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5 Things You Should Know About Body Contouring

Non-surgical body contouring, also known as body sculpting, is a term used to describe a number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat that no amount of dieting and exercise can remove. Dr. Joshua Greenwald explains five crucial things to know about these procedures.

1. Not for Weight Loss

Body contouring should not be performed for the purpose of weight loss. Only people who are near their normal body weight are candidates. Patients should take part in a diet and exercise program to maintain their body weight. While fat destruction is permanent, if good habits are not retained, patients risk forming new fat in the future.

2. Fat Cells Do Not Grow Back

One type of body contouring works by freezing and destroying fat cells without harming nearby tissues. The fat cells eventually leave the body naturally via the lymphatic system. Once killed off, they cannot grow back. Another body sculpting option takes the opposite approach, in that heat gets rid of the fat cells, but the end result is the same.

Patients can expect to lose between 20 and 30 percent of the fat in the treatment area.  Several treatment sessions are recommended. 

3. Body Contouring Sites

There is a body contouring procedure for every area of stubborn fat. Body sculpting can remove love handles as well as belly fat, a double chin or bra bulge. Body sculpting can treat the buttocks, thighs, upper arms or anywhere else where there are small amounts of unwanted fat. 

4. Results Are Gradual

Body contouring does not produce instantaneous results. Instead, patients should see a difference within three weeks. The total effect does not become apparent for two to four months. It can take up to three months for the skin to reach peak smoothness.

Keep in mind that fat cells leave the body in stages after body sculpting, and that is reflected in the amount of time it takes for results to become visible.

5. Minimal Downtime

Downtime after body contouring is minimal. Most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure. This is in contrast to surgical procedures, which can require several weeks or even months of downtime. Because no surgery or anesthesia is necessary, there are few risks. Patients can even drive themselves home afterwards.

Any side effects are mild and temporary. These may include swelling and redness. Over-the-counter pain relievers can alleviate any mild discomfort.

Contact Dr. Greenwald

If you have questions about body contouring and whether you are a candidate for the procedure, Dr. Greenwald invites you to schedule an informational consultation. Please contact our office today to request an appointment. He will discuss various body sculpting procedures and help you determine the best one for your purposes.

Hair Restoration: Should You Choose Surgery or Another Option?

While many conditions cause hair loss and thinning, genetics is a primary cause. Male-pattern baldness is well-known — a man with balding on either side of his family is more likely to experience hair loss — but women also lose hair, especially after menopause. In the quest for a thicker head of hair, patients can choose between non-surgical and surgical treatments. Dr. Joshua Greenwald discusses the various options for hair restoration.

Topical and Oral Therapies 

The active ingredient in most topical treatments for hair loss is minoxidil. While available over the counter, there is also a stronger prescription version. Minoxidil increases blood flow to the treatment area. Hair follicles receive more blood and grow larger, resulting in thicker hair.

Finasteride is available by prescription only. It is recommended for men, not women. This oral therapy works by preventing the body from converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT reduction can stop hair loss.

Platelet-rich Plasma 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes natural hair growth. PRP is plasma from which red blood cells are removed, leaving behind platelets with their strong growth factor proteins. Because the patient’s own blood is used, there is no risk of an allergic reaction.

Blood is drawn from the patient. It is then placed in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated.  The patient receives a numbing injection, and then the PRP is injected into the treatment area. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes. Regular sessions over the next few months may prove necessary.

Wait 48 hours before washing the treated area. You may experience some temporary discomfort, which over-the-counter pain medications can alleviate.

PRP is often performed in conjunction with another hair restoration treatment. Expect to notice results within six months of starting PRP therapy.

NeoGraft 

The NeoGraft hair transplant system redistributes hair. Because it is semi-automated, the follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure is more accurate than FUEs performed manually. Expect this outpatient hair surgery to take one day. Only a local anesthetic is needed. Results are permanent.

Via a pneumatic wand, donor hair is removed from the rear of the head in men or wherever it is suitable for harvesting in women. The follicular units are then transplanted into the appropriate treatment areas.

Patients do not look like they have undergone a hair transplant. Unlike hair transplantation methods of the past, no scarring results from NeoGraft. The outcome appears completely natural.

NeoGraft is often used in conjunction with PRP to enhance transplanted hair root growth.

Contact Dr. Greenwald

If you have questions about hair restoration surgery or other options, Dr. Greenwald invites you to schedule an informational consultation. Please contact our office today to request an appointment. Every patient receives a custom-tailored hair restoration plan.

Why Some Patients Prefer Laser Facelift

Most people wish they could look younger, but not everyone is willing to undergo surgery to make that happen. At Greenwald Plastic Surgery, Dr. Joshua Greenwald works with many patients who, for a variety of personal reasons, prefer not to go under the knife but still want the rejuvenating effects of a less invasive procedure. With new technology, he is now able to replicate many of the results of facelift surgery with laser technology. (more…)

It’s Short Sleeve Season: Procedures for Killer Arms

Summer has arrived, which means rising temperatures and a new seasonal wardrobe. Though it may be more physically comfortable to put on short sleeves in the hottest months, not everyone feels mentally comfortable with putting their arms on display. If you want to take steps to feel more confident in a tank top, here are a few ways that elite New York plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Greenwald can help you achieve this: (more…)

Want Different Nipples? These Changes Are Possible

While breast augmentation remains one of the most popular plastic surgeries worldwide, some women are less concerned about the size of their breasts than they are about the appearance of their nipples and areolas. New York surgeon Dr. Joshua Greenwald has a variety of strategies he can use to help these women achieve their aesthetic goals, including: (more…)

5 Ways to Improve the Look of Your Thighs

With summer arriving, shorts season is upon us. However, as Dr. Joshua Greenwald has learned from his patients, that is not necessarily exciting news for people who are unhappy with the appearance of their thighs. If you are considering a thigh procedure to feel more confident in summer attire, Dr. Greenwald can help walk you through some of the options: (more…)

What Problems Can Rhinoplasty Resolve?

Any surgeon who takes a one-size-fits-all approach to rhinoplasty is not doing his or her job. At Greenwald Plastic Surgery, Dr. Joshua Greenwald understands that a nose job is very much a customized procedure. Among the concerns that Dr. Greenwald has been able to resolve with his expert rhinoplasty skills are: (more…)

Cosmetic Procedures That Are Most Popular Among Men

The statistics are clear: as the years progress, more and more men are seeking cosmetic procedures in the United States. Dr. Joshua Greenwald has witnessed this trend for himself at his Manhattan, Harrison and Carmel, New York offices. Among the procedures most requested by this influx of male patients are: (more…)

Tips for Great Lip Filler Results

Like any cosmetic procedure, lip fillers should be taken seriously. If you don’t put thought into your decision to get fillers, or you don’t do ample research on your treatment options, you could end up unhappy with your results.

Dr. Joshua Greenwald, a plastic surgeon who is known for his natural approach to all cosmetic procedures, shares his best tips for lip filler results here. (more…)

What Happens If You Have Another Child After Mommy Makeover?

In general, Dr. Joshua Greenwald recommends that you defer mommy makeover until you are reasonably sure you are done having children. However, life does not always go according to plan. You may change your mind after your cosmetic surgery and decide you want to grow your family. Or, you may unexpectedly discover you are pregnant.

In either scenario, you probably have questions and some concerns. Here, Dr. Greenwald explains what to know about having another child after mommy makeover. (more…)