young mothers often request a “Mommy Makeover”, a combination of procedures that includes breast enhancement, a tummy tuck, and oftentimes, a little liposuction.
Additionally, according to the data released by the ASPA, minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and injectable fillers have doubled since 2000. These are excellent solutions for people who lack the patience or time to undergo a recuperative period, but still want to erase facial wrinkles.
Looking forward to 2011, I believe patients will continue to request major cosmetic interventions such as breast surgeries, eyelid surgeries, facelifts and body contouring. However, there will always be those individuals who are perfectly satisfied with the results of Botox and injectable fillers. These minimally invasive procedures are particularly attractive to this group of patients, given the fact that they are also avoiding surgery.
To explore the right cosmetic intervention for you, please contact our Practice Administrator, Anne Carbone. She can schedule your private consultation to discuss your options.
Posted on August 3, 2010 in Body, Face, Fat Injections, Latest News, Liposuction
Many people lose their youthful appearance due to a natural aging process called deflation, which is the loss of fat and volume in the face. It robs many people of their youthful appearance. But there is a safe and natural way to reverse deflation: by transferring fat from one part of the body, and injecting it into another part.
Fat transfer is a safe and natural approach among cosmetic procedures and body sculpting treatments that provides dramatic results for improving the effects of deflation—such as sunken temples, hollow cheeks, deep frown and smile lines, thinner lips, and a smaller chin—using fat removed from your own body. The procedure is also referred to as micro-lipoinjection, fat injection, or facial fat rejuvenation.
It is a relatively simple, safe, in-office procedure in which fat is removed from the patient’s buttocks, abdomen, or thighs and is injected into the face or hands. Skin depressions, such as acne or trauma scars, can also be improved.
The Fat Transfer procedure requires only a local anesthesia, which is applied to both the donor and the recipient sites. Fat is extracted from your body using a small sterile syringe and light suction to avoid damage to the fat cell membrane. The Fat Transfer is complete when the body fat is re-injected under your skin to fill or plump the desired areas. No stitches are required.
The Fat Transfer injection procedure takes about one hour to one and a half hours to remove the fat, purify it, and safely inject the fat into the desired area. Sometimes a second or third fat injection is needed, depending on each person. Patients can usually return to work the next day.
Posted on April 20, 2010 in Body
The war continues in America’s ongoing struggle with obesity. Several life threatening conditions linked with excess weight include sleep apnea, diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Also, a recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) obesity study suggests that massive weight loss alone may alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Today more people with serious weight issues are resorting to bariatric surgery. Such procedures can promote an average weight loss of 75 to 100 pounds within six months to a year and treat weight related health conditions. Unfortunately, massive weight loss also leaves stretched, deflated and crepe-like excessive skin that commonly requires cosmetic address.
In 2003 nationwide, over 52,000 body contouring cosmetic surgery procedures following massive weight loss were performed, and just five years later that number increased to more than 58,000. Over the past decade we, at the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, continue to perform an impressive number of body lift procedures on bariatric surgery patients after their weight has stabilized. Most bariatric surgery patients require a buttock and outer thigh lift and an abdominoplasty, which can sometimes be done during one surgery session, or be staged. A breast lift and arm lift are other procedures which can be done during a single operating room session. While numerous patients undergo the surgeries at their own pace, typically their entire makeover will be completed within six months to a year.
Other people who have undergone less dramatic weight loss often discover that they too have loose skin and fat which rolls over a belt, underneath a bra strap, and/or is conspicuous in the upper arms. We perform the same body contouring procedures at our Paramus, NJ center on these individuals as well. To schedule a consultation please contact Ann Carbone, our Practice Administrator.
Posted on March 19, 2010 in Body, Liposuction
Enter any health club and see earnest faces doggedly working the treadmill, sweating while pumping iron, or doing their core drills with a personal trainer. Yet, for all their devotion to exercise—which, unquestionably, provides overall health benefits–many still fail to achieve that coveted trim body.
That’s because no amount of exercise will significantly diminish the figure flaws with which you were born. At the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery we can recommend a procedure that, when performed by a skilled and artistic plastic surgeon will sculpt your body into a work of art.
I have been performing liposuction since its FDA 1989 approval for aesthetic body contouring. Liposuction and I can correct your body’s disproportionate aspects: thighs, saddlebags, abdomen, waist, love handles, and/or derriere. My early training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, broadened by nearly 25 years of practical experience in plastic surgery, has allowed me to achieve some spectacular liposuction results for my patients. Liposuction has earned praise from both practitioners and patients alike. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction was the second most popular surgical cosmetic treatment in 2008, with over 340,000 procedures performed.
When considering any surgical procedure, crucial to the outcome is choosing a surgeon who not only has a wealth of experience in the specific procedure, but also adheres to the highest standards of patient safety. At the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Paramus, NJ all of our liposuction procedures take place in our own fully accredited Surgicenter. Our surgery team, headed by myself, who, in addition to being board certified in plastic surgery, is board certified in general surgery, includes our board certified anesthesiologist, and nurses and technicians who have years of specialized experience assisting in plastic surgery procedures.
To schedule a consultation please contact Ann Carbone, our practice manager.
Posted on February 11, 2010 in Body, Liposuction
Common Concerns About Liposuction (Lipoplasty)
Liposuction is a popular surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat from your body. It is usually performed on the neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, or thighs. Sometimes a surgeon will combine liposuction with other procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.
When performing traditional liposuction, a surgeon generally puts sterile fluid into the area where the liposuction is to be performed, then inserts a small tube, called a cannula. The cannula loosens the fat, and a surgical vacuum or syringe removes the fat through the cannula.
All plastic surgeries have risks. If the surgery goes badly, then the area where the liposuction was performed could look awful. At worst, you could also end up with serious medical problems. You want to be sure that you are a good candidate for the surgery, and you also want to find the best doctor possible. You may want to consider selecting only someone who is a board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
The success of your liposuction really does depend on the skill of your surgeon. A lot of people will be happy to take your money, but not all of them will do a good job. Do your homework. Know what the options are, and pick the most qualified person you can to perform the surgery.
Your best, most natural alternative to traditional liposuction is diet and exercise. If you can accept your body for what it is and take good care of it, you will save money and avoid a lot of risk.
Non-surgical alternatives are not considered to be medical treatments and are not supervised by the FDA. People can advertise techniques and results, but they don’t have to back up their claims the same way they would be required to do for something that was classified as a medical treatment. Be cautious about paying good money for something that may not give you the best results.
The cost of your surgery is determined by the doctor’s skill and the location of his or her location. Expect to pay for the cosmetic surgeon based in his or her reputation, the anesthesiologist, and the facility where the surgery is performed.
Posted on July 23, 2009 in Body, Tummy Tuck
Patients often come for consultation regarding fullness in their abdominal mid section. This can be a result of a previous pregnancy, age or fluctuations in weight. Through hormonal influence, these factors will control the amount and distribution of body fat as well as skin and connective tissue laxity of the abdomen. Diet and exercise can help provide contour to these areas but only to a point. If you decide to further improve your appearance in this regard there will be a variety of surgical options available to you.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck, is designed to remove the lax skin and fat of the abdomen and tighten the weakened abdominal wall. There are a variety of modifications of this procedure which are adapted to the patients specific problems and concerns. Some patients may only need skin removal while others may need fat removal and tightening of the abdominal muscles. Still others may only require muscle tightening.
Patients who present for consultation will undergo a thorough history and physical examination and have a treatment course specifically designed to address their unique problems. It is not uncommon for patients to come into the office expecting, for example, to have liposuction only to discover that their lax skin will become more lax if it is not tightened with a tummy tuck.
My role as the Plastic Surgeon is to outline and explain the options with their advantages and disadvantages so patients are well informed regarding the procedure that is right for them.
For more information on Tummy Tuck in New Jersey, please contact us at The Robert Zubowski, MD Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at 201.261.7550
Posted on September 8, 2008 in Body, Liposuction
If, after years of disciplined dieting and exercise, you realize that your body could still use some improvement, it may be time for SmartlipoTM.”It is a revolutionary minimally invasive laser liposuction tool that shapes and contours by melting localized smaller areas of fat without the need for suction, as with traditional liposuction, while also firming droopy skin. SmartlipoTM is not meant to take the place of Vaser® liposuction or tumescent liposuction, which Dr. Zubowski also performs. Rather, it is ideally suited to vaporize smaller stubborn or hard to reach areas of fatty pockets and can be used as a stand alone technique or as an adjunct to traditional liposuction when larger areas require treatment.
According to American Health and Beauty magazine, since its recent introduction SmartlipoTM rapidly rose to become the most popular new aesthetic procedure of 2007-and for many good reasons. First, it allows slender people with body shape issues who previously could not have liposuction, to now be appropriate candidates. Second, it is accomplished using local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia which is required for traditional liposuction. Third, since the laser coagulates small blood vessels as it very gently and precisely moves along there’s less bruising and swelling, thus typically resulting in a more rapid healing and recovery time. Fourth, SmartlipoTM simultaneously firms collagen to produce tighter, more youthful skin. Over the course of several post-treatment months SmartlipoTM continues to stimulate this new collagen growth, an essential building block of a youthful appearance. And finally, since this technique relies upon a small cannula whose tiny fiberoptic tip can easily be inserted under the skin to introduce the laser, any post-treatment scars are nearly imperceptible. Another plus: most patients report experiencing little or no after pain, and any discomfort can often be managed with Tylenol.
“We’re getting excellent results from SmartlipoTM on specific areas of the face such as the chin, as well as the neck, underarms, saddlebags, inner and outer thighs, and the abdomen,” explains Dr. Zubowski.
Patients who have facial areas treated with SmartlipoTM, will be sent home wearing a chin and neck support which can be discarded after one week. A compression garment should be worn for three weeks following treatment of body areas.
Posted on July 31, 2008 in Body
Sagging breasts that have lost as much as a cup size, and a tummy too obvious for tucked shirts are common complaints of young mothers. Dr. Zubowski notes that the two problem areas for young women of childbearing age are the breasts and tummy. “Pregnancy and child-bearing exact an aesthetic toll. People mistakenly believe that because of pregnancy and nursing the size of the breasts increase, but for many women, the opposite is true. In addition, abdominal muscles stressed and stretched during pregnancy produce the paunch-like look that causes women much emotional distress.”
Some patients, seeking to regain the breast fullness they had pre-baby, want to improve upon nature, increasing their cup size further. Other patients may require a breast lift as well for more youthful breasts. During your tummy tuck, Dr. Zubowski will repair the separated muscles, remove any excess belly fat, and if needed perform liposuction at the hips and/or waist for better contouring.
A Mommy Makeover holds several advantages for the appropriate candidate. There is only one surgery session, one recovery period, one downtime-about two weeks–and a single operating room fee.
Surgery is performed in our on site fully accredited facility “SurgiCenter”. Within the center is an equally impressive recovery center where you will remain post-operatively, while under the watchful eyes of a registered nurse who is specially trained in caring for plastic surgery patients. Once back home a registered nurse will visit you to answer any questions or concerns and check on your incisions. Within a week of your surgery you will receive the first of three lymphatic massages, designed to reduce swelling and promote faster healing. “We do everything we can to make your entire experience a good one that is not only comfortable, with the least amount of stress, but also lives up to your surgical expectations,” he says.
