Bromelain is a pineapple extract that we use in our cosmetic surgery practice in New York City.
Bromelain is taken by mouth and we give it to patients recovering from cosmetic surgery together with arnica.
Bromelain has a number of great properties that make it so useful in the healing period.
1) It reduces pain.
2) It reduces swelling.
3) It reduces inflammation.
4) It reduces bruising.
5) It promotes healing.
There are several liposuction devices marketed to plastic surgeons – and sometimes directly to patients and patients ask for the latest technique they have read about. But, the latest is not always the best and there is often a lot more salesmanship than science. Doctors have to resist these pressures.
One device for which in my opinion there is little scientific evidence is VASER. The word VASER stands for: Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It adds a new source of energy to liposuction without obvious benefit. And any source of energy can have a potential downside.
The secrets to great body sculpture with liposuction are not that new.
They are:
1) Injecting fluid into the tissues before liposuction (tumescent technique).
2) Using tiny cannulas.
3) Doing liposuction at both the deep and superficial levels.
4) Using micro tunnelling to tighten the skin.
5) Taking as much time as necessary. This is sculpture and cannot be rushed. I proceed slowly and constantly check for contour, smoothness and symmetry.
Some patients have complained to us that they were disappointed with the results of thermage that they had done elsewhere. It would be too bad if thermage does not maintain its high reputation becasue in fact we have seen impressive results and we have a lot of happy thermage patients.
There are two likely reasons for poor results with thermage. The first is poor technique. You have to do it right. Our nurse Maria La Cava is excellent with Thermage and she has done hundreds of procedures.
The second likely reason for poor results is that some offices do not buy large enough one time use treatment heads for the Thermage machine (because the large heads are more expensive) and therefore not enough energy is delivered to the tissues. We use the laregest treatment head made so that more than enough energy is available.
We have had the most success with Thermage in the lower face, in the arms, in the abdomen, and in the front and inside of the thighs.
Everyone knows about Botox injections to correct frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and smile lines around the eyes. Botox also raises the eyebrows and creates a “chemical brow lift”.
The topic of this note is different. It is about Botox in the lower face and neck where its benefits are less well known, and where it can be quite helpful in creating a youthful appearance
I. Artistically and anatomically placed Botox injections in the lower face are effective in two areas:
1) The corners of the mouth can be tilted up with Botox. This is done with a small amount of Botox between the corner of the mouth and the jaw line. The injection in this site relaxes the muscles that pull the mouth down, and therefore the corner of the mouth naturally rises.
2) The vertical lines in the upper lip, and also in some patients the lower lip, that cause running lipstick can be improved by small amounts of Botox which relax the muscle that causes pursing of the lips.
II. Botox can make the neck look younger. One of the most common causes of a loose neck and double chin are muscle bands, caused by the platysma muscle in the neck pulling the skin downward. The platysma muscle is large and must be adequately treated. But when this is done well, the platysma muscle relaxes and the neck bands can improve substantially. This produces a cleaner, more youthful neck and jawline. Botox injections in the neck are particularly useful for women who are not ready to undergo a neck lift.
The typical cost of Botox treatment around the mouth is $400, and the typical cost of Botox treatment in the neck is $700.
If you have any questions, please call are nurse Maria La Cava.
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