Nipntucks Sooner or Later?
June 23rd, 2009
Today is injection day at my office. Botox ® and Restylane ® fillers will be injected to help reduce the effects of aging. Generally Botox ® is injected around the eyes and forehead to reduce wrinkles. The filler materials are injected into the lower face and lips to counter the aging changes. These do wonders with little or no down time, but they are temporary fixes. Eventually, surgical measures will need to be considered, to maintain a youthful appearance to the face.
Facial rejuvenation surgery will improve many of the same conditions which injections improve, but provide the patient with a more long-lasting change. Forehead lift surgery reduces the need for botox ® and face lift surgery acts to reduce the need for Restylane ®. So when is the time to consider these surgeries?
As a general guideline, patients often consider surgery when the annual expense for injections reaches 10% of what surgery would cost. Most rejuvenation surgery lasts at least 10 years before the aging process catches up. However, most surgery lasts significantly longer, before signs of aging return. If you are spending more than 10% on these quick fixes, you most like likely would benefit from the surgery.
There are certain conditions where surgery is not an adequately remedy. In fact, crows feet are very difficult to treat with surgery. Botox is best for these fine lines around the eyes. Similarly, injections are well-suited as a remedy for thin lips. It is my opinion that the surgical option for thin lips looks too artificial or “done.” Finally, the fine lines on the lips respond well to injections without the skin bleaching that is often cased by deep chemical peels or laser resurfacing. As with any cosmetic procedure, I encourage my patients to understand their choices.
Never Too Old
May 14th, 2009
When my mother first approached me to have facial cosmetic surgery, I thought she was a bit off. I could not imagine a 73 year old from such a simple past wanting rejuvenation surgery. Yet she was at a critical point in her life. She had completed grieving after my father’s passing and was ready to become socially involved again. In fact, an intriguing man (her future boyfriend) had moved into the home next door to her.
There are some limitations regarding age. As we age, medical conditions seem to plague us. These medical conditions can can increase the risks of surgery. As a result of conditions due to aging, the surgery may be compromised and the medical condition is at a risk of being made worse. Fortunately for my mother, her heart problem was not serious and was well controlled with medication. Elective cosmetic surgery should not be considered when medical illnesses cannot be well controlled or they make it unsafe to have surgery.
Patients come from a variety of social, economic and cultural backgrounds. There is no typical patient. People seek out cosmetic surgery when something about their physical appearance bothers them. Interestingly, the diversity of physical conditions is surprising and particular sensitivities bother some people but not others. Physical sensitivities result form age, pregnancy, injury, surgery and medical conditions. There is no right or wrong when it comes to patient concerns.
Helping my mother acheive her rejuvenation goals in a safe manner, has taught me a lot. From my first steps, to life along the way, my mother has a provided valuable insight from her unique and seasoned perspective. Fortunately, I was eventually open to listen and learn.
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