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Blepharoplasty surgery, while highly effective, is not necessarily for everyone when it comes to achieving youthful, rested looking eyes. Taking steps early on to ensure that your eyes look their best is the most effective way to keep hands of time at bay. Many people think of plastic surgery or cosmetic treatments as reactive procedures, used to correct problems once they occur. Dr. Robert T. Grant has a different philosophy; one that is catching on throughout the plastic surgery field.

Dr. Grant’s “Life Stage Personal Enhancement” approach to plastic surgery is simple: start with smaller, preventative cosmetic treatments and procedures early to keep you looking your best and minimize the work that needs to be done. For instance, when rejuvenating the eyes, start with facial skincare treatments in your 30’s to help hold fine lines and wrinkles at bay for a longer period of time. While this may not prevent the need for blepharoplasty surgery down the road, it may postpone it 5 to 10 years. In Dr. Grant’s life stage approach, this would be the first step in keeping your eyes looking great.

In your 40’s and 50’s you may want to consider non-surgical interventions, such as Botox and Juvederm. This will help treat those lines persistent lines that skin resurfacing can no longer treat. Botox will help relax the tight muscles associated with age and minimize wrinkling, while Juvederm can restore lost volume to the sunken areas. These injectable treatments come with minimal cost and no down-time, while continuing to help you look your best.

Into your 50’s and beyond, it may be the time for surgical intervention. More and more people are living longer, more active lives and there is no reason you cannot continue to look your best at the same time. This is a great time to explore surgical options, such as blepharoplasty, eyebrow lifts, and more. Each patient is different and has unique needs all their own. The “Life Stage Personal Enhancement” approach to beauty maintenance helps you identify your specific and unique needs early on; helping you plan your course of action accordingly.

Your eyes are more than the gateway to your soul; they are also one of your most important features. You don’t need to wait until you are older to keep them looking their best. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Grant today, by calling 212.832.6182, or e-mailing at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com, to learn more about the innovative, “Life Stage Personal Enhancement” approach to cosmetic treatments and plastic surgery.

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Everyone shows the signs of aging differently. For some people the signs of aging show up as laugh lines around the mouth or a sagging in the cheeks; others may experience drooping in the eyes or wrinkles in their brow. When it comes to facial rejuvenation, there are many different cosmetic procedures that target specific areas of the face to help the patient achieve their desired results. Though there are many options of different techniques used to rejuvenate a patient’s face, the mid-face lift is an effective procedure that is not often discussed.

Th >mid-face lift procedure that targets the middle areas of the face; such as sagging, drooping cheeks, nasal fold lines (also known as laugh lines), and the lower eyes (the eyelids and the bags under the eyes). However, the mid-face lift is particularly good for patients who are looking to elevate their cheeks and tighten the muscles beneath. Like many other plastic surgery procedures, there are a couple of different techniques used to achieve the desired effect.

The first technique involves making an incision in the lower lash line. This allows access to the cheeks and lower eyelids where excess tissue can be removed, muscle tissue to be adjusted, and the middle of the face to be lifted to help smooth age lines. In some cases, incisions are made in the nasolabial fold. This approach is more suited for patients looking for a more vertical lift rather than horizontal corrections. In either case, the results are a smoother, more youthful looking face.

The second technique is known to produce even more dramatic results. Endoscopic mid-facelifts are done through two incisions placed at the temples (so that scars are hidden by the hairline). By approaching the mid-face lift from this location, your plastic surgeon is able to lift the skin and muscles in the face both vertically and diagonally. The endoscopic cameras allow for better viewing of the procedure from the inside, which makes this technique a bit more involved.

Recovery time from a mid-facelift is generally a week, with the full results visible soon after. Mid-face lifts are more specifically targeted than other facelift procedures and, as a result, the healing process is often shorter with less bruising and swelling.

Like other plastic surgery procedures, a mid-face lift can be paired with other facial rejuvenation procedures to get the best possible results. During your consultation with Dr. Robert T. Grant you can discuss which additional procedures are available or needed to help you achieve your goals. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Grant today by calling 212.832.6182 or e-mailing at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com.

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At first glance they both appear to be very similar procedures; both procedures are designed to address a sagging, drooping backside, right? Wrong. These procedures are actually quite different, despite the similar names; they each address different body aesthetic concerns.

BUTT LIFT

A traditional butt lift procedure restores a patient’s thighs and buttocks by removing excess skin and tightening the target areas. This leaves the patient with more slender, youthful looking thighs. A butt lift procedure does not enhance the area by adding volume; instead, it is a restorative procedure. Butt lift surgery is perfect for patients who have experienced a significant weight loss or have lost elasticity in their skin due to age.

BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT

Brazilian butt lift procedures are actually a buttock augmentation procedure. Much like a breast augmentation, a Brazilian butt lift adds increased volume and shape to one’s backside. Brazilian butt lift procedures use fat transferred from another area of the body to achieve the desired volume. This fat is purified and treated before being injected into the patient’s backside, giving them a shapelier derriere. Butt augmentation can also include the use of silicone implants to achieve the desired fullness.

Brazilian butt lifts may result in a lift of sorts, due to the addition of fat in backside; but it will not address the same concerns as a traditional butt lift procedure. Excess skin and sagging may still be present after a Brazilian butt lift.

Though the two procedures may be performed together to achieve your desired results, you must remember they are as different as breast lift and breast implant procedures.

While on the surface these surgeries may sound like similar procedures, they are actually quite different. To help answer any other questions or concerns about these procedures, set up a consultation with Dr. Robert T. Grant by calling 212.832.6182, or e-mailing at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com. However, taking the time to research potential procedures ahead of time can help steer your consultation conversation. Being informed is the first step in having a successful plastic surgery experience.

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MYTH 1: BREAST FEEDING AND IMPLANTS

One of the most common myths about breast implant surgery is that having implants can interfere with breast feeding, or that breast feeding will somehow affect the breast implants. Both of these myths are false. For women who are healthy and able to breast feed prior to breast augmentation surgery, breast implants will have no impact on their ability to breast feed after surgery.

Breast feeding will also not impact your breast implant. That is not to say there will not be changes to one’s breasts, but it is not linked to the act of breast feeding. The factors that contribute to breast changes are in relation to the pregnancy itself. Genetics, hormone changes, and weight gain can all contribute to a change in breast shape and volume. However, studies have shown that breast feeding has little, if any impact on changes to the implants.

MYTH 2: OLDER WOMEN SHOULD AVOID BREAST IMPLANTS

This myth is also false. The only factor to consider, when looking at breast augmentation surgery, is the overall health of the patient. If the patient is healthy enough for surgery, then it doesn’t matter if you are 20 or 60; you can get great results from a breast augmentation surgery at any age.

MYTH 3: BREAST IMPLANTS AFFECT MAMMOGRAPHY

Breast cancer is a concern for many women, but you can rest assured that breast augmentation surgery will not affect your ability to have mammography testing. In fact, women with silicone breast implants tend to get better results from their mammography. This is because the technique involves X-rays rather than the traditional compression method. If mammograms are the reason you are hesitating on receiving a breast augmentation, you can set your mind at ease; there are no problems associated with mammograms and breast implants.

MYTH 4: YOU CAN’T WEAR UNDERWIRE BRAS WITH BREAST IMPLANTS

The origin of this myth is still unknown, but many believe this began due to women attempting to wear underwire bras too soon after their surgery; causing them to experience some discomfort. Large breasts (whether they are natural or breast implants) can sag overtime due to gravity if they are not supported. Underwire bras help provide the support that is needed to prevent this sagging. This myth false, you can wear underwire bras once you’re fully healed from surgery. It is actually recommended you wear one, once healed, to help maintain the overall appearance of your breasts.

The truth is, breast augmentation surgery is safer than it has ever been. Techniques for placing implants and advances in the types of implants today have made breast augmentation surgery easier and more common than it has ever been.

If you have resisted the urge to have breast augmentation surgery because of “what you heard” about them, maybe it is time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert T. Grant by calling 212.832.6182, or e-mailing at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com. Ask all the questions you have and learn the truth behind breast augmentation surgery. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Grant is the best way to set your mind at ease while learning about the latest options available to help you achieve your body enhancement goals.

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Breast lift surgery can help women achieve younger looking breasts by lifting the breasts and nipple to a higher position on the chest. As women age, or experience body changes due to pregnancy and/or weight gain/loss, the breast can appear to sag or lose volume. This can be corrected without the need for a breast implant if a woman is happy with her current breast cup size.

What a breast lift does is restructure and reposition the breast to a higher point on the body. The areola (or dark area around the nipple) can also be reduced as part of a breast lift procedure. Excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is tightened to help achieve the desire effect. Breast lift surgery is ideal for addressing the following concerns:

• Sagging breasts that have lost substance or firmness
• Flattened, elongated breasts
• Nipples that point downward or fall below the breast crease
• Stretched skin or enlarged areolas
• Breasts that are asymmetrical due to gravity (one breast appears lower than the other)

All of these concerns can be addressed simply using a woman’s natural breast tissue, without the need for an implant. Breast implants are used to increase the size of a woman’s breasts; however, in cases where women are happy with their current size, breast implants are not necessary to be added to breast lift surgery.

Achieving your best looking breasts doesn’t necessarily mean breast implants are needed. Breast lift surgery could be the alternative approach you’ve been looking for to achieve a more natural aesthetic breast goal. To find out if a breast lift procedure is appropriate for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert T. Grant by calling 212.832.6182, or e-mailing inquiries@robertgrantmd.com. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Grant has years of experience helping women achieve the bodies they have always dreamed about. Dr. Grant can evaluate your breasts and body’s unique needs and can help find the right course of action to meet your goals.

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While rhinoplasty is an excellent beauty enhancing procedure, nose surgery can also improve one’s health by fixing any issues one may have with the function of the nose. There are a variety of issues that can be address with rhinoplasty surgery that go beyond simply cosmetic purposes.

• SEPTOPLASTY: Septoplasty, a form of rhinoplasty surgery, is performed to repair the wall that separates the nasal passages. This damage is commonly referred to as a deviated septum and many things can cause this, such as birth defects or injury. Septoplasty surgery can correct the damaged area by straightening a bent septum and/or closing a gap in the tissue, in turn improving the quality of breathing and snoring.
• TURBINATE REDUCTION: Each person has three turbinates (inferior, middle, and superior) on each side of their nose. The turbinates are designed to clean air as it enters the body and moisten the air prior to entering the lungs. Enlarged turbinates can obstruct airways and make breathing more difficult. Reducing the size of the turbinates can not only improve breathing, but can also help with issues such as nasal drainage and post-nasal drip.
• BROKEN NOSE REPAIR: Accidental damage from a car accident or sports injury can damage the cartilage in the nose, hindering breathing and creating all sorts of issues, including a possible deviated septum. Rhinoplasty surgery can correct a damaged or broken nose, restoring it to its original state and repairing any obstructions causing breathing problems. In the case of accidental damage, most insurance companies will cover rhinoplasty surgery. However, if one wants additional work done for cosmetic reasons during the surgery, you may be billed an additional cosmetic fee.
• REPAIR OLD SURGERY: Rhinoplasty surgery can be used to repair damaged done by a poorly executed previous nose surgery. Improvements in medical science can now allow for better results in nose surgery, whether poor work was a result of a septoplasty done as a child or you have had a past rhinoplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons that was done with poor execution. Redoing the surgery with a board-certified, well qualified surgeon may help. This revision surgery approach can repair damage done to the structure of the nose, septum, turbinates, and more; not only improving your overall health, but the function and appearance of the nose as well.

While a nose job is most commonly known for its cosmetic benefits, there are many additional reasons to seek out rhinoplasty surgery. If any of these issues relate to you, it is time to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert T. Grant by calling 212.832.6182, or e-mailing at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com, Correcting the issues of one’s nose can not only improve appearance, but can improve your overall health and quality of life.

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For those people who are unhappy with their arms, there are several plastic surgery options available to make your arms look great and boost your confidence during the sleeve-free months of summer.

• ARM LIPOSUCTION: For those people with excess fat in their upper arms, but with otherwise tight skin, liposuction is an excellent option for shaping one’s arms. By removing the excess fat in the upper arm, patients are left with smooth, slender, toned looking arms that look great in sleeveless tops and bathing suits. Arm liposuction takes a couple of hours to perform and is an outpatient procedure. Incisions are minimal and you can be looking your best in a matter of weeks… just in time for summer!
• BRACHIOPLASTY (or ARM LIFT SURGERY): Brachioplasty surgery is performed to remove loose, excess skin from the upper arm. This is usually the case for patients who have experienced a significant weight loss and have extra sagging skin as a result. It can also be the result of pregnancy or aging. The removal of excess skin helps reshape the arm so that it appears tight, toned, and ready to show off. Surgery requires one-two hours and normal activities can be resumed within four to six weeks.
• EXTENDED BRACHIOPLASTY: An extended brachioplasty procedure is much like a traditional arm lift and is also intended to remove excess skin to create a more slender, toned arm. The main difference with an extended brachioplasty is that it targets excess skin that runs along the upper chest as well. By addressing this additional treatment area, the results of an extended brachioplasty can better ensure that there is good aesthetic balance in the overall brachioplasty results. Surgery time and recovery are similar to that of a traditional brachioplasty.
• MINIMAL INCISION BRACHIOPLASTY: This type of arm lift surgery is done in patients who are fit but experience a minimal amount of excess skin. The most commonly targeted area of a minimal incision brachioplasty is in the upper arm pit area. Incisions are made and the skin is pulled tight. This creates a smooth line throughout the arm span. The procedure takes about an hour with recovery being on par with other brachioplasty surgeries, about four to six weeks.

There is no reason you should feel uncomfortable about showing your arms off this summer. Call Dr. Robert T. Grant at 212.832.6182, or e-mail inquiries@robertgrantmd.com to set up your consultation today! The only thing stopping you from having the arms you’ve always wanted is not taking the first step.

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The first step in figuring out which approach to facial rejuvenation is right for you is to learn the differences between the two techniques. While facelift surgery and injectables both offer age-defying benefits, each procedure addresses different aspects in regards to the signs of aging and both yield different results.

FACELIFT SURGERY

A facelift procedure is a full facial surgery, performed to remove excess, sagging skin and reshape the facial structure to achieve a brighter, more youthful appearance. Nothing can be done to shrink or reduce loose, sagging skin short of a facelift. In order to correct this; the skin needs to be repositioned, excess skin removed, and the remaining skin repaired.

Facelift surgery does not necessarily treat all areas of the face; further lift procedures done to specific areas can be done in conjunction. Eyelid surgery, a forehead lift, or neck lift surgery may be used to further enhance the results of the facelift, creating a nicely proportioned effect. Deep under-eye creases, forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, and deep folds and creases along the nose are some of the other areas that can be addressed with a facelift procedure.

BOTOX

Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to relax the tense muscles that are associated with fine lines and wrinkles. By injecting Botox into the tight areas the skin, the muscles are able to relax, leaving the area smooth and more youthful looking. Botox is often used in the upper areas of the face to treat forehead creases, wrinkles around the eyes crow’s feet, and creases between the eyebrows. However, Botox does not change the existing tissue; it simply allows tense muscles to relax which, in turn, allows your skin to lie in a more natural position. Results can last anywhere from six to nine months.

Botox and other injectables are often referred to as non-surgical facelifts, but they are not a facelift at all. Botox injections do little to address the actual skin.

TWO TIER APPROACH

Many people have a combination of age signs including sagging jowls and forehead wrinkles, or crow’s feet and loose skin in the neck. Fortunately, facelift procedures work well in addition to Botox treatments and vice versa. By combining the techniques, patients are able to get a more complete, well-balanced facial rejuvenation experience.

Thinking of undergoing a facial rejuvenation procedure? Then be sure to call Dr. Robert T. Grant at 212.832.6182, or e-mail at inquiries@robertgrantmd.com to schedule your consultation. By examining your unique facial structure and discussing your specific goals, you and Dr. Grant can decide which techniques, or combination of techniques, will help you achieve your facial rejuvenation goals.

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While it is obviously smart to learn about early detection treatment and be informed of breast reconstruction options, it is also important to educate yourself on the next step to the process: breast reconstruction recovery.

With any surgical procedure, patients are going to experience some discomfort during the recovery process. With medication and proper rest, this discomfort can be minimized to be more tolerable. While it is not common, some women experience more severe pain after a breast cancer surgery. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize the potential for additional discomfort prior to reconstructive surgery as well as ways to prepare yourself by working with your plastic surgeon.
Women who have a history of migraines, lower back pain, or arthritis are more likely to experience a higher degree of discomfort than women without similar issues. Knowing a woman’s history can assist a surgeon in planning for a more intensive post-surgery treatment.

Women with a significant amount of anxiety about their recovery are more likely to experience higher levels of discomfort as well. The additional stress manifests itself physically. Openly sharing any concerns or anxiety with your doctor can allow for better recovery and planning. Not only will discussing these concerns alleviate some of the anxiety but, by recognizing this pre-surgery stress, your plastic surgeon can plan additional support for your post-surgery pain management treatment.

One of the best ways to ensure a successful reconstructive breast surgery is to be open and honest with your surgeon. Sharing your heath history as well as any distress about the process, can take some of the weight off your shoulders and allow others to aid you in your journey. Open dialogue between you and your plastic surgeon can also cause you to receive vital or helpful information that you may otherwise have missed.

Being informed during a trying time can vastly improve an otherwise bumpy road. Be informed about all your options and speak with a professional that can help you in your journey by calling Dr. Robert Grant at 212.832.6182, or e-mail inquiries@robertgrantmd.com to schedule your consultation today!

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