We might have our problems and disagreements, but we know, deep down, that ours is a model city. We celebrate diversity. Our carbon footprint is smaller than Houston’s or LA’s. While most Americans live in a bubble that includes a suburban home, a car, and an office, for New Yorkers, our bubble is bursting with culture and excitement all over the whole city.

Like residents of any major city with its fair share of crime and traffic accidents, New Yorkers face a little danger each day but it doesn’t stop us—or even slow us down. So what does this have to do with plastic surgery in New York City? In a word, perspective.

Any surgery is not without risks. But that risk, put in perspective, is much lower than living in the city we all call home. Overall, 610 out of every 100,000 New Yorkers died in 2009 (the latest year for which such statistics exist). The two biggest killers, cancer and heart disease, took 231 and 34 respectively. While some neighborhoods are more dangerous than others, simply living is arguably more dangerous than having a New York plastic surgery procedure.

One risk factor of any surgical procedure (including to remove an appendix) is the use of anesthesia, yet the American Society of Anesthesiologists reported the risk as 1 death in every 250,000 procedures, which is lower than the New York City murder rate involving firearms: 2.64 per 100,000 people (in 2010).

The point is that plastic surgery may be about as safe as crossing a Manhattan street. And just as you follow the traffic signals to better your odds of survival, you should follow the normal practice of researching not only the procedure you’re considering, but also the doctor and facility. The best safeguard for your health, safety, and results is to make sure the surgeon performing the procedure is well trained, properly certified, and very experienced in the plastic surgery you want.

Of equal importance, make sure that the facility your plastic surgeon uses is properly accredited. Dr. Zevon’s Manhattan surgery suite is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Just as you wear a bicycle helmet when you go out for a ride, take sensible precautions when you plan for plastic surgery, and you’ll come out alive … and all the better-looking.

In a place like New York City, it might be tempting to think that “bigger is better” when it comes to breast augmentation surgery. Our experience, however, exposes the fallacy behind that statement.

Choosing a breast implant size that’s too large for your frame can have unpleasant consequences. If you have a petite build, very large implants can cause unnecessary strain on your back, causing pain and discomfort. If you don’t have enough of your own breast tissue to have large implants, the implants may show through your skin. Even worse, implants that are too large for your body can cause complications such as loss of sensation in your breasts and nipples.

Making the Decision

If you’re thinking about a New York breast augmentation, Dr. Zevon can talk with you about the most appropriate options. He’ll ask you what size you’d like to be and suggest some implant sizes. Then, you’ll have a chance to “try on” different implant sizes to get an idea of what you’ll look like after your surgery. To help avoid discomfort from implants that are too large, the doctor will assess your body shape and size, including your weight, height, and width of your shoulders. Why your shoulders? Women with broad shoulders may need larger implants than they think.

Dr. Zevon will look at how much tissue you currently have in your breasts, the position of your nipples, and any asymmetry between your breasts to help determine the best breast implant size for you. The elasticity of your skin is another factor in determining how large your implants can be.

Your lifestyle also plays a role: If you are very athletic, for example, exceptionally large breasts could cause you discomfort while exercising. Think about all that you do in a week, at work and at play, and pick a size that works for all times, not just Saturday night.

Consult a Plastic Surgeon

Think about your breast size goals before you visit a New York plastic surgeon for a breast augmentation consultation. Look at photos of celebrities and models, as well as friends and relatives who have the figure you desire. Consider your daily activities; how might your breast size affect your lifestyle? Do you want to make a drastic, obvious change, or are you just looking to boost your figure a bit? If you’d rather keep your New York breast augmentation a private matter, going too large will make that impossible—very large implants invite attention.

Take your ideas and questions with you when you consult with Dr. Zevon. Together, you can be sure that your breast implant size is going to work for you. With proper information and discussion with your doctor, you can be sure to end up with breasts that are as large and lovely as you’d like, but aren’t likely to cause discomfort or post-surgery regret.

Today, more than 50% of outpatient plastic surgeries are now performed outside of hospitals. Both doctors and patients often prefer a private surgery center, as fully accredited facilities are equally safe. And you may even save money, because the hospital’s overhead costs won’t be a part of your bill.

Patients enjoy the specialized attention they receive at private surgery centers. The risk of infection at an accredited private surgery center is often lower too—thanks to safe, clean, and efficient facilities with less traffic.

AAAASF Accreditation

How do you make sure that your plastic surgeon works in a safe facility? The first question you should ask is if the New York surgery center has received certification from the the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). If a surgeon operates in a facility that lacks certification, you should cross him off your list.

The AAAASF is one of three organizations that accredits office-based plastic surgery facilities. It requires centers to meet strict national standards for patient safety. Regular inspections monitor the surgery center’s:

• equipment
• record keeping
• office layout
• operating rooms
• medications
• staff credentials

To pass inspection, the facility must be equipped to handle all types of emergencies and complications that might arise from the procedures the physicians perform. Under AAAASF regulations, your physician must also be board certified and have staff privileges to operate in a recognized hospital. This access is granted by peers who review the physician’s expertise.

Other Facility Accreditation

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) are the other two nonprofit organizations who maintain high standards for plastic surgery facilities outside the hospital.

The AAAHC revises its standards each year to ensure that they are aligned with new technologies and trends. It also uses active health-care professionals to perform its on-site surveys.

The JCAHO accredits more than 1,900 free-standing ambulatory care centers. It requires providers to renew their certification every three years and conducts its inspections unannounced. Like the AAAHC, the Joint Commission updates its standards every year.

Anesthesiologists and Their Credentials

The steady increase in outpatient procedures at free-standing surgery centers can be directly attributed to improvements in anesthesia techniques and medications. Anesthesia is now stronger, but shorter-acting, which reduces your recovery and wake-up time.

Just as physicians and facilities must have proper accreditation, so must the anesthesiologists. Anesthesia is a critical aspect of any surgical procedure, so ask your surgeon about the credentials of the specialist in charge of anesthesia. We have two board certified medical doctor (MD) anesthesiologists on staff at our New York plastic surgery center. These highly experienced doctors have been serving our patients for over 15 years.

Do your homework on the plastic surgery center and staff you are considering, including the surgeon. It’s an important step toward ensuring that your procedure is safe and comfortable. When you know that your facility has AAAASF accreditation, you can have the confidence and piece of mind you need going into your surgery.

As we head into winter, various reasons might cause you to think that now is not exactly the best time to get plastic surgery. But it actually may be an ideal time.

A facelift? Breast augmentation? Tummy tuck? Brow lift? Breast lift? Liposuction? Regardless of which plastic surgery procedure you dream of having, now might be the best time ever to have it done. Why? Here is our list of the best reasons you should not wait any longer:

• The sooner you have your procedure, the sooner you will be able to enjoy the results. If you are emotionally ready, make your plans now.
• Winter is the best time to have a facial plastic surgery procedure. It is easier to protect your healing skin from the milder winter sun.
• It’s also a great time for breast and body procedures, as by spring, you’ll be healed and ready to show off your results.
• Good-looking people are perceived by others as being smarter, according to studies. In a tough economy, in the competitive New York City market, good looks can help you gain the edge you need in your workplace or the job market.
• After you’ve found a board certified New York plastic surgeon you like that operates in an accredited facility, you can take the leap, knowing you’ll be safe in their qualified hands.
• Plastic surgery is long-lasting; a vacation to Italy is over in a week, and a high-end designer ensemble won’t be in fashion next season. In terms of lasting impact on your life, there is no comparison, so choose a lasting investment in yourself.
• It can be the perfect holiday gift to give yourself—or drop a hint to someone you love and trust about what you really want this year.
• Our website publicly displays ballpark cost estimates for each procedure and provides information about monthly payment plans. Once you know you can afford it, why wait?
• Interest rates are as low as they have been in years.
• The most important reason to get plastic surgery is for yourself. With increased self-esteem, just imagine what you can accomplish!

At Central Park Plastic Surgery, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Zevon and his attentive staff are ready to help. If you have questions, please contact us online or call us at 212.496.6600. We invite you to come in for a personal consultation to learn more.

Liposuction is a permanent solution: once removed, fat cells do not grow back, so the area where liposuction was performed will retain its more appealing shape. It is not, however, a weight-loss method; it is a body-sculpting technique.

The most common areas that women choose for liposuction are the tummy and thighs. A newer liposuction trend for women is removing torso fat to address unattractive fat rolls around bra side panels. In men, typical spots for treatment include the abdomen and love handles. Liposuction of the neck is popular with both men and women.

Different variations of the procedure break apart, liquefy by laser, or sonically blast fat cells before they are extracted through a small tube or cannula. Tumescent liposuction, a safe and proven technique, involves injecting epinephrine into the target site, which constricts the capillaries, significantly reducing the loss of blood from the procedure.

Board certified New York plastic surgeon Dr. Zevon has been offering liposuction for over 20 years. He is experienced in ultrasound-assisted liposuction, Smartlipo (laser-assisted liposuction), and the traditional tumescent technique.

Dr. Zevon will suggest a safe and appropriate liposuction technique for you, and make sure you understand the treatment plan during your consultation. During surgery, he will rely on his experience and artistry, removing just enough fat to attractively sculpt your body.

Liposuction has been in the news recently as unqualified doctors have tried to cash in on the trend by offering “cut rate” procedures with little or no training. Make no mistake: bargain liposuction is dangerous. Liposuction should be considered major surgery, as improperly administered anesthesia or an inexperienced surgeon can put your life in jeopardy.

We recommend you make sure the surgeon, the facility, and the anesthesiologist are all properly certified. When performed by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon, liposuction is a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. During your consultation, New York plastic surgeon Dr. Zevon will explain the possible risks, as well as recovery from the procedure.

Are you a good candidate for liposuction? While liposuction is not for everyone, the procedure is an option for healthy people who have stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise alone cannot eliminate. Talk to Dr. Zevon at our New York plastic surgery office to find out if this procedure is appropriate for you.

If you are already a patient and would like to share your story with others here, contact us. If you are not yet one of our patients, take a moment to read our our testimonials.

See you soon!