Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Now that silicone gel implants are available, what are their advantages, and are they safe?

A. The main advantage of silicone gel implants are their soft, natural feel and look. Unlike saline implants they are not prone to showing waviness and dimpling. After a prolonged moratorium for using silicone gel implants, these devices were finally approved for usage by the FDA. I believe that the newest generation of gel implants is even better products than their predecessors. The silicone gel implants are considered safe, and Dr. Silberman will give you an in depth discussion concerning their usage, including pros and cons.

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Q. I am over 40 and look older then I feel. I have a “tired” face with jowls and excess skin under my chin. What can be done to improve this?

A. Rhytidectomy (face and neck lift) can give you a more youthful and rested appearance. A face lift can improve visible signs of aging, especially for the jowls, loose neck skin and overall sagging facial skin. This surgery is effective for both women and men, with placement of well hidden incisions around the ear and hairline. We now offer a state of the art “office facelift” which allows for substantial face and neck improvement without the need for a hospital or anesthesia. You can expect to be back to work in seven to ten days.

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Q. I have noticed that my eyes have a “tired look” that I can’t change, even with proper sleep. Is there anything that can be done for this?

A. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, may be just what you need to freshen up your appearance. During this procedure, excess eyelid skin and fat are removed to correct the effects of aging and give you a more youthful and more rested appearance. Most patients feel comfortable to be out in public and back to work within a week.

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Q. What is liposuction and what is it for?

A. Liposuction is one of the most popular performed cosmetic procedures. It allows for the removal of localized fat deposits that have been unresponsive to diet and exercise. The procedure is meant for reshaping and contouring of areas such as the thighs, flanks, abdomen, back and neck. Liposuction is not for weight loss or cellulite. Time off work can vary from a few days to a week.

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Q. My breasts have never been the same since having children. Is there anything I can do to restore my original youthful appearance?

A. Breast enhancement can restore your breast shape to a fuller and more youthful appearance. We now offer both silicone gel or saline implants that are placed through small well hidden incisions. You can expect to return to work in about six to seven days. Some women will have ptotic (drooping) breasts and will need a reshaping procedure as well.

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Q. What can be done if my breasts droop?

A. Breast Lift or Mastopexy is for the patient who has ptotic (drooping) breasts that require reshaping. Often the reshaping procedure can be enhanced with a breast augmentation as well. Time off work is usually six to seven days.

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Q. When is a tummy tuck needed?

A. Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is for removal of excess skin of the abdomen often from pregnancy or weight loss. The procedure can be combined with liposuction for further contouring of the abdomen and flanks. A full abdominoplasty will show the most dramatic change, but some patients will be good candidates for modified abdominoplasty procedures which are less invasive. Time off work varies depending on the procedure, but is often about seven to ten days.

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Q. I am noticing sagging of skin under my chin. My neck is starting to look old. Can this be improved?

A. A newer procedure called a Neck Lift can be quite effective for the aging neck. This surgery will restore the youthful neck contour and correct the “turkey gobbler” appearance of the mid-line of the neck. Incisions are hidden behind the ears and under the chin. This is a popular procedure for both women and men. Most patients can expect to be back to work and in public in a week or less.

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Q. What are fillers of the face like Restylane® or Juvaderm® for?

A. It has become more apparent that part of our facial aging comes from loss of facial fat. Restoring the more youthful look requires restoring the lost volume in different areas of the face, as well as improving rhytids (wrinkle) areas. Fillers can be used around the mouth, cheek and eyes to effect the changes necessary to improve appearance. There are a number of different fillers on the market that can be used, such as Restylane®, Juvaderm®, Radiesse®, ArteFill® and Sculptra™. Fat from your own body can also be used as a facial filler. The fillers used are not permanent, but can give varied times of correction from 4 to 6 months to greater than a year. Dr. Silberman can give you an in depth discussion on fillers with their advantages and disadvantages.

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Q. What is Botox®?

A. Botox® injections work by temporarily paralyzing specifically targeted muscles, preventing them from contracting. This causes the targeted muscle to relax; and when the muscle movement stops, the wrinkle it was creating is markedly improved or eliminated. The effects of Botox® last about three to four months. Botox® is excellent for improving wrinkles between the eyebrows, laugh lines and forehead creases. It can also be used for lip line improvement. Botox® can be used in conjunction with “fillers” such as collagen and fat. It is also an excellent adjunct to further enhance the effects of cosmetic surgery.

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Q. What can a skin care program from a skin care specialist at Plastic Surgery Associates do for me?

A. Clean healthy skin and cosmetic surgery go hand in hand, as each service compliments the other. Skin care specialists, also known as Aestheticians, provide skin care services at Plastic Surgery Associates. You do not need to be a cosmetic surgery patient to obtain a consult concerning the benefits of a comprehensive home care and in-office peeling program. During your first appointment, a “skin history” is taken to determine if your skin is environmentally damaged, sun damaged, hyperpigmented, acne prone, or just in need of “fine tuning” your complexion. The skin products you will receive are only available from a doctor’s office. At Plastic Surgery Associates, our Aestheticians have years of expertise, and will take the guesswork out of your skin care equation.

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Q. What is a "Mommy Makeover"?

A. The "Mommy Makeover" refers to improving the body changes brought on by multiple pregnancies and time. Often body contouring procedures can have dramatic effects to reshape the abdomen, flanks and breasts; the areas hardest hit by pregnancy. Contouring procedures like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, breast augmentation and breast lift (mastopexy) can produce very positive aesthetic improvements. These surgical procedures can often be done combination so those great results can be obtained in one outpatient setting.