A leader in the industry, Dr. Bryan G. Forley is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After graduating from Brown University in 1979, Dr. Forley received his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and was trained in general surgery at New York University Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center. His residency in cosmetic surgery was completed at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco and was followed by a fellowship in aesthetic surgery and craniofacial surgery. Dr. Forley is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Considered one of NYC’s top aesthetic surgeons, Dr. Forley has been selected amongst New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” and has been selected for inclusion yearly in Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” Guide, in addition to his “SuperDoctors” Guide to New York City’s Top Doctors.
Dr. Forley has been in private practice in Manhattan for more than 25 years with an office on the Upper East Side that includes an office-based surgical facility accredited by the Joint Commission. He is affiliated with Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, and Mount Sinai West hospital. He specialises in cosmetic surgery of the face, eye, nose, breast and body in addition to FaceTite, BodyTite, AccuTite, Morpheus8, Evoke, Laser Resurfacing, Nordlys IPL, Ultherapy®BOTOX® Cosmetics, Fat Grafts and Injectable Fillers.
OR: When did you know you wanted to be a plastic surgeon?
Dr Forley: I got interested in medication and architecture during highschool. I made a decision after several volunteer hospital-based experiences to pursue a career in medication but never lost sight of my passion for architecture and design. When it came time to choose a specialty, cosmetic surgery seemed a natural fit where I was able to combine medication with the aesthetics of the human face and body.
OR: Many people are confused about the difference between a plastic surgeon and a dermatologist? Could you please provide clarity?
Dr Forley: Plastic Surgery is a surgical specialty and Dermatology is a medical specialty. While there’s some overlap of non-surgical procedures, it is crucial to understand that plastic surgeons have extensive training in general surgery and cosmetic surgery which gives them a deep 3D understanding of the face and body. This is important not only when performing surgery but also when treating patients with minimally invasive non-surgical procedures.
OR: What is your specialty and how did you choose it?
Dr Forley: I tell my patients that I specialise in delivering excellent results. I lean towards aesthetic surgery as a major focus of my practice because of the satisfaction I see in patients not only in the improvements I can create in their physical appearance, but in the increases in their self-esteem and self-confidence.
OR: Many people at all times try to maintain or look younger than their age. Any suggestions on how to stay ahead of the aging curve?
Dr Forley: My recommendation is to be proactive and begin earlier so the aging process will appear more gradual. Building a relationship with a trusted practitioner will help you navigate the changes of aging while maintaining a natural appearance. Those who wait until later in life to make self-improvement efforts may have a harder time achieving their goals.
OR: Given the pandemic, what safety protocols have you implemented?
Dr Forley:
- Upon entering the office: COVID-19 screening questionnaire, temperature check, hand hygiene, face masks for all patients & staff.
- Only one patient in the office at any time. Special needs are met on an individual basis.
- Masks must be worn at all times in the office and will get replaced with a Pharma Systems Mini Filtration device when the mask must be removed for a procedure.
- Gowns and face shields must be worn during the procedure. We practice physical distancing anytime possible.
- COVID-19 PCR test for all surgery patients. Testing physicians and office staff per CDC guidelines.
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize all treatment areas, high-touch surfaces and bathrooms between patient visits and throughout the day.
- We have installed an advanced air purification system to utterly clean the office air of all potential aerosolized viruses and bacteria several times every hour and each 3 minutes in the operating room.
- Follow-up questionnaires of all office patients and contact tracing as indicated.
OR: There are many lasers, and anti-aging treatments on the market. Which services do you use and what are the results for your many patients?
Dr Forley: I use energy devices to treat fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration of the face and body, facial capillaries and thread veins, superficial veins around the eyes, venous lakes in the lips, spider veins in the legs, undesirable facial or body hair, and scars. Candela’s technologically advanced Nordlys system is used to deliver wideband light energy and laser treatment for a safe and effective treatment experience. Morpheus8 resurfacing treatment improves wrinkles, skin tone, surface texture, and scars by using microneedles that can be connected to different depths to transmit radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten, lift, and improve the appearance of aged skin. I’ve found that this treatment can be used as a stand-alone procedure or as a complement to the surgical treatment we offer.
OR: Morpheus8 and FaceTite are popular minimally invasive treatments. Can you share what the procedure looks like, downtime, etc.?
Dr Forley: FaceTite uses bipolar radiofrequency energy to attain skin tightening on the face and neck without scalpels or scars. This system requires only a needle entry point for the FaceTite applicator to be placed slightly below the skin. Multiple tunnels are then performed with the applicator to provide a safe level of exactly monitored heat flowing directly from the cannula tip to the external surface electrode. Excess fat in the neck will be formed using liposuction. This controlled heating of the inner fibrous bands under the skin and the external skin surface is performed under local anesthesia, leading to a surgical-like removal with less downtime and without scarring. Results develop gradually over 3-6 months and may last for several years.
Morpheus8 offers a non-surgical alternative to treating aging skin and provides significant improvement without the downtime, prolonged redness, or discoloration that other techniques can be missing. Skin rejuvenation and firming is achieved by combining radiofrequency energy and microneedling to improve skin sagging and contouring. Morpheus8 consists of a hand-held device with tiny needles that can be spread to different depths below the skin surface. It is used to make tiny punctures in the skin where controlled levels of radiofrequency energy are delivered to stimulate deposition of new collagen and remodeling of the fat layer. Improved skin quality and surface contour leading to a younger appearance. Treatment consists of 3-6 sessions at monthly intervals to attain the best results. This treatment can be used together with the companion FaceTite and/or BodyTite procedures to provide better skin tone correction and correction.
OR: Are there better treatments for men than women?
Dr Forley: I would say that men are more likely to have less invasive procedures. With the appearance of RF energy treatments such as FaceTite, BodyTite and Morpheus8, we are now able to offer significant improvements in the appearance of their aging with less risk and minimal downtime compared to surgery.
OR: What are some of your favourite fillers that you use on your patients? Can you describe the procedure and results? How long do they last?
Dr Forley: My approach to fillers is to analyze each patient as an individual and tailor filler selection to meet the needs of their particular situation. My preference is for hyaluronic acid fillers because of their great versatility and safety profile. In 2021, we have a broad range of top-notch fillers each designed to meet specific needs: higher density fillers for a deeper volumizing effect, medium density fillers for superficial placement to blend contours, fillers with additional crosslinking technology for used in animation areas, and low density fillers for the repair of scratched lines and superficial wrinkles. Experience and aesthetic judgment are key to providing natural patient outcomes. The duration of effect varies depending on the choice of filler and location but the general range is 12-24 months.
OR: Please share the benefits of cosmetic surgery compared to non-invasive treatments.
Dr Forley: I embrace surgical and non-surgical care to optimize outcomes for my patients. In some cases, specifically in the early stages of aging, a nonsurgical approach is indicated. However, over time, it is crucial to realize when surgery will provide the best results. For example, overuse of injectable fillers can lead to an unsatisfactory and overly cared-for appearance compared to more natural, restorative surgical procedures designed to directly address aging changes in the face and neck.
OR: What are your interests outside of the operating room?
Dr: Forley: I have a passion for travel and photography and have traveled to 7 continents to capture the incredible beauty of this planet with my camera. https://www.instagram.com/drforley/
Recently, I went on a scuba diving expedition in Antarctica which was my third visit to this otherworldly continent. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, exploring Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands, visiting tribal groups in Ethiopia, and photographing Uganda’s incredible mountain gorillas were all highlights of my trip. I look forward to continuing my adventure once it’s safe to travel again.
OR: Tell us about your voluntary operating missions to underserved countries.
Dr Forley: I have traveled abroad on a number of humanitarian surgical missions to operate on kids born with deformities including cleft lip and palate and deformed hands. The local population also has high post-traumatic functional problems with limited access to medical care. The life-changing impact of this procedure on those being cared for on voluntary missions is summed up in the parting comment by a father of a 3-month-old in Peru whose cleft lip I recently repaired, “My son will never forget you”.
OR: Nice talking to you and that I look forward to seeing you in your office soon.
Dr Forley: It was my pleasure and I’m really looking forward to it.
Bryan G. Forley, MD, PC
5 Street 82 East
New York, New York 10028
(212) 861-3757
https://www.facebook.com/drforley
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMyNgPkLiMT5kD1d9xT6A
