Top 7 Myths about Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

Rhinoplasty or more commonly referred to as “nose job” is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures of today. Actually, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery it is the second most popular procedures, with breast augmentation taking the first place. It seems like everyone else is getting their nose “done” but you shouldn’t jump right in without first doing your research. Like any other cosmetic surgery choosing the right experienced board certified plastic surgeon is key to reaching your ideal aesthetic goals.

Many myths surrounding Rhinoplasty have come up over the years, but we are here to set them straight! Here are the top 7 myths about Rhinoplasty:

1. It’s “just” a nose job

Many people think that because the procedure in itself only takes about 1-2 hours it is a simple procedure but in fact it is one the most challenging operations in all of plastic surgery. Not only because of the surgical expertise that is required but the artistic elements that come into play. It is all about proportions; solely removing a dorsal hump can make your tip look droopy or creating an extremely small nose that is not proportionate to the size of your face may look unnatural.

2. I will get horrible bruising

I’m sure we have all seen those pictures of people with black eyes after their rhinoplasty. Although some bruising is only natural, it all depends on the individual. Some people will need to have their nose fractured (broken) before surgery while others will only need a tip raise. Also some people just bruise more easily than others. The delicacy in which the doctor performs the surgery also plays into the amount of bruising patient’s experience.

3. It is extremely painful

You would think patients experience a lot of pain after rhinoplasty given the nature of the surgery but as a matter fact they don’t! Most patients experience discomfort rather than pain. After the anesthesia has subsided you may experience some degree of pain but this can be relieved through pain medicines. But most of the time patients say it feels similar to a cold because there nose is congested and they may have a sore throat due to the breathing tube placed down their throat during surgery.

4. I want my nose to look like that celebrities nose

One size fits all does not apply to noses. Just because it looks good on a person does not mean it will necessarily look good or natural on you. Having realistic expectations is instrumental to achieving a natural and beautiful nose.

5. Rhinoplasty will definitely be covered by my insurance

Most of the time insurance providers do not cover a rhinoplasty since they are mostly performed for cosmetic reasons. However, sometimes patients opt for a nose job because of functional issues such as problems breathing from a deviated septum, in which case insurance may cover the procedure.

6. Any plastic surgeon is qualified to perform a Rhinoplasty

Just like all plastic surgeons attended medical school and have their degrees, they all have a specialty. Meaning they perform certain types of surgeries more than others and are specialized in that type of procedure. Since rhinoplasty is such a complex procedure you should make sure your plastic surgeon has performed a large amount of plastic surgeries. This assures that they have a deep knowledge base on the aesthetic and functional components a Rhinoplasty requires.

7. The Downtime is way too long

A major concern for many people with busy schedules is surgery downtime. Rhinoplasty downtime is actually quite short. People usually return to work after two weeks and some after just one week, because they don’t mind going to work with bandages. About 80% of the swelling is gone 21 days after surgery. Strenuous exercise can be resumed 3-4 weeks following your surgery and driving usually up to 7 days after surgery.

Dr. Fuentes brings 20 years of experience providing cosmetic medical services and dedicates much of his practice to Rhinoplasties.

 

 

 

 

What happens on the day of your surgery at VIDA Bariatrics?

Surgery room here at VIDA

Finally, the long wait is over, your surgery date has arrived. You may be feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions from excitement to down right anxiousness. But one thing is for sure; you are in the best hands possible with surgeons that truly care about you. As part of the process leading up to your surgery day we will make sure to communicate with you, answering all your questions in order to prepare you both physically as well as mentally.

Lets now take a quick look at what goes on the day of your surgery. You will arrive at our facility and be asked to change into a cap and gown. We will then go over any remaining questions and concerns regarding the logistics as well as after care. Pre-op prepping takes about twenty to thirty minutes and the surgery itself takes an average of an hour to an hour and a half. The method that we utilize is laparoscopic in which a 0.5–1.5 cm incision is made for 99% of the patients. We say this because there is a 1% chance of having to make a larger incision if the patient’s liver is too large, this happens if the person does not shrink their liver through a diet given to them prior to surgery. During surgery CO2 gas is used in order to expand the stomach, this is why some patients experience shoulder and upper back discomfort, which is completely normal.

On average people return to work 3-7 days after surgery, this is also dependent on the nature of your job (desk job or high movement). Your recovery diet can be split into 2 stages consisting of 10 days per stage. During the first 10 days patients can only have clear liquid foods such as Gatorade, tea, gelatin, and broth. Stage two starts on day 11 were non-clear foods such as yogurt, puree, applesauce, and cooked blended vegetables can be consumed. Three weeks post op a patient may begin testing with salts and gradually build to solids that are easy to chew like salmon, chicken legs, and meat fillets.

For more information about bariatric surgery, or to find out which weight loss surgeryis right for you, please contact VIDA Bariatrics.

Dr. Miguel Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics

Which Bariatric Surgery is Right for You?

Which weight loss surgery is right for you?

An Experienced Bariatric Surgeon shares advice on today’s most effective Weight Loss Surgery.

When diet and exercise just isn’t enough, bariatric surgery is an effective option for losing a large amount of weight quickly.

Plus, unlike crash diets and other “quick fixes,” long-term studies have shown that bariatric procedures not only help patients loose significant weight – and keep the weight off, but actually aid in the recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality of 23% from 40%.

“There are four different types of bariatric surgeries we perform,” explained Dr. Miguel Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics. “We provide Lap Band, Gastric Sleeve, Mini- Bypass, and full Bypass Surgery”

Dr. Alessandrini went on to explain which of the four procedures was most effective for his weight loss patients over the past 10 years.

“With Lap Band, you are placing a foreign object inside the body – and about 8% of patients can actually reject it,” he said.

Up until recently, gastric bypass was the most commonly performed operation for weight loss in the United States with approximately 140,000 gastric bypass procedures performed in 2005. However, today, less patients are opting for bypass surgery. “Although Gastric Bypass surgery is very effective, today the gastric sleeve meets the patients weight loss goals but with less medical risks.”

“The gastric sleeve is our surgery of choice,” said Dr. Alessandrini. “It’s much less invasive than the other weight loss surgeries and we find it more effective.”

“85% of patients who opt for gastric sleeve bariatric surgery keep the weight off- and it’s a much less invasive procedure than bypass,” explained Dr. Miguel Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics.

The gastric sleeve procedure involves removing 75 -80% of the stomach so the patient can only consume small amounts of food. The procedure also removes the portion of the stomach responsible for producing the hormones that stimulate hunger.

Dr Alessandrini also prefers gastric sleeve over bypass because by avoiding the intestinal bypass, the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency are significantly reduced.

“85% of patients who opt for gastric sleeve bariatric surgery keep the weight off –and it’s a much less invasive procedure than bypass, “ he concluded.

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For more information about the gastric sleeve, or to find out which weight loss surgery is right for you, please visit contact VIDA Bariatrics.

The Importance of Addressing the Mind + Body after Bariatric Surgery

Recognizing the need for longer term personal medical attention for Weight Loss Patients

“A main reason our bariatric patients have such long term success with weight loss, is because we follow up with them for at least a year after their surgery. That means we keep up with them to ensure they are making the right choices nutritionally, medically and psychologically.” – Dr. Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics

When obese patients quickly loose a significant amount of weight through bariatric surgery, they experience big changes not only in their body, but also in their daily lives.

“Obese patients who loose significant amount of weight are going somewhere they have never been before,” said Dr. Miguel Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics who, along with is partner, Dr. Oscar Lumban has treated obese patients from age 12 -50. Their biggest bariatric patient weighed in at 520 lbs.

“After bariatric surgery, patients will look and feel different very quickly. They will also be treated differently. It will be easier to move around – they can finally use public services, like fit on a bus seat or in an airplane seat.”

Although these weight loss changes are positive, they can take some adjusting to – not only nutritionally, but also emotionally.

“A main reason our bariatric patients have such long term success with weight loss, is because we personally follow up with them for at least a year after their surgery. That means we keep up with them to ensure they are making the right choices nutritionally, medically and psychologically.

“Since VIDA Bariatrics is located in Mexico and many of our patients come from the US, Canada, or overseas, we will personally call them, check in and see how they are doing. And if they don’t answer, we’ll call again! It’s a very important part of the bariatric surgery experience. We get involved for life. This type of long-term follow up care just doesn’t happen with US doctors” said Dr. Miguel Alessandrini.

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Dr. Miguel Alessandrini of VIDA Bariatrics

For more information on VIDA Bariatrics, or to contact Dr. Alessandrini or Dr. Lumban directly, please click here

Sara’s Incredible Post Bariatric Surgery Success Story

Sara with a pair of her old pants that she is giving away after her incredible weight loss

Former patient, Sara Keenan recently told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that she is giving away all of her 3X and 4X size clothes since losing 170 pounds. She explained that she’s been able to maintain this incredible weight loss thanks to a new diet, exercise, and post bariatric surgery with CosMed’s Dr. Quiroz. We are so proud of her dedication and perseverance throughout her weight loss journey! – See more at: http://cosmedclinic.com/blog/#sthash.hBPoOlZl.dpuf

Former patient, Sara Keenan recently told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that she is giving away all of her 3X and 4X size clothes since losing 170 pounds. She explained that she’s been able to maintain this incredible weight loss thanks to a new diet, exercise, and post bariatric surgery with CosMed’s Dr. Quiroz. We are so proud of her dedication and perseverance throughout her weight loss journey!

More about Sara’s Weight Loss Journey:

– See more at: http://cosmedclinic.com/blog/#sthash.hBPoOlZl.dpuf

Former patient, Sara Keenan recently told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that she is giving away all of her 3X and 4X size clothes since losing 170 pounds. She explained that she’s been able to maintain this incredible weight loss thanks to a new diet, exercise, and post bariatric surgery with CosMed’s Dr. Quiroz. We are so proud of her dedication and perseverance throughout her weight loss journey!

More about Sara’s Weight Loss Journey:

– See more at: http://cosmedclinic.com/blog/#sthash.hBPoOlZl.dpuf

Sara, age 53,  recently told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that she is giving away all of her 3X and 4X size clothes since losing 170 pounds. In the article, she explains that she’s been able to maintain this incredible weight loss thanks to a new diet, exercise, and post bariatric surgery with Dr. Quiroz of CosMed Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico.

More about Sara’s Weight Loss Journey:

After looking death in the face, Sara realized that she needed to lose a large amount of weight in order to live.  Weighing over 300 pounds, Keenan was struck with pneumonia, which was triggered by taking a narcotic for her back pain.  She realized then that in order to continue living, she needed to lose some weight.

After dropping an incredible 170 pounds, Sara searched long and hard to find the right doctor to remove the excess skin that remained.  That’s when she found Dr. Quiroz and learned about her options for plastic surgery after weight loss. Now, at age 53 Sara is turning more heads than ever before!

Read more about Sara’s amazing weight loss experience

 

Common Misconceptions About Rosacea

CosMed’s skincare experts use a number of treatments for rosacea depending on the severity of the condition

Does your face always appear blushed or sunburned? You may be suffering from a very common skin condition called rosacea. There are a number of ways that rosacea presents itself, but most commonly the face appears red and the cheeks are consistently blushed, there may be a burning sensation on the skin, or broken veins on the face become much more noticeable. While this is very frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, it is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, there are more than 14 million people in the United States currently living with rosacea. While rosacea can affect people of all skin color, age and gender, the highest number of instances occur in people between the ages of 30 and 50, among people with fair-skin, and among people with a family history of rosacea or severe acne. While women tend to have a higher number of reported instances of rosacea men tend to have more severe rosacea.

Common Misunderstandings Concerning the Condition

Despite rosacea being a common skin condition, there are still a number of misunderstandings that surround the condition, which may be why a large number of people end up never seeking treatment. The most common misconception about rosacea is that it only affects people with fair skin. While rosacea is more common among people with fair skin, it is certainly not uncommon among people of color. Many people also mistake rosacea for adult acne and seek treatment for acne rather than for rosacea. While acne and rosacea may coexist, medication designed specifically for the treatment of adult acne can aggravate the skin further, making the rosacea much more noticeable. Your doctor can easily diagnose rosacea by examining your skin, asking about your symptoms, and by examining your medical history.

Potential Remedies for Rosacea

There are a number of available remedies that dermatologists use in the treatment of rosacea depending on how the condition presents itself. Dermatologists may prescribe ointments or oral medications such as antibiotics that can help repair the skin. In other cases simply applying a sunscreen may reduce the severity of the condition. Dermatologists can also use a laser or light treatment on the skin or move forward with a dermabrasion treatment which removes some of the affected skin cells. Ultimately, there is no way to cure rosacea permanently, but there are ways to decrease the appearance of the condition that also make the skin feel much more comfortable. Treatments may also keep the condition from getting worse and may reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

Triggers that May Amplify the Severity of Rosacea:

Temperature and Hot Weather: Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, may cause flare-ups of rosacea so it is generally recommended to avoid exposure to these whenever possible.
Certain Foods/beverages: Certain foods may cause flare-ups, so keeping a food journal can help you determine if there are certain foods or beverages that aggravate your skin.
Alcohol: Alcohol does not cause rosacea, but it may cause flare-ups.
Stress: Stress can increased the redness of the skin, and if that is the case it may be a good idea to practice stress management techniques to reduce the number of flare-ups.
Certain Skin Care Products: Certain makeup and skincare products may irritate the skin, but using mineral based skin care and makeup may reduce irritation on rosacea prone skin. Please also note that facials are not appropriate measures for treating rosacea.

Need More Information About the Treatment of Rosacea?

At CosMed we offer a number of treatments depending on the severity of the condition. Following a full evaluation, Dr. de la Fuente will suggest the proper treatment, which could include topical treatments, oral antibiotics, or possible laser/IPL usage. Schedule a virtual consultation to get started today.

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Dr. de la Fuente is a skin care expert. He has presented and published scientific articles available at PubMed,   Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Skin and Aging, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and many more. He also serves as a Dermatology Professor at School of Medicine in Tijuana.

Our CosMed dermatologist Dr. de la Fuente is a skin care expert. He has presented and published scientific articles available at PubMed, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Skin and Aging, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and many more. He also serves as a Dermatology Professor at School of Medicine in Tijuana. – See more at: http://cosmedclinic.com/blog/#sthash.3BWkuJ1y.dp

Are you Ready for the Super Hero Makeover?

Is the Super Hero makeover right for you? Contact COSMED Plastic Surgery Center to request a free virtual consultation

According to the latest research from American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more men are investing in their looks. In fact, according to the report, plastic surgery for men has increased 121% over the past 15 years. Men are not only having plastic surgery to look and feel their best, but also to help them advance their careers. (See How the signed of Aging and Weight Gain are affecting your Career)
According to the same report, Liposuction is the #1 procedure requested by men.  With this in mind, plastic surgeon  Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda has taken his patients a step further than basic lipo services, and is offering what he calls the “Superhero Makeover”

“What the super hero makeover involves is high definition liposculpture on the torso, ” explains Dr. Castañeda. “The goal is to enhance or resemble the ridges that the rectus abdominis, oblique and pectoral muscles have in order to achieve a sculpted look.”

“The best candidate for this procedure is men with some muscle mass, poor definition or someone that works out and is finding difficult to reduce their body fat percentage so they can show off their six pack. Recovery time for the abdominal etching alone is around 1 week. For the combination lipo and minitummytuck, around 10 days”

High-Definition Liposculpture, Abdominal Etching, 6-pack Liposculpture, Chiseled Abdomen – theses are  all terms referred to creating an athletic looking abdomen by enhancing the appearance of the rectus abdominis muscles by sculpting them with liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction. To maintain a natural appearance, these procedures are usually preformed on the normal creases of the abdominal musculature. Similar procedures are also performed on the chest areas to make a man’s chest and pecs more defined. Learn more “Abdominal Etching:   Ending the Chase for Chiseled Abs”

In this example, Dr. Castaneda performed high definition liposculpture in addition to  a mini tummy tuck  so the skin tightens at the same time. “This is a procedure that men are more willing to undergo in place of a full tummy tuck” he explained. 

“Dr. Castaneda performed my extended abdominoplasty… Finally I have a flat stomach again!” said a patient at COSMED Plastic Surgery center about his experience. After researching  plastic surgery clinics in LA and Beverly Hills areas, he opted for COSMED Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico.

“Excellent surgeon, excellent service, uniquely modern facilities. Joyce and support staff make the entire process from start to end easy. The price was much lower than all of the LA/Beverly Hills plastic surgeons and the support is much better than the LA clinics. I researched four other high-end surgeons and facilities in Los Angeles/Beverly Hills area before deciding to book with Dr. Castaneda and COSMED. Definitely COSMED is a great choice and I am very happy with the result. Also the Recovery Boutique is uniquely fantastic — like a five star hotel with 24/7 nursing care, cook to order meals and since the surgeon’s office is in the same building he follows -up daily during recovery. I strongly recommend Dr. Castaneda, COSMED, and the Recovery Boutique.”   Read More Success Stories

Additional services requested by male patients are:

Hair Restoration (micro follicular hair transplant, hair transplant, single follicular unit hair restoration): This terms refer to taking the patients own hair follicles from the occipital area of the scalp, because this area is not affected by the hormonal stimuli that causes male pattern hair loss, this can be done taking a strip of scalp and separating it into single follicular units and then transplanting them to the bald areas or with a micro punch technique which requires no incisions, just harvesting each follicular unit at a time and transplanting them to the desired areas.

Calf augmentation (calf implants):
For some men calves are noticeably thin even in people that work out a lot,
this is a common procedure to correct hypotrophic musculature on the lower legs and get a more balanced body shape overall.

Gynecomastia (male breast reduction, Gynecomastia reduction, chest liposuction, chest reduction): 
Gynecomastia refers to a condition in which the male breast tissue enlarges usually because of hormonal changes or weight gain. The excess volume is composed of fat and glandular tissue. In cases where fat is the main component, usually liposuction is enough to reduce it. However, when there’s a high gland component, liposuction is first recommended to take as much excess fat as possible and then a small periareolar incision is made to extract the glandular tissue, which may sometime leave a small subtle mark. On extreme cases where excess skin is an issue, a breast lift would be needed.

Male butt augmentation (male fat transfer to buttocks, male Brazilian buttlift, Male butt-lift): 
This can be accomplished through injecting the patient’s own fat into the buttock area to give it more volume, correct asymmetries or enhance the shape and feel of it.

See a complete list of Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men

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Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda, M.D. is  a Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeon experienced in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures at COSMED Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico.  Dr. Castañeda graduated at the top of his class from the University of Baja California and is board certified by the Mexican Council of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (CMCPER) and is a member of the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (AMCPER). Learn more about Dr. Castañeda

The Lunchtime Lift with the New Thermage CPT – Now available at COSMED

Thermage is a proven, unique radio-frequency treatment that can help tighten sagging or loose skin, naturally giving you a dramatically smoother, sleeker and younger look and feel.

Aging affects us all – the way we act, the way we feel, and definitely the way we look. But with Thermage, you can have a say in the way aging affects your skin – and maybe even get back to the way you looked not so long ago.

Thermage is a proven, unique radio-frequency treatment that can help tighten sagging or loose skin, naturally giving you a dramatically smoother, sleeker and younger look and feel.

Thermage works in just one treatment with no down time and delivers a change that is never drastic-looking.  It’s you, just younger looking and more confident.

 

Thermage is effective on:

• The Face– smoothing and tightening sagging skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and helping define the jawline and lip. Addresses loose jowls and “turkey neck”.
• The Body – helping contour loose skin and smooth bulges, and also cellulite.
• The Eyes – treating upper and lower eyelids to reduce hooding and fine lines as well as lifting of the brow line.

Thermage treatments are all about energy – focusing radio-frequency energy to kick start the body’s own natural renewal process. Like most smart technologies, the process is relatively simple – it’s a combination of heat energy to treat deep tissue, and cooling effects, to protect the skin surface and deliver better patient comfort. And our latest evolution of Thermage includes patented Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT) – gentle vibrations and interspersed cooling that make your Thermage treatment even more comfortable, so more energy and heat can be delivered than the older ThermaCool and NXT models, achieving better results.

Unlike many other procedures, Thermage treatment delivers results in a single treatment for most patients. In fact, when it comes to skin tightening and contouring with little to no downtime, Thermage is one of the only non-invasive treatment procedures on the market. Unlike surgery, there is no pre-procedure preparation such as blood work or fasting. And there is no special care required after treatment, aside from basic skin maintenance and sunscreens as part of a regular skincare regimen. Since the Thermage procedure has no downtime, most patients return to their regular activities immediately following treatment. Some patients exhibit a temporary redness or minor swelling after treatment, but this usually goes away within 24 hours.

When lotions and potions are not enough and surgery is too much, Thermage is a safe, effective solution.

Some people want the dramatic results of surgery. Others want the more subtle, natural, gradual results of a non-invasive treatment with no downtime. This is where Thermage succeeds, delivering improved skin tone, texture and tightness.

When lotions and potions are not enough and surgery is too much, Thermage is a safe, effective solution.

Visible results may be immediate, and they may appear over time in the course of your body’s natural collagen rebuilding process. For most patients, measurable tightening and contouring appear gradually in the two to six months following a single treatment session. Results can last years depending on your skin condition and aging process.

What is the cost of Thermage CPT?

Prices in the US vary per area but on average, you can expect to pay $2300+ for Face & Neck Thermage, $2500+ for Body or Cellulite and $1800 for eyes.  However, at COSMED Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico, you can save hundreds on the exact same procedure.

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SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER!
This is the right time of the year for your Lunchtime Lift with the Thermage CPT treatment, so you can look amazing and enjoy the results for these holidays and Spring break! At COSMED we want to spoil you, so hurry! Face and neck treatments will start at $1,500 USD and will be good thru 2012 (regular $1,800 USD). Remember that it could also be combined with ThermaFrax on the same day visit. If body or eyes are your main concern, ask about our body and eye treatments. To book your Thermage Appointment visit CosMedClinic.com or call 1-877-235-1968.

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Having Surgery? New Healing and Skin Stimulation Treatments with LED technology

LEDs offer a totally natural, non-ablative method for skin rejuvenation.

Submitted by Dr. de la Fuente, COSMED Dermatologist

While LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are now widely recognized as emerging light sources for general illumination, it turns out that LED lighting can also enable a broad range of life-science-centric applications. The American Academy of Dermatology has identified a number of uses for LED lighting in skin-related therapies. LEDs are significant biologically because they can modify the function of mitochondria within cells. In the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into plant tissue, LEDs can trigger natural cellular photobiochemical reactions in the skin.

How do LEDs work?

LEDs offer a totally natural, non-ablative method for skin rejuvenation. The light from medical grade LEDs interacts with cells and stimulates them to produce new collagen and elastin. Studies confirm that the same LED energy can be used to affect collagen formation, which can be helpful in the treatment of scars. By manipulating the wavelengths, cells metabolism can be turned on and off, improving the blood flow, modulating inflammatory factors and proteins necessary to prolong the life of skin cells.

Which skin problems benefit from LED Therapy?

• Scar prevention: Red/Near-Infrared Light
• Wound Healing: Red/Near-Infrared/Visible Light
• Acne: Blue light
• Rosacea and redness: Red Light
• Anti-aging/Rejuvenation: Red/Near Infrared Light
• Photodynamic Therapy for skin precancer and cancer: Blue/Red Light

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments and the treatment times will vary depending on the problem being treated, the amount of surface area treated and the area treated. Treatments may last from 2 to 15 minutes. Since the results are progressive, you will notice more correction with each treatment. As full correction approaches, treatment intervals can be expanded to 3 – 6 month intervals. For scar prevention and healing, treatments are recommended at least 1 day before surgery, and 3 or more consecutive days after.

Will the treatments hurt?

No. The treatment is very relaxing, sometimes with a warm sensation. The delivery of the LED energy to the skin is completely pain free. The energy generated by the LEDs is gentle enough to treat all ethnic skin types.

What will I feel like after my treatment?

Most patients return to normal activities immediately. What patients like is that treatments are fast and they don’t have to miss any activities.

Can I have LED Skin Rejuvenation with other treatments?

Yes. It is highly complementary with other skin treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers, as well as non-ablative, ablative lasers and IPL treatments to improve and accelerate the healing process. Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons worldwide are beginning to choose LEDs as one of their preferred treatments for very fine lines, light brown spots, acceleration of healing due to aesthetic treatments, but ultimately for scar prevention due to surgeries and many other conditions. Recent studies have shown that skin treated with LEDs before and after a cosmetic surgery tends to heal faster, showing amazing results for a better scarring, but also can prevent bad scarring, including hypertrophic scars and keloids. If using topical retinoids, it is necessary to stop them before and during the LED sessions. Before the treatments, you should tell the doctor of all the medications and creams that you are using.

Is LED therapy an option for my next visit to COSMED?

Absolutely, especially if you are having surgery or laser. LEDs will quicken the healing process, and at the same time will prevent/improve the scarring process. It is important to emphasize that for acne, it is not a substitute of conventional treatments, it is a complement and preferably combined with the medical treatments offered by dermatologists. LEDs are FDA cleared for all of the mentioned skin conditions.

Planning your next surgery and want to improve the healing and scarring process? Consider adding LEDs, starting at $150 USD for 4 sessions, especially if you plan to stay for some days or live near Tijuana. For other skin conditions, please contact us at 1-877-235-1968 or visit www.cosmedclinic.com

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Dr. de la Fuente

COSMED dermatologist Dr. de la Fuente is experienced in both clinical and cosmetic Dermatology and is Board Certified by the Mexican Council of Dermatology. He has presented and published scientific articles available at PubMed, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolgy, Skin and Aging, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and many more. He also serves as a Dermatology Professor at School of Medicine in Tijuana.

To learn more or schedule your appointment, visit CosMedClinic.com

My Face Lift in Mexico: The Recovery Process at Days 30, 90 & 120.

The following post is PART 5 in a series of blog posts by Sue Teague, a Retired RN and plastic surgery patient who had a brow lift, lower eyelid lift, neck lift & face lift at CosMed Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico.

*Click here to Read Part 1 – How I selected my plastic surgeon
*Click here to Read Part 2 – What to Expect the First Days after a Face Lift
*Click here to Read Part 3 – Week One of the Healing Process after Face Lift
*Click here to Read Part 4 – Unstitched at Last! Weeks 2-3

I am very happy that I still look like ME—only better!    I estimate that my appearance has been improved to how I recall my face looking at age 50.  I am 63 now.  I believe I appear more rested, more relaxed, less tense and angry.  More…and Less!

At  Day 120, I am feeling pretty good about my facelift.   Here is a side-by-side of my Pre-op face and a current close-up under the same conditions i.e. camera, lighting, room etc.  Note that I attempted to assume a neutral expression on both photos.  I think the difference is astonishing!

My facelift has been both More… and Less than expected.  My expectations were modest.   I expected to get an improvement in my facial appearance, but I also was somewhat apprehensive about “overcorrection”.    We have all seen the photos of overly tightened skin of celebrities that completely changed their appearance.  This is what I mean when I say “less”—for my facelift, I hoped for a Less is More result.

This is a side-by-side photo which shows my pre-op face and my face at Day 30 after having a face lift in mexico.

Day 30 After Face lift in Mexico

First, let me tell you my experience at 30 days.  This is a side-by-side photo which shows my pre-op face and my face at Day 30. Swelling is gone.  The neck remains very tight and I am aware of constant neck discomfort.  However, the low level headache and accompanying muscular tension is manageable with Tylenol.  The eyes feel “too open” and I have some dryness; again, this is manageable with artificial tears and naps.  The brow and scalp areas are numb.  Sometimes I “explore” my head and it feels like rapping on a cantaloupe, producing an odd echo.   These sensations are all known as parasthesias and are a normal consequence of disturbing the nerves serving the skin.  There is a slight asymmetry in the area underneath my chin, but I realize it is too early to be concerned to the point of complaint or action.  The face needs at least 6 months to settle.

As a result of my surgery, I became very interested in learning about the healing process after a facelift.  An interesting fact that I discovered was that healing was framed in several different contexts by doctors.  It was approached more from a “when will I look (socially) normal” than from “when will my face feel normal?” The answers to these questions are quite different and the feeling aspect to recovery is much more complex and variable.

I opted not to blog at Day 60 since I noted very small changes.

Day 90 After Face lift in Mexico

Here is some candid, non-close up photos at Day 90.  I was on a cruise with 4 girlfriends; all of them up to 8 years younger than I.  They lamented that the oldest among us would look the youngest.  That was to some degree true, upon close observation of faces.  No one is as aware as I am at this time with facial condition!  I found myself mentally mapping out how elements of facelifts would look on each of my girlfriends.   Mostly, I had a blast on the cruise and made sure I stayed well-hydrated.

Here are some candid photos on Day 90 while I was on a cruise with my girlfriends.

Around Day 90 I noted that “stuff was happening’” on my scalp as a result of the brow lift.  The brow lift involved a large muscle and skin repositioning and many nerves were disrupted.  Up until this time, I simply had altered sensation, similar to running your hand over a healing incision.  Now, I am having a sensation of prickly movement.  It is not quite an itch, but similar and my impulse is to scratch.  But, scratching is not satisfying.   It is a pseudo-itch that is not relieved by scratching or rubbing.  The good news is that it is a healing sensation; typically low intensity and intermittent and, most of the time, not noticeable.

By Day 90, my eyes feel and look much more normal and I can feel a gradual lessening of the neck tightness, though it is still noticeable and there is still some ridge-y, cord-y feeling right under the chin.  The neck has smoothed out significantly in the last month.

Day 120 After Face lift in Mexico

120 Days After my Face lift in Mexico

At  Day 120, I am feeling pretty good about my facelift.   Here is a side-by-side of my Pre-op face and a current close-up under the same conditions i.e. camera, lighting, room etc.  Note that I attempted to assume a neutral expression on both photos.  I think the difference is astonishing!

The neck tightness continues to diminish and I would rate it a “3” on an Annoyance Scale (like an ant bite that won’t stop itching).  The neck muscle is still softening and the tightness greatly relaxed.   The scalp creepy crawly feeling is still there.  I understand from my research that it will remain for many months and gradually diminish as nerves regenerate and restore normal sensation.

As you might recall if you have followed the Blog, I told no one at my home in Florida about my facelift.  When I returned and saw all my friends after a 4 month absence, I knew that the positive comments I was getting were attributable to the facelift.  The comments were mostly a variation of:  “Travel/Vacation/Cruising/California (fill in the blank) must really agree with you; you are looking great!”

I am very happy that I still look like ME—only better.    I estimate that my appearance has been improved to how I recall my face looking at age 50.  I am 63 now.  I believe I appear more rested, more relaxed, less tense and angry.  More…and Less!

This will not be my final post.   I sent an email to CosMed a couple days ago inquiring about skin resurfacing.  I got a phone call from Dr. Quiroz this morning, and he was kind enough to explain personally that he would like me to consult with his associate in dermal matters, Dr. de la Fuente.   This will be Part II of my Facelift since a facelift cannot correct deep lines and certain wrinkles.

Heck, I might even have a wee bit of filler in my kisser!