Girls Night Out: The New York Group for Plastic Surgery

Beautiful friends Izabella and Christine

I have a  wonderful, long standing relationship with the doctors and practitioners at The New York Group for Plastic Surgery.  Dr. Andrew Salzberg is a personal hero of mine.  He compassionately and brilliantly did my breast reconstruction nearly 14 years ago, when I opted to do a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, (think Angie),  and yes, I was way ahead of the curve.

When it came time to address my anti-aging concerns, it never occurred to me to go elsewhere. Though I think plenty of women don't fess up to all their tweaks, Botox, Restalyne, Sculptra, peels and lasers are as much a part of beauty maintenance these days as facials, highlights and root touch ups.

Lately, I have noticed a discouraging trend; Botox parties, Dentists doing injectibles, Groupon, Amazon and Living Social offering cut rate deals on anti-aging treatments and a new entry Zendy Beauty, modeled like Priceline, where you name your price and see if any of the doctors in their network will accept it.

I think it's begging for trouble.  After all, we wear our faces everyday, this is not an area you want to bargain hunt.

Truly, your very best bet for excellent, natural results is to select your practitioners based on their experience and friends who have had great results.

Accordingly, I gathered a group of 15 friends for an event at the NY Group for Plastic Surgery in Tarrytown, N.Y., where they had the opportunity to meet Dr. Salzberg, Dr. Aydin, Physician's Assistant Tami Healy and Ashlea Hoess. Nicely, there was champagne, munchies and goodie bags for all and their cheerful staff on hand to make sure everyone was comfortable and attended to.

Readers often email me for help and information. I also wanted my friends to have the benefit of hearing about all the latest in anti-aging advances too. As a jumping off point, I put together a list of questions to ask the experts and the Girls chimed in with their own as well.


Here were some of the questions asked and answered by their team of experts:

Tami Healy P.A. Expert injector, Ultherapy, Surgical Assistant

Effortless: Maria Duenas Jacobs

Effortless by divadebbi

The world is the size of a postage stamp! 
 

I received an email today from my friends at the New York Group for Plastic Surgery. I selected the Street Style photo above, featured in this Polyvore set out of dozens on the internet, from NYC, London and Paris.
 

I had no clue that the chic beauty in this photo, is Maria Duenas Jacobs, whose husband, Dr. Jordan Jacobs is a partner in The New York Group for Plastic Surgery.  Fittingly Maria is the Sr. Accessories Editor at Glamour Magazine.   Here is a link to an interview that Maria did with one of my favorite Beauty Blogs Into The Gloss.

Is she not divine???
 

Two weeks ago I hosted a party for my friends, discussing all the latest in non-invasive anti-aging beauty at the NYGPS. We covered a lot of turf and I have been trying to find the time to share it with you.
 

In between preparing orange walnut cranberry sauce and corn pudding, I hope to get it done in the next day or so...
 

Stay tuned.  Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all.

xox,

DD

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.

DivaDebbi's Holiday Giveaway's: A gift of youthful beauty

For many of us, December is a very busy month socially, in a blink we've gone from 4th of July barbeques to Holiday Cocktail parties.  In the last month I have seen friends who looked refreshed and radiantly beautiful and some who looked overly botoxed and frighteningly filled.

How to you avoid the latter?  Below is an excerpt from a previous post I wrote about Botox with my point of view.  At that time, Courtney Dunavent, P.A. with the New York Group for Plastic Surgery generously offered my readers a 10% discount on their first appointment for any of her services. This time, to help you look natural and refreshed in the New Year, Courtney has agreed to offer DivaDebbi readers 15% off their first appointment! 

Read on:

The Wizard is Oz

I am a working Girl, so I don't  get to spend afternoons with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the brilliant Turkish-American Cardiothoracic surgeon, who cut his T.V. teeth on Oprah.  Apparently, his credibility with  viewers is so high, that if he features a procedure related to health and beauty it is taken as Gospel. 

Recently, Dr. Oz did a  feature on Ultherapy as part of a segment called,  "How to Look 10 Years Younger in Less Than 30 Minutes"!  Ultherapy uses ‘uplifting ultrasound’ to improve skin laxity of the face and neck in a meaningful  but completely non–surgically way.  In just  one treatment,  the body’s own regenerative process of building new collagen to lift and tighten the skin is triggered ---happening gradually and naturally,  from the inside out.  It sounds too good to be true, but apparently it isn't...it works!!!

Fill-Her Up (Part 2)

As promised, part 2 of my interview with Dr. Elizabeth Chabner- Thompson of The N.Y. Group for Plastic Surgery , on the newest advances in facial and body rejuvenation. In our first interview, we talked about Botox. This time, we are covering facial fillers. Don't forget!!! You will receive a 10% discount on your first procedure, when you mention DivaDebbi.

Here's the latest tips on how to safely take a dip in the fountain of youth:

DD: I have been seeing alot more print and T.V. adds about facial fillers. Are they catching on? What's all the excitement about?

ECT: Facial Fillers have grown tremendously in popularity for several reasons. First and foremost, it is literally instant gratification! When properly injected, women (and men), will see an immediate difference in their, "parentheses" or nasolabial folds. Properly placed volume restores a natural, youthfulness to the face. The results are immediate though I would not recommend doing any procedure the day of an event, just in case of swelling, redness, or an occasional bruise.

DD: So you literally leave your appointment looking younger than when you walked in??? Wow!!! No wonder its getting a lot of attention. How long does the Cinderella effect last?!

ECT: Generally about 6 months, roughly twice as long as Botox. Sometimes slightly longer. It's subtle but discernible change. It's definitely a patient pleaser.

DD:: I remember years ago, when bovine collagen was used, people had to be allergy tested before being injected. Is that still necessary?

ECT: Not with the newer types of fillers. They all have FDA approval and allergic reactions are very rare.

DD: I know there are different types of fillers. What are they and what are their "brand" names?

ECT: That is true, there are three types: Hyaluronic Acids, known as Restalyne and Juvederm, Calcium Hydroxyapatite, more commonly known as Radiesse and Hydrelle, a new filler that has been formulated with lidocaine . Your Dr. can guide you on which filler is most appropriate for your corrections, based on age, skin type and budgetary concerns.

DD: Lately, I've been noticing actresses with very flat, full faces.
Not pretty!!! What causes that?

ECT: I know exactly what you are referring to! It is caused from overfilling the face and probably too frequent injections. It's crucial to have an experienced Dr. performing these procedures and one who can judge when it will be too much of a good thing. We are also now getting really good results, using fillers on "smokers lines" or vertical creases above the upper lip.

DD: All and all, it sounds very effective and I can see the appeal.
Let's touch on the ouchies...pain and price!

ECT: Discomfort can be eased quite a bit by adding some lidociane to most solutions or by using Hydrelle. It's tolerable...my patients all think it is worth it, when I'm done! The price ranges from $500-$700 per syringe, depending on the type of filler and syringe used. Consultations are free and we often run promotions, where the second syringe is free. We will also save and store anything that you don't use for a future visit.

DD: Thanks so much for sharing your time with me and my readers. You know I think the world of your skills!

To schedule a consult or appointment with Dr. Chabner-Thompson, call the N.Y. Group for Plastic Surgery, in Tarrytown, N.Y. at 914-366-6139.

You deserve the best!!!

xox,
DD