H
arford is becoming more beautiful, one face and body at a time, thanks to wildly popular
cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz. This handsome bachelor grew up in central New
Jersey, very close to Fort Monmouth. He moved to the Baltimore area 12 years ago after
finishing his Plastic Surgery training. "Coming from a family of physicians (and one professional
artist) I feel I have had an upbringing that has uniquely prepared me for this profession," said Dr.
Horowitz. "Cosmetic surgery is a marriage of science and art. From an academic standpoint, I was
chosen as a high school freshman to participate in the Medical Sciences Learning Center program
where the curriculum included anatomy and investigational research courses designed to prepare
students for medical school," he added. Upon graduation, he was accepted into the seven-year
combined college and medical school program at Union College and Albany Medical Center.
After earning his medical degree, Dr. Horowitz spent the next 7 years training in both General
and Plastic Surgery. In order to gain more knowledge and experience in Cosmetic Surgery, he
spent an entire year training with some of the best-known Aesthetic Surgeons in the world, while
in Manhattan. "This was a wonderful year for me as I had hands-on experience with my own
patients as I was in charge of a clinic, yet I was also assisting these amazing surgeons on their own
patients, thus learning the state-of-the-art techniques first hand. As any Cosmetic Surgeon will
tell you, some of these techniques are personal insights the surgeons have accrued over many years
and aren’t available in any textbook. There is no substitute for experience," smiled Dr. Horowitz.
Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz, MD
Cosmetic
Surgery
"If I could give advice to someone
considering cosmetic surgery,
it would be that it’s completely
normal, not superficial or vain, to
have something done. I think people
should be honest with themselves
about something that bothers them
and accept that it’s not going to go
away on its own. Why let something
about your appearance diminish your
joy in life when it can be fixed?"
o Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz, MD
by Anne Fullem
photography Juliet Seger
www.photojanestudios.com
Dr. Horowitz's wardrobe Christopher Schaeffer
This accomplished surgeon's experience isn't limited to the medical field. Dr. Horowitz also
trained in the Visual Arts at the Cornell University Summer Arts Program and the Lacoste School
of Art in the South of France. "Visual Art was also my half-major in college, where my honors
“thesis” was actually an art show exploring the effect of light on skin. My visual art training helps
me be a better surgeon as the skills I learned help me appreciate beauty, think abstractly and have
given me manual dexterity that I wouldn’t otherwise possess," he added.
Dr. Horowitz is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons, and his twelve-year practice is thriving. "My Uncle was a Plastic
Surgeon and he first exposed me to the specialty. I saw it as a way to combine my passion for
the visual arts and my attraction to surgery. Cosmetic surgery is unique in that it allows the
practitioner to use his or her creativity and sense of what is beautiful. There is never one single
“right” answer to any given patient. If you ask 10 plastic surgeons, you might get 10 different
answers," he explained. Dr. Horowitz was also attracted to the variety of problems encountered by
a Plastic Surgeon. "Few other fields allow one to operate literally from head to toe. There’s never
a chance to get bored," he grinned.
Dr. Horowitz loves the entire spectrum of Cosmetic Surgery, but his favorite procedure to
perform is simultaneous breast augmentation and lifting. "The optimal outcome from this
operation results from the successful interplay of so many factors - the type and size of implant,
where the implant is placed and the technique of mastopexy used - that I find this procedure to
be particularly challenging and rewarding," he explained.
Dr. Horowitz's practice covers everything from breasts, body, face, and tummy to a myriad of nonsurgical options all designed to fight the aging process and boost self-esteem. "The most common
reason my patients choose to have cosmetic surgery is simply being unhappy with something about
their appearance. Some patients want “enhancement” of something that’s always bothered them, while
others want “rejuvenation” to restore their appearance to how they used to look," said Dr. Horowitz.
The most commonly requested procedures in his practice are breast augmentation and tummy tucks.
The most common noninvasive procedures are Botox and dermal fillers. Another popular procedure
is the Mommy-makeover. This is the general term for breast and tummy surgery performed together.
It gets its name by addressing the common body concerns after having children. Popular procedures
include breast lifting (which can be combined with implants), liposuction and tummy tuck. Patients
appreciate that by combining the procedures, there is only one recovery period.
Dr. Horowitz is able to perform consultations either online or in person. His newest website feature
is great for busy patients who are unable to come to the office for a traditional consult. The link
allows patients to pose questions and send us pictures securely and anonymously. He personally
reviews their information and emails them back with recommendations and an estimate of the fees.
Once in the office, he devotes the time necessary to understand each patient’s concerns, goals and
expectations. "I often use 3-D technology to simulate what the patient will look like after surgery.
We also review the typical postoperative course and all questions are answered personally," he added.
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3Harford STYLE Spring 20154
Noninvasive procedures, like Botox, fillers and
laser skin resurfacing are performed right in their
office. Dr. Horowitz holds hospital privileges at
Upper Chesapeake, Franklin Square and Northwest
Hospital as well as at outpatient surgical centers in
Edgewood and Baltimore. "Patients appreciate the
option of being able to spend the night of surgery in
a hospital setting when desired," he explained.
Dr. Horowitz's practice is unique because he
combines sophisticated cosmetic services with a
friendly, comfortable atmosphere. "Too often, I
hear from patients that they are too intimidated by
their Plastic Surgeon to raise their concerns. I fear
too many people think that they have to accept the
arrogance of their surgeon in exchange for quality
care. That attitude does not exist in our office,"
he said. Dr. Horowitz's warm personality puts
his clients at ease immediately. "From a personal
standpoint, I want patients to feel comfortable
speaking with me," said Dr. Horowitz.
"A mentor once told me that patients end up
disappointed when their expectations don’t match
what’s been promised to them. That’s why I make it
a priority to listen to my patients so I can understand
what his or her goals are. I give them real expectations.
I’m honest with them. Happy and satisfied patients
are my priority. This is much more important to
me than getting another case on the books," Dr.
Horowitz explained. He personally sees patients every
visit, be it a consultation or postoperative check-up.
Although many practices assign injectable procedures
to a nurse or physician assistant, he performs them
himself. "This allows me to develop a rapport with
my patients and ensures the highest level of care. I
give every patient my cell phone number so they can
speak with me directly 24-7 about any concerns they
have," said Dr. Horowitz.
His genuineness isn't reserved for his clients. Dr.
Horowitz and his office manager, Michele Alessi,
are on the board of the Harford Family House,
which provides housing for homeless families with
children. They are also active with SARC, Rotary of
Southern Harford, Susan G. Komen for the Cure,
the Ravens’ Mom Squad, Friendly daughters of Saint
Patrick and the Harford County Center for the Arts.
For more information you need to check out their
website: wwwjeffhorowitzmd.com. "Our web
presence is constantly evolving and we are very
proud of the latest version of our website! We wanted
to create a site that was easy to read and navigate and
provides accurate, up-to-date information about
what we do. That’s why I regularly blog about what’s
new in the field. We also wanted to use the latest
technology to enhance patients’ experience so we’ve
incorporated ways to do online consultations and do
3-D surgical simulations through the site," added
Dr. Horowitz.
143www.harfordstyle.com4
Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz, MD
Answers Some of Your Questions
About Cosmetic Surgery
Are breast implants safe?
Believe it or not, breast implants are the most closely studied medical device of any kind and have been shown to
be perfectly safe. Common misconceptions are that patients need to get an MRI every three years or that implants
need to be exchanged every ten years. If patients remain happy with the size and shape of their breasts, there is
no reason why implants can’t last a lifetime. In addition, breast implants do not interfere with mammography,
or increase the risk of breast cancer.
What procedures do you use to reduce the signs of aging?
Facelift surgery is the definitive solution for sagging jowls and excess neck skin. This restores a natural jawline
and neckline. It can be combined with other surgeries, such as browlifts and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate the
entire face. Non-invasive treatments, such as Botox, dermal fillers and laser skin resurfacing can complement the
final results. The newest thinking in facial rejuvenation surgery recognizes the importance of restoring youthful
volume to the face; volume that can be lost with aging and/or weight loss. This volume can be replaced with
either fat grafts (that are obtained via liposuction from other areas of the body) or with Voluma injectable filler.
Will everyone be able to tell I had surgery?
Along with the modern approach to facial rejuvenation has come the realization that the best results require
subtlety on the part of the surgeon. Of course, your results will be noticeable; if no one notices you look
better, then your surgeon probably didn’t do anything for you. The artistry in face-lifting comes with delivering
beautiful and real results, but without overdoing it and producing a fake look. I’m careful to produce a desired
result while avoiding the tell-tale signs of having had surgery.
Will insurance cover my treatment?
Insurance companies may cover surgeries for conditions that involve some functional compromise. If patients
suffer from rashes under skin folds for example, they may cover the costs of breast reduction surgery or
panniculectomy, which is excision of redundant lower abdominal skin.
Do Botox injections remove wrinkles?
Botox is a protein that weakens muscles. By injecting Botox in precise locations, the appearance of facial wrinkles
can be improved. The traditional uses of Botox are for wrinkles to the forehead, between the eyebrows and at the
corners of the eyes. Increasingly, other indications for Botox are being discovered, including to raise the eyebrows
and to treat the lines around the mouth.
Is liposuction the best way to get rid of cellulite?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a reliable treatment for cellulite. Although some practices offer laser treatment for
cellulite, I do not feel the results are reliable or long lasting. I do not recommend such treatment for my patients.
Liposuction can actually make the appearance of cellulite worse as it can make the skin appear “deflated”.
Is there any risk of disease from bovine sourced collagen?
Injectable collagen products have largely been replaced by fillers made from Hyaluronic Acid, which is a substance
that is found in our own bodies already. Having said that, there is a new filler on the market that’s designed to
improve the appearance of acne scarring called Bellafill. This filler does contain bovine collagen. There is no
evidence that bovine collagen can transmit disease, but it requires a skin test 4 weeks prior to treatment because
of the risk of allergy.
How can I have my tattoo removed?
Our practice offers the full spectrum of laser treatment, including skin resurfacing and tattoo removal. Patients
should know that such treatment typically needs to be performed over 5-7 sessions and that some colors, such as
blue and gray, are more easily removed than others.
Is plastic surgery painful?
Pain avoidance has become a focal point in our practice and I am always keen to discover new ways to keep our
patients comfortable. For injectable procedures, I combine a gentle touch with the finest possible needles and
prescription strength topical numbing agents. A recent journal article established the utility of vibration therapy
to distract patients during such procedures and I have recently incorporated this into my routine. Regarding
surgical procedures, I often use a long-acting local anesthetic during the surgery to make the postoperative course
easier and limit patients’ need for narcotics after their surgery.