submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, M.D., FACS

Can plastic surgery be done in patients with heart conditions?

Depending upon the severity of the heart condition, cosmetic surgery can be undertaken if proper precautions are taken.  Many heart conditions are benign, and thus it is very safe to undergo cosmetic procedures.  Full clearance from one’s cardiologist is required with recommendations that are followed during the perioperative period.  If these precautions are followed there is no reason that most patients with benign heart conditions cannot undergo cosmetic surgery.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

Submitted by Daniel A Sterling MD, FACS

Chin implant methods and options?

There are several methods for enhancing the appearance of a chin.  The most extensive method is called a genioplasty where the bone or mandible is cut and advanced forward and secured in position with a metal plate and screws.  Chin implants, however, are far less involved in terms of procedure and recovery and can be placed either through an incision inside the mouth or a small incision under the chin.  Lesser deformities can be corrected with facial fillers; however, this would need to be repeated as they are temporary and only last up to a year or more.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

Can a chin implant be performed in the office under local?

A chin implant cannot be inserted in the office setting.  However, it can be done in our surgery center under local anesthesia only.  The reason for this is that absolute sterility must be observed when inserting any type of implant.  It is a routine short procedure with minimal discomfort once the local anesthetic takes effect.  Two approaches are used, one through the mouth and the other from a small incision under the chin, both giving excellent results.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

Submitted by Gloria Smith, Medical Assistant for the Plastic Surgery Professional Association

Generally surgery is scheduled four to six weeks from the time of the visit with the doctor.  After your consultation, surgical dates will be discussed should you decide to book your surgery.  During your consultation, we will go over laboratory tests that need to be performed.  The results of the labs as well as the necessary permits for the surgery must be signed and returned to our office in advance of the surgery. 

Outpatient Surgi-Center:
Most surgery is performed at our modern on-site, certified surgical center by a highly-trained staff of professionals. The surgical center contains state-of-the art equipment that is typically found in hospitals. Our highly qualified staff will work with you before, during and after surgery to make you as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Usually, you will be able to go home two to four hours after the operation.

Post-op Care
Dr. Pacik and Dr. Sterling take 24-hour call 7 days a week from their patients. Following the surgery, all patients get the doctor’s home phone number, and all patients are called the evening following surgery. Patients become part of our "family" and there is no charge for follow-up visits.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website on office policies for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE .

Submitted by Gloria Smith, Medical Assistant of the Plastic Surgery Professional Association.

The proper analysis of deformities and undesirable conditions can best be evaluated during a consultation. It is at this time that the patient has a chance to express specific concerns, and gives the doctor an opportunity to formulate a treatment plan to help correct this.

We encourage patients to come in for a consultation with Dr. Pacik or Dr. Sterling, which is $125.00 and generally takes about one hour. If you decide to schedule the surgery within a 12 month period, the consultation fee is deducted from the cost of the surgery. A consultation is especially important as it creates a patient/physician relationship based on trust, experience and expertise. 

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you in any way we can.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website on our office policies for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE .

Submitted by Gloria Smith, Medical Assistant of the Plastic Surgery Professional Association.

We offer a free consultation with one of our medical assistants for women considering Augmentation Mammoplasty or Augmentation Mammoplasty/Mastopexy (breast lift) surgery.  The free consultation for these procedures is quite popular and very beneficial to our patients. 

During the consultation before and after photographs are reviewed to create a better focus towards the proposed results. We will also discuss your desires and “fit” you with the desired size to give you an idea of the expected outcome. By the time patients come in for a full consultation with Dr. Pacik or Dr. Sterling, the patient has a good understanding of the proposed surgery and what they can expect from it. During your consultation, you will be measured and fitted once again to be sure of the proper sizing and to give the doctor an opportunity to determine any other considerations that will be important to give you the best results. A consultation is especially important as it creates a patient/physician relationship based on trust, experience and expertise. 

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you in any way we can.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website on our office policies for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE .

Submitted by Gloria Smith, Medical Assistant of the Plastic Surgery Professional Association.

A financing program is available through Capital One Healthcare Finance to pay for procedures, from $1,500 to $25,000. Capital One offers a flexible monthly payment program specifically designed for cosmetic surgery.

Capital One Healthcare Finance offers installment loans with low, fixed rates starting from 1.9% APR*, or interest-free loans for 3 or 6 months** to qualified applicants. You will also like the flexible payment options—a payment schedule from 18 months to five years can be set up for you. Either way, you'll be able to find an option designed to fit within your budget.

You can apply on-line from our website's home page at http://www.plasticsurgerypa.com.  Click on the icon for Capital One Healthcare Finance and it will take you directly to an on-line application.

If you choose to pay out of pocket, a 25% deposit is required to secure a surgical date. The balance of your fees is due 3 weeks before your surgery. A personal check, money order, or credit card payment will be accepted for your balance. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

* Rates range from 1.9 percent APR to 23.9% APR. The APR available to you will be determined by the term for which you apply and your credit standing. These rates are available for a limited time only and are not available in all areas.

** Interest-free options are not currently available in all areas. Please call Capital One ® Healthcare Finance™ at 1-877-559-5050 for more information. 19.99% retroactive finance charge applied if not paid within interest free period.

Contact Us for More Information

For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website on financing for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE .

The American Society of Plastic Surgery began compiling statistics in 1992 to determine the popularity of certain cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Although breast augmentation was always in the top five, this is the first year it is in the #1 spot (estimate 329,000 breast enlargement procedures in 2006). Rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping) is #2 with an estimated 307,000 surgeries. Liposuction is #3 with an estimated 303,000 surgeries, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) is #4 with an estimated 233,000 surgeries and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is #5 with an estimated 146,000 surgeries.

Overall, there were more than 16 million plastic surgery procedures performed in the in 2006, nearly 11 million of which were cosmetic procedures, up 7% from 2005.

Of the cosmetic procedures, an estimated 9 million were minimally invasive (up 8% in 2006). Botox is the undisputed leader (4.1 million) for both men and women, followed by chemical peel (1.1 million), laser hair removeal, microdermabrasion and facial fillers (778,000). Of interest is that facial fillers increased by 59%.

The increase in non-invasive procedures corresponds to a decrease in facial aesthetic surgical procedures.

For more information on The American Society of Plastic Surgery 2006, please see our article "11.5 Million Procedures in 2006."

The Plastic Surgery Professional Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel A. Sterling received full board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Sterling joins a select prestigious group of surgeons who are double board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

In practice with Peter T. Pacik, MD, FACS who is also double American Board Certified in both Surgery and in Plastic Surgery, they are members of the Plastic Surgery Professional Association. Together, Drs. Pacik and Sterling offer patients a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Both are hospital affiliated and do many of the procedures in their own certified surgicenter.

About The Plastic Surgery Center:
Founded in 1972 by Peter T. Pacik, MD, FACS, the Plastic Surgery Center has been providing state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures and facial rejuvenation to patients in New Hampshire and New England for over 30 years. With a wide range of cosmetic procedures available including breast augmentation, breast lifts, breast reductions, body contouring, face lifts, fat grafting, liposuction, rhinoplasty and tummy tucks as well as facial rejuvenation procedures including advanced skincare, chemical peels, dermabrasion, Obagi Blue Peel, Botox, and facial fillers (injectables) such as Restylane and Radiesse, the doctors of the Plastic Surgery Center help clients look their best.

The August 2006 issue of Plastic Surgery News, published by the American Society of Plastic Surgery ran a comprehensive article on the good and bad of nutritional supplements.

Currently, most plastic surgeons ask patients to avoid nutritional supplements prior to surgery. Well known substances such as Fish Oils, Vitamin E, Chondroitin, Glucosamine, Garlic, and Chinese Herbs such as Ephedra, Echinecea, Ginkgo Biloba, Goldenseal, Milk Thistle, Ginseng, and Kava may cause post- or interoperative bleeding. Of concern is Saw Palmetto, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Ginger, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, and Chinese Black Mushrooms.

Energy drinks may cause an increase in blood pressure or pulse or both. Often these drinks are "probably beefed up with Caffeine or Ginkgo."

Often there are numerous supplements from a variety of Eastern or Asian countries that many American doctors do not recognize. "One such substance, Ma Huang (also known as Ephedra), was banned for use in dietary supplements by the FDA in 2004 after it was linked to more than 150 deaths.

Though certain supplements may be of value after the surgery, such as Vitamin E oil for scars, there is often little or no proof that these help.

A web site www.consumerlab.com provides short reviews of a variety over-the-counter supplements at no charge.

An interesting article appeared in Cosmetic Surgery Times, September 2006 about cosmetic surgery in China. Different cultures have different standards of beauty. A large nose may be a sign of beauty or strength in one culture and may be a "deformity" in another. The article discusses some of the cultural differences in China.

There were several interesting aspects to this article. For one, people in China having cosmetic surgery don't discuss it because "they don't want to lose face." Maintaining face is important within Chinese social relations, and any alteration could result in a loss of trust. Yet there is considerable pressure to be beautiful "in order to get a good job or marry well."

"In 2003 alone, Chinese women spent about $2.4 billion on plastic and cosmetic surgeries." "Most commonly, patients ask for eyelid surgery, nasal augmentation, liposuction and breast augmentation." In addition, reduction of the cheek bones is popular in China because people don't like their high cheek bones. This is in marked contrast to the United States where it is common to enhance the cheek bones with facial filler, fat grafting or surgery. In China "if a woman has a high zygoma (cheekbone), it is deemed that it will bring ruin to her husband."