Archive for the ‘Outpatient cosmetic procedures’ Category
What is the Best Age to Start Botox Treatments?
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
Botox Treatments
What is the best age to start Botox treatment? That’s a question we often hear at Peer Group in Florham Park, New Jersey, where our practice is devoted to providing unparalleled quality cosmetic procedures, and our medical staff is comprised of board certified plastic surgeons. The short answer is, the earlier age that you begin using Botox, the easier it will be to avoid more intensive treatments in later years. If you begin treating lines and fine wrinkles when they first appear, they will not have a chance to become deep and pronounced. For some facial areas, if you begin Botox treatment at an early age – before age 30 – Botox alone will typically be able to prevent the formation of these facial lines. Many plastic surgeons recommend consulting with a professional while patients are in their 20s, to discuss skin condition and goals for long term skin care.
Once you start Botox treatments, it is important to stay on time with follow-up treatments. The effects of Botox typically last three to four months, but it’s important to get maintenance Botox injections before the effects wear off. If you schedule your appointments correctly, the muscles that cause wrinkles and lines that Botox treats will remain weak, and the effects of the treatments will last longer than if you allow the Botox to wear off and wrinkles to reappear. If you are planning a treatment so you’ll look your best for a social event or special occasion – a reunion, wedding, or important business meeting, for example – schedule your treatment to allow enough time for the Botox cosmetic to take full effect. Some bruising and swelling can occur with Botox injections or filler injections, so you’ll want to allow ample time for these side effects to dissipate, as well. It can take up to two weeks for the Botox treatment to have its full effect. Take this into account when planning your appointment. And while cosmetic specialists may debate about the best age for starting Botox treatments, all agree no matter what age you are, it’s never too late to look and feel your best.
Choosing a Facility and Physician for Cosmetic Procedures
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
AAASF Accreditation
Cosmetic procedures like liposuction, breast augmentation, microdermabrasion, facelifts, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and treatments such as Botox and Juvederm, can help people look and feel their best. But where do you go to have procedures performed? How do you choose the right facility and physician? What do you need to ask? Here at Peer Group in northern New Jersey, it’s not unusual for patients to say they would have come in for cosmetic treatments sooner if they had answers to questions like those. So here are a few basics to inquire about when you’re considering consulting a cosmetic care specialist.
First, look for a medical facility that specializes in plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, one with an environment where you feel comfortable. Ensure your care will be provided by a board certified plastic surgeon. Make sure the facility offers the full range of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive plastic surgical procedures. That helps ensure you can select from all available cosmetic plastic surgery options. Look for accreditation by organizations such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Ask about the training of the operating room staff. Do they deal exclusively for plastic surgery patients? What advanced certification do nurses and scrub technicians maintain?
Of course you’ll want to meet with the physician, but also ask to meet with the patient coordinator or other dedicated staff member to get information about the cost of plastic surgery and payment options, and potential insurance benefits regarding plastic surgery, cosmetic enhancements, skin care and other treatment coverage and details. Some procedures may be covered by medical insurance plans. Ask if the staff provides assistance with the pre-authorization and claims filing process. If you want the option of financing the procedures, ask if the office has information about programs for financing plastic surgery. Also, ask to see before and after plastic surgery photos of actual patients, so you can see the results achieved with the procedure you are considering.
Modern minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedures are safe, fast and effective. Don’t let confusion about how to choose the best facility keep you from looking and feeling your best.
Concerns About Awake Procedures
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Cosmetic surgery procedures are simpler and more effective than ever. At our clinic here in northern New Jersey, we use advanced techniques for breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures. But not all the new “miracle” cosmetic surgeries are as good or problem free as are claimed – and not all physicians who offer them are board certified plastic surgeons, the specialists best qualified to perform cosmetic surgery.
“Awake” procedures are among new types of cosmetic surgery that may not deliver the results you should expect from a cosmetic plastic surgeon. They are called “awake” procedures because only local anesthetics are used – the patient stays awake. These cosmetic surgeries are promoted with the pitch that only local anesthetic is needed – and the price is relatively low – because these procedures are so simple. But in reality, the local anesthetics are used to eliminate the cost of using an anesthesiologist – and that’s not always best for the patient. Some patients may have a low threshold for pain, and unlike surgeries where a drip is applied so the level of sedation can be adjusted, once the procedure is underway and a limit of local anesthesia is reached, nothing can be done to lower the pain.
Also, these procedures are often performed by physicians with no background in cosmetic surgery, and who simply attend a short course in how to perform the procedure – and this isn’t a medical area for beginners. For example, physicians performing Awake procedures may tell patients they are board certified, without disclosing that their certification may be for another discipline – for example, a board certified radiologist, or internist – not a certified plastic surgeon. You need to check the qualifications of any physician who performs this or other procedure you are considering.
The good news is that there are many procedures that can be performed safely and effectively on an outpatient basis without general anesthesia. But you need to carefully look into the procedure, and the background of the physician who is going to perform it.
Subscribe
