About Dr. Sofer’s Practice

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Botox video application by Dr. Alfred Sofer

Dr. Sofer will be posting educational videos directly from his office in Fairfield Connecticut to help you undestend the procedures of your interest. We hope to clarify your questions and feel free to always contact us at 203-336-9862

In this particular video, Dr. Sofer explains about Botox and how simples and safe  is the procedure when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Sofer.

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Mark your calendars! October 17th is National Breast Reconstruction Day

Since October is the Breast Cancer Awareness month, It is important to recognize breast reconstruction awareness after removal of breast for treatment of breast cancer as well.

Why is it so important? According to a study published in the Journal of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2009, July 7): “Are Breast Cancer Patients Being Kept In The Dark?” , nearly 70% of women who were eligible for breast reconstruction were not informed of the reconstructive options available to them. The study found that major causes for this high number included: Age, Insurance status, Race, Type of treatment facility involved, and Poor communication among specialties were the. All these factors are important and deserve to be  addressed separately.

• Age: The myth that patient is “too old” to have reconstruction is obviously subjective. Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision and the choice of reconstruction should be made by the patient herself.
• Insurance: Some patients may forgo of the reconstructive option as they may assume it is a Plastic Surgery procedure and would not be considered medical necessity as would be required for insurance coverage. It may come as a surprise that breast reconstruction after breast cancer is required to be covered by all insurance carrier as it is a federal law that has been in effect since 1998.
• Type of Facility involved: It is unfortunate that some facilities simply do not have a Plastic surgeon on their faculty that offers breast reconstruction. So make sure that breast cancer is being treated as a multi-specialty approach and that the facility treating breast cancer, offers breast reconstruction as well.
• Poor Communication among specialties: This is probably the most unfortunate factor. When physicians are so concerned about eradicating the cancer that they forget to include reconstruction in their treatment algorithm. Fortunately this has been improving due to weekly breast cancer meetings in which all specialties discuss all patients and their treatment pathway in detail.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is difficult not only physically but also emotionally. The Plastic Surgeon has an important role in understanding and empathizing with patient’s concerns. Choosing to undergo breast reconstruction is a commitment and the process is long. That’s why Choosing the right Plastic Surgeon is just as important. Patients have to feel comfortable with the plastic surgeon as he/she will be guiding the patient through this difficult time. The first consultation will help to decide if the plastic surgeon is right.

Laser Hair Removal – The New Must Do !

When it comes to improving appearance, laser hair removal is one of the best investments that a person can make. You may have heard of laser hair removal but did you know how minimally invasive it is and how reasonably it is priced? Laser hair removal is a procedure that will fit everyone’s budget. Think of all the money you will save on razors, removal creams, shaving lotion, and tweezers. Waxing for example is not permanent and its effectiveness depends upon your hair type.  It is not long lasting either. Waxing may only last for a week or so. Electrolysis, another example, is extremely painful and takes a long time to do. The time commitment required for electrolysis is unacceptable to most. With Laser Hair removal, Not only will you save money, you will spare yourself significant aggravation as well.

The demand for Laser hair removal procedures in CT is extremely high and there are all sorts of competing types of lasers that are available on the market. While there are benefits to some, there are drawbacks as well. The Plastic Surgery Center of Fairfield in CT, is excited to use the Lumenis Light Sheer Duet.

Dr. Alfred Sofer is the first plastic surgeon in CT to offer the Light Sheer Duet. So if you are looking to free yourself from painful waxing and tedious electrolysis treatments, you should check out Dr. Sofer’s laser hair removal Light Sheer Duet machine in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Lumenis has revolutionized the Gold Standard Light Sheer with vacuum-assist technology and by dramatically increasing the spot size to 22 x 35 mm. The Light Sheer enables the Plastic Surgery Center of Fairfield in Connecticut to treat backs and legs comfortably in only 15 minutes, making hair removalpossible without anesthetics or gels.

It is essential that when you are considering laser hair  removal to have the procedure performed by a doctor or a registered nurse. Despite its benefits, laser can be a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. The expertise and training of a licensed medical professional to perform this procedure safely is of utmost importance.

The Plastic Surgery Center of Fairfield’s state of the art building is designed to satisfy the most discerning patients. The Center offers a relaxed and pleasant environment for our patients, as well as to ensure that your entire experience is held at absolute highest standards. Small procedures can be performed in the procedure room, whereas more complex procedures are done at an accredited Surgery Center or a hospital setting. We invite you to experience the latest state of the art technology including the Lumenis light sheer duet laser hair removal, at the splendor luxury at the Plastic Surgery Center of Fairfield.

Liposuction vs Liposculpture

I would like to clarify the difference between liposuction vs liposculpture. Some may say that liposculpture is only a marketing tool for liposuction but the truth is they are two very different procedures.

Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body’s contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle using a cannula thru small incisions on the skin.

Liposculpture involves reshaping and sculpturing the body by repositioning the aspirated fat into desired areas such as the lips, face, hands, buttocks or breasts. Liposculpting and fat grafting procedures have become more popular for two main reasons. First, our understanding of natural aesthetic look has evolved. We now understand that the youthful look is not only repositioning of tissue due to gravity and aging, but also replenish the tissue atrophy. This can be done with the use of fillers or harvested fat. Second, due to advancements in fat transfer technologies fat transfer process has become safer, gentler and much more effective than ever before.

One of these advancements is the use of Water jet technology. Water jet uses gentle suction to remove fat with minimal damage to the fat cells. The fat cells are then purified and re-injected into the body in multiple layers so they are better exposed to blood vessels for better survival. This leads to more predictable and longer lasting natural looking results.

Liposuction – Dr SoferLiposculpting requires a very artistic eye and great surgical technique in order to obtain consistent results in body contouring for both female and male patients.

Please call our office to learn more about these body contouring procedures and to discuss which one is best for you.

Alfred Sofer, MD

Chin Implants

Chin augmentation is the fastest growing plastic surgery trend. It has increased over 70% in 2011 outweighing breast augmentation, liposuction and Botox combined.

From a profile view, the chin is an extremely important aesthetic element of the lower third of the face. The vertical projection of the chin should ideally be about the level of the forehead. The forehead and the chin together frame the nose. Chin augmentation is a procedure of enhancing the chin to create a more pleasing look, by using chin implants that give a more defined, moderate improvement

The process is fairly simple and done under sedation. Dr. Sofer places the implant through a small incision made in the skin just beneath the chin. He then creates a pocket over the front of the jawbone. A chin implant, specially selected to be the correct size and shape that would give you your desired results, is inserted into the pocket.

After surgery, the chin is typically taped to provide support and to minimize swelling and discomfort. The stitches will be removed during a follow-up visit at Dr. Sofer’s office, about a week after your chin surgery.

Most people are ready to resume their normal activities within a few days.

Dr. Alfred Sofer

Liposuction versus Tummy Tuck

Many people struggle with getting rid of localized fat deposits, even with diet and exercise. Even for someone in good overall health, factors such as metabolism, heredity, and others can cause small bulges that just won’t go away. In this article I would like to discuss some body contouring procedures that would address this issue.

One procedure is liposuction. It is used to remove fat deposits and improve the contour of the body by relying on the overlying skin to retract over time.

The other procedure is abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. This procedure is more involved. It not only removes the fat but also the skin. The abdominal muscle is tightened to firm and correct weakened or separated muscles affected. The difference between the two is how much extra skin there is and how well your skin and tissues will respond to the different procedures.

Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving the body contours and proportion. Patients that make good candidates should be in good health, have slightly above-average weight, and concentrated areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Liposuction will only remove fat, not cellulite. Depending on the type of procedure, a patient may be given either local or general anesthesia. Recovery is quick, and most people can return to normal activities in about two weeks. For a few weeks, you should expect bruising, swelling, and soreness.

A tummy tuck is an operation where the extra skin and soft tissue of the abdomen and especially the lower abdomen is removed. This procedure flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall as well. The satisfaction rate with tummy tuck procedures is extremely high. Patients are usually very satisfied as the procedure does exactly as what it said it would do. Most people would require at least 1 -3 weeks before they can return to their normal routine but rigorous and strenuous activities and physical labor would not be advised for at least 6 weeks.

To get a better understanding of your particular situation and whether a tummy-tuck or liposuction would work best for you, give us a call and we’ll be happy to find the option that best suit you.

It’s in the Eyes

Most women, at some point in their lives, find themselves waking up every day to look at themselves in the mirror, noticing more and more lines around their eyes, and think, “I’m not as young as I used to be.” The aging process begins around the eyes and that’s why we start to notice the signs of aging around the eyes first.