Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon

February 21st, 2011 Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery
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Facial plastic surgery can be a life changing experience.  Carefully choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon for your procedure is very important.  You want to find a surgeon who has the right combination of experience, training and artistic ability to ensure the best possible result.

Finding the facial plastic surgeon who is right for you requires that you do a bit of homework.  First, you should do some research on the procedure you are considering.  The internet is an excellent resource for this purpose.  Once you understand the procedure, you can look for a plastic surgeon who has experience and an excellent reputation for this particular procedure.

Start by asking family, friends, co-workers and others if they have had a similar procedure and who they would recommend.  Check out the internet, telephone listings, and referral sites for facial plastic surgeons who specialize in your procedure.  Ask your doctor if he or she can give you a recommendation.

Once you have a list of possible candidates, check with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to see if your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery.  Board certified facial plastic surgeons have the most extensive training, have passed rigorous examinations, and are required to stay up to date on the latest techniques through annual continuing education.

You should also check with your state medical board to see if there have been any disciplinary actions against the surgeon, if the surgeon’s license has ever been suspended, or if there been any judgments against the surgeon.

Once you have narrowed the list down to a few qualified surgeons, schedule an initial consultation with each potential surgeon.  There may be a fee for the initial consultation.  Use the initial consultation as an opportunity to interview each of the surgeons and choose the one that you were most comfortable with.

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Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer

February 21st, 2011 Posted in Skin Cancer
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Over 2 million new cases of skin cancer are reported in the United States each year.  Most skin cancers are classified as non-melanomas  and affect the basal or squamous cells. Melanoma skin cancers start in the melanocytes and are much more dangerous than non-melanomas. 

Both types of skin cancers have a high rate of cure if they are detected and treated early enough.  Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatments for basal and squamaous cell skin cancers. Studies have shown that Mohs surgery has a cure rate of over 99% for initial cancers and 95% for recurrent cancers.  Mohs surgery can also be used to treat melanomas in certain situations.

One of the most important considerations in treating skin cancer is the removal of the entire tumor which is usually not completely visible to the naked eye.  When the tumor is on the face or other exposed area of the body, the goal is to remove all of the tumor while minimizing the removal of healthy tissue to minimize unsightly scarring. 

Mohs surgery is a microscopic surgery that removes all of the cancerous tissue while ensuring the maximum amount of healthy tissue is retained.  The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia.

For skin cancers on the face, the best aesthetic outcomes are often achieved by using a Mohs surgical team that includes a Mohs surgeon and a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in Mohs surgery.  The Mohs surgeon will remove the tumor and the facial plastic surgeon will close the wound which results in the highest possible cure rate and minimal visible scarring.

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Revision Rhinoplasty

February 21st, 2011 Posted in Rhinoplasty
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Have you had a nose job that you were not happy with?  Were you initially pleased with the results, but later your nose changed shape in an undesirable way?  If so, you are not alone.  Rhinoplasty is a very complicated procedure and as a result, it has a higher revision rate than most other cosmetic procedures.  Even with the most skilled surgeon, 10 to 15% of rhinoplasty patients decide on a revision. 

There are many reasons why a rhinoplasty revision may be desired or needed.  In most cases, either the appearance of the nose after surgery is unsatisfactory or the nose does not function correctly and breathing is affected. 

If you are pleased with the appearance of your nose following surgery, but your breathing is affected, you should consult with your surgeon about a revision to rectify the problem.  Nasal obstructions can usually be cleared by revision rhinoplasty without affecting the appearance of your nose.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, consult with your surgeon to find out what you can realistically expect from revision rhinoplasty.  The nose is three dimensional and can heal from surgery in unexpected ways.  Post operative scarring can cause an asymmetrical result or an undesirable bump.  In othere cases, the nose may heal with a concave area at the tip or along the hump.  In most of these cases, a minor revision rhinoplasty procedure can correct the undesirable appearance. 

Also, it is important to remember that the nose can change shape over time.  You may opt to wait for a period of time for additional changes to occur to see if you are more satisfied with the outcome.

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Winter Facial Laser Treatments

February 21st, 2011 Posted in Laser Skin Rejuvenation
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If you are considering facial laser skin resurfacing or rejuvenation, now may be a great time to see your facial plastic surgeon about having the procedure done.  According to a recent article in the New York Times, winter is the best time of year for laser skin treatments including skin rejuvenation, hair removal, facial resurfacing, treatment of brown spots, or tattoo removal. 

Dermatologists suggest winter as the ideal season for laser skin treatments because the skin is not tanned.  Melanin, the natural pigment in the skin, can temporarily reduce the effectiveness of some laser treatments.  In addition, some laser procedures take several laser treatments over a period of weeks and in the winter, there is less sun exposure throughout the duration of the treatment.

If you schedule your facial laser skin treatments in the winter, tanning will not be as much of a concern.  If you are planning a winter cruise or vacation to a milder climate, consider planning your facial laser treatment after Halloween, but well before your scheduled departure to allow time for your skin to heal.  Alternatively, plan your treatment well after you have returned to allow your tan to fade.

By scheduling your procedure during the winter months, you can maximize the effectives of the procedure and have plenty of time for your skin to heal before the sunny days of spring arrive.

The seasons are not the only consideration when scheduling your facial laser skin treatments.  Be sure to consult with your facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist.  They can help you determine when to schedule your procedure for the best possible results.

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