“Gynecomastia is a term that refers to male breast enlargement,” Dr. Paul M. Parker explains. “Breast reduction for men can remove that tissue and give men a much more appealing shape.

In general, plastic surgery for men has increased recently, but in New Jersey, breast reduction for men is especially popular. Some of the best candidates for this type of procedure are healthy and emotionally-stable men of all ages. Whether you are 16 or 60, this may be a viable way for you to gain a more masculine shape. The best predictor of positive outcome is skin elasticity. Patients with poor skin elasticity may require incisions to remove lax skin and  help give the breast a better shape. The overall outcome of gynecomastia  procedures is almost always positive, yielding dramatic results in a short period of time. If you believe you suffer from gynecomastia, New Jersey men can be encouraged by the surgical skill of Dr. Parker and his team of experienced professionals.

Start the process by looking for a surgeon that meets your needs. You can get referrals from friends or family members who have had cosmetic surgery, your physician, and by researching online. For traditional medical and surgical procedures you should heavily weigh the advice given by your doctor. For cosmetic surgery procedures, however, patient referrals are usually very valuable and important. Patients who have been through the process themselves can give you straight talk about the care given by a particular practice. It’s best to select a surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS); this prestigious society requires its members to be board certified plastic surgeons with significant experience in cosmetic surgery and operate in fully certified surgical facilities. Their members can be found at surgery.org.

Review the surgeon’s website to determine their education, training, experience and philosophy. Many surgeons have designed their websites to be user friendly educational tools which provide a glimpse into the practice before scheduling an in office consultation. Be sure to look at the surgeon’s before and after photos on the site. Photographs are one of the most important ways of evaluating a plastic surgeon’s results:

• Be sure you see more than one or two examples of the procedure you are considering.
• Be sure the results look natural and not “over operated.”
• Be sure the pictures are the surgeon’s own patients.

Schedule between 3 and 5 consultations for face to face visits with the surgeon and their staff. During these visits, evaluate the caring and competence of the surgeon and their team. You will meet with the surgeon and hear their recommendations, evaluate more before and after photographs, evaluate the office for cleanliness, staff organization and dynamics. In some offices, you can undergo computer imaging to give you an idea what your results should look like. Others will perform a sizing session on patients seeking breast augmentation to help customize implant size for them.

It’s usually a good idea to complete all the consultations you have scheduled. Even if you think you’ve found your surgeon at the first visit, you may discover better options as you shop. Most patients feel better informed after seeing several surgeons. If seeing several surgeons raises conflicting advice, make arrangements for a second consultation with your short list of potential surgeons. Ask them to help you sort through the various recommendations you have heard and clarify their advice.

In choosing the best surgeon, look for:

• Expertise—ideally, an ASAPS surgeon who you trust and like. Trust relates to the surgeon’s training, experience and results. “Like” relates to the surgeon’s openness, willingness to communicate and kindness. If you can find both qualities in the surgeon you choose, your overall experience will be better.
• Safety—be sure the procedure is performed in a fully certified facility with a board certified anesthesiologist in attendance for your procedure.
• Support—be sure your surgeon is surrounded by a nurturing, knowledgeable and patient centered supportive team for your pre operative education, procedure and recovery.

As you research your plastic surgeon by looking at their website and meet with them and their team during your consultation, use this Consultation Checklist. It will allow you to objectively compare one surgeon and their team with the others. After you’ve evaluated each surgeon, add up their point totals. Compare this to the fee quote they have given you. If the highest fee quote comes from the practice with the lowest point value, look for a better value for your money. If a practice achieves a good point total for their surgical results, communication, and safety levels at a moderate price, you are able to save money without compromising quality.

“By creating this list, we’re giving patients a tool that will help them evaluate a potential surgeon and compare them to other New Jersey plastic surgeons.  We’ve learned from our patients over the years what’s important to them.  Accordingly, we have modified what we do in our practice to provide the best experience possible. This Checklist allows patients considering cosmetic surgery to evaluate all surgical practices by criteria we’ve learned our patients consider important,” explained Dr. Parker.

Patients are offered the Checklist when they make an appointment for a consultation at the Parker Center. The form is also available as a .pdf download from the website  http://www.parkercenter.net/.

Patient education has always been a top priority for Dr. Parker and his team at the Parker Center. The Consultation Checklist is another valuable tool that can assist plastic surgery patients in choosing the right surgeon for their procedure.  Its development is consistent with the  Parker Center’s  belief that fully educating patients about cosmetic surgery allows them to make intelligent decisions that enhances their overall experience.

Lisa consulted with Dr. Parker at the recommendation of a physician friend of hers.  She didn’t consult any other plastic surgeons in NJ because once she had met with Dr. Parker and the staff at the Parker Center she was confident that it was the right choice for her.

“It’s like all of a sudden one day my eyes became droopy.  I know I’m over 50 but putting on makeup was difficult and it just wasn’t helping anymore.  I decided I wanted to do something about it. I liked the way Dr. Parker presented himself, and I liked the office.  I also had referrals from other patients who were satisfied with their results,” explained Lisa.

Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery that improves the appearance of the upper eyelids and lower eyelids. Surgery can be performed on just upper lids to remove drooping skin; on the lower lids to help remove bags or on both at the same time.  Many patients are unhappy with the tired, angry look their eyes project.  The surgery gives patients a refreshed look.

Although Lisa came in initially for a consultation about her eyes, she had also been unhappy with the appearance of her abdomen for a very long time. After discussing treatment options with Dr. Parker, Lisa decided to have liposuction of her abdomen done as well.  Combining two cosmetic procedures is a smart option that allows patients to have several problems taken care of at the same time, saving costs as well as only having to recuperate once.

“I’m not especially heavy but I had the middle age spread and I was very unhappy about it.  I never liked the way I looked in clothes and wanted to have a nice, flat, trim abdomen.  I mentioned this to Dr. Parker and he said that liposuction would likely give me the results I wanted,” Lisa stated.

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed by Dr. Parker and permanently removes fat.  The procedure has been around since the mid 1980’s. Technology has improved it by use of VASER small ultrasonic liposuction cannulas which emulsify, then evacuate the fat atraumatically.  This leads to a quicker recovery with less bruising and swelling. These specialized cannulas also help the overlying skin contract to conform to the new shape created by the removal of unwanted fat.

Lisa is thrilled that she made the decision to have both her eyes and abdomen operated on at the same time.  She was confident after her consultation that Dr. Parker could give her the results she wanted and she has not been disappointed.

“It’s only been four weeks since my surgery but I’m very pleased with the results.  My eyes look great and my abdomen is flat for the first time in at least 15 years.  I didn’t tell a lot of people about my surgery, but my friends say they see the difference and notice how happy I am. I think he did a wonderful job,” said Lisa.

Lisa says that she found the entire process to be very painless and the staff at the Parker Center to be warm, very organized and professional.  She stated that she would recommend Dr. Parker to anyone who asked her for advice or information.

Read more about this exciting new offer provided by Americancryostem.com coming soon to the Parker Center.

“Adult Stem Cells are found throughout the body that serve as the maintenance and repair system of all tissues and organs. Like all cells, Adult Stem Cells are comprised of chromosomes and sequences of DNA. At the ends of a chromosome are protective end caps called telomeres, which prevent deterioration of DNA. Every day that we grow older, cells divide and the telomere end caps diminish making our DNA susceptible to damage and mutation. The link between telomere length and cellular damage reminds us of the cellular age limits of each of our cells. Every day that we age is a day that cannot be reversed. However, through cryogenic storage, we can “halt aging” and ensure that the selected cells stay in their pristine state until needed.

As we age, our cells are subject to oxidative stress from external and internal factors, which amount to accumulated cellular toxicity. Our bodies have a limited number of stem cells.

Over time they lose their potential to differentiate — the potential to change into the different cell types that regenerate our organs and tissues. Increased cellular damage not only reduces regenerative potential, it also puts the stem cells into a state of premature senescence, meaning they no longer divide. The effect of this damage is two fold. First, damaged Adult Stem Cells cannot properly maintain the tissues in which they reside.

Second, if these damaged cells were extracted and used for therapy, the cells would not perform as optimally as younger, undamaged cells would.

In the event that you become ill and cannot use your own cells, not having a stored cellular resource would require finding a donor transplant. Finding a transplant may prove to be time consuming and expensive. If one is successful in finding a donor there still may be complications due to cellular rejection because the tissue is not an identical DNA match.

Put your mind at ease knowing that you have a personal cellular resource available for the emerging therapies of the future — a resource that is your own and has no risk of cellular rejection. Cellular therapy is the future of Regenerative Medicine; your stored cells will enable you to take advantage of all the developments taking place today.”

If this is something that may interest you, please call our office at (201) 785-7494 to get on the waiting list.  Ask for Janet Franceschi, Office Manager.

In the past Dr. Parker has treated Pat for a melanoma on her chest and a basal cell on the side of her nose with great results.  Last spring, Pat had a cancerous spot on her collarbone removed by a specialized procedure known as Mohs surgery.  She consulted with Dr. Parker about handling the reconstructive aspect of the surgery because it was in an obvious place on her body.

“I left the Mohs surgery expecting to have an area cut out about the size of quarter, and when I got in my car and lifted the bandage, it was about the size of a credit card!  I was aghast and really would’ve freaked out if I hadn’t already scheduled my reconstructive surgery with Dr. Parker,” explained Pat.

Pat had originally found Dr. Parker about four years ago through her dermatologist who recommended him as someone who could remove her skin cancer and minimize the appearance of any scar.  Since Pat has had several occurrences of skin cancer, Pat has come to trust Dr. Parker implicitly.

In addition to her reconstructive surgery, Pat had always wanted a tummy tuck.  She is a member of a weight loss group and exercises regularly but could never loss the belly fat.  Two cesareans and then middle age had only made the problem worse.

“I always had belly fat even when I was a kid and thin, it’s just where I hold it.  There weren’t enough crunches in the world to get rid of it.  I had rock hard abs under a layer of fat.  I knew I was going to have to lay low for a few weeks after my Mohs reconstruction surgery so I thought why not have it done at the same time,” Pat stated.

Having both procedures done at the same time was a smart move that saved Pat time (one surgical date), money (only have to pay for surgical suite and anesthesia once) and recuperation time (with two kids still at home, mom’s time is always pressed).

To Dr. Parker, dealing with both reconstructive and cosmetic issues is really very similar.  Patients with reconstructive issues are often fearful of the scarring that will result.  Cosmetic surgeons are highly trained to minimize the appearance of all incisions, resulting in far less scarring for the patient.

“I’ve always been very happy with Dr. Parker and the staff at the Parker Center.  Everyone there is always happy to see you, and you just get the feeling that they’re there to make sure that you’re happy with your results.  I trust Dr. Parker completely and I know that he will always make my incision areas look as good as it can possibly look,” said Pat.

Because Pat had such a large area of skin removed from the collarbone area of her chest she was concerned about how it would look.   Dr. Parker managed to leave Pat with a tiny hairline scar that runs along her collarbone and is barely visible.  Pat hides the scar almost completely with a necklace or chain and is thrilled with the result.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Dr.’s offices in the past few years and I can tell you the Parker Center is a refreshing change from that.  It may seem like a little thing but those paper gowns can be demeaning.  At the Parker Center, the gowns are cotton, thick cotton and it’s so nice.  You really feel like you’re being treated as a human being, not just another case,” Pat said.

The day after her surgery, Pat was glad she had decided to have the tummy tuck as well.  Recovery for Pat was not difficult and she describes it as uncomfortable and sore for a few days but not really painful.  Pat followed Dr. Parker’s instructions carefully and made sure that she got up and moved around every day.  After about two weeks, Pat started to feel like her old self again.

“I used to spend a lot of time trying to pick out clothes that would hide my belly.  That’s not a problem anymore.  I’m wearing size 4 or 6 slacks, and I love how I look.  I can see the tops of my feet, not just my toes.  It’s a wonderful feeling.  I feel like now l look how I’m supposed to look,” said Pat.

Dr. Parker is board certified in plastic surgery and has over twenty years of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery experience.  The techniques he uses to repair post Mohs surgical defects are an outgrowth of the techniques he uses to minimize scarring with his cosmetic surgery patients. Therefore, both cosmetic and post Mohs reconstructive patients like Pat benefit from this expertise.

If you are interested in learning more about reconstructive surgery and/ or cosmetic surgery, contact the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery at 201-967-1212.  To learn more about these procedures and see real patient testimonials please visit our website at www.parkercenter.net

Why now and why in record numbers?  Dr. Paul M. Parker of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in Paramus, NJ has a few ideas on this latest trend.

• Active Seniors are healthier and more fit today than ever in the past
• Seniors want to look as good as they feel
• The social stigma of having had surgery has all but disappeared. Plastic surgery is no longer just for celebrities
• Surgical techniques have improved, giving patients better results than in the past
• Anesthesia drugs and monitoring has improved making surgery safer especially for older patients

“I believe that physiological age is more important than chronological age.  If you have a patient who is in good health, motivated to have surgery and has a realistic expectation of what surgery can do for them, these patients can sail through the process,” explained Dr. Parker.

Having the support of loved ones and their medical doctor is very important to older patients.  They need to feel that they can count on their acceptance and assistance during the recovery process.

Dr. Parker has had patients in their 70’s and occasionally into the 80’s who have undergone facelifts, eyelifts, breast lift and tummy tuck surgeries successfully.  Many men also consult with Dr. Parker for eye, face and neck lift surgeries.

“As a yoga instructor, I believe in exercise, but there are some issues that exercise can’t fix.   Even though I was 79, I knew that a breast reduction surgery would help with my shoulder pain, that I would walk taller and it would increase my yoga abilities” – breast reduction New Jersey patient

Dr Paul M. Parker of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery thoroughly evaluates all patients prior to any surgical procedure.  All patients, regardless of age, need to be physically healthy, properly motivated and have a reasonable expectation for results.

Procedures are performed by Dr. Parker in our on-site, state of the art, fully-accredited ambulatory surgical center, Surgiplex. Patients tell us time and again that they have never received or seen the degree of pre-op education and post-op care that they receive at the Parker Center.  Dr. Parker is a board certified plastic surgeon with over twenty years experience.

To learn more about any cosmetic surgical procedure visit our website www.parkercenter.net or call 201-967-1212 today for a free consultation.

Samantha, 39 is a stay at home mom of three young children with one set of twins. The pregnancies left Samantha with stretch marks, excess skin, stretched out abdominal muscles, an umbilical hernia and a lot of stomach and digestive discomfort.

“Once my hernia started bothering me, my gynecologist told me I really needed to have the surgery and that I should have a tummy tuck done too because of the problem with the abdominal muscles. I work out everyday, I’m really fit but I had stretched out my abdominal muscles and that made me look pregnant,” explained Samantha.

Even though Samantha’s gynecologist recommended Dr. Parker to her, Samantha did a lot of research on her own and asked friends and family for additional recommendations. In all Samantha had four consultations prior to selecting Dr. Parker and the Parker Center.

There were several key factors that led Samantha to choose Dr. Parker for her surgery. Number one was Dr. Parker himself. Samantha found him warm, friendly & professional. She also appreciated the thorough and efficient way the office operates. The other reasons for choosing the Parker Center was the fact that Samantha would be spending the night in their on-site, fully certified ambulatory surgical center, Surgiplex.

Finally, three post-operative lymphatic massages in the Parker Center’s onsite medi spa, The Beaura Spa, are included along with the procedure.

“I had never had anesthesia before and I was nervous, but the idea of staying in the Surgiplex overnight and cared for a Registered Nurse one on one made me feel much more comfortable. I’m also a big believer in massage therapy. I’m very aware and conscious of the physical state of my body and I liked the idea of the lymphatic massage to reduce swelling and aid in the healing process,” said Samantha.

Prior to her surgery, Samantha always had the most difficult time with clothing. Even though she is very fit, she had to dress to cover her abdomen. She couldn’t wear tight-fitting clothes and always purchased tops that could be bloused over her abdomen or not tucked in.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m so much more comfortable now. I had to think about my abdomen all the time. Now I’m much more confident, never self-conscious, and don’t ever think about my abdomen. I can buy all kinds of cute, tight-fitting tops. I’ve had several friends of friends’ call me to ask about my surgery and I tell them and anyone who is considering this surgery, just how wonderful I feel” Samantha exclaimed.

Samantha works as a part-time fitness instructor and in the year since her surgery has been training for a body building competition. Samantha competed in body building competitions before she became a mom and after having her surgery wanted to do it again as she approaches age 40. Last weekend was her show and she thoroughly enjoyed training and participating in her sport once again.

“The Parker Center has a warm and welcoming office staff and you can tell they’re on top of things. You don’t leave the office wondering about anything. They cover it all from what’s going to happen when, costs, to returning phone calls. They are definitely “on their game” and it made me feel so relaxed and comfortable about having the surgery,” Samantha said.

Samantha explained that she was thrilled with her results and had only really one friend who had the surgery that she could compare herself to. Samantha explained that her friend had gone to a Park Avenue surgeon in New York.

“I like my results better than hers. My scar is minimal and anyone who has seen my belly button thinks it looks great compared to others they’ve seen. Mine looks ten times better. It just goes to show you that you don’t have to go to New York and pay their prices to get beautiful work,” Samantha said.

The Parker Tummy Tuck is the combination of a traditional Tummy Tuck with abdominal liposuction, also known as a lipoabdominoplasty, to give patients the best looking results. By combining these two procedures Dr. Parker is able to substantially improve the look and shape of the abdomen, with less likelihood of post operative complications or numbness. It also gives patients a shorter, less noticeable scar and quicker post-operative recovery with less bruising, swelling and pain.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Parker Tummy Tuck or any other cosmetic procedure, visit our website at http://www.parkercenter.net to see actual patient before and after photos and an informational video detailing the procedure. Call us today to set up a complimentary consultation at 201-967-1212.

Having a deformity like Microtia is often a psychological problem for a child in addition to the physical challenges. Successful reconstruction surgery can give children and adults with these defects maximum physical, social and emotional functioning with no self-consciousness and eliminate self-esteem issues.

There are several methods available for microtia surgery including sculpted rib grafts, artificial ear implants, or plastic glue-on or snap-on ears. The tried and true method of the sculpted rib graft technique however has stood the test of time. The rib graft technique has the advantage of using one’s own natural tissue that will grow along with the child and not be rejected by the body. It also will not fall off during sports activities and is less susceptible to the infections that plague artificial ears.

The sculpted rib graft technique has been evolving and improving due to the efforts of surgeons like Dr. Mark Jones. Dr. Jones’ superior training and international experience has allowed him to develop improvements to the best reconstruction standards.

Ear Reconstruction surgery is one of the most challenging surgeries a reconstructive surgeon faces. Most surgeons focus on either the aesthetic or the internal function of the ear often choosing one at the expense of the other. Dr. Jones is a uniquely qualified surgeon with over 20 years of first class education, training and experience in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. He holds double board certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat; ENT). Dr. Jones is nationally recognized for his authority on the outer ear and can perform the outer ear reconstruction without compromising the workings of the middle ear.

This unmatched skill and mastery of both sides of surgery has helped Dr. Jones develop his own proprietary enhancements to rib graft surgery that result in longest-lasting outcomes and minimize the scarring on his patients. Dr. Jones considers each individual patient as a beautiful work of art and creates extraordinary results that look natural and elegant on both the inside and the outside.

Atlanta Ear, Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists, Atlanta
2001 Peachtree Road Northeast #630
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 355-3566

One year after her breast augmentation, New Jersey patient Stephanie, 38, is still raving about her breast augmentation from The Parker Center.

Stephanie, who is very athletic, had been very concerned prior to her surgery that implants would interfere with her activities. Stephanie runs, bikes and does yoga.  A natural look and feel was very important to her. Before her surgery, Stephanie had concerns breast augmentation would make her chest too big or uncomfortable for her active life.

Dr. Parker and the staff at The Parker Center were very understanding of Stephanie’s concerns.  They allowed her to compare silicone and saline implants, and had several sizing sessions to “try on” different implants.  Stephanie felt that Dr. Parker really listened to all her concerns and the staff’s experience and guidance allowed her to feel secure in her decision.

“I can wear clothes with confidence.  I feel feminine and sexy.  I don’t feel self conscious anymore even in a bathing suit,” said Stephanie.

The Parker Center gave Stephanie the sexy, feminine bust line she wanted.  She ultimately chose 275 cc implants and is between a B and a C cup.  Stephanie recently had her one year check up with Dr. Parker and continues to speak very highly of Dr. Parker and the staff of The Parker Center.

“They are all just the nicest, warmest, most professional group of people you want to meet.  They make the experience completely positive from start to finish,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie enjoys telling others if they’re considering breast implants to go ahead and have the surgery.  She has no regrets.  Stephanie is still very active and never even worries about her implants.

“I love them even more now.  I sometimes forget that I’ve got breast implants.  They really feel like they’re a part of me.  I always say that these are breasts I should have been born with,” says Stephanie.

For more information about New Jersey breast augmentation or any other cosmetic surgery visit our website www.parkercetner.net or call us (201) 967-1212 today.