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Informative Facts Concerning Our Services on Long Island
Do you have questions about the surgical procedures, treatments or services that we offer?
Below is a list of some frequently asked questions. Please feel free to call our office if you need additional information. We are always pleased to assist you.
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Is Dr. Epstein a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon? |
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Yes. Dr. Epstein is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (1996), as well as the American Board of Surgery (1991). In addition, he holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand (1997).
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Where did Dr. Epstein obtain his training? |
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After graduating medical school from the State University of New York at Brooklyn in 1984, Dr. Epstein completed a six year general surgical residency including one year of surgical research at the University of Cincinnati in 1990. Dr. Epstein then completed a two year plastic surgical residency at Hershey Medical Center - Penn State University in 1992. He then completed two fellowships -- the first in Hand Surgery at The Curtis Hand Center - Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore (1993), the second in Reconstructive Microsurgery at The Brigham and Women's Hospital - Harvard Medical School.
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What is Plastic Surgery? |
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Plastic Surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of either facial or body abnormalities caused by accidents, disease or congenital defects. For those who wish to enhance their appearance, cosmetic surgical procedures offer patients the opportunity to reshape physical features and improve their self-esteem.
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Is Plastic Surgery painful? |
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Patients tolerate post-operative pain in ways that are different from each other. Appropriate pain medications, which minimize discomfort, are prescribed for post-operative patients.
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What kind of Anesthesia is used? |
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Dr. Epstein performs surgery under most types of anesthesia: local anesthesia, intravenous sedation ("twilight"), general anesthesia and regional anesthesia (nerve blocks). The method of anesthesia used is based on the patient and surgeon preference.
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Will I be able to breast-feed after breast enlargement surgery? |
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Yes. Breast Augmentation will not affect your ability to nurse.
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Are there risks involved in breast augmentation surgery? |
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Every surgical procedure entails some risk. The risks associated with this type of surgery are infection, changes in the sensitivity of the breast and scar contracture. These and other complications rarely occur and can usually be avoided. Thousands of women undergo breast augmentation, successfully, each year, though you might find it difficult to tell just who they are.
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What type of implants do you use for breast augmentation? |
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The saline implants (filled with sterile saltwater) used for breast augmentation surgery are available in both round and teardrop shapes.
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Does Dr. Epstein place the implant above or below the muscle? |
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Dr. Epstein almost always places the implant below the pectoralis muscle. Placing it below the muscle results in far less interference with mammography than placing the implant above the muscle. Since there is more soft tissue to cover the implant, the implant is less visible and palpable. There is more support for the implant and the overall cosmetic appearance of the breast is superior.
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What incisions does Dr. Epstein use to place the implant? |
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Dr. Epstein can place the implant with an incision under the breast, around the nipple or in the axilla (armpit).
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What is an endoscopic breast augmentation? |
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A small incision is made in the armpit instead of on the breast. A small video camera is introduced into the wound to guide the surgery. This results in a beautiful, natural breast without any scar on it". The addition of the endoscopic technique provides greater precision and ability to visualize the surgical site than with the conventional armpit approach.
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Do the implants have to be changed after several years? |
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As long as there are no problems with the implants, they never need to be changed.
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What if the implant ruptures? |
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Today's saline implants are more durable than ever. Although risk of rupture is extremely small, if this should happen, the implant deflates as your body absorbs the saline. There is absolutely no health hazard should this happen. The implant can be easily replaced with minimal discomfort. Under certain circumstances the manufacturer of the implant will pay for new implants and contribute towards the cost of replacement.
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My breasts sag but are not large. What can be done? |
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If the sagging is not severe, a "nipple lift" can be performed. The excess skin is removed after making an incision around the outside of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple). The resulting scar is confined to the area where the pigmented skin meets the normal skin at the edge of the areola.
In cases of more severe sagging, a procedure similar to breast reduction may be performed by removing skin only - not breast tissue - to result in a more youthful shape. Breast lifting is an excellent alternative to breast implants for many patients.
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What is a forehead lift (browlift)? |
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Browlifts can revitalize drooping or lined foreheads, helping you to look less angry, sad or tired. Using either traditional or minimally invasive (endoscopic) methods, the muscles above the eyes are altered to smooth lines and raise the eyebrows for a more youthful appearance. The procedure is often combined with other operations such as blepharoplasty and facelifts to improve the look of the eyes and other areas of the face.
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What is Liposuction? |
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Liposuction is a procedure to remove unwanted fat from many different areas of the body. A small tube (cannula) is placed into the area through a tiny incision. Fluid with medication is injected into the area to minimize blood loss (tumescent technique) which also helps to lessen bruising after surgery.
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I have problems breathing, can this be corrected? |
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Very often, the septum - the partition inside the nose - is deviated causing difficulty in breathing. If this is a problem, it can be corrected at the same time as cosmetic nasal surgery.
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I don't like the tip of my nose. What can I do? |
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If you like your profile and the tip of your nose is too wide, prominent, projects too much or droops, it can be corrected. Rhinoplasty is a powerful tool to recontour the nose. Tip refinement is only one of the enhancements possible with rhinoplasty.
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Am I ready for a face-lift? |
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Skin and facial tissue that sag along with aging can give you an appearance of tiredness or anger even when you are feeling happy and energetic. Jowls and drooping skin around the neck cause you to appear heavy. With facial rejuvenation, you appear rested, healthy and more youthful. The idea is to look better, not different.
Dr. Epstein offers a limited incision facelift to patients that are an appropriate candidate. In this procedure the incision is limited to the area around the ear (front and back). Often, Dr. Epstein combines this with an endoscopic forehead lift to rejuvenate the forehead and brow areas.
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What is Botox? |
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BOTOX is a highly purified protein that relaxes selected muscles of the face. Typically, very small doses are used. BOTOX has been medically used for years to treat muscle spasms of the eyes and neck, as well as for excessive perspiration disorders, often in doses much higher than those used for facial lines. It can be used to reduce lines of the forehead, crows-fee (outside the eye area) as well as the vertical forehead lines that form above the nose. BOTOX lasts about three to four months, and thus should be repeated at such intervals for optimum results.
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Will I look natural after my surgery? |
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The techniques used today create a natural, non-surgical appearance. This is accomplished by correcting the underlying areas of aging and avoiding the excision of skin only to achieve a more youthful appearance.
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When can I go back to work? |
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The length of time for recuperation after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days then be able to care for themselves.
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How long will it last? |
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There is no precise answer to this question. Surgery does not affect the ongoing aging process which is largely dependent upon genetics. What aesthetic plastic surgery does is turn back the clock. Patients ask if the results last five years or ten years. The answer is yes, it always lasts the length of time but you do not look the same in ten years as you do when you had the surgery. Aging is inevitable.
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When can I begin to exercise? |
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Depending on the procedure performed determines when a patient may resume physical exercise. All patients are encouraged to start a slow walking routine and hold off on anything more strenuous until after consulting with Dr. Epstein.
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