Although they are tempting (and often very effective), jumping on every new plastic surgery treatment, therapy or surgery to keep as young looking as possible may not be the wisest move. Many board certified plastic surgeons well-versed in these treatments say it’s probably not the best idea just because. When it’s apart of an overall strategy, however, new technologies and non-surgical procedures can help immensely.
by John Hammarley
and Stafford Broumand, MD and Daniel Maman, MD
Don’t Rush In
Most of us have an ongoing love affair with all things new: fashion, cars, styles, etc. As technologies and techniques improve in cosmetic and aesthetic therapies, the temptation and desire become very real for those who may not have considered it before.
Board certified plastic surgeons Stafford Broumand and Daniel Maman, together in practice in New York City, are on the same page when they recommend against the urge to apply the latest and greatest cosmetic advance. “Even though many, many of these new approaches are effective and an improvement, the better way to use them is to incorporate them into a broader, overall strategy,” says Dr. Maman. “Our ideal patient is someone who comes into our office with both short- and long-term goals. That way, we can take advantage of new innovations and combine them with tried and true therapies.”
Think “Novel” Instead of Just “Chapter”
Dr. Broumand stresses the importance of looking at the big picture.
“A patient may come in wanting to do something about his or her neck, for example,” says Dr. Broumand, “which is great. But the better approach may be to link that treatment with others so that we can provide a more comprehensive strategy that addresses what needs to be done now as well as 10 years down the road.”
That also means patients and plastic surgeons can reap the benefits of mixing and matching different treatments — lasers and fillers and Botox and surgical procedures. Finding a board certified plastic surgeon with all these and more approaches allows for a long-term, small treatment plan to slowly – and precisely – help the body age gracefully.
“We can make subtle, holistic enhancements when we’re able to combine a treatment that gets rid of the fat under the chin through surgery or noninvasive means, while at the same time address possible improvements along the brow line or other areas of the face,” says Dr. Broumand.
The Sum of the Parts
The bottom line when you’re staying as young as possible for as long as possible, use the entire alphabet of cosmetic and aesthetic treatments — A to Z — and rely on your plastic surgeon to have the experience and insight to see beyond the immediate need and plan an overall game plan.