Paul M. Parker, M.D. · Parker Center for Plastic Surgery · Paramus NJ

As a 37-year old mother of two, Bridgette felt her body never fully recovered after two back-to-back
pregnancies. Bridgette is a petite, 5’2” woman who gained a lot of weight carrying two 10 lb. babies.

“Even when I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight, my body just was not the same. My abdomen was
really distended, and I had a lot of extra skin. I’m a runner, but I could have run 24/7 and never gotten
rid of my abdomen,” explained Bridgette.

Recently the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released a video warning plastic surgery patients
about the potential dangers of traveling abroad for cosmetic procedures. Patients should be aware of
the fact that foreign countries have a significantly different standard of care than the United States
does.

“Medical tourism is the complete reverse of the traditional medical model of patients traveling from
developing countries to the United States or Western Europe to seek out the best medical care. In this
situation you have Americans traveling to these lesser known locations to combine some R&R with their
medical procedure, usually at a substantially lower price,” said Dr. Parker.

The pregnancy is over. The baby is healthy and well. Now you want to reinvigorate your body’s shape and contour. Many women think this is an impossible goal.

Think again.

The seemingly impossible is possible with the help of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery. As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul M. Parker has helped numerous mothers achieve the results they desire with a “mommy makeover.” The term “mommy makeover” encompasses one or more procedures to rejuvenate the breasts, abdomen and torso. This may include a breast augmentation and/ or breast lift, liposuction of the abdomen, hips and thighs, and/ or a tummy tuck.

A study published in the December 2012 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery analyzed 50 patients who underwent facelift surgery and how they look today, 5 ½ years later. While the facelift patients show some signs of normal aging, the results show that they look younger today than before they had their facelift.

In October, a Florida woman visited a spa to get vitamin injections. She left with a disfigured face that eventually took five surgeries to correct.

In Mississippi, another tragedy occurred when a woman underwent a buttock injection thought to help remove excess weight. A blood clot emerged, and she died. The medical examiner that performed the autopsy said that in order to save her life, the victim’s buttocks would have to be removed down to the bone. “Brain surgery would have been less invasive,” according to the affidavit.

In fact, reports from Las Vegas to Philadelphia have surfaced that document similar tragic circumstances.

Enlarged breast tissue in men is a condition known as gynecomastia and has been thought to affect up to 40-percent of males. Gynecomastia is most often caused by hormonal changes and usually begins in puberty. Patients often find the situation resolves itself when hormones level out. A small number of cases, however, are caused by rare conditions or may be a side effect of some prescription drugs.

If you want to retain a healthy, youthful figure, you need to think about your whole body’s health inside and out. Many women are considering plastic surgery to improve or restore their body after age and lifestyle choices have taken their toll. If beautiful breasts are something you feel are important, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure that they stay healthy and attractive.

As a 48-year-old mother of three girls, Lisa spends a lot of time on her family.  As she aged, Lisa became increasingly unhappy with the puffiness that developed under her eyes. She felt that her under eye area had become a trouble spot and wanted to see if there was anything she could do to improve it. Lisa did not want to undergo surgery and never considered consulting a plastic surgeon.

Lanie is a patient of Dr. Parker’s who has been treated for skin cancer in 2004, 2008 and most recently in October 2012.  The last diagnosis required a Mohs procedure that excised two spots approximately “dime-sized” on the right side of her face.

“I originally told the Mohs surgeon to just sew it up, but he said no this is on your face and you need a plastic surgeon.  I went to Dr. Parker because I knew him and trusted him implicitly.  When I had skin cancer in 2008, he did the reconstruction. The resulting scar is virtually invisible. It’s amazing!  I’ve shown everyone,” said Lanie.

Linda, a 60-year-old retiree, initially went to see Dr. Parker for a consultation on her lower eyelids. She was concerned about her under eye puffiness and disliked people asking her if she was tired all the time.
“My under eye area was my primary concern and anti-aging of course. I had been a smoker, gained and lost weight, and am a sun worshipper so my skin had some real damage. Dr. Parker recommended a Croton Peel to not only improve my under eye area, but my skin overall,” said Linda.