Celebrity Plastic Surgery, News, Gossip

By Patty Kovacs, Editor-At-Large, Make Me Heal

Laser (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a “light pump” which applies principles of radiation physics to very narrowly segregate light of selected wavelength and then “pump” the light radiation to high intensity. These beams of selected wavelength are varied in intensity and in duration of the emitted pulses.

Laser treatments have advanced in the plastic surgery market at the very speed of light itself for the past decade. Today’s patients are heading into their plastic surgeon, dermatologist, and medical laser specialist to consider the latest options for skin rejuvenation. The menu of advanced laser, non-surgical options are ever growing in numbers. Plastic surgeons are adding laser treatments to the overall improvement for their patients, and dermatologists are seeing unprecedented growth in patient requests for laser treatments. Recent laser and skincare advances enable dermatologic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and anti-aging physicians to treat a variety of skin conditions that previously required invasive procedures and a long recovery period.

Laser skin resurfacing softens wrinkles and depressed scars, as well as removes pigment related to sun damage, thereby creating a more youthful appearance to the skin. Sometimes called “laser peeling”, laser resurfacing is a precise, effective, and long-lasting method of skin rejuvenation, resulting in dramatic improvements to the appearance of treated skin.

Research has shown that laser resurfacing treatments also stimulate the formation of new collagen to provide better support for the skin, resulting in a smoother and more even appearance to the skin. Laser resurfacing treatments must be tailored to the nature and extent of skin damage, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time.

While physicians and laser treatment specialists can now prevent, maintain and even restore a youthful appearance to men and women of nearly all ages, it’s important to remember that healthy skin and good skin care habits should begin as early as childhood and can actually help in the development of self-confidence and positive self-esteem. Remember, maintenance is less expensive than repair and daily habits that are inexpensive can really make a visible difference. But, oh what a skin improvement these lasers create. Bring on the Light!

Dozens of laser companies today make anywhere from three to ten laser systems each, creating a market overflowing with more than a hundred lasers, all lighting the way for your attention to skin repair.

I first decided to give a call to Dr. Brandith Irwin, board certified Dermatologist, Director of the Madison Skin & Laser Center, frequent guest of Oprah, and author of The Surgery-Free Makeover.

“Originally, laser companies tested their lasers themselves for long periods of time before releasing them to the world at large. Their very reputation depended on delivering a safe and reliable device that got good results for patients. But due to more intense competition now, laser companies all vie to be the first to get to market with their new devices, each with the ‘newest’ technology. While this ‘new’ technology may be promising, lasers are more often released before the results are clearly defined and before the treatment parameters are definitely established. That means, all too often, that doctors and consumers do the ‘testing’ of the devices themselves,” says Dr. Irwin. “Good laser centers that operate ethically will never try to ‘hard sell’ you or get you to commit before you walk out the door. An excellent, ethical doctor wants you to think over what’s involved, to do your homework, and never use before-and-after photos as your main study material.”

Today’s principal applications of lasers in facial skin rejuvenation are reduction or removal of wrinkles, lines and age spots so to “resurface” the skin.

Powerful, rapid pulses can be directed toward resurfacing skin with- surprise!- no bleeding. Laser skin resurfacing offers reduced risk of infection, precisely controlled surgical effects, and one-day outpatient treatment.

After-effects and recovery times vary with different laser procedures. Your doctor should always carefully explain the risks, after-effects, and benefits of recommended procedures.

A broad range of dermatologic applications for lasers include:

Skin resurfacing - removal or improvement of wrinkles & lines, aging, and photo-aging

Treatment of superficial brown pigmentation, age spots and deep pigmented lesions such as port wine stains and birthmarks

Removal or improvement of scars (acne included)

Removal of some skin cancers

Removal or improvement of vascular moles or skin warts

Removal of tattoos

Removal of unwanted hair

I decided to best follow the light with what many dermatologists are calling the Gold Standard of lasers, the Fraxel re:pair ™ (or Fraxel repair).

Fraxel repair is currently hailed as a revolutionary procedure in the treatment of wrinkles, age spots, sun spots, sun-induced redness, scars and irregularities of the skin because it has the capability of tightening and rejuvenating the skin with “extreme safety.” Fraxel repair significantly corrects aged or damaged skin by utilizing a new technology known as Fractional Deep Dermal Ablation (FDDA™). Recovery time is less than traditional laser treatments and the procedure has proven more effective than skin treatments used in the past.

I spoke with leading laser expert, Dr. William Groff, board certified Dermatologist, La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Center, which, according to Solta Medical (the manufacturers of Fraxel re:pair,™ performed more Fraxel re:pair™ procedures in 2008 than any other practice worldwide.

Dr. Groff actually worked on the original prototype of the Fraxel, having been greatly involved with research and development of the technology since its inception. He teaches the procedure to other physicians around the world and is considered by his medical colleagues as one of the most respected sources on laser treatments.

“While the Fraxel repair resurfacing laser has more social downtime depending on the aggressiveness needed for each case, it’s one of my favorite treatments for moderate to severe sun damage, acne scarring, as well as Melasma. I’ve actually had virtually 100% success treating Melasma with the Fraxel,” exclaims Dr. Groff. “With the Fraxel repair, we adjust the treatment from a light treatment to a more aggressive treatment, depending on each patient’s specific needs,” says Dr. Groff.

The Fraxel works on a microscopic level breaking the treatment area, penetrating the dermis and resurfacing the uppermost part of the skin. The process allows the skin to stimulate itself while expediting the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in a tight, smooth, fresh look to the face.

Fraxel repair leaves microscopic areas of the skin untouched allowing for faster healing than if the entire area were treated all at the same time. It’s considered safe for sensitive areas like the neck, chest, arms, hands and legs and effective in treating sun spots and age spots, deep lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, skin irregularities, precancerous lesions, reduction of scarring (including acne scars, traumatic scars and surgical scars), and lightening of stretch marks.

Specifically, patients can expect to see softening of deep lines and wrinkles, a significant reduction or elimination of age spots or sun spots, smoother/ even skin tone and a tighter.

PICTURE

Photo courtesy: La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Center

Patients are given a topical anesthetic cream, pain medication and nerve blocks prior to the procedure to numb the general treatment area, thus patients experience little to no pain. But of course, patients can request the option of having general anesthesia if preferred.

PICTURE

Photo courtesy: La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre

A patient can expect redness, swelling, and crusting for 7 to 10 days, all of which are normal signs indicating the skin is healing and deep tissue is being repaired, and patients generally return to normal activities within 6-10 days of treatment.

The UltraPulse Encore Total FX/Active FX™ Laser combines the safety of fractionated laser therapy with the efficacy of CO2 laser treatments. The UltraPulse Encore Total FX™ (fractionated CO2) laser deeply penetrates with microscopically small but highly effective CO2 laser “microbeams” removing sun damaged and scarred tissue, stimulating the body to produce new, healthier collagen. In addition, patients sometimes elect to have the surface of their skin treated with a second laser pass designed to blend color imperfections (”Active FX™”), resulting in a significantly improved appearance of the treated skin. Wrinkles and scars are substantially diminished and skin color made more uniform. Doctors can treat both facial and neck skin, resulting in a natural looking outcome. Loss of pigment has been reported so the expert skill of your laser technician or physician is important. Healing after this treatment is usually fairly rapid, with minimal care required for only a few days. Redness of the treated skin generally heals over the subsequent week. Most patients’ appearance continues to improve for months after this laser therapy. One or two treatment sessions are generally required to achieve most patients’ goals.

The Erbium Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser ablates delicate tissue, layer by layer, permitting clear definition of landmarks and optimal depth control. It is used to treat lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, certain other scarring, “sun spots” and other skin conditions. Dr. Groff finds this laser particularly effective for the deeply imbedded lines above the upper lip often caused by smoking or genetics.

The Alexandrite Laser works by using light to target the pigmented area and break it up. The result is fading of pigment in the treated area. While some areas respond with just one treatment, others may require multiple treatments over several visits. When multiple treatments are required, significant improvement should be noted with each visit.

Long-Pulsed Yag Laser Treament effectively treats all skin types, including tanned skin, offering unmatched treatment capabilities in permanent hair reduction, leg veins, facial veins, and wrinkles and skin tightening.

The Candela Vbeam® Perfecta pulsed dye laser treats underlying vasculature and epidermal pigmented lesions without damaging the surface of the skin. Dr. Groff recommends the Candel VBeam® Perfecta along with the Smooth Beam for the most effective treatment for specifically diminishing pore size should that be a patient’s main issue. Perfecta uses micro-pulse technology to provide visibly effective treatments without any open wounds, facial crusting, “purpura,” or laser bruising. No anesthesia is required, and no skin irritating “topicals,” ointments or gels are applied for Vbeam treatment. It is used to treat conditions such as facial and nasal veins, sun spots and freckles, diffuse redness and rosacea, psoriasis, even unsightly scars and warts; and can be used on the face and body.

The Cutera Pearl laser received FDA approval in March, 2007, and has been successfully used to on patients of all ages with sun damage, uneven skin texture and fine lines and wrinkles; however, the most common age group seeking this treatment is between ages 25-60. Pearl smooths the skin’s texture and softens fine lines and wrinkles on the face, neck, upper chest, and hands.

The treatment takes approximately 10-15 minutes for a full face and patients say it feels like a series of mild, brief pinches.

After the Cutera Pearl treatment, the skin will look like it’s sunburned. Ointment is applied to the treated skin to keep it moist. The skin will need to be kept moist for 3–4 days. Any outdoor activity will require protective clothing and one should responsibly limit sun exposure for a few days following the treatment. Make-up is fine after three days when the top layer of superficial skin tissue peels off revealing new, healthy, vibrant skin underneath.

Many patients experience excellent results after one treatment. Some patients want a second treatment for best results. Some fractionated technologies treat only small portions of the face during each treatment, thus 4-6 treatments, each with 4-6 days of downtime and spaced a month apart are required to treat the face.

The Profile® laser brings a new approach to laser hair removal. This infrared laser can selectively target microstructure hair follicles.  It’s effective for lighter skin types and, because of the relatively low absorption of this light by melanin, it’s a good choice for darker skin types.  Additionally, the ability to safely treat sun-tanned skin makes this a treatment of choice for active individuals who spend a lot of time in the sun.

I spoke about the Profile laser with respected friend and anti-aging expert, Dr. Daniela Paunesky, Director of www.AtlantaAntiAging.com, board certified in Internal medicine, Anti-Aging medicine, certified in Bariatric medicine and internationally recognized medical specialist featured in several of Suzanne Somers’ books.

“The Profile laser selectively targets hair follicles and heats them with infrared energy.  Unlike other processes, the laser beam treats many hairs at once, making treatment of large areas practical and easier for the patient.  The Profile employs a unique computer-guided scanning system that automates the treatment, ensuring that your skin is rapidly, evenly treated.  The computer sets the parameters and places the beam in an optimum pattern for the patient’s skin so to ensure a safe, fast, effective and gentle treatment,” explained Dr. Paunesky.

What precautions should be taken before and after any laser treatment? Avoid the sun a few weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner gives the ok. It’s best to avoid electrolysis, plucking or major waxing a few weeks prior to treatment. If you’ve had a history of perioral herpes, tell you physician or treatment specialist and prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Always discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve. Together with your physician or laser specialist, you can decide if your expectations will be met and if a particular laser treatment is the best option for you.

Lasers will continue to evolve and be perfected. Make sure you have a good relationship with your doctor or laser specialist and that the staff is friendly and respectful. Ask friends whom you trust for their recommendation. Do your skincare homework. Good doctors appreciate patients who respect their time and experience and applaud you for resourceful medical research, not just here say.

Patty Kovacs, Editor-At-Large at Makemeheal.com, is a published author and beauty expert. Patty is the Executive Producer/Host of The Health and Beauty Revolution Show on wsRadio. Her 800+ interviews include over 450 New York Times best-selling authors. Patty

www.wsRadio.com/HealthandBeautyRevolution

www.PattyKovacevich.com

www.Coast2CoastBeauty.com

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By Peyman Solieman, MD & Jason Litner, MD

By all accounts, cosmetic plastic surgery is on the rise in America for ethnic patients. In fact, in 2007, ethnic minorities accounted for 22 percent of the nearly 11.7 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, an increase of 105 percent from 2000. More specifically, in 2007, Hispanics underwent 1,011,071 procedures (up 153% from 2000) while African-American cosmetic surgeries increased 170%.

Yet, we see a number of ethnic patients every month who tell us they’ve had a hard time finding a surgeon who seems to make a practice of doing “ethnic plastic surgery”. Why?

Well, in our opinions, there are a few reasons for this:

The aesthetic is different. We now know that there is tremendous variation in anatomy among and between ethnicities and an equally wide variation in the desired aesthetic.

When it comes to rhinoplasty, which is by far the most popular facial surgical procedure among ethnic minorities, the nuances of ethnic differences in facial structure and aesthetics require a different type of surgeon: one who moves beyond the “one size fits all“ model to tailor results.

If a surgeon is not experienced with the nuance of ethnic rhinoplasty, this can be hard to accomplish in a natural-looking way. Which brings us to the final point…

The procedures are different. For a typical rhinoplasty in patients of European ancestry, the focus is usually on making the nose smaller, reducing a bump, etc. and so we trained to remove some tissue in order to accomplish this. Ethnic noses can tend towards thicker skin, softer tip cartilage, weaker septal cartilage, excessive nostril flare, and sometimes lower nasal bridges. For these patients, the emphasis is typically on narrowing and adding to the bridge, refining and supporting the tip, and on specialized procedures such as alar base reduction (nostril narrowing).

Achieving these goals relies heavily on more advanced grafting techniques in order to have thicker skin drape favorably and show the desired degree of refinement. It is critical to build up tip structure in order to provide not only adequate support but also lasting tip shape and definition. At the same time, most of our patients are seeking refinement in the way of a thinner tip that is not over-built and rock hard. So, there is a balance that needs to be struck and a fairly unforgiving line that needs to be walked. Luckily, with the increase in interest from ethnic patients, we are sure to see more and more surgeons interested in achieving fantastic results for them.

Please let us know if you have any more detailed questions related to Ethnic facial surgery. You can ask both the doctors questions directly just by clicking the link:

Ask Peyman Solieman, MD and Jason Litner, MD a Question

About Peyman Solieman, MD & Jason Litner, MD

At their practice named PROFILES (www.beverlyhillsprofiles.com), both Drs. Solieman and Litner meet and consult with you from your initial consultation through to your surgery and at every visit thereafter. We’re the only center that does that, and our great results and satisfied patients are the reasons why.

Ask Peyman Solieman, MD and Jason Litner, MD a Question

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By Lois W. Stern, Editor-at-Large, Makemeheal.com

 

The world of plastic surgery seems poised for innovation once again! How about a facelift without surgery? Sounds too good to be true? Stay tuned.

 

By lifting the ban on federal funding for promising stem cell research, on March 9, 2009 President Obama brought this highly charged topic to the forefront once again. Not surprisingly, anti-abortion rights activists condemned Obama’s decision. Although I strongly applaud his stand, I certainly would never support the use of our finite supply of embryonic stem cells for beauty enhancement treatments – nor have I heard of any reputable surgeon who advocates such research and application for anything short of curing human disease and restoring body parts. But anti-aging specialists and plastic surgeons now have discovered other sources of stem cells - unburdened by moral and ethical decisions. Enter adult stem cells.

 

Understanding Stem Cells

A stem cell is a cell from which other types of cells develop. Stem cells have the ability to make more of themselves and to differentiate as they do so, in order to grow a wide variety of tissues. While embryonic stem cells are the most well-known type, not all multi-potent cells come from embryos. An abundant source of stem cells also can be harvested from our own fat. Within this past decade, researchers have begun to recognize that these pre-fat cells were actually stem cells that could be coaxed into becoming not just more fat, but cartilage, bone, and even neurons and heart muscle. Because of their diverse capablilities, these stem cells are known as multipotent.

 

Researchers are discovering that the lipoaspirate from liposuction, which we make in our bodies, can be converted into cells having the ability to differentiaten and replicate. By capitalizing on stem cell biology, plastic surgeons are beginning to implement methods for using those cells to reconstruct lost tissue and to build new tissue in less invasive ways than ever before.

 

Fat Grafting in Development

Plastic surgeons, recognizing that fat is an ideal material for soft tissue augmentation with the most natural-appearing results, have been reinjecting fat into faces for decades. The biggest problem with this procedure has been the resorption or breakdown of the reinjected fat, with resulting impermanence to the improvement.

 

“The grafted fat must gain its own blood supply in its new location in order to persist long-term, and this generally is not possible when large amounts are

injected at once and when specialized instrumentation and techniques are not employed,” explains board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Law.            

 

Structural fat grafting, also known as lipostructure or microfat grafting, has been a step forward in establishing permanence of the reinjected fat. With this process, small amounts of fat (less than 0.1 cc at a time) are carefully microinjected in a series of discrete layers to gradually build new soft tissue structure. As there is space between each microinjection, new blood vessels are able to grow into the grafted fat, allowing it to persist.

 

This procedure requires specialized training and specialized surgical instruments, as well as patience on the part of both surgeon and patient, but when performed properly, permanent improvement in facial plastic contours is possible.  

  

Researchers are experimenting with new ways to process fat so that these fragile stem cells can create a blood supply for the transplanted cells to help them survive. One experimental method has involved separating out multipotent adult stem cells and growing them in a petri dish, while coaxing them to differentiate into specific tissue types such as fat or cartilage.  Those differentiated cells are then injected into the patient, where they continue to grow and divide, creating a small amount of natural tissue.

                                           

 

    

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Dr. Vincent Makhlouf - Des Plaines

 

A second method uses mechanized means to accomplish similar goals. Cytori is a San Diego-based company that makes equipment to process fat stem cells immediately after the doctor liposuctions off some of the patient’s fat. Half that fat gets set aside, while the other half is processed to extract a condensed mixture rich in stem cells. That mixture is then injected back into the reserved fat, producing a fat graft supercharged with stem cells, ready to be reinjected into the patient. The result is an immediate fat graft supercharged with stem cells. An additional benefit is that because the patient is the donor, there is no risk of tissue rejection.

 

 

Photos Courtesy of Skin Essentials@bod:evolve 

 

The Facelift of the Future

Today many diverse procedures are being utilized to rejuvenate the face. While some involve surgery such as eyelifts and facelifts, other non-surgical options have emerged in the past ten years as a means to temporarily rejuvenate the face. Enter muscle relaxers as Botox (and more recently Reloxin), and fillers such as Juvederm, Radiesse and Restylane. These options can provide patients with a younger, more rested appearance, but because they are only temporary measures, injections need to be periodically repeated.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Dr. Vincent Makhlouf - Des Plaines

 

If clinical trials continue to show promise, the “Stem Cell Facelift” may just be the next huge step forward in facial rejuvenation. This Stem Cell Facelift would involve removing fat from a patient’s body – typically from the thigh or abdomen - processing it in some way and then injecting it back into that same person’s face - all in a single procedure. Anti-aging specialist and plastic surgeon, Dr. Vincent Giampapa, Assistant Clinical Professor at UMDNJ Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey and Director of The Plastic Surgery Center Internationale and the Giampapa Institute for Age Management, has pioneered this procedure and has been performing it for the last four years. He claims that the patients he has treated have exhibited not only marked improvement in both the underlying soft tissue contours of the face but also in skin quality and tone and that the results it yields are extremely natural. Priced at $5,000, it is considerably less costly than a surgical facelift that typically costs triple that amount.

                               

Photos courtesy of Dr. Vincent Makhlouf - Des Plaines

 

Dr. Renato Calabria, a plastic surgeon with offices in both Italy and Ca., is slowly integrated this technique, which he calls the “Stem Cell Enhanced Facelift”, into his own practice. By introducing these reengineered stem cells into specific layers of facial tissue during the surgical facelift, he claims to see dramatic improvement in not just facial contour, but in skin quality and tone as well. He believes that the growoth factors contained in the implanted  cells stimulate skin renewal properties.

 

Will this change the way facelifts are done in the future or better yet, provide us with that dream come true -  a cost effective, knife-free facial rejuvenation procedure performed in an office setting requiring only local anesthesia, with shorter downtime and natural, long lasting results.

 

The hope for the future is that one day we will be able to say yes to all of the above and that these reengineered stem cells will be used not only to fill out wrinkles on an aging face, but also to replace lost breast tissue or augment the breast without the insertion of an implant.

Lois W. Stern, Editor-At-Large at Makemeheal.com, is a beauty expert and author of Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery and Tick Tock Stop the Clock.

Lois has also just come out with an incredible DVD for plastic surgeons, which is a practical communication tool for use between surgeon and patient.  Check out Lois’s website at: www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com.  Lois and Patty Kovacs are the co-founders of Coast to Coast - Eye on Beauty Newsletter.

as well as a DVD for Professional office use - a practical communication tool for use between surgeon and patient. See her website at: www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com/

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Dancing with the Stars alum Lisa Rinna is as well known for her plastic surgery enhanced appearance as she is for her dance moves. But when Lisa posed for Playboy for the second time, Make Me Heal decided to explore her cosmetically enhanced changes over the past decade.

When the 45-year actress first posed for Playboy back in 1998, the biggest bulge was her pregnant belly. Now, over 10 years later, the focal point is on her out of control over-injected lips, which are the focus of every photo.

New York plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer says, “Lisa appears to have Botox in her forehead and fillers in her cheeks and lips. She has a few pictures where it looks way too overdone.”

Even Lisa has admitted to overdoing the fillers, saying, “I saw a picture of myself and thought, ‘Uh-oh.’ You have to be careful. I’m a perfect example of that! There are many things you can do to make yourself look better.”

Lisa looks as though she’s been having more than just a lip augmentation, given her high cheeks and tight skin, and she may have had mid facelift and cheek implants or fat grafting and fillers to keep them looking high as ever. Her eyelids are also remarkably sag-free, which could be the result of a blepharoplasty.

Plastic surgeon Dr. John Di Saia says, “She is big on fillers for her lips. She has lost weight since the earlier images. Her implants are small and look nice. She probably has had some more facial work - a lift and/or mid-face lift plus or minus cheek implants.”

In addition to having a great deal of facework, Lisa also could have had breast implants placed at some point in the past, giving the high, round shape of her breasts.

Dr. Jennifer Walden, “Dancing with the Stars contestant, Lisa Rinna, has openly admitted to having had injectables to restore volume in her face. It looks as if she has either had collagen or hyaluronic acid fillers injected into multiple areas of her face, filling the nasolabial folds and plumping up the cheeks and lips. From her Playboy photo spreads it can be seen that she likely has had breast augmentation in the past.”

Rinna says the culprit of her trout pout is Juvederm, one of the more popular fillers amongst Hollywood’s leading ladies.

She says, “At my age, you have to look good if you want to continue working. Sometimes we do things to help, and I did. I had tried Botox, and then fillers came into the plastic surgery world, and you think, ‘That’s not a bad idea.”

Dr. Paul S. Nassif, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a rhinoplasty specialist in Beverly Hills, California says, “Lisa Rinna looks as though she has had an over-aggressive rhinoplasty at some point, leaving her with a pinched-looking nose. Since her original Playboy spread, her eyes look the same, as do her extremely plumped lips.”

Plastic surgeon Dr. Sherrell J. Aston says, “Lisa Rinna is yet another Hollywood actress taking plastic surgery to extremes. Lisa has admitted to being addicted to fillers, and her face shows the damage of her abuse. When she posed for Playboy 10 years ago she was a fresh starlet from the hit show Melrose Place. Sadly, her latest Playboy pictorial looks like 25 years have past. The severe lighting, bad make-up and hair are not helping the aging actress. She appears to have had breast augmentation, fillers, and possibly blepharoplasty. I would advise her to stop using dermal fillers immediately.”

Read the complete celebrity plastic surgery profile of Lisa Rinna on Plasticopedia, the largest celebrity plastic surgery encyclopedia.

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By Patty Kovacs, Editor-at-Large, Makemeheal.com

As the number of plastic surgery procedures in the United States decline with the tightening economy, a new secret weapon in the war on wrinkles may soon become the hottest age-defying injectable treatment. Called Reloxin, this new injectable may just be the affordable version of Botox to help bailout people who cannot afford the original. Can Reloxin be as effective as Botox? Possibly. Will it be cheaper than Botox? Likely.

Presently awaiting U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, Reloxin is suggested by many as the up-and-coming rival to Botox Cosmetic to become the newest wrinkle fighting injectable to work magic on lines and furrows of the face, particularly the forehead area.

Like Botox, Reloxin (Clostridium botulinum toxin type A-hemagglutinin complex) is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Also like Botox, small doses of the Reloxin are injected into targeted wrinkle-causing muscles, preventing the muscle from contracting and effectively reducing appearance of wrinkles. But with Reloxin, there is a greater diffusion of the toxin from pontiff injection, quite desirable in certain areas like the forehead.

Reloxin is now approved in 23 countries outside the United States to smooth wrinkles and has also been used outside the United States for more than 15 years to under the trade name Dysport to treat neurological disorders.

Reloxin is currently sold outside the U.S. by Ipsen SA, based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, outside Paris. In 2006, Ipsen granted Medicis the rights to develop, distribute and commercialize Reloxin as a wrinkle treatment in the U.S., Canada and Japan. Medicis is also the company behind the popular hyaluronic acid injectable Restylane.

“Reloxin is as safe and it works as well as Botox,” says Dr. Ronald Moy from the Moy-Fincher Medical Group for cosmetic and skin surgery in Los Angeles and esteemed professor at University of California, Los Angeles medical school. Having served as lead researcher in a Reloxin study funded by Medicis, Dr. Moy was impressed with the results of the objective study.

Dr. Moy spoke with Makemeheal.com recently as he shared that he’s quite in favor of Reloxin’s potential to serve the cosmetic injectables market. “Many of our patients were happier and got a more natural look with the use of Reloxin. I think it will be a serious competitor to Botox,” Moy added.

A team from the Moy-Fincher Medical Group researchers in Los Angeles conducted the study treating 1,200 patients with injections of Reloxin in sites of the forehead area of the face. As many as five treatments were given during the study. Patients were asked to record the effects of the treatment in diaries and were interviewed 7-10 days after treatment. In addition, patients were reexamined two weeks, then 30 days later, and then again each month after treatment. Many patients reported that the drug started working within days after treatment. After a week, up to 95 percent said they had responded to the medication. The study also found that in many cases Reloxin lasted remarkably long term.

Among the 1,052 patients who completed the 13-month study there were 2,838 adverse events among 880 patients. Of these, 28 percent were probably related to the treatment. These included problems at the injection site, nervous system disorders such as headache and eye problems including ptosis, a drooping of the eyelid or brow. Only one patient withdrew from study due to the side effects of the drug, the researchers say.

Another possible benefit of this new wrinkle relaxer is cost. Reloxin may turn out to be more cost effective than Botox Cosmetic. Medicis has made no decisions on pricing but sources say Reloxin may possibly be priced as much as 15% lower than Botox which will allow it to take a significant share of the billion dollar wrinkle relaxer market. At a recent conference of the American Academy of Dermatology, Reloxin had almost all participants abuzz with anticipation and excitement. Word in plastic surgery circles is that it will at the very least drive down the cost of Botox because of the competition. I’m one for a little ‘healthy’ competition in this market.

For years, Allergan has monopolized the cosmetic and therapeutic market of botulinum toxin type A, taking full advantage of their 83% worldwide monopoly by raising the price of Botox almost biannually. Botox sales for 2009 are expected to be between $1.15 billion and $1.19 billion. Last year’s revenue was $1.3 billion, about half from cosmetic sales. Botox has long been such a U.S. mainstay of cosmetic medicine to reduce forehead wrinkles and frown lines that consumers’ conversational use of the word “Botox” is both a noun and a verb by regular ‘Botox-ers’.

The arrival of a less costly injectable such as Reloxin during the worse recession in decades is timely, as some price-conscious Botoxers will likely shift to using Reloxin if the results are comparable.

Approval for Reloxin is still hush-hush, but its corporate sponsors, Medicis Pharmaceutical of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Ipsen of Paris, have refiled their application for Food and Drug Administration approval to market this new wrinkle-fighting injectable drug in the United States.

Since less quantity is required of Reloxin, the conversion rate of units will initially be sort of like learning a new language. Don’t look to convert units to units, rather work with a trusted physician to learn the required units of Reloxin for your body.

Remember, always carefully research and check the medical credentials and Board Certification of any physician or surgeon you select for cosmetic aesthetic enhancement.

Patty Kovacs, Editor-At-Large at Makemeheal.com, is a published author and beauty expert. Patty is the Executive Producer/Host of The Health and Beauty Revolution Show on wsRadio. Her 800+ interviews include over 450 New York Times best-selling authors.

See Patty’s Websites: www.pattykovacevich.com

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By Patty Kovacs, Editor-at-Large, Makemeheal.com

Back in the 1980’s Sam Muslin, DDS, MAGD, a practicing Santa Monica dentist, was testing a then unknown product called veneers to enhance the smile of a select group of his patients. What is today known as cosmetic dentistry began with pioneering expert dentist like Dr. Muslin.

Dr. Muslin’s continued application of veneers and his meticulous assessment and rebuilding of teeth to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile led him to perfect his art of beautiful dentistry. Developing his own signature style, he began to notice that specific applications produced distinguished, improved facial dimension. His dental work was transforming receding chins, sunken jaws, and thinning lips into stronger chins, sculpted jaws, and fuller lips. With his unique methods and dental expertise, he was creating gorgeous smiles and turning back the clock on otherwise sagging, aging faces.

He called the procedure Face Lift Dentistry as word got out and patient after patient came to him from around the country for state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry and facial rejuvenation without plastic surgery.

Face Lift Dentistry is a unique, patient-centered, restorative, and bite-reconstructive treatment that requires only dental restorations, no actual facial surgery, yet utterly remarkable facial rejuvenation is naturally achieved. No stitches, no cosmetic injectables, and minimal to zero grinding down of the patient’s natural teeth. The procedure can be completed in as little as two office visits. Face Lift Dentistry is a level of care that exceeds all previous levels, the highest, most complex level of dental care made possible by improvements in advanced technology using Dr. Muslin’s refined techniques. This super specialty procedure is highly concentrated, utilizing and coordinating the most advanced dental technologies available to achieve the ultimate level of individualized dental care while also achieving astonishing facial rejuvenation.

“What are my goals of Face Lift Dentistry?” asks Dr. Muslin. “To achieve the absolute best jaw position and comfort, tooth angle, dental health level, clear speech, ideal facial support and optimal facial length possible. The result? A weak chin appears stronger, a short, round face is elongated, a collapsed bite is restored, and a remarkably improved facial profile results. That’s why I call it Face Lift Dentistry.”

I met Dr. Sam Muslin at a medical luncheon at the Regent Beverly Hills, sure that I would discern his technique to be somewhat questionable. He quickly proved me wrong and now I’m a fan. His results are astonishing. Facial wrinkles and weaknesses become more obvious with age. When you think about it, it just makes good sense to incorporate enhancing one’s smile and facial dimensions simultaneously. Big plus? No surgery. Dr. Muslin is going far beyond conventional dentistry and his before-and-after patient photos and testimonials tell the story.

“The Dental Face Lift technique plumps the appearance of thinning lips, adds volume to sunken cheeks, elongates an otherwise weak jaw and chin, and makes taut that ugly, loose turkey neck. The technique naturally enhances the patient’s unique soft facial tissue with restructure of the hard tissue: the teeth. In other words, it’s much more than a ‘dental smile makeover,’” he explains.

A careful, three-dimensional analysis of the patient’s entire face geometry begins the initial procedure. A highly customized course is determined to reconstruct the patient’s bite as well as to enhance the patient’s entire facial structure. No surgery is required on the face or any soft tissues. Only the teeth are treated.

“The development Face Lift Dentistry actually allows a patient to change what nature created and turn back the hands of time. Instead of being satisfied with the length of our face and the position of our jaw that we grew into randomly at a young age, we can now utilize this dental technology to achieve the best possible face, lips and jaw position possible while restoring youthfulness to the entire face,” says Dr. Muslin.

The procedure restructures the face, the bite, even the health of the entire body by maximizing the potential of the teeth to support the overall facial structure, lips and cheeks. It removes years off the facial appearance, vertically lengthening the face, actually smoothing out wrinkles, giving a naturally thicker appearance to the lips. Not only is the smile vastly improved, but the entire face is transformed to a far more aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance by reconstruction the teeth. The teeth are lengthened to achieve a longer face and this lengthening process is harmonized with the specific requirements of the patient’s jaw-joint or TMJ. According to Dr. Muslin, in most instances the jaw-joint will move itself to the best position naturally if given the opportunity during the course of dental care.

“Wearing down of the teeth because of bruxism (grinding) is a normal process of aging. The gradual loss of vertical dimension in a patient’s face is an added result of getting older; in other words, our faces get shorter as we age because of tooth wear,” explains Dr. Muslin. “Over time, the bite is flattened and depressed facial structure follows. A face looks older due greatly to loss of tooth support and flattening of the bite. Mine is the only procedure that actually lengthens the face permanently and creates a lasting, vertically enhanced, youthful looking face.”

Dr. Muslin’s patients aren’t just aging baby boomers. A 30-year-old patient can actually have a 50-year-old looking face due to a deep over-bite and years of grinding. Short, dark yellow teeth from smoking, partying, poor eating habits, or childhood antibiotics combined with old fillings and crowns that don’t match can make a thirty-something look, well, old.

“Some of us never had a good bite to begin with. Our bite is formed in early adolescence once all of the adult teeth erupt. It’s our teeth that determine facial length and jaw position for the rest of our lives. Our faces can be short and round if the teeth don’t provide adequate support. Many of my patients experience enormous relief from migraine headaches due to teeth misalignment and grinding” continues Dr. Muslin.

As soon as mismatched crowns and fillings are replaced, the patient is made healthier. Decay is removed for maximum health and the bite is rebuilt. Conflicting metals and decaying tooth structures are replaced with biologically compatible porcelain materials.

Worn down cusps are rebuilt and restored for better chewing, adding subtle, three-dimensional vertical facial height, creating astonishing youthful restoration of the patient’s entire facial appearance. No surgery, no stitches, and most patients go back to work the very next day.

Dr. Muslin’s years of knowledge and expertise are critical in in Face Lift Dentistry. His advanced training and artistic ability are vital components for the biological harmony of this highly advanced procedure.

Dr. Sam Muslin is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry and has been awarded by the International College of Dentists. He has been practicing cosmetic dentistry in Santa Monica for almost 30 years. Dental Face Lift and Face Lift Dentistry are registered trademarks of Dr. Sam Muslin. www.faceliftdentistry.com.

Patty Kovacs, Editor-At-Large at Makemeheal.com, is a published author and beauty expert. Patty is the Executive Producer/Host of The Health and Beauty Revolution Show on wsRadio. Her 800+ interviews include over 450 New York Times best-selling authors.

See Patty’s Websites: www.pattykovacevich.com

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February 6, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA

Make Me Heal (www.makemeheal.com), the world’s largest website for all things plastic surgery, cosmetic treatments, and anti-aging, has announced that over fifty top plastic surgeons have joined Makemeheal.com to answer questions live that are posted by consumers on the website’s Ask-An-Expert area. Launched in November of 2008, Ask-an-Expert is a free service that allows consumers to ask a question and get key answers from top doctors and experts about any procedure or topic within the fields of plastic surgery, dermatology, and skin care. Moreover, regular people from the Makemeheal.com community can also post responses to questions.

“Ask-an-Expert is rapidly becoming one of Makemeheal.com’s most popular areas of our portal, as it allows consumers to ask important questions and get answers from different leading doctors and experts at a click of a button — and for free,” says Ariel Perets, Founder & CEO of Makemeheal.com.

Aside from asking questions, users can simply use this incredible resource to do research numerous types of procedures, treatments, and products using sophisticated search functions on Ask-an-Expert.

Among the physicians answering questions on the Makemeheal.com site include Dr. Marcel Daniels, Dr. Brent Moelleken, Dr. Shervin Naderi, Dr. Alexander Rivkin, and other top plastic surgeons.

Check out Ask-An-Expert.

About Make Me Heal

Make Me Heal (www.makemeheal.com) is the world’s largest website for all things plastic surgery, beauty enhancement, and anti-aging.  With 1 million members and over 300,000 unique visitors per month, Make Me Heal is a one-stop portal for all the products, services, and information resources needed by the consumer.

Discover The Make Me Heal World…

• Find a great plastic surgeon on Makemeheal.com’s Plastic Surgeons Directory, check credentials, and read patient reviews of doctors.

• Chat, ask questions, and get advice from people on our Message Boards & Blogs.

• View or upload Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures in the world’s largest photo library of women and men who’ve had plastic surgery.

• Ask top plastic surgeons questions & get answers live on Make Me Heal’s Ask-An-Expert area.
• Shop for Plastic Surgery Recovery & Preparation Products and Beauty & Skin Care Products.
  
• Read Plastic Surgery News & Gossip.

Visit the website: Make Me Heal

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By Alexander Rivkin, M.D.

Traditional cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelifts, and chin augmentations are no longer the only option for individuals who wish to enhance their outward appearance. These surgical procedures are now in competition with the latest innovations in injectable filler techniques. Products such as Radiesse, Artefill, Juvederm, and Sculptra allow a skilled physician to gently mold and sculpt the face. Facial fat disappears as we age, changing our appearance from full and youthful to gaunt and fatigued looking. Fillers will replace that fat, giving us back the youthful fullness that is lost over time. In addition, fillers can easily soften and camouflage aesthetic irregularities of the face, such as a nasal bump or an asymmetric chin. With so many new choices in aesthetic medicine available, why endure painful, invasive surgery that requires anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay? In this article I would like to specifically focus on Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty, also known as the Non-Surgical Nose Job, and discuss some of the procedure’s advantages relative to surgical rhinoplasty techniques.

As a surgically trained otolaryngologist/facial plastic surgeon I understand my patients fears and anxieties associated with “going under the knife.” I have devoted my career to developing cosmetic surgery alternatives in order to reduce recovery time, discomfort, and financial cost to patients seeking cosmetic improvements. Recent developments in aesthetic medicine have allowed me to focus on minimally invasive facial sculpting as new varieties of injectable fillers are becoming more readily available in the US market. Four years ago, I was the first in the United States to offer Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty using injections of Radiesse to raise the bridge of the nose and camouflage bumps. Since then, I have performed about 1000 successful procedures and have trained physicians across the country and abroad.

The idea of correcting nasal abnormalities with the use of injections is actually not new. In the mid 1800’s doctors attempted to perform this procedure with substances like paraffin, silicone, and goose grease. These techniques did not last because the substances used caused long-term side effects and turned out to be inappropriate for injection. However, the idea of performing rhinoplasty with injections remained a possibility and modern cosmetic surgeons continued to experiment with the idea of minimally invasive facial sculpting.

When I started using Radiesse to fill in lines and wrinkles, I was impressed with the longevity and smoothness of the results. I had heard rumors that Asian plastic surgeons were using fillers to contour the nose non-surgically and I recognized the possibility that American patients could obtain results similar to traditional rhinoplasty without surgery. I questioned why US surgeons were only offering fillers as a post-rhinoplasty corrective procedure. There was (and still is for the most part) a perception that an operation is the only way to correct cosmetic nasal irregularities, even the most minor bumps or asymmetries. After using injectable fillers as an alternative to rhinoplasty for four years, I am convinced that the Non-Surgical Nose Job is a procedure that is safe and effective with significantly less discomfort and risk than traditional rhinoplasty.

With proper administration from a trained specialist, Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty can effectively correct a mild to moderate bump on the bridge of the nose, a mild to moderate drooping of the nasal tip (nasal tip ptosis), mild to moderate post-rhinoplasty asymmetry, and mild to moderate deformities such as “boxer’s nose” or an upward scooping of the nasal tip (also known as saddle nose deformity). Skill and experience are required if a physician wishes to correct more difficult situations such as asymmetric nostril shape, or poor definition at the point between the face and nostril wing.

(Left: Before, Right: After)

Cosmetic concerns often vary between ethnic groups and the Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty procedure can present the best solution across cultural lines. For example, Asians often desire a heightened bridge of the nose and want better nasal definition. African Americans, like Asians, often request bridge augmentation while Hispanic Americans frequently ask for correction of a droopy nasal tip or irregular bump. Caucasians most commonly request camouflage for an obvious hump or unbalanced appearance of the nasal bridge.

(Left: Before, Right: After)

Individuals who have already received a traditional rhinoplasty procedure commonly ask for minor corrections of asymmetry, augmentation for an upward slope of the nose, and, occasionally, a desire for augmentation and camouflage in the of the nose bridge due to a post procedure cartilage collapse.

There are several injectable fillers available on the US market today that are safe, effective and relatively long lasting. I have mostly used Radiesse and am very comfortable with this filler. Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres in a polysaccharide gel carrier. Since there is no way to dissolve the material, it must be injected with great care. I routinely under-correct because over correction is quite difficult to resolve. Immediately after injection, Radiesse is malleable and I will contour and shape it according to the needs of the individual patient. Generally I see patients one to two weeks after the initial procedure so that I can administer touch ups if necessary. Radiesse is a semi-permanent filler and generally lasts between 10 and 12 months. Because Radiesse is not animal based, no allergy testing is required.

Some patients choose to start with more temporary hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restalyne or Juvederm in order to experiment with the outcome of their cosmetic makeover. The advantage to the hyaluronic acids is that they can be easily reversed with an enzyme in the rare event that results are dissatisfactory. After trying out their new look with temporary fillers, patients can then choose to go with a permanent filler if they decide a re-contoured nose suits their expectations (which is the case with most people). Restalyne and Juvederm last between six to nine months and are non-animal based so skin testing is not necessary and allergic reactions are unheard of.

Although the Non -Surgical alternative to rhinoplasty is an excellent option for many, it is not the best solution for all patients. Patients with a severely crooked nose may not be good candidates for an injection rhinoplasty because the augmentation needed to give a straighter appearance to the nose may make the nose too wide. Patients with a nose that is disproportionately large may need to opt for a traditional reduction surgery. The procedure will not correct breathing problems.

As with any medical procedure, selecting the right physician to perform your Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty is critical. Injecting filler into the nose must be done with care and a thorough understanding of both nasal anatomy and the properties of the filler being used. A patient contemplating this procedure should make sure his or her physician has had specific training and experience in cosmetic injection techniques, especially if the doctor is not a formally trained aesthetic surgeon. Precise knowledge about the injection spots, depth, and amount of filler needed is very important for the success of the procedure.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty is a relatively painless procedure that requires minimal downtime and post-procedure care. In fact many of my patients have resumed normal activities immediately after their Non-Surgical Nose Job, returning to work or a busy social calendar on the same day as the appointment. Slight bruising or swelling may occur at the site of injection, however the severity of the inflammation pales in comparison to the aftermath of traditional rhinoplasty. If discoloration or tenderness does occur, it usually disappears within a few days.

Topical anesthesia is adequate for pain control and icing the nasal area just before injection reduces the chances of bruising. I suggest patients take Arnica Montana orally after their injection – it works well for reducing any swelling or bruising that may follow. Patients can use Tylenol, but should not use non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications (Advil, Alleve, etc) for 3 days or wear sunglasses for 2 weeks after the procedure. No other limitations are required. The Non-Surgical Nose Job usually takes between 10-15 minutes to perform. Patients are usually in the office for about an hour, however, when we figure in the time needed for topical numbing cream.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty costs a fraction of the price of the surgical procedure. Depending the on the filler being used - temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent - a Non-Surgical Nose Job costs between $1,000 - $2,000.

Minimally invasive procedures like Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty are quickly gaining popularity because they offer patients exactly what they want cosmetically, but with much less pain, downtime, and cost. The Non-Surgical Nose Job is currently performed throughout much of the world and will only increase in popularity as the possibility of non-surgical aesthetic corrections continue to be publicized.

About the Author

Alexander Rivkin M.D. is a Yale trained facial cosmetic surgeon and UCLA faculty member who focuses exclusively on providing his patients with the latest in non-invasive, non-ablative cosmetic treatments. As an international authority on non-surgical cosmetic treatments, he divides his time between patient care, clinical research, educating other physicians, media appearances, and lecturing at scientific conferences throughout the world. Dr. Rivkin was the first physician in the country to offer the Non-Surgical Nose Job, his signature method for non-invasive correction of cosmetic nasal irregularities. He has been featured throughout the national and international media on shows such as the TODAY show, the Tyra Banks Show and EXTRA for the innovative procedures he has invented. Dr. Rivkin is a member of the teaching faculty of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is also a prominent member of the national teaching faculties for Allergan, Contura, Johnson and Johnson, Medicis and Bioform. Click here to learn more about Dr. Alexander Rivkin.

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See Sharon’s Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album.

Ohio native Sharon (username: goldilox1975) was teased about her nose ever since she was young, but mostly by her brother. She never seriously considered a rhinoplasty until a few years ago she saw a picture of a girl she went to high school with. She knew this girl had gotten a nose job, and Sharon realized she still looked like herself, only better. After several consultations with various surgeons, she finally settled on Dr. Frank Barone, based on personal reviews, reputation, and her consultations with him. She used the Make Me Heal message boards and her own blog to gain knowledge about what to expect from surgery and recovery, as well as support from others. She had her procedure on August 5th, 2008 and though she had a stressful night before surgery and hated the packing in her nostrils for a week after, she experienced little serious pain and was very well prepared for a smooth recovery. She was out on the town only 11 days after surgery and is now pleased that she has a more refined version of her own nose, and feels more confident in herself.

Sharon’s advice for anyone having plastic surgery is:

“If you have wanted it for a while, don’t wait any longer. Do it!!! It’s not that bad and 9 out of 10 times the results are incredible! Research as many doctors as possible and don’t let cost be the deciding factor. Get the best possible doctor no matter the cost.“

Please join us below with an interview with the lovely Sharon:

Make Me Heal: When did you first have the idea to have your procedure(s)?

Sharon: In high school a few friends got nose jobs. Part of me was jealous, but the other side of me looked down on them for being so vain. Honestly I didn’t think any of them needed it and was somewhat sad to know that their unique looks would be diminished. Recently I was flipping through a book of wedding photos by a local photographer in my city. He had wedding pictures of one of those girls. She looked stunning! That was the day I decided I was really ready to take this idea to the next level. I thought that she still looks like herself, just better, and I could too.

Make Me Heal: What were your motivations (physical, emotional, social, etc.) behind your decision to have the procedure(s)?

Sharon: I thought I would be more confident, outgoing, and happier. I had seen some of my friends who had it done and they looked amazing, and I thought…’why not me’ I always thought my nose was too big, too long, and didn’t fit my face.

Make Me Heal: How long did it take you to make a decision and was it an easy or difficult one to make?

Sharon: It took one year. I began thinking about it and even made an appointment 1 year ago. I chickened out, but still wanted to do it. Recently I had a bad breakup, and was feeling down about myself in general. I came into some extra money, and thought, ‘I wish I had done it last year’. I decided I didn’t want to be saying that in another year so I decided to do it. I was a little difficult because I was very nervous that I wouldn’t like it and I would regret doing it. I was scared it would end up looking worse. Also I was afraid of the pain and the recovery.

Make Me Heal: Did your family, friends, and any other people in your close circle give you support, opposition, or did you make this decision without considering them?

Sharon: Everyone was very supportive. My friends and I had a ‘Going away Party’ for my nose. We had Goucho Marx glasses, fake animal noses, and even a theme song…Nobody Nose the Trouble I’ve seen! (pic on my blog) My Dad was the only one who was uneasy because my sister had the procedure and had major complications leaving her with visible scar after 2 revisions.

Make Me Heal: How did you research the procedure and come to decide on this particular procedure?

Sharon: I knew what I wanted, a nose job, simple as that. The doctors recommended the specific procedures as far as nostril reduction and grafts. My doctor ended up not doing a graft.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you used any of Make Me Heal’s resources such as the message boards, pictures library, doctor directory and doctor reviews, and any recovery and preparation products that you used.

Sharon: Make Me Heal was the ONLY resource I found online that was helpful. The before and after pictures were a HUGE help I looked for girls who looked like me, and saw the incredible differences and decided if they can do it so can I. The message boards are great. I used them a lot, posting my own concerns, questions, and fears and got wonderful responses. Everyone was very supportive.

Make Me Heal: How did you come to choose your doctor?

Sharon: I made consultations appointments with 3 major plastic surgeons in my area. I listened to each one taking notes and had a barrage of questions (in a notebook) for each. I made my decision based on what they thought my nose should look like, their willingness to answer my questions, how comfortable I felt with them, their before and after books of prior patients, and the look and feel of the office. Price was not my main concern and I ended up going with the most expensive doctor. Also I had 3 relatives who had used him for different things and they all recommended him highly. We had one initial consultation, another one to answer questions, and another to take pictures right before the surgery. After the surgery I had 3 appointments where they massaged my face to help with draining. This was very comforting and did help a lot. Of course I also had a post op appointment to remove the packing, and the stitches. I had to go back 3 more times for stitch removal (they would not come out on there own and I just kept finding more and more). I have my final appointment in 3 weeks for post pictures which will be at the 3 month mark.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you have any role in deciding the type of technique used for your surgery by the doctor, incision placements, implant brand, anesthesia type, etc.

Sharon: I put my trust fully in my Doctor, an let him do what he thought was right for me. I didn’t make outside suggestions. When he told me he wanted to do a graft, he said it was because not only was my bump big, but the area between my eyes was deep which made the hump appear bigger. While in surgery he opted not to do the graft, because he liked the way it looked after he did the hump reduction.

Make Me Heal: How did you prepare for the surgery?

Sharon: Arnica for bruising, Vitamedica (3 am and 3 pm) for 2 weeks before and after the surgery, Bromelain for swelling. Cleaned my house, bought tons of soups, juices, ice cream, puddings etc. I assigned my friends days and times to help me. Laid out all my meds and made a chart of when to take each, with or without food, and lined them all up in Dixie cups. I had my friends dole them out to me so that I didn’t get confused. I washed my sheets, cleaned and prepared my humidifier, made tons of ice, bought about 50 magazines, rented movies. I bought Q tips, bandages, AYR spray to lubricate, Benadryl for congestion, picked up my Rx’s (Valium, Percoset, Vicodin, Nausea Meds), and Chapstick (which didn’t work well and I switched to Blistex Medicated which kept my lips from drying out). I didn’t know it at the time, but I also needed lighted tweezers, bendy straws, hard candy, and mashed potatoes with gravy (lots of it!!).

Make Me Heal: How were you feeling the night before the surgery and on the moments before the surgery itself?

Sharon: I was a basket case the day and night before my surgery. I was very nervous, and scared. Part of me wanted to back out. I was mostly nervous about what it would be like to have packing in for a week. I tried plugging my nose for 1 minute and just that one minute was awful, so I knew it would be bad. That night I called my doctor and he said to take 1-2 Valium to calm me down and help me sleep. I’m so glad he did because it really helped. Before that I was freaking out and crying over the tiniest things. My cousin spent the night which helped and she drove me to the surgery center in the morning.

Make Me Heal: How was the recovery process? Please discuss what side effects you experienced? What were the worse parts of the recovery? Did anyone help you during the recovery?

Sharon: The worst part was the packing. It was extremely uncomfortable and made it hard to eat or drink. Also the dry mouth was unbearable. The 2nd night I got up to pee 10 times because I was drinking so much water. I had many friends and family bringing me food, giving me my medication, changing my bandages, cleaning my wounds, and keeping me company.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss the pain or discomfort you experienced during the recovery?

Sharon: The pain was minimal, especially since I had the Vicodin and Percoset. It was more like the pain you have when you get hit real hard on the nose, a dull pain that wouldn’t go away. The discomfort was due to the packing the first week. After that it was just very sore for about another week. The following 2 weeks it just felt strange because I had very little feeling in my nose, it was numb from the nerve damage that is caused during the operation. Any slight bumps to my nose were very painful as well. Even now 2 months later the tip is still a little numb. I predict another 3 months until I regain full 100% feeling again. Still now, picking my nose is hard, and I still use Q tip to help me do this. There is still scar tissue inside my nostrils which makes cleaning it out hard.

Make Me Heal: How well prepared were you for the recovery from physical, emotional, and mental respects?

Sharon: Most of my research was done on Make Me Heal.com. I also consulted with my sister who had the surgery, and my cousin and a couple friends who had it as well. I was as prepared as anyone could have been which made it much easier.

Make Me Heal: What are your top recovery tips to other patients?

Sharon: I have a long detailed list of recovery tips on my blog at: http://anewnose.blogspot.com/ (in which I recommend Make Me Heal.com) I will list the main points here:
• Q-tips
• Blistex Medicated (in the jar)
• Lighted tweezers
• Ice chips
• Mashed potatoes
• Arnica
• Humidifier
• Hard Candy
• Marked Dixie Cups for medications (to pre dispense)
• Bendy Straws
• Magazine
• Movies
• A schedule of help (friends, family who are willing to drive to the store to get you what you need)
• Soups (especially Chicken with Stars because you can drink the whole thing with a bendy straw)
• Valium, Vicodin, Percoset
Also I would schedule the surgery in the winter months when you wont be so sad to miss out on warm days, also make sure you have at least 1.5 months for the swelling to go down enough if you are preparing for reunions, weddings etc.

Make Me Heal: How long did you take off from work? What did you tell your co-workers about taking this time off? Did anyone notice your cosmetic procedures at work and what did you tell them if they asked about it?

Sharon: I took off 2 weeks and needed it all. I told my close friends at work. If anyone else noticed the change no one said anything. One friend’s husband knew about my surgery but when he saw me he forgot I had it done. When I asked him why he hadn’t said anything about my new nose, he said, “Wow the doctor must have done a great job because you look great but I didn’t really notice the change.”

Make Me Heal: How happy are you with the results?

Sharon: I am very happy. I don’t ever feel like people are looking at my nose anymore and I feel VERY confident about my profile!!!

Make Me Heal: How has your makeover impacted your life from personal, social, career, and other respects?

Sharon: Like I said before, I feel much more confident, and I don’t feel like people are only seeing my nose. I love showing it off, and now would like to improve other parts of myself to go with my new look like weight loss, and better clothes!

Make Me Heal: Would you have done anything differently if you had the chance?

Sharon: The only thing is that I would have waited until the dreary winter months so that I didn’t have to miss out on the beautiful and seldom sunny days of Ohio summers.

Make Me Heal: Was Make Me Heal beneficial to you along your journey?

Sharon: Yes…HUGE!!!!!!!

See Sharon’s Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album.

See Before & After Rhinoplasty Photos

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See Iris’s Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album.

Even since she was in middle school, 21 year old Iris (friendname: bigshnoz) had been insecure about a bump on her nose. Because her nose was one of the few ways to differentiate between her and her twin sister, it was often mentioned and was hard for Iris to brush off. She decided it made no sense to be unhappy about her nose when it could be easily fixed, so in July 2008 she had a rhinoplasty, with the support of her whole family. Her mom helped her pick a surgeon and her siblings helped her during recovery, while her dad, who is a doctor, calmed any worries she had about the actual procedure. Additionally, she used the Make Me Heal Message Boards to connect with others having the same procedure for support and advice. Though the healing process went smoothly with little pain, it did take a few weeks for her swelling and bruising to subside enough for her to get an idea of what her new nose looked like. When she saw it, she loved it and now has full confidence in her appearance.

Iris’s advice for anyone contemplating plastic surgery is:

“If you are that insecure about something, it is worth the few weeks of recovery!”

Please join us for an interview with Iris:

Make Me Heal: When did you first have the idea to have your procedure(s)?

Iris: I think when I was about 12 or 13. I have an identical twin and the major difference between us was the bump in my nose. People used that as a way to tell us apart so it was brought up a lot. It made me very self-conscious.

Make Me Heal: What were your motivations (physical, emotional, social, etc.) behind your decision to have the procedure(s)?

Iris: I was very insecure, and I felt it was silly to feel insecure about something that could be fixed in a few hours. Now I have the rest of my life to enjoy my awesome new nose!

Make Me Heal: How long did it take you to make a decision and was it an easy or difficult one to make?

Iris: It was a very easy decision. I used to look in the mirror and fiddle with my nose to give me an idea as to how it would look if I got it done. One day, my mom said that if it made me that insecure I should find a surgeon and get it done.

Make Me Heal: Did your family, friends, and any other people in your close circle give you support, opposition, or did you make this decision without considering them?

Iris: Only my parents and twin knew that I was getting the procedure done up until a few days before. By then most of my siblings knew as well as a few close friends.  I am glad I waited to tell even my brothers and sisters because I was anxious enough as it was. I did not need everyone else around me to be nervous, that would have driven me crazy! I also knew that I really wanted this procedure done and I did not want anyone to talk me out of it.

Make Me Heal: How did you research the procedure and come to decide on this particular procedure?

Iris: I already knew what procedure I wanted to get done. I would spend lots of time looking up pictures on the internet of people who had already had the procedure done.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you used any of Make Me Heal’s resources such as the message boards, pictures library, doctor directory and doctor reviews, and any recovery and preparation products that you used.

Iris: The message board was a big help! It was great to connect with other people going through the same procedure. I feel fortunate now that I can help others who need advice.

Make Me Heal: How did you come to choose your doctor?

Iris: My mom found the surgeon through recommendations. This was the only doctor I consulted with before making my decision. I think he did an incredible job!

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you have any role in deciding the type of technique used for your surgery by the doctor, incision placements, implant brand, anesthesia type, etc.

Iris: I didn’t really have a say in any of it. However, the anesthesiologist did an amazing job. I did not feel sick or anything coming out of the anesthesia. He also put the IV in, which was virtually painless.

Make Me Heal: How did you prepare for the surgery?

Iris: I checked out a lot of DVDs from the library so I would have stuff to watch! I was on summer break from classes so I did not have to worry about rushing my recovery or going back to work.

Make Me Heal: How were you feeling the night before the surgery and on the moments before the surgery itself?

Iris: I went to Jersey Boys the day before, so that kept my mind off of things. I was not really nervous until I was in the car on my way to the hospital. I think I was more afraid of not knowing what was going to happen. I was worried about how it would look, how I would feel, how it would be to breathe through my mouth, etc. My dad is a doctor so he told me what was going to happen in pre-op, so that calmed me down a little bit. When we got to the hospital I remember crying in pre-op (I really tried my best not to).  The nurses were incredibly nice (It really takes a special person to be a nurse) and got my dad for me when I started to get really nervous. They even got the anesthesiologist to put in the IV. My surgeon stopped by to say hello and to go over the procedure. That also made me feel a lot better. Then it was time to walk myself over to the OR and to lie myself on the table. They kept saying they were going to give me some medicine to calm me down and I should feel it begin to work. I don’t remember that part—the last thing I remember is starting to cry when they put the oxygen mask on. I think I dreamed about Lake Chautauqua during the surgery (can you even dream during surgery?) and then the next thing I knew I was waking up! I remember thinking “Hey—I’m awake, that must mean I have a new nose!” It was just like waking up from a nap. I remember that I could breathe through my nose right when I woke up. I was so relieved that I did not need packing—I ALWAYS breathe through my nose. My throat was incredibly dry and so they gave me some pop to drink. It was so dry that they had to smash my Percocet into some applesauce. They gave me some more pain medication and antibiotics through my IV and then I hung out until I was comfortable enough to go home. There really was not much pain—it was more discomfort if that makes any sense. It stung a little where the stitches were and by post-op day five I was very much ready to get my splint taken off.  I was concerned the pain medication would make me nauseous, so I waited until it kicked in before I went home. My face was also incredibly black and blue.

Make Me Heal: How was the recovery process? Please discuss what side effects you experienced? What were the worse parts of the recovery? Did anyone help you during the recovery?

Iris: My family helped me through my recovery. Someone was home with me everyday for the first week. My daily schedule consisted of waking up, taking my antibiotics and Percocet, rinsing my nose with the hydrogen peroxide, saline and neo-synephrine. My brother and I would then pick a movie to watch, which I would subsequently sleep through (I think it was the Percocet). I would wake up, eat lunch, and then the cycle would start again until dinner. My face was so swollen it was very hard to eat. It did not really matter though, for the first few days I had no appetite. I drank a lot of slim-fast for the calories and vitamins. I also ate a lot of spaghettios and mashed bananas. I also would recommend lots of oatmeal and activia yogurt. (Percocet can have some unwanted side effects…) I did not have any pain problems. I just looked awful. By day three or four I was starting to stop the Percocet. I started by taking one Percocet and one Tylenol, and then taking just the Tylenol, etc. I felt so much better when the splint was taken off.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss the pain or discomfort you experienced during the recovery?

Iris: With the proper pain management I really did not have any pain. The hardest part was the little things such as not being able to breathe through my nose all of the time, not being able to wear my glasses (I was able to wear my contacts though after 24 hours), being sensitive to the sun, not being able to exercise, etc. It also hurt to laugh and yawn for a week or so. My smile was really tight up until about eight weeks post-op. I was also really neurotic about people walking close to me. I would walk around the house going “watch the nose!” You just never know when someone will accidentally open the refrigerator door in your face!

Make Me Heal: How well prepared were you for the recovery from physical, emotional, and mental respects? Did you do any research (i.e. online, books, message boards, etc.) to make your recovery smoother?

Iris: I was very prepared. I am very healthy (thankfully) and so the recovery was not hard at all. I was able to easily get back into my exercise routine after six weeks of barely any physical activity. Mentally I was just so excited to have my new nose! I used the message boards to talk to other people who were having the same procedure done.

Make Me Heal: What are your top recovery tips to other patients?

Iris: I would tell them to take it easy.  Also, don’t expect an awesome nose when they take off the splint. You will look so swollen and banged up that people won’t be oooh–ing and ahh-ing for awhile. My mom said I looked so sick that it was hard to be excited about my new nose for a few weeks.

Make Me Heal: How long did you take off from work? What did you tell your co-workers about taking this time off? Did anyone notice your cosmetic procedures at work and what did you tell them if they asked about it?

Iris: I had six weeks of summer break left before I had to go back to school. I really did not need to tell anyone about the surgery. I figure the people I care about will love me no matter what I look like and the rest I don’t care about. I just got back to school a few weeks ago and only two people have noticed. I am shocked! One person who noticed was a tutor from a few years ago who went straight out and said “Did you get your nose done?” The other one asked my friend about it. My best friend of 16 years did not even notice until I told her. Maybe I did not need to feel so insecure after all!

Make Me Heal: How happy are you with the results?

Iris: Very happy! I think he did an amazing job.

Make Me Heal: How has your makeover impacted your life from personal, social, career, and other respects?

Iris: I no longer need to feel insecure about my nose. Nothing else has really changed! The surgery is quickly becoming a distant memory—except I am still hesitant to play games such as volleyball or soccer that might hurt my nose.

Make Me Heal: Would you have done anything differently if you had the chance?

Iris: I would have taken a long shower before I got the splint off. It was really stuck on there. The steam might have loosened it up a bit.

Make Me Heal: Was Make Me Heal beneficial to you along your journey?

Iris: Yes, I thought the message boards were great.

See Iris’s Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album.

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