"Anything But
a Facelift!" - Any Minimally Invasive Procedure vs.
Surgery
OUR APPROCAH TO FACELIFTS AND MNIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES
Due
to the current economic downturn, as well as, extensive marketing of these
methods, we
are seeing more and more patients who are seeking “anything but
a facelift"! These reasons include:
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- a fear of surgery
- a fear of looking "over-done" or
unnatural
- concerns about treatment cost during an uncertain economy
- advertising claims of great results with
minimal cost risk and downtime.
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Facial
Rejuvenation Page »
In our practice, when appropriate we consider non-surgical procedures
and treatments for our facial patients. We only offer those procedures and
treatments which have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective.
This is especially important in the case of new treatments or products, which
should be used only if there is a proven advantage over established methods.
We offer these non-surgical treatments for minimal deformities
which can be effectively corrected without surgery. Each individual treatment
may be employed alone or in combination with surgical or non-surgical treatments. FILLER TREATMENTS ».
Most important for our patients is the fact that as plastic surgeons we offer
our Dallas and Allen patients a wide variety of alternatives. While many cosmetic
practitioners are limited to minimal procedures, our broad scope of training,
credentialing, and experience allows us to also offer appropriate surgical
correction of these deformities.
We also are concerned about facelifts that have been overdone and
over-used (please see our Promises
and Pitfalls: Facelifts: All facelifts are created equal? »
) We believe that an unnatural result is actually detrimental to the patient’s
appearance. However, when indicated to correct signs of aging, a well planned
and well preformed facelift (and / or other facial procedures) is both necessary
and effective. It is our experience that an appropriate, individualized facelift
done under local anesthesia and twilight sleep is very safe. Further, a surgical
facelift can provide long-term correction those deformities that have required
repeated, painful and expensive minimal treatments.
As with any other medical treatment, a second opinion can be the best investment
of time and money for the potential facial cosmetic patient.
 Non-Surgical Treatments
Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls™
PROMISES
 Minimally invasive procedures are widely marketed with
promises of reversing signs of aging and eliminating
the need for facelifts and other surgical procedures.
These methods are often promoted
as effective, safe and as requiring no downtime. Lasers,
endoscopic procedures, Botox and injectable fillers have
become very popular with patients, especially in the
current economic downturn. The American Society of Plastic
Surgeons (ASPS) reported over 9 million minimally invasive
facial procedure were performed in 2007 alone.
PITFALLS
- As an alternative to surgery, non-surgical
or minimally invasive procedures may improve signs
of aging, but must be used judiciously. Any treatment
should be used only when appropriate for the particular
deformity and only when alternative treatments and/or
surgery has been considered.
- Facial injectables do not avoid the need for a facelift
in the future. Despite this fact, a 2005 ASPS survey
found 21% of respondents believed injectables would prevent
the need for a future facelift.
- Minimally invasive techniques can be expensive
especially if a treatment must be done repeatedly. While
the cost of a single treatment may seem reasonable, the
costs of frequent additional minimal invasive treatments
can often exceed the cost of a full surgery.
- Less risk is an advantage of non-surgical methods compared
to surgical procedures, but any treatment has some risk.
Risk must be a consideration in any treatment.
- Bruising and swelling are the result
of injury and can occur from both surgery and minimally
invasive procedures. Extent and duration of bruising
and swelling certainly vary with amount of trauma (injury).
So "no" downtime
for minimal procedures can actually mean less downtime.
- While risk and downtime is less for the non-surgical
or minimally invasive methods, the question is effectiveness.
This is why several opinions should be offered and considered.
- While most of the many signs of facial
aging can be improved, a non-surgical method surgery
is sometimes necessary. To misquote a popular advertising
slogan... sometimes surgery is actually "Better
than Botox."
- It should be obvious, but, a patient must
be aware of the fact that if a given practitioner has
only non-surgical methods available to them then that
method is probably what will be recommended. While the
particular treatment may be satisfactory, it is often
helpful for the patient to have a choice of various options. Consider
a consultation with a full service provider - a surgeon
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Facial
Rejuvenation Page »
More
Promises and Pitfalls Information »
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