All About Botox

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Posted on 20th July 2010 by ben in General Information

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Botox has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the last few years. Although, it gained notoriety through its relation to Hollywood and the celebrity world, this non-surgical procedure has continued to excite individuals with the promise of erasing any signs of aging.

Often taking only one to two hours of your time, the procedure keeps all knifes and incisions away as the Botox is conducted through a series of injections. Botulinum toxin is cleaned thoroughly before being administered for any cosmetic procedures and has the ability to keeps muscles from contracting and thus temporarily paralyzing the nerves. This in turn, prevents any new wrinkles or lines from forming while helping to skim away any pre-existing signs of age. The face regains a youthful and relaxed appearance.plastic surgery mississauga

Here are a series of questions and answers most commonly raised with about Botox:

How long does it last? Anywhere from four to six months.

How long does the procedure take? The treatment can be over in a couple of minutes or take longer than an hour. This depends on the size of the area that requires treatment.

How much will it cost? The usual treatment can cost anywhere from $300 to $1000. This also depends on the size of the area that requires treatment.

What is the average recovery time? An individual who has undergone Botox will be able to carry on with daily activities almost immediately. Although, 1-2 hours of rest are usually recommended.

Are the injections painful? Botox injections are classified as having a mild discomfort level.

Things to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon Before Scheduling a Procedure

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in General Information

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Plastic surgery’s increasingly popular image in American culture may sometimes cause potential patients to underestimate the seriousness of the procedure they are seeking. Most cosmetic enhancements are major operations, carrying the same risks and recovery time as any medical procedure, which is why it’s important to do your research before deciding on a surgeon. Here are a few questions to ask before going under anyone’s knife.

1) What are your credentials?

In most states, any licensed MD can perform cosmetic procedures. Making sure you’re in the hands of an experienced doctor should be at the forefront of any discussion.

2) What is the average recovery time for my procedure?

Every individual’s recovery time will vary according to the invasiveness of the procedure, but be wary of a doctor that tries to play off the potential time needed for healing. More than likely, you’ll need to take time off work until your body is ready to resume your normal activities, so be prepared.

3) Can I see a variety of patient results?

All doctors will have before and after results of very satisfied patients, but not all doctors will show you results of patients that are unsatisfied with their results. A truly honest physician will show you the good, bad and mediocre results so expectations for the outcome are realistic. This will enable you to see all ranges within the spectrum of results.

4) Is there a past patient I could call?

Often, the best way to get the “real” scoop on the actual procedure, the bedside manner of the physician, the recovery time and final results is from a previous patient. If the doctor gives you contact information for someone that seems too complimentary to be true, there’s always truth to be found on the internet. Google is your friend.

Any physician respected for their quality plastic surgery results will not hesitate to address your questions with complete honesty, so start your research.

Rhinoplasty

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in Procedures

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With all the buzz surrounding celebrities and their shrinking noses, rhinoplasty tends to be a large point of internet and celebrity magazine chatter. Heidi Montag is the latest queen of the rhinoplasty (along with many other procedures) as well as speculation about Ashlee Simpson, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz and Halle Berry to name a select few. While some have never admitted their modifications, it is probably safe to assume that all of these famous faces have undergone a transformation commonly referred to as a nose job.

In real life, a nose job is not a magical, painless transformation, but a serious surgery complete with general anesthesia and a painful recovery. While some seek rhinoplasties for deviated septums, others undergo the procedure for purely cosmetic reasons. A deviated septum is when the “spine” of your nose, the bone and cartilage between the two nostrils, is deformed and extremely asymmetrical. This lack of symmetry can produce breathing difficulties and other health issues. A rhinoplasty can help restore the symmetry to the nose, allowing the patient to receive air properly through both nostrils.

The actual operation can be open or closed. When closed, incisions are made inside the nostrils. The cartilage and bone (or the septum) is then removed and reshaped to achieve the patient’s desired results. Closed rhinoplasty is more for minor contouring since the procedure requires fewer incisions.

An open rhinoplasty is when the incisions are made in the small piece of skin separating the nostrils. This strip of skin is referred to as the columella. The surgeon is able to better view the nasal anatomy this way, but the surgery is also slightly more severe.

After the nose has been stitched up, a splint or packing will be used to ensure the proper healing of the new nose. Internal stents are also used to help the nose keep its revised shape after surgery. These are generally removed two weeks post procedure and the splints on the outside around one week. Recovery is usually accompanied by a large amount of bruising and occasional swelling, but should subside by the second week.

Several risks of the procedure, aside from the usual bleeding and infection are septal perforations, which are small holes accidentally made during surgery which can cause an embarrassing whistle with every breath along with risks of breathing difficulties and chronic nosebleeds. Other risks include abnormal scarring that could affect breathing, nose deformity due to an excess of cartilage removal and possible numbness of the nose.

Breast Augmentation

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in Procedures

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The most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in the United States is breast augmentation, which is the use of implants to enlarge or reconstruct the breast. This procedure is common after mastectomies, or as part of a sex change operation (male-to-female). A large percentage of these surgeries are classified as elective procedures for women seeking larger breasts.

Breast augmentation is commonly referred to with the slang term, “boob job” as well as the technical terms: mammoplasty enlargement, breast enlargement and augmentation mammoplasty.

While there are only two types of implants legal for use in the United States, in Europe, there are more choices than simply silicone or saline. These products are not available in the U.S. due to the high standards and clinical trials required by the FDA.

Aside from the choice of which type of implant is best for the situation, there are placement options to consider as well. Some implants will be placed behind the breast tissue but in front of the chest wall muscle while others will be behind the soft tissue of the pectoral muscle. Additional positions include behind the chest muscle after loosening some of the muscular attachments and under the chest muscles without loosening the muscular attachments. Different placements are required for different anatomies and reasons for surgery.

One more choice is how the implants will be placed into your body. The incisions vary widely and can result in different complications and scarring. The most common incision is below the breast in the fold. This is especially common for silicone implants, because the shells holding the silicone are filled before transplantation and need a larger incision. Another technique is insertion through the nipple, but can affect breastfeeding due to the trauma on the milk ducts and nipple. Other incisions include ones in the armpit as well as the bellybutton.

Risks for breast augmentation revolve mostly around the possibility of the implant rupturing, requiring additional surgeries for correction. Other risks include hardening of the breast, infections, possible leaching of platinum into surrounding breast tissue (silicone implants), difficulties with breastfeeding, false negative mammography results and possible nerve damage.

Although the risks are many, the popularity of breast enhancement procedures isn’t slowing down. An unexpected fact about breast augmentation comes from Holland, where the largest number of breast enlargement procedures in the world takes place. This is partially due to the fact that Holland’s national health care plan subsidizes the procedure.

Whether Holland, America or anywhere in between, there are many choices a patient will face when making the decision to undergo breast augmentation, so research and reflection are a very important aspect of the pre-operational concerns.

History of Plastic Surgery

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in General Information

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Evidence of reconstructive surgery goes as far back as 800 BC, where records indicate physicians in India were utilizing skin grafts and facial injury correction.

From there, medical progress in the plastic surgery field came from a Roman named Aulus Cornelius Celsus who wrote “De Medicina.” Celsus, whose lifespan is estimated to have been around 25 BC to 50 AD, is considered to be one of the first authors of such a comprehensive medical text from the Roman era.

In “De Medicina,” Celsus referred to techniques for reconstructive surgery for ears, lips and noses, creating yet more evidence of the existence of cosmetic procedures.

After the fall of Rome and the rise of Christianity, a mini dark age of surgery and medical advancements fell over Western society when Pope Innocent III decreed that any surgery would be banned via church law. Surgical advancements, especially in the field of cosmetics, were few and far between during this moratorium on medical research and surgery.

The Renaissance brought not only a resurgence of art and music, but science as well. A medieval Ottoman surgeon named Serafeddin Sabuncuoglu wrote “Imperial Surgery,” a major medical text from Islamic culture. In this text, Sabuncuoglu includes references to facial surgery and methods of breast reductions.

In Western civilization, plastic surgery was brought to the forefront after the first World War. Advancements were on the rise due to the influx of facial injuries of wounded soldiers. The techniques and developments from surgeons treating maimed soldiers are direct ancestors of what we know to be modern plastic surgery.

In the United States, the first cleft palate reparation surgery is recorded to have been in 1827, where Dr. John Peter Mettauer designed his own instruments for the procedure. Other significant American doctors in the plastic surgery movement of the early 1900’s are: Dr. Charles Miller for writing “The Correction of Featural Imperfections,” which was often laughed off by other physicians of the time, Dr. Vilray Blair, who performed jaw surgery and published a text on surgery of the mouth and jaw, Dr. William Luckett for performing an operation to fix large ears and Dr. Frederick Kolle wrote a text specifically for plastic surgery in 1911.

Arm Lifts

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in Procedures

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Bariatric surgeries are on the rise as the rates of obesity increase. These procedures, when successful, usually leave a once severely overweight individual with excess skin and flab that will never return to its original elasticity. Many procedures focus on helping target the areas with extra, saggy skin and returning these areas to a more contoured look. One very noticeable area with sagging in these bariatric surgery patients post procedure (around one year, after they’ve lost a significant amount of weight) is the upper arms. The surgery for tightening this area of the body is referred to as a brachioplasty. It is also commonly referred to as an “arm lift.”

Aside from previously overweight patients, any man or woman with undesirable sagging in the upper arms is a candidate for brachioplasty, unless they’ve undergone a full mastectomy or have chronic infections or swelling of the sweat glands in the armpits. These patients will have constant swelling in the arms and the brachioplasty would be dangerous for their health.

This form of body contouring is often done in conjunction with liposuction and removes excess fat and skin anywhere from the elbow to the shoulder. Extreme cases will run the entire length of the upper arm while less severe cases may cover a much smaller area. Because the skin will be removed completely, a scar from the length of skin removal is inevitable. With the latest techniques and skilled doctors, scarring is usually minimal and the aesthetic and psychological benefits outweigh the potential of developing a large scar.

After surgery, patients can count on resting their arms from unnecessary exercise or activity for at least 2 weeks and elevation may be needed for 1-2 weeks to prevent swelling. Either compression garments or a light dressing will cover the upper arms after surgery until stitches are removed 7-9 days post procedure. The entire recovery can be as quick as 2 weeks and as long as 6, with patients needing to take at least several days of vacation from work where applicable.

Typical pricing for a quality brachioplasty from a qualified surgeon will range from $2,500 to $5,000. Depending on the surgeon, financing may be available since the cost of the procedure is almost never covered by traditional medical insurance. The severity of the procedure will also have a bearing on the final cost.

Silicone vs. Saline Implants

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in General Information

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Patients seeking breast augmentation and reconstruction surgeries are often faced with a choice between two types of implants: silicone-filled or saline-filled. There are significant advantages and disadvantages to both, so the wary consumer is advised to consider all options for their lifestyle and expectations.

The main difference between silicone and saline implants are the issues a patient faces if and when one of these implants rupture. Saline, when leaked, is absorbed by the body naturally and requires no yearly maintenance. If a saline implant ruptures, however, a patient will know almost immediately as the shape and size of the breast will change dramatically in a short period of time. A patient will need to schedule a surgery to remove the ruptured implant casing and have a new implant put in its place.

With silicone, a leak may not be detected for a longer amount of time due to the nature and viscosity of the substance. Oftentimes, patients with silicone implants will undergo an MRI every other year to monitor the integrity of the implant and detect leaks. Silicone, unlike saline, is not naturally absorbed by the body, but has no proven links to any side effects other than breast pain.

Both types of implants run the risk of rupture or leakage, so another factor to consider when making a choice between the two is the feel of the breast after surgery.

While saline is naturally absorbed into the body in the case of a rupture, it can also feel less natural texturally when transplanted into the breast. Silicone has a definite advantage over saline as the consistency of the substance mimics human fat tissue more effectively.

Health risks, maintenance, aesthetic and textural differences exist between the two types of implants, and patients have a significant decision to make when choosing between silicone and saline implants. Talking to a doctor about your specific situation and goals for surgery will help you make the right decision for any breast augmentation or reconstruction procedure you seek. Remember that when you decide on silicone implants, to look ahead in the following years for signs of leakage and meeting your bi-yearly MRI appointments.

Hair Restoration Surgery

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in Procedures

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Surgical hair restoration is increasing in worldwide popularity. Partially due to enhanced techniques and new technology, hair transplants are undetectable in the hands of a talented surgeon. More people are choosing hair transplant surgeons over other hair restoration options like toupees, topical solutions and medications because the results are more natural and require less maintenance.

The most common type of hair restoration procedure is called a strip surgery. A small strip of scalp is removed from the back of the patient’s head, where in males, the hair is resistant to the hormone that causes balding known as DHT. The area where the strip is taken is stitched together carefully, closing the wound to heal. The strip is then divided follicle by follicle under a microscope. These follicles are then placed into areas of the scalp where the patient is balding. These transplanted hairs will be resistant to the DHT, causing them to stay permanently in their new locations, preventing further balding.

Using microscopic sized blades to trim the harvested strip of scalp helps the surgeons yield more hair follicles for transplantation, resulting in a thicker head of hair that will be undetectable. The older transplants used larger grafts of hair, with more than one follicle attached, giving the final outcome a very “plugged” look similar to the hair on a doll’s head. With a good surgeon and the latest advances in the field, a bad result is often the consequence of a patient that doesn’t follow through with the proper research.

Aside from the tiny blades used to trim down the strip of scalp into individually transplantable follicles, doctors learned the importance of correct angling and direction of the transplanted hairs. The accuracy of the angles created by the surgeon through tiny incisions on the scalp directly affects not only the survival of the hair grafts, but also the aesthetic outcome of the procedure.

Aside from a strip procedure, another technique for hair restoration surgery is follicular unit extraction, or FUE. This procedure utilizes individual follicles punched out with a special surgical instrument and then transplanted into the balding area. Rather than taking an entire strip of scalp, this procedure focuses on a smaller amount of transplanted hair and takes the follicles directly from another site. FUE is much more time consuming and therefore, expensive, but very applicable in some cases where scarring is an issue.

With all the hair restoration options available surgically, paired with the advancing technology and techniques, it’s becoming a very popular plastic surgery for men and women wanting to restore natural thickness to their hair.

Risks of Gluteoplasty

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in General Information

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The recent high-profile death of a former Miss Argentina brings questions and skepticism about the true risks of plastic surgery. After undergoing a cosmetic procedure for buttock enhancement, Solange Magnano, Miss Argentina crown winner in 1994, died of a pulmonary embolism in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Magnano underwent a procedure known as a gluteoplasty, which is commonly referred to as a “butt augmentation” or “Brazilian butt lift.” Fat can be extracted from other areas in the body and injected into the buttocks to modify and enhance the shape, or an actual implant will be transplanted under a layer of muscle into the buttocks. Implants for the buttocks are made stronger than breast implants, since they will undergo more stress and force.

According to a close friend of hers, Magnano’s embolism resulted when some of the liquid that was injected into her buttocks for the gluteoplasty traveled to her lungs, cutting off oxygen supply to the vital organs.

While it is possible that one’s own fat could cause an embolism after being injected back into the body (in the form of a gluteoplasty), it is very rare. More than likely, Magnano’s embolism resulted from a synthetic substance causing the blocked artery. In the United States, use of such a substance for this procedure is unheard of and not common practice (if at all).

Men and women often seek the gluteoplasty procedure for different reasons. Men usually want to enhance their muscular outline in that area while women are looking to shape and lift. The procedure will vary based on the goals. Females often receive injections as well as a prosthesis to reshape the area while men usually prefer to have only the prosthetic implant. This could lead to a larger risk for women developing clots of the injected material that could eventually lead to an embolism.

Helping avoid complications from any plastic surgery comes from carefully following post-surgical instructions. In the case of a gluteoplasty, patients are asked not to sit for at least a week, sleep on their stomach and avoid heavy exercises for the following 5-6 weeks. Avoiding future injections into the buttocks is also a must, as they may rupture or pierce your implant. Allowing your body to heal properly will prevent many complications and allow the best result possible.

Risks for a gluteoplasty include infection, rupture of the implant, embolisms and other common risks associated with any surgery, but all are extremely rare when using a licensed, experienced surgeon.

Plastic Surgery and Skin Grafts

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Posted on 23rd February 2010 by jason in General Information

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Plastic surgery is known by several terms such as reconstructive surgery or cosmetic surgery. While it is commonly associated with elective procedures such as rhinoplasties (nose jobs), breast augmentation and liposuction, there are also functional applications.

Under the heading of “reconstructive procedures,” are surgeries correcting handicaps and impairments from severe burns, facial fractures, birth defects, cancer and/or tumors and other abnormalities that may be congenital or a result of disease.

For burn victims with especially severe scarring on the face or other parts of the body, reconstructive surgery usually entails the use of skin grafts. Skin grafting is a procedure in which real or artificial skin is placed over the damaged area to minimize dangerous scarring from 3rd degree burns. Real skin is often taken from an undamaged part of the body and transplanted to the area needing protection.

Skin grafting procedures where the donor and recipient are one in the same are known as autografts and are the ideal situation, since rejection is not a factor, and therefore the most commonly used. Isogenic grafts also fair well and occur when the recipient and donor are identical genetically (identical twins), but not the same person. Allogenic grafts are when the donor-recipient pair are merely from the same species, in this case, human to human. The last two types of grafts are known as xenogeneic and prosthetic. Xenogenic grafts go from one species to another and prosthetic grafts are made of synthetic materials.

Other variations of grafts depend on the layers of skin involved. A split-thickness skin graft is the top 2 layers of skin from the donor site. Full-thickness skin grafts contain all skin layers including the epidermis or top layer of skin as well as the dermis, the deeper skin layers. The full-thickness skin grafts are much more complicated to transplant, and have a higher risk of failure because the flap of skin transplanted also includes a layer of fat and muscle that must be integrated into the transplant site through blood vessel connections.

As stated above, skin grafting is largely a procedure for burn victims, but not limited to only those patients. Other reasons skin grafts may be performed include: larger wounds, ulcers that do not heal (diabetic), intensive and invasive surgeries needing grafting for healing purposes, the reduction of certain bacteria where large skin loss occurs, cosmetic correction of skin damage or loss, skin cancer procedures and open fractures.

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