The physical problems from large breasts can be numerous. We hear a number of complaints from our patients who are seeking breast reduction, such as:

• Chronic back, neck, and/or shoulder pain
• Chafing and skin irritation
• Grooves in the skin from bra straps
• Discomfort during exercise or physical activity
• Limited mobility
• Difficulty in finding well-fitting clothing and undergarments

Although it tends to be the physical problems that prompt women to consider breast reduction surgery, overly large breasts also may be a source of emotional pain: low self-esteem and even depression develop because of the self-consciousness women endure over the years. Many report that they’re tired of being stared at or feeling like they stand out of the crowd because of the size of their breasts.

Unlike many plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction may be covered by insurance because of the physical issues caused by extremely large breasts. As to be expected, documentation is required for insurance coverage, which usually includes a doctor’s statement, photographs of the breasts, and an estimate of the weight of tissue to be removed. Be sure to consult with your insurance company if you are considering this procedure.

Breast reduction surgery creates one of the most immediate body-image changes of any cosmetic procedure—following a few weeks of recovery, you’ll be quickly relieved of the pain and discomfort you’ve experienced. After a breast reduction, you’ll be able to return to work within about two weeks, but you should wait three or four weeks before lifting or pushing anything heavy. The initial bruising and swelling fades in the first few weeks after surgery, and your breasts will settle into their new shape over the next few months following the procedure.

With a new proportional figure, you will likely see improvements in many areas of your life, both physical and emotional. Dr. Zevon has helped many women with this issue and is happy to discuss the potential benefits of breast reduction surgery with you.

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Recently, there has been a jump in the number of women opting for a mommy makeover—the popular term for the combination of procedures to restore the body to its before-baby state. A mommy makeover generally involves a form of breast surgery and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Many patients are choosing to have surgery soon after they’ve finished having children, rather than waiting until later in life. And why not? With so many mommy makeover options, there’s no reason to wait.

A tummy tuck is the most basic piece of the mommy makeover, because during pregnancy, the muscles and skin of the abdomen are often pulled and stretched beyond their ability to truly bounce back. There are options for the tummy tuck:

• Partial tummy tuck (mini-abdominoplasty). This procedure focuses only on the lower abdomen, tightening the muscles and removing excess skin.
• Complete tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). This surgical approach addresses the muscles, skin, and fat deposits of both the upper and lower abdomen.

As far as breast surgery goes, there are several options for mommy makeover procedures.

• Breast lift (mastopexy). During this procedure, the breasts are raised and reshaped to correct sagging due to pregnancy or nursing. The size of the areolas may be reduced as well.
• Breast augmentation. During breast augmentation surgery, the size and shape of the patient’s breasts are enhanced. Often, breasts lose volume after pregnancy and nursing, and this surgery will help restore youthful vitality.
• Breast lift and augmentation. Patients often opt to combine breast lift surgery with augmentation surgery for maximum results. Lifting the breast tissue and restoring shape and volume at the same time allows the patient to achieve full, energetic breasts in the same procedure.
• Breast reduction. Women who had very large breasts before pregnancy may find the issue is worse after bearing children. If heavy, sagging breasts are causing discomfort, a woman may choose to incorporate breast reduction surgery as part of her mommy makeover.

While breast surgery and a tummy tuck are the classic components of a mommy makeover, many patients choose to include liposuction as well, to refine their curves or remove stubborn fat deposits left by fluctuating hormones. Liposuction is often used to further enhance the results of a surgical procedure.

With so many options, it’s not surprising that lots of women are deciding to have their mommy makeovers as soon as they are finished having children. There’s no reason to delay getting that pre-pregnancy body back! Come talk to Dr. Zevon to discuss what variety of mommy makeover you may need.

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Technically called the Natrelle 410, this product has been dubbed a “gummy bear” implant because of the highly cohesive nature of the silicone gel. It is form stable, meaning the gel keeps its shape and doesn’t move within the implant shell. This is significant because the silicone gel in the previous generation of implants had a consistency similar to honey and could flow to the bottom of the shell when in the upright position, possibly leading to loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast.

The Natrelle 410 has another benefit: It is anatomically shaped and mimics the natural slope of the breast. This style can be particularly appropriate for certain women seeking revision surgery or breast reconstruction, when little breast tissue might be present. Because of its “gummy bear” gel, the implant retains its shape in any position and remains soft to the touch over time. The newly approved implant comes in a dozen different models, each offering a different size, projection, and height.

While the Natrelle 410 implants are new to the United States, they have been sold in Europe and Canada for years and are the top selling shaped implant in those markets, according to the company. They were approved by our FDA after seven years of testing involving almost 1000 women.

We welcome the opportunity to offer another product to help you reach your breast enhancement goals. Please visit us for a consultation and see if the “gummy bear” implants are right for you!

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A chemical peel removes the damaged outer layers of your skin to reveal younger-looking skin just below the surface. The results from a chemical peel can leave your skin looking smoother and brighter, and depending on the peel you choose, your recovery time can be minimal. In fact, recovery time from certain chemical peels can be so short that you often don’t have to take any time off from work or other regular activities at all.

The mildest of the chemical peels contain alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs. These peels are excellent for smoothing out rough skin and addressing sun damage. Combined with bleaching agents, they can help correct uneven pigment. Although they can cause some redness and irritation, there is often no real recovery time from this type of nonsurgical facial treatment. Low concentrations of AHAs can be added to facial washes and scrubs for daily use; we will develop and evaluate your home regimen of AHA-based products.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels are stronger than AHA peels and are most often used to smooth small surface wrinkles, correct uneven pigment, and address blemishes. TCA peels are available in different strengths, like the AHA peels, and may require more than one use to achieve optimal results. This chemical peel can be used on areas other than the face, such as your neck or hands, and application time is usually quick—just 15 minutes or so. After a recovery time of a week to 10 days, your fresh skin will be visible.

Chemical peels are a popular method of nonsurgical skin rejuvenation. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it was one of the top 10 procedures in 2011, with close to 385,000 treatments performed.

If you’re considering a chemical peel, be sure to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with skin resurfacing, such as Dr. Zevon. There are many variables involved in the application of a chemical peel, including the concentration of the product and the length of time it remains on the skin, so it is vitally important to have a skilled practitioner apply the solutions. We would be happy to discuss the various options to help you put your best face forward!

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That’s right—chest enhancement isn’t just for women! The implants used for men aren’t much like the ones used for breast implants in women, so you don’t have to be concerned with gaining a feminine appearance. Although pectoral implants are made of silicone and are soft, they’re also more solid than breast implants, mimicking the feel of natural muscle rather than breast tissue. The pectoral implants we use on men can’t break or leak, either. You can even have custom pec implants created should none of the standard sizes or shapes suit you. And unlike breast implants for women, chest implants for men can last a lifetime.

If you decide more time at the bench press isn’t cutting it and you want to look into chest enhancement for men, you have some options. If you also have unwanted fat deposits around your chest and abdomen, we can combine liposuction with the pectoral implant surgery. The liposuction removes excess fat, making your new chest “muscles” stand out more and giving you an overall appearance of being more toned and fit.

During chest enhancement surgery, you’ll be given a general anesthetic, which means that you’ll be sound asleep while the surgery takes place. The process generally takes one to two hours, during which a small incision will be made, usually in the armpit, and the implant is placed behind the chest muscles. Medication will be provided to alleviate any post-operative pain. Before you go home, we’ll go over any additional instructions for recovery, such as how often to change your bandages and when to return for a follow-up visit.

Pectoral implants can help you achieve the physique you want, if diet and exercise aren’t doing the job. Scarring is minimal, and we’ll talk with you about the right size and shape for your implants, so you’ll be sure to end up with the look you’re after. Contact us today and let’s talk about your chest enhancement surgery options.

The post Flex Your Pecs! Chest Enhancement for Men appeared first on Scott J Zevon MD PC.

The Ice Festival
One of the more recent additions to the slate of winter activities in Central Park is the Ice Festival at Belvedere Castle, held this year on Saturday, January 19 from 11:00 to 3:00 pm. You can watch master ice sculptors from Okamoto Studio carve a replica of the castle and Central Park surroundings from ice. Hot chocolate will be served during the family-friendly activities.

Winter Birdwatching
Over 200 species of birds make their home in Central Park and with the leaves off the trees, winter is the perfect time to spot the resident species that don’t migrate. If you need binoculars, you can borrow a pair for the day at the Belvedere Castle. Dr. Zevon is a dedicated birder and is happy to answer questions about birdwatching in the Park.

Sword Dancing Performances
Enjoy an ancient winter celebration on Saturday, February 15, as the Half Moon Sword women’s team presents their annual New York Sword Ale. Sword dancing was traditionally practiced in northern England to ensure good luck for the coming year. The hour-long performances by teams from across the country begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Dana Discovery Center.

Central Park Carriage Ride
Winter is the perfect time to bundle up and take a carriage ride around the park. You bring your own gloves and hat and you’ll be provided with blankets for your ride. Most tours run around 45 minutes long and are led by knowledgeable guides.

Cross Country Skiing
Yes, you can ski in Manhattan! Cross country skiing is allowed in Central Park when there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground. The large meadows in the Park are perfect for this timeless winter sport; try the Sheep Meadow (which we can see from our waiting room) or the Great Lawn.

Swedish Marionette Theater
When it’s a bit too chilly for outdoor fun, enjoy one of the truly unique Central Park attractions, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. Built in Sweden in the 1870s for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, it was reassembled in Central Park and now hosts one of the last public marionette troupes in the U.S. Starting January 15, the puppet troupe will perform Pippi! Pippi, an update on the classic children’s tales about Pippi Longstocking.

Although it’s cold outside, there are so many ways to enjoy Central Park in the winter. We encourage you to brave the weather and experience this wonderful time of year in the city. We hope to see you out there!

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Who’s getting work done?
This is probably no surprise: People in the 35- to 50-year-old age group had the most cosmetic treatments—almost 43% of all procedures performed in the United States. In sheer numbers, that’s slightly less than 4 million procedures.

Across all age groups, women have more cosmetic procedures than men. Plastic surgery for women accounts for almost 92% of all procedures performed, just shy of 8,400,000 plastic surgeries or cosmetic treatments. Men are increasingly turning to cosmetic procedures, however, showing a 121% increase over the past 15 years.

What are they having done?
Now that we know who is having work done, let’s look at the procedures themselves, focusing on the large group of 35- to 50-year olds who had cosmetic treatments in 2011.

Can you guess the most popular cosmetic surgery overall? Here are the surgical procedures, in order of popularity:

• Liposuction. More than 150,000 men and women opted for this procedure, which removes localized fat deposits, giving you a slimmer, sleeker silhouette. It was the most popular plastic surgery for men, and ranked number two for women. Liposuction can also be combined with other surgical procedures to refine the results of the operation.
• Breast augmentation. Breast enhancement came in a close second for highest number of cosmetic surgeries performed, and was the number one plastic surgery for women. More than 125,000 women in our target age group had this figure-enhancing procedure done last year.
• Tummy tuck. The third most popular surgical procedure was the tummy tuck, which creates a svelte core. The vast majority of tummy tucks (also called an abdominoplasty) were performed on women. The tummy tuck is a major component of the “mommy makeover,” which is a combination of procedures that address the changes that happen to women’s bodies after childbearing. Men who have tummy tuck surgery have usually lost a great deal of weight and need help removing excess skin and tightening abdominal muscles.

Now let’s talk about non-surgical procedures:

• Botulinum toxin A injections. While most people are familiar with Botox®, the popular brand name product that smooths wrinkles by immobilizing the muscles that cause them, there is a second brand, Dysport, that was FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2009. Injections from this group of products took the top spot among non-surgical procedures for our target age group, 35- to 50-year-olds.
• Hyaluronic acid fillers. These injectable fillers, which add volume and soften wrinkles, are the second most popular non-surgical treatment, with slightly more than 500,000 procedures performed in 2011. Brand products such as Juvederm® and Restylane® containing hyaluronic acid produce immediate results and are fairly long-lasting, so it’s no wonder these fillers are a favorite of the youngish crowd who may not be quite ready for a surgical approach.

What’s right for you?

Of course, you shouldn’t decide to have plastic surgery based on how popular any particular procedure is. Let’s talk about what you’d like to do to enhance your appearance, and see which procedures might be best for you. Whether you’re looking for a complete makeover for your figure or just want to fill in a few wrinkles, we can come up with a plan to help you look your very best.

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So how can you restore a youthful appearance to aging hands? With hand rejuvenation—simple outpatient procedures that treat aging hands and help keep them looking younger, longer.

As we age, the tissue beneath your skin thins, accentuating the veins and giving the hands a hollow or “bony” look. You’re likely familiar with treatments that inject the face with fillers to enliven skin and smooth out wrinkles—the same techniques can work wonders for your hands! Fillers such as Juvederm®, Radiesse®, Restylane®, or Sculptra Aesthetic® are injected under the skin of the hands, smoothing and plumping the surface and creating a more youthful appearance for aging hands. Each of these treatments has unique advantages; Dr. Zevon can explore these options with you and decide which filler will best meet your needs.

If sunspots or discoloration are causing your hands to look older, you might benefit from a chemical peel, which removes the top layers of skin, exposing the younger-looking skin beneath. Microdermabrasion achieves a similar result using a series of exfoliating treatments. Topical retinoids—creams and gels containing vitamin A—can also help reduce the effects of sun damage.

In some cases, hand rejuvenation techniques can be combined to help you achieve the most satisfying results. Don’t let your hands reveal your age; schedule a consultation with Dr. Zevon and learn how to keep your hands looking young and fabulous!

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For many people in Manhattan, it’s liposuction. If you’re thinking of choosing liposuction, you’re not alone: In 2011, more than 200,000 people in the United States opted for this treatment, making it one of the most widely performed cosmetic surgery procedures of the year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The liposuction procedure removes fat by vacuuming it through a small device called a cannula, which is inserted into the body through tiny incisions. Liposuction (also referred to as liposculpture or lipoplasty) is a very effective method of contouring the body by removing unwanted fat.

Did you know there are different types of liposuction? The methodology used is tailored to the individual patient’s needs. We offer a variety of liposuction techniques to enhance the outcome of the procedure and improve the experience for the patient.

• Traditional liposuction. In this technique, a small incision is made in the skin and fat is suctioned from the body. Anesthesia is required and can be local or intravenous; I consult with my patients to determine how to provide the greatest comfort level during the procedure.
• Tumescent saline-assisted liposuction. In this procedure, a saline solution is injected into the fat to be removed. In addition to salt, this solution contains medications that help numb the area and help the blood vessels contract. This helps fat be removed more easily, provides pain relief, and reduces the amount of bleeding. Although this procedure takes significantly longer than a traditional liposuction procedure, additional anesthesia may not be needed.
• Super-wet saline-assisted liposuction. This method works the same way as the tumescent technique, but a lesser amount of saline solution is injected. This procedure takes less time than the tumescent procedure, but a general anesthetic or IV sedation may be needed.
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction.This procedure liquefies fat using sound waves. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) works well when removing large amounts of fat, or when removing fat from fibrous areas of the body, such as male breast tissue. Traditional liposuction is sometimes performed alongside ultrasound-assisted liposuction to help shape and sculpt the areas treated by UAL.
• Laser-assisted liposuction. The laser procedure also liquefies fat, as a fiber inside the cannula delivers energy directly to fat cells using two different wavelengths. We use the SmartLipo system in our office because we feel it improves the appearance of the skin, as the dual wavelengths allow for more effective tightening of your skin.

While liposuction offers many possibilities for contouring the body, it’s not meant to be a weight-loss tool. It’s an appropriate procedure for people in good health and who are close to reaching their ideal weight yet just can’t seem to lose fat in certain areas. We’re happy to discuss which liposuction procedure is best. Choosing liposuction performed by an experienced plastic surgeon might be the next step toward a happier, more self-confident you.

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Following are some highlights and inside tips on our neighborhood—including things you can’t learn in the average tourist guide. See if you already know of our favorite burger joint!

View Dr. Zevon’s Secret Tour of Manhattan’s Central Park West in a larger map
We begin at our very own building—75 Central Park West—which has an interesting history. Built in 1928, it was designed by Rosario Candela, a Columbia-educated architect who designed many of the city’s most luxurious apartment buildings during the 1920s. (Just before the Depression, at the height of his popularity, Candela had an unprecedented 27 buildings under commission.) The residents at 75 Central Park West have a front-row seat to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and we’re on the finish line of the New York City Marathon.

If you walk a few blocks to the south and west you’ll find Lincoln Center, the mecca for the performing arts. It’s between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, and is a leisurely stroll from our office to an evening performance. While everyone has surely heard about Lincoln Center, did you know it actually encompasses 38 different venues on a 16-acre complex? Performances cater to every age and genre, from puppet shows to fine arts to funk music and slam poetry. One of the special offerings is the informal Saturday morning “Meet the Artist” series at the David Rubenstein Atrium, which features a performance and Q&A session with the performer.

If you’re in the mood to shop after you take in a matinee at Lincoln Center, wander up a block to the shiny new Century 21 store at 1972 Broadway. You haven’t shopped in New York until you’ve been to Century 21, a small chain of stores famous for affordable fashion at low prices. We delighted to have one in the neighborhood! Southeast of Lincoln Center, the Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center also offer great shopping (and some great dining, too).

Hungry yet? When we order out for lunch, here are three of favorites, any of which should satisfy the hunger you worked up during your shopping spree. All three of these restaurants are close by and are also great choices for a quick bite before a performance at Lincoln Center.

• Shun Lee, at 43 West 65th Street, has fantastic Chinese food—some of the best in the City. If you want the special Beggar’s Chicken (baked in lotus leaf and clay), you’ll have to order a day in advance. It’s worth it.
• Nick & Toni’s Cafe, at 100 W. 67th Street, has a wood-burning oven and to-die-for Italian dishes. The classic original restaurant is in East Hampton.
• PJ Clarke’s is a New York institution. We love the burgers here! This restaurant is at 44 West 63rd Street; the original saloon, on the east side of Manhattan, opened in 1884.

After lunch, you should visit Central Park, of course. (We are Central Park Plastic Surgery, after all!) Walk to the east from any of the restaurants to reach the Park, every New Yorker’s favorite playground. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted began designing the park in 1857; the Park’s early proponents envisioned that the grand scale of the Park (more than 800 acres) would rival some of Europe’s famous landscaped public spaces.

Our waiting room looks out toward the Sheep Meadow, which was actually home to a flock of sheep until 1934. Now it’s a favorite spot to sunbathe during the summer. Did you know that Dr. Zevon is an avid birdwatcher? Our location is perfect for a quick escape into the Park with a pair of binoculars; Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon, is adjacent to Sheep Meadow and is a well-known birding spot. There are 235 species of birds in Central Park, and the lush greenery and water sources are ideal for nesting and raising young. The American Museum of Natural History, the Linnean Society, and the Audubon Society all offer guided birdwatching tours of the Park.

Thanks so much for taking the secret tour of our quintessential New York neighborhood, and for letting us share some of its special history and charm. We love it here.

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