'The World'

By Dave Stringham

In today's society, appearance means more than it ever has. If you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your face, don't worry; procedures are available to help reduce wrinkles, reshape your nose, and enhance your profile.

Facial Implants

Plastic and cosmetic surgeons offer a wide range of facial implants to enhance facial features for patients across the United States and the world. Facial implants can be used exclusively, but are often incorporated with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures such as a facelift, rhinoplasty, brow lift, or eyelid surgery.

Facial implants add contour to the facial structure and create more attractive proportions. They are commonly used for the chin, jaw, and cheeks. Facial implant surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis. A similar procedure is performed for most facial implants. A small incision is made (often inside the mouth) near the location of implant, a "pocket" is created on top of the bone and the implant inserted. The incisions are sutured for healing. Normal activities may be resumed approximately one week following surgery. Strenuous activity is not recommended for at least one month.

Botox Cosmetic

Want to reduce lines and wrinkles? Botox treatment is fast, painless and non-surgical. Satisfaction is high and its popularity is exploding.

After a single, short visit with a cosmetic surgeon for Botox Cosmetic, your face will look years younger. Purified Neurotoxin Complex is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox, or botulinum toxin, is a nerve impulse "blocker." It binds to the nerve endings and prevents binding of the chemical transmitters that activate the muscles.

Botox Cosmetic usually take full effect within one to two weeks. Treatment will last from four to six months, and results may vary for duration and degree of improvement. The nerve endings will usually grow new connections to the muscle at sites that have not been exposed to Botox Cosmetic. Therefore, treatment must be repeated approximately every four to six months. At times, repeat injections between two and three weeks may be necessary.

Botox Cosmetic has been recognized by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Nations Institute of Health as a safe and effective treatment for various muscle spasm disorders around the eye. More recently, Botox Cosmetic has been safely used in thousands of patients for cosmetic enhancement.

The most common cosmetic uses for Botox Cosmetic involve temporary improvement in
glabellar frown lines (lines between
the eyebrow) and excessive "crow's feet" (lines/wrinkles between the eye and temple area). Botox Cosmetic may also be used to temporarily improve excessive forehead lines/wrinkles. More recently, Botox Cosmetic has been used to reduce vertical lines around the mouth/lips and vertical lines/bands in the neck area. The goal is not to completely eliminate these lines and wrinkles, but to significantly reduce weakening of the involved muscles. Results vary from patient to patient.

As with the administration of any medication, there are potential side effects. Many plastic surgeons have been administering Botox injections since its inception. Side effects are usually temporary. They include ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), which can generally be reversed with prescription eye drops. Other potential, but temporary, side effects include bruising, rash or irritation around the injected area, difficulty in closing the eyelids and brow ptosis (drooping of the brow) in those treated for horizontal forehead lines.

Lip Enhancement/Augmentation

Lip enhancement, including injectable fillers and augmentation with implants, can change the size and shape of lips, increasing fullness and overall appearance and feel. With the use of safe injectables like Restylane, Juvederm, and fat injections, plastic surgeons can create the highly desired pouty, sexy lips. Lip enhancement with injectables must be repeated in time because the body will eventually absorb the injected substance. These non-surgical lip enhancements are convenient because normal activities can be resumed immediately. More permanent lip enhancement procedures include fat augmentation and dermal grafts. These are minor surgical procedures, however, several days may be necessary for swelling to subside.

Ear Surgery

Otoplasty cosmetic surgery, also referred to as ear shaping or ear pinning, can correct protruding or deformed ears. Many parents choose to have their children's ears corrected at an early age, usually between four and 14, to prevent ridicule during adolescence. However, many adults also request otoplasty to correct misshapen or oversized ears.

Otoplasty is a relatively simple plastic surgery procedure, which removes excess cartilage and reshaped natural folds through incisions behind the ears. Sutures in the cartilage will secure the ears in the correct position from the patients head. It is important not to correct the position of the ears by excess skin removal, as this will create an unnatural connection of the ears to the scalp. The procedure takes approximately one to two hours. Mild pain medication is prescribed to treat any discomfort experienced following surgery. A protective head band is worn post-operatively for a minimum of two weeks. Patients may return to most physical activities within a few weeks.