Plastic Surgeon in Rhode Island on Cosmetic Enhancement for Middle Age Professionals

At his Rhode Island plastic surgery practice, Dr. Patrick Sullivan says he has seen a swell in middle aged professionals at his practice undergoing cosmetic procedures, as more people are looking to enhance their appearance for a more vibrant and refreshed look. Dr. Sullivan discusses effects of the economic downturn on plastic surgery popularity, as well as the rising population of the middle aged working class that is interested in aesthetic rejuvenation and the practice’s recent introduction of financing options for plastic surgery procedures.

According to the latest study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 48% of the 13.1 million cosmetic procedures in 2010 were performed on 40-54 year olds, an increase of 6% since 2009 to a total of 6 million enhancements in that age bracket. The ASPS statistics also show that plastic surgery procedures among 30-39 year olds grew by 4% in the past year to 2.4 million total. Dr. Patrick Sullivan, a plastic surgeon in Rhode Island, says he has seen an even greater increase in his practice in the rising number of middle aged professionals seeking cosmetic enhancements. Despite the current economic downturn, Dr. Sullivan says he is seeing more patients in these age groups making aesthetic changes to their appearance through procedures such as facial rejuvenation surgery, eyelid surgery, and dermal injections in an attempt to help them stand out in a competitive job market.

Because of the growing number of young people and middle aged individuals seeking employment, Dr. Sullivan says many of his patients are hoping to boost their chances of success by enhancing their aesthetics with a plastic surgery procedure. Through surgical enhancements like eyelid surgery, he says patients can shed years off their face by reducing baggy, tired eyes and revealing a refreshed and vibrant appearance. Dr. Sullivan also adds that other procedures such as a facelift can decrease one’s facial lines and dramatically lessen the wrinkles that show age to create a more youthful complexion that displays confidence and vitality.

“My specialty is giving my patients both a very natural and enhanced appearance when they have our multilayer face lift and neck lift. People really appreciate this. Even though the improvement is often dramatic, their friends and associates do not know that they had surgery because they do not have a surgical or operated appearance. The same is true for our surgery to remove eyelid bags and circles. After our upper and lower eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasty), patients say they no longer have people telling them they ‘look tired,’ and instead ask if they have been on vacation. This is especially helpful in the work place and their social environment.”

While the struggling economy has placed increasing pressure on personal budgets, Dr. Sullivan’s practice has recently added several financing options to his payment plans as an opportunity for patients to take advantage of credit lending to alleviate the up-front expense until their finances are more secure. Through lending options such as CareCredit® Financing and ChaseHealthAdvance, he says patients now have the chance to undergo a cosmetic procedure that can increase their odds of success in the job hunt without breaking the bank.

Whether patients are looking for a simple, non-invasive enhancement or a surgical procedure, Dr. Sullivan says plastic surgery can offer patients an opportunity to unveil their inner beauty and gain an edge in competitive job searches. As with any medical treatment, he also says he recommends consulting with an experienced, qualified, and board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing any procedure. “I urge patients to make sure the plastic surgeon is a specialist in the procedure they want to have done. Also, to look at pictures of the surgeon’s results, because patients will want to make sure he or she is a skilled artist as well.”

About Patrick K. Sullivan, MD, FACS

Dr. Patrick Sullivan received his medical degree from the Mayo Medical School in Minnesota and completed surgical residencies at the University of Colorado and Brown University in Rhode Island. He was the 1986 USA recipient of the International College of Surgeons scholarship and received specialized training in face and body contouring as a Fellow in Paris and Zurich. Dr. Sullivan is dual American board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology, in addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has been awarded selection in Woodward and White’s “Best Doctors in America,” the Castle Connolly “America’s Top Doctors,” and Redbook Magazine’s “Top Doctors for Women.”

Located at 235 Plain Street, Suite 502 in Providence, RI, Dr. Sullivan’s practice can be reached at (877) 435-3223. He can also be contacted online via the website drsullivan.com or facebook.com/doctorsullivan.

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My confidence in Dr. Sullivan and his staff was gained after reading the many positive online testimonials and patient satisfaction reviews. Dr Sullivan’s name would often come up in salons that I have visited throughout the years. He is regarded by local aestheticians as one of the area’s best plastic surgeons.

My main concern about having surgery was that I didn’t want much downtime from work and exercise. I also didn’t want anyone to know that I had cosmetic surgery. I had read many online postings about how fat injections can cause significant swelling and bruising. There is also much to be read online about variation in results and post-operative swelling/bruising, which depends largely on the surgeon’s technique and skill level with this procedure.

I had my full facial fat graft performed by Dr. Sullivan in late September 2011. Immediately after my surgery, it was evident that fat was put into all the right places and I was confident that the results would look great. I followed all the post-operative care instructions recommended by his staff. I had only slight bruising in the face and minimal pain. I stopped taking pain meds after the first day.

Within several days I felt confident enough to go out in public without worrying about who I would run into. I started enjoying the results sooner than I had anticipated. Even while slightly swollen, the results looked good and natural. I returned to work after 10 days, although I think I could have done so sooner. I started with light workouts at the gym after two weeks and gradually built up to my full routine within several weeks. Some swelling and bruising persisted in the waistline (the donor site), but this lessened with time.

There were subtle changes over the first few weeks as the swelling subsided and perhaps some of the fat got reabsorbed. I am now three months out and I remain very optimistic that the results will be long lasting.

Dr Sullivan has restored balance, symmetry and volume to my face. The folds between my nose and mouth have disappeared. I feel terrific and confident and I no longer obsess about the problem.

I am grateful to Dr Sullivan and his staff for a job well done.

Wishing you all the best in 2012,

Patrick K. Sullivan, M.D. & the Plastic Surgery Team

No one can relate better to that sentiment than our recent facial rejuvenation patient, “John,” a 60-year-old professional who was significantly distressed by a sagging chin that he said was getting in the way of how he felt about himself, both socially and professionally.

“There were so many different psychological levels from which I was distressed by my sagging chin,” said John, who noted that he was otherwise pretty youthful-looking. “I had this distressing appearance, which would cause some confusion in people who would meet me for the first time, not knowing if I was 40 or 80 [years old].”

For John, scheduling a consultation with our office was the first step toward addressing something that had bothered him for years. As John shared with us, his primary motivation was “just to feel good” about himself again.

Apparently, John is not alone in his desire to feel better about his outward appearance.  Stats from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveal a 14% increase in face lift procedures among men in 2010.

One motivational factor for this increase may be the need to stay competitive in a difficult job market, particularly among those who are continuing to work in lieu of an earlier retirement.  As our patient put it, “there is a need to reboot and reenergize for the second phase of your career.”

As always, it’s important to find the right plastic surgeon, one with whom you can connect and who has the expertise and experience to bring about your agreed-upon treatment goals. Well-done plastic surgery that results in a natural, enhanced appearance can lead to improved self-esteem and, as in John’s case, more self-confidence.

Over the years, some of our patients have expressed a strong desire to have financing options available to help in the planning of their plastic surgery treatment.

After much thought and research on the plans available, we are pleased to now offer two flexible financing options through CareCredit and ChaseHealthAdvance. We feel these financing plans are among the most competitive and convenient of the many plans available.

We hope that the availability of these financing options will provide our patients with the flexibility they desire to make the best decision regarding their treatment and financial planning. If you would like more information about these new financing options, please contact us at 401.831.8300 or cosmetic@drsullivan.com

Known causes of gynecomastia include certain drugs such as anabolic steroids, estrogen-containing medications, alcohol and marijuana. Medical conditions such as cancer and impaired liver function may also cause or contribute to enlarged breasts in men. However, in many cases, there is no known or suspected cause.

Fortunately, our sophisticated gynecomastia treatment using ultrasonic liposuction with additional excision of breast glandular tissue when necessary can help reduce enlarged breasts in men. The incisions for both the liposuction and excisional procedures are typically very small (less than ½ inch) and can be made discreetly at the lower edge of the nipple areolar region.

To make the surgery as pain free and safe as possible, our gynecomastia procedure is usually performed in our Providence operatory on an outpatient basis using intravenous sedation rather than general anesthesia. The nerves that normally conduct pain are also blocked with a long-acting numbing medication.

Male breast reduction surgery is a very common procedure among men, and our patients are typically able to return to their normal daily routines after about a week. They may return to work sooner if their job is not a physical one.

We have found that this combined gynecomastia treatment approach using ultrasonic technology can lead to a firmer, flatter appearance and a better breast contour that artistically matches the male body physique. Most of our gynecomastia patients report a greater comfort level with their bodies as well as an overall boost in self-confidence following their gynecomastia surgery.

Read one patient’s story.

Year Up provides urban young adults with much more than just job training. Their mission is achieved through a high support, high expectation model that focuses on providing young adults with marketable job skills, stipends, internships and college credits. Year Up provides the skills needed to create a viable and sustainable path to economic self-sufficiency. It also provides these young adults with self confidence and hope — all valuable assets for any community.

Our practice is just one of a number of Rhode Island businesses working together to support the Year Up program. We would like you to invite you to join us in supporting Year Up. Whether it is by mentoring a Year Up member, providing an internship, or through financial assistance, this is a terrific way to support the wonderful community in which we live and work.

For more information, please call our office or click here.

Tom Ryan, Mentor and amazing supporter of Year Up (left), with Dr. Sullivan.	Paul Salem, Chairman, Nat’l Board of Directors, Dory Faxon, Co-Chair, Year Up Fundraiser, & Maureen Dolan, a member of our team and enthusiastic supporter of Year Up.

The focus of my presentation this year was on aesthetic surgery of the lower face and neck, and how anatomy, artistry & advanced techniques can make all the difference in plastic surgery.  But before jumping into aesthetic surgery of the lower face and neck, I chose to discuss a topic that I feel is very important in plastic surgery: the value of teamwork. As part of the discussion, I invited our Patient Coordinator and Practice Manager, Andrea DeSimone, and the Director of our Nursing Service, Erin Abrahamsen, R.N., to share their thoughts about how we work together as a team to provide quality plastic surgery care to our patients. Their contribution to this topic was invaluable, as is their extraordinary care of our patients.

Because busy plastic surgeons spend so much of their time in the operating room, it is vital to have a team in place that can always be available to care for patients, whether it is to answer questions, listen to concerns, or provide an unscheduled post-operative check-up. It is our strong belief that this solid framework helps promote optimal patient care and safety as well as outstanding plastic surgery outcomes.

When we take the time to establish a wonderful and warm relationship with our patients, we improve our ability to better meet their needs as patients. Yes; we want our patients to be happy with their surgical result but we also want our patients to leave our office feeling incredibly good about the time they spent here.  You can be certain that each one of us in our Providence practice is committed to this high standard of care.

Dr. Sullivan Lectures on Fat Injections in Facial Rejuvenation

Rhode Island plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick Sullivan will participate in a panel discussion at the upcoming Plastic Surgery 11 conference sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). While he says it is always exciting to attend an event such as this, Dr. Sullivan says presenting his surgical results and research, in the discussion titled “Aesthetic Improvements of the Upper Lid and Orbit by Volume Expansions: Fat vs. Fillers,” is a stimulating experience because of the potential impact these successes can have on the future of plastic surgery.

At Plastic Surgery 11, the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Dr. Patrick Sullivan will present his latest research and surgical results concerning the placement of fat injections in the upper eyelid to address common aesthetic signs of aging in conjunction with facial rejuvenation and the facelift procedure. “We have done a great deal of research on safe and effective methods for placement of fat injections into the upper eyelid region. This has greatly benefited our patients, and the satisfaction rate is very high, which is why I am excited to share this information with my fellow plastic surgeons at the ASPS conference.”

The main session panel is titled “Aesthetic Improvements of the Upper Lid and Orbit by Volume Expansions: Fat vs. Fillers,” and is important to Dr. Sullivan for several reasons. “Part of our goal has been to optimally rejuvenate and artistically contour every part of the face. Thus we want to fill out the sunken eye and hollowed out appearance that sometimes occurs with age. We proved in our laboratory that this could be done anatomically by expanding certain areas of the eyelid safely.”

Despite the concern patients commonly express regarding the appearance of deflation in the eyelid region, Dr. Sullivan says very few surgeons are addressing the problem because of the void of information concerning how to safely and effectively treat the area. While the problem may be also treated by injecting synthetic dermal fillers, Dr. Sullivan says he prefers to use the patient’s own fat, as it tends to be well tolerated in the eyelid region, while providing a comprehensive facial rejuvenation. “Because we are using the patient’s own fat, there is no chance for an allergic reaction or rejection. We are, of course, extremely careful working around the eye. Armed with our knowledge of the anatomy and the technique we worked out extensively in the laboratory, we have been able to avoid complications in our patient series. We have been very happy with the fat survival over time using this technique in our patient series.”

About Patrick Sullivan, MD, FACS

Dr. Patrick Sullivan is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Providence, RI. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He is an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Brown University. Dr. Sullivan specializes in cosmetic facial surgery procedures, such as facelift, neck lift, and eyelid surgery, designed to subtly enhance and rejuvenate the appearance of his patients. He is a prolific publisher and maintains a rigorous international lecture schedule presenting his findings for facial rejuvenation and a range of other cosmetic procedures. Dr. Sullivan is also Chief of the section of Cosmetic Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Sullivan’s plastic surgery practice is located at 235 Plain St. Suite 502 Providence, RI 02905. The practice can be reached at (877) 435-FACE, or online at drsullivan.com or facebook.com/doctorsullivan.

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No regulation
Unfortunately, even in the U.S. it is perfectly legal for any doctor who possesses a valid medical license to perform cosmetic surgery.  This means that your gynecologist, dentist or eye doctor may also be offering breast augmentations or body contouring on the side, despite lacking the specialized training and education necessary to safely and effectively perform these cosmetic procedures.  These doctors very well may not have the expertise to take care of the potential problems that can arise from cosmetic surgery – especially when it is not done well. Without this basic knowledge, surgical judgment, and technical expertise, it is hard to produce consistently good and safe surgical outcomes.

Why board certification is important
One of the best overall indictors of proper training and education in plastic surgery resides in board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification in plastic surgery is especially important because it requires that plastic surgeons be highly educated and trained before they can become board certified. Plastic surgery programs not only train doctors in these procedures, but also equip them to handle any potential complications that may arise from surgery.  This specialized plastic surgery training extends beyond just surgery; it also helps educate doctors on how to choose patients who are good, safe candidates for plastic surgery.

Focusing on price dangerous
While it may be tempting to price shop when considering plastic surgery, the message is clear.  When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can be assured that he or she is qualified to perform your cosmetic surgery procedure.  In our practice, we know that education, surgical skill and thorough planning play an important role in minimizing patient risk, which is why our plastic surgery procedures take place in a state-licensed, nationally accredited private operatory.  In an effort to further increase safety, we also use intravenous sedation (rather than general anesthesia), administered under the care of a board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist who is in the operating room for the entire procedure. This high level of care can be a bit more labor intensive, time-consuming and expensive, but we feel it provides our patients with the best surgical outcomes in the safest environment.