Davis

Liposuction and the tummy tuck consistently rank among the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures because fat reduction and skin tightening treatments yield some of plastic surgery’s most dramatic transformations. With the rise of noninvasive fat reduction technologies, prospective patients have more options than ever before on this front.

Today, I’ll highlight the most effective surgical and noninvasive fat reduction and skin tightening treatments for, arguably, the most common trouble spot to help illustrate how you can narrow your choices.

Surgical or noninvasive?

First, here’s a little guidance to help you choose between a surgical and noninvasive fat reduction treatment. The number of noninvasive devices has multiplied over the last decade, and that trend’s only expected to continue for the foreseeable future. To filter that number down to a more digestible amount, there are two main questions you should be asking:

Does it actually work? And, does it fit my needs and goals?

No one’s expecting you to come up with these answers on your own — me and my staff are here to help guide you down a path that works for you. Of course, It helps to do some preliminary homework on your own, but you should rely on your plastic surgeon to help you filter your options and, ultimately, select the right treatment for you. During our consultation, we not only physically assess your anatomy and skin quality, we also want to learn about your goals. All of which will enable us to form a realistic idea of what is achievable through each approach.

Target area: The abdomen

CoolSculpting works through a noninvasive process called cryolipolysis, where the fatty tissue in the targeted area is frozen and up to 25% of the fat cells in that area are destroyed. And because the body only produces a certain number of fat cells, those particular fat cells are never coming back. All of that is encouraging. It does, however, require some patience. The fat cells are dispensed by the body gradually, so it can take several weeks to see the full results of a treatment. And most patients need multiple treatments to achieve their desired look.

If you don’t mind a bit of downtime, liposuction remains the gold standard for precision and large-volume fat reduction. Coupled with BodyTite, a minimally-invasive procedure that tightens skin through radiofrequency-induced heat, the two are a formidable one-two punch for flattening just about any paunch.

There is an exception, though. A sculpted midsection is comprised of three components: tight skin, minimal fat, and strong muscles. If lax muscles are a concern, a tummy tuck may be a more appropriate choice. Depending on your needs, that could mean a mini-tummy tuck, which focuses on the lower abdomen, or a full tuck, which will address the entire abdomen.

Three potential treatments for one problem area, all of them effective. Again, allow your expectations for both the treatment and the outcome to be your compass. And trust your surgeon’s expertise.

I know this information can be overwhelming, which is why my staff and I are available to help you decide which treatments are best for your overall goals. Please contact us with any questions, or if you wish to schedule a consultation.

It never ceases to amaze us that Davis CPS patients, and the general public are always interested in what TV Personalities are doing cosmetically to look their best.

The Real Housewives of New York City’s Sonja Morgan has always been transparent about the plastic surgery she’s had. Still, her announcement on Instagram that she had a lower facelift and neck lift after season 12 of The Real Housewives of New York City has stirred a surprising amount of buzz.

“I just wanted to be rid of the wrinkling on my neck and the jowls that were starting to form,” Morgan says in her post. She also said the procedures were a “no-brainer” and that “gravity had taken its toll.”

Dr. Steven Davis cites aging and the natural effects of gravity as one of the most popular reasons people come to Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Much of the interest appears to stem from the fact that Morgan didn’t undergo just any facelift; she chose a deep plane facelift.

Dr. Davis explains what is deep plane facelift

A deep plane facelift is a type of full facelift that tightens the middle and lower portions of the face by going below the muscle and connective tissue layer (known as the SMAS) and lifting it, along with the skin.

It differs from a traditional facelift in one key way: During a deep plane facelift, the skin and the SMAS are lifted as one unit, rather than separately. Some plastic surgeons believe that by doing it that way, the results are more natural-looking. However, studies have found no major differences in the outcomes of deep plane and traditional facelifts in patients under 70-years-old, even a decade later.

Both types of facelifts aim to tighten sagging cheeks, along with the lower face and neck. And with both, results can last up to 10 years. The recovery period is similar, too, at about two weeks, with appreciable results appearing as soon as the bandages are removed. It takes about three months for the swelling to fully subside and the full extent of results to become visible.

Is this facelift right for me?

Ultimately, the type of facelift technique we at Davis CPS recommends depends your particular goals and expectations for the procedure. Once we sit down to discuss your goals during the a virtual consultation we will have a better understanding of what plastic surgery procedure is right for you. Our goal is to make sure we help you look your best no matter which direction we pursue.

If you want to learn more about facelift options, including deep plane facelifts, please let us know, and we can schedule a consultation with Dr. Davis.

I’ve always thought that one of the most interesting aspects of dermal fillers is that, in order to achieve the look a patient has in mind, a certain amount of precision is required—no surprise there. But then there’s also a big part of the treatment that’s left open to interpretation.

Straightforward as it may look from the outside, we at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery understand it’s not painting-by-numbers.

Precision

Once I have a thorough understanding of the patient’s ambitions, my next step is selecting the appropriate filler. Each dermal filler has its own nuances, but they’re generally categorized based on their different degrees of viscosity, lift, and longevity.

The denser the filler and the greater its lifting capacity, the less likely it is to lose its shape. So they’re used for creating structural changes to the face, such as enhancing cheekbones or refining the jawline. In order to create such an effect, they need to be injected relatively deep, close to the bone.

Essentially, I’m reinforcing the bone in order to provide better support to the overlying muscle and tissue.

Most of these stronger dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid-based, but they come in other varieties, too. For example, Radiesse, which is popular go-to for replenishing lost volume in the cheeks, is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite. The more malleable fillers, on the other hand, are all hyaluronic acid-based.

These lighter fillers are designed to blend seamlessly in the most animated (and, consequently, noticeable) parts of your face. I apply them most often to the so-called “smile lines” and other, more subtle creases that have formed around the eyes, mouth, and forehead from countless muscle contractions.

Artistry

There are, of course, highly specific techniques for injecting these fillers. As an instructor for a number of the manufacturers, my role is to train other board-certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists in those techniques. But because everyone’s features and wants are unique, there are a lot of variables in a given procedure, from how much filler is used to where exactly the injections are made.

The face isn’t simply a collection of singular features. An expert injector understands that everything is connected in both direct and indirect ways. For example, emulating Scarlett Johansson’s lips isn’t merely a matter of adding a bit of filler to the lips. I also use hyaluronic acid fillers and neuromodulators (think Botox and Jeuveau) to fill the small vertical lines that can appear just above the lips with aging and constant repetition. It has a smoothing effect that further accentuates the lips and makes the entire face look younger.

My point is, experience—extensive experience—counts for a lot here. It’s not enough to find a doctor who offers dermal fillers. Make sure they’ve refined the specific treatment you’re interested in over years—and they have the before-and-after photos to prove it.

If you are interested in learning more about how our expert cosmetic injectors in Cherry Hill at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery can help you — please let us know and we will schedule a virtual consultation.