Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS, is one of the most highly trained plastic surgeons in the nation and specializes in body contouring, breast surgery, and advanced technology in aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine.
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Dr. Smith is one of the only plastic surgeons in the country to have completed an aesthetic surgery fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York City and a craniofacial surgery fellowship at the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Before embarking on fellowship training, Dr. Smith completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and was selected to serve as Administrative Chief Resident in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Smith spent three years dedicated to basic science research in tissue engineering and craniofacial biology, where his work focused on leveraging emerging protein therapy and bioprinting technologies to develop novel approaches to complex dilemmas in craniofacial biology and wound healing. Additionally, Dr. Smith has an extensive background in applying 3D computer graphics techniques to procedural simulation and planning in craniofacial and aesthetic surgery, generating work that has resulted in the issuance of a US Patent and over 200 peer-reviewed publications, presentations and book chapters.
He grew up and currently lives in New York City and graduated from Brown University at the undergraduate and medical school levels. Today, Dr. Smith’s new center, located in the prestigious Ritz Tower, is arguably one of the most luxurious and top-tier surgical centers and med spas in New York City. In addition to the upscale nature of this new center and the convenient location, Dr. Smith offers his patients an intimate space and the his hyper-tailored approach to customizing treatments based on each individual’s needs and wants.
Dr. Smith specializes in breast surgeries, body contouring (uniquely, mostly non-to-minimally invasive), and what truly sets him apart – his ability to marry advanced technologies in aesthetic and cosmetic medicine. He has also made a name for himself in mastering the “Good Energy Lift” – a surgical procedure using lasers and energy rather than the traditional scalpel-centric methods. Below, we dive into some of the buzziest procedures on the market, including Dr. Smith’s most popular specialties, all offered at his new Upper East Side center!
The “Good Energy Lift”
Dr. Smith has been laser focused on how he can provide the most optimum results for any patient need, without necessarily going under the knife. A few of his go-to devices are BodyTite (bipolar radiofrequency energy that tightens and firms skin while removing unwanted fat), FaceTite, and VASERlipo (pairs traditional liposuction with an energy source to enhance the results of liposuction). With these two or three energy-based treatments alone, he can perform neck lifts, ab lifts, blepharoplasties (eyelid lifts), and more.
Tandem Treatments
Now more than ever, those interested in an aesthetic treatment or procedure are looking for maximum results with minimal intervention and less downtime. Thanks to emerging technologies and techniques, the right doctor can deliver on these metrics.
“For procedures that require downtime, if you combine the treatments, you can also combine the recovery,” says Dr. Smith. “Instead of having to be out of work for three days on two separate occasions, you can just miss one three-day period and recover from both procedures. It also may make economic sense to combine procedures. For example, if there are operating room fees associated with the procedures you’re interested in, the cost of staffing and supplies may be reduced by doing more than one thing at the same time. These savings can be passed on to the patient. Before deciding to combine procedures, it is important to discuss the possibility with your doctor to ensure it is safe to do so.”
Reduce Fat + Tighten Skin
One of the best ways to do this is to remove fat with liposuction and then use radiofrequency energy with treatments like Morpheus8 (radiofrequency microneedling) and BodyTite (bipolar radiofrequency energy) to trigger skin contraction. Dr. Smith has also had tremendous success in neck rejuvenation by combining FaceTite (bipolar radiofrequency energy) with Morpheus8 to tighten neck skin and enhance jawline definition. If there is excess fat in the region, local liposuction is also added to the mix. Finally, if there are vertical neck bands (usually caused by laxity of the platysma muscle). Dr. Smith can also perform MyEllevate along with these procedures. MyEllevate is a new minimally invasive approach to neck lifting that uses light-guided surgery to divide the platysma bands and resuspend the muscle.
Tone + Sculpt with Emsculpt Neo
Emsculpt Neo combines radio-frequency energy and HIFEM (highly focused electromagnetic energy) to simultaneously destroy fat, build muscle, and tighten skin. Emtone, designed to treat wavy cellulite, is also a potent treatment for skin restoration with its powerful radiofrequency energy and targeted pressure therapy. Performing Emsculpt Neo and Emtone together can yield stunning results in multiple body areas. Dr. Smith loves this combo for the abdomen and glutes.
- Emtone can also be combined with Qwo for superb cellulite reduction results. While Emtone emits radiofrequency energy and targeted pressure therapy to restore the tissue in the treatment area, Qwo is the first FDA-cleared injectable that dissolves the fibrous bands of tissue responsible for dimpling cellulite. Emtone and Qwo are a powerful duo in the battle for smooth skin, especially for the buttocks and posterior thighs.
Breast Augmentation
As breast augmentations continue to be one of the most requested cosmetic procedures, the more skilled plastic surgeons are working hard to find newer techniques that offer a more natural result with minimal discomfort and less downtime. Enter: the Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation. Gone are the weeks of recovery post op (unlike some of the more controversial procedures that require recouping at a recovery center or with the help of home health aides) – with the implant-based Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation, a patient could schedule her surgery for a Friday and be back to work on Monday.
- What is a Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation exactly? Dr. Smith uses the smallest, least traumatic incision possible. He uses a special implant insertion device (“Keller Funnel”) to minimize stress on the incision during implant insertion.
- Post-op Treatment: After surgery, Dr. Smith treats the implant pocket with numbing medicine. He encourages minimal narcotic use to curb any discomfort.
- Is there a more natural version of the Rapid Recovery Augmemention? YES! It’s kind of a dream, implant-free deal: liposuction the fat from anywhere the patient would prefer (most frequently the abdomen and flanks) and use it for volume where they do want it. The procedure takes about 2-hours and can be done without general anesthesia. The recovery time for this is 48-hours as well.
- Good to know: “While fat transfer breast augmentation is a great option for the right patient, we typically cannot increase volume by more than 1-1.5 cup sizes. Also, I find 3D imaging very helpful in planning these procedures,” says Dr. Smith.
- How much will it cost? While this newer technique/procedure is very surgeon dependent, patients can expect to pay between $10k to $17k in the NYC area.
Awards
Dr. Smith has received several significant awards, including the International Congress on Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies Owen Cole Memorial Scholarship. He has been principal investigator on numerous grants funded by the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, the Cleft Palate Foundation, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the International Congress on Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies.
For more information + to book your consultation, visit Dr. Smith’s website + follow along on Instagram
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