Leo R. McCafferty, M.D., F.A.C.S., aesthetic plastic surgery

Blog

Men and Plastic Surgery: Confidence, Compliance and Couples Support

October 27th, 2011

Recent statistics have shown a substantial increase in the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery, and we see this trend in our practice, too. So you might be wondering, why is plastic surgery suddenly so popular among men?

Cosmetic surgery has become more common for both men and women due to the safety, effectiveness, and the reduced downtime of today’s procedures. With so many women  these days choosing to have procedures, at-home discussions of the topic often lead the male in the couple to address the cosmetic issues that concern him, as well.

There’s no question, the workforce is getting older and more people expect to push back their retirement plans. As a result, cosmetic procedures have become an effective solution for executives who want to retain a fresher and more youthful image.

Typically these men say they still feel energetic, but they want to look as vital as they feel. So some choose fillers to help plump up the areas where facial deflation may have occurred. Some undergo eyelift procedures to remove the excess upper eyelid skin that can cause a tired look. Some may want to address the bags underneath the eyes, which can also cause a person to look tired. And some men seek help in the neck and jowl area, choosing a lower face or neck lift. Every procedure is tailored toward the specific needs of the patient.

Younger men tend to come into our practice with different concerns. These are usually healthy males in good shape, but who have trouble points in the body they would like to correct. For instance, some have love handles or lower abdomens that don’t respond to diet and exercise; for them liposuction may be the right choice. Another man might choose rhinoplasty or chin augmentation to add greater balance to the face.

Male patients offer a separate set of considerations from our female patients. For facial rejuvenation procedures, we must take into account where the man’s beard lies, where his sideburns are, and ask ourselves: what is the pattern of his hair?

Male patients also tend to do a lot of research before they come to us. They know what they want, so it becomes our job to slow them down, discuss their needs, go over the risks and benefits in detail, and point them in the direction that truly suits them.

And for those couples that do exercise together, travel together, and even choose cosmetic surgery as part of their individual self-improvement, there is a benefit to all this togetherness. The shared research, compared notes, and overall experience help make each personal consultation and individual examination that much more of a success.

Are you or your partner considering cosmetic surgery? Contact us today for a personalized consultation.

The Finer Points of Chin Augmentation

September 6th, 2011

Cosmetic surgery of the face is always a balancing act, where careful attention must be paid to how one area of the face affects the visual balance of another, in order to achieve a natural look. That balance can be especially noticeable in the profile.

The chin, the nose, and even the neck are visually interrelated in some interesting ways. A weak chin can make a nose look bigger than it is, while a more prominent nose can make a chin look weaker. A thick, ill-defined or “obtuse” neck—often called a “double chin”—can also make a chin appear less strong.

This is why when a patient approaches us with concerns about their nose, chin or neck, we perform a full evaluation of the profile to ensure the patient’s needs will be fully addressed by the ultimate solution.

In about 20% of rhinoplasties—that is, patients who choose to have their nose reduced or reshaped—these patients will also need a slight chin enlargement. And likewise, a percentage of patients with an ill-defined neck will also benefit from a chin augmentation procedure.

Now, when we say “chin augmentation,” we don’t mean a dramatic enlargement of the chin. Chin augmentation, when done properly, is a safe, subtle procedure designed to bring the chin out just so the profile is proportional.

How Chin Augmentation is Done
There are two ways a chin augmentation can be done, and both involve adding a small, FDA-approved silastic implant. This implant can be placed through a small incision made in the natural crease under the chin, where a large number of people have scars already from falling as a child. The implant can also be placed through a small opening made within the mouth just behind the lower lip.

No matter which technique is used, the whole procedure is quite simple—taking 15 to 20 minutes—and recovery is swift, with minimal bruising and minimal downtime. If the chin implant is placed through the mouth, a few small stitches are used, and these dissolve over four or five days. If the chin implant is placed through the crease under the chin, the stitches used there are removed approximately five days after the procedure.

We caution patients to avoid contact sports and other physical activities for the first three weeks that might result in a fall. But after three weeks, the procedure is typically fully-healed and the patient views the implant like their very own chin.

If a patient doesn’t care for the effect the chin implant offers, chin augmentation is reversible. Most patients, however, are very satisfied with the look. And unlike some other procedures, chin augmentation doesn’t have to be redone every ten, fifteen or twenty years. Many patients easily go a lifetime with their chin implant intact.

We like to follow-up with patients in six weeks, six months and then a year after the procedure, to ensure everything is still going well. These follow-ups are free of charge and an important part of our patient care routine.

But when it comes to chin augmentation, the point of every procedure is facial balance, harmony, and a more confident you–from every angle.

Do you think chin augmentation might be right for you? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Kids, Bullying and Plastic Surgery

August 8th, 2011

In this new video, Dr. Leo McCafferty discusses areas
 where plastic surgery has helped children correct the physical issues that
 cause embarrassment and teasing, improving the child’s quality of life.

New Video- The Male Patient and Plastic Surgery

July 29th, 2011

Dr. Leo McCafferty discusses the increasing number of
 men getting plastic surgery procedures, their motivators, and how they
 differ in behavior from female patients.

New Video!- Finding Facial Balance with Chin Augmentation

July 20th, 2011

In this new video, Dr. McCafferty explains 
how chin augmentation can offer balance to a patient’s face, all while remaining subtle.

Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants: Safe, Tested and Medically-Monitored

June 23rd, 2011

It’s made headlines: an FDA white paper released on June 23, 2011 highlights the complications that can arise with silicone gel-filled breast implants over time. But for patients with implants, or thinking about implants, this should not be cause for alarm.

Our practice understands both the risks and benefits associated with both silicone and saline breast implants and we discuss them routinely with our patients. We have always known and emphasized that breast implants are not lifetime device, but with regular monitoring, they can be used safely and effectively to help patients enjoy an improved quality of life.

Because we’re concerned about the continued health and safety of our patients, we like to follow-up with our breast implant patients in a free examination each year, to ensure the patient’s implants are just as safe as the day of their original procedure.

The FDA white paper on breast implants is a terrific resource for women considering implants. Education is always important when choosing any sort of cosmetic surgery procedure.

Here in our practice, we support the FDA’s commitment to patient safety. If you’re a breast implant patient with concerns about your implants, please contact us to schedule your examination appointment today.

New Video!: Plastic Surgery and the Breast Augmentation Process

March 25th, 2011

In the third of our informative new videos, Dr. Leo McCafferty discusses how patients are evaluated for breast augmentation, and what they can expect from the process. He also gives tips on what to look for in a plastic surgeon skilled in breast augmentation.

New Video!: Breast Augmentation- Why a Professional Consultation is So Important

March 16th, 2011

In our new video, Dr. Leo McCafferty discusses how– while it’s great to do your own research regarding a potential breast augmentation procedure– successful breast augmentation surgery is customized, and nothing replaces the understanding gained from a private consultation with an American Board certified plastic surgeon.

New Video!- Breast Augmentation, Implants and Cancer Risk

March 11th, 2011

Check out our new video, where Dr. Leo McCafferty explains why breast augmentation patients not only don’t show an increased risk of developing breast cancer, they may be more involved in their breast health than women without implants.

Discovering a Younger-looking You Through Better Nutrition

February 18th, 2011

Did you know eating certain foods can actually help make you look younger? Our clinical aesthetician Jennifer Derry does. Recently she was featured in this informative news feature story, where she discusses why good nutrition is not only important for your health, but for younger, healthier-looking skin.


Member, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery