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PrintNew year, new you 2012
From mommy makeovers for women to breast-tissue reduction for men, there are plenty of options for improving anyone’s appearance.
©2012 Crestock
At the beginning of each new year, we often resolve to make personal improvements, many of them aimed at tweaking our health and appearance. When you look great, you feel great, and vice versa. Picture the way you hold your head a bit higher after getting a flattering new hairstyle; remember the confidence in your step after losing those last five pounds.
Some aesthetic changes, however, just can’t be made alone. Fortunately, doctors and aestheticians are able to help us make adjustments to those trouble spots, whether it’s sagging skin after weight loss, laugh lines that deepen each year or that one part of your body you never quite learned to love.
“I genuinely enjoy helping people feel good about themselves,” says Dr. Mary Beth Mudd of the New You Center for Beauty Medicine. She knows from personal experience the transformative effect that cosmetic changes can bestow. “When I was growing up, I had thick Coke-bottle glasses, a huge overbite. I didn’t look very good. People teased me. I didn’t have good self-esteem,” she says. “I made improvements as I grew older, and it made me feel good about myself.” Those same motivations bring Mudd’s patients into her office and drive her to stay abreast of the latest developments in aesthetic procedures.
Men and women alike elect to have cosmetic treatments for a variety of reasons. “With a growing aging population, we often hear that they want to look as young as they feel. They exercise, eat right, feel great, but when they look in the mirror, their appearance doesn’t reflect how great they really feel. Or they are often told they look tired or angry,” says Erin Hufford of Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery. “Sometimes, it can even be for professional reasons. Their appearance may relate directly to their job, or they may want to look younger to stay competitive in this tough economy.”
Whatever the motivation, technological advances and the flexible financing options offered by many local practitioners (See “Know before you go,” page 88) have put these improvements well within reach.
Laser procedures
Particularly after the rough winter months, revealing fresh new skin through laser resurfacing is popular. Laser resurfacing lessens the signs of aging by reducing fine lines, acne scarring, blemishes and broken capillaries. One common laser technique is the microlaser peel, a nonsurgical skin resurfacing procedure.
“Most people don’t want surgeries this day and age, they just want to be able to fool people into thinking maybe they just changed their makeup or lost weight,” says Mudd. Laser resurfacing provides this subtle rejuvenation.
Laser resurfacing removes the top layer of skin. The procedure is tailored to each individual’s desired outcome, taking into account the condition of the skin. Microlaser peels can be used in conjunction with other procedures, such as botox injections. A topical anesthetic is used, and the healing time is two to four days, depending on the depth level of the procedure.
Laser technology continues to evolve and improve, providing ever more amazing results, says Hufford. “The biggest advantages of laser treatments are quicker healing and minimal downtime. Right now, using Sciton laser treatments, we can effectively treat a wide range of common skin problems, such as scars that were a result of injury or acne, pigmented lesions, sun spots and sun damage, vein issues, fine lines [and] persistent skin redness.”
Another popular treatment is SkinTyte, which uses infrared energy to stimulate collagen and tighten sagging areas such as the jowls, neck and upper arms, or skin that has stretched due to pregnancy or weight loss.
Injectable fillers
Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections used to reduce lines and tighten the appearance of the skin. “There are a lot of different fillers out there, and a lot of them have added a local anesthetic so it doesn’t hurt as much,” says Dr. James McMahon of Advanced Aesthetic and Laser Surgery. “In our office, we now have finer needles, a 32 gauge. Most people use a 30. You see less bruising, less pain with botox injections, things like that.”
Fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm are among the fastest-growing nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. Similar in effect to collagen, the results from Restylane injections can last up to six months.
“As far as nonsurgical procedures, botox and injectable fillers like Juvéderm and Sculptra are some of our most popular procedures and still gaining popularity with our patients. Combining these treatments can create a ‘liquid facelift’ effect,” says Dr. John Wakelin of Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery. “Our patients are telling us they have friends or co-workers who have tried it and loved their result, so now they want to smooth lines and wrinkles to look as young as their friends do.”
Dr. Bivik Shah of the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery also sees growing potential in the use of fillers. “The newest thing with nonsurgical options is what you can do with fillers; you can fill that under-eye area to blend smoothly with the cheek. Some people have these little frown lines around the mouth to be filled. I think people are just starting to explore all the things that fillers can do, and the benefit of having minimal recovery for a lot of improvement.”
Restylane and Juvéderm also can be used to perform nonsurgical rhinoplasty. “You basically fill the area above and below a bump in the nose. It gives you a straight profile. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to do, there’s very minimal recovery and you’re off and running,” says Shah.
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty lasts about a year and a half; a full nose surgery has a longer recovery time and higher cost. Depending on the amount of filler needed, the procedure will cost between $650 and $1,350.
Mini facelifts
“Mini facelifts, sometimes called a weekend lift, are also gaining popularity in the 40 to 65 age group, relative to a traditional facelift,” says Dr. Timothy Treece of Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery. “As an outpatient procedure, men and women can tighten and lift the lower portions of their face and neck, look years younger, but without long recovery periods often experienced with a full facelift.”
The less-invasive procedure, which can be performed under local anesthesia in the surgeon’s office, causes less discomfort than traditional deep facelifts because the incisions don’t cut across sensory nerves. Incisions are made just under the sideburns and in natural creases near the ear, so they’re not noticeable. Skin and the underlying support structures are tightened, resulting in a rejuvenated appearance.
Ultrasound techniques
Ultrasound procedures are generating enormous buzz among local experts. “The most exciting new development in aesthetic procedures is a new device called Ulthera. The device is applied to tighten the skin. Currently, it’s approved for the neck and the face,” says Dr. Michael Sullivan of the Sullivan Centre. “We’re using a technology familiar to all of us, which is ultrasound. Ultrasonic energy is concentrated and generates heat.” That heat can be tracked on an ultrasound screen, allowing the surgeon to target specific trouble zones in need of lifting and tightening.
While Ulthera doesn’t replace the traditional facelift, it is a nonsurgical option without downtime, says Sullivan. Patients will see some immediate tightening after the procedure, then see the full impact in three to four months. Changes from Ulthera will last up to two years.
Another treatment using ultrasound is Ultherapy, which can provide an alternative for certain clients, depending on the condition of their skin. While not a substitute for a facelift, this noninvasive procedure offers similar benefits with no downtime or scarring. “It’s the Holy Grail of aesthetic treatments,” says Mudd.
She champions Ultherapy as a cutting-edge procedure that uses ultrasound technology to boosts collagen and firm, tighten and lift the skin. Patients see an average of 1.9 mm of lift. Target areas include drooping eyebrows and lids, the jowl line, nasolabial folds and sagging skin on the lower and upper neck. Costs range from $1,000 to $3,500.
HCG weight loss
The Advanced Medical Weight Loss center offers a program of medical assessment, nutritional planning, physical testing and small doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone to promote weight loss in participants.
“Our program is a medically supervised weight-loss program,” says Tamera Ulery, program advisor. Using a prescription hormone, the plan is catered to people seeking “rapid and effective” weight reduction and healthier living.
“Probably 90 percent of our patients are diabetic or have high blood pressure,” says Ulery. “But we see everybody—from aerobics instructors looking to lose those last few vanity pounds to obese people who can’t drive because they can’t fasten the seatbelt. We’re catered to anyone seeking to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Body lifts
Following weight loss from diet and fitness regimes or bariatric surgery, patients often find themselves with unwanted skin. Body contouring may not only be desired, but necessary following extreme weight loss. “Anytime somebody loses over 50 to 60 pounds quickly, then it’s definitely an issue,” says Shah. “I do have a lot of patients who want a total body lift, basically your torso and your thighs. The incision goes all the way around, pulls the top skin down and the thigh skin up. It makes you tight and thin.”
Body contouring is a dramatic procedure, he says. Recovery time for individual regions such as the belly or arms takes one to two weeks. For multiple areas lifted at the same time, recovery will take around a month and a half.
There are risks to the procedure, and patients should consult closely with their surgeons to determine if and when they’re ready to undergo body lifting. Costs vary depending on the needs of the patient.
Zeltiq cool sculpting
For areas of hard-to-lose fat, Zeltiq is a noninvasive, targeted method of removing fat cells through freezing. Zeltiq freezes the lipids in fat cells, causing them to break down and gradually die off. The result is a trimmer body in hard to lose areas such as the love handles, abdomen and lower back. The technical name for the process is cryolipolysis.
Zeltiq is not yet approved for all areas of the body. Mudd expects the FDA to approve the treatment for use on the upper arms, thighs and neck within a year or two.
For certain patients, she recommends Zeltiq as an alternative to liposuction (an invasive surgical procedure) or laser fat removal (a mildly invasive procedure). “Literally within an hour or two, patients are in the gym, they’re lifting weights,” Mudd says. “There’s no downtime.” The procedure requires no anesthetic or pain medication. The cost typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.
Breast augmentation and reduction
Breast augmentation remains a popular option for individuals seeking to enhance, lift or reshape their curves. Augmentation is a surgical procedure during which an implant is inserted behind the breast tissue or between the muscle and chest wall.
“Breast enhancement surgeries such as breast augmentations, breast lift or breast reductions are still the procedures we most commonly perform at Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery,” says Dr. Robert Heck. “The trend now for women is for a result that is very natural looking and feeling.”
Dr. Walter Bernacki of Bernacki Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery says augmentation, lifts and reductions remain popular procedures among his patients also. He follows up with patients after surgery to ensure that in about a week, they’re “back to doing most of the things they were doing, light activities,” he says. “Usually after about two weeks, they’re back to 100 percent.”
Bernacki advises potential patients to consult with a number of American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified doctors prior to undergoing this, or any, elective procedure. “Find somebody who has a good reputation—the best way is to talk to somebody who’s had the surgery. Find somebody who you would feel comfortable with.”
The average cost for augmentation is $7,500; reduction is around $5,000, he says.
Mommy makeover
Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery offers “mommy makeovers” aimed at reversing any changes a woman sees in her physique as a result of pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
“We have really seen a rise in combination procedures such as mommy makeovers in last few years,” says Dr. Susan Vasko. “Women desire to regain their pre-pregnancy appearance or sometimes even want to look better than they did prior to having children. A mommy makeover is a completely customized procedure for each woman based on her goals and can involve any combination of popular procedures: full or mini tummy tucks, liposuction, breast enhancements, even facial rejuvenation.”
Options for the package include breast augmentation to restore volume to breasts after nursing; a breast lift; a mini tummy tuck for the sagging skin and troublesome fat that may remain after post-pregnancy weight loss; SmartLipo, a laser procedure that makes fat cells easier to remove, and Vaser LipoSelection, which uses ultrasound to loosen fat during liposuction.
The number of procedures the patient has determines the recovery time, something a woman should explore with her doctor during the consultation. The cost of a mommy makeover ranges from $2,000 to $15,000.
Male surgical options
Women aren’t the only ones opting for cosmetic enhancements. Certain procedures are targeted toward the trouble areas men experience. One elective men have been increasingly seeking is gynecomastia, a surgical procedure that eliminates excess male breast tissue.
“I have a larger male population than some other practices because I do a lot of gynecomastia,” Shah says. He says his male patients primarily fall into two groups. First, there are those seeking gynecomastia. “Men who are a little bit older, men over 40 who get a little bit of fat in their chests and want it removed, that firm tissue underneath the nipple,” he says. The second group is battling love handles. “That seems to be hard for men to lose with diet and exercise,” he says.
Shah separates gynecomastia into three categories depending on the amount of excess tissue that’s developed in the chest. Liposuction and twilight anesthesia are used to treat Level I surgery; recovery time from the outpatient procedure lasts two to four days. Level II gynecomastia takes around two and a half hours to perform using twilight anesthesia, and the recovery time is three to five days. For the more extensive Level
Gynecomastia procedures cost between $2,500 and $5,500, depending on the level of work necessary.
Know before you go
Many practitioners offer financing options for elective procedures not covered by insurance.
“Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery offers financing plans through Care Credit to help our patients get the results they want now in a plan that will work with their budget,” says Erin Hufford. “They can make payments on their procedures over six months, or even as long as up to four years.”
“Many insurance plans will sometimes cover breast reduction or post-bariatric procedures,” she adds. “We review all financing options with our patients during the confidential consultation.”
Some doctors also allow patients to pay small advance installments on future procedures.
No decision should be based solely on financial concerns, however. Potential cosmetic surgery patients should take the time to find the right practitioner to meet their needs, goals and personalities.
“You’ve really got to do your homework to make sure the person is certified by the right board, the American Board of Plastic Surgery,” says Dr. James McMahon of Advanced Aesthetic and Laser Surgery. “Go into the office, sit down, talk about the surgery, the risks. Find out if the doctor’s a good candidate. If you don’t feel comfortable, get another consultation.” Unless you take the time to find the right professional, he says, “You [often] can’t make it as good as it could have been.”
Kitty McConnell is a freelance writer.
