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This article will provide helpful information on the common side effects and risks after having BOTOX® Cosmetic procedures.

Women undergo breast augmentation surgery for a number of reasons and if a problem should occur, they want it to be remedied quickly.

If you have been thinking about having a facelift, you may have questions about the procedure. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about facelift surgery.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

In general, you are a good candidate for facelift surgery if you have good skin elasticity, well-defined bone structure in your facial area, and are in good health. Most facelift patients are between 40 to 70 years of age.

Why do most people have facelifts?

Most people choose to undergo facelift surgery to achieve facial rejuvenation. The facelift procedure can address sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and lax muscles in the facial area.

What are the risks associated with having a facelift?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with the facelift surgery, including bleeding, scarring, infection, nerve damage, and poor surgical results. If you aren't comfortable with the potential surgical risks, you may wish to consider less invasive facial rejuvenation options, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic.

What can you expect during the recovery period?

Most patients experience bruising, swelling, and puffiness for around two to three weeks after the facelift procedure. You should be able to return to work and light activities about two weeks after your surgery.

How long will the results of a facelift last?

A facelift does not halt the aging process, or completely reverse the effects of aging. However, you can expect to achieve a look that turns back the hands of time approximately five to ten years, and to maintain that look for another five to ten years into the future. You should discuss your expectations with the plastic surgeon to determine if facelift surgery is appropriate for your goals.

 

Liposuction is a great way to trim up your body and rid yourself of unwanted pockets of fat. That said, liposuction is not a miracle procedure. It cannot turn an overweight person into a thin person or transform the shape of your body completely. For this reason, there are certain guidelines used when determining whether or not a person is a candidate for liposuction.

Overall Health

When a surgeon evaluates a person for any cosmetic surgery, the first thing they consider is his or her overall health. To have plastic surgery a person must be in good health both mentally and physically. They should also have realistic expectations regarding the plastic surgery procedure they have chosen.

Isolated Treatment Areas

People considering liposuction should be within 25 pounds of their ideal weight. In addition to this, they should have areas of fat that have failed to respond to regular exercise and a healthy diet. As mentioned before, liposuction can only remove small amounts of fat, and the procedure is not designed to be used in place of diet and exercise.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

There are certain medical conditions that exclude a person from being a liposuction candidate. For instance, individuals with diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and high blood pressure are not typically considered for surgery. People with any kind of circulatory disorder or bleeding problem should also avoid this procedure.

Temporary Conditions

A number of factors may temporarily exclude you as a liposuction candidate as well. For instance, a woman who is pregnant or lactating should not have liposuction. In addition to this, certain medications may exclude you as a liposuction candidate. These medications may include blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen or any non-steroid anti-inflammatory.

Your plastic surgeon can review the requirements for liposuction candidacy with you to determine if this procedure is the right choice for your needs. If appropriate, other procedures such as tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or other body contouring treatments may be used in conjunction with liposuction to achieve your personal appearance goals.

Injectable fillers such as Restylane® are increasingly popular thanks to recent advancements that have improved their safety and effectiveness. Learn more about Restylane® injections with this list of frequently asked questions.

What is Restylane®?

Restylane® is composed of hyaluronic acid. This acid occurs naturally within the human body. It acts to fill the spaces between other proteins under the skin’s surface, creating a smoother, more youthful appearance. There are no animal origins in this injectable filler, which makes it less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

What makes Restylane® effective?

Restylane® injections add volume to the skin or lips. When volume is added it helps smooth out wrinkles, fine lines, and creases. It also firms up the skin and gives it a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Restylane® can be combined with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery, to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation goals.

What can I expect after Restylane® injections?

After treatment with Restylane®, most people see the difference immediately. However, swelling and redness may occur, so true results may be more apparent a few days after the procedure.

Are the results from Restylane® permanent?

No. The results from Restylane®, like other injectable fillers, are temporary. However, Restylane® injections provide the longest lasting results of any other injectable filler, with maintenance treatments needed only about every six to eight months.

How much does Restylane® cost?

The price of Restylane® is comparable to other injectable fillers and is based on the area that is being treated. However, on average it costs from $300 to $700 to treat one area with Restylane®. Talk to your plastic surgeon to find out if Restylane® is right for you.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is a popular procedure that not only corrects some of the signs of aging but also helps improve vision for patients with sagging upper eyelids.

Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty, can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. Depending on your needs, the procedure can address concerns such as droopy eyelids or bags underneath the eyes to create a more rejuvenated appearance. Upper eyelid surgery incisions are made in the natural eyelid crease to minimize visible scarring. Similarly, lower eyelid surgery incisions are placed discreetly below the lower lashes or inside the lower eyelid to minimize scarring.

Eyelid Surgery Results

Your plastic surgeon will develop a treatment plan that is focused on your individual goals to ensure the procedure meets your needs. In general, blepharoplasty can create a more youthful appearance. Additionally, for patients whose vision has been decreased due to sagging eyelids, the procedure will address this need. If wrinkles around the eyes are also a concern, your plastic surgeon may recommend combining your procedure with BOTOX® Cosmetic or another injectable treatment for improved rejuvenation results.

Eyelid Surgery Risks

As with any surgical procedure a blepharoplasty does have risks involved. Some of the more common complications are infection, excessive tearing, dryness of the eyes, and scarring. Consulting a plastic surgeon experienced in cosmetic eyelid surgery is very important in minimizing more severe complications and maximizing the overall results of your procedure.

Whenever you are considering surgery it is always important to obtain as much information as possible so that you can make informed decisions about your care. Undergoing breast augmentation is no different. Women should not make this decision without all the facts. Here are some frequently asked questions about breast augmentation surgery.

What is breast augmentation surgery?

Breast augmentation is the surgical enlargement of the breasts using breast implants. Based on the patient's goals and preference, the procedure can involve the placement of either saline or silicone breast implants.

How long is the breast augmentation surgery?

Typically, breast augmentation takes about one to two hours. The procedure can vary for each person and it does depend on where the incisions are made as well as where the implants will be placed.

What are the most common side effects of breast augmentation?

The most common side effects of breast augmentation surgery are swelling, bruising, soreness, and change in nipple sensation. Additionally, you should avoid breast stimulation for several weeks due to sensitivity.

Can breast augmentation interfere with a mammogram?

The breast augmentation procedure can interfere with how a mammogram is performed so it is essential that breast augmentation patients select a specialist who has experience performing mammograms on patients that have undergone breast augmentation.

What results can I expect?

Your plastic surgeon will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your individual goals to provide the best possible results. In general, breast augmentation patients can expect to enjoy larger breasts that are more proportionate to their figures and increased self-esteem after their procedure. Additionally, breast augmentation can be combined with other procedures, such as liposuction, to achieve more noticeable body-contouring results.

In 2002 the FDA approved the use of BOTOX®  Injections for cosmetic purposes, specifically for the treatment of lines and furrows between the brows.  BOTOX®  Cosmetic is now widely used to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. BOTOX®  is also an accepted treatment for underarm sweating, muscle spasticity, and debilitating headaches.

How Does BOTOX®  Cosmetic Work?

Unlike dermal fillers, which literally "fill in" fine lines and wrinkles, BOTOX®  injections target the muscles that are responsible for creating facial wrinkles. Specifically, BOTOX®  injections reduce the movements of these active facial muscles, gradually eliminating existing lines and wrinkles and preventing the formation of new wrinkles. BOTOX®  Cosmetic is particularly effective for eliminating wrinkling and furrows between the brows. As part of the treatment process, your physician will observe which facial muscles are causing wrinkles to form and will inject the BOTOX®  solution directly into those muscles.

BOTOX®  Therapy Results

BOTOX®  therapy is now one of the most sought after cosmetic dermatology treatments available on the market. Patients seek BOTOX®  treatment (and physicians recommend it) because it is an incredibly effective, non-invasive treatment that produces dramatic results and virtually no side effects. The treatment can be performed in as little as an hour, causes only minor discomfort, and can last anywhere from four to six months, making it ideal for patients who are unwilling to commit to permanent facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift or brow lift surgery. For more information about BOTOX® Cosmetic, contact our Bethesda, Maryland plastic surgery center today.

Today, rhinoplasty is a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure. Commonly referred to as a nose job, the rhinoplasty procedure can change the size and shape of the nose to improve the overall appearance of the face.

Who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their nose and who has realistic expectations can consider having rhinoplasty. People that would like to have more confidence are very good candidates for this procedure.

What are the types of rhinoplasty?

There are two types of rhinoplasty. The open rhinoplasty involves making a small incision across the skin between the nostrils. The closed rhinoplasty only involves incisions made inside of the nose. It is important to consult an experienced plastic surgeon to discuss which type of rhinoplasty is best for you.

What amount of pain will be experienced during and after rhinoplasty surgery?

During the procedure a patient will be under general sedation. In a few cases, the procedure can be done under a local anesthetic, however, in all rhinoplasty procedures it is important to ensure that the patient is not in any pain. After the procedure pain can be controlled with prescribed medications. Most patients describe their pain as mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure.

How long will it be before results are noticed?

Rhinoplasty surgery involves the tissue around the nose and due to the amount of swelling it can take some time to fully see the results of the surgical procedure. The majority of the swelling will be gone within a week or two but minor swelling can last for up to a year. For more information about rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgery procedures, contact our Bethesda, Maryland plastic surgery center today.

Silicone breast implants are a popular choice in breast augmentation surgery for breast reconstruction or to enhance the size of the breasts.  The use of silicone implants has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for women ages 22 and up; however, in the case of reconstruction, these implants may be used in younger ages.

Breast Implant Surgery

Filled with an elastic silicone gel, silicone implants are highly praised for mimicking the feel of natural breast tissue.  In breast augmentation surgery, the implants are placed either under the pectoral muscle or over the pectoral muscle behind the breast tissue.  Your plastic surgeon will determine which placement method is best for you. Once the surgery is completed, you'll likely be sore for several weeks as your breasts heal and grow accustomed to the silicone implants.  Over the following weeks, the swelling will begin to subside and you'll be able to resume your normal daily activities. However, when breast augmentation is combined with other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, your recovery may be a bit longer.

Potential Risks

Some risks are possible with breast augmentation surgery.  Infection, bleeding, and fluid accumulation can occur following the surgery, and more importantly, implant rupture.  If your silicone implants begin to leak or completely rupture, it may be hard to detect with a normal physical exam as this type of implant does not collapse.  An ultrasound or MRI is best to determine the condition of your silicone implants.  Sometimes the rupture can be contained within the surrounding scar tissue, but there is the risk of it leaking outside of this area.  If this occurs, your cosmetic surgeon will need to remove the silicone implant and replace it with a new one. Although silicone implants are a popular choice among cosmetic surgery patients, they aren't for everyone. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine if this option is right for you. Contact our Bethesda, Maryland plastic surgery center today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.