Know Cosmetic surgery

With so many different options – and so many of them called “facelift”, it’s hard to know what a true lift is – when is it needed – and how invasive does it have to be.  I’ve discussed the Tuliplift before, and why it is an ideal solution for certain types of aging, yet I find many of my patients still have either unrealistic expectations of some procedures or frightening misconceptions about facelifts.

Just like all renovations – one improvement often leads to or warrants another.  Depending on the procedure, there may be two or three additional steps in order to   attain the desired effect.  This is not an up-sell technique but an important part of re-balancing and achieving symmetry...

The most obvious answer is that for patients considering a Tulip Lift, we offer a free Oxygen Facial or Microdermabrassion with consultation.  A less obvious pleasure quotient is that very often you will learn that there are treatments you never considered – and they may prove to be more in line with your own desires for “quick and easy” solutions.  We all wish there really was an “Easy” button – but what we are all asking for when we say quick and easy – is really a more elegant and well thought out plan – something that has been so finely honed it seems to be magic. 

The answer is: It depends on the facial anatomy and sex of the patient.

(Sorry--nothing in life is easy!) Here are my thoughts on the proper placement of facelift scars:

I always discuss the exact location of the scars with my facelift patients. In most patients, a few months after the surgery, these scars are barely visible. But especially in men, or women with short hair, they can be visible.

Even younger patients can have some degree of hollowness under their eyes. This hollowness, if pronounced, may gives the appearence of "fatigue" and "Poor- Health". Sometimes it is present in conjuction with dark circles, fine lines, or unsightly growth.

Many patients believe that surgery is the only option in treating these conditions. That is simply not true.

I believe that a facelift should achieve several specific goals. It should remove excess skin, remove excess fat from the neck and jowl area, replace lost volume in the cheek and jawline, tighten the muscles of the neck and face, and refresh the skin.

Lets discuss each of these seperately...

The Lifestyle Lift has become very popular over the past few years and I have had several patients ask me about it. I love that more and more surgeons are performing facelifts under local anesthesia. Remember, local anesthesia is all that is needed. I have been doing my Tuliplifts under local anesthesia since 2000.

One of the things that sets the Tuliplift apart is that the area under the neck is also addressed. Excess skin and fat is removed and the neck muscle (Platysma) tightened...

Axillary and Palmar Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) can be very distressing and interfere with daily living and ones career.

Axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis can be socially and professionally embarrassing. Here is how I approach patients with excessive sweating.

Who performs the procedures does make a difference...

Sometimes during the consulation my patients tell me that they had Thermage several years ago with little visible improvement. Upon further questioning it becomes clear that the procedure was not performed by a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon. These non-surgical lifts can be performed by nurses and nurse practitioners. Generally speaking these non-MDs are more conservative and results are less consistent.

At Forever Young the Thermacool/Thermage procedure is performed by Dr. A. David Rahimi and with the aid of mild sedation.

In fact, we sit our patients up half-way during the procedure and show them the immediate tightening of the skin. The third generation hand pieces and the new upgraded machine are better than ever.

As happy as holidays are they're also stressful - and skin shows stress more quickly than your other body parts. The treatments that are made to help correct problems are also great stress relievers in two ways...

Everything here was done under local anaesthesia and mild sedations: CO2 laser; Peel; Eyelift and Tuliplift. View the Before and After photos.

Whatever treatments you choose to improve and rejuvenate your skin - you'll want to keep your results by establishing care routines and using products to help maintain not just the aesthetics but the health of your skin. Our products are specifically formulated to address the damaging effects of sun and pollution, but also to help speed healing after a procedure...

Your hands and forearms will also be on display this holiday season - unfortunately for many of my patients visible signs of aging hands can occur even in their early 30's. These areas are also the most neglected, as years of daily chores take their toll. While most patients have an established facial care routine - hands and forearms are often treated with a quick dab of hand lotion and nothing more...

Of all the things you will be decorating this holiday season, none is more important than the neck and upper chest – this is where your best jewels will sparkle and they deserve an attractive and smooth background.  Fortunately, there are some relatively quick solutions to help make this area glow with health...

Over the past 10 years the list of facial "Fillers" has grown from one, namely Collagen, to over a dozen FDA approved products.

An intergral part of the consultation process is deciding which filler is perfect for you. Radiesse lasts 1-2 years but is too thick to use in the fines lines around the eyes or lips. Juvederm lasts about a year, but is more expensive. Fat is readily available but tends to resorb in certain areas (lips for instance) very qickly.

Here is how i approach a new patient...