Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most requested procedures, and one of the most complicated surgeries to do. Rhinoplasty, or "nose jobs" can be done for purely aesthetic reasons however, in the case of many males, they may come in for a consultation knowing that their nose has been broken at least once in the past, and that it's no longer straight or the same size it used to be, but rarely do they realize how much damage has been done internally. Men who are active in sports; baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and/or hockey, are accustomed to playing injured. When they initially injure their nose, the damaged cartilage and the associated tissue swelling restrict breathing. Eventually the swelling goes away and breathing becomes significantly easier, but often the airway is still partially blocked due to the damaged cartilage. Over time these men got used to getting a smaller amount of oxygen than they were intended to get, and they adjusted their expectations lower than they should have.

Many male athletes, both the professional and the weekend varieties, decide to wait until the end of their careers before having anything done to correct their damaged, broken nose. The reasoning is that as long as they're participating in sports it's possible that their nose will get broken again, so why waste the time and money to repair it now. They often decide to wait until after 'retirement' before fixing the nose. That does make sense if you're really only dealing with a cosmetic issue. It would be worthwhile though, to check with a plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty to determine if there is internal valve damage, a deviated septum or other injuries that are impinging on the air passageway. If your breathing is being restricted by as little as 10 - 20%, that could make a fairly significant difference in your fitness and performance levels. Fixing internal damage at the end of any athletic career being measured by performance, would be waiting too long to get the full value of the rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty isn't just about fixing the way a nose looks. It's often about fixing how well you breathe and how it looks.

While rhinoplasty can be a complicated and demanding surgery, chin augmentation is very different. Using a plastic implant to build up the chin is clearly an aesthetic/cosmetic procedure. You're not going to breathe, eat, or speak better with a bigger chin, but there are few procedures that have a bigger impact on a patient's self-image than chin augmentation.

It's not unusual for male post-op chin augmentation patients to stand a bit taller, and to carry themselves with more confidence. It's not just about patients seeing themselves differently; it's also about the people around them perceiving them differently as well. While it's unfair and untrue, men who have small/receding chins are often seen as weak, lacking self-confidence and leadership abilities. It is still surprising that a few ounces of plastic expertly placed can make an enormous difference in the way a man is perceived by himself and others. Don't wait! Make an appointment today to determine where and what type of damage you might have taken with you off the court, the field, or the ice. Get it fixed now and breathe easier.

As mentioned in earlier posts, men are having plastic surgery procedures in record numbers in part due to the need to remain competitive with younger workers. While liposuction can help refresh and renew the body, an aging face can unfairly give recruiters, potential employers and co-workers a reason to overlook your qualifications by assuming you're simply too old to do the job effectively.

The first area of the face to show age is usually around the eyes. Dark circles, and bags under the eyes, as well as heavily hooded upper eyelids, are often genetic "gifts" from our parents. These gifts can add years to the face, making patients look tired, and unfortunately, old. Blepharoplasty is the surgical procedure used to address the creases, bags under the eyes, and heavily hooded upper lids. Occasionally the upper lids can become so heavily hooded that they interfere with vision. The good news about that is that in some of these cases insurance will cover correcting that vision impairment. Working together closely with an experienced Opthamologist, the surgical procedures we do together will correct the cosmetic problems as well as improve the restricted vision.

Every time we animate our face by laughing or smiling we cause creases and furrows to develop. As long as we have reasons to smile, we'll have causes to form wrinkles. That's just the price of a life well lived. Many people are content with that and if they are, so am I. However, if a patient is bothered by those creases for whatever reason, Botox is a very safe, effective treatment to stop the muscles from animating which in turn reduces the visible creases, and temporarily stops the development of new lines. There is no one right answer for every single patient, and you have to determine what bothers you and what doesn't. That's the only answer that matters.

One of the most important things you'll do in connection with any cosmetic treatment is to find an experienced, board certified Plastic Surgeon who will listen and then address the things that are important to you. It doesn't stop there. It's also critically important that you have a rapport and trust in the entire staff. In my Dallas practice, all of our injectable procedures, Botox, Sculptra, Restylane, etc., are done by my nurse of 20+ years, Lisa. She and I work together in developing a comprehensive program that will strive to achieve whatever your goals are. If you start with Botox and Sculptra injections, and find over time, that they're not achieving the results you want, then it's time re-evaluate to determine if you are ready to move to the next step - a surgical procedure.

The Endoscopic Brow Midface lift (EBMF) is often the foundation procedure at this point. It can be combined with the Blepharoplasty and/or a Mini Lower Facelift, but every patient is different, so it's advisable to keep an open mind. The endoscopic approach requires only a few small incisions behind the hairline, which are used to insert the endoscope and the instruments necessary to rebuild or refresh the facial foundation. Using the endoscopic approach means that there's less risk of infection, less sutures required, a shorter recovery, and there's less trauma to the facial tissue. Because there is no ear-to-ear incision over the top of the head as there is in "traditional" facelifts, there's also less chance of hair loss, which for many men is a very key issue. The EBMF will last for about 10 -15 years in most cases and the result is a more rested, elegant appearance.

There are many options available to men, and fortunately we're able to choose as much or as little as we want. Whatever anyone of us decides to do, whatever answer we find for ourselves is the right answer and that is progress.

Although it may not be talked about in the locker room, at the football game, or in the executive's corner office, more men than ever are having plastic surgery. It's estimated that 13% of all cosmetic surgery patients are men, which is a significant increase. In many ways, the reasons for choosing to have cosmetic surgery are the same regardless of the sex of the patient. As we age, men, and women decide they want to look better, younger, less tired, and more confident. Men tend to make the move to surgery later than women do, but they reap the same rewards:

a renewed self-confidence
better self-image
improved body image

Nationally the most requested surgery for both sexes continues to be liposuction. There are two main reasons that inspire men to finally make the decision to have plastic surgery:

Competition in the Workplace - Baby boomers are competing sometimes with much younger adults, many of whom don't know a world without cell phones, laptops and being constantly connected to the internet. During much of my medical career I would never have envisioned advertising on the internet, and the term "blog" hadn't even been invented yet. Staying up with the ever changing technology is only part of the struggle men face in whatever career path they've chosen, and if they look too much like their colleagues' father or heaven forbid, even their grandfather, they may be unfairly perceived as less savvy, resistant to change and outdated. In this job market, that's a black mark no one wants.

Divorce - While divorce is painful and disrupting at any age, when it happens later in life, it can have a devastating impact on self-image. Again, remaining competitive is an important factor when re-entering the dating world sometimes after a decade or more of marriage. More than that is rebuilding a self-confidence that may have taken a beating during the process of dissolving a marriage. Regaining a physical assurance can assist a newly single man when he begins dating again.

Liposuction is not a weight loss tool, but used appropriately, it can be effectively used in removing isolated pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. "Love handles", "beer bellies" and "double chins" are all areas where liposuction combined with a low fat diet and exercise can be very effective in achieving a trim, athletic build. Men who are completely frustrated come in to my office after they have spent hundreds of hours in the gym doing all kinds of core/abdominal exercises trying to achieve that elusive "six pack" shown so often in magazines of all types. The problem may not be that the muscles aren't developed enough, but that there's a layer of fat and tissue that is covering the muscles. Using a small cannula, that layer of fat can be removed and within a few weeks after all the surgery induced swelling has dissipated, the true musculature is visible. If the patient continues to keep their weight in check and their fitness level fairly constant, they can forget about the love handles and beer belly permanently.

There are areas of our bodies where no exercise is going to make any difference. Men who are very fit and completely happy with their appearance otherwise, may still have to deal with jowls, double chin, and/or turkey neck. Often I'll hear that one morning the patient looked in the mirror and saw their father's neck and chin where it wasn't wanted. Some patients are genetically predisposed to very early on develop crepey skin on the neck that can severely age any man's appearance. While the face and body may not announce your true age, if your neck looks old, you look old. A short two-hour surgical procedure, including liposuction, can remove the excess fat and skin. This one procedure alone can dramatically improve the patient's profile and overall look.

While liposuction is the procedure most often selected by men, there are other procedures men are choosing which we'll be discussing in this series over the next few days. Check back with us to see the changes underway in men's health.

Most people have never heard the term "Gynecomastia". This condition is sometimes insensitively referred to as "man boobs" which just adds insult and injury to the embarrassment the man who suffers from Gynecomastia deals with on a daily basis. In about 75% of the cases of Gynecomastia, the cause is thought to be a decrease in the hormone testosterone compared to estrogen. All men and women have varying amounts of estrogen and testosterone hormones, and when that balance becomes skewed, sometimes the result is Gynecomastia in men.

Swelling of the male's breast tissue can develop at birth when the mother's increased estrogen causes the infant's breasts to swell. Without treatment, this swelling usually goes away within two to three weeks. Hormonal changes in puberty can also cause enlarged breast tissue, and this too sometimes resolves itself within a few years even if left untreated. One quarter of those with Gynecomastia don't develop symptoms until the ages of 50 - 80. The most highly affected groups are adolescent boys and middle age/older men. Medications, chromosome disorders, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and thyroid issues are all suspects in the development of excessive breast tissue in men, but many times the causal factors remain unidentified.

We often see men who have not gone to a pool party or to the beach for years because they didn't want to risk the potential cutting and damaging remarks. Sufferers often resort to wearing two or three t-shirts, or multiple layers of clothing in an attempt to mask the swelling of the breast tissue. Many will have worn binders and compression garments of all types as concealment efforts. They will also adeptly avoid locker room and communal shower situations at all costs. It's not uncommon for these men to have given up dating and for teenagers to not ever start dating at all in an effort to avoid the inevitable awkward situations. Sufferers will develop a whole cadre of coping mechanisms to avoid embarrassment, and by the time they come in to see me, they've simply tired of the avoidance dance.

Gynecomastia can be treated very successfully with surgery and liposuction, which removes any glandular tissue as well as any remaining excess fat. The surgery, when done by a board certified plastic surgeon, is a relatively simple procedure lasting about two hours. A scalpel is used to excise the breast tissue much like a mastectomy procedure to treat breast cancer. Liposuction is then used to remove any remaining fatty tissue on the outer margin of the chest. If the suspected cause is obesity, it's important that the patient initiates and maintains a calorie appropriate, low fat diet to avoid recurrence.

Surgery is not right for every Gynecomastia patient, and that's one of the critical reasons it's important to talk to someone who has experience in treating the disorder. It's essential that the right patient have the surgery done at the right time. As with every decision, it's important to consider risk versus reward. It may be very difficult for the Gynecomastia sufferer to take that first step and talk about this. If you're a male and find yourself suffering from enlarged and swollen breasts, please call and make an appointment so we can work together to find a solution that will give you back the portions of your life you've perhaps put on hold for many years. Gynecomastia is treatable and this summer you could be at the pool, comfortably, by calling us now for a consultation.

Dr. Steve Byrd will be presenting a live surgery demonstration at Mercy Hospital in Miami Florida in February, 2010. Head of Plastic Surgery at Children's Hospital in Dallas and Professor at UTSW Medical School, he also has a Pediatric Plastic Surgery office in Dallas, Texas focusing mainly on cleft lip/cleft palate, and craniofacial deformities in infants and children. His adult Cosmetic Surgery office is the location where he utilizes the Endoscopic Brow Midface lift that he developed and will be presenting at the Baker Gordon Educational Symposium next month.

The Endoscopic Brow Midface Lift, or "EBMF" is a much less invasive way to treat aging face patients. As a relatively new surgeon he became determined to find a way to improve on the traditional facelift procedure which employed a dramatic ear-to-ear incision that is the trademark of most standard facelift surgeries. The EBMF approach requires a few very small incisions behind the hairline into which an endoscope can be inserted to reach and repair the facial foundation in the brow and midface region. The advantages are several:

less chance of infection
less trauma to the tissue and the patient
easier/faster healing
less scarring
less pain

"Improving the technique is important, but it wouldn't have mattered if the results of the procedure weren't appropriate. The Endoscopic Brow Midface procedure results in an elegant, well-rested outcome for patients. Patients love the results." according to Dr. Byrd.

The Baker Gordon Symposium will kick off with a lecture by Dr. Byrd on the "Endoscopic Brow and Midface Lifting - Consistent Control of the Lateral Canthus and Lid-Cheek Junction", followed by a panel discussion of the role of the EBMF in facial rejuvenation. The two and a half hour surgery follows with Dr. Byrd demonstrating the innovative technique to many of the leading plastic surgeons from across the United States.

The 44th Annual Baker Gordon Educational Symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the University of Miami School of Medicine in cooperation with Mercy Hospital in Miami.

Recent headlines have raised the issue of addiction to plastic surgery. The true story has very little to do with actual plastic surgery addiction, and more to do with sensationalizing what a celebrity might do to keep themselves in the spotlight. I have no intention of discussing whether or not this particular celebrity is in fact addicted to anything, but to determine if plastic surgery addiction exists, and if it does; "What is it?"

Over the course of my 25+ year plastic surgery career, I'm pleased to say that many of my patients have returned to me repeatedly and elected to have several different procedures done over the course of 5, 10, 20 years or more. These patients aren't addicted to plastic surgery, but are instead responding to physiological changes that happen over time due to genetics, gravity, sun damage, etc. When creams, lotions, injectables, and other non-invasive treatments are no longer effective enough, patients have the option to consider a surgical solution. Our practice works closely with the aestheticians at EpiCentre ParkLane in developing a comprehensive treatment plan for patients that envelops skin care, diet, injectables, laser treatments and surgery when appropriate. We work in partnership with patients to help them achieve whatever their goals are...within reason.

I'd venture to say that every plastic surgeon doing cosmetic cases routinely sees patients suffering Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is a mental illness in which the patient is preoccupied with an imagined or minor defect that most other people can't see. An estimated 1% of the total population suffer from BDD, and as many as 10% of those seeking cosmetic treatments may have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. These patients think they are ugly and will repeatedly turn to plastic surgery to improve their appearance. As a physician, sometimes you will notice an immediate red flag on these patients.

They have seen numerous surgeons and have had many different procedures
They overstate the size or scope of the problem, if the problem exists at all
They want their consultation earlier because they can't be seen "like this" any longer

Unfortunately, not every BDD patient is so obvious and it's not until after surgery has been done on the patient that the problem is discovered. Often when these patients are encouraged to see a psychiatrist or psychologist, they seldom do, and instead just choose another plastic surgeon who won't be as aware of their background who will do the procedure they're currently requesting.

These are patients that may be seen as plastic surgery "addicts". Unfortunately though, taking plastic surgery away from them won't make them any less addicted, and when they've exhausted the pool of surgeons in their area, they'll then travel to other areas to see surgeons or turn to excessively high numbers of other types of cosmetic treatments. It's a very difficult disease to uncover as these patients look good, and when they're not focused on their perceived physical flaw, they can be intelligent, charming and generous people.

BDD is somewhat similar to eating disorders in that both involve a concern with body image. They are very different though. Eating disorders target primarily young women, while BDD is an equal opportunity foe, attacking young men and women equally. A person with an eating disorder is supremely concerned with a number on the scale and their complete body image. BDD patients tend to worry about a very specific body part. In their minds if that one flaw could be fixed, everything would be fine. Of course, that one flaw may not even exist, and it will never be fixed enough for them, but it is what fuels the mindset of the Body Dysmorphic patient.

Unfortunately the "Addicted to Plastic Surgery" headline will generate few conversations about a very real, and very deadly disorder. BDD patients are quite likely to develop major clinical depression and the stress of the disorder puts them at very high risk for suicide.

Patients should feel free to pursue whatever treatments they deem necessary to achieve their goals without worrying that they'll be labeled a plastic surgery addict. Too many patients are already concerned about their friends or families finding out that they're having cosmetic surgery done because they don't want to deal with the ridicule or teasing. That sad fact alone keeps our entire staff extremely protective of our patients' privacy even beyond the government mandated privacy laws. It's important that options and access remain open to all while still remaining vigilant for those few who make up the minority of patients who are seeking cosmetic treatment driven by a mental illness.

Zeltiq is the new, non-invasive, no downtime procedure which targets and then eliminates fat cells in the abdomen, flanks (love handles) and back. As fat cells are exposed to this advanced technology, a metabolic process is begun which kills fat cells without harming surrounding tissue. The results are visible in two to four months, as the noticeable reduction in size and number of fat cells becomes apparent. January and February then become the ideal times to address those bulges many of us accumulated over the holidays that we want to get rid of by the summer. Beginning treatment now will assure you of the sleek, trim, and beach-ready body that exercise and diet alone sometimes aren't able to achieve. One of the key advantages of Zeltiq is that you don't have any downtime so there's no gym time lost. For best results, we encourage our patients to combine diet, and exercise with Zeltiq or whatever procedure is deemed best to achieve your goals.

Due to an overwhelming response, we will continue to offer the Zeltiq introductory price of 50% off the first and second cycles through March 2010. Call now for a consultation, and we'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your body, your goals, and your hectic schedule. Don't wait too long and miss this opportunity!

Each season women enjoy the new fashion changes. Women should revel in the new fashions! If you work outside the home, your appearance is part of the package you present every single day at work and a wardrobe that is flattering and fashionable can make a huge difference in the way a woman feels about herself. That doesn't mean however, that you should overlook an investment you can make in yourself that will last much longer than this year's hemlines.

A Mother who dearly loves her children may be very uncomfortable with the toll pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding have taken on her body. Parents who stay at home to work raising their children must still nourish and care for themselves. Stretch marks, deflated breasts, and a stomach that won't go flat; it's difficult to feel completely confident when invariably each shopping trip you wonder if "this" outfit will hide those areas of your body that just aren't as smooth and flat as you would like them to be.

Many of our patients who have finally achieved a hard fought, long-term goal by reaching their target weight, are often left with a new problem; excess, sagging skin. No matter how many pounds are lost or how many sit-ups are done, they simply won't un-do gravity's and pregnancy's handiwork. An abdominoplasty removes the excess abdominal skin and reveals your real self that has been hidden behind the drapes of excess fat and skin for far too long. In some cases of extreme weight loss, a thighplasty is done to remove excess skin that's left on the thighs long after the excess fat has been successfully lost.

Investing in cosmetic surgery is a decision our patients don't regret. Patients get to "wear" their new fashion every day and that regained confidence shines through no matter what their personal style. Patients report that they stand straighter, feel taller, and are more sure of their physical abilities and appearance. It allows them to stop thinking about sucking in their stomach and focus instead on living. How many times a day do you think about that portion of your body that bothers you? It's different for each patient, but whether it's breasts that have headed unflatteringly south, or that roll of fat underneath the band of your bra, wouldn't it be nice to not have to think about that again?

The "Mommy Makeover" is a combination of an Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) - to tighten the abdominal muscles, and a Mastopexy (breast lift), it can make a huge difference. The first step is to call for a consultation. As a board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, we will help restore each patient's most beautiful and confident self.

What do soy oil, glass balls, string, ivory, and wool have in common? In the past, they have ALL been used as breast implant materials. Breast Augmentation surgery was first done in the late 19th century using adipose tissue (body fat) taken from the patient's back. As with all surgical procedures, the procedure itself, surgical instruments used and the medical supplies continue to evolve and advance, and breast implants have changed many times in the past 115 years.

The "Gummy Bear" or silicone implant is the current state of the art in breast implant material. It hasn't been a straight or easy path for the silicone implant. It was first introduced in 1961 by two Houston plastic surgeons, but by 1992 the United States government put a moratorium on the silicone implant. There are considered to be 5 major evolutions in the silicone-based implant, with the current "Gummy Bear" representing the 5th generation of implants. However, it was not this type of implant that was banned by the moratorium. The implant on the market at the time of the moratorium was a much less sophisticated implant and the second generation in the implant's development.

The moratorium on silicone implants was lifted in November 2006 after 14 years of testing, lawsuits, and political wrangling. The medical testing that lead to putting the silicone implant on life support has since been over-turned, and numerous studies have shown that there is no evidence of causal link to systemic diseases such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. The current silicone implant is very gel like with little risk of leakage and provides a natural look and feel while increasing the size, volume, and profile of the breast.

Sadly, during the moratorium, breast augmentation patients had no significant choice in implant type and the saline implant was the only option for most patients. While the saline implant is more likely to cause wrinkling and rippling, it is still considered to be a very safe implant and it does offer patients a choice. How does a patient determine which implant is the best for them to use?

Find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon
Learn about the implant options available
Determine what you want your results to be

You and your plastic surgeon make up a team, and it's important that there be give and take on both sides. Your surgeon should really hear what it is you're saying, and you should take the time to really listen to your surgeon's recommendations and opinions. Once you've chosen the best possible surgeon, work together to achieve the outcome you've probably dreamed of having for a very long time!

Many of our patients are surprised when they find out that they must quit smoking prior to having any surgery. Not only must they stop smoking, they need to be away from second hand smoke at home if there's another smoker in the home, and they also need to stay away from clubs or other public areas that might allow smoking. Patients must realize that they have a large part of the responsibility for the outcome of their surgery, and stopping smoking is one of the most important things in that regard.

We're all aware of the cancer risks associated with smoking, and yet many times that's still not enough incentive to stop. Smoking is also incredibly aging to skin, especially to facial skin. Patients who smoke generally look much older than their peers. Ironically, many of my patients started smoking at a young age specifically because they did want to look older. They probably didn't have wrinkled skin around the eyes, discolored teeth, or severely drawn and lined skin around their mouths in mind the first time they picked up a cigarette.

Even if you as a patient are willing to accept those negatives, why do we require you stop smoking prior to surgery? Complications can include:

Incomplete or delayed healing due to nicotine affected constricted blood vessels
Increased risk of infection
More intense and longer lasting bruises
Raised, red scars

It's important to quit smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery. Not doing so will lead to the postponement of your surgery. This isn't a negotiable point, so if your surgery date is important to you, if your breast augmentation, facelift or abdominoplasty is important to you, please plan accordingly. Allow time to quit smoking.

Now the fact is, like most cosmetic surgeons, we don't do blood tests to confirm that you've quit smoking, and you could "mislead" or hedge a bit on your smoking habits prior to surgery. I would really hate for any patient to spend the time and money to have a cosmetic procedure done only to negate the improvements with the damage smoking can do during recovery and beyond. Don't cheat yourself!

Most of our patients who have stopped smoking prior to their surgery, and during their recovery do not return to smoking. If you have already stopped smoking and are now dealing with the skin damage a lifetime of smoking caused, we can help you improve the look and feel of your skin. There are several options available, and a treatment plan can be tailored to your lifestyle and desired outcome.

Good luck to all of those who have a resolution to stop smoking this year! We'll be rooting for you!

Did you know that ear deformities are the most common birth “defects” in newborns? A recent study at Baylor Hospital in Dallas revealed that 25 - 35% of newborns have some type of ear deformity. Unfortunately, the standard treatment in the U.S. for children with ear deformities is surgery. The child must wait until he or she is 5 or 6 years old and then undergo a painful surgery. In the meantime, the child and the parents are caught in a trap, enduring the teasing that accompanies any facial deformity.

Recognized in 2007 by D Magazine as the Best Pediatric Specialist in Texas, Dr. Steve Byrd has dealt with thousands of childhood ear deformities in his practice. To address this prevalent defect, Dr. Byrd teamed up with Becon Medical to develop the EarWell Correction System. The EarWell System is a non-surgical procedure that reshapes the infant’s ears into a normal, aesthetically pleasing appearance within just a few weeks.

Becon Medical in Tucson, Arizona will release the EarWell System to pediatricians across the country in January 2010. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with their pediatrician as soon as possible to make sure that their child does not suffer from a lifelong ear deformity. Time is of the essence. Newborns’ cartilage is very malleable; however with each passing day, that cartilage becomes more rigid making it more difficult to correct. Results are best when the EarWell System is applied as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the infant’s first week.

Treatment usually requires 3 – 4 visits to the pediatrician over a 6 – 8 week period. Typically, three sets of ear cradles are used to re-shape the infant’s ears. By the end of that treatment period, the infant’s ears should be completely corrected.

To the financial relief of parents, the EarWell System is covered by most insurance plans. This is a win/win situation for everyone.

• The child avoids teasing and corrective surgery
• Parents avoid the heartbreak of watching their child go through the torment of teasing
• Most insurance policies pay for the EarWell System, thus saving the parents money

The EarWell Correction System is a safe, effective, painless, and cost effective treatment for the most common of all birth deformities.

For more information, please contact our office at: 214-821-9662

OR

Contact your infant’s pediatrician.

It's that time of year when we're all evaluating and re-evaluating our lives, our careers, our relationships, and many of the most often mentioned resolutions have to do with our bodies. How many years have you have the word "Diet" attached to one or more of your own personal New Year's resolutions?

The uncomfortable truth is, the older we get, the slower our metabolism gets. Things we used to be able to eat without much guilt start to hang around our waists, thighs and abdomen to remind us of our holiday indiscretions. Diet, and exercise are wonderful to include in those annual resolutions to improve your life, your health, and your appearance. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the amount of improvement diet, and exercise may have on our physical appearance. Some of our appearance is tightly linked to genetics, and that pooch, pudge and droop we noticed in our parents, is very likely to begin staring back at us in the mirror at some point, if it hasn't already.

The good news is that we don't have to just sit back and accept the inevitable. Plastic surgery and the many related non-invasive procedures, such as Zeltiq, give patients dozens of options for improving their appearance. I am not advocating an eat, drink and be merry existence and then letting your plastic surgeon repair the damage. The healthier a patient is coming into a cosmetic surgery or procedure increases the likelihood of an outstanding post-operative result. Take care of yourself! For those stubborn pockets of fat, or the droopy jowl that are never going to respond to any amount of healthy living or resolution keeping, these are the things that can be expertly and subtly improved by a board certified plastic surgeon.

Please call our office to get more information and to set up an appointment for a consultation. Through January, anyone who follows us on Twitter and Facebook can get a free consultation. You can reach the office staff at: 214-821-9662

Have a wonderful, healthy and vibrant 2010!