Dr. Edwin Williams

What options are available for breast reconstruction after mastectomy

What options are available for breast reconstruction after mastectomy?

What is the recovery like after breast reduction surgery

What is the recovery like after breast reduction surgery?

Who is a candidate for breast reduction using the lollipop incision

Who is a candidate for breast reduction using the lollipop incision?

How visible is the scarring after a breast lift

How visible is the scarring after a breast lift?

I am interested in undergoing a breast lift

I am interested in undergoing a breast lift. How do I know whether or not I should combine this with breast implants?

I have heard that when you are considering breast implants

I have heard that when you are considering breast implants you should go one size larger. Is this good advice and why?

I am 19 from Albany, New York, and I am interested in breast implants

I am 19 from Albany, New York, and I am interested in breast implants. My mother wants me to wait because she thinks my breasts are still changing. What is the best time to get implants?

Regain Gorgeous Skin with Safe, Effective Rosacea Treatments

In excess of 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from rosacea, a common skin condition with no cure. The National Rosacea Society also states that recent polls suggest nearly 8 out of 10 people have no idea what rosacea looks like or what to do if they have it.

Starting with the presentation of rosacea, the actual symptoms depend on the type of rosacea. Symptoms can be as mild as just a permanent blush on the skin, or as great has having thickened skin that leads to excess tissue growing on the nose. Most people do not see the symptoms developing until they reach their 30s.

The Subtypes of Rosacea
There are four subtypes of rosacea. The first, erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, makes your skin look red and sunburned. Blood vessels may or may not appear in conjunction with the redness. Next is papulopustular rosacea. This subtype looks like acne and you develop bumps and pimples on the reddened skin.

Phymatous rosacea (rhinophyma) is the form of rosacea that leads to thickened skin on the nose. Many people recognize this form because the late comedian W.C. Fields had it. The final subtype is ocular rosacea. This subtype causes the eyes to be bloodshot and watery and irritations like styes may appear.

Causes of Rosacea
One of the trickiest things about rosacea is that there is no known cause. There is a belief that your heritage and genetics play a role in the skin condition. Many cases of rosacea appear in people of European descent, especially people with pale skin. The National Rosacea Society surveyed a number of rosacea patients and found that 33 percent had a parent of Irish descent, and 26 percent had a parent of English descent.

There is also a link between Demodex mites and rosacea. A bacteria commonly found on the mites seems to trigger an inflammatory immune response.

Popular Treatments
Many dermatologists prescribe topical or oral medications to patients seeking relief from rosacea. This is the most common line of treatment, but it doesn’t always offer the improvements that patients desire. In addition, some medications have side effects that are not desirable, or patients don’t want to prolong use of medications like antibiotics.

Changing your lifestyle is also advised. Switching to mild facial products, mineral cosmetics, and perfume-free facial creams is ideal. Certain foods and beverages, such as spicy foods and alcohol, are also triggers that people with rosacea need to avoid.

Pulse Dye Laser Treatments
The redness within the skin in rosacea patients is ideal for the Pulse Dye Laser as it targets this redness and destroys the blood vessels that cause the redness. The National Institutes of Health released the results of a study on rosacea and Pulse Dye Laser and found that out of 22 patients, all showed improvement after just three treatments.

The facial plastic surgeon can use the Pulse Dye Laser at a low or high setting. At a higher setting, you may end up with some bruising and discoloration for up to 10 days. Improvements appear within 30 days, and the results last for up to 18 months. We offer packages for the Pulse Dye Laser. Often patients would require more than one treatment to help keep rosacea under control. We also recommend skin care products that are formulated to benefit patients with Rosacea. Some of the more common ones are Retin-A, sunblock (Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46) and other products containing green tea and caffeine.

Resurfacing Techniques
For people with rhinophyma, the use of a CO2 laser for skin resurfacing is used to reduce patches of thick skin. The laser travels over the thick skin, removing the dead layers, and tightening the skin. The skin affected by the CO2 laser falls off, leaving the new skin in its place and collagen production increases. Following this resurfacing technique, it is important to keep the skin moist while the treated area heals. It takes about a week for the skin to heal.

Can you identify the symptoms of rosacea? View the National Rosacea Society’s Faces of Rosacea to see what the skin condition looks like. If you believe you have rosacea, talk to Dr. Edwin Williams of the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists to discuss long-term treatments. The New York facial plastic surgeon is board certified in both facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology. Call 800-742-2797 to schedule a consultation in either the Albany of Manhattan office.

Marilyn Monroe: Her Secret to a Beautiful Chin

Did she or didn’t she? That has been the question circulating around Marilyn Monroe’s possible dabble in plastic surgery, at least until recently when it was announced that her surgical records would be up for auction in November by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills. A set of six X-rays and a series of doctor’s notes reveal that she did indeed undergo cosmetic surgery.

Norman Leaf, a Southern California plastic surgeon who provided the auction house with the documents, states that Monroe had a chin implant placed that was carved out of bovine cartilage in 1950, before silicone chin implants were available. In 1958 she complained of a chin deformity, which indicates the implant may have absorbed. X-rays also show images of her nose, for which she underwent a procedure on the tip, as well as her chest.

Marilyn Monroe is considered one of the great American icons, making it difficult for some to come to terms with the fact that her undeniable beauty may not have been as natural as was previously thought. However, this emergence of Monroe’s medical history is a testimony to the incredible effects cosmetic surgery can have on enhancing a person’s natural appearance. Marilyn Monroe was by no means unattractive prior to her chin implant procedure in 1950, and that there was so much doubt about whether she did have surgery or not only supports the fact that her surgeries were natural looking – even in the mid-1900’s before advanced plastic surgery techniques had been developed.

Chin Augmentation Today

Today’s leading plastic surgeons strive to maintain a person’s natural beauty while offering improvements for truly stunning results. Chin augmentation is more popular today than in Monroe’s time and helps to enhance a person’s facial balance through minimally invasive techniques. Individuals who believe the size of their nose is the problem are often surprised when they learn a chin augmentation could significantly improve the aesthetic appearance and proportion of their face.

There are several implant options available that can add prominence to a receding or small chin. Dr. Williams often uses the Gore-Tex chin implant. Implants are chosen based on the size and shape that best complements the patient’s other facial features.

Men and women who have realistic expectations and are physically healthy may be eligible for chin augmentation. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete with local or general anesthesia. A small incision will be made just under the chin, through which a pocket is created over the front of the jawbone. Once the implant is inserted and positioned, the incision is closed with sutures.

Dr. Williams specializes in surgical facial rejuvenation procedures and is experienced in chin augmentation. View before and after pictures of some of his chin augmentation patients. If you are interested in consulting with Dr. Williams, call 800-742-2797 to schedule an appointment with him at his Albany or Manhattan office.

3 Surprising Benefits of Facial Plastic Surgery

Deciding to undergo any kind of surgery is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. All surgical procedures carry some level of risk, but the positive results can be life changing in unimaginable ways. Cosmetic facial surgery can be about much more than having firmer skin or a cuter nose. Patients who undergo facial plastic surgery often experience improvements in all facets of their lives.

Facial surgery should not be undergone so that others will see you as more attractive, but because it is something that you have always wanted to do. If it makes you feel happy when you look in the mirror, then you are a good candidate for plastic surgery. As a result of satisfaction with a cosmetic procedure, the following benefits may also transpire:

Benefit #1: Your Rejuvenated Appearance Can Lead to Success

Some think it is vain to be concerned about their looks and that it is what is on the inside that counts, but that statement is only half true. Yes, our personalities and how we interact with others define us more than what color hair we have or the shape of our nose. However, having a polished appearance does matter for many reasons that are not superficial.

For one, having a nice appearance, whether it is healthy skin, a toned body, or the clothes we wear, shows that we take care of ourselves. This attention to details and the desire to strive for improvement translate into other facets of a person’s life, such as success in your career. Current research shows that attractive people are hired sooner, move up the ranks faster, and earn an average of 3 to 4 percent more than people with less-than-average looks. The cost of that facelift may be worth it after all. Several studies point to sex appeal as one reason why employers and clients may prefer attractive people over others, but another reason may be because of the next benefit plastic surgery has to offer.

Benefit #2: Your Self-Confidence Receives a Boost

When you look your best, you feel your best. Self-esteem is greatly increased, especially when a concern that has been haunting someone for years is corrected. A nasal hump or a weak chin can lead to feelings of inadequacy or insecurity and even cause some to shrink from social situations. Once a person feels better about the way they look, their self-esteem rises. These positive feelings can manifest into behavior that is seen as more desirable by others. The newfound acceptance by others only goes on to improve a person’s self image even more. Confidence increases the likelihood that a person will take chances that can lead to a fuller life.

Benefit #3: Facial Plastic Surgery Can Improve Your Health

A recent article by The Sacramento Bee conveyed that increased confidence can also lead to improved health through “other steps, such as a new exercise regimen, which may further improve the patient’s appearance and general well-being.” Whether it is to improve the appearance of other areas of the body, or to maintain the results of the surgery, patients who undergo cosmetic procedures may experience a renewed motivation to eat right, exercise regularly, and take better care of their skin and bodies. Not only will the outcomes of the surgery be extended, but so will your life.

To learn more about cosmetic surgery and how it may benefit you, contact the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists today.  The Williams Center can be reached at (518) 786-7000 in Albany and (212) 799-2100 in Manhattan.