Archive for the ‘Consultation’ Category
Botox Gone Bad- Injectable Horror Stories
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in New York, I see many patients with facial lines who are looking for nonsurgical correction. Many of them have had it done before in other places, and I hear shocking stories . Let me tell you a little bit about how to avoid being ripped off or permanently damaged.
Only a doctor or a nurse under his direct supervision licensed in the state can inject you with a filler or botox. If it is a doctor from another country or a salon or spa employee, it is illegal for them to do this. Make sure you ask if they are licensed by the state to do this procedure.
Anyone with a license to practice medicine regardless of what field they trained in can offer you injectables. This means your Family Practitioner, Ob/Gyn, Radiologist, and even Dentists can do these treatments with no training required. Ask what field they received there Board Certification in, and how long they have been doing that particular treatment.
Make sure you know what you are getting. Many illegal practitioners inject silicone, but call it botox or biopolymer or whatever is hot. You can avoid this by asking to see the bottle or syringe and packaging first. All legal injectables have the brand and logo printed on them. A regular syringe of clear liquid is most likely silicone. This is permanent and can cause longterm problems.
Even if you get botox, it can be watered down. Botox is measured in units, and each area needs about 15 to 25 units. Ask how many units, as sometimes a cheap price isn’t so inexpensive if you are getting less.
My last advice is if you are unsure or feel that something is not right, do not do the procedure. It is not an emergency, do your homework. You can always go back if all checks out. Hope this helps.
Your Plastic Surgeon is not your Parent
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012Many patients visit me at Yager Esthetics looking for answers to their cosmetic concerns. They want to look better, have heard good things about my office from friends, family, other doctors, or on television, and they see me for a consultation. What surprises some is that I do not make any of the decisions, I leave them to the patient.
To clarify, this does not mean I do what the patient asks of me regardless of what it is. It is my job to educate you, give you the benefit of my experience, and review the risk and benefits of your options with you. I will let you know if I disagree with your choice, and explain why it may not be your best option as well. I am not your parent, I am your experienced guide and teacher, a partner in care who will help you decide what the best choice may be.
I hear stories of consultations in other offices where the doctor pops in, looks at the patient, and tells them what they need, and leaves it to his staff to answer questions and try to make you commit to surgery. I do not think this is adequate. Each patient is unique, and just because you plastic surgeon is partial to a c-cup, this might be either too big or small for your taste. One size does NOT fit all.
I encourage you to come to my office for an education on your safe options for improving your appearance. I will do my best to guide you through the process so that we may come to a mutually agreeable decision as to how to realize your esthetic dreams.
The Best Facelift Compliment I Have Ever Received
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, I try very hard to make each patient happy with their result. I also try to make myself feel proud of the work I have done. In all cosmetic plastic surgery, but in facial surgery in particular, you must make sure to achieve a great result without it looking fake or overdone. I will share with you a favorite patient story.
I had the pleasure of taking care of a lovely Cuban woman in her early sixties. She was happy in life, always smiling and vibrant. She wanted to have a facelift in order to look her best for her son’s wedding. It was to be 3 months later in Miami, and she had not seen him for nearly 10 years due to Castro.
I performed the operation, and healing was uneventful. We were both happy with the results, and off she went to Florida with the promise of returning with photos of the event. I eagerly awaited her return (and the reviews from her family).
She came to see me at Yager Esthetics 2 weeks after the event with the pictures in hand and a smile across her face. After listening to the story about the trip and the service and the family, I had to ask what her son thought.
She grinned, and told me that her son was so thrilled to see her. He hugged her, cried, stepped back and stared at her in amazement. He then said “Mom, you look the same as you did ten years ago. You just never change.”
A better compliment than that, I can not receive.
Is Plastic Surgery a Good Investment?
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012With tax season upon us, and many of my patients receiving refund checks, the question arises as to how best to spend the money. Obviously, family and financial needs must first be met. But what if there is a little bit more that you could use? Is plastic surgery a good investment?
I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, not a financial planner or a business person, so my observations are from my 15 years at Yager Esthetics. I will lay out for you the potential benefits, and you can decide whether it makes sense to you.
Plastic surgery can boost your self esteem and enhance the way you feel about your body and your sexuality. The confidence it brings can change the clothing choices you make, the activities you will participate in, and even the way you interact with others both socially and in business.
A refreshed appearance can make you look younger, more energetic, and less tired to potential romantic interests as well as potential employers. It can also help those who feel young on the inside feel better about looking in the mirror and seeing what they want to see.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery can be empowering, especially to women after having had children or massive weight loss. It can be a fresh start to a healthier lifestyle, as when you look better, you tend to take better care of yourself through improved diet and exercise.
All of these benefits are enjoyed every hour of every day no matter where you are or what time it is. Yes it is a “me” thing, but if you have worked hard you deserve to do something for yourself.
If the numbers add up for you, it may turn out to be the best money you have ever spent.
Why You Can Not Have Plastic Surgery The Day After A Consult
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012Being a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in private practice in New York City since 1997, I have had the good fortune to build a good reputation, expand my office twice, and be blessed with a vibrant and busy practice. Unfortunately for new patients, this sometimes means waiting a while for a consult appointment, and then waiting for the surgical date as well. Just like a great restaurant, reservations need to be made in advance in order to insure you get the date you are looking for.
At Yager Esthetics, I used to have slower periods where it was easy to get in, but fortunately for me, we maintain a steady patient flow which still increases. To ease congestion, I have expanded consult appointment slots, hired a Nurse Practitioner to help with patient care, and quadrupled my office space. But still, some patients are disappointed that they cannot have surgery a day or a week after the consult.
What you must realize is that a lot of planning goes in to each surgery. I have to reserve your time in my AAAASF Ambulatory Surgery Center, schedule the anesthesiologist and staff, insure enough time for you to get your preoperative testing done, and in some cases see your primary care doctor and get a clearance letter. You need a preoperative visit to read the consent forms, review your labs, and answer all of your questions. I have to order the right bra/girdle/implant you may need, and not overbook my surgery day so that I am fresh and clear for each procedure.
If you have a vacation planned, make sure to come at least several months before that time, especially if it is a holiday weekend, so you do not get shut out. My Patient Coordinators work very hard to make you happy and accommodate your requests, but we will never do anything to diminish our standard of care or the results that I expect.
Plan ahead, make your reservation, and we will give you the best plastic surgery experience possible.