Happy New Year!!!

Happy, Healthy New Year Lovelies!!!

This was a challenging year for me. I literally have been counting down the moments to the fresh start of a new year. I am deeply and forever grateful to our son's surgeon Dr. Michael Borger and Cardiologist Dr. Gregg Rossner, as well as my own Doctors;  Roy and Andrew Ashikari and Dr. Andrew Salzberg, as I celebrated my 20 year breast cancer milestone.  I lost my beloved Mother Joan, but I'm ever grateful that she did not suffer and passed peacefully, knowing her children, loved her till the end of her days.

I am incredibly excited about the challenge of Co-Owning my business Mary Jane Denzer in White Plains, with my wonderful partner Anastasia Cucinella.  I love new beginnings and I'm very happy about this next chapter.

So may I suggest you too, dream big, let go of things you can't control, take good care of yourself and the ones you love, follow your instincts, be kind, and have a wonderful year ahead.

Thank you so much for being my loyal friends and readers through all these years.
The best is yet to come...

xox,
DD

Dr. Fredric Brandt: The Face Behind the Face

Dr. Fredric Brandt
Injector to the Stars

Two weeks ago, the NY Times ran an article about celebrity dermatologist Dr. Frederic Brandt, entitled, "The Man Behind the Face".  Frankly, I have a bit of trouble getting past, "the Face Behind the Face".

Dr. Brandt, 64, freely admits that he injects himself with all the tools in his anti-aging arsenal that he uses on patients; Botox, Restalyne, Juvaderm, Perlane and Voluma.

Asked about his own use of fillers and whether or not he thinks he is over zealous, Dr. Brandt said,“I’ve been kind of a pioneer in pushing the limits to see how things work and what the look would be,” “Would I change anything I’ve done? I might not have used as much Botox, because you don’t want to look quite as frozen” (as a mackerel.)

Voluma XC- The New Fountain of Youth

Back in September, my interest was peaked when I read a NY Times article declaring "the cheek" as newest area of interest to recreate a youthful appearance. "Baby Faces", it seems, are having a moment...The Daily Mail UK also picked up on the story.

The problem? Mid-Volume Face Loss... 

Who knew?

Here is an excerpt from the NY Times article explaining, "The Triangle of Youth":

"In a young face, the widest part is at the cheeks", dermatologist Dr Marina I Peredo explained to the New York Times.

+5

New trend: Dermatologist Dr Marina I Peredo says cheek fillers are becoming increasingly popular

"But as we age, the cheeks deflate and excess skin falls toward the jawline. . . That makes the triangle flip upside down so that the widest part of the face is now at the jawline."

Enter Juvederm VolumaXC:

DivaDebbi Blogs for the New York Group for Plastic Surgery

As a long time patient of the New York Group for Plastic Surgery, I was honored when they asked me to guest Blog for their website in October, honor of Breast Cancer Awareness week. I trusted them when I needed them most, when I chose to do preventative surgery and now, to help me look my best...

Guest Blogger: Beauty and Fashion Expert DivaDebbi Offers Her Perspective on Breast Reconstruction, and a Night of Style!

NYGPS

2 Oct 2013 06:42:59

 
Trust is everything... 

My name is Debbi O’Shea and I am a long-time patient of the NYGPS.  I am also a Personal Shopper at Richards, a specialty store in Greenwich, CT, and write the beauty and fashion blog,http://www.divadebbi.com/ 

My introduction to the NYGPS was as a breast reconstruction patient.  My decision to do an "Angelina," or a prophylactic mastectomy, was made after finding out I was BrCa 1 positive, four years after my breast cancer diagnosis. Believe me, this is not a decision any woman makes easily. 

Ultimately, the compassionate care and the beautiful outcome I received made one of the most challenging times in my life completely doable.  Dr. Salzberg and his entire staff couldn't have been kinder or more reassuring.  I did my surgery 13 years ago, way ahead of the curve and with little support, since prophylactic mastectomy was less common at the time.  NYGPS were my cheerleaders and I am incredibly grateful that my breast surgeons, Dr. Roy and Andrew Ashikari, work in tandem with them. 

Dr. Salzberg has taught his direct to implant, or "one step," reconstruction method all over the world. Though my surgery came right before this particular procedure was available, his brilliant advance saves women undergoing mastectomy fr om having to go through months of uncomfortable breast expansion and a second surgery where permanent implants are placed.  I always encourage friends to call me if they know of someone newly diagnosed. 

Yes, trust is everything… 

When it came time to address my own anti-aging beauty concerns, the NYGPS was the only place I would consider working with. I am always comfortable feeling like we are collaborating on which non-invasive procedures are right for me, and knowing ahead of time exactly what to expect. 

As a beauty blogger, I receive many offers for free services in exchange for blog coverage.  I am never tempted to accept them.  Why would I incur the risk of looking frozen or unlike myself by unknown hands?  Besides with the NYGPS costs are competitive, generally less than NYC and with their new rewards program, loyalty and referral "points" accrue quickly — a win-win for all. I am also excited that they are adding a full-time aesthetician to address additional aging concerns with facials, peels, microdermabrasion and resurfacing lasers. 

On Tuesday November 12, the NYGPS is once again joining me at Richards in Greenwich, CT from 6—8 pm for a presentation on looking your best for the Holidays and beyond.  We invite you to join us for this fun and informative night of fashion and beauty.  The event is complimentary, but reservations are necessary. We would love to see you there! Please feel free to bring a friend:www.Debbio@mitchellstores.com or www.Mitchellstores.com.

"You were Angelina before Angelina."--Dr. Andrew Ashikari

The wise and beautiful Angelina Jolie after publically
announcing her decision to do a Prophylactic Mastectomy
due to familial high risk and her BrCa 1 mutation

So said my Breast Surgeon, Dr. Andrew Ashikari to me this morning, as I (happily) completed my 35th bi-annual breast exam, 17 years after my breast cancer and 13 years since he performed  my own nipple sparing, subcutaneous prophylactic double mastectomy.  There.  I said it.

Yup.  Me and and Angie are BrCa 1 twins.

Yesterday was a HUGE day for the high risk community.  Angelina Jolie, one of the world's great beauties and biggest stars, announced that she chose to do a prophylactic mastectomy. Because Angelina inherited a BrCa 1 mutation (presumably from her mother, who died of ovarian cancer at 56,) her risks were a staggering 87% chance of getting breast cancer in her lifetime.  As a motherless mother, she chose to enormously reduce her own risk, for the sake of her well being and that of her family.  Bravo Angel Angie!

Much will be made of her advantages of her being able to afford genetic testing.  That's a good thing and something she knows she is appropriately shining a spotlight on.  Myriad Labs has despicably held the high risk community hostage with their patent on these tests, which run about $3000 and is often covered only after much battling with insurance companies, if at all.  

Ultherapy: A Brow Lift GIVEAWAY!!!

DivaDebbi and RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita 

I recently attended an event sponsored by Ultherapy, and hosted by Real Houswife of New Jersey Jacqueline Laurita. (Jacqueline, btw, is tiny, slim, funny, pretty and has gorgeous skin)  It was held at elegant Lady Mendl's Tea Salon on Irving Place in NYC.  I've known about this special spot for ages, but never had occasion to visit...until now.


I've written about Ultherapy before, in my own popular blog "Are you heading south?" http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2010/12/are-you-heading-south.html).  In this post, I spoke about my own experience with Ultherapy and interviewed both Plastic Surgeon Andrew Salzberg and Physician's Assistant Courtney Dunavant about this non-surgical procedure.  Ultherapy has been featured on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, The Today Show and 20/20 dozens of magazines. 


What's all the excitement about and what motivated new Mom Jacqueline Laurita to visit Dr. William Song to try Ultherapy after losing all her baby weight? Read on:

Let's Hear It For The Girls

Ten years ago, when I found out that I had  indeed inherited a fluky BrCa 1 mutation from my Father, I finally knew why I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer at 37.  It was devastating to have confirmation of something potentially so lethal, but it felt like the mystery of my dash of bad luck, had a least been solved...

Both Brains and Beauty

What happens when two brilliant, articulate and charming people get together for an hour of conversation?

When Lisa Wexler is doing the interviewing, (on her must hear afternoon radio talk show), The Lisa Wexler Show  and the interviewee is my Breast Surgeon, the compassionate and esteemed  Dr. Andrew Ashikari, only good will come of it.

Me and ET

I heard from my friend Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thompson the other day.   "We are having a special on Radiesse on August 12th.  Do you think your readers might be interested" ???... "Sure!!!  Tell me more and may I pick your brains  a bit too"???..."Of course", she replied.  Thus, another in my series of interviews with the beautiful beautifier Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thompson.