“The results are unbelievably wonderful!” Those are the glowing comments of Waterbury businesswoman Elizabeth Petruccione from a recent facelift performed by plastic surgeon Dr. Paula Moynahan on Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, formerly with offices in Waterbury (http://paulamoynahanmd.com). Ms. Petruccione added, “When you get plastic surgery that is so subtle, nothing over-the-top altering, it is perfect. You want people to see a difference but to still see you.”
Dr. Paula Moynahan, a Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, is the founder and director of the Institute of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery in Middlebury and at 800 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. She has known Elizabeth Petruccione for several years and the two women reconnected through facial rejuvenation treatments Ms. Petruccione was receiving from Dr. Moynahan’s in-office aesthetician, Anita Mir. Dr. Moynahan explained, “Through a self-monitored weight loss, Elizabeth had lost 93 pounds. She has maintained her weight over the past eight years and she is committed to continuous improvement in her appearance for her face and body.”
Author of “Losing Weight With Elizabeth”, Ms. Petruccione eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly. At age 64, she teaches classes at Planet Fitness four days each week, and tells her students, “Anything I can do, you can do too.” She stated, “I’m really leading the class to keep the weight off and to feel healthy and energetic.” Dr. Moynahan commented, “Elizabeth writes blogs and books encouraging others to improve their lifestyles and in so doing, become healthier, physically more attractive, and undergo a psychological transformation in achieving a balance between mind and body. Enhanced confidence and an improved self esteem all occurred through the path Elizabeth chose.”
Dr. Moynahan added, “As a life coach, the goals Elizabeth set for herself have been met. Although I’m certain there are some day-to-day challenges, as it is for everyone. Far beyond focusing on herself, she has taught and encouraged others to embark on a program of physical and mental balance. She advises, educates and encourages her clients, plus befriends them, which I believe makes her extraordinary and sets her apart from others who offer similar services. As Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, “The only true gift is a portion of thyself”, and Elizabeth talks the talk and she lives those words.”
In November 2012, Ms. Petruccione spoke with Dr. Moynahan about facial cosmetic surgery and her personal goals to “look better, refreshed, not tired and haggard, somewhat younger but not different.” Dr. Moynahan commented, “Elizabeth was always pretty but aging and her significant weight loss resulted in sagging of the skin on her face and eyelids, loss of youthful contours and the flattering arcs of her face, plus a ‘turkey neck’. Wrinkles and dyschromias (age spots and broken capillaries) of the facial skin added to an ‘aged and tired’ appearance.”
Based on a physical exam, and a true assessment of how she looked, Dr. Moynahan advised facelift surgery. “Over the next several weeks, we carefully reviewed everything concerned with undergoing a facelift. Pre-operative photos were taken, medical clearance was obtained from her primary doctor, routine lab studies performed and surgery scheduled for three weeks later.”
Dr. Moynahan recalled that on the day of surgery, “Elizabeth was nervous but she went on to heal quickly and well. The improvements were immediate, although there was some bruising and swelling. Relatively quickly she resumed her normal activities, including a busy work schedule. This month, we will address wrinkles in her lower eyelids and face with a fractionated laser procedure. This will be an in-office treatment under topical anesthesia that will result in the skin being significantly smoothed, tightened and lightened. Age spots and broken capillaries will also be laser-treated, and minimal down time will be needed after this treatment.”
At her time of discharge from the hospital, a “head and neck” dressing was placed on Ms. Petruccione to protect the operative site. The day after surgery, the dressing was removed in Dr. Moynahan’s office she reported, “Elizabeth said she felt fine and she looked good.” Ms. Petruccione commented, “About two hours after the eye surgery, my eyes never hurt again. It took longer to recover in my neck, but a few Tylenol quickly took the edge off the pain.” Dr. Moynahan concluded, “There were no adverse effects from the surgery. Elizabeth followed her post-op instructions carefully during the following days and weeks, and her recovery has been described as uneventful.
Elizabeth ~~~ “Before”
Elizabeth ~~~ “After”
People usually heal quite quickly after cosmetic surgery. There are unique biological variables for each patient, plus the type of work they do, that influence the post operative course for each patient. Additional influencers are their professional and personal obligations and psychological overlay. As a general rule, recovery can take from one to two days to two to three weeks.”
Dr. Paula Moynahan is a graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and serves as Attending Staff Member in Plastic Surgery at that hospital plus St. Mary’s and Waterbury Hospitals in Waterbury. Her professional memberships include the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Connecticut Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and she is a past president of the New Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
Dr. Moynahan is included in Castle Connolly “Top Doctors in America”, Guide to America’s Top Surgeons, America’s Registry of Outstanding Professions and Strathmore’s “Who’s Who”. She was an invited speaker at the 2008 International Masters Course on Aging Skin conference held in Paris, France. In 2005, she was named one of the Top Irish Americans of the Year, the Best and Brightest in America. In 2007, she received the Boys’ Town of Italy “Humanitarian of the Year Award”, and the Momentum Award from Ceslie: The Women’s Network.
Dr. Moynahan can be contacted at her 687 Straits Turnpike office in Middlebury at 203-754-4125, and her Manhattan office at 800 Fifth Avenue at 212-535-0800. More information can be obtained on her plastic surgery services at http://paulamoynahanmd.com.