Category Archives: Facial Plastics

Ho Ho Ho! Happy Holidays!

As the happiest time of the year approaches, there is one red-nosed reindeer that we all know by name….. Rudolph! Rudolph is an icon of Christmas who is allowed to have a plump, red nose: That is how he saved Christmas, after all!

However, in the beginning, even Rudolph was self conscious about his nose! If you find yourself in the same predicament, Dr. Yagoda offers a solution that can serve as the perfect holiday gift: tip rhinoplasty.

Tip rhinoplasty is a form of rhinoplasty that is done to narrow the tip of the nose; define and sculpt the tip; get rid of a bulbous tip; narrow the base of the nostrils (alar base reduction); and raise or lower the tip. And, that’s not even all! The tip can also be strengthened so that it doesn’t compress onto the upper lip when pressed upon. This option usually results in a more refined and perkier nose.

Tip rhinoplasty is a good option for those who really like — but don’t 100% love — their nose. It falls into the category of “finesse rhinoplasty,” which is defined as an enhancement to an otherwise attractive nose. If you are unhappy with your entire nose (feel it is crooked/large/etc or are having trouble breathing), then perhaps you should give yourself the gift of a full rhinoplasty. Either way, you will not be disappointed!

Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon? Who exactly is to blame for the “overdone” look?

Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon?

Why is it that almost everyone is okay with going to the dermatologist — there are even celebrity “derms” that people clamor for! — but many are self-conscious about seeing a plastic surgeon? Perhaps this is because the media portrays dermatologists as miracle workers who “fix” all sorts of skin and cosmetic issues! Magazine editors and celebrities note that it has become de rigeur to have a dermatologist on speed dial — especially once you’ve hit 30!  On the other hand, the media portrays plastic surgeons as the ones to avoid.  After all, it’s the plastic surgeons who provide unnatural and sometimes even downright scary results, right?

Well, let’s examine this media myth a bit more closely!  Wherein lies the truth?  Who is it that is making the majority of the overly-plumped cheeks, the bobble-head faces, and the frozen, over-Botox-ed foreheads?  Well, it stands to reason that if most people see dermatologists for fillers and injectables, these unnatural and overdone results are mainly coming from dermatologists, based purely on statistics!

If you are contemplating an anti-aging procedure, trust your face to a facial plastic surgeon who employs an integrative approach to providing natural results using a combination of non-surgical and surgical treatments.   Long gone are the over-pulled, windswept facelifts of yesteryear.  Dare to discover the subtle and meaningful results of a stepwise and combined approach!

Nose Job Without “the Knife!”

Non Surgical RhinoplastyNose job: When you think of plastic surgery, this is probably the first thing that pops into your head, right? If you answered yes, it is for good reason. Nose jobs, also known as rhinoplasties, remain the most popular facial plastic surgery procedure for both men and women.

The nose is the focal point of the face which, unfortunately, does not guarantee you will like it. If you are one of the thousands of people who would like to change the look of your nose — but don’t want to “undergo the knife” — there is another option. Dr. Michelle Yagoda, expert NYC celebrity facial plastic surgeon — offers non-surgical rhinoplasties for her patients.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is done through fillers. It can change the shape of the nose in various ways, as well as correct prior rhinoplasty surgery that went awry or was not done perfectly (as it should be!). Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is likely the most immediate, precise, and economical way to get the results you want.

Instantaneous corrections include: lowering nostril rims; making nostrils more symmetric; slimming bumps on the bridge of the nose; and correcting a twisted nose. The best part is the cost: Instead of starting at $6,000 plus hospital costs, your new nose will likely be no more than $500 and will last around 10 months. Now you know why nonsurgical rhinoplasties are one of the MOST requested procedures of Dr. Yagoda!

Top 8 Reasons to Get a Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty - eye lifts in New York CityEyes: They are the focal point (no pun intended) of your face. You can dress them up with makeup, but if you have serious cosmetic problems in your eye region, you probably look older than you should! Dr. Michelle Yagoda sees all different types of patients who would like to look younger and more refreshed, and, oftentimes, it is all in the eyes! Eyelifts provide permanent and natural solutions to various eye problems and concerns. Think about getting a blepharoplasty – or eye lift – if you…

  1. Want to get rid of bulging fat bags. Dr. Yagoda’s signature Tr-EYE-umph! non-surgical eye lift can temporarily remove fat bags that accumulate under the eyes, but only a surgical blepharoplasty will provide permanent results. Thickened skin and “bags” (pockets of fat) are some of the most common complaints for women in their 30s and 40s. With the tiniest of incisions, the bags will be gone!
  2. Want to tighten your lower lid area and correct tear flow. If you have tear trough depression and a hollow look under your eyes, consider fixing it with non-surgical blepharoplasty. Fillers can be used to eliminate the hollows under the eyes and plump up the tear troughs. Not only will you look refreshed, but volume will be restored in the space between the lower eyelid bags and the upper cheeks, providing symmetry.
  3. Improve your vision. Advancing years often bring reading glasses, uncomfortable dry eyes, and more serious concerns, such as an increased risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration that can make even everyday tasks such as reading and driving next to impossible. Dr. Yagoda will help you decide if your vision can be improved through an eyelift procedure and, if so, what the best one is for you. Eyelifts not only address cosmetic concerns, but they can improve eye health, too.
  4. 4. Improve your overall appearance. It is a well-known fact that the eyes are the first thing most people notice about each other. If you are not happy with how your eyes, eyelids, or under eyes look, you might feel less confident in your daily life. Restore your confidence with a surgical or non-surgical blepharoplasty!
  5.  Want to have a double eyelid. After spending time at the prestigious Otsuka Academy in Tokyo, Japan to operate with the late, expert surgeon Dr. Hidetada Ishii, Dr. Yagoda has perfected the incisionless Asian double eyelid surgery. Hidden, permanent sutures are used to create the upper eyelid crease that many Asian patients desire, and the entire operation is done under local anesthesia in Dr. Yagoda’s office.
  6.  Want to repair skin cancer defects. If you had or have skin cancer around the eye area, any residual defects should be fixed by an expert plastic surgeon. Dr. Yagoda will help determine which surgery is right for you.
  7. Eliminate dark circles. Part of the difficulty in treating dark circles is figuring out their cause! It could be genetics, lifestyle, allergies, sinus problems, or just a good old lack of sleep. Dark circles make people look much more tired (and older) than they really are, and they are very hard to cover up. Both surgical and non-surgical blepharoplasties are options: In the former, surgical eyelid surgery will provide permanent, rejuvenating results, and, in the latter, Dr. Yagoda uses filler to plump up the circles without any downtime.
  8. Want to stay competitive in the workplace. Although this one could be used when talking about any cosmetic surgery, it is especially true for the eyes! Since your eyes are the most important features of your face – and they are what your coworkers and bosses see when they look at you – it is important to feel confident with your eyes and eyelids. If you don’t, that lack of confidence might transfer over to your day-to-day life!

Top Seven Reasons to Get a Face or Necklift

Man Checking His Throat
Having a neck or facelift done will entirely change the way you feel about yourself! If you are not happy with what you see in the mirror, consider visiting Dr. Michelle Yagoda to discuss your cosmetic concerns. Whether it is for the purpose of youthful rejuvenation or a long-awaited fulfillment of a profile change, neck and facelifts are life-changing surgeries (for the better, of course!).

  1. Correct drooping jowls: The skin that sits below the jaw will often sag and droop with age or excessive weight changes (which sometimes go hand in hand). As the skin ages, it loses collagen and elasticity, causing the droopy skin. Although fillers can sometimes be a temporary fix, only surgery will permanently fix jowls. Either facial liposuction (to remove the fat hanging below the jawline) or a facelift will remove the hanging and fat. You will immediately look younger!
  2. Soften nasolabial folds: Nasolabial folds are the wrinkles that run from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Deepening with age, there is no way to prevent them. Again, although fillers can lessen their appearance, facelifts can correct them permanently. Often cheaper than using fillers every year, you will love the subtle (but great!) results. Oh, and smiling does not cause them, so smile on!
  3. Restore cheek prominence: If you’ve dreamed of having high and sculpted cheekbones, dream no more! It is possible with surgery. Cheek implants can restore a more angular appearance to the face, but it is important to choose implants carefully. They must be in balance with the rest of you: Too thick implants can make the face appear heavy or overweight.
  4. Relieve effects of Bell’s Palsy: Affecting over 30,000 Americans, Bell’s Palsy is a facial disorder that affects facial nerves, causing a temporary or permanent loss of facial muscle movement (on one side). Symptoms include drooping mouth/eyelids, difficulty closing eye, difficulty eating/drinking, and a face that looks “pulled” to one side. Although sometimes symptoms dissipate over time, for many the effects are permanent. Once Dr. Yagoda deems you a good candidate for reparative facial surgery, she will be able to correct the effects of drooping/unevenness due to Bell’s Palsy.
  5. Provide an angular/sculpted neck profile: Surgical necklifts immediately rejuvenate your facial profile. Not only excellent at correcting hanging or excess skin, they can be used to remove fat around the neck as well. With only very small incisions (which are not visible to the average eye), your neck will become smooth, tight, and sculpted.
  6. Eliminate neck lines: Having horizontal or vertical neck lines is a common problem as the skin ages. You’d be surprised how many people complain of having a “crepey” neck! These fine lines and wrinkles are due to a loss of collagen in the skin, and their severity depends on each individual. Peels can be used in conjunction with necklifts to improve the skin’s texture, creating a smooth appearance.
  7. Eliminate double chins/turkey neck: This one is pretty self-explanatory! If you have excess fat around the chin area (or just do not have a prominent chin), then double chins or “turkey necks” are not uncommon. Fortunately, necklifts and neck liposuction offer solutions. Tiny incisions are made in the treatment area, and the extra fat is extracted by the surgeon. When combined with a facelift or surgical necklift, neck liposuction can do so much as create a chin where there wasn’t one!

10 Reasons to Have a Surgical Rhinoplasty

Considering a rhinoplasty? If you are, you probably have a good reason, whether it is cosmetic or functional. If you are still on the fence about it, read below for Dr. Michelle Yagoda’s expert comments on why her patients choose to have rhinoplasties. There are a lot of them: After twenty years of experience, this list isn’t even totally comprehensive!

  1. Fix a broken nose: After a nasal trauma occurs, the repercussions are not just cosmetic. Oftentimes, functional problems cause nasal airway obstruction and difficulty breathing. Although broken noses and fractures are common, they are not always easy to fix. Nasal bones need to be reset or repositioned, and the septum might need to be straightened. Additionally, the trauma from the broken nose needs to be corrected as well: Blood can become trapped in the soft tissues of the nose, compressing cartilages on the septum or the tip of the nose. Severe compression can cause the cartilage to lose its shape, strength, and even die off!
  2. Raise nose bridge: If you have a low nose bridge, you might just have to blame your genetics! Certain ethnicities and ethnic groups are more prone to low and flat noses, but, luckily, Dr. Yagoda is very proficient in addressing this cosmetic problem. When a patient wants to cosmetically address a low-bridged nose, Dr. Yagoda makes sure their “new nose” will be more balanced with their facial features. Sometimes this can be done with non-surgical rhinoplasty as well! Ever have the problem of your glasses constantly sliding off your face when you look down? This can be fixed!
  3. Lower nose bridge: On the opposite end of the spectrum, those with high-bridged noses want to make sure their nose isn’t the only facial feature they see! Again, due to certain heritages and/or genetics, noses with high bridges cause more than just cosmetic problems. Ever see two high-bridged nosed lovers try to share an intimate moment? It can get awkward!
  4. Narrow the nostrils: Although genetics and ethnicity can cause the nostrils to be wide and flat, nasal trauma can also cause them to flatten and widen. At first glance this may just seem like a cosmetic issue, but, in reality, the nostril size is very important for proper breathing. The triangle shape of the nostril contributes to the nose’s “nasal valve,” which is the “gatekeeper” of the nose. This important gatekeeper either lets enough air in, or, if the valve is compromised or collapsed, limits airflow.
  5. Change your profile: This is pretty self-explanatory! If you are not happy with how you look in the mirror, a rhinoplasty can help. Whether you’d like to change the nose you already have or correct an aging nose (perhaps it is drooping?) always ensure you and your surgeon are on the same page about what you’d like. There is nothing better than looking in the mirror and loving what you see!
  6. Make a nose smaller: Just because a nose is large does not mean it works well! Large noses and nostrils do not necessarily equal large valves, and bigger noses can have the same breathing problems as smaller noses. So, not only will you make your nose more in-line with your other facial features, you will probably breathe better!
  7. Make a nose larger: Those with short or small noses are the result of genetics or, sometimes, medical problems that are not often seen today in the United States. Because nose-lengthening cosmetic surgery entails augmenting tissue and not merely excising it, it’s one of the most challenging procedures in rhinoplasty. As you might imagine, it’s far easier for a facial plastic surgeon to remove an excess of cartilage and bone than it is to add to it. If you’re contemplating this cosmetic procedure, you’ll need the skills of a true rhinoplasty specialist such as Dr. Yagoda!
  8. Fix a breathing problem: Functional rhinoplasties can be done by themselves or in combination with a cosmetic procedure. Almost everyone knows that a deviated septum needs to be corrected, and abnormal turbinate repair is pretty common knowledge, too. However, not many know that the actual position of the nose bones can cause restricted breathing! To fix this, the surgeon needs to move the bones slightly out to allow adequate air passage.
  9. Fix a cleft nose: Cleft noses are genetic defects that occur in-utero. Treatment requires a team approach with multiple staged procedures and a skilled plastic surgeon to correct structural defects and asymmetrical features. Although the process is very long and involved, the positive results are always worth it.
  10. Fix a skin cancer: Skin cancers on the nose get tricky. They are much more complicated than other body cancers because they can be deceiving: What looks like a superficial skin cancer might actually be very deep! These deep skin cancers end up into the planes of fusion of two facial bones, i.e. the nose with cheek, nose with upper lip, or the nose with the eye. As a result, skin growths that appear to be small can cause significant destruction of the cartilage and mucus membrane below it. Although the removal of skin cancer is typically done during a MOHS surgery, oftentimes the repair requires a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon.

The best hairstyle to look younger is…

…the ponytail! Associated with youth, ponytails are both easy to do and versatile. In fact, they are so versatile that a new face lift procedure is being named after them! The “Ponytail Face Lift” is a mini-face lift that is minimally invasive. It pulls back the face tissue and skin to tighten the area, and the key is to not have any visible tension. If done correctly, the results are great!

Plastic Surgery Trending….

Plastic Surgery Trending: Kate’s nose!

The “Kate Effect” of Kate Middleton has extended past clothes and jewelry and has now peaked at people copying her face! Sources say that the amount of people asking for a “cute nose like Kate” has tripled since 2011. They cite the reason behind her “perfect” nose as the angle: It is slightly upturned with just the right degree of slope. Although we are not sure her nose is the “perfect” one (everyone is different!) it definitely is VERY cute!

The Genetics of a “Gummy Smile”

The Genetics of a “Gummy Smile”

When you smile, do you see just your teeth, your teeth and a little gum, or mostly gum? If it is the latter, you can thank your genetics! Many people find themselves bothered by a “gummy smile.” Often due to small teeth, a short upper lip, or excessive gum tissue, there is a way to correct the proportions.

Surgery, called a gingivectomy, used to be the most common corrective treatment. Although effective, it can be costly and painful. Now, many plastic surgeons use Botox! By injecting Botox into the upper lip to paralyze the muscles — and prevent them from rising so high — gummy smiles become just smiles.

Dr. Michelle Yagoda has over twenty years experience working with gummy smiles, and the results are always gorgeous and natural!

Tech Neck?


Myth or Medical Miracle: Is there a “tech neck?”

Is this the newest effect of the “selfie?” Whether “tech neck” — lines and wrinkles in the neck due to constant use of a smartphone/electronic device — is real depends on who you ask. According to some, people have been “looking down” for centuries (ie, on assembly lines), so it is nothing new. However, at the very least, it seems people are more aware of their necks — which is probably due to the selfie!

As many as one in three plastic surgeons say that there has been an increase in cosmetic procedures due to collective self-awareness. Neck wrinkles and sagging skin are more obvious in high-definition, and constantly looking at a phone does not help to hide these signs of aging.

What do you think? Is “tech neck” real? Or, are we just now noticing it?