Nicole Psomas graduated as a Physical Therapist with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy and Health & Science from Thomas Jefferson University. After graduating from Jefferson she moved to New York City and was hired by the world famous New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she works to date.
At Cornell, she held the position of Clinical Specialist for the Trauma, Surgical and Medicine Service and worked in reconstructive plastic surgery, helping patients who were recovering after various conditions, such as a trauma or cancer. In 2010, she made the decision to have an elective cosmetic procedure done with New York City Plastic Surgeon, Dr. David Shafer, MD. With minimal information on rehabilitation after cosmetic plastic surgery, she instinctively used the skills she practiced on a daily basis to speed up healing and improve her results after stomach liposuction. Dr. Shafer was astounded by her results and asked her to share the secrets for such an extraordinary recovery.
This sparked a referral service where, to date, she has been treating his patients, and those of many different plastic surgeons all over New York and New Jersey, implementing techniques and educating individuals on how to take recovery into their own hands. She developed her own unique recipe for recovery which she calls “After The Cut”…”The Psomas Method.” She has made this guide available in a book titled “After The Cut: How to Prepare For and Recover from Cosmetic Plastic Surgery” which launched this month. You can purchase the book at www.afterthecut.com or on Amazon.
Below please find some of the products Psomas swears by – in her own words:
Botox®: I started using Botox® on my forehead at age 25 to help treat migraines. The added bonus was the aesthetic improvement it made. I have been getting Botox® treatments ever since. I now even get it in my underarms for Hyper-hidrosis.
Arnica (Arnicare® brand): in cream or gel form, helps reduce swelling and bruising. One secret I tell patients is use it as an under eye de-puffer and dark circle reducer. Arnica is also a staple that I recommend post cosmetic surgery (pre: orally and post: topically).
Bromelain: made from pineapple extract – taken orally helps decrease bloating and swelling in the body. I recommend Bromelain for every cosmetic surgery patient, post-surgery.
La Mer®: the original Moisturizing Cream is the hands down best anti-aging/ hydrating product on the market.
24K Gold Beauty® vibrating roller is the best for reducing face puffiness. The vibrating effect speeds up the results much faster than other rollers ie. Jade Rollers.
For body hydration I use an old school remedy of Coco Butter lotion. For areas of patchy, very dry skin, Aquaphor® is the best for intense hydration. Aquaphor® is a little too thick and sticky to be used as an all over treatment.
Scar Away® silicone strips are amazing for any little or big scars I have needed to treat.
Norco mini vibrator is a fantastic hand held tool that helps massage and break down scar tissue. It works on the smallest scars (ie. Cut on the hand) and bigger scars (post c-section incision).
American Beauty® cold face mask is my go-to for reducing face/eye puffiness.
Spanx® compression garments are a must when I am feeling bloated. They also can be used as a stage 2 garment after many cosmetic surgery procedures (i.e., Liposuction)
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicole Psomas is a Physical Therapist with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy and Health & Science from Thomas Jefferson University. She works at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, specializing in trauma, surgical, and reconstructive plastic surgery rehabilitation.
After undergoing elective stomach liposuction in 2010, Nicole used her physical therapy skills to enhance her recovery. Her remarkable results impressed her plastic surgeon, Dr. David Shafer, who encouraged her to share her techniques, leading to the creation of her unique recovery method called 'After The Cut' or 'The Psomas Method.'
It is a book authored by Nicole Psomas that outlines her unique recovery techniques and advice for cosmetic plastic surgery patients. The book provides guidance on preparation and post-surgery care to improve healing outcomes and is available at www.afterthecut.com and on Amazon.
Nicole recommends several products including Botox® for migraines and aesthetics, Arnica cream or gel to reduce swelling and bruising, Bromelain supplements to decrease bloating, La Mer® moisturizing cream for hydration, and Scar Away® silicone strips for scar treatment, among others.
Nicole uses Arnica in cream or gel form to reduce swelling and bruising after surgery. She also recommends it as an under-eye de-puffer and dark circle reducer. Arnica is used both orally before surgery and topically after surgery for best results.
Bromelain, derived from pineapple extract, is taken orally to help decrease bloating and swelling in the body. Nicole recommends it for every cosmetic surgery patient post-surgery to aid in reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Spanx® compression garments help manage bloating and serve as stage 2 compression garments after procedures like liposuction. They support the body during recovery by providing gentle compression to reduce swelling and improve contouring results.
The Norco mini vibrator is a handheld tool used to massage and break down scar tissue. It is effective on both small scars, such as cuts on the hand, and larger scars like post c-section incisions, helping to improve scar appearance and flexibility.
Nicole began using Botox® at age 25 to treat migraines, with the added benefit of aesthetic improvement. She continues to receive Botox® treatments, including for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) in her underarms, combining health and cosmetic benefits.
Nicole recommends La Mer® Moisturizing Cream as the best anti-aging and hydrating product. For body hydration, she uses cocoa butter lotion, and for very dry or patchy skin, she prefers Aquaphor® for intense moisture, though it is too thick for all-over use.
