Services

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (see below)

Dr. Arons offers the complete spectrum of general plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery from head to toe. Plastic surgery is a surgical subspecialty that can improve both form and function on all parts of the human body, including deformities that result from disfiguring illness, birth defects, trauma and normal aging. Its name is derived from the Greek work Plastikos, which means “to shape” or “to mold.” It has nothing to do with the use of actual plastic materials.

Personal appearance and perception of self have a profound effect on personal well-being. Thus, plastic surgery cannot only change physical appearance, but it can also improve mental health and “emotional appearance,” as well as boost self-confidence. The office of Dr. Arons offers experience in a wide array of procedures available through our office to help achieve the outcome and appearance you desire.

The decision to have plastic surgery – whether necessary or elective – can be a difficult one for many people. Like most medical procedures, it should be very carefully considered before choosing to move forward. If you are considering plastic surgery, our hope is that the information on this website provides you with a better understanding of the many ways we can help and answers some of the questions you might have about the various services we perform.

Body

Liposuction

Dr. Arons has helped many patients attain a slimmer physique and improved appearance with this surgical procedure, first introduced in the United States in 1982.

Liposuction is used to remove localized collections of fatty tissue in several different areas of the body. It is also known as lipoplasty or suction lipectomy. By using a powerful vacuum device, Dr. Arons can suction fat from the legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, face and neck.

Dr. Arons and other board-certified physicians have seen an increase popularity of liposuction due to the effectiveness of the technique and the fact that it leaves only tiny scars.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

Many of Dr. Arons’ patients have turned to abdominoplasy after multiple pregnancies or large weight loss. In those and other circumstances, abdominal muscles weaken and skin of the abdomen becomes loose and flaccid.

A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes, however, those methods cannot achieve our goals. Even people of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. Abdominoplasty can tighten the abdominal muscles and in some instances improve stretch marks.

Face

The eyes are the focal point of the face, contributing substantially to overall facial appearance. Bags beneath the eyes, wrinkled drooping layers of skin on the eyelids and sagging eyebrows give the entire face a perpetually tired or sad expression.

Aesthetic eyelid surgery performed by Dr. Arons can brighten the face and restore a more youthful appearance by reducing the fat and extra skin that cause these conditions. The doctor frequently recommends blepharoplasty be performed along with a facelift or with other facial rejuvenating procedures.

Botox

Facial expressions are the visible signs of how we feel. Although we seldom think about it, many of our expressions involve contraction of facial muscles. Over time, this repeated muscle action to create certain expressions might result in wrinkles, creases and deep furrows that remain visible even when the face has returned to a more neutral or relaxed state. These persistent wrinkles may make us look angry or anxious when we are not and they may be among the first visible signs of facial aging.

Facial rejuvenation by injection of Botox® (marketed as Botox Cosmetic) is a course of treatments to relax the underlying muscles that create unwanted expression lines in the face, thus softening wrinkles and furrows and, in many cases, virtually erasing these lines. The result is a smoother facial surface and a refreshed, more youthful appearance. Botox® has been used therapeutically for many years and is approved in more than 75 countries. Its use to improve the frown lines between the eyebrow (known as glabellar lines) was approved by the FDA in 2002. Since then, millions of Botox® injections have been performed.

Botox® is one of the most widely researched medicines in the world. It is a purified therapeutic agent that is also used for lines across the forehead, crows feet and cords in the neck called platysmal bands. In addition, Botox® has also been used to soften the folds that develop in the nasolabial area (extending from the outer corner of the nose, to the corner of the mouth) and to soften so-called marionette lines (extending from the corners of the mouth, down to the chin). Botox® injection is a quick and simple procedure with minimal downtime. It can be performed in the office, usually without any anesthesia and on the same day as your initial consultation, if so desired. Botox® does not leave you with a frozen face; rather, it gently softens your natural facial contours. Patients report that they look less angry and more awake.

Botox® is not only for the “rich and famous.” According to a recent survey, working mothers between the ages of 40 and 55 are the most common users. Those with annual household incomes of less than $100,000 (44%) were more likely to use Botox® than those with annual incomes of more than $150,000. It is a reasonably priced and highly effective aesthetic procedure. It is a highly cost-effective procedure that produces a significant result with relatively minimal investment or risk.

The effects of Botox® can last up to 3-4 months. When the drug wears off, your face will return to its pretreatment condition, although sometimes with repeated injections, the underlying muscles may permanently weaken. Many people choose to continue regular treatments, typically 2-3 times per year. Botox® is not only for women, as men can experience excellent results as well. Side effects are minimal but may include temporary bruising and redness.

Injectable Fillers

Injectable fillers correct unsightly wrinkles or furrows, smile lines, nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. They can be used in conjunction with Botox®

Radiesse, Juvaderm, and other injectable fillers are made of a slightly different chemical compound. Injection of these fillers is safe, as hundreds of thousands of patients have undergone injection by physicians worldwide. Through years of clinical studies and independent research, Radiesse, and Juvaderm have been proven to be safe and effective. The injections are administered right in the office, and in many cases, can be administered on the same day as your initial consultation. Local anesthesia is necessary. Some bruising or discoloration may be experienced. There is little to no downtime associated with the use of Radiesse, Juvaderm and other injectable fillers, with most patients returning to normal activities immediately after treatment

Kybella

Click here for scientific information regarding Kybella

Kybella is the first and only FDA-approved nonsurgical treatment that contours and improves the appearance of submental fullness–a double chin. It is a nonsurgical procedure that takes approximately 15-20 minutes in the office. Kybella destroys fat cells when injected into the fat beneath the chin. 2 to 4 sessions are usually required to achieve the desired aesthetic result, usually given 4 to 6 weeks apart. The results are permanent. The most common side effects include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area. The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, Kybella causes the destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat again. Visit mykybella.com or call Dr. Arons for more information.

Latisse

Latisse solution is an FDA-approved prescription treatment to grow eyelashes longer, thicker and darker over approximately three months.

Skin

Our office now offers SkinPen micro-needling. SkinPen is the first and only micro-needling system that is FDA approved, specifically for the treatment of acne scarring of the face, and is also used for facial rejuvenation to improve appearance. SkinPen has set a new technological and safety standard for micro-needling, offering minimally invasive, non-ablative options utilizing state of the art skin rejuvenation technology. Employing straight needles that penetrate at 90° angles, SkinPen creates hundreds of vertical microscopic channels in the skin painlessly to trigger skin remodeling without causing scar tissue formation. Usually three treatment sessions are required in the office, with minimal downtime and little risk. You might hear about other micro-needling devices, but SkinPen is the only one that is FDA approved, and we’re the first to have it. Ask us about it.

Visit skinpen.com

Skin Cancer and Skin Lesions

One of the most common procedures that we offer is the removal of skin cancers, skin lesions and tumors, and “lumps and bumps”. Dr. Arons works closely with many Dermatologists in the area, many of whom refer exclusively to him. Dr. Arons is also known for his compassionate and conservative (if appropriate) care of elderly patients with skin cancer. Biopsies can almost always be performed in the office, usually at the first consultation visit. If further surgery is needed, then usually the removal of the lesion can also be performed right in the office, under straight local anesthesia at a later date. If a skin cancer or tumor requires larger reconstruction, then Dr. Arons will schedule it to be performed in the operating room. While scarring is always an inherent risk of such procedures, Dr. Arons, as a plastic surgeon, specializes in the “art” of surgery, emphasizing post-operative appearance, regardless of the location on your body.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Dr. Arons has brought the technology of intense pulsed light, which uses the heat energy of visible light to improve skin damage from aging, sun damage and acne, to his New Haven office. This same technology can also be used to remove unwanted hair.

As we age and our skin is exposed to the sun, smoke and other pollutants, it undergoes fundamental changes that result in uneven and blotchy pigmentation, redness and brown spots. These very visible signs of aging can now be addressed with this breakthrough treatment.

Scar Revision

Dr. Arons offers a number of treatments for scar revisions based on the type and degree of scarring. Options range from simple topical treatments to minimally invasive procedures to surgical revision with advanced techniques in wound closure. In general, scar revision is performed to create a less-prominent scar that is more consistent with surrounding skin tone and texture. Before deciding on the best course of action, Dr. Arons believes it is important for his patients to understand that all scars, whether the result of injury or surgery, are permanent.

Hand Surgery

Many people do not realize that plastic surgeons are also hand surgeons. In fact, most hand surgeons in the United States are either plastic surgeons or orthopaedic surgeons. In addition to cosmetic surgery and general plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Arons also is an expert in surgery of the hand and wrist. After completing his general surgery and plastic surgery training, he completed an extra year of hand surgery Fellowship training in orthopaedic hand surgery. He performs all aspects of hand surgery, including treatment of broken bones, traumatic injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve surgery and tendon surgery. He performs wrist arthroscopy, as well as endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

Planning, Expecting, and Preparing for Elective Hand Surge click here.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The gold standard for definitive treatment of this debilitating condition is surgical. Ultimately, there are two surgical options to treat carpel tunnel syndrome: the open technique and the endoscopic technique. The endoscopic technique consistently allows less pain and quicker recovery than the open technique. One of a limited number of physicians in Connecticut specializing in hand surgery, Dr. Arons is the surgeon with the most experience in the New Haven area with the use of the endoscopic technique and has probably performed more endoscopic carpal tunnel releases than any other local surgeon.

Carpal tunnel syndrome often results in numbness and tingling that can make even simple tasks hard to accomplish. Many patients describe a feeling of coldness and even of pain that may radiate up the arm, even to the shoulder or neck. Classically, symptoms are worse at night and awaken patients from a sound sleep. Patients may have a weakened grip, worsening penmanship and loss of dexterity. Patients may notice numbness and tingling while driving, holding a phone, book, newspaper or a hairbrush. Symptoms tend to become more severe over time.

Wrist Arthroscopy

Although a relatively new technique, Dr. Arons is well versed in wrist arthroscopy, which uses an arthroscope to look inside the wrist joint. The arthroscope is actually a small telescope that is inserted into the joint. Using a fiberoptic light source, the wrist joint is lit up and the images transmitted through a small camera to a television screen that Dr. Arons can see. He can then use the many specialized instruments that have been created in the same size as the arthroscope to perform this procedure. Wrist arthroscopy is a surgical procedure performed in the operating room under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Arthroscopy can be used for diagnosis and treatment of common wrist problems, usually those following injury.

Basilar Joint Arthritis of the Thumb

Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. It can be the result of many factors, including heredity, biomechanical stress and natural aging. It often affects the joint at the base of the thumb known as the basilar carpometacarpal joint. Arthritis in this location is usually the result of degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, as opposed to the more widespread disease known as rheumatoid arthritis. Basilar joint arthritis is most common in women over 40, but anyone can get it. Often, both thumbs are involved. Repeatedly gripping, twisting or turning objects with the thumb and fingers may make the arthritis worse, although it usually does not actually “cause” the arthritis. The most common symptom is pain in the lower part of the thumb.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a type of tendonitis or tenosynovitis around the tendons that flex (bend) your finger. It is a type of inflammation that occurs for unknown reasons. Sometimes various activities and employment may substantially contribute to the development of this condition, although the exact cause is unknown. The middle and ring fingers are most involved, although triggering can occur in all fingers. Symptoms include snapping (known as triggering) or even actual locking of the finger in a flexed position. This often occurs at night or upon awakening in the morning. Often, the patient must manually straighten the finger by using his other hand.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a condition of inflammation around the bony knob on the outer side of your elbow. It occurs when the tissue that attaches muscle to bone becomes irritated. The bony prominence is called the lateral epicondyle and, therefore, tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis. Interestingly, most of our patients are not tennis players. A similar condition of tendonitis occurs on the inner aspect of the elbow and this is known as medial epicondylitis or golfer’s elbow. Again, most of our patients with this condition are not golfers. While playing a racquet sport can cause tennis elbow, so can performing any activity that involves extending your wrist or rotating your forearm.

Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a firm fluid-filled lump that can suddenly appear on the front or back of the wrist or at the base of the finger. These cysts grow from normal tissue in the wrist and fingers and range in size. Some may become very large, at which point they are usually painful and patients seek medical attention. Although ganglion cysts are common, they do not spread and they do not become cancerous. They are the most common “tumor” (tumor means swelling) of the hand. They can occur after an injury, but many times it is not known why they grow. Ganglion cysts can change in size and go away on their own.

Dupuytren’s Disease

Dupuytren’s disease used to be known as Viking’s disease since it is most commonly seen in patients of Scandinavian and Northern European decent. Patients tend to be fair-skinned. Sometimes, there is a family history of Dupuytren’s disease. The penis and soles of the feet may also be affected, though this is rare. Dupuytren’s disease is an abnormal thickening of a normal layer of the hand below the skin known as the palmar fascia. Although extensively studied, the exact cause of Dupuytren’s disease is unknown. Sometimes a history of a previous injury, alcohol use and use of certain seizure medications have been implicated.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (or tendonitis) is named after the physician who first described this condition of inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist in an anatomic location known as the first dorsal extensor compartment. This compartment contains several tendons that pull out and straighten the thumb. De Quervain’s tendonitis is an inflammation of these tendons. Tendons (cord-like fibers that attach muscle to bone) and synovium (a slick membrane that allows the tendons to glide easily) become irritated, causing pain. While the exact cause of de Quervain’s tendonitis is unknown, certain types of activities and employment may be a substantial contributing factor to the development of this condition.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a set of symptoms that may occur when the ulnar nerve in the elbow gets pinched. The so-called “funny bone” is actually your ulnar nerve and not a bone at all. The exact cause of compression of the ulnar nerve behind the elbow is unknown, although various activities and employment may be a substantial contributing factor to the development of this condition. Holding the elbow in a bent position repeatedly for long periods of time may be a factor, in addition to leaning on the elbows, sleeping with the arms bent or a direct injury to the area.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Arons, M.D.

245 Amity Road, Suite 107
Woodbridge, CT 06525

Phone: (203) 228-5123

Fax: (866)-528-1594

Business Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.