FORM AND FUNCTION: “Plastic surgery is the most creative aspect of medicine,” explains Arthur W. Perry, MD, FACS. “It is the only discipline that is creative, looks at the entire body, and can improve function and appearance.”

“She was not unattractive, but she was not quite pretty, either. The subtle arrangement of bones and flesh that comprise the human face had conspired to make her ordinary.” —Daniel Silva, The Heist

By Jean Stratton

Plastic surgeon Arthur W. Perry, MD, FACS has the skills to help such a person described above to improve her appearance if she wishes. He can help her to look her best, to achieve the most appropriate image that is uniquely hers.

Indeed, his goal is to help women look and feel better. If one looks well, one’s outlook can often improve.

Dr. Perry, whose practice is located at 3055 Route 27 in Franklin Park, specializes in facial rejuvenation and uses both face lifts and non-invasive methods to help his patients.

As he explains, “Face lift surgery may be an option, but there are many new non-surgical treatments to help you look great again.”

Among these are Botox, a variety of fillers, and new techniques such as Ulthera (ultra-sound) and Instalift stitches.

Clinical Fellow

Dr. Perry’s interest in plastic surgery dates to his earliest years in medical school at The Albany Medical College of Union University. After graduation (with distinction in research) in 1981, he interned in Beth Israel Hospital at Harvard Medical School, where he was also later a resident in surgery.

In 1984-85, he was a Clinical Fellow in burn surgery at New York Hospital at Cornell University Medical Center, followed by a residency (serving as chief resident) in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Chicago. He was later a Fellow in Aesthetic Surgery at Baker-Gordon Associates in Miami, where he trained with the renowned plastic surgeons (and inventors of the chemical peel) Dr. Thomas Baker and Dr. Howard Gordon.

After his residency and subsequent training, Dr. Perry served as clinical associate in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He continues his work today as clinical associate professor of surgery at the Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and as adjunct associate professor of surgery at Columbia University.

Initially opening his practice in 1987, Dr. Perry has been at the current Franklin Park location since 1992. He also opened an office on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 2010.

The history of plastic surgery is fascinating, he points out. The first face lift in the U.S. was performed in 1907, and techniques have changed dramatically over the years.

“Plastic surgery is a huge field. It includes cleft lip and palate, burn, hand, and cosmetic surgery. There are two parts of cosmetic surgery: rejuvenation, that is, creating a younger version of yourself; and non-rejuvenation, such as changing the shape of the nose.

Non-invasive Revolution

“In the early 1960s, there were only 200 plastic surgeons in the U.S.,” he continues. “Today, there are 6,000 nationwide. The field of plastic surgery was born during World War II because of the need to help wounded soldiers. Cosmetic surgery evolved from these reconstructive procedures.

“In the 1970s, there was often a pulled and over-done look. In the ’80s, the techniques were really refined. Also, operative surgery has been dwarfed by the popularity of more non-surgical methods with the advent of Botox and fillers, such as Restylane. There was really a non-invasive revolution.”

Dr. Perry performs a full range of cosmetic surgery, including face and eyelid lifts, rhinoplasties, cosmetic breast surgery, liposuction, and tummy tucks, as well as chemical peels, Botox and Restylane injections, and the latest Ulthera and Instalift techniques.

His favorite procedures are rhinoplasties and face lifts, he explains. “I love doing noses and being able to do something artistically to change the shape, to design a new nose.”

Whatever procedure he performs, it is an extremely important step for the patient to take, and must be given careful consideration.

“It’s not all vanity,” he points out. “This can really help people feel better about themselves. And many people are working at older ages, and there is still ageism out there. The goal of cosmetic surgery is to make you look normal and like your best self.

Early Wrinkles

“Typically, women begin to come in for treatment in their mid-40s. They’re finished having children and beginning to think more about themselves again. And, the early wrinkles around the eyes begin to appear and the first hint of jowls, and every year, there’s a little more. You lose one percent of the thickness of the skin and collagen every year after age 30, and that becomes quite visible by the 40s.”

A typical face lift (most popular with women 45 to 75) lasts 10 years, he reports. And though the non-invasive injections and fillers are shorter-lived (a year and a half), they are increasingly favored.

“There are just tremendous advances and options for patients today,” says Dr. Perry. “At the beginning of my career, I had to go into the operating room to help people. Now, Botox and Restylane are very popular for people in their 40s or older. Botox is very safe, as are all the fillers, and statistics have shown that people who have Botox experience less depression. It has a mood-elevating effect.

“Today, there are 6.5 million Botox injections per year and 1.6 million fillers compared to 120,000 face lifts. I believe we are headed for less and less surgery and more non-invasives.”

For those who do opt for surgery, Dr. Perry has important advice. “Choose your doctor carefully; check out his or her training and be sure they are board-certified for the procedures being considered; and if the procedure is done in the office, make sure that the doctor has privileges at a hospital to do that same procedure.”

Dr. Perry has an accredited operating room in his office where he performs a number of procedures for which sedation rather than general anesthesia is appropriate. He also performs surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and Somerset Medical Center. In addition, he operates at surgery centers (out-patient centers) at Robert Wood Johnson and St. Peter’s.

Personal Care

If his patient is undergoing surgery, Dr. Perry makes sure she is cleared by her internist, and he also takes a complete medical history of patients for whatever procedure they are having.

“I take personal care of my patients,” he explains. “I do all the procedures myself, right down to removing the stitches.”

In addition, he ensures that his patients have realistic expectations for the outcome of the proposed procedure.

“It is important that the patient have the proper mind-set for facial rejuvenation. I want to help women look their best, and I stop them from going too far. I also spend a lot of time fixing the strange results that others have caused. The goal is to perform the procedure so that no one knows it has been done. I want people to look in the mirror, see a refreshed appearance, and feel better about themselves.”

Dr. Perry also points out that a good skincare program, incorporating vitamins C and A, can be helpful. He has carefully researched, created, and patented a program including a series of products, emphasizing a simple regimen featuring natural ingredients.

In addition to his practice, Dr. Perry has found time to write four books, many newspaper and magazine articles, and is often featured as a lecturer and speaker at various events and conferences. He has also been quoted and reviewed in numerous publications, from Cosmopolitan magazine to The New York Times.

Life-long Learning 

Dr. Perry hosts a weekly plastic surgery radio program, “What’s Your Wrinkle?” on WABC, and appears regularly on Dr. Oz’s television program, among others.

Life-long learning is important for all physicians, and Dr. Perry continues to educate himself and other doctors. He contributes scientific papers to journals and chapters to medical text books, and he has presented original research on liposuction at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons meeting, as well as on numerous other subjects relating to plastic surgery.

He served on the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners for many years, and he is the recipient of many awards and honors. Among them: recognition as one of four plastic surgeons in New Jersey Life Magazine’s Top Doctors; one of eight plastic surgeons in New Jersey Magazine’s Top Doctors; and as one of New Jersey’s top eight plastic surgeons in New York Magazine.

He was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contribution to Plastic Surgery and the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners by the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Perry is also a member of many medical associations.

His patients not only come from the Princeton area, but well beyond, including across the country. Many of them return in later years for further procedures.

Plastic surgery is a very individualized practice, he points out. “No two people are alike or look alike. I want to help them look their best, and I am happy to be a plastic surgeon and be able to do that for them. I love what I do!”

Dr. Perry can be reached at (732) 422-9600. Visit his website at: www.perryplasticsurgery.com.