If you’re considering facelift surgery to address jowling, sagging skin and facial wrinkles, you probably expect the procedure will help you feel more youthful, refreshed and better about your appearance—and you’re right. The vast majority of patients are thrilled to look in the mirror and see a younger version of themselves—and the resulting confidence boost can make friends, family and coworkers wonder what their secret is!

Turns out, it’s not just a feeling. We now have evidence that facial rejuvenation surgery really does make you appear younger, better-looking and more successful to people around you.

In the Johns Hopkins study, participants perceived patients as younger, healthier, more attractive, and more successful after undergoing facial rejuvenation procedures.

The benefits of facelift surgery extend beyond the individual

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University recently completed a study that asked participants to rate their perceptions of patients’ faces before and after facial rejuvenation surgery to see if the procedures had any impact on the “casual observer.”

504 men and women participated in a web-based survey, in which they observed either the before or after image of 12 patients who had undergone facelift or upper facial rejuvenation surgery (which image of each patient the participants viewed was chosen at random). The results were published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. Here’s what the “casual observers” had to say:

• Patients looked an average of 4.6 years younger after their facelifts
• Having a facelift made the patients 6.75% more attractive
• Patients appeared both healthier and more successful after undergoing facial rejuvenation surgery

Whose opinion about your look matters most? Yours!

This study highlights some potentially valuable perks of facelift surgery. When you feel more confident, and others perceive you as healthier and more successful, this can pay off in terms of enhancing your social and professional life—we’ve seen this happen many times over with our New Jersey facelift patients.

That said, it’s important to remember that the real value of facial rejuvenation lies in what positive effect it might have on how you feel about your appearance. You should only have a facelift if it’s what you want.

Wondering if you’re ready for a facelift? We can help.

If you’re curious to learn how facelift surgery might help you turn back the clock on aging and refresh your look, contact us at the Parker Center. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul M. Parker has over 30 years of experience in facial plastic surgery and has helped thousands of men and women achieve a naturally youthful look through facelift, eyelid lift and other procedures.

Not quite ready for surgery or don’t want to take time off for recovery? We also offer an extensive range of minimally invasive procedures to address early signs of aging and keep your skin glowing. During a free cosmetic consultation, Dr. Parker and our team can go over all of your options to achieve your specific goals. We can’t wait to meet you!

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The term “stem cell face lift” is misleading.  Unlike the traditional face lift, which involves incisions, skin removal and tissue lifting, a stem cell face lift, as currently promoted is non surgical. It involves fat injections to restore volume lost through aging, make the face appear fuller and more youthful. Marketing seems to be outpacing science when it comes to “stem-cell facelifts”. A recent Google web search for the term “stem cell facelift” yielded 377,000 results. The idea of using stem-cells in aesthetic procedures is predicated upon their ability to release growth factors that enhance and stimulate the in growth of new blood vessels into these tissues.

In order to evaluate some of the claims being made about stem cell face lifts, a combined task force of the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) was formed. They reviewed thousands of articles published in peer reviewed journals regarding the use of stem cells in aesthetic, or cosmetic, procedures. The task force found very few articles which provided “real clinical data on aesthetic use”, according to Dr Peter Rubin, a renowned stem cell researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and co chairman of the task force.

Based on their review of the existing literature, the task force made the following recommendations in April, 2011:

1. The standard fat grafting procedure (which most all would agree transfer some stem cells naturally present within the fatty tissue) should be described as a fat grafting procedure and not a stem cell procedure.
2. The marketing of stem cell procedures in aesthetic surgery is not adequately supported by clinical data, currently.
3. Stem cell therapies in plastic surgery should be conducted with Institutional Review Board approval and in compliance with FDA regulatory guidelines.

“Stem cells certainly have the potential to be helpful in aesthetic surgery but the claims made about some of the promoted procedures seem over stated. The stem-cell facelift procedures currently being offered are driven more by marketing hype than scientific studies. Are we merely seeing the results of fat injections, which plastic surgeons have been doing for years, with and without surgery to increase facial volume and create a more youthful appearance?  Doctors offering “stem-cell facelifts” are doing so in the absence of proven studies to back up their claims and against the advice of the ASPS/ ASAPS task force,” explained Dr. Parker.

“Stem cells have incredible potential. But nobody knows exactly what they can do. So they’re marketed to do everything”, said Dr Michael McGuire, past president of ASPS.

ASAPS and ASPS are working together to study with evidence based medicine programs that will evaluate any procedure on the scientific evidence behind it. For example, Dr Rubin’s lab is performing a clinical trial on the use of stem cell enhanced fat grafting versus non enhanced fat grafting for the treatment of facial disfigurement on wounded soldiers. Studies like this should clarify the role of procedures like the stem cell face lift. Until then, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) have cautioned their members against advertising “stem-cell facelifts” due to the lack of testing and control.

Until these results are known, Dr. Parker proceeds with his patients’ safety in mind. Fat injections are performed as a stand-alone procedure in patients desiring more facial fullness without tightening. In patients with facial soft tissue laxity, Dr. Parker will perform a state of the art facelift.  Dr. Parker’s facelift involves three steps to give his patients the longest lasting and most natural looking results.  New Jersey facelift patients are asked to bring photos of them when they were younger, so Dr. Parker can see where facial volume has been lost over time. Using those photos, along with his experience and judgment, Dr. Parker uses fat injections to replace the lost volume. He then performs a bi-planer facelift, lifting the facial fat and SMAS that have dropped, re-suspending and tightening them, and finally tightening the loose skin.

“By combining judicious fat injections with lifting and re-suspending the sagging facial soft tissues, I don’t have to tighten the skin as much.  The new and repositioned fat will fill out the excess skin, giving patients a longer lasting result since there is not as much tension on the skin. Creating a more youthful, full face results in a more natural look,” said Dr. Parker.

In his consultations with patients, Dr. Parker will evaluate their skin elasticity, volume and laxity.  He then creates a custom treatment plan designed to accommodate the patient’s desired outcome, their anatomy, resources and available recovery time.

The biplaner SMAS facelift with fat injections that Dr. Parker performs is estimated to last eight to twelve years.  This number varies based on several factors such as overall health, smoking, skin care, and weight fluctuations.

Surgeries at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery are performed at Surgiplex, LLC, their onsite, fully certified ambulatory surgical center.  This 2,100-square-foot facility was designed and built with patient safety in mind.

Dr. Paul M. Parker is the medical director of both the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery and Beaura Spa.  Dr. Parker has over 20 years’ experience as a plastic surgeon and has won numerous awards, including most recently the “Patient’s Choice” award.  He is a board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  He is also a fellow in the American Academy of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons among others.

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After undergoing a facelift at the Parker Center, patients stay overnight in the facility monitored by a registered nurse to ensure safety and comfort. Patients are discharged home the following morning. Most patients experience very little pain and some do not even require pain medication. Patients are up and walking around at home, showering and performing light activities. Within a week of surgery, all stitches are removed; swelling and bruising usually subside within 10 to 14 days. Depending on the patient’s healing progress, exercise may be resumed two to three weeks after surgery.

If you are a man and thinking of having this type of performed to make you look younger, you are not alone. In 2012, more than 11,000 facelift surgeries were performed on men in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In 2012, facelifts were the sixth most common cosmetic procedure among men. Dr. Parker performs numerous male facelifts each year. Many before and after photos of our patients can be found on our website.

If you are considering a facelift, contact the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery office for more information or to schedule a consultation at (201) 967-1212. Visit us online for more facelift information at /facelift-new-jersey/

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“I decided to have everything done at once to minimize my downtime.  I knew that I wanted to have these things done, and why should I spread it out and have to go through multiple recoveries? I work for myself and have a really physical job so I can’t afford to be out of commission for any length of time,” Stacey explained.

Stacey had eyelift surgery with Dr. Parker approximately 12 years ago and knew that if she ever decided to have more cosmetic surgery, she was going to return to the Parker Center.  Stacey explained that when she had her eye lift surgery, she absolutely loved the results.  After twelve years, Stacey felt she was ready for a facelift.

Stacey asked Dr. Parker what he believed would give her the best results. Following Dr. Parker’s recommendation, Stacey opted for both a face and neck lift in order to achieve the best results.  Dr. Parker also said that he could add the lip implant to complete the look.

“I’m thrilled with how I look.  When you find someone good and who knows what they’re doing, you stick with them.  Dr. Parker knew what I was looking for and he absolutely got it right.  I look and feel fantastic.  Why would I ever look anywhere else?  He’s a great surgeon. I listened to him, and I got great results,” Stacey explained.

The breast implants were something Stacey had been thinking about for a long time, and she’s really glad she did it at the same time.  She works with a lot of men and wanted to feel feminine. Stacey really feels that the implants have helped her with that.

“I look so good, and I’m so pleased.  Dr. Parker and his staff are fantastic! He listened to what I wanted, and I listened to him when he explained how he could achieve my goal.  I look and feel wonderful.  He and his staff are just the best.  You’ll never meet a nicer or more professional group of people,” Stacey said.

For more information on facelifts, lip implants or breast augmentations visit our website at dev.parkercenter.net.  You’ll find dozen of before and after photos, patient testimonials, and animated videos of procedures.  For a consultation, contact our office at (201) 967-1212.

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“About 18 months ago, I found Dr. Parker when I was looking to have some liposuction done. My husband and I found him on the Internet. After reading other patients’ testimonials, we felt very good about making an appointment to see him. From the moment I walked into the Parker Center, I knew that this was a surgeon who knew precisely what would work for me,” said Helen.

After successfully having liposuction with Dr. Parker, Helen began thinking about a facelift and eye lift. Helen’s face had begun to sag and develop jowls. Her eyes, which had never been problematic, had more prominent bags and drooping.
After her consultation with Dr. Parker, Helen booked her surgery for December as her real estate business tended to slow down at that time. Helen knew that the surgery would keep her at home for a few weeks, so she planned accordingly.

“I didn’t tell anyone other than my husband. I just didn’t want to have a lot of conversation about it. I just wanted it done. I told my mom, my kids and my co-workers that I was having eye surgery and left it at that,” explained Helen.

Since Helen was very private about her surgery, when people tell her how great she looks and ask what she’s done, she responds saying diet and exercise. Former customers and others who haven’t seen her in a while usually remark that she looks 20 years younger.

“I disagree with them; I think I look better than I did 20 years ago! Twenty years ago I had bags under my eyes, and I had always had droopy eyelids. With that problem solved, I think I look even better than I did in my 30s,” explained Helen.

Helen traveled over 90 minutes to have surgery with Dr. Parker, but she didn’t mind the trip since she absolutely loves everything about the Parker Center. She explains that everyone there, whether you’re there for an office visit or surgery, treats you like a friend. They help you every step of the way and always make you feel comfortable.

“Dr. Parker and his staff are just exceptional. I have never experienced this level of caring, knowledge and professionalism. They go above and beyond for their patients. I can’t imagine having a better experience,” Helen said.

Helen is thrilled with the results of her facelift and eyelift. She loves looking in the mirror. She says it was absolutely worth having the surgery to feel good about herself again.

The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery along with Medical Director Dr. Paul M. Parker and the entire Parker Center team strive to provide their patients with the highest level of care, the most natural looking results and minimum downtime. To learn more about facelift, eyelid surgery or any other type of cosmetic procedure, contact the Parker Center for a consultation at (201) 967-1212. To read real patient stories, see dozens of before and after photos and watch videos of animated procedures, visit the website at dev.parkercenter.net.

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Dr. Paul M. Parker, Medical Director of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, has always taken the time to write the content of every page on the Parker Center’s website. Most recently he has updated the facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), neck lift and facial filler pages.

Through experience, Dr. Parker has learned that his patients spend a lot of time on the Internet researching the different procedures long before they ever schedule a consultation. Dr. Parker believes that by providing this information on their website, he can assist people in getting accurate and truthful information from a board certified surgeon.

“I write the webpages not because I’m a talented writer, but because I believe that I can be more accurate, precise, and timely with the procedure details. I’m closer to the subject matter than anyone else on our team. I speak with patients every day and answer their questions. I’m also closer to new developments in the field, some of which may be published in the mainstream media, but most of it is not. I keep myself up to date by reading our peer reviewed journals, attending plastic surgery meetings and discussing newer techniques frequently with my friends and colleagues,” explained Dr. Parker.

For more than twenty years, Dr. Paul M. Parker has directed the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery with a three-pronged philosophy of patient education, safe, state of the art surgical techniques along with a caring staff providing a safe and comfortable environment for their patients.

“Patients who are fully educated about their plastic surgery procedures are generally happier with their results. Since they have a full understanding of the surgery, they tend to be less anxious about it. They also feel more secure having the knowledge of what their recovery will be like. By giving our patient’s as much information as we can, it makes the patient’s experience an optimal one,” said Dr. Parker.

Patient education, state of the art surgical techniques, and extraordinary patient safety and care all combine to make the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery a premier facility for cosmetic surgery. Consistently excellent results with dedication to patient satisfaction are what keep Dr. Parker and his team striving to improve their patient’s experience.

“Keeping our website content user friendly, current, and informative is our goal. Our website is an extension of our practice. We encourage people to use the website to learn about plastic surgery and their options. When they then visit for a consultation, they are typically quite knowledgeable about their procedures, allowing us to have a “higher level” discussion. In the end, they are more confident and informed about their decision making. The feedback we receive from our patients regarding the educational value of our website has been extremely positive,” Dr. Parker said.

To learn more about facial procedures or any other cosmetic surgery visit our website at dev.parkercenter.net . To make an appointment for a consultation, call our office at (201) 967-1212.

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That is until now.

Essentially, a facelift and other procedures that accompany the surgery are performed by tightening
the skin and removing or rearranging excess tissue. In an effort to determine how many years one can
expect to shed with the procedure, a team of researchers asked medical students to estimate the ages of
patients in before and after photos. According to a study published in February, the findings revealed that
having a facelift treatment can reduce a person’s outward appearance by six to eight years.

The study confirmed what many plastic surgeons have long suspected. A facelift is able to make a patient
look substantially younger! This benefit is only the tip of the iceberg. The Aesthetic Surgery Education
and Research Foundation has also commissioned studies that indicate that facial plastic surgery offers
significant and sustained improvements in a patient’s body image. In fact, up to 97% of patients reported
satisfactory results one year after surgery and would recommend it to others as well as do it again
themselves.

A great benefit is that modern medicine allows patients to get a facelift targeted to specific areas they
desire to improve. An eyelift, for example, removes excess fat and loose skin to reduce the droopiness of
the eyelid. In contrast, a browlift is performed by removing the muscles and releasing the tissues in the
forehead to gain a higher eyebrow position.

Contact the Parker Center today to learn more about facelifts or other plastic surgery procedures. To
schedule a consultation at the Parker Center, call Dr. Paul M. Parker and his professional team at (201)
967-1212.

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“The study verifies what we plastic surgeons see in our own practices every day. The newer and state of the art surgical techniques of elevating and suspending the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) allow us to reposition descended fatty tissue in the middle of the face and jowl areas. This, in addition to injecting the patient’s own fat harvested from the abdomen into select areas of facial fat atrophy, gives a longer lasting and more natural looking result. Because the facial volume is restored back toward normal, less skin has to be removed resulting in a more natural result and less visible scarring than just pulling the skin like in the old days,” explained Dr. Parker.

The study examined three areas of comparison. First, researchers took objective measurements of the face including jowl height and angle of chin to neck. Second, they took a subjective assessment of key areas such as lines from nose to mouth and mouth to chin. Lastly, an overall subjective assessment of the patients’ appearance was conducted.

“In the past, a facelift just involved tightening the skin. Previously, facelift results tended not to last very long because sooner rather than later the skin just stretches out again. With these new techniques of recreating the underlying structure of a youthful face and plumping the skin, we can give patients a better and more natural looking result,” Dr. Parker said.

The study helps patients and surgeons know what to expect in terms of longevity for their facelift results. Prior to this study plastic surgeons had to rely on their own patients’ experiences to answer the “how long will it last” question asked by every patient.

Contact the Parker center today to learn more about facelifts or other plastic surgery procedures. To schedule a consultation at the Parker Center, give us a call at (201) 967-1212.

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Susan is a 50 year old woman who works as a manager of a med-spa clinic in northern New Jersey. Being in the beauty business, she works with a lot of women, sees a lot of plastic surgery and hears a lot of personal stories. Susan always advises her clients to find a doctor you like and stick with him.

As a long time patient of Dr. Parker, Susan has recommended him over the years to many women. Most recently, Susan had a neck and face lift at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery. This surgery involved spending the night at the Parker Center with a registered nurse.

“I was apprehensive about spending the night after surgery. I thought I wanted to be home, but they took such good care of me. It was the best thing. Charlene my nurse did everything for me. She made me feel so safe and answered all my questions. Anything I needed, she did,“ said Susan.

Surgiplex, LLC is a 2,300 square foot, fully accredited and Medicare certified ambulatory surgical center. It was designed with patient safety as the primary design consideration. The recovery area was designed by an interior decorator to be a warm, soothing environment. Patients who undergo facelifts, tummy tucks, extensive liposuction or multiple procedures spend the night in our facility and are constantly monitored by a nurse.

The medical staff at Surgiplex, LLC is highly trained and experienced. The anesthesiologists are board certified and members of the attending staff at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. There are six registered nurses that are specifically trained to take care of plastic surgery patients. We also have a certified medical technician as part of our team.

“Surgiplex, LLC and the Parker Center are high end, well-run organizations. I’ve done consulting work for several doctors, and this is the best operation I’ve ever seen. They know how to care for patients, and Dr. Parker is unbelievable,“ Susan said.

Susan said she felt her nurse, Charlene, went above and beyond her nursing duties. Charlene called Susan’s boyfriend, kept him updated on her progress and reassured him that everything was fine. Susan said Charlene has a combination of knowledge and caring, making her an extraordinary nurse.

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul M. Parker, and the staff at the Parker Center can help you look your best and answer any questions you may have about plastic surgery. To learn more visit our website at dev.parkercenter.net, there you will find more patient stories, before and after photos, and video animations of cosmetic procedures. For a consultation call our office at (201) 967-1212.

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This study states that a face lift has the ability to make a person look up to seven years younger. The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery has always strived to understand how cosmetic surgery affects the lives of its patients.

This new study adds to our understanding and knowledge of the positive effects of plastic surgery.

In the study, first-year medical student volunteers were shown photos of 60 people who had undergone plastic surgery. After looking at the photos, these students estimated the patients were an average of 8.9 years younger than their real age. Before surgery, the volunteers guessed that the patients were an average of 1.7 years younger than their actual ages, creating an age difference of 7.2 years after the procedure. The study shows objective evidence of the benefits of cosmetic surgery and may prove useful to doctors when counseling patients.

The patients in the study were mostly women. They ranged in ages from 45 to 72. Those who had the greatest number of procedures (face and neck lift, upper and lower eyelid surgery, and a forehead lift) had the largest perceived difference between the estimated age and their actual age.

The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery states that Americans spent almost $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2010. The most common procedures were breast augmentation, liposuction, and eyelid surgery.

At the Parker Center, the staff utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to deliver a high-quality, natural looking facelift. New Jersey residents can place their trust in Dr. Paul M. Parker. When the procedure is completed, they’ll love both how they look and how they were treated. To schedule a consultation, please fill out our contact form or give us a call at 201-967-1212.

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