The following list describes not only the various body contouring surgeries offered but also, more importantly, the ways in which Dr. Rosenfield’s techniques are different. Dr. Rosenfield has developed a unique interest in weight loss patients offering an extensive experience in all aspects of body contouring, such as the neck lift, breast rejuvenation, abdominoplasty, total body lift, arm and inner thigh reduction and liposuction. That is, the one surgical “mantra” that he lives by when it comes to the weight loss patient is that if you apply the “routine” procedure you will consistently produce inferior results. That is, the surgeon must apply modified techniques if a complete result is to be realized. It is these innovative surgeries that Dr. Rosenfield has custom-designed and offers all his weight loss body contouring patients.
The Bottom Line: Dr. Rosenfield and his staff are uniquely qualified to take care of all aspects of post weight loss body contouring: they are particularly sensitive to your concerns, needs and expectations. Ancillary staff includes a diet and exercise consultant as well as a massage and physical therapist. These very talented individuals collaborate to both educate the patient and promote their healing.
The Routine Approach: The excess skin is removed from the upper eyelids and the fatty bags from the lower eyelids through a full thickness incision at the upper and lower eyelids. This is known as an eyelid lift or “Blepharoplasty”. Unfortunately, this technique can result in some “bowing” or rounding of the lower eyelid, giving the patient a “done” look.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield uses a technique he calls the “Pinch Blepharoplasty” which successfully prevents the “rounded, hollow or surprised” look of the usual eyelid surgery, with quicker healing and more complete results. The patient looks refreshed rather than “done”. Dr. Rosenfield has written, presented and now regularly teaches his technique to his colleagues nationally and internationally. Most recently, Dr. Rosenfield’s pinch technique was published as a chapter in the definitive aesthetic surgery text.
The Routine Approach: The excess skin at the cheeks and neck is removed with tightening of the deeper layers of the face, through an incision around the ears and through the neck. Commonly, the tissues of the face are extensively undermined, dissected and tightened. Unfortunately, this approach often mandates a lengthier surgery and a commensurately longer postoperative recovery. But more significantly, the patient can sometimes display that tight, pulled or “operated” look.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield conducts what he has named the “Pinch Facialplasty” technique, which avoids the usual stigmata of facelift. Scars are scrupulously hidden, earlobes are left untethered, brows are left unsurprised and most significantly, faces are left refreshed, not pulled, with a restored cheek, clean jaw line and fully recontoured neck. He is presently writing a paper to publish and present to his fellow plastic surgeons on this rewarding approach.
The Routine Approach: The removal of excess skin at the lower belly with tightening of the underlying abdominal wall. At times, this technique can result in an incomplete appearance, with the waist still wide, the pubis still sagging, and excess skin still present, particularly towards the sides. Of note, Dr. Rosenfield has developed particular expertise in body contouring the weight loss patient on account of the very large bariatric program at Peninsula Hospital situated across from his office.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield approaches the abdomen in a significantly more comprehensive way: That is, not only is the lower abdominal excess skin removed, but also the inner, outer thighs and pubis are lifted delivering a complementary “lower body lift” effect. And the waist is sculpted with the creative application of sutures and liposuction. This entire procedure is accomplished through a hidden, low bikini incision. In fact, Dr. Rosenfield presents, teaches and has recently published a chapter on his techniques in the latest aesthetic surgery text, in which the procedure is called the “Comprehensive Abdominoplasty”.
Also, for those patients with primarily an excess of skin (with minimal abdominal wall bulging and fat), Dr. Rosenfield has created what he has named the “Pinch Abdominoplasty”, a kinder, gentler tummy-tuck which need not be conducted under general anesthesia, through a much shorter incision with a quicker, less painful recovery!
Traditional Approach: The removal of excess fat from various resistant areas of the body using suction through a metal cannula. This technique can be traumatic with excess bruising and swelling, and incomplete, particularly when treating the thicker areas of the body, such as the back, abdomen and thighs.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield has for years gained significant experience using the advanced techniques of ultrasonic liposuction in addition to the traditional approaches. The advantage of the ultrasonic technology is the greater ease with which the fat, particularly fibrous fat, may be removed (such as in the upper abdominal and back roll areas). As a bonus, there is often better shrinkage of the excess skin, less trauma and bruising with attendant faster recovery.
Traditional Approach: The excision of the redundant skin through an incision made along the front border of the arm.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield has proven that if you follow the plans for a routine brachioplasty, significant excess skin will be left behind at the back of the arm. Instead, he always marks the excess at the “crest” of the hanging excess, insuring maximal skin removal, particularly from behind the arm, resulting in a scar that rests inconspicuously on the inside of the arm; a procedure Dr. Rosenfield has named the “The Complete Brachioplasty”.
Traditional Approach: The lifting of the inner thigh skin through an oblique incision in the groin crease. Unfortunately, a widened, drifting scar is very often the outcome, with most significantly, very little actual improvement. That is, only the crepey skin a few inches from the groin can be excised with the remainder of the loose thigh left untreated.
The Difference: Dr. Rosenfield designs and delivers the “Complete Thighplasty” which insures the removal of the maximal skin possible from groin to inner knee but also, tightens the entire thigh from side to side. And this incision heals into a relatively hidden scar on the inner thigh.