Dr. Neil A. Gordon: Meet the Surgeon Who Can Make You Look 15 Years Younger...Forever!

Dr. Neil A. Gordon also known as "The Fixer".
W. Magazine recognizes him as on of two  U.S.
surgeons adept at face and brow lift revisions

I had a most remarkable experience last week.  One of my close friends asked me to sit in on her 90 minute consultation with esteemed Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Neil Gordon.

The only reason Dr. Gordon is not a household name, is because his work is so artful and natural, people don't admit they have had surgery!.  If sisters don't tell sisters, you can be sure the actors, T.V. personalities, C.E.O.'s and politicians who are his patients, are also keeping mum, (and of course, Dr. Gordon won't tell you either)!

We met at Dr. Gordon's lovely Greenwich Ct. office, one of three places where he consults with patients. (He also has an office at 990 Fifth Avenue in N.Y. and his state-of -the-art, state licensed , fully accredited surgical facility at the Retreat at Split Rock in Wilton, Ct., where patients recuperate in luxurious, private comfort with round the clock care).

Despite his "heady" credentials: The most recent being his appointment to position of Director, of Head and Neck Aesthetic Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine, he is warm and affable and took his time explaining why you need to, "do more, to look like you have done less". (For a list of his complete credentials, visit the bio page on his website).

Dr. Gordon is one of a handful of Facial Plastic Surgeons, worldwide, who are trained in the technique of the "Deep Plane Facelift".   His patients, "like their faces, but don't like their changes".  Gravity, is the enemy and the best way to reverse the soft tissue that sags, is not  by conventionally tightening the superficial layer of skin, but by repositioning the underlying facial tissue. Once done, it will not stretch and sag again, the way traditional facelifts will. As Dr. Gordon likes to say, "it's one and done".

I found the results to be astounding.  Before and after pictures we viewed, showed 15 years taken off the faces of normal people, who just want their, "outsides to match their insides". The beauty is in the complete lack of artifice. No one is pulled taut or appears, "done".  It is virtually impossible to pinpoint anything that looks unnatural.  Women looked softer and regained their youthful femininity.

Pictures were taken with my phone from Dr. Gordon's section in the book
Your Complete Guide To Facial Rejuvenation.  These are the only published
before and after pictures available for public viewing

There were several things I found particularly interesting:

* 30 percent of Dr. Gordon's patients are their for revisions from previous facial surgery
* Because the surgery is repositioning the underlying facial tissue, not the superficial layer of skin, bruising and swelling is minimal
* 70 percent of patients never need to take pain medicine
* Most are back to their normal activities in only two weeks
* One of his biggest area of growth is in people 70+. It isn't too late for this once ignored demographic
* Incisions are virtually undetectable and there are no tell tale facelift signs like, "unnotched ears". (He'll explain it)...

Once you have the surgery, it's like resetting the clock. At 55 you will look 40. At 70 you will look 55.

I was so intrigued with what I learned at my friends consult, that I called to ask if I could also come up and tour the elegant Retreat at Split Rock,  which also has a full range of spa services available to enhance the healing process. Tucked away on 4 lush acres, this elegant Inn is the perfect place to accommodate local clients as well as those who have come for surgery from 39 states.

I am so pleased that my friend had decided to book her surgery with Dr. Gordon. I am certain that she is going to achieve incredible results, (she already has a pretty, perky, youthful appearance), and will be safe and well cared for at Split Rock.

If you are considering facial surgery and someone could wave a magic wand and restore your face to how it looked 15 (and I thought in some instances 20+ years ago), wouldn't you owe it to yourself to consult with Dr. Gordon?  I think so! (For those who want to learn more now, here is a  link to a YouTube Video where Dr. Gordon explains the Deep Plane Facelift in more detail: http://youtu.be/tuCuAGBSjDs).

To schedule your appointment to meet with Dr. Gordon., please call Patient Coordinator Patty Raci at (203) 834-7700 and please tell them you learned of this "best kept secret" from DivaDebbi.

I feel completely confident, that you will be a more informed patient and as a Beauty Blogger who is rooting for your best,  I am happy to have had the privilege to provide you with this information.

xox,
DD

Meet Lisa Topham Director of Split Rock Aesthetic Institute

Lisa Topham R.N., BSN
Director of Split Rock Aesthetic Institute
Wilton Ct./Greenwich Ct.
203-831-8029

The Split Rock Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, Ct. first came on my radar when I went there to interview the famed Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Neil Gordon.  The blog I wrote, still stands as one of the more comprehensive articles written about Dr. Gordon, who works under the radar as he deftly resets the clock, on the faces of media elite, film stars and his well heeled patients. (I'm sure if he wanted, Dr. Gordon could star in his own "Botched" reality show. He is also known for 'fixing" the faces of distraught patients of other surgeons.)

The Retreat at Split Rock is where Dr. Gordon operates, in his fully accredited surgical center. Patients can recuperate, in a luxuriously appointed spa and Inn, with round-the-clock medical care and nourished by their acclaimed full time chef.  It is also, harmoniously, where Lisa Topham and her staff work with patienys at the Split Rock Aesthetic Institute.

If it seems counter-intuitive for a surgeon and a premier non-surgical practitioner to share one roof, you are looking at anti-aging beauty as a competition between practices.  It's not.  It's all about you. Your face, your needs, your budget and how far you are willing to go to stay ahead of natural aging.

Going under the knife is not for everyone and lucky for us, Lisa Topham and her staff are utilizing all of the best injectibles, lasers and therapies out there, to work with you on your goals. With 30 years of experience in the field, and the passion and training to know exactly where a long term filler should be placed, does it really make sense to trust your face to a practitioner promoting with a  Group-On offer???

Not to me...

    Logo from Lisa's webpage

    www.Lisatopham.com

Lisa Topham came back on my radar in the last year.  Some of my friends and clients, who share my confidence, were looking fresh, youthful and lifted in a subtle but appealing way.  Long term fillers like Voluma XC, more gradual ones like Sculptra, or quicker fixes like Perlane could be the answer, but was I missing the 411 on something more?  And if so, by whom?

Enter again, Lisa Topham, who in addition to working at the Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, was now seeing patients in Greenwich Ct. at Dr. Gordon's satellite office at 116 Mason St.

It was Lisa who was responsible for the smoother jawlines, wider temples and more open eyes, my own eagle eye was scouting. The 5 year filler Lisa is using with such great success is called Bellafill and it is beloved in Europe.

Lisa, who has always been on the "cutting edge" of the non-cutting edge, was an early convert, training 3 years ago and using it on patients who trust her aesthetic expertise, experience and dedication to helping patients look refreshed and natural.

Since Bellafill lasts up to 5 years, would you risk going to someone, even your most trusted injector, who is newly adding this to their anti-aging arsenal???

I wouldn't...

I attended a seminar at their Mason Street office on November 29th, and was able to see some examples of Lisa's work with Bellafill, Botox and other injectibles with before and after slides. Lisa's team, is also expert in administering Ulthera Treatments (Ultrasound for lifting and tightening), Exilis (Radio frequency which removes fat and tightens skin non-surgically) and the very effective Sciton Laser.

It was interesting to be seated among women of all ages, copiously taking notes.  I get it. It's a lot to process. No matter what your age, whether in your late 30's and looking towards prevention or your late 60's and determined not to have a facelift, Lisa will help you navigate and create a long term plan for your best self.

Having a complimentary consultation with Lisa, is the first step towards getting educated about your face and what can and can't be achieved non-surgically.

I defy you to meet her and not instantly feel comfortable with her warm, engaging manner. Lisa will give you a direct, but kind, assessment of the current state of where your age is showing and how she can best correct it. She understands there are a lot of options to consider and encourages you to think about them before getting started on your next appointment. 

For your complimentary consultation with Lisa Topham in either location, contact her at 203-831-8029. Please tell Lisa you  were referred by DivaDebbi. I would be honored to hear back from you, as I have from people who have worked with Dr. Gordon after reading my blog @ DivaDebbi@gmail.com.

Your face is the one thing you wear everyday...It's not the place to cut corners, like scoring a great Prada knockoff at Zara.  Any physician or dentist can now take courses for a few short hours and start injecting. Be smart.  Be safe...

xox,
DD

Concealer: Through Thick and Thin

   

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer
$32

We vacationed this year towards the tail end of a very long winter. By the time we left, I thought I looked wan and wiped.  I made a trip to Sephora expressly to find a concealer that would cover and brighten my fatigued looking under eyes.

Laura Mercier has always enjoyed a good rep, particularly for her concealers. Feeling a wee desperate, I tried out her High Coverage Concealer while in the store.  I was amazed how instantly refreshed I looked. I purchased it imagining how deeply rested I would soon appear, just a few days into my vacation.

I was convinced I stumbled onto my next DivaDebbi Holy Grail product...wrong. Me being me, I fortunately had a spare packed.

I don't think it was just the warmer climate--this concealer is so thick, you practically need pliers to get it out of the tube.  Within an hour or two of wear it congealed under my eyes and anything that may have blown by seemed to adhere to it. If this is how High Coverage Concealer works, I think we may be better off without it.

Back to Sephora it went....

I'm not a huge magazine reader anymore, but I will take the time to peruse them while getting mani and pedi's.  My first look see is always the beauty pages.

Fortuitously, Sandy Linter, Lancome's "Beauty at Any Age" spokesperson, was weighing in on her preferred concealer weight.  Sandy, is an icon in the beauty world, having worked as an artist for 4 decades and performing her magic tricks on early Supermodels like Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs.

Sandy's tack is the exact opposite; she recommends going as sheer as you can, while still receiving your desired results.  Hmmm...why not?  The opposite tack certainly proved to be the wrong approach.

CVS is just above Cozy Nails, so with that thought still burning in my brain, I decided to stalk the aisles to see what might fit the bill.

Beauty Duty

I am quick to throw my hat in the ring, whenever I have a chance to learn about cutting edge Beauty and Health advances.

When that same ring involves raising money to help properly outfit our troops with critical combat gear for their safety, (helmet, rifle, body armor, side arm and appropriate boots for climate and terrain), I feel it is my beauty duty to be there. When the lecture is being given by the internationally famous Dr. Neil Gordon, I wouldn't miss it and neither should you!!! ---And I haven't even spilled the best part yet...

On Tuesday, December 1st, Eillhys England, who founded Soldiers for the Truth with her late husband, Col. David Haakworth, is hosting an amazing event. It is truly the ultimate Girls Night Out! Great food, great wine and the great Dr. Gordon, who will speak to 75 attendees about Beauty and Health in 2010.

Your $100 donation guarantees a fun and informative night...and it may also win you a free face and neck lift with Dr. Gordon!!! (Other cosmetic procedures can be substituted, for the same value).

Between now and April 1st, only 500 tickets will be sold (and will include a complementary invitation to the next Beauty and Health Event). The value of this service is nearly priceless, not just because he is waiving his fee, in support of our troops, but because he has discreetly done face and neck work, on some of the most beautiful women on camera today. True beauties, who looks as fresh and radiant, as they did in the prime of their youth. That's genius. (I am dying to name names...but I can't, damn it).

The event will be held at the Penthouse of the Roger Sherman Hotel 48th St. and Lexington Ave, at 5:30 p.m. Availability is limited, but tickets are available to purchase, and will guarantee you an invitation to another event plus your hat in the free face and neck lift ring!

For tickets and information, please call Moira at 203-629- 0288 or email EEngland@optonline.net. You are welcome to purchase more than one ticket to increase your chances, while doing a very good deed, yup...beauty duty.

Hope to see you there!

xox,
DD