Plastic surgery is often the solution to this problem. Dr. Greenwald, a talented plastic surgery New York provider, can combine elements of several procedures to sculpt and tighten the contours of the body. A multiple-step approach may be recommended for the most comprehensive, transformative results. Post-bariatric surgery treatment plans often include:

Tummy tuck — tightens abdominal muscles that have separated and removes excess fat and skin from the midsection.

Thigh lift — eliminates redundant skin from the upper legs. The result is a more toned, firm appearance.

Arm lift (brachioplasty) — removes excess skin and fatty tissue through incisions along the inside of the upper arms.

Lower body lift — simultaneously enhances the contours of the abdomen, upper legs and buttocks.

Breast lift — elevates breasts that sag or droop on the chest. Breast implants may also be placed to increase the size of the bustline.

Patients may choose to compliment the transformation in their bodies with facial rejuvenation as well. Eyelid surgery removes redundant skin from the upper or lower eyelids, also eliminating puffy bags underneath the eyes. Botox smoothes wrinkles and lines, and dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm can plump up the lips or add contour to the cheeks for a youthful and rested-looking expression.

One of Dr. Greenwald’s strengths as a physician is listening carefully to his patients’ concerns, needs and goals, and delivering a treatment plan that addresses each of these elements. Patients feel comfortable opening up to Dr. Greenwald; numerous patients have been able to achieve amazing post-bariatric surgery results.

If you’ve recently lost a large amount of weight and are considering plastic surgery to tighten up your curves, please contact our practice.

Submuscular vs. Subglandular Placement Recovery Timeline

In general, patients who have their implants placed over the muscle (subglandular placement) will recover quicker than patients whose implants are placed under the muscle (submuscular).

Take It Easy

Though this will vary by patient, most patients need to take three to five days off of work to recover, get plenty of rest and wean themselves off of the pain medication. Do not drive while taking pain medicine. Also, avoid any strenuous physical activity for several weeks aftersurgery.

Pain, Swelling and Bruising

Because of the nature of the surgery, breast augmentation patients can expect some post-operative bruising, swelling and discomfort, which can be treated with prescription pain medication and ice packs. Wearing the supportive bra or garments provided by Dr. Greenwald will help with the swelling.

Lifting and Exercise

Avoid lifting anything more than a few pounds for up to 10 days after surgery. After that, check with Dr. Greenwald to determine whether it is safe to lift something (including small children). Light exercise (e.g., leg weights and walking) is recommended several days after surgery. Patients who have had implants placed under the muscle should avoid the gym and aerobic activity for four to six weeks.

Communicate with Your Surgeon

Dr. Greenwald will be in close communication with you following breast augmentation surgery. You’ll return for follow-up appointments so he can check your incisions and the overall healing process. These follow-up appointments are a great time to ask questions, but if you forget something, he is always just a phone call away. Dr. Greenwald and his staff are happy to answer your questions and make suggestions for a quick and easy recuperation.

The Results

It will take several months for the swelling to completely dissipate, your breasts to fully settle into place and the final results to reveal themselves. The scars will take anywhere from six months to over a year to fade.

If you would like to speak with Dr. Greenwald about recovering from breast augmentation, or you are considering having implants placed and you’d like to schedule a consultation, please contact our cosmetic surgery New York City practice today.

Filler Material

Breast augmentation patients may choose from saline or silicone-gel filled implants. Saline (saltwater) implants are often compared to water balloons in terms of the way they feel. Silicone implants are firmer and feel more like natural breast tissue. There are pros and cons to both, but one of the most notable differences is that, if they rupture, the saline filler material will simply absorb into the body. It is more difficult to notice if a silicone implant has ruptured because the gel may slowly leak out of it. Women who have silicone implants placed are encouraged to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) every couple of years to check for leaks and ruptures.

Size

Choosing the size of your implants is a completely personal decision, and something that many women have already figured out prior to scheduling the surgery. Some women desire very large breast implants, while others want a more subtle enhancement. However, don’t rush the decision, and review all of your options. Experts recommend taking into account your anatomy and lifestyle, along with your personal goals, when contemplating implant size. With the assistance of Dr. Greenwald, “try on” different size implants to determine what size looks best on your frame.

It is also helpful to note that many women who undergo breast augmentation revision surgery do so because they wish they had chosen bigger implants initially. So, it may be best to find your ideal size, and then go a little bit bigger. This could save you from the possibility of having revision surgery later on.

Shape

Breast implants come in round or teardrop shapes. Round implants provide similar degrees of projection on the upper and lower parts. The teardrop shape is considered to be more anatomically correct, as the lower part of the implant projects further than the upper part, giving them a sloped contour that is very comparable to natural breast shape. However, teardrop implants have a higher chance of rotating, so they require a textured surface.

Texture

Implants can have a textured or smooth surface; textured makes the implants feel more like natural breast tissue. Both saline and silicone gel implants can be textured.

If you’d like to schedule a breast augmentation consultation with Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Greenwald and determine which implants are right for you, please contact our practice today.

Here are some of the most important considerations for both saline and silicone implants.

Saline Implants:

• More prone to wrinkling and rippling
• If they rupture, the body simply absorbs the saltwater liquid
• Typically only placed under the muscle
• Filled after they are placed and can be placed through a smaller incision
• Have been compared to water balloons
• Volume can be adjusted after placement by adding or removing liquid with a syringe

Silicone Implants:

• Softer and more natural to the touch
• Recommended for women with less natural breast tissue
• Less prone to rippling and wrinkling
• If they rupture, the gel material may stay inside the implant shell or slowly leak
• Patients may not even notice the implant has ruptured
• Require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) every three years to check for leaks or ruptures
• Prefilled and require a larger incision
• Placed either over the muscle, under the muscle or partially under the muscle

When weighing your options, it’s best to speak with a plastic surgeon with many years of experience and satisfied breast augmentation patients. Dr. Greenwald, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York, can show you before and after breast implant photos to help you get an idea of what your results may look like. He can also elaborate on the differences between saline and silicone breast implants.

If you’d like to speak to Dr. Greenwald, please contact our practice today.

The best breast implants candidates are in good general health and work closely with New York plastic surgeon, Dr. Joshua Greenwald, to attain a comprehensive understanding of the surgery, including its benefits, potential complications and cost. It’s also critical that the patient maintain realistic expectations of what the procedure can accomplish. Breast augmentation will not solve someone’s problems or change their lives. Good breast implant candidates are motivated by personal reasons — not the influence of a spouse, friend or significant other.

Some other guidelines for breast implants candidates include:

• Over the age of 18
• Nonsmoker
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding
• At a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly

It’s important for candidates to note that implants may interfere with breastfeeding and mammograms. Also, implants do not last forever, and may need to be replaced later in life. Dr. Greenwald can discuss these considerations in further detail, but candidates should keep these possibilities in mind when making their decision.

Breast implant candidates are urged to schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenwald at his New York City breast augmentation practice. During the consultation, Dr. Greenwald will examine the patient and discuss her needs and cosmetic goals. He will also explain the available fillers, sizes and shapes of implants. He will discuss the surgery itself and review the different types of incisions and implant placement (e.g., submuscular, subglandular). Once it has been determined that the patient is going ahead with breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Greenwald can draw up a treatment plan that outlines everything he and the patient have agreed upon.

If you’re interested in having breast implants placed and you would like more information, please contact Dr. Greenwald’s New York cosmetic surgery practice today.

How Does SmartLipo Work?

SmartLipo uses laser energy to heat and melt away fat cells. A small fiber optic cannula delivers an extremely precise laser beam through tiny incisions to the fat deposits. The fat cells then rupture, and the liquid is suctioned from the body through the incisions. Approved by the FDA for safety, SmartLipo can be used on the thighs, buttocks, knees, abdomen and arms, as well as smaller areas of fatty tissue like the neck and cheeks. When used on the face, SmartLipo may eliminate the need for major facial rejuvenation procedures like a facelift or neck lift.

There are added bonuses of SmartLipo treatment: First, the laser beam seals blood vessels as it targets the fat cells, so there is less swelling, bleeding and bruising than with traditional liposuction. Also, the heat from the laser energy produces a skin tightening effect in the treatment areas.

SmartLipo is the ideal treatment for patients who seek effective body contouring treatment but have a busy lifestyle and need to return to work within a  few days.

Advantages of SmartLipo

Some of the perks of SmartLipo include:

• Less bruising, swelling and bleeding
• Outpatient procedure
• Doesn’t require general anesthesia
• Skin tightening effect
• Rapid recovery
• Less risk of complications than traditional liposuction
• Eliminates the need for more invasive surgical procedures

The results of SmartLipo are permanent, provided the patient maintains a healthy diet and regular physical activity. If fat deposits develop, they accumulate in parts of the body other than the treatment area.

Dr. Joshua Greenwald’s New York City plastic surgery practice is one of only a few in the area that offer this body contouring option. Please contact us for more details.

Approved by the FDA in 2010, CoolSculpting treatment uses a cooling suction device that drops the targeted fat cells to a degree just above freezing. The cells crystallize and the body then flushes them away through the natural detoxification process. CoolSculpting is often used on the abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs and hips.

The CoolSculpting Procedure

During CoolSculpting treatment, the patient sits or lies down on the treatment table. They can relax with a book, work on a laptop or nap during the procedure. The CoolSculpting handpiece is applied to the treatment area and the skin is pressed between two cooling panels; the patient will feel some pressure and a cooling sensation, which quickly dissipates. The treatment lasts about an hour, and several sessions may be recommended for optimal results.

Some patients report redness, minor bruising, tingling or numbness but this is temporary. The results continue to improve over the next two to six months.

Perks of CoolSculpting

• Here are some of the best reasons to consider CoolSculpting:Non-invasive treatment with very little discomfort or painNo needles, incisions, anesthesia or pain medication
• Minimal trauma to surrounding tissue
• Virtually no recovery time — patients can immediately return to work or normal activities
• Results continue to improve over two to four months
• Low risk of complications

If you’d like more information about CoolSculpting in New York City, contact Dr. Joshua Greenwald today. Dr. Greenwald is a reputable New York cosmetic surgeon and would be happy to meet with you during a one-on-one consultation.

Are you over 18?

Most reputable, board-certified plastic surgeons will not perform liposuction on a minor under the age of 18.

Are you in good physical condition?

Liposuction candidates should be in shape, exercise regularly and have firm skin with good elasticity.

Are you at a stable weight?

Liposuction is not recommended for individuals who plan to lose a large amount of weight or become pregnant. Gaining or losing weight can compromise the results of liposuction.

Are you using liposuction as a weight loss method?

If so, your physician will not perform the procedure. It is not intended to completely change your shape, and it is only performed to address specific areas of excess fat.

Have you explored all of your options?

The best liposuction candidates do their research individually and with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon before they schedule the surgery. Candidates should be informed of what to expect before, during and after the procedure, as well as possible complications, the benefits and the cost of the surgery.

Do you have realistic expectations of the surgery?

Liposuction will not change your life. It will make visible improvements to your figure, but it will not solve other problems. Also, the results are permanent — as long as you maintain your weight with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Have you consulted with a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Only a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery should perform liposuction. This certification indicates that the doctor has undergone extensive training and is qualified to perform the procedure.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with board-certified New York plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Greenwald, please contact our practice today. He would be happy to explore the liposuction procedure in greater detail with you one-on-one.

This is an interesting article re-affirming the safety of silicone breast implants.