Fixing those Earlobes

The scope of cosmetic improvement has even extended to the earlobes!! Traditionally the most common procedure among women has been fixing the traumatic, split earlobes that had occurred with wearing heavy earrings. The “L” flap technique has been perfected to restore the integrity of the earlobe without leaving the pointy shape that occurred with the older techniques.

Recently, a popular request has been to close the earlobe holes created by the”plugs” that teenagers and young adults are wearing as a tribal look. Advanced reconstruction techniques are needed to close the defect resulting in a more normal appearing earlobe in shape and size. According to Richard Bailey MD, director of The Bailey Aesthetic Surgery Institute, it is a “complex, but rewarding procedure” because of the tearful reaction he gets when patients see their earlobes restored.

In both aforementioned cases the earlobes can be re-pierced, but not through the scar because of the high risk of recurrence of the problems.

Another popular request among women of an older demographic is restoration of plump earlobes eliminating the vertical crease that frequently develops with aging as the earlobe loses fat.
Should you have any questions about the options to restore the beauty of your earlobes, don’t hesitate to contact The Bailey Aesthetic Surgery Institute for complementary consultation, 928-763-1020

Breast Implants 101: Pump up the volume!!

About half million women in the USA have breast augmentation done for cosmetic reasons and winter/spring is the most popular time because of the forthcoming summer bathing suit season. The overwhelming majority of women who come in for breast augmentation have already firmly decided to proceed with surgery, but they are looking for guidance from the surgeon on the best options for their individual case to get the best results. According to Richard Bailey MD, cosmetic surgeon serving Mohave County AZ and Henderson, NV, "these are the 5 basic important decisions that each patient has to make for breast implant surgery".
1. Size and Shape.
Most women present requesting a certain cup size which has no clinical correlation to actual volume requested and needed to approached the desired look. As all women are aware cup size varies among manufacturer and circumference of chest, which is a B cup for one clothing line, is equivalent to C cup for another clothing line. Therefore, there have been numerous systems put forward to help the patient and the surgeon decide on what volume of breast augmentation is desired. There are systems such patients providing pictures of the look the woman is trying to achieve to wearable breast sizing systems (Purtz system www.lwgatz.com) to morphing computer programs estimating the volume change. There is no one system that is extremely accurate because there are variables such as the woman's tissue pliability that are not taken into account to achieve scientific reproducible measurements. The best method is to have the patient communicate as best she can using the system the surgeon routinely uses to approximate the desired augmented breast size. Regarding shape of the breast, this has been predetermined before any surgery and little can be done to change this except in special extreme cases such as Poland syndrome (genetic deformity of the breast and chest). The implants are available in different widths and heights for identical volumes which can impact shape of breast slightly. Most women request fuller breast with prominent projection with an attractive cleavage. An important surgical point is that a deep, aesthetic cleavage is formed by an uplifting brassiere not surgery.
2. Silicone vs. Saline implant.
The design of Silicone breast implants have been greatly improved since their reintroduction/approval by the FDA however, the long term benefits and risks are still under close surveillance by the FDA and medical community, which will go on for many years to ensure continued safety. Silicone implants have a silicone gel center which doesn't spill into the tissues like the liquid silicone implants of old which caused lifetime local tissue complications. If the silicone implant fractures the patient is usually unaware because there is no change in size nor shape, which explains the FDA mandate that all women with silicone implants should have a breast MRI 3 years after implantation and every 2 years thereafter.
A Saline implant contains sterile saline (salt water) and is heavier and more firm compared to a silicone implant of the same volume. Saline provides the same aesthetic augmentation result as silicone but, is much cheaper in initial cost of implantation and there is no need for post-implantation series of MRI's further reducing the long term cost. When a saline implant fractures the breast deflates in a matter of days to weeks depending on speed of leak and can be easily replaced as an in-office surgical procedure under local anesthesia with relaxation medication.
3. Incision Location.
The incisional site options are around the nipple (periareolar), in the breast fold (inframammary fold), in the armpit (transaxillary) and through the belly button (transumbilical). Each has its benefits and limitations and there are numerous variables taken into account in determining the best option. The complete discussion of this issue is beyond the scope of this article, but the best option is that decided between each woman and her surgeon after reviewing the entire clinical picture. The bottom-line is that the length of the incision to implant saline implants is less than half that for silicone implants.
4. Implant Location.
The 2 most common locations of implants regardless of type is either above or below the chest muscle called the pectoralis major muscle. Underneath the muscle is the most common location now because it provides more tissue coverage for the implant which has a number of advantages such as less visible rippling and less interference with mammograms. Capsular contraction which is scar tissue that normally forms around the implant can become too firm and adversely affect the feel and aesthetic look of the implant. The incidence of adverse capsular contraction is lessened with submuscular placement.
5. Implant Warranty.
The most notable implant companies Allergan and Mentor each warranty all their implants for 10 years and provide financial assistance for surgical fees for replacement in case of premature rupture. Additional superior benefits are available for $100 and well worth the expense because it provides financial assistance for replacement both implants even if only one fractures.

Botox: The Wonder Potion

By now every one has heard about using the protein Botulinum (Botox) for forehead and crowsfeet wrinkles. There is nothing on the market better for these areas of the face and its side effect profile is minimal. However, it uses extend far beyond this and some of the newest uses will be discussed here. It is a product that has been used medically for years before its cosmetic indications, such as treatment for strabismus, facial muscle spasms, voice box spasms and neck muscle spasms. Three new indications which will be discussed are not FDA approved so it is considered off label use, which really is not a concern because there is no FDA approved antibiotic for chronic sinusitis! so there. The FDA approval only allows the drug company to legally advertise an indication for a specific drug.

Botox injections for refractory migraine headaches has become more accepted over the last 7 years. This was incidentally found during its use for forehead wrinkles when patients with migraine headaches reported a significant improvement in the migraine condition. Chronic Migraine headache is usually an idiopathic, recurrent, episodic, debilitating headache that is best cared for by a neurologist. If the traditional medications for prevention and reduction of episodes fails, then one treatment with Botox injections are an effective alternative providing relief for 3-9 months.

Botox injections for acne is developing a foothold with the medical community. The injection is placed into the most superficial part of the skin. It reduces the oil glands production of sebum which is the main reason for plugging of skin ducts causing pimples and pustules. It lasts for 3-6 months.

Botox injections for underarm sweating is becoming more popular yearly especially among executives who want to avoid the dreaded visible underarm stain of sweat. This works by the same principle as in acne, but instead works on the sweat glands lasting from 6-9 months.

This is an excellent drug whose indications are expanding with time. Dr. Richard Bailey MD, facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon from Bullhead City and Henderson NV reports “Botox is the number one cosmetic procedure in the world. We use it daily for cosmetic and medical reasons with tremendous success”

Consumer Saftey

There has been tremendous controversy over the last few years on the necessary qualifications for those actually injecting cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers. There is even a national committee comprising of specialists who have put out guidelines to advise and protect the consumer with regard to this issue, Physician Coalition for Injectable Safety(www.injectablesafety.org). Over the last few weeks I have met patients who have recounted their experiences with cosmetic injections that are tantamount to malpractice such as not disinfecting the skin before the procedure, I actually had one patient be annoyed that I was removing her makeup while disinfecting her skin because she did not have any makeup in her handbag to reapply it and she has never had to do this before with other injectors. Have you ever had blood drawn and the phlebotomist didn't clean your skin prior to the procedure? These cosmetic injections are applying materials that last months in the skin and sterility is required. The universal recommendation is if your provider is not following the basic medical standards of care, respectfully decline the treatment and LEAVE!

Earlobe Repair

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We do earlobe lift using filler or surgery and the price varies from $499 to $1000 depending on procedure chosen. We also fix torn earlobes using a technique perfected by our clinic resulting in a natural look. Re-piercing a fixed earlobe requires the new earring hole not be placed through the scar. Scar tissue can only reach 80% of normal tissue strength so the risk of resplitting earlobe is higher.

Hand Rejuvenation

Just finished watching Dr. OZ daytime show the other day 10/28/09 on "3 simple office cosmetic procedures" that provide tremendous satisfaction inexpensively. Well, one procedure he presented was a minimally invasive dorsal hand rejuvenation with Sculptra. Sculptra is a collagen stimulator that requires multiple treatments over the course of 6 months, spaced 4-6 weeks apart to achieve noticeable results 4-6 months later. We, at The Bailey Aesthetic Surgery Institute, have a better solution which is injecting a filler known as Radiesse. This is also a 5-10 minute single procedure with immediate satisfying results that last on average 6-12months. It is less expensive than Sculptra and only one session needed. After multiple injections over the course of 2 years to maintain the results, the Radiesse stimulates the body to replace the material with some of the body's own collagen therefore, there is a long term beneficial result that is "permanent" so to speak. We have been doing this procedure for years with tremendous satisfaction expressed by our clients. Call us today for your complimentary consultation to see if we can help you with your cosmetic enhancement needs.

Liquid Facelift

The liquid face lift using fillers and botox and skin resurfacing is now all the rage in the monthly woman's fashion magazines for the month of October. This procedure is an excellent option for those with minor aging changes who are not ready for surgery. We have been offering this procedure for years, but the catchy buzz word "liquid facelift" is now hitting the conscience of the mainstream public. It is a procedure that takes about 30 minutes on initial visit. With this procedure we also include a series of wet microdermabrasions over the course of 2 months to restore the sundamaged, wrinkled skin. Call us now for a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate. At the "Girls Day Out" hosted by Cameron Broadcasting in September at Harrah's Hotel &Casino, a lucky attendant won a complimentary liquid facelift and she is completed phase one of her treatments. We will be posting her transformation on our website so stay tuned!!