Recent Posts

The 411 on Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation, commonly referred to as lip fillers, is on the rise. Although they’re not for everyone, public curiosity has skyrocketed, making it one of the top-searched for cosmetic procedure on the web. Whether you’re thinking about a little touch up, or a complete lip boost, this form of augmentation is quite effective and quick.What are Lip Fillers? In today’s modern world, lip fillers are now composed of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally forming acid found in the body. It’s a highly effective and practical ingredient in cosmetics, and is not only used for lip augmentations. For example, you… Read More

Winter Skincare 101

Here in Rockville, Maryland, the average low temperature is 24 degrees in January. The winds are already blowing, and the wintry mix could make us all miserable. As a trusted Maryland plastic surgeon, I want to help you look good all year round. Keep reading for more tips on how to take care of your skin during winter. Stay Hydrated Many people think that staying hydrated is only important in the summer. While it is important to keep hydrated when you are sweating, it is just as vital to drink water in the winter. You are not losing as much… Read More

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is the shaping of your nose. Often, patients call this procedure a nose job or a nose reshaping. The exact name of this procedure is not as important as understanding that this surgery can enhance the natural harmony of your face, and help you achieve the look that you want. Every year, cosmetic surgeons perform many rhinoplasties. In 2016, American plastic surgeons performed more than 223,000 nose jobs. Between 2015 and 2016, the number rose 2%. We cannot speculate on what will happen in the future, but as plastic surgeons in Rockville, MD, we want you to know about… Read More

Liposuction: Post-Operative Care

In 2016, cosmetic surgeons performed 414,335 liposuction procedures. This popular form of surgery sucks the fat out of a person’s body. A cosmetic surgeon uses a device that looks very similar to a metal straw. Plastic surgeons utilize the tumescent technique to conduct all modern surgeries. Once you have made the decision to have this surgery done, it is important to know what will happen after the procedure. You can look how you want to look, but it is a good idea to understand what you should and should not be doing. Physical Activity It is a good idea to… Read More

Your Guide to Fillers

Everyone wants smooth, flawless skin. A great way to achieve this goal is with the help of fillers. Fillers fix everything from fine lines and wrinkles to lifeless lips. Before you commit, read our tips on everything you need to know about fillers. Prepare yourself If you have never received any kind of Botox or filler injection, then you may not know that you should steer clear of any blood-thinning medications before the procedure. Anticoagulants like aspirin and ibuprofen work to prevent blood clotting, which increases your risk of bruising if the needle hits a blood vessel. For this reason,… Read More

What Is The Difference Between Botox, Dysport, And Xeomin?

With all of the cosmetic treatments available today, it can be a bit confusing to decipher which is best. The truth is, there are many options that can help you with your image. Discussing with your doctor your problem areas is a good way to start deciding which treatment is best for you. When it comes to fixing frown lines, there are three major options to choose from: Botox, Dysport and Xeomin. Read on to understand the difference between the three. What are they used for? Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all neuromodulators that work to temporarily reduce or eliminate… Read More

The How and When of the Mommy Makeover Procedure

The joy of having a baby is life-long. The changes it brings to your body can be temporary. A mommy makeover can make a dramatic difference in the post-baby look of your breasts and abdomen. What Is a Mommy Makeover? Bearing a child and breastfeeding have an enormous impact on a woman’s body. Officially called a postpartum restoration, a Mommy Makeover is a set of cosmetic surgery procedures that help give a mother’s body the look it had before pregnancy. The Mommy Makeover addresses the changes by targeting the abdomen and the breasts:  Abdomen. The skin and muscles stretch to such… Read More

Tummy Tuck Philosophy

As many of you know, I do a lot of tummy tucks. It is one of my favorite surgeries because the goal is simple– try to make your patient feel normal again. While you may think repetition could get boring  it is actually good for you, the patient.  It has allowed an efficiency that translates into shorter operative times and consistent results.  It has also allowed me to hone my tummy tuck thinking and improve upon it over the past two decades. Some of the themes of how I approach my patients are listed below. I hope they are helpful as you consider this… Read More

Is A Mommy Makeover Right For Me?

The joy of motherhood is real. So are the aftereffects on your body. Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding all can leave changes, especially noticeable on your stomach and breasts. Not all these effects can be fixed with diet and exercise. A mommy makeover is a cosmetic surgery that addresses the concerns of moms and lets them reclaim their bodies. These cosmetic surgery procedures typically include breast lift with breast augmentation and tummy tuck of the abdomen can help you look and feel more like your old self, pre-childbirth. What Can a Mommy Makeover Do for You? If the skin on your… Read More

Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss

If you have recently undergone a rapid or dramatic weight loss, you should congratulate yourself. Losing weight can be a challenging process, especially when you have many pounds to drop. Unfortunately, this outstanding personal accomplishment can lead to an excessive amount of loose flesh – particularly near your midsection. This excess skin is a relatively typical result of dropping a lot of weight in a short amount of time.     If this describes your circumstances, you do not need to despair. Dr. Tattelbaum is an expert in body contouring, and he can help you to achieve the look you want. After… Read More

The Many Different Types of Liposuction Devices

Dr. Adam Tattelbaum is considered one of the top plastic surgeons in Maryland for body contouring and liposuction. Dr. Tattelbaum has performed thousands of body contouring procedures at his practices in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Dr. Tattelbaum says, “while there are a number of different types of liposuction machines and techniques the best outcomes always come from a skilled liposuction surgeon”.  Dr. Tattelbaum believes if you are seeking body contouring via liposuction you should always seek a surgeon that has performed many liposuction procedures.  Today there are many different lipo machines some are great and some are gimmicks according… Read More

Post Plastic Surgery Emotions – A Patient’s Perspective

What follows below is a blog post that I can’t take credit for. A former patient has become a friend and wrote the words below. I am grateful to her for sharing a patient’s post-operative perspective, and I value her insights. As a plastic surgeon, I spend a great deal of time preparing my patients for their surgeries, but what happens at home postoperatively is in the realm of the patient, which I don’t get to see. My thanks for her perspective. If I can still learn from my patients, then I hope it will help you as well. What to expect emotionally… Read More

Quilting the Tummy Tuck?

For decades, a standard tummy tuck involved lifting up the loose abdominal skin, repairing relaxed muscles, then pulling down and cutting off the extra skin. The analogy is much like pulling a sheet tight on a bed and cutting off the extra. The tightened skin was left to stick to the abdominal wall with gentle pressure from wearing a compressive binder as the patient healed. A drain was placed so that fluid would not accumulate under the healing skin and keep it from sticking to the abdominal wall. Fluid collections are known as seromas. Recently two surgeons, brothers, in the Midwest began sewing the… Read More

How many drains? One, two or none?

Drains are tubes that are left under the skin during an operation. They are used to remove pockets of fluid that can accumulate. After any surgery, the tissues ooze fluid to a certain degree as they heal. Fluid collections during healing can sometimes lead to infection. Despite this, some areas are more prone to collections than others, and not all surgeries need drains. Usually, drains are removed within a week or so when there is little fluid coming out. The fluid enters a small clear bulb that looks like a grenade. The idea of removing a drain scares patients, but it is more… Read More

A recurring problem with liposuction.

Over the past few years I have seen an increasingly common pattern in patients coming in for abdominal enhancement. I am writing about it now in this blog, hoping you will read it and be able to avoid the same problem. The scenario: a woman will come in concerned about a liposuction that was done elsewhere. When I examine the patient I find a wavy irregular lower abdomen over liposuctioned, and a full under suctioned upper abdomen. Bulgy top, wavy Bottom. The conversation goes something like this: So you had liposuction? Yes, it looked like a good deal. You had your liposuction… Read More

Arm Liposuction 50/50?

A patient saw me in the office yesterday. She is having a tummy tuck and breast reduction this fall. She came in again to discuss adding liposuction of the arms at the same time. She was confused though. She had done her usual research on the internet and found that only about half of the people who had the procedure in the U.S. were happy with their results. “Why?”, she asked. I explained that the key to arm liposuction is not the fat, but the skin. We can suck fat out of almost anywhere, but our tools to shrink skin… Read More

Plastic Surgery on The Young

Plastic Surgery on a very young patient- There is no more controversial topic in plastic surgery than plastic surgery on the younger patient. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I feel that younger patients should need us the least. We are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise. There are however certain instances where I find that surgery at a younger age is justified and even beneficial. Here are some examples: Male Breast Reduction: This procedure is indicated in enlarged male breasts or gynecomastia. In certain young men, often for no discernible medical reason, the male breast tissue is… Read More

What’s a Breast Augmentation Refund Gap?

In a Q&A chat room, I was asked the question, “How do I avoid a refund gap?”. I had never heard this term before so I Googled it. I learned that a refund gap is a situation in which the breast implants have migrated so far apart that there is a large gap between the implants – so the patients request a refund. After 18 years in practice, I thought I should post a blog and tell you how I avoid this. The Best Breast Implant Placement As you may know, I prefer to place breast implants under the pectoral… Read More

What is Posterior Flank Liposuction?

Many of you know that I perform frontal flank liposuction on most of my tummy tucks. For those that need liposuction in this area it gives more curve and contour to the hips, and in my opinion, makes the tummy tuck look more streamlined and sexy. The Frontal and Posterior Flank The frontal flank is the love handle or the area you can grab if you pinch the roll just above your hips. In some people, this roll is mainly on the side of the body, but in some it extends all the way around above the buttocks. When it goes around… Read More

Temporary Rhinoplasty?

A number of people have seen us over the past few years asking about the liquid or temporary rhinoplasty. Popularized by a dermatologist in California, it is essentially a technique of using injectable fillers to alter the shape of the nose. If a patient has a bump on top of the nose the bump can be camouflaged by adding filler just above it. In some cases mild asymmetry can be improved. Eventually, fillers will reabsorb and the procedure will have to be repeated. I think it is a good option for people who are not ready to or healthy enough… Read More