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Healthcare is one of the most controversial and complicated issues in modern America. How do we assure that our friends and loved ones get the attention they need without breaking the bank? It’s important to explore all of your options with your doctor and insurance provider, but some people don’t have the patience for this process or the cash. That’s why they often resort to seeking cosmetic surgery abroad.  From Canada to the UK and Singapore to Israel, Americans are traveling internationally to undergo certain procedures in hopes of getting them performed for a lower cost than they would pay here at home. According to one study, a large number of these surgeries are cosmetic in nature. But is it worth the globetrotting? Here are some important considerations to make before you hop a plane to engage in medical tourism…

Communication Is Key

The first important factor to consider seems obvious, but it can’t be overstated: do you speak the language of your desired destination? If so, how fluently do you converse? It is imperative to be able to communicate effortlessly and pointedly with your medical team to ensure the utmost transparency and openness. For example, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, you must convey the specifics of your predicament to elicit the proper remedy. Now revisit that initial line of questioning. Are you sure that you can accurately translate your health status into another language, no matter what that status may be… or how it could suddenly change?

Verifying Credentials 

You’ve done your homework. You know what procedure you want. But is your surgeon as prepared as you are? You want to fully vet his or her credentials before putting your trust in their care. It’s a simple process in the United States because you can search their accreditation with well-established organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but it becomes much more complicated overseas. Is there a comparable organization in your host country? If you don’t know the answer, then more research is inevitable.

Risk Assessment 

With any surgical situation, there are inherent risks. Clotting, swelling, and general pain management are parts of the landscape you must maneuver when you’re recovering from a procedure. You should ask yourself a few important questions before you embark upon a medical journey through a foreign land.

• How long will I be visiting this country?
• How expensive is it to stay in the local hospital while I recuperate?
• Will I have access to the appropriate pain meds?
• What about other resources like antibiotics and sterile equipment?
• If an infection should occur, do I trust this medical team to deal with the consequences?

Backup Plan

Many cosmetic procedures require a follow-up visit to ensure quality control as well as aesthetic satisfaction. If you are only preparing for a short trip, then your time (and budget) may not afford such recourse. In such an eventuality, you will need to schedule your follow-up appointment back in the states, in which case it defeats the purpose of getting the surgery performed overseas in the first place. You’ll pay the same amount and require more time to catch your surgeon up to speed with what was done abroad.

Legal Concerns

You should always hope for the best and prepare for the worst, so it’s worth asking: what if something goes wrong during surgery? Are you protected by any local laws, such as the malpractice ordinances that are in place in America? If not, you could be saddled not only with exorbitant medical bills but also astronomical legal fees, all to compensate for what you thought would be a bargain of a cosmetic procedure. Which brings us to the bottom line…

You Get What You Pay For

The allure of inexpensive medical care is understandable. After all, a lap band procedure may cost less than half as much in Mexico as it does in the United States. But if any of the aforementioned complications arise (clotting, legal issues, additional medical needs), then that price tag balloons to much more than the procedure would have cost in the first place if you had stayed north of the border.

What About the Remainder of Your Vacation?

Did you book this trip just for the cosmetic surgery appointment? Or were you also planning to go exploring while abroad? If so, will you be able to travel, cavort, swim, and generally live it up in your post-surgical state? Be sure to ask your doctors (both at home and overseas) what your limitations will be, and factor those risks into your vacation plans.

Booking the Return Flight

Not only will your international itinerary be hindered by your post-operative healthcare needs; you also might not be able to fly back home right away. Many facial procedures require that the patient not endure rapid changes in altitude. Airline travel can put undue pressure on your capillaries and passageways, so your jet-setting lifestyle must take a back seat to the recuperation process. If you still have questions about the dangers and difficulties of so-called “medical tourism”, then please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’ll take the time to consult with you about the costs and benefits of your desired procedure – no passport required!

Your appearance is a window to the world. How you express yourself, your choice of gestures, the personal style you cultivate; these are all hallmarks of who you are and how you want to be perceived by society. Appearance also offers a snapshot of your psychological well being. If you walk around with a permanent scowl on your face, you’re telling passersby to stay away. Conversely, smiling invites others to approach you. In these examples, mood is a self-fulfilling state of being. By looking upbeat, you might actually achieve greater happiness. But instead of just pretending to be chipper, you could get a more permanent boost from cosmetic enhancement.

Facing Your Flaws

No matter how beautiful you may be, there’s always that one physical feature that you wish you could change. Whether it’s the curve of your nose, the shape of your midsection, or the height of your cheekbones, you probably have one nagging complaint about your body or face that bothers you incessantly. Well, you’re not alone. Statistically speaking, 43% of men and 56% of women surveyed have registered disappointment with their outward appearance. This dissatisfaction can manifest itself as a mere annoyance, or it could affect one’s state of mind. If you’re constantly obsessing about your perceived flaw then it occupies your focus. In turn, your mood is negatively impacted, which then bolsters your negative self-image. It’s a downward cycle, but luckily you can break out of it if you so choose.

Conquering Your Image Issues

Esteem dominates our daily behavior. Confidence helps motivate us in the workplace and in social situations, so when our self-worth dips, so does our productivity and general demeanor. By succumbing to body issues, one might suffer a myriad of psychological setbacks. These include:

• The propensity to be easily distracted
• Lack of energy or determination
• Insomnia
• Depression

This last symptom of body dysmorphia can be the most troubling, so let’s take a closer look at the link between appearance and mood disorders.

Overcoming Depression

We look at ourselves in the mirror every single day. If we don’t like what we see staring back at us, it has a definite effect on what we project to the world. That mirror session is essentially a rehearsal for how we interact with others. If we perceive our appearance to be less than optimal, then depression could creep in. One recent study of over 540 people showed that cosmetics are indelibly linked to such forces as social anxiety, agoraphobia, self-perception, goal attainment, self-realization, quality of life and, of course, our sense of attractiveness. If we don’t think of ourselves as desirable, it sends a message to the brain that we don’t deserve a partner who sees us as desirable. By lowering our social standards in this way, we relegate ourselves to a “lesser than” category. This triggers feelings of doubt, which permeates into our behavioral patterns. No, I don’t belong to that club or Maybe I’ll just avoid that party because I won’t fit in. Perceived alienation becomes actual seclusion. This is the psychological landscape where depression flourishes. But don’t despair; there’s hope on the horizon.

Positive Results

While modern medicine tends to answer psychological issues with pharmaceutical prescriptions, there may be another solution available: cosmetic surgery. In a groundbreaking survey of 362 patients who underwent cosmetic procedures, 61 of them had been taking antidepressants before the date of their surgery. After their successful emergence from these respective procedures, that number fell to 42. In other words, the successful exposure to cosmetic surgery decreased the need for antidepressant medications in a staggering 31 percent of patients who had been taking the aforementioned prescriptions. That is a statistic worth heralding as an undeniable success.

Do What’s Right for You

A person’s psychology is as complex and unique as his or her fingerprint. There’s no guarantee that changing your appearance will alter your mood, but the link between the two is compelling, to say the least. Before embarking on any surgery, be it cosmetic or otherwise, you should consult with your support system (loved ones, friends, relatives, etc.). Make sure it’s the right decision for you; consider what is most beneficial to your physical health as well as your mental wellbeing. Once that phase of your deliberation is complete, it’s time to consult Doctor Binder to assess your options, formulate a plan, and move forward. A happier new you awaits, and we’re eager to help guide you on your journey to self-actualization.

Why are you considering cosmetic surgery? It’s a simple question, but the answers are as complex as you are. Maybe you want a boost of self-confidence? Or perhaps you want to look younger to get an extra edge in the workplace? But one of the most universal reasons for wanting plastic surgery is to look more attractive to the gender of your desire. But the romance doesn’t end once you’ve met that special someone. You want to look good FOR them, so maybe you want to look LIKE them. After all, you share a life, so why not share a look?

Beauty Matching

As surgical trends go, “beauty matching” is a relatively rare one… but it’s starting to become less so by the day. One of the most popular surgeons in Dubai reports that he welcomes two or three couples every year seeking to emulate one another’s looks. More common, however, is the tendency for couples to share the desire for a new look rather than the specific look itself. The aforementioned doctor explains that when a wife experiences the benefits of a successful procedure, her satisfaction helps to convince her husband to seek his own path into cosmetic surgery. This phenomenon occurs about seven times more often than the “beauty matching” approach.

The Pragmatics of It All

While beauty matching may sound like an odd goal for some couples, there are several sound reasons for coordinating your reconstructive surgery plans with a significant other.

• Healing Time – No matter how minimal, every invasive procedure requires some amount of recuperation. If you schedule your appointment in conjunction with your spouse’s, you can plan to spend the downtime together.
• Research, Times Two – While we encourage you to explore all of your options when it comes to finding the right procedure for you, that research process could benefit your loved one as well. Ask each other questions, narrow down your choices, and devise a plan that works best for both of you.
• Grow Closer, Not Older – If you share a home with your significant other, then you have probably also shared some major discussions about aesthetics. How to organize your space, what color scheme to use, etc. Those commonalities of taste and a similar eye for details can also guide your quest into the realm of cosmetic surgery. You might both want an almond shaped eye or a pronounced cheekbone. Whatever your particular style may be, you can evolve together.

A Word of Caution

A healthy dose of competition is natural for a vibrant couple to share. You should challenge each other to learn, grow, and explore the world as a team. But competition should never be the motivation behind your decision to undergo plastic surgery. In some relationships, there’s a sense of one-upmanship (or one-up-woman-ship, as the case may be). If one partner gets a facelift, the other has to get a more drastic one, and so forth. This “keeping up with the Joneses” approach is detrimental to your sense of individuality and self-worth. You should want your significant other to be the best him or her possible without allowing their successes to weigh down your esteem.

Encouragement, Not Coercion

As you prepare to embark upon your quest to be the best, it’s important to consult with your loved ones along the way. You’ll need someone to drive you to the hospital and pick you up after your procedure, but you should also ask how they might feel about seeing a new you as a result of the cosmetic change. Listen to their opinions, but follow your own truth. For example, many husbands might love the idea of their wives getting breast augmentations, but they should make sure it’s right for a woman’s physique, health, and wellbeing. If your partner is pressuring you into enduring a transformation that doesn’t feel right for you, then it’s time to stop and ask yourself why you’re considering it in the first place… and also if you’re getting the emotional support you deserve. It’s important to remember the key signifier of the term self-esteem: SELF. Cosmetic surgery is about you and your individual journey, not an attempt to change you into someone else. No matter how much you adore your significant other, they are another person from yourself. They will never live in your skin, so they shouldn’t dictate how it looks. To mediate any doubts or curiosities you may have, Doctor Binder and his staff are always on hand. Schedule an appointment soon, either as a couple or as just your spectacular, sole self.

Botox Migraine Treatment is becoming an increasingly effective means of battling powerful migraines. However, as it is still a relatively new treatment – it was only approved for use with migraines by the Food and Drug Administration as recently as 2010 – some insurance companies might balk at the idea. So how does one go about getting insurance to cover it?

WHAT IS BOTOX?

Let’s start with what Botox is. It’s a neurotoxin that’s created using the bacterial compound onabotulinumtoxinA and, in medical circles, is intended to treat muscular disorders. In cosmetic circles, it’s known to eliminate wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles.

HOW DOES BOTOX AFFECT MIGRAINES?

When it comes to migraines, Botox is used in small but deeply concentrated quantities to stop brain signals reaching certain muscles. Typically, if left alone, those signals contract the muscles resulting in pain. With Botox, however, those muscles become relaxed and thus lessen the physical effects of the stress and tension associated with a migraine. This ultimately means that a migraine might be totally avoided (with no stress and tension to trigger it) – and it also means that by blocking nerve and muscle activity, Botox blocks the pain signals. Botox therapy for migraines is not effective on every type of migraine; thus a patient’s eligibility for it is dependent on what they’re suffering from. According to the American Migraine Foundation, it works best on those experiencing chronic migraine. A chronic migraine is defined as more than 15 headache days per month as well as a minimum of eight migraine episodes – or if you suffer headaches that last a minimum of four hours.

THE THERAPY

With most migraine therapies, patients are required to administer medication once a headache has begun. Botox, though, is taken as a preventative measure. A person would get a set of 31 injections every 12 weeks with each session lasting around 15 minutes. Patients do not need to be sedated and can drive home after. The botox is administered via injection.  Using a small needle, the doctor will inject into seven areas of both the head and neck including the nose bridge, the forehead, temples, and back of the skull. It is a relatively painless procedure; the patient only experiences tiny pricks. It generally takes at least two sessions to begin to experience the benefit but some patients feel it sooner. The results last from four to six months. While it is an effective relief, it is not permanent - but some chronic sufferers can expect their headache days to be cut in half. Ultimately, botox treatment is just that; a treatment, not a cure. The side effects can include stiff and sore neck muscles and some bruising or swelling around the injection sites. This usually only lasts for 48 hours. Other side effects may include dry eyes and skin rash – symptoms that mimic influenza. There are also nausea and headaches reported but nothing like the sort that is associated with migraines.

COST

The price of Botox migraine treatments can range from $200 to $500 per session. That can add up to serious money for the two to three courses a patient would require.  One option is the Botox Savings Program that allows eligible patients to save on costs – sometimes up to $1200 a year. The other, of course, is insurance.

INSURANCE

So how do you get insurance to cover Botox migraine treatment? In the past insurance companies saw anything Botox-related as cosmetic. There are some horror stories where patients were required by their insurance to try drugs that didn’t work. But times are changing and often, they will require evidence that other treatments have failed and this is more of a last-resort option. Since the FDA now approves the treatment, insurance companies can no longer claim the procedure is merely investigational. And after all, migraines cost employers almost $13 billion every year – so it is definitely a huge health concern. First, contact your insurance company provider to see what they cover. Some insurers work with your doctor and have you take several tests before they go ahead and authorize the treatment. This is known as prior authorization. The doctor will put together a report including your history of chronic migraines and submit this to them. You can assist your doctor with this report by providing additional information such as medications and treatments you’ve tried in the past and a detailed calendar of the frequency/intensity of your migraines.

FOUR BRIEF TIPS

Connect with your doctor’s nurse as your advocate. Retrieve a recent copy of your insurance company’s formulary. Compare policy coverage of the botox migraine treatment. Talk directly to someone at your insurance provider. You can also still use the Botox Savings Program in addition to insurance for a one-two punch at the costs. Either way, you should definitely get insurance before beginning what could be a costly but beneficial program.

A dangerous new fad is simmering in some less reputable circles of the cosmetic medical trade. Fast plastic surgery or “lunchtime” procedures (so named because they purport to be done on your lunch hour) are suddenly all the rage… but at what cost? We’re breaking down the myths behind this too good to be true trend.

Myth #1 - You Heal as Quickly as the Procedure

While it may sound convenient and desirable to get a quick filler for your upper lip, the results (and resulting problems) are another reality completely. In one patient’s case, the material they used was hastily chosen and all wrong for her face. The swelling didn’t go away, even a week later… then she was told to wait six months… then five years passed and she is still dissatisfied with the bump in her lip. Choosing your filler is a delicate and exacting process. By rushing into a procedure, you risk complications, pain, or worse. That’s why a reputable and trusted physician will weigh your options with you well before you plump those lips.

Myth #2 - Fast Equals Cheap

The notion that you can pop in for a quickie facelift and only pay by the hour is foolhardy on so many levels. First, you should never rush when it comes to your health. And second, true health care providers shouldn’t punch a clock and charge by the minute.  Finally, just because it’s fast, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. A so-called “lunchtime” facial procedure can still cost upwards of two thousand dollars, and since it’s performed so hastily, it will most definitely require follow up visits and special attention in the long run.

Myth #3 - I’ll Just Do It This One Time…

While Botox has been proven to be safe and effective if administered responsibly, there is a new theory that excessive and repeated sessions could do more harm than good. The rise of “fast” plastic surgery is now dovetailing with the preponderance of addictive behavior among patients who schedule multiple Botox sessions in quick succession. An estimated 40% of these lunchtime procedure enthusiasts are undergoing injections too frequently, according to health experts.

Myth #4 - It’s as Effective as the Real Thing

A procedure as delicate and involved as a breast augmentation requires extensive consultation and consideration. However, some disreputable surgeons are promoting their hasty methods for the lunchtime crowd these days. It is inconceivable to think that you could recover from such an invasive process in less than two hours. Also, the actual technique required for a successful breast surgery doesn’t work in a truncated time frame. When done in a rush, surgeons can only apply the implant to the front of the breast, on top of your existing muscle. This won’t sit correctly, causing unsightly wrinkles and puckering where the implant meets your tissue.  To be done properly, an implant must go beneath the muscle, which requires more time on the operating table. The experience may take longer, but the results are preferable in every way. In addition to the aforementioned aesthetics of a thorough intramuscular technique, the implant is also more protected when it is tucked within your existing tissue.

Myth #5 - Plastic Surgery Has Become Completely Standardized

While it’s true that medical science has progressed rapidly over the past two centuries, that doesn’t mean that it is now a “one size fits all” endeavor. Your body, face, and general physiology are unique. You have individual needs and specialized goals for who you are and how you want to look. If a doctor tells you that cosmetic surgery has become “standardized” or in some way uniform, then you need to visit another doctor. For a consultation as special as you are, schedule an appointment with Dr. Binder. He is ready to listen to your questions, and he’ll take the time to explain his answers… even if that lasts more than just a lunch hour.

  Ever since its FDA approval back in 2002, Botox has been the go-to injection for people looking to unfurl their wrinkles and eradicate their crow’s feet. But its effectiveness goes beyond the brow; Allergan (the pharmaceutical company that holds the patent on Botox) sees hundreds of potential uses for the wonder drug.

ADDITIONAL COSMETIC APPLICATIONS

Botox immobilizes certain muscles that lead to age lines in the brow, but this functionality can also help reverse several other facial abnormalities.

•    Cleft Lips – Over 4,000 babies are born with cleft palates and/or lips annually. By introducing Botox to the affected area, doctors can alleviate the scarring process by allowing the afflicted muscles to heal.
•    Facial Tics – Similarly, a small dose of Botox can reduce the facial spasms that lead to nervous ticks, delivering relief to its recipient.
•    Crossed Eyes – The FDA has also approved Botox to help the approximately 4% of Americans who suffer from a condition called Strabismus or crossed eyes. The injection helps relax the surrounding tissue so the eyes can properly line up without stressing the muscles.
•    Jaw and Lip Musculature – A strong jaw can have its benefits, but it may result in a silhouette that looks bulky and misshapen. By injecting these muscles with Botox, you can relax the face and slim down the profile. Also, injections into a “short lip” can help relax it and cover up what is perceived to be a “gummy smile”.

NO PAIN, YOUR GAIN

If you are experiencing chronic pain, be sure to consult a medical professional right away. You may be surprised at his/her diagnosis: Botox. This serum was discovered to be an effective treatment for migraine headaches all the way back in 1992 by a pioneer named Dr. William Binder. It took the FDA almost two decades to catch up, but they finally approved the use of Botox to alleviate migraines in 2010. The procedure involves approximately 30 injections around the head and neck and its benefits last for up to three months. But headaches aren’t the only pains that can be treated with Botox. Lower back spasms may be reduced with these injections, as can mogigraphia, commonly known as writer’s cramp. The repetitive use of the hand and forearm creates tension in the muscles, but Botox can relax this region and bring relief to the suffering scribe. Botox is also useful to patients suffering from coldness or tremors in their extremities. Patients could use the injections to counteract their painful esophagus spasms during the process of digestion.

PROFUSE SWEATING

One unexpected by-product of Botox injections is the reduction in perspiration. When doctors began noticing this trend, they started treating patients with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis, aka profuse underarm sweat, with the aforementioned serum.

BLADDER CONTROL

For people suffering from OAB (overactive bladder), Botox presents a source of relief. A series of targeted injections can relax the spasms of the bladder, providing a treatment for incontinence, especially in patients recovering from spinal cord damage.

PARKINSON’S AND A.L.S.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (A.L.S., also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease) sometimes trigger excessive drooling by those afflicted. Botox can help curb the salivation process and help restore the patient’s facial control temporarily.

ANAL FISSURES

When the human sphincter spasms excessively, it can overexert the tissue of the rectum. This often leads to anal fissures: painful tearing of the internal rectal walls. Traditional treatment of anal fissures involves nitroglycerin ointment or surgery, but Botox presents a less invasive (and often more effective) third option. By relaxing the sphincter, the fissures are allowed to heal organically.

HEART RATE

One possible future application of Botox injections could be seen in the realm of heart surgery outpatient programs. After enduring an open-heart procedure, some patients suffer from atrial fibrillation or an abnormal heartbeat. Botox could help regulate these palpitations when the heart is at its most vulnerable, giving the subject a much-needed boost on the road to recovery.

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Another experimental use of Botox involves the treatment of premature ejaculation. By injecting the penis, the surrounding tissue relaxes and delays the subject’s urge to climax. The same material could also aid in female patients who suffer from pain during intercourse. Botox can reduce the spasms in a woman’s pelvic floor, which can lead to discomfort when overactive and/or pronounced.

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

There is a burgeoning theory in some medical circles called the facial feedback hypothesis. This is the idea that Botox can make a patient look happier, which in turn can actually make them feel happier. It’s impossible to accurately quantify joy or sadness, but we have been trying for millennia. That’s why such clichés as “mind over matter” and “put on a happy face” have endured for so long. Perhaps there is some validity to the psychological benefits of using Botox to battle depression, but the statistical data is still inconclusive. For more information on the benefits of Botox, consult a true maverick in the field: Dr. William Binder. His friendly and helpful staff can schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and guide you forward in your quest for a healthier, happier you.

Even though the number of plastic surgery operations in America and worldwide has increased every year for the last two decades, there is still a popular misconception that many people have of facial cosmetic procedures as something strictly reserved for those over the age of fifty years old. This is obviously a myth, and as plastic surgery becomes more normal than not, a more realistic view and understanding of facial plastic surgery will emerge. In the meantime, here are some statistics to get a better idea of who is getting facial plastic surgery and why. According to statistics published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, patients in the age range of thirty-five to fifty years old have received the most plastic surgery procedures since 1997, making up a plurality of 43% of the total number of surgical procedures performed. Of course, there are plenty of patients older and younger than that age range who are receiving plastic surgery as well, and altogether they comprise a greater number of procedures, but no comparable age range has more plastic surgery operations than those aged thirty-five to fifty years old. And in just three years from 2014 to 2017, the average age of women getting plastic surgery has dropped three years, from forty-two three years ago, to an average age of thirty-nine today. The average age of men dropped two years over the same time period, from forty-seven to forty-five. In the much younger thirteen to nineteen-year-old age group, there were 229,000 total cosmetic operations performed on thirteen to nineteen-year-olds in 2016. 66,000 of those procedures were surgical in nature and 163,000 were minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Of those aged twenty to twenty-nine years old, there were 829,000 total cosmetic procedures performed in 2016, with 256,000 of those being surgical in nature and 572,000 were minimally invasive. According to the New York / New Jersey area Associates in Plastic Surgery group, the most common facial plastic surgery procedure for the thirteen to nineteen-year-old age group is a rhinoplasty operation or “nose job.” They say: “Puberty brings changes to the body, and the nose is no different. Significant changes can occur, but by the age of 16, the nose you have will typically be the nose you will grow old with. As you age, other body parts grow and take on new shapes, but the structure of your nose will change the least over time, meaning the defining features will remain the same throughout your life. Teens and young adults often turn to rhinoplasty as they are entering new phases, such as high school graduation. The late teens are the best time to perform this procedure.” A rhinoplasty might be desirable by a patient of any age after puberty since rejuvenation is not the goal of rhinoplasty surgery – the goal is achieving a more aesthetic look by enhancing the harmony of the face’s lines and balancing the proportions of the nose. Rhinoplasty can achieve dramatic improvements to:

• Nose size and proportion in relation to facial harmony
• Nose width at the bridge, or a profile with visible bumps on the bridge
• The size, shape, and position of the nostrils
• A nasal tip that is bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked
• Nasal asymmetry

In addition to aesthetic motivations that may lead a patient to desire a cosmetic nose job, rhinoplasty can also solve medical problems such as difficulty breathing due to the shape and structure of the nose, and a nasal structure that impairs breathing is not an age-related issue. There are other non-age-related medical issues that can be helped with cosmetic facial surgery. Cosmetic facial reconstructive surgery is a welcome remedy for people who suffer a severe disfigurement or scarring from accidents, or even the ravages of infectious diseases, cancer, or other medical conditions. Mole removal is also a cosmetic facial procedure that has nothing to do with rejuvenation, and everything to do with better skin health and a patient’s personal aesthetic preferences for how they look.

The Rise in Teenage Cosmetic Surgery

With the advent of social media, young people are more conscious than ever of how they look. With every tweet, share, and like, teenagers are comparing their features with influencers, celebrities, and classmates. While we must maintain a realistic and healthy outlook for our friends in Generation Z, it is inevitable for them to be curious about their options in the realm of cosmetic procedures. In the year 2017, approximately 230,000 patients from the age of 13 to 19 received such procedures. This accounts for roughly four percent of the total number of people who explored the world of cosmetic reconstruction. On top of these surgical procedures, teens racked up another 160,000 non-invasive touch-ups, chief among them being Botox visits and laser hair removal appointments. With the influx of new patients comes an increased sense of caution. Teens must be well counseled before embarking upon any sort of cosmetic procedure to make sure they are doing so for the right reasons. In addition to the aforementioned guideline of 16 being the recommended minimum age for rhinoplasty, experts have agreed upon the following

• Breast augmentations or reductions: 18 years and older 
• Liposuction procedures: 18 years and older 
• Otoplasty (ear alteration surgery): 5-7 years old
• Retin A: 16-18 years of age 
• Lasers for acne scar removal: 16-18 years old
• Other laser procedures: 18 years and older 
• Chemical peels: 18 years + 
• Botox and other filler injections: 18 years and older

The Benefits of Cosmetic Procedures for All Ages

While the age restrictions above are vitally important to consider, there are also a myriad of benefits that facial procedures can elicit. According to a recent study of approximately 550 patients, the majority of those who underwent their desired cosmetic alteration reported blockbuster results. Self-esteem skyrocketed in this sample group, as did feelings of joy and general satisfaction in life. As anyone who has endured adolescence can attest, it is a volatile period, characterized by self-doubt and insecurity. While teenagers shouldn’t rush into cosmetic procedures to counteract these forces, it can’t be overstated that looking good often leads to feeling good. Consult a trusted physician and don’t be afraid to discuss any and all psychological stresses and emotional issues you may be feeling. We can all work together to make sure that you grow up to be the best you possible. About Dr. William J. Binder Dr. William J. Binder is a facial plastic surgery specialist with over three decades of experience with facial plastic surgery. For almost three decades, his individualized philosophy and approach to facial plastic surgery has led him to pioneer new techniques for facial surgery procedures and earned him international acclaim for his results. If you want your facial plastic surgery performed by one of the world’s leading cosmetic surgeons, contact Dr. Binder’s office today to schedule an initial consultation.

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a facial rejuvenation surgery performed by a licensed cosmetic surgeon in order to restore a youthful appearance to your facial features. The facelift procedure as a cosmetic facial rejuvenation surgery turned exactly 100 years old in 2016. The very first face lift operation was performed by a German physician named Erich Lexer in 1916. According to Dr. Rajiv Grover, the president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Lexer performed the first ever facelift by, “Lifting the [sagging] skin from the underlying fat, drawing it back, re-draping it and then removing the excess.” Many other surgeons throughout the world began to perform the procedure after Lexer, but with no major innovations or improvements on the surgical technique until the 1960s and 1970s. The first 70 years of facelifts in cosmetic surgery are now referred to as the Cutaneous Period of rhytidectomy (facelift) surgery. During this time facelifts were performed at the most surface level of the skin by lifting the skin from the face, pulling it taut, and cutting away the excess loose skin. Surgeons became experts at performing plastic surgery during World War II in order to reconstruct the faces of injured war veterans, and these skilled plastic surgeons began turning their talents toward cosmetic facial rejuvenation in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s facial rejuvenation entered the SMAS period, which is short for Superficial Muscular Aponuerotic System— the stronger, deeper layer under the surface of the skin. Improvements in the safety and effectiveness of anesthesia and more precise surgical techniques allowed plastic surgeons to achieve more dramatic, natural looking, and longer lasting results by augmenting this muscle layer under the skin. The first major innovation in facial rejuvenation surgery since its inception, the SMAS technique became the standard for facelifts throughout the 1970s. It allowed cosmetic surgeons to take a more extensive, radical approach to facial rejuvenation, enhancing more of the face and even the neck as well. By the 1980s facial rejuvenation had entered the Deep Plane Period as plastic surgeons could skillfully and safely cut deeper into the face, down to the subperiosteal layer over the bone. Dr. Paul Tessier, the surgeon who had coined the term Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System, pioneered this deep plane facial rejuvenation technique. In 1979 Tessier demonstrated that cutting to the subperiosteum above and to the sides of the orbital rim of bone around the eyes created a better looking result for the eyebrows than facelifts performed at the SMAS layer. This innovative approach could create a far more attractive and youthful appearance for cosmetic surgery patients. From 1991 to the present, the history of facial rejuvenation has entered into what cosmetic surgeons call the Volumetric Period of rhytidectomy surgery. This period was characterized, in the early 1990s by a reconceptualization of the aims and means of facial rejuvenation surgery. Plastic surgeons, starting in the 1990s, began to take more care reduce the appearance of scars from facial plastic surgery, and also began to focus on restoring the subcutaneous volume of fatty tissue under the skin that is naturally lost as we begin to age. Another major innovation in the volumetric approach to facial rejuvenation was the introduction of facial implants to contour the face. The rapid advancement during this time of computer processing power and 3-D imaging techniques, along with computer aided drafting for perfectly fabricating custom facial implants, allowed this innovation to reach a very high standard of perfection in creating an ideal, natural looking result for patients seeking facial rejuvenation. Dr. William J. Binder was an early innovator in the field of custom facial implants for cosmetic rejuvenation. When the technique first appeared, Dr. Binder saw the potential for aesthetic results for patients through the use of facial implants, but with a keen eye for facial anatomy, he noticed the results did not look completely natural; they were “non-anatomic” as he would say. Dr. Binder did not believe facial implants could achieve the high standards of perfection he aims to achieve for his patients without applying the precision and power of high-resolution 3-D imaging, powerful digital rendering and imaging, and digital computer-aided drafting to fabricate ideal custom facial implants for patients seeking facial reconstruction or rejuvenation. By innovating a system capable of fabricating custom-designed facial implants to a high degree of precision, Dr. Binder was able to pioneer a technique that allows the reconstruction of most facial contour defects with a higher degree of accuracy and better results than were ever before possible. His efforts have helped to bring modern plastic surgery into the 21st Century.   About Dr. William J. Binder Dr. William J. Binder is a facial plastic surgery specialist with over three decades of experience with facial plastic surgery. For almost three decades, his individualized philosophy and approach to facial plastic surgery has led him to pioneer new techniques for face lift procedures and earned him international acclaim for his results. If you want your face lift performed by one of the world’s leading facial plastic surgeons, contact Dr. Binder’s office today to schedule an initial consultation.