Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Last month, Alison (my office manager), Melissa (my perioperative nurse and wife), Lyuda (my surgical assistant) and I welcomed Lindsey as our new receptionist.  Lindsey came to us after working as an administrative assistant for Theatreworks, a nonprofit organization in New York that provides free theatre to children across the country who would normally never be able to see theatre. Lindsey has already shown amazing initiative in her new job, has shown an amazing ability to learn quickely and loves helping to take care of our patients.  Welcome, Lindsey!

In June, I had a fantastic time as a faculty member of a multidisciplinary course on Facial Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas.  The course brings out the best in Facial Plastic Surgery from all the specialties involved: Facial Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and Oculoplastic Surgeons all get together and share their surgical techniques and philosophies.  The Bellagio was the perfect venue for this refreshing course where rivalry is put aside and everyone shares their secrets!  After the meeting, where I gave talks on practice management and rhinoplasty techniques, the course director asked me to help to organize next year’s meeting.  I, of course, enthusiastically agreed.  I strongly believe that the only way that we will further our fields is to work together, regardless of background.   

As a physician, I am able to get the “inside scoop” on most other doctors in the area.  Using this tool, I sought out a doctor who was best equipped to help me with a rhinoplasty revision.  My problem was both one of functionality (I couldn’t breathe well through my nose) and aesthetics (the nose didn’t look quite right).  Finding a physician who could address both issues was a challenge, even for me.  However, in speaking with my colleagues, the name that kept coming up over and over again was that of Dr. Constantinides.  In essence, he was the man best equipped to address both my issues.    Upon meeting him, I was not disappointed.  He was thoughtful, patient, realistic, and gave me as sense of confidence.  He truly seemed to know what he was talking about.  I ultimately had a revision procedure with him, and am now both breathing and looking better.    I only wish that twenty years earlier, during my previous surgery, I had had such a pleasant experience and outcome.  Then again, twenty years ago, I was not a physician, with no way of knowing if my doctor was competent and among the best in his or her field. No doubt, Dr. Constantinides fits this description.  Given the chance, I would not hesitate to refer any of my patients or friends to him, assured in advance that they will like him and be pleased with their results.   SS, M.D.

On May 13, 2008, I was joined by Drs. Doris Day and Haideh Hirmand at our Spring Night of Beauty.  Over 50 attendees heard talks by me about “Facial Plastic Surgery…What’s New”, that included such topics as Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty, Cleft Lip Nose Surgery, Blepharoplasty, Facelifting, and the use of injectibles such as Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Sculptra, and Artefill.  Dr. Day spoke about Lasers, and Dr. Hirmand spoke about breast surgery, body sculpting and facial aesthetic surgery.  Before the talks, we had a wine tasting and jewelry sale.  There were live auctions with a great selection of gifts, and everyone received a goody bag overflowing with great stuff.  It was a tremendous success, worthy of the three top practices New York City in plastic surgery and dermatology represented!

Another busy few weeks!  On May 10, 2008, I gave two talks at the first “Advances in Facial Plastic Surgery” Course at the Inn at Great Neck, Long Island.  My talks, “Open Rhinoplasty Tip Techniques” and “Revision Rhinoplasty”, covered a broad spectrum of work and results in complicated rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. 

 On May 17, 2008, I gave a talk on the “Functional Complications of Rhinoplasty” at the 7th Annual Rhinology Update at NYU Medical Center.  With registrants and faculty from around the country, the course was a great success.  Next talks will be in Las Vegas in June…stay tuned!

Dear Minas,

The rhinoplasty course is just over, and I have has a comfortable, reflective walk back. 

Once again, let me say that how excellent your meeting was.  The program, and especially the quality of your speakers, gave a superb overview of nasal surgery as it is practiced today, integrating sound principles, newer techniques, controversial concepts and consensus opinion.  The same can be said for the wonderful presentations, panel discussions and questions on Friday afternoon’s session on lasers, injectables and fillers.  I believe everyone who attended the meeting was provided an exceptional educational experience.

As one who has organized similar meetings, I recognize just how much creative energy, commitment and time is required to bring such a course to fruition.  You are to be proudly applauded for your achievement.  As your fellowship director of some (too many!) years ago, there is nothing that makes me feel more pleased than to observe and to be a part of the success that you are enjoying.  In addition, I have had the warm satisfaction of our personal friendship which has only deepened over the years.  You are also blessed with an incredibly supportive wife Melissa, and I know that your family is bringing you much contentment.  Life is good.

Please accept my deepest appreciation and gratitude for including me in your course.  It was my privilege to be a part of this your first, most successful, endeavor.  Kindest personal regards.

Yours truly,

Peter A. Adamson, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S.

From March 5-9, 2008, I was honored to participate as faculty in the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies course, held in Cartagen, Columbia.  Despite the politics of that week (you may remember President Chavez of Venezuela amassing his troups on Columbia’s border that Friday), the course and Cartagena were amazing.  The people there were great hosts, and the course had over 400 attendees from all over the world (excluding faculty).  I spoke on a number or Rhinoplasty themes, including Functional Rhinoplasty and the use of Grafts in Rhinoplasty.  More importantly, I was able to benefit from hearing novel ideas from colleagues from all over the world!  I was invited to return to Columbia next November for another course in Bogota, an invitation that I gladly accepted.  Now all I need are some salsa lessons!

Next week the first annual course “Rhinoplasty and the Central Face 2008″ will take place in New York at New York University Medical Center.  As course director, I have assembled a world-class faculty in rhinoplasty and other esthetic treatments of the face.  Here is the faculty list and final course schedule:

Course Director: Minas Constantinides, M.D.

Program

Thursday, April 17, 2008

7:00 am          Registration and Continental Breakfast    

7:45                Welcome & Introduction      

8:00                Cleft Nose Rhinoplasty

                        Court Cutting, MD

8:30                Primary Rhinoplasty

                        Peter A. Adamson, MD

Norman Pastorek, MD

10:30              Coffee Break

10:50              Panel: Primary Rhinoplasty

                        Moderators:   Peter A. Adamson, MD

Norman Pastorek, MD

                        Panelists:       Minas Constantinides, MD

Philip Miller, MD

Geoffrey Tobias, MD

12:00-1:00     Lunch

1:00 pm          Cutaneous Oncology, Assessment and Management

                        Michael Albom, MD

1:30                Nasal Defect Repairs

                        Marc Zimbler, MD

2:00                The Difficult Patient

                        Ira Papel, MD

                        Minas Constantinides, MD

3:00                Break with Exhibitors

3:20                Marketing Your Esthetic Practice

                        Philip Miller, MD

3:40                Benchmarking Your Practice: Tools to Measure Your Productivity

                        Shawn O’Neil, Allergan Practice Consultant

4:00                Panel: What Works & What Doesn’t in Practice Management

                        Moderators:   Ira Papel, MD

                                                Philip Miller, MD

                        Panelists:       Thomas Romo, MD

                                                Mark Zimbler, MD

                                                Geoffrey Tobias, MD

5:00                Adjourn

5:30                Welcome Reception

Friday, April 18, 2008

7:30 am          Continental Breakfast

8:00                Personal Perspective on Rhinoplasty

                        Nicolas Tabbal, MD

8:20                Revision Rhinoplasty Session

                        Moderators:   Steven Pearlman, MD

                                                Thomas Romo, MD

            8:20    Causes of Revision Rhinoplasty

                        Steven Pearlman, MD

            8:40    Graft Selection in Revision Rhinoplasty

                        Thomas Romo, MD

            9:00    Tip Knuckles and Asymmetries

                        Peter Adamson, MD

            9:20    The Middle Vault in Revision Rhinoplasty

                        Ira Papel, MD

9:40                Coffee Break

10:00              Panel: Revision Rhinoplasty

                        Moderator:     Nicolas Tabbal, MD

                        Panelists:       Steven Pearlman, MD

                                                Thomas Romo, MD

                                                Peter Adamson, MD

                                                Ira Papel, MD

11:00              The Science of Beauty

                        Peter A. Adamson, MD

11:30              Vascular Malformations of the Nose

                        Milton Waner, MD

12:00-1:00     Lunch with Exhibitors

1:00 pm          Nasal Endoscopy and Functional Septorhinoplasty

                        Daniel Becker, MD

1:30                Functional Rhinoplasty: Evaluation and Treatment Strategies

                        Minas Constantinides, MD

2:00                A Practical Approach to Endonasal Ethnic Rhinoplasty

                        Geoffrey Tobias, MD

2:30                Augmetation Rhinoplasty in Asian Patients

Jeffrey Ahn, MD

3:00                Break  with Exhibitors

3:20                Emerging Trends in Laser Surgery

                        Roy Geronemus, MD

                        Elizabeth Hale, MD

4:20                Emerging Trends in Injectables

                        Deborah Sarnoff, MD

                        Robert H. Gotkin, MD

5:00                Panel: The Central Face Controversies

                        Elizabeth Hale, MD

                        Roy Geronemus, MD

                        Deborah Sarnoff, MD

6:00 PM         Adjourn

 

Guest Faculty

Peter A. Adamson, M.D.

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jeffrey Ahn, M.D.

Director of Facial Plastic Surgery

Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY

Daniel Becker, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Dept of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Robert H. Gotkin, M.D.

Adjunct Surgeon (Plastic Surgery)

New York Eye & Ear Infirmary

New York, NY

Ira Papel, M.D.

Associate Professor

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Steven Pearlman, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

New York, NY

Thomas Romo, M.D.
Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
at Lenox Hill Hospital

New York, NY

Geoffrey Tobias, M.D.

 Attending Surgeon and Instructor

Mt. Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine

New York, NY

Associate Chief of Head and Neck Surgery

Englewood Hospital

Englewood, New Jersey

Milton Waner, M.D.

Co-Director Vascular Birthmarks Institute of New York

Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center

New York, NY

Marc Zimbler, M.D.

Director of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Department of Head & Neck Surgery

Beth Israel Hospital

New York, NY

NYU School of Medicine Faculty

Michael Albom, M.D.

Clinical Professor

Department of Dermatology

Court Cutting, M.D.

Professor

Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery)

Roy Geronemus, M.D.

Clinical Professor

Department of Dermatology

Elizabeth Hale, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Dermatology

Philip Miller, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Otolaryngology

Norman Pastorek, M.D.

Clinical Professor, Facial Plastic Surgery

Department of Otolaryngology

New York Presbyterian Hospital-Wiell Cornell Medical Center

New York, NY

Clinical Professor

Dept of Otolaryngology

NYU School of Medicine

Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D

Associate Clinical Professor

Department of Dermatology

Nicolas Tabbal, M.D.

Clinical Instructor

Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery)

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Constantinides and his staff. On the recommendation of my Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, I came to Dr. Constantinides for a rhinoplasty consultation. From my very first visit until the final results of the procedure, Dr. Constantinides was patient, informative, and straightforward with me. Even though the rhinoplasty was something that I wanted very much,  I was, naturally, nervous about the procedure and what the outcome would be. I had several questions which Dr. Constantinides always addressed and answered with candor and sensitivity and he was available for as many discussions as I wanted before we proceeded. Most importantly, he listened to what I wanted and told me what was possible. I truly felt like he was working with me and together we arrived at a cosmetic enhancement that I absolutely love! The change in my appearance was both significant and natural and Dr. Constantinides was very attentive to every detail. He kept the integrity and character of my nose while at the same time, improving its appearance to something very aesthetically pleasing. 
Dr. Constantinides’ professionalism and care extend to his entire staff. They are always helpful and attentive. The night before my surgery, the anesthesiologist called me personally to see if I had any questions or concerns that I wanted to discuss with him. Post-surgery was no different as Dr. Constantinides’ colleague made sure to check on me as well. Dr. Constantinides went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was positive and that my results were exactly what I wanted. I highly recommend him without reservation to anyone wishing to seek minor or major cosmetic enhancements!”"I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Constantinides and his staff. On the recommendation of my Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, I came to Dr. Constantinides for a rhinoplasty consultation. From my very first visit until the final results of the procedure, Dr. Constantinides was patient, informative, and straightforward with me. Even though the rhinoplasty was something that I wanted very much,  I was, naturally, nervous about the procedure and what the outcome would be. I had several questions which Dr. Constantinides always addressed and answered with candor and sensitivity and he was available for as many discussions as I wanted before we proceeded. Most importantly, he listened to what I wanted and told me what was possible. I truly felt like he was working with me and together we arrived at a cosmetic enhancement that I absolutely love! The change in my appearance was both significant and natural and Dr. Constantinides was very attentive to every detail. He kept the integrity and character of my nose while at the same time, improving its appearance to something very aesthetically pleasing. 
Dr. Constantinides’ professionalism and care extend to his entire staff. They are always helpful and attentive. The night before my surgery, the anesthesiologist called me personally to see if I had any questions or concerns that I wanted to discuss with him. Post-surgery was no different as Dr. Constantinides’ colleague made sure to check on me as well. Dr. Constantinides went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was positive and that my results were exactly what I wanted. I highly recommend him without reservation to anyone wishing to seek minor or major cosmetic enhancements!”

Much has happened since my last post.  Last month, I was invited to speak at the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery’s Mid-Winter Meeting.  This meeting is a joint meeting with colleagues in oculoplastic surgery and derm surgery.  This year, it was held in Vail.  The skiing was great and the meeting a success.  I spoke on “The Physician-Patient Relationship in the 21st Century” and ”Crushed, Diced and Solid Cartilage Grafts in Rhinoplasty”.  More on the first of these talks in my next post.

I have been working furiously to finalize the program of an upcoming scientific meeting that I am launching on April 17 & 18, 2008, here at NYU Medical Center.  The meeting, “Rhinoplasty and the Central Face 2008″ will be an annual meeting focusing on the esthetics of the central face.  In addition to the nose, we will cover practice management, lasers, and injectables.  This interdisciplinary meeting will bring together world-famous facial plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons and dermatologists, each discussing his/her particular area of specialty.  This is a one-of-a-kind endeavor never tried before.  I expect it to be a great success based on early feedback.  Cross your fingers!