Plastic Surgery Chronicle

Archive for February, 2010

Are you female?  If you are, there is a good chance that you have an unlimited number of different issues to deal with on a daily basis.  Many of those issues are likely health and beauty related, like hair removal.  If you are having a problem with unwanted body hair, did you know that you don’t have to suffer any longer?  There are a number of steps that you can take to make this unsightly issue, disappear and possibly for good.

The first step in getting rid of your unwanted body hair is to examine all of your options.  As you likely already know, there are a number of different ways to remove unwanted body hair.  Some of these hair removal methods are temporary and others are more permanent.  If you have had enough of dealing with your unwanted body hair, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to removing unwanted body hair, the most common method used is that of shaving. Many women, often a weekly basis, shave their unwanted body hair on their legs and armpits. While shaving is nice, it is a hair removal method that is temporary.  That is why many women often end up saving once or even twice a week.  It is also important to mention that shaving in certain areas, especially the face, can make unwanted body hair even worse. That is why you may want to take the time to examine your other options.

Speaking of your other options, for removing unwanted body hair, another one of your options is that of waxing.  Waxing is a popular hair removal method, as there are a number of different ways to undergo it.  Waxing is commonly offered as a service at many hair salons, beauty salons, and spas. With that in mind, there are also home waxing kits that you can buy to perform your own wax jobs right in the comfort of your own home. Additional reasons as to why waxing is a popular hair removal method is because it is affordable and more permanent than shaving.

Another one of the many ways that you can remove your unwanted body hair is by using hair removal creams.  Hair removal creams are often marketed as an easy way to remove unsightly body hair. While this is true, not all hair removal creams work the same. This means that you may have to experiment with multiple brands of hair removal cream to find the cream that works the best for you.  Should you decide to use hair removal cream, as a way to remove your unwanted body hair, it is important that you read all directions, as some hair removal creams can only be used on certain areas of your body safely.

Although waxing is more permanent than shaving, many individual who use waxing to remove their unwanted body hair have to do so on a monthly basis.  If you are looking to remove your unwanted body hair for good or at least for a period of one year or more, you will want to examine laser hair removal.  Laser hair removal is one hair removal method that is rapidly increasing in popularity, as it is often permanent for many individuals. 

Despite the fact that laser hair removal is increasing in popularity, there still many women who opt not to undergo a laser hair removal procedure.  One of those reasons is due to cost.  Yes, it can be expensive to undergo a laser hair removal procedure, but you need to think long-term. When compared to the cost of shaving, waxing, or buying hair removal creams overtime, you may be able to save a considerable amount of money with laser hair removal.  he. All you need to do is finding a good plastic surgeon for this purpose, schedule an appointment and there you go, no more worries about your hair removal. Laser hair removal has proven to be the best and most effective way of hair removal. It usually takes 3 and up to 5 sessions to do completely do the procedure and once it is done because of the nature of laser you will not see your hair back in the areas you have had hair removed. Smooth skin starts to be felt after some day from laser hair removal and depending on what area you are going to use hair removal, it is a money savor procedure in long term, It could be done for both men and women and they both be satisfied after the procedure equally.

The above mentioned laser hair removal methods are just a few of the many that you have to choose from.  If your unwanted body hair is such an issue that you hate going out in public, you may want to consider consulting with your primary care physician for professional advice.

Are you a female who is regularly concerned with your appearance?  Beauty is an issue that many women, just like you, deal with, often on a daily basis.  If you are unsatisfied with the way that you look or the way that you feel, you may have thought about cosmetic surgery.  Although cosmetic surgery has helped to improve the physical appearance of many women, cosmetic surgery isn’t right for everyone.

When it comes to determining if cosmetic surgery is right for you, there are a number of important factors to consider.  One of those factors is the cost.  It is no secret that cosmetic surgery is expensive.  The larger the area you need repaired, the more costly your surgery is likely to be. With that in mind, if cosmetic surgery is needed for medical purposes, like to repair skin damage, your health insurance may cover all or a portion of the costs.  If you will be responsible for the costs of cosmetic surgery, all on your own, it is important to make sure that you can afford to do so, without putting yourself in debt.

Another factor that you will need to take into consideration is the time that you have to devote to cosmetic surgery. Unfortunately, this is a factor that many individuals do not take into consideration when first examining cosmetic surgery.  Most cosmetic surgeries require a few days worth of rest and follow-up care. This may mean that you are unable to return to work right away.  It is important that you are able to get the appropriate amount of time off from work, particularly without creating any issues that may cost you your job.  Also, if you will miss a week or more worth of work, it is important to take your financial loss for that time period into consideration.

Another one of the many factors that should be examined, when examining cosmetic surgery, is that of the surgery type.  Cosmetic surgery includes a number of different procedures.  Popular cosmetic procedures include those that remove wrinkles, repair skin damage, such as burns, reduce or increase the size of breasts, as well as reshape or restructure the nose.  As previously stated, the cost of your cosmetic surgery may all depend on the areas of your body which you would like improved.  It may also have an impact on which cosmetic surgeons in your area can perform the work for you.

Speaking of finding a cosmetic surgeon, this is an important decision.  The decision as to which cosmetic surgeon you would like to use the services of is a decision that should not be made on a whim. When searching for a cosmetic surgeon, it is advised that you examine areas of expertise. While most cosmetic surgeons are able to perform a wide range of surgeries, there are some who have specialties, like breast enlargements or breast reductions or facelifts.  Of course, there are no guarantees, but you are more likely to see success when using the services of a cosmetic surgeon that specializes in the procedure in which you would like to undergo.

As a reminder, cosmetic surgery can help to improve your appearance, which can have a whole set of other benefits all on its own, but it isn’t for everyone. With that in mind, if your physical appearance is an issue that you regularly have to deal with, it may be best to schedule a consultation appointment with a cosmetic surgeon in or around your area.

Rhinoplasty, also referred to as nose surgery or nose job briefly, is a surgical procedure that can shorten or lengthen the nose, change its shape or contour, narrow nostrils, or lift and define the tip.
When planning rhinoplasty, your surgeon considers your features, the skin on your nose and what you would like changed. The upper portion of the nose is bone, and the lower portion is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can modify bone, cartilage or both. Contact with your surgeon about what rhinoplasty can achieve for you.

Why may we need one?

Rhinoplasty can:

• Straighten the bridge of the nose
• Reshape the tip of the nose
• Reduce or add to the overall size of the nose
• Change the angle between the nose and upper lip

Rhinoplasty also repairs defects following an injury, correct a birth defect or improve some breathing difficulties.

How you prepare

Before going under the knife, you must meet with your surgeon to discuss important factors that determine whether the procedure is likely to work well for you. The meeting generally includes:

• Your medical history. Your doctor asks questions about conditions you have or have had, as well as any current medications or medicine you may be taking right now. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, you may not be a candidate for rhinoplasty.
• A physical examination. Your doctor performs a complete physical examination, including any laboratory tests, such as blood tests. He will aslo your skin and the inside and outside of your nose. The physical exam helps your doctor determine what changes need to be made and how your physical features — for example, the thickness of your skin  — may affect your results.
• Photographs. Someone from your doctor’s office takes photographs of your nose from different angles. Your doctor uses these photos for before-and-after assessments, reference during surgery and long-term reviews.
• Simulating close to reality result. Doctor will try to simulate your face after the surgery with your desired changes applied to your nose. You might also ask for some other changes add to this one or suggest a whole new one.
• A discussion of your expectations. You and your doctor should talk about your motivations and expectations. He explains what rhinoplasty can and can’t do for you and what your results might be.

Before rhinoplasty, you may also need to:

• Avoid certain medications. Avoid medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications may increase bleeding. Take only those medications approved or prescribed by your surgeon.
• If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking slows the healing process after surgery.
• Make arrangements for the day of the surgery. For the first 24 hours after sedation, you may have lapses of memory, slowed reaction time and impaired judgment. Therefore, arrange for someone to drive you home if you’re having an outpatient procedure. Also, arrange for a family or friend to stay with you a night or two to help with personal care tasks as your recover from surgery.

How much is the risk?

As with any major surgery, rhinoplasty carries risks such as bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks specific to rhinoplasty include:

• Recurring nosebleeds
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Numbness in and around the nose
• Possibility of an uneven-looking nose
• Pain, discoloration or swelling that may persist
• Scarring

Rhinoplasty is usually done inside the nose. The surgeon re adjusts the bone and cartilage underneath the skin. The surgeon usually makes cuts inside the nostrils. Sometimes he  makes cuts in the septum between the nostrils. Then the surgeon separates the skin from the underlying bone or cartilage and mucous membranes, and follows a series of steps to cut, trim or build up (augment) the nasal bone or cartilage.

The surgeon can augment the nasal bone or cartilage in several ways, depending on how much needs to be added, the structure of the nose and available materials.

During the procedure
Rhinoplasty requires local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the surgery and your surgeon’s preferences.

• Local anesthesia. This type of anesthesia is usually used in an outpatient setting and is limited to a specific area of your body. Your doctor injects the pain-numbing medication into your nasal tissues and sedates you with medication injected . This makes you groggy but not fully asleep.
• General anesthesia. You receive this type of anesthesia by inhaling it or through an IV line — a catheter placed in a vein in your hand, neck or chest. General anesthesia affects your entire body and induces a temporary state of unconsciousness.

After the surgery, you will be in a recovery room, where the staff monitors you for any complications. You might leave later that day or, if the procedure is done in a hospital, you might stay overnight.

After the surgery:

After surgery, especially during the first twenty-four hours, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated for the first day.You will notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks.Minor bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. The surgeon will ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the tissues heal. After 7 to 10 days, all dressings and stitches will be removed.Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or work a week following surgery. Dr. Tavoussi will give you specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities, but generally you should avoid strenuous activities for two to three weeks. You should also avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.
Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Even though it will take months for the final results to emerge, you will be able to enjoy your new look a week or two after surgery.

Things to to be cautious about after surgery:

To further decrease the chances of bleeding and swelling, your doctor may ask that you follow these precautions for several weeks after surgery:

• Avoid strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging.
• Don’t swim.
• Don’t blow your nose.
• Avoid foods that require heavy chewing.
• Avoid large facial expressions, such as smiling or laughing.
• Brush your teeth gently to limit movement of your upper lip.
• Wear clothes that fasten in the front; don’t pull clothing, such as shirts or sweaters, over your head.
• In addition, don’t rest eyeglasses or sunglasses on your nose for at least four weeks after the surgery, to prevent pressure on your nose. You can use cheek rests, or tape the glasses to your forehead until your nose has healed.

Also, avoid exposing your skin to the sun for two to three months after surgery. Too much sun may cause permanent irregular discoloration in the skin of your nose.

Some temporary swelling, black-and-blue discoloration of your eyelids and numbness can occur for two to three weeks after nasal surgery. Rarely, this may last up to six months, and subtle swelling may take a year to resolve entirely. Ice packs or cold compresses can help reduce swelling and discoloration around your eyes.

Because of the slow healing process, you might not see the final results of your surgery for up to a year.

Final Result

Very slight changes to the structure of the nose — often measured in millimeters — can make a large difference in how your nose looks. Most of the time, an experienced surgeon can get results both of you are satisfied with. But in some cases, the slight changes aren’t enough, and you and your surgeon might opt for a second surgery for further refinements.

Here you can see the result of Rhinoplasty for a patient (results may vary from person to person)

(At left, a woman’s nose before rhinoplasty. On the right, the same woman pictured one year after the surgery.)

We invite you to tour our before and after photographic pages and observe for yourself the superior results that Dr. Tavoussi has achieved for his patients in every aspects of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. These are only a few samples of Dr. Tavoussi’s masterpieces and more photographs are available for your viewing in our offices.

We welcome your questions and you can speak to our patients who have volunteered to tell you about their individual experiences before and after surgery.

Our offices are in Huntington Beach and Beverly Hills. All surgeries are performed in Pacifica Outpatient Surgery Center, a state-of-art, fully accredited outpatient surgery center in a safe and secure environment.
We have board-certified anesthesiology staff who have had years of experience in outpatient anesthesia as well as local hospital privileges. Our nursing personnel are ACLS certified and have many years of experience working in operating and recovery rooms at the local hospitals.
Safety of our patients are our primary concern and will not compromise this for any reason.

We have maintained a Center of Excellence. All perioperative work ups are done according to the requirements of American Society of Anesthesiology and the prevailing standards of the community.

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