What Is Poland Syndrome?

Poland Syndrome is a type of disorder that causes people to be born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body. This disorder usually impacts areas such as the chest, shoulder, arm, hand. People with this disorder tend to have a part of their pectoralis major, an important chest muscle, missing. In most cases, this missing muscle goes from the upper arm to the breastbone which is why the arm and shoulders are affected as well. This missing muscle can further lead to shorter ribs, breast abnormalities, and underdeveloped chest wall muscles.

Another part of the body that Poland syndrome can impact would be the hands. The hand on the affected side of the body can appear to be webbed, have shorter fingers, and even have fingers that are fused together. Depending on the severity of the condition, some people can have difficulty using their affected hand. The main visual impact of this disorder would be one side of the body appearing shorter than the other creating a noticeable asymmetry. While these visual differences become more noticeable when an individual with this disorder hits puberty, some have such symptoms being present since birth.

Who Discovered Poland Syndrome?

Dr. Alfred Poland, a medical student, was dissecting a cadaver when he noticed that the body had some unexplainable deformities. After sketching and writing a report on his findings, Dr. Poland came to conclude that this unusual abnormality in the body was caused by the underdevelopment of the chest wall and the pectoralis major muscle. Since Poland discovered this disorder in 1841, it was named after him and is now known as Poland Syndrome.

Causes Of Poland Syndrome

 While the direct causes of this syndrome are unknown, most researchers have linked it with disruption of blood flow that occurs during the development phase of a fetus before birth. Researchers also believe that this disruption tends to occur during the sixth week of the development of an embryo. Since the blood vessels that enable the chest wall and chest muscles to form are impacted by this disruption, the visual and physical symptoms appear. Additionally, some rare cases of Poland Syndrome have also been linked to genetic changes being passed down from families, however, no related gene of this sort has ever been identified.

Signs And Symptoms Of Poland Syndrome

Some common symptoms of this disorder include:

• The absence of some of the chest muscles

• The end of the main chest muscle that attaches to the breast bone being missing

• The breast and nipple being underdeveloped or missing

• Very short or webbed fingers

• Armpit hair being missing

• The skin in the affected areas to be underdeveloped and having a thin subcutaneous fat layer

• The upper rib cage being underdeveloped or missing

• Rare issues with the kidney and spine

How Do You Treat Poland Syndrome?

Since in most cases, the effects of this syndrome tend to be visual rather than physical, reconstruction surgeries tend to be a common treatment for this syndrome. Still, getting surgical treatments will not only improve an individual’s visual appearance, but they will also improve body functionality.  Plastic surgery that involves rebuilding the chest wall and placing the ribs in their right places also tends to be a standard form of treatment. Most often, men can treat Poland Syndrome with a silicone pectoral implant to increase volume in the chest.

For females, breast reconstruction surgeries can also be performed since it is one of the main affected areas. There are various different surgical options that are available and can be used to treat Poland syndrome, however, these surgical options differ from person to person depending on the severity of their condition and the areas of their body that are impacted.

BodyBanking and Fat Transfer

One specific type of surgical treatment that can be used for Poland Syndrome would be BodyBanking. BodyBanking is a form of plastic surgery that has been developed by Dr. Douglas Steinbrech. It basically involves transferring fat from one part of the body to another part of the body that needs more of it. In this case, the targeted area would most likely be the chest region as the muscles there are most impacted by the syndrome.

Transferring more fat in the chest areas that are missing or underdeveloped due to this disorder allows for the body to appear more proportionate and symmetrical. Since body fat is a natural filler without any serious side effects, BodyBanking can be one of the most convenient forms of surgery one can get in order to treat Poland syndrome.

Male Plastic Surgery treats patients at all three locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, can happen to men of all ages. It affects 40 to 60 percent of the male population, which makes it quite common. The causes can be linked to hormone imbalance, genetics, disease or the side effects of certain medications. Gynecomastia can occur on one side of the chest, or sometimes both, and the breasts grow larger or more uneven. Oftentimes, men who suffer from gynecomastia experience feelings such as embarrassment, emotional distress or avoidance of intimacy.

There is treatment available, however, for men who are looking for a flatter and firmer appearance in their chest. Specially trained plastic surgeons such as Dr. Douglas Steinbrech have the experience and extensive knowledge when it comes to performing male breast reduction surgery. But, how safe is gynecomastia surgery really?

How do I know if I have gynecomastia?

Oftentimes, gynecomastia can be confused with the presence of fatty tissue in overweight men. The telltale signs of gynecomastia include pain, tenderness or swelling in the breasts that may increase over time. If a patient is going off of touch, gynecomastia can feel like a small, firm lump under the nipple area of either one or both breasts. By appearance, the swollen tissue will resemble female breasts or “man boobs.” To rule out other conditions such as breast cancer, the patient should be evaluated through a mammogram, MRI or further testing suggested by a doctor.

What to expect with gynecomastia surgery:

If a male patient has complaints regarding lumps in his breast or excess fat in the chest area, liposuction is the best option for achieving male breast reduction. Through liposuction, the surgeon is able to remove excess glandular tissue through a minor incision leaving minimal scarring behind. The whole procedure takes two hours and can be performed while a patient is under general anesthesia. However, liposuction for gynecomastia can also be performed under local anesthesia.

What to know before:

Pre-surgery, it is advised that patients stop all medications that could increase the risk of bleeding. It’s also recommended that a patient stops smoking and increases their nutrition for faster healing. A good candidate for gynecomastia should:

• Have a condition that cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
• Be of relatively normal weight
• Have no life-threatening illness or underlying medical conditions
• Be a non-smoker and non-drug user
• Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for improving his appearance
• Be of a certain age where their breasts are fully developed
• Are uncomfortable with their breasts being too large

What is the recovery process like?

Post-surgery, expect that drains will be placed to reduce the chance of fluid collection but will later be removed during a post-operative visit. Patients will also be asked to wear a special compression garment to help support the new chest contours. The overall downtime for gynecomastia surgery is minimal, roughly one week, and the results of the surgery are permanent considering there’s no future weight gain. (Click for a look at our process.)

Is gynecomastia surgery safe?

Male breast reduction surgery to treat gynecomastia is considered to be an incredibly safe procedure. Most male patients experience good outcomes in addition to a smooth recovery and surgery. Much of this depends on your surgeon and how experienced they are with performing a male breast reduction.

There are possible risks and complications associated with gynecomastia surgery in men. These complications include bruising, bleeding, fluid collections, contour irregularities, loss of nipple skin, visible scarring, numbness of the nipples, inverted nipples, loose breast skin and asymmetries. These variables can largely be controlled through surgical technique during the procedure, as well as during pre and postoperative care.

A facelift, also known as a Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves signs of visible aging found in the face and neck. But did you know there are non-surgical facelift options available? Fillers are an easy, non-invasive way to reshape the face and achieve desired results in no time. There is a wide array of fillers to select from, depending on what a client is anticipating in their results. Botox®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® are all fillers that board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steinbrech has successfully treated his patients with. When deciding which filler is the “best,” it depends on the treatment and results in mind.

Botox®

As we age, contracting face muscles will cause facial lines to develop, especially around the eyes and mouth, between the eyebrows and on the forehead. Botox® treatments can prevent the deepening of these lines in facial movements and even erase signs of aging, resulting in a younger and more refreshed appearance. It is also one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Botox® is made from a highly purified protein that is very safe when administered by a qualified physician. It relaxes the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles and smooths the lines in the skin that can make you look tired or angry. It can also be used for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck spasms.

Restylane®

Restylane® has been safely used since 1996 worldwide. It is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contours. The most common treatment areas being the lines between the eyebrows and the folds from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth. Restylane® is able to bind with water which offers the benefit of longer-lasting results. It is a clear, synthetic gel made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is found throughout the body. The gel adds volume and fullness to smooth facial wrinkles and folds. As it integrates into dermal tissue, it attracts and binds to water molecules to maintain volume. It is non-animal-based and fully biocompatible, making allergy testing not required.

Radiesse

Radiesse® is a synthetic injectable filler that reduces wrinkles, creases and scars by augmenting the body’s natural collagen supply. It is composed of microspheres in a biocompatible gel, made of the same minerals found in our bones making little risk for allergic reactions. Treatments typically take only 15 minutes and require a local anesthetic to numb any pain. Results are visible immediately and can last for months or years and be repeated as often as a client wants. It has been approved by the FDA to restore and correct signs of lipoatrophy in patients with HIV.

By administering Radiesse, the body’s own natural supply of collagen is stimulated to provide more volume and definition. Compared to other fillers, it is much longer-lasting. Patients are excited by the uplifting results they get from this filler, with over 80% reporting a high early satisfaction rate with long-lasting results at month 12, without retreatment.

Sculptra®

Sculptra®counteracts lipoatrophy, similarly to Radiesse. It is injected into the deep dermis layer of skin to improve the appearance of sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations and wrinkles. It is composed of an alpha hydroxy acid that has been used for the past 20 years. Results can last up to two years.

Treatment Areas

When deciding which filler is the best for you, it’s important to look at what area is being treated. Botox® is best for facial lines, such as crow’s feet beneath the eyes, frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines across the forehead, worry lines around the mouth and lines on the neck.

Restylane®, on the other hand, is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contours, adding volume and fullness. Radiesse® can be used for the lips, smile lines, depressed scars and the corners of the mouth, while Sculptra® is best for sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations and wrinkles. Generally, Botox® works well for relaxing the face and preventing future wrinkles, but if you’re looking for more sculpting or volume, then another filler may work better for you.

Though plastic surgery can be used to remove fat, it is not recommended to be used explicitly to lose weight. The best and safest results from plastic surgery come after the weight has already been lost and clients are living active and healthy lifestyles. With that in mind, there are ways to remove unwanted, stubborn fat that has not responded to diet and exercise namely liposuction and fat transfer (BodyBanking®).

Body Contouring After Weight Loss

After losing a lot of weight, many clients have excess skin that serves as a reminder of their former selves. Through body contouring, surgeons can remove excess skin then lift and tighten areas such as buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and arms in the same procedure. Liposuction can then be used to remove the excess fat and augmentation can be done in the buttocks where weight loss may have caused flattening.

Dr. Steinbrech is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon that specializes in liposculpting for men in NYC and LA. Hi-Def Liposculpting with BodyBanking® is a less invasive alternative to traditional liposculpting that is designed to safely and effectively eliminate fatty deposits that are resistant to traditional weight loss and dieting. Hi-Def Liposculpting by Dr. Steinbrech can be used to chisel the perfect six-pack and pelvic lines.

Hi-Def Liposculpting involves taking out excess fat from the target area in order to create a slim, muscular, or athletic-looking appearance. This procedure alone can take one to five hours depending on the amount of fat being removed. Either local or general anesthesia is used depending on the size of the area. Small incisions are made in the target area and ultrasonic energy is transmitted into the area to break the cellular membranes surrounding the fat cells.

Many of his patients combine this procedure with Dr. Steinbrech’s unique BodyBanking® procedure. BodyBanking® is performed by taking the fat removed in the liposculpting, cleaning it, and reusing it for fat injections all at the same time as the primary procedure. This can give clients the more defined abs and fuller calves, arms, or pecs they’re looking for all in one procedure.

Benefits of Liposuction

Liposuction is the single most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States today. It sculpts the body by removing unwanted fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise. Fat can be removed from the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. Male patients often consider this procedure for the removal of their “love handles” (waist).

The procedure only requires small incisions to be made and the fat is melted by ultrasonic energy. The melted fat is then suctioned out, all without damaging other cells in the body. These areas can be further accentuated by superficial liposuction to make deeper grooves in the underlying tissues.

This procedure not only offers the potential for a slimmer contoured body, but also ensures that these areas will not accumulate more fatty deposits in the future. This is not considered a weight-loss procedure as it is only able to remove small, localized concentrations of fat. Following the procedure, many can return to work within a few days but any activity requiring strain of the body should be avoided for a month at a minimum.

Benefits of BodyBanking®

Selective Fat Transfer when performing liposuction procedures allows for the number of fat cells to remain fairly constant which prevents disproportionate fat growth if there is weight gain in the future. Body fat works as an outstanding, natural filler material and can be used to fill and shape areas of the face and body for male patients. Dr. Steinbrech also uses his unique MuscleShadowing technique to create more definition around the specific muscle groups, such as the deltoids, biceps, triceps, chest, quads and calves. The average time of this procedure is only one hour and the injections may last anywhere from a few months to permanently.

The permanence of this procedure varies for each individual. Side effects of minor swelling or bruising can occur but typically subside within two days. Some fat can be reabsorbed into the body so the amount of fat that is injected into the body is greater than the amount needed. The extra fat cells allow for the right amount of volume in the desired results.

Additionally, there is little to no downtime for recovery and any discomfort is minimal. Using the patient’s own body fat means that there is no need for pre-testing as the fat cannot be rejected. This can also be a good alternative if the patient is allergic to bovine collagen. When combined with the liposculpting, this is a cost-effective option for patients and allows them to get more defined abs and fuller calves, arms, or pecs all in one procedure.

Eyelid surgery can help men get rid of the extra eyelid skin, muscle, or fat, and tighten it to restore their youthful appearance. On some occasions, you need the surgery on upper as well as lower eyelids. Just like women, droopy, wrinkled, or baggy eyelids are huge turn-offs for men. These are the main reasons why men consider undergoing eyelid surgery to rejuvenate their look.

There are different types of eyelid surgeries for men that many people are not aware of. Knowing the types of surgeries will help you figure out which one is suitable for you; these include blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, and a brow lift.

Blepharoplasty

An eyelift surgery has another name, “blepharoplasty” and it is a surgical procedure to lift the position of the upper eyelid margin. Through this procedure, a plastic surgeon tightens the muscle and tendon to elevate the eyelid.

On some occasions, men undergo blepharoplasty surgery if the heavy excessive skin weighs down the upper eyelid, making it droop.

This procedure is perfect for men who have the following issues:

• Extra muscle or fat in the upper eyelid is causing puffiness.
• Eyelid wrinkles due to excess skin.
• Folds in the eyelid because of sagging skin.
• Droopy eyelids.
• Eye bags below eyelids.

Blepharoplasty is an effective surgery for removing or repositioning fat to remove puffiness and trim the excess skin.

Ptosis Repair 

Typically, ptosis is a droopy upper lid, which partly covers the pupil. Ptosis can lead to a tired or disheveled appearance and may even obstruct vision. The ptosis repair surgery can give men a more youthful and rejuvenated look, along with improving the sight.

During the procedure, a surgeon performs a delicate surgery to lift the upper eyelids by working on the eyelid muscles that often weaken with age. It is possible to repair the ptosis internally without making any incision over the eyelid.

Brow Lift

These days, many men seek help in making their eyelids appear more rejuvenated through brow lift. The improvement with this eyebrow lift procedure is striking.

There is a multitude of approaches to carry out brow lift procedures. A surgeon can perform an eyebrow lift by lifting the eyebrows laterally or can lift them completely through an endoscopic method.

During the process, the surgeon creates an incision over the scalp, or along the hairline. There are various criteria to decide on one particular surgical procedure over the other.

Choosing the Best Male Plastic Surgery Specialist

All of these different eyelid surgeries may appear to treat the same issues. However, after a thorough examination and evaluation by a board-certified, skilled, and experienced cosmetic surgeon, you will get to know which eyelid surgery is the best for you.

At MPS Network, the founder and legendary cosmetic surgeon Dr. Douglas Steinbrech will recommend you the surgery ideal for you. He will do that considering your age and what you wish to accomplish from the surgery. At our clinic, we will offer multiple options for you for tightening and rejuvenating your eyelids, orbital area, and brows. For details, give us a call at 917-268-3287 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a consultation.

In the cosmetic surgery industry, an often overlooked demographic is the male audience. Focus typically falls on the female clientele, with media appearances by models and actresses stimulating the conversation. However, each year more and more men have turned to cosmetic surgery as a means of enhancing their bodies. So this begs the question: what’s leading this movement?

For a long time, men have felt a negative social stigma when it comes to seeking plastic surgery. Fears of being judged for seeking cosmetic enhancements have fueled this stigma. Despite that, the last 10 years have trended in the opposite direction. Men are feeling more comfortable seeking plastic surgery now and this mostly due to a larger societal acceptance of it in the public sphere. The last decade’s sharp increase of social media usage has helped push the conversation around cosmetic enhancements into public interest. With more people talking about plastic surgery, more people are seeking plastic surgery.

The reasons why men are seeking plastic surgery vary. Whether it be actors and models looking to land more jobs or dads longing for the body of their yesteryears, cosmetic surgery has been a solution these individuals can turn to. People of all ages are looking to these procedures to achieve their desired bodies. In fact, 35-50-year-old patients make up the largest percentage of individuals who have had procedures. The many types of procedures offered cater to all.

Procedures range from under-the-knife surgery to minimally-invasive injections to the skin. Liposuction is the most common procedure done, aimed to help people get rid of unwanted fat. The procedure is often considered part of the ‘Daddy-Do-Over’ set of procedures, aimed at older men looking to refine their bodies. Rhinoplasty, also known as a ‘nose job’, is a cosmetic staple that people of all ages undergo to get their desired nose.