drschuster.com

Oh what a difference a day in the operating room can make. For patients who have had large weight loss from either voluntary control or from bariatric weight loss surgery, body contour surgery makes the final transformation. Most patients who lose more than 50 lbs., not to mention those who lose in excess of 100 lbs., develop loose hanging skin. While this can sometimes be hidden beneath clothing, it is difficult to conceal and can be a real barrier from enjoying a more active lifestyle. Body contour surgery removes the unwanted skin folds and reshapes the body into more normal curves. The plastic surgeon becomes a body tailor. Generally the transformation is done in stages, beginning with an abdominoplasty and lower body lift. Next an inner thigh lift can be combined with breast surgery. The breasts typically sag and have lost volume. Treatment can range from a simple breast lift (mastopexy) or can include breast implants (augmentation) as well. Arm surgery, usually liposuction in combination of an arm lift (brachioplasty) can usually be done at the same time. Finally, attention is turned toward the face where facelift surgery can  be performed together with fat grafting to restore the lost volume and tighten the sagging skin. While these are the most common procedures there are others that also address different areas of the body. This type of surgery is typically performed in the hospital setting especially when combining several procedures at once. Patients who have had this type of body contour surgery are some of the most grateful patients I see. They have been able to experience first hand the power of plastic surgery in changing lives.

The recession may be officially over but everyone is still concerned about their finances. Financing has become a very popular way to allow patients to get the cosmetic procedures they want with an affordable payment plan. The most common procedures for financing seem to be breast augmentation, liposuction, and some of the larger body contour surgeriessuch as abdominoplasty and lower body lift. Financing your surgery is easy to do - we offer a number of different     options which are listed below:



1.  First there are a number of credit cards which offer "low introductory rates" which are good for short term       "loans" to carry you through a cash flow problem.  But you do need to read the fine print and make sure you pay

back the correct monthly amount, on time, in order to avoid penalties.



2.  We participate with 2 financing companies which offer programs at varying interest rates, depending on your credit history.  You can go to www.capitalonehealthcarefinancing.com or www.carecredit.com.  These companies provide you with an "instant" read of what you qualify for, and at what rate.   However, you do need to know how much you want to borrow before completing an application - they will ask that question on the website.



Our experience has shown that Capitalone loans range from 1.99% to 24%. Carecredit loans are currently one rate-11.9%.Both companies offer 2,3, 4 and 5 year loans.



3.  If you own a home you should check out a home equity loan because they often have the best rates for the          individual homeowner.



We would be happy to help you with your financing issues.  Just give us a call to set up an appointment for a consultation.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ronald H Schuster, MD. - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon - Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery Northwest Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland: Clinical Instructor Johns Hopkins Hospital Division of Plastic Surgery - Specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. Procedures include Composite Facelift, Midface Lift, Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty), Brow lift, Endoscopic facial surgery, Laser resurfacing, Nasal surgery (Rhinoplasty), Breast augmentation / lift (Mastopexy), Breast reduction, Liposuction, Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction, Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Plastic Surgery after Weight Loss from Bariatric Surgery (Body Lift surgery), Correction of Gynecomastia. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures are performed daily. These include fillers (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra), Botox and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for photofacial rejuvenation. Also available is a full service aestheticians for comprehensive skin care, including Obagi, Procyte, Skin Medica, Results Rx.



Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Medical Association, John Staige Davis Society



Office: 10807 Falls Road  Suite #101, Lutherville, Maryland, 21093



Plastic surgery serving the greater Baltimore-Washington metropolitan areas, including Owings Mills, Towson, Timonium, Baltimore City, Randallstown, Columbia, Ellicott City, Westminster, Stevenson, Pikesville, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Washington D.C.



Phone: 410-902-9800

"Thanks Dr. Schuster!  You did an awesome job.  I've never felt this great before in my life :)

Thanks for EVERYTHING!"     CS

Wow. That means a lot to me.  Breast augmentation is much more than getting "big boobs". In fact most of my patients are really just looking to feel more in proportion and want to remain "natural". Ok - well maybe natural with a little pizazz - but not the "Dolly Parton" look. In order to get the right look I ask patients to bring in photos of their "likes" and "dislikes". We go over them together during the consultation and discuss whether or not they are realistic goals and how best to get there. I take time with my patients so that we can decide on the right choices for that patient. Saline breast implants or silicone gel implants (gummy bears). Under the muscle or above the muscle. Round breast implants or teardrop breast implants. These are some of the things we talk about. In the end it's delivering the result that counts and receiving compliments like the one from CS tell me that I'm doing it right. Thanks CS.

Sculptra has recently been approved by the FDA for use as a cosmetic filler. It has been approved for many years for the use as a volume correction in the treatment of HIV patients. It has a long track record of being safe and effective. Like other fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Radiesse, it is performed in the office as a short procedure. It is used primarily to restore the volume that has been lost during the aging process. It is not intended to be used for the treatment of fine lines. It is different than the other fillers however in that it requires special injection techniques in order to deliver the best results. Unlike the other fillers, it is a more gradual process and actually takes 2 to 4 treatment sessions to complete the process. The big advantage of Sculptra is that it lasts for over 2 years! I have been using Sculptra for about 4 years and have found it to be an excellent choice to help give a natural correction to the aging face.

Call 410-902-9800 to schedule your free consultation and treatment.

I recently saw a young woman, 17 to be exact, for consultation regarding cosmetic surgery.  I was struck with the power of plastic surgery and the sense of responsibility to use it wisely. Through the years I have performed various cosmetic procedures on teenagers and have found it to be emotionally rewarding experience.The most common procedures include breast reduction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, otoplasty and occasional liposuction. Mind you, Baltimore is not like LA or Miami, where I am told that teenage plastic surgery "goes wild". On the other hand, Baltimore has teenagers that face all of the challenges found in any other large city. The pressures of fitting in and feeling part of the norm are probably never felt more acutely than during teenage years. We are living in a fast paced world where if you are not moving forward witht the group you are falling behind. For better or worse judgements are sometimes made on appearance and our bombardment from the media not so subliminally tells us what is beautiful and what is not.

On the surface, plastic surgery performed on teenagers may seem like simply caving in to the times. Not only is it "unnecessary" but perhaps "unnatural". I would argue  the opposite.  Under the right circumstances, plastic surgery on teenagers can be a most liberating and life changing experience on a person. Most of these patients have spent several years with either physical or emotional ailments directly related to their concern. The patients I see are keenly aware of what is "normal" and why they are "not". They are uncomfortable in their own skin and are searching simply to be "normal". Kudos to their parent(s) who have the courage to go outside of their own comfort zone to support and help their children.

So what does this have to do with me? Simply that I enjoy watching these "children" blossom after the weight has been removed. With the risk of sounding melodramatic, there is no bigger reward than to watch a person of any age come out of their shell and become productive, self confident and happy. Having that person be a teenager is no exception. Plastic surgery is certainly not a magic bullet that "cures all that ails ye" but it is a powerful tool that can do wonders.

To help my patients you may find in my website a full set of instructions for most procedures. Simply go to the procedure section and scroll to the instruction portion. Whether the surgery is breast augmentation, tummy tuck, facelift, liposuction or rhinoplasty you will be able to read how to best prepare for both before and after surgery. As always the office is available for questions either by phone (410-902-9800) or by email.