The decision to pursue surgery requires careful planning and realistic expectations. While facial plastic surgery won’t change your overall appearance, a more youthful, rejuvenated face can do wonders for your self esteem and provide you with the confidence you may have lacked in your professional and social life.

The procedures I perform address issues caused by aging, injury, or illness. They can correct problems with your nose, eyes, chin, brow, neck, and ears. But I understand that every case is different. Your results will depend on your individual sun exposure, skin type, health, and lifestyle.

Perhaps you’ve noticed one or more of the following changes to your face:

• Sagging skin on your cheeks or jowls
• Deep facial lines around your eyes and mouth
• Droopy eyelids that give you a tired appearance
• A chin that is out of balance with the rest of your face

New York facial plastic surgery can help you address these issues and turn back the clock several years, giving you a more youthful appearance. Whenever I perform cosmetic surgery, I strive for natural results so that it’s not immediately apparent that you’ve had a procedure done to your face. My goal is to help you look and feel more attractive, without causing you to see a stranger in the mirror.

Here are a few examples of the procedures I perform:

Rhinoplasty

A New York nose job is the most popular—and most complex—facial surgery. It requires a deep understanding not only of your outward appearance, but also a firm grasp of the internal anatomy. A properly performed rhinoplasty should never interfere with your breathing.

Chin Augmentation

This is the only procedure where I feel that a non-natural substance can be used as a facial implant. By adjusting the projection of your chin, this surgery can add balance to the lower third of your face. The silicone implant is molded to look and feel natural beneath your skin.

Blepharoplasty

If you feel that your eyelids are unnaturally droopy, giving you a tired or sleepy appearance, this procedure can help. Like rhinoplasty, this is a delicate surgery that demands a plastic surgeon who pays close attention to the symmetry of your eyes. My goal is always to use just one surgery to correct whatever issue you’re having with your eyelids.

Face Rejuvenation Surgery

A facelift, brow lift, or neck lift can restore years to your appearance. I use a modified version of the “deep plane” technique, which repositions the anatomy of the middle of your face without leaving an unnatural look to your hairline or causing unnecessary bruising or swelling. I also use NASA lightwave technology to speed up the healing process.

New Developments in Facial Plastic Surgery

As a teacher and lecturer, I have to stay up-to-date on the most recent advances in plastic surgery, but my years as a New York plastic surgeon have taught me to proceed with caution when new procedures are introduced. They must pass the test of time before I adopt them on behalf of my patients. That means that the results from these techniques must be long-lasting. I recommend that you use the same criteria when you consider your own plastic surgery options.

Rhinoplasty, a surgical procedure to reshape your nose, is the most common facial surgery. If you’re considering a New York rhinoplasty, you should know that there is no substitute for experience when it comes to good outcomes. It is a complex procedure that requires a surgeon’s careful attention to the internal anatomy of your nose (function) as he creates the most pleasing external appearance (form).

In my experience as a facial plastic surgeon, I can say that a vast majority of my rhinoplasty patients recover rapidly and like their results even after only a week of healing … even though it normally takes between six to eight months, and up to a year, for the swelling to completely subside.

I recommend nose surgery to people who:

• Wish to make a permanent cosmetic change to their face
• Are experiencing breathing difficulties
• Have a birth defect or nose injury

What’s Involved with a Rhinoplasty Procedure?

After an initial examination, I’ll consult with you to develop a detailed plan for how to proceed. At this stage, I want to hear everything you have to say about your goals for the rhinoplasty. It’s important to have realistic expectations. My goal as a New York surgeon, is to make sure your result does not look like you have had an operation. I also want to make sure you still look like yourself only better, more refined, balanced and attractive. Some options include creating a more elegant profile, reducing the width of your nose, straightening a crooked appearance, and refining the tip.

The outpatient procedure can last one to two hours. I usually perform my surgeries at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Institute located on the Upper East Side. I prefer a technique called Closed or Endo-Rhinoplasty, which involves making only internal incisions, so you will have no visible scars. I’ve found that this approach also contributes to a more rapid recovery.

During the procedure, I like to keep the operation safe, easy, and painless for my patients, so I almost always use local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Occasionally, I’ll use general anesthesia, depending on a number of factors. Once I’ve made the incision, I gently elevate the skin and then shape the bone and cartilage to achieve your desired look. Afterward, I re-drape the skin and use tiny, dissolving stitches to close the incision. Finally, to aid healing and maintain its new shape, I’ll place a thin protective splint on your nose.

After surgery, you spend about an hour in the recovery room. You may experience some mild discomfort and minimal bleeding, which usually subsides by the evening. Six days later, the splint is removed. You will be treated, at that visit, with an advanced therapeutic light therapy that promotes rapid healing and reduces post-surgical swelling.

I recommend that you take a week off from work or school after the procedure. Most people feel comfortable returning to their normal activities at this point. It can take several months to see the final result, but most patients recognize the beneficial changes immediately. If you haven’t been happy with the appearance of your nose, a New York nose job may be the thing you need to make you feel better about yourself. And that’s what makes my job as a New York surgeon gratifying and fulfilling.

As a New York facial plastic surgeon, I have limited my entire surgical interest to the face and neck. By staying focused in this one area of aesthetic surgery, I have gained extensive experience in facial surgery techniques. My personal feeling is that it is difficult to achieve complete expertise in both facial plastic surgery and body plastic surgery. If you need a referral to a body plastic surgeon, I can provide one.

Facial plastic surgeons have a thorough understanding of the structural challenges and intricacies of the face—from the skin surface to underlying soft tissue, muscle, and bone. I focus on proven techniques to achieve the most natural results. My signature look is conservative and natural—I want you to look like yourself, not like you have had an operation.

While expertise in facial plastic surgery is important, you still need to feel comfortable with the doctor you choose. While I evaluate whether you are a candidate for facial plastic surgery, I am aware that you are evaluating my experience, my insight, my intuition, and me.

I will study your face to determine the possibilities of aesthetic surgery and discuss with you alternative methods to achieve your goals. I want to understand your expectations, your wishes, and your fears. Together, we will review your medical history to be certain that all recommendations are appropriately safe for you. Then we will formulate a plan that is as simple, safe, effective, and as painless as possible.

By choosing a specialist in facial plastic surgery, you can count on the following reasons to extend your trust:

• Additional training aimed solely at facial aesthetics
• Considerable experience in performing facial procedures
• Extensive knowledge and insight from seeing the results of many facial patients
• A deep understanding of the face and its underlying cranial structures
• Empathy for the emotional impact involved in facial plastic surgery
• The ability to reduce facial surgery risks based on greater experience
• Intuition for making just the right amount of change: subtle yet effective

 
With an extensive community of New York plastic surgery practices in the city, you can find a wide range of experience. When it comes to your face, however, don’t underestimate the value of specialization. Opt for a plastic surgeon who devotes every day to faces and facial procedures.

While personal referrals are great, it is important to extend your research to the New York facial plastic surgeon you’re considering before you book an appointment. You must vet the surgeon’s qualifications—even mine, if you do not already know me. Surgeons offering facial plastic surgery in New York vary widely in their abilities. Start by finding out if the surgeon is board certified in facial plastic surgery. A qualified surgeon has nothing to hide.

When you think you have enough general information about the procedure and the surgeon, then you are ready to schedule a consultation. Prepare for your visit by arming yourself with a written list of questions.

During your consultation, ask about the surgeon’s number of years in practice and if he or she attends continuing education programs. For your safety, also find out if the surgeon operates in an accredited facility or hospital. Next, ask if the surgeon specializes in your specific procedure as well as how regularly he or she performs it. You increase the odds of having a top-notch experience when your surgeon is well-trained and well-versed in the procedure you desire. New York facial plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Pastorek, to name one, has specialized in facial plastic surgery for over 30 years. I am even a past president of the AAFPRS.

Be sure to ask the surgeon for a procedure overview. The facial plastic surgeon you are interviewing may have a personal viewpoint on the procedure that differs from the information you read online. Ask about any in-surgery decisions the surgeon may have to make. Learn about follow-up services after your surgery and about what you can expect during your recovery.

Also, review before and after photos of the surgeon’s work. Look for former patients who not only had the surgery you are considering, but also have physical features that are similar to yours. Look for results that please you. If among the photos you see results that would not satisfy you, ask about them. It’s critical to find a surgeon whose aesthetic sensibility matches your vision and goals.

Since most cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, get a quote before you leave. Find out what the quoted price does and does not include. For example, are the operating facility and anesthesia fees included? How many follow-up visits are included?

While research and facts are tantamount to making an informed decision about which New York facial plastic surgery practice to use, don’t discount your instincts. Cosmetic surgery affects your emotions as well as your physical appearance. Find a surgeon and staff with whom you feel completely comfortable. Request multiple visits before surgery if necessary to overcome any hesitation. You’re likely to make the right choice when you combine extensive research with your own instincts about the surgeon and staff.

Many New Yorkers look more attractive and vibrant thanks to BOTOX®, one of the most popular products for delivering a more youthful look. Injections of BOTOX® to treat a furrowed brow or crow’s feet quickly make you look less tired. Dysport® is an analogous injectable product that offers subtle differences in treatment and effect. Based your need at the time of examination, we will suggest which product may serve you better.

Dermal fillers such as Prevelle Silk®, Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvéderm® can solve marionette lines around the mouth, plump your lips, and more. They are great for moderating the signs of aging. With these products, you can visit an expert injector during the day and be ready to hit the town by nightfall. For a special event, plan your treatment a week ahead so you can be sure to have the results you want in time for the occasion.

Side effects and risks are minimal, but it is still important to choose a licensed nurse-practitioner (like my wife Janice) or doctor (like me) with plenty of experience in the art of removing wrinkles. A specially-trained New York skin care specialist will minimize the risks of your procedure and be better able to deliver the attractive results you want. Beware of bargain providers—poorly administered injectables could leave your face lopsided or lumpy for months.

Other non-surgical options might serve you better before your special event, gala, or opening. Facial treatments such as laser light therapy which are non-ablative, or minimally ablative, and can help you firm up and glow for that special occasion.

Ultherapy is another completely non-invasive cosmetic procedure. It relies on your body’s natural healing processes. It incorporates ultrasound technology that gently heats the tissue below your skin, causing it to generate collagen—the substance that keeps your face looking tight and youthful. The best part? Besides feeling a little flushed, you’ll be ready for any close encounter with a camera almost immediately after your treatment.

The Selphyl System is another option for non-invasive skin care. A treatment takes only about 60 minutes and uses your body’s own growth factors to encourage skin regeneration and healing. While you might develop some mild swelling or redness where the mixture is injected, chances are you’ll be ready to shine with the stars in 48 hours.

A new development in skin care is the Clear and Brilliant laser. Clear and Brilliant uses a micro-fraxel technology to gently refine your skin without damaging the outer layer. There is no downtime, just pink glowing skin when you leave our office. In time, you will notice smaller pores, better tone, fewer wrinkles, and more even color. In 30 minutes, you can be on your way to better-looking skin.

Technological advances in skin care have progressed dramatically, making both surgical and non-surgical facial treatments safer and more effective. Between me, your New York plastic surgeon, and my wife, your skin care expert, we can recommend appropriate treatments for your individual needs and desires. With the right combination of treatments, you can keep up with the city that never sleeps and look your very best while doing it.

I will shed light on the subtleties of facial plastic surgery to help those of you considering a procedure make more educated decisions. Additionally, I will share my thoughts on facial plastic surgery news and breakthroughs.

My wife Janice—a Registered Nurse and skin care expert—will also contribute to this blog, to inform you of the newest skin care treatments and non-surgical rejuvenation options.

Please leave comments and tell us what you would like to read about. Send us your questions and we will do our best to answer them.