Posted on October 11, 2011 in Body, Breast, Dr. Zubowski, Face, Latest News, Uncategorized
I believe in leaving no stone unturned when investigating the best ways to insure my patients’ comfort while under my care. During more than 25 years in practice I’ve discovered that sensibly melding the best elements of homeopathic, nutritional health and traditional medicine provides patients with optimum healing benefits.
At the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Paramus, NJ, we routinely include lymphatic drainage massages post-surgery in our treatment plan for all surgery patients. These massages promote faster recovery. In preparation for any surgery we also start patients on a course of arnica and bromelain therapy. These homeopathic herbal remedies work to soothe wound pains and reduce swelling while simultaneously stimulate efficient healing.
Oftentimes I’ll remind my patients once they are scheduled for surgery that they are what they eat and never more so as the countdown begins. Studies have confirmed that by eating certain foods you may decrease your downtime after surgery. For example, everyone knows that eating fruit is good for you. But did you know that pineapple, which contains the enzyme bromelain, works naturally on your system as an anti-inflammatory? A study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery indicates that simply by following a regimen combining specific nutrients such as bromelain, vitamin C, rutin and grapeseed extract, you may reduce your recovery time by 17 percent. In addition, eating just one cup of pineapple provides 80 percent of your daily manganese needs. Manganese helps with the healing of wounds by stimulating the production of new cartilage and collagen.
In addition to being a tasty treat, fresh pineapple, as well as fresh papaya, have been shown to help reduce swelling and bruising after surgery. Both of these tropical fruits contain a natural enzyme called papain.
Overall, maintaining a well balanced diet that’s high in protein aids in tissue repair. Finally, don’t forget to drink plenty of water and you’ll be helping yourself to a smoother recovery.
If you have any questions or would like more information about any of our services or procedures, please contact Ann Carbone, our Practice Manager.
Posted on December 15, 2010 in Body, Dr. Zubowski, Face, Facelift, Latest News, Liposuction, Media Appearances, Office News, Uncategorized
Q: Why does it seem like plastic surgery is becoming more and more affordable with better technology, but the opposite happens for the rest of medicine?
A: Like most things, the cost of cosmetic surgery continues to increase over time. Likely due to reality TV, plastic surgery has become more mainstream and is not something people feel they need to hide.
Therefore we simply hear more about it now. And buyer beware! Cheap prices may reflect a lack of training and board-certification.
Q: Where do you draw the line and refuse to perform the type of procedure that your patients request?
A: Whenever a patient is unrealistic in their expectations, no good will come from a surgical procedure. People who want a procedure and simply are not candidates do not get a procedure. Liposuction in a morbidly obese patient is a good example. Breast augmentation for a woman who already is a DD cup is another.
With some procedures like rhinoplasty (nose job), I will morph an expected result for a patient and based on their response, I will might refuse to do it.
Q: Do you foresee a time when the rates of plastic surgery for men catch up to those for women, or at least are close?
A: Never. Wrinkles, bulges, bald spots — most men don’t care enough to ever do anything about it. Interestingly though, as the workforce ages and more and more men are working longer, we are seeing more men having surgery to look younger — to help stay competitive in the workplace — for right or wrong.
Q: Which procedures are most common among men?
A: Liposuction of abdomen and love handles, blepharoplasty (eyelift), and facelifts.
Q: Do you think more people would be willing to try cosmetic surgery if some services were offered as outpatient rather than inpatient procedures?
A: Every cosmetic surgery procedure that I perform is outpatient. You come and have the surgery and go home the same day. You do have to return in the morning for a check up. This is how most plastic surgeons operate. If you go to a really upscale practice, you may have overnight accommodations — some rivaling the Four Seasons — but you will pay for it.
Q: What age is too young for plastic surgery?
A: This is controversial but I would say anything under 18 years old. Younger for congenital deformities, but there is something to be said for letting an adult make a decision for themselves. I have yet to see to a cosmetic “emergency” that needed a procedure STAT and couldn’t wait a year or two.
Q: What procedures are most likely to result in “I’m so glad I had it done!” and which tend to give rise to “What was I thinking?” regrets?
A: Most patients who are well informed and are realistic about their procedure are happy they did it. Those in the unhappy crowd often have had procedures with the terms “short scar,” “no downtime,” or “lunch time” attached to them. There is no free lunch.
Q: Does plastic surgery always produce a scar which must be hidden?
A: Always.
Q: What is the best bargain in plastic surgery? Which procedure would give most people the most satisfaction and improvements for the amount of time and money spent?
A: Harder to answer. It really depends what it is that bothers you. Taking all comers, botox for certain wrinkles is the best bargain. It eliminates the wrinkles for up to 4 months and does not require any surgery and therefore downtime.
Posted on October 28, 2010 in Body, Dr. Zubowski, Face, Facelift, Latest News, Non Surgical Procedures, Uncategorized
In some cases, with new technology, it is possible to tighten sagging or wrinkled skin — without undergoing surgery.
There is a new crop of skin tightening procedures that heat the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis) in order to encourage increased collagen production and remodeling of existing collagen. Supportive underlying tissues of the skin contract, resulting in a tighter, more uplifted appearance to the skin. Tthe two treatments that are best known are Thermage and Titan.
Keep in mind that these procedures are not meant to deliver the exact same results as a surgical face lift. You cannot expect to erase 15-20 years with non-invasive tissue tightening. And results vary from patient to patient due to differences in skin thickness and texture, healing response, and lifestyle variables.
I recommend these procedures most for younger patients to stave off more invasive procedures, or for those patients for whom surgery is not an option. Skin-tightening procedures seem to work best in patients who have thin faces who don’t quite yet need a facelift and want to put it off for a few years.
These treatments have been used with success on the face and areas of the body. Some of the most dramatic results have been seen in the area of the neck and jaw line. However, these treatments are also showing some promising results on sagging skin on the abdomen, upper arms, butt, and thighs, and seem to offer some help with diminishing the appearance of cellulite as well.
Since dermal collagen remodeling takes place over time, you cannot expect to see the final result until up to six months following your final session (number of required sessions vary). This means that patients may be able to expect to see some immediate results, with improvements continuing for up to six months following the procedure.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our office manager, Ann Carbone at 201-261-7550.
Posted on October 18, 2010 in Face, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Non Surgical Procedures, Skin Care, Uncategorized
Laser skin resurfacing, also known as a laser peel, is the removal of the top layers of the skin with a laser light energy. The procedure makes the skin smoother, tighter, and more even in tone, texture, and color.
The best candidates for skin resurfacing are light-skinned non-smokers who are in overall good health who are looking to correct skin imperfections like wrinkles, loose skin, scars and dark spots. Even pre-cancerous lesions on the skin can be effectively removed with laser resurfacing.
Those who are not candidates for this procedure include people who take or have taken certain medications (including but not limited to Accutane and some steroids) within the previous 18 months and people who tend to have unusual scarring, such as keloids.
Skin resurfacing is usually performed on an outpatient basis. You will be required to keep the skin moist and to stay out of the sun completely during the healing period, which is approximately 7-10 days, except in the case of a very light peel, and you may be expected to wear some type of sterile dressing over the treated area
For more information on this an other non-surgical procedures offered at our center, contact our office manager, Ann Carbone at 201-261-7550.
