Since I don’t know which surgery you want to have, I cannot give you a specific answer. This is a very important conversation that I have with my patients because your recovery period is critical to obtaining optimum results. We custom tailor your instructions based upon your surgery, medical history, social and work requirements. This helps you plan best and provides you appropriate rule sets. Since your doctor cannot go home with you, you are solely responsible to precisely follow your post-surgery instructions.

These instructions could include various aspects, such as resting, not exercising, lifting or driving, taking or applying medication, wearing various garments, scheduled returns to the office, and other things essential to your best recovery and optimal results. I don’t recommend bed rest after surgery, but you may have certain restrictions for a short time after any procedure. After most surgeries I perform, you may climb stairs the same day and shower in 24 hours.

You probably should consider arranging for some assistance with your little ones, at least for a few days. It might help to have someone stay with you, or have your children stay with them.
Please don’t bend the rules during recovery or you could end up with an emergency bleed or other complications that could seriously impact your final results. Be patient with yourself. Remember that healing takes time and your ultimate results may not be evident for weeks, even months after surgery. Reviewing videos of patients at various stages of recovery may be helpful for you to see on my Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, and my website.

Modern board-certified Plastic Surgeons utilize tumescent fluid, which contains epinephrine (adrenaline) and a local anesthetic instilled into the fat layer. It is placed into each treatment area at the beginning of the procedure in a calibrated fashion, in proportion to the amount of fat the surgeon proposes to treat and remove. Your body absorbs the fluid during and post-surgery. Its purpose is to reduce bleeding, use less anesthetic agent, and let you wake up comfortably.

Next, areas you don’t like are treated with a method that removes the fat. I prefer to treat the fat selectively with Vaser ultrasound technology This allows me to make a 4 mm incision and place an ultrasound probe under the skin that pops the fat cell like a water balloon. It does not damage the lymphatics, collagen, blood vessels, or nerves. It selectively removes the fat, which is the tissue we want to treat. The ultrasound energy also stimulates the skin to “shrink wrap” around the smaller you!

Aging skin, post weight-loss changes, and sun damage rob the skin of its ability to have elastic recoil. I like to use Renuvion (J Plasma) to enhance the “shrink wrap” effect of skin tightening after liposuction during Vaser treatment. Helium plasma is created by radiofrequency (RF) stimulation of the helium gas atom. It creates a plasma beam that has been shown to make skin shrink substantially. Combining state of the art technologies allows for results that you will see the first day. You will have less swelling, tighter skin, and marvelous satisfaction with your new body!

I saved this question to answer on Memorial Day when we remember our loved ones lost in wars. Sir Harold Delf Gillies was an otolaryngologist and is widely considered the father of modern plastic surgery.

This 47-year old patient had breast reconstruction with Dr. Vanek’s single-stage mastectomy with prepectoral implant placement using Alloderm reinforcement after cancer was discovered on her right side.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) just published 2018 statistics, revealing that Americans spent more than $16.5 billion on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive procedures, a four percent increase from 2017 and displays the most popular plastic surgery. Almost 18 million people underwent surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the U.S. last year. This is almost a quarter of a million more procedures than in 2017.

Cosmetic surgical procedures, which focus on body enhancement, have been on a steady rise in the U.S. over the past 5 years. This differs from plastic surgery that reconstructs body parts that sustained damage due to disease, burns, or trauma. The ASPS reported that last year’s top five procedures were: 1) Breast augmentation (313,735 procedures, up 4%, and the number one procedure for several years); 2) Liposuction (258,558, up 5%); 3) Nose reshaping (213,780); 4) Eyelid surgery (206,529) and 5) Tummy tuck (130,081).

Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures also increased. The three most popular procedures were Botulinum toxin type A (Botox and others) – up 3%, soft tissue fillers – up 2%, and chemical peels – up 1%.

The ASPS also released recent study findings showing women are generally more attracted to cosmetic surgery, although the number of men considering it was significant, and increasing. Women were more likely to undergo cosmetic surgery if they personally rated their self-esteem, attractiveness, and life satisfaction as low, and/or if their media exposure (including selfies and social media usage) was higher.

These are the national statistics, but every patient is unique. Please feel free to meet with
me about what may be especially important to you.

Contact us to learn more.

By Olivia Bloom

Summer is coming—a return to beaches and parties, bikinis and tiny drink umbrellas. But not everyone looks forward to the bikini part.

Take Hillary L. of Hermitage, PA. This slim, gorgeous 40-something loved everything about hitting the beach with her husband and friends, from snorkeling to boating and hanging out. But one thing had always been missing…well, actually, two.

“There was nothing in my bikini top,” she says. “I had been an A-cup size since my 20s. Clothes never fit right, even with padded bras. I had always thought about enhancing, but never pulled the trigger.”

The motivation came one day when she ran into a girlfriend who had undergone breast enhancement performed by Dr. Paul Vanek.

“She raved about the procedure and his technique for achieving the most natural-looking effect,” recalls Hillary.

She underwent the augmentation the following week.

Uncover the Size You Were Meant to Be
Hillary says that during the “try-on” phase of the consultation, several different sizes of implants were placed in a special bra that she tried on with a white t-shirt.

“Initially, I had planned on going just a little bit bigger,” she says. “But as soon as I tried on the D-cup bra, it felt perfect.”

Dr. Vanek says he urges patients to make their final decision based on how they want to look, not how they think others think they should look.

“Everyone has their own unique esthetic,” he says. “I explain to each person that it’s your body. You are the only person who will live with this decision every minute of every day. I don’t tell them how large or small they should go. We come to that decision together.”

“I Never Would Have Waited…”
During the surgery, Dr. Vanek places highly cohesive, smooth finish gel implants through two tiny incisions beneath each breast to achieve the most natural look. Once placed, they settle into a teardrop shape.

“There was very little discomfort or trauma,” says Hillary. “Within a week, my husband and I were back on a beach in Florida, and I was very happy about what was in my bikini top. If I had known 20 years ago what an easy procedure this was, I never would have waited.”

She says that Dr. Vanek and his staff went above and beyond her expectations.

“They were caring and made us feel comfortable every step of the way,” says Hillary. “It’s a completely non-intimidating environment. Everyone is all smiles. If I ever opt for another procedure, I will be coming back here.”

Noting recent reports that the FDA has been investigating a possible link between textured breast implants and cancer, Dr. Vanek uses only smooth implants for augmentation purposes because there is no association between smooth implants and cancer.

“They have been investigating about 400 reports associated with textured implants, out of more than 5 million women who have had breast implants globally,” he stated. “In the U.S., textured breast implants only make up about 12% of the market. Smooth-finish implants that I use make up about 88% of these procedures.”

In addition to breast augmentations, lifts and reductions, Dr. Vanek performs a variety of esthetic rejuvenation procedures for body and face, including face and neck lifts, brow and eyelid lifts, rhinoplasty, Vaser Liposelection, J-Vaser, Labiaplasty, Mommy Makeovers, tummy tucks, Brazilian butt lifts, lip enhancement, and more.

The Very Latest in Advanced Skin Care
Being the first to bring the latest surgical and medical techniques to the area has always been a hallmark of Dr. Vanek’s career.

He was the first doctor in our area to offer the breakthrough HydraFacial MD.

“This non-invasive facial combines the best of high level hydradermabrasion with a chemical peel,” he says.

“It cleanses, exfoliates and extracts impurities and dead cells, then pumps back into the skin antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid. The result is a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. The appearance of dark spots is reduced and skin feels plumper and firmer. It incorporates all of the detoxification benefits of a peel without any irritation or downtime.”

Afterward, patients report smoother, glowing, nourished skin.

Before any facial, laser treatment or skin care recommendation, he advises patients to undergo a VISIA skin assessment, which provides an objective analysis of their skin’s health. Complimentary to all of his patients, the scan measures wrinkles, spots, pores, color variation, bacterial population and sun damage.

“This helps us measure success in the treatments we choose,” he says. “The results often blow patients’ minds.”

The Very Latest in Non-Invasive Body Contouring
Dr. Vanek was the first doctor in the area to introduce a state-of-the-art minimally-invasive body contouring procedure called truSculpt iD.

“Without surgery or downtime, and with minimal discomfort, radio frequency energy is applied directly to the skin to dissolve hard-to-treat fatty areas and tighten skin at the same time,” he says. “It has given marvelous results, without surgery.”

There have been recent reports on a possible link between textured breast implants and cancer. The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating about 400 reports. It is very important to note that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports over 400,000 breast implant procedures now take place every year so these incidents have come from a very small number of the more than 5 million women who have had breast implants globally.

Specifically, after several years of gathering data, the FDA now says there may be a link between textured breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, often referred to as ALCL. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Plastic Surgery Foundation are each making a list of implant patients who develop ALCL. They have also started a website devoted to the matter, where they provide ongoing updates.

In the U.S., textured breast implants make up about 12% of the market, with smooth-finish implants used in the great majority (88%) of procedures. In my practice, almost all of my procedures have utilized smooth-finish implants, even before these studies became known.

The most common symptom of BIA-ALCL is swelling of the breast. On average, this swelling develops eight years after receiving the implant, but the range is 2-28 years. A lump in the breast or armpit may also appear. Although percentages are very small, I recommend women with textured implants see their doctor, for their own peace of mind. If you are not sure what type of implants you have, your doctor has that information. ALCL is treatable with early detection, so it is better to be in control of your future.

I started answering this in a previous column, commenting how cost is important but should never be your first consideration. Surgery that subjects a patient to unnecessary risk or renders unsatisfying results should be your first concern, so I strongly advise you to only trust board-certified surgeons operating in certified facilities. Unfortunately, some practitioners offer to save patients money by using facilities not designed for general anesthesia. For most patients and surgical procedures, this is your safest option, because it gives you a protected airway.

Once you find your board-certified surgeon who utilizes proper facilities, you should check on their reputation, and reviews on medical sites may be helpful. I’m very proud of my many 5-star reviews and grateful to my patients for sharing their excitement over their results. All photos on my website are my actual patients, and not retouched.

Your next step is consulting with the doctor. Do they listen and understand your wishes and needs? Do they
discuss your options and speak honestly of realistic outcomes you can expect? Ask questions about before-and-after patient photos on my website, and others you can view in my office. If you like these results, hopefully you can see your body-type represented. Remember, it is always less expensive, less stressful and less time-consuming to have your procedure done right, even if at higher cost, compared to requiring additional surgeries to fix procedures not done properly.

I am again out of space and will continue this with part 3. In the meantime, please feel
free to call my office for a private, no-obligation consultation.

Neither one of you. A lot is written about different things that many younger people
especially value, and one of these is their appearance. The proliferation of cell phone
cameras and social media have changed things in a way that previous generations have
difficulty understanding.

For many young people, and for some older people as well, knowing that their photo or
video can be taken at any time and without warning, causes them to be concerned about
features that show most clearly – especially facial areas and above-the-waist body
contouring. This could include anything from fillers and peels to surgical procedures.
Women who have birthed a child or two, especially are eager to return to their pre-baby
appearance. After displeasure with their efforts at exercise and dieting, many consider
plastic surgery. My patients often say that they really can’t “feel good” until they “feel
good about their appearance.”

Overall, statistics say that millennials are receiving these treatments in unprecedented
numbers. Some surveys show that 72% of millennials have had procedures, ranging
from injectables to more invasive plastic surgery, which is up from 58% only five years
ago.

Some patients consider these treatments as “prejuvenation,” as part of the self-care of
their body, trying to slow the results of aging, rather than needing more extensive
procedures to correct these areas later.
One other paradigm shift to understand is that younger people aren’t embarrassed, and
in fact, are proud of their treatments. By not waiting until they “needed” treatment, they
are proud that they were proactive and now look and feel much better about themselves.

I get this question regularly from readers and many others. You can fill in the blank with virtually any procedure I perform.

Everyone knows cost is an important factor when considering plastic surgery, but when your health and medical results and safety are at stake, as well as your satisfaction with final aesthetic results, cost should definitely not be the dominant factor. The “cheapest” procedure could can end up being the most expensive procedure of all, or worse, one that impacts your physical health for years to come.

Although there is less risk with surgical procedures than ever, and complication rates are low, these rates are much higher with practitioners who aren’t well-trained or who cut corners by not operating in an accredited facility. The worst examples are the true horror stories about patients travelling to other countries to get bargain surgery, in an environment without the rigorous safety regulations demanded in the U.S. Accredited facilities are certified for multiple safety features, including the facility, staffing, policies and procedures, and emergency protocols.

Start by confirming that your surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This indicates that the surgeon has gone through thorough training over many years, extensive examinations and maintenance of expertise. This is easily done by visiting: plasticsurgery.org. While you are verifying credentials, being board certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery (as I am) should give you further
confidence. You can check this at: absurgery.org

I have more information about this topic, so I will continue in a future column.