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Gynecomastia Surgery and Steroid Use
Many patients come to us with a history of past or present use of hormonally active medications and supplements. These complex chemicals may have been used to help increase muscle…
Costs of Cosmetic Surgery
The costs of cosmetic surgery can be the biggest barrier to achieving your goals. Fees charged by different practices will vary widely, and not always for reasons of quality. Even within a practice, the fee for a specific procedure will vary between patients. Complexity and scale of procedures can vary widely between patients Patient characteristics (e.g. health problems requiring hospital surgery) may influence the costs. How to lower the costs of your surgery? If procedures can be safely combined (e.g. breast and abdominal), there is often a savings of $1-2,000 because you are only paying for one trip to the operating room. A patient who has had previous surgery in…
Should I Remove My Breast Implants?
Concerns about Breast Implant Illness (BII) are driving some women to consider removal of their breast implants. Research to this point does not support the existence of BII. Nevertheless, many women who believe they have BII experience at least temporary relief of their symptoms once their implants are removed (the possibility of a placebo effect must be acknowledged). Ultimately, if removing your implants might help you to feel better (even if only by relieving anxiety), what is the down-side in taking them out? 1.Loss of breast volume. Unless you have gained weight, breast volume will appear less than before your augmentation due to implant pressure causing flattening of the tissues,…
Weight gain after liposuction- What?!
One of the dirty secrets of plastic surgery is that liposuction can contribute to ……..weight gain! Wait! Before you cancel your surgery, take a moment to understand why this can happen, and appreciate how simple it is to avoid the extra pounds some people put on after liposuction. Let’s say you don’t like the size of your thighs. They’ve always been too big, and the sight of them sends you to the gym 5 days a week and keeps you on your diet. Frustrated, you find a great surgeon, have liposuction, and three weeks later your thighs are looking great! Now that you are happy with your appearance, diet and…
The Face of Evil
Numerous studies have proven that we do ‘judge a book by its cover’, and if your cover (appearance) is flawed, you can expect to be at a disadvantage everywhere from the school playground to the courtroom. Our reconstructive practice includes many patients who must ultimately live with some form of disfigurement, and we are constantly seeking out better ways to alleviate this physical and psychological burden. Society prides itself in the great strides taken to reduce prejudice associated with race, sexual orientation etc., but is enough effort being made to eliminate ‘scar-shaming’? A recent publication (JAMA Dermatol. 2017; 153(6):559-664) would argue not, as it revealed the disproportionate use of disfigurement…
How to recover from botched Cosmetic Surgery
Manage your emotions Bad results from cosmetic surgery can trigger emotions that are often counter-productive to your recovery. You might blame yourself and be too ashamed to seek help. You might be angry at your surgeon and unable to face them, or may take out your frustration in ways (e.g. threatening a lawsuit, negative on-line reviews, acting-out in the reception area) that destroy your relationship with the practice. Although perhaps justifiable, raging at your surgeon will destroy your ‘therapeutic relationship’, and may require you to be referred to another surgeon. You do need to express and validate your frustrations, but the company of a friend, relative or your family doctor…
FAQs
What are the advantages of a facelift compared to other procedures like fillers?
Facelifts and fillers should be seen as complimentary and not competitors, but it is essential that you get advice from a surgeon who can offer both options. Using fillers or non-surgical techniques when surgery is best will result in bad results and can put your health at risk.
Will facelifts get rid of wrinkles?
After a facelift, there should be a dramatic improvment in wrinkles in the cheek and neck areas, but wrinkles around the eyes and mouth may stand out more in comparison. Be sure to consider whether treatment of these features will be necessary to maintain harmony in your facial appearance.
Can a facelift cause nerve damage?
Facelift surgery can damage motor nerves creating temporary or permanent abnormalities in facial movement. It can also damage large sensory branches resulting in abnormal sensations or pain in areas of your face. An expert surgeon will minimize the risks of these occurences, but it's impossible to eliminate all risks. Every facelift (even every incision) involves small nerve branches being cut, and in some patients this can result in permanent symptoms.
How do you wash your hair after a facelift?
You can go in a shower the day after a facelift. It is best to have someone with you, and a chair or bench to sit on if you feel dizzy - we have known people to faint the first time they shower after surgery. Expect to have a little bleeding, but don't be alarmed. Use of an antibacterial agent like chlorhexidine as a shampoo is our recommendation until scabs along the incision lines are gone.
How do you sleep after a facelift?
We recommend a position with an elevated chest and head. A pile of pillows can be used if a lounge chair is not available. Sleeping with your neck alone flexed by a pillow is not helpful- both chest and head need to be elevated to encourage blood flow, avoid swelling, and minimize pressure and contamination along the incision lines.
Where are the scars from a facelift?
In the past, facelift scars were 'hidden' behind the hairline, but this resulted in the loss of hair-bearing scalp, and a deformity made even worse if the facelift was repeated. It is more common now for incisions to be designed to be hidden along the edge of the hairline and other natural features. The incision used is customized for each patient.