CRITERIA TO CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE SURGEON

Choose a certified plastic surgeon. It is necessary that the plastic surgeon possesses the official credentials that guarantee their medical competence. This person must have academic degrees that support them.

Search the medical centers. If the surgeon works in a private practice, but also works in a hospital, this will offer a sign of greater diversity in their expertise, which will provide greater certainty of their abilities as a professional.

Give preference to academic guidance. Surgeons who are dedicated to training other surgeons in teaching centers and universities are more likely to be more up-to-date people in the professional field, which guarantees better levels of satisfaction in the results of their professional practice.

Request testimonies from third parties. It is a good indicator to request testimonies from people who have received similar cosmetic treatment from the same surgeon, since this way you can check the quality based on the objective results that the surgeon has achieved.

Verify that he or she has high quality work tools. A good surgeon must operate in medical centers that have the necessary technologies and medical supplies to obtain favorable results. At least it is required that the operating rooms have adequate procedures for sterilization, elimination of microorganisms, anesthesia equipment in optimal condition and intensive care room, as a basis to ensure patient safety during cosmetic surgery.

THE MAJORITY OF PLASTIC SURGERIES ARE SUCCESSFUL

There are many types of plastic surgeries, such as: liposuction, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation, among others, being generally performed after a set of criteria for quality control of medical-care and after a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s conditions has been approved. In general terms, it can be affirmed that the mortality rate due to malpractice of cosmetic surgeries is low. As an example of this, a study conducted by the Chilean Journal of Surgery (2008) indicated that, the estimated mortality rate in liposuctions and tummy tucks round shrink of 20 deaths per 100,000 interventions.

On the other hand, in the United States only about 3 deaths are reported due to ambulatory hernias out of every 100,000 surgeries executed, which is significantly less than the number of fatalities due to traffic accidents, which is located at 16.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. This allows us to affirm that plastic surgeries are certainly medical procedures, in general, quite safe, so it is not advisable to classify this type of medical practice as a negative. The number of favorable cases far exceeds the cases that exhibit complications, which is why the vast majority of plastic surgeries really suppose conditions that allow for the safety of the patient.

THE FALSE PROMISE OF LOW PRICES

It often happens that thousands of patients are attracted by the promise of low-cost procedures offered by some health centers. Unfortunately, people who don’t conduct proper research or are deemed too innocent end up choosing the option that is the most affordable in terms of costs, which is not necessarily a guarantee of optimal results. Nowadays, many of the decisions associated with cosmetic surgery are driven by financial or social pressures, which do not always end in a favorable ways, since many of the low-cost operations sacrifice quality, thus precisely, offering the service at more competitive prices than the rest of the market. However, this causes surgical interventions to occur without minimum quality standards or with relatively obsolete medical equipment that does not provide the same levels of patient safety.

For these reasons it is important not to allow the only strong point in the decision to be the financial status, but also to consider other set of criteria that are even more relevant to guarantee medical results favorable to the patient and that the surgical intervention occurs properly, minimizing postoperative problems as much as possible and increasing patient safety.

1. choosing the right cosmetic surgeon

“Eyelid surgery not only requires a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy and a keen eye for aesthetic detail, but also the ability to adjust surgical techniques to the needs of an individual patient and create results that look natural for his or her ethnicity, age, gender and unique facial features.” – American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

2. WHAT KIND OF SURGERY DO YOU NEED

Assessing your needs and wants is part of my job. So, in some cases you might have something in mind as to what you need and then it turns out the technique we can use differs from what you originally thought. Meaning… Consulting a plastic surgeon before making up your mind is the ideal thing to do. There are differing kinds of surgeries such as: Upper Eyelid, Lower Eyelid, and combined eyelid surgery. A combined eyelid surgery would include a brow lift in some cases.

3. RECOVERY TIME

This is considered an outpatient procedure therefore it can last from 40 to 2 hours. During the first and second week, expect some bruising and eye swelling, with an usual feeling of tightness.  You can carry on with normal life after a period of time and even take short trips but not without your surgeon’s clearance.

4. METHODS TO COPE

Keeping your head elevated and applying cold compresses can help a tremendous lot. Keep away from spending too much time on the computer. Wear sunglasses and avoid strong lighting. Avoid straining or bending down for at least 4 weeks.

5. maintenance

Remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will do wonders for your results. For example, a balanced diet, good skincare and applying sunscreen works like a charm. This procedure will help you maintain a youthful look that can last for years and years to come. However, the healthy lifestyle is of great influence with any cosmetic surgery (Sorry smokers, but this includes no smoking! Try to quit. It will always be better for you in the long run). Fillers or botox injections can also help if need be after quite some time.

“When performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, eyelid surgery is a safe, rewarding procedure with long-lasting benefits. The best way to learn how eyelid surgery might help you is to consult with a board certified cosmetic surgeon.” – American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

If you have any questions or would like a consultation, give us a call.

Lack of Sleep Ages Your Skin

“Most people have experienced sallow skin and puffy eyes after a few nights of missed sleep. But it turns out that chronic sleep loss can lead to lackluster skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes.

When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. In excess amounts, cortisol can break down skin collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic.

Sleep loss also causes the body to release too little human growth hormone. When we’re young, human growth hormone promotes growth. As we age, it helps increase muscle mass, thicken skin, and strengthen bones.

“It’s during deep sleep — what we call slow-wave sleep — that growth hormone is released,” says sleep expert Phil Gehrman, PhD. “It seems to be part of normal tissue repair — patching the wear and tear of the day.”

Don’t deprive your skin from a good night’s sleep. Think of sleep as nourishment for the body. It is as essential as food and water. When you sleep your body removes dead blood and dead brain cells, so it can replace them with new ones. Get rid of 60% of your toxins by resting. If you don’t want your skin to appear dry, get breakouts, or redness then put in the hours for that much needed beauty rest.

“That’s why using skin care products that keep your skin at a slightly acidic level (so it keeps moisture in and bacteria out)” – Cosmopolitan

Eating balanced meals also creates a positive domino effect in the body. Not only to maintain your figure, but also to help you keep that glowing skin we all want. I tell most of my patient’s about the importance of a good skincare routine, but also the imperative need for a good sleep.  A good sleep will help you avoid: dark circles. As tempting as it is to binge watch a show on Netflix or perhaps even scroll through your phone for unread messages or roll down that Instagram feed can have a negative effect. You expose yourself to blue daylight spectrum light and this keeps you awake and prevents you from falling asleep and entering the REM stage, which is crucial.

For more information, don’t be afraid to contact us and ask questions. We’re more than glad to answer them.

The decision to undergo surgery is very personal, therefore, there is only person that can make that decision and that is yourself.

Every surgery comes with a degree of risk, however, this is precisely why a consultation with a professional and evaluations are necessary.

So what is a liposuction?

Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body contours and proportion.

• Liposuction techniques may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the:
• Thighs
• Hips and buttocks
• Abdomen and waist
• Upper arms
• Back
• Inner knee
• Chest area
• Cheeks, chin and neck
• Calves and ankles
• Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, breast reductionor a tummy tuck.

Here is a list of what liposuction won’t do:

• Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise
• It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite – the dimpled skin that typically appears on the thighs, hips, and buttocks – or loose saggy skin.
• Laser and ultrasound assisted liposuction, like traditional liposuction aren’t a weight control method or a fix for obesity. They are used to help contour your body in those areas that are not responsive to diet and exercise such as saddlebags or a paunchy stomach. Also like traditional liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction is most often used to reduce fullness in your:
• Abdomen
• Ankles
• Arms
• Buttocks
• Cheeks
• Chin
• Hips
• Knees
• Neck
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Waist

Ideal liposuction candidates are:

• Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring
• If you are bothered by excess fat deposits – located anywhere on your body – that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction may be right for you.

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of liposuctionare acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

What are the risks associated with liposuction?

• Anesthesia risks
• Bruising
• Change in skin sensation that may persist
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fluid accumulation
• Infection
• Irregular contours or asymmetries
• Irregular pigmentation
• Need for revision surgery
• Persistent swelling
• Poor wound healing
• Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite
• Swelling
• Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty technique
• These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
• Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when large amounts – usually more than five liters of fat – are suctioned.

For more information please refer to our procedures https://www.drluismejia.com/en/services/liposuction/

Photo by Bhakua