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Cosmetic surgery is a momentous personal decision affecting your image of yourself and to the outside world. When choosing implants, many patients simply settle for the standard, off-the-shelf models. However, given that this is a permanent decision, it's important to consider how you truly want the procedure to make you feel and look, as well as how much you are willing to spend to achieve it.

Shape

While standard implants do come cheaper at around half the price, both the shapes and sizes of standard facial implants may not align with your personal aesthetic desires. It is also unlikely that a standard implant is going to match the unique curves and contours of your individual face. A custom implant, on the other hand, can be designed to fit your specific desires with the discretion of your medical professional.

Size

Despite the array of implant materials—such as saline and silicone—standard implants are not one-size-fits-all. While implants can be adjusted and carved to some extent, many facial asymmetries, imperfections, and injuries cannot be sufficiently addressed with standard implants. This is especially true for patients who have had previous implants that they are unhappy with due to sizing or asymmetry problems.

Reconstruction

If you are seeking reconstructive surgery, it may be more difficult to determine how to fit a standard implant over your injury, necessitating a custom implant. Fortunately, many insurance companies are willing to cover some of the cost of surgery, as well as the cost of follow- up visits and consultations, especially if the custom implant is essential to your health. Custom implants are also considered more natural-looking, with many people struggling to discern between a custom implant and an untouched face. If you feel that custom facial implants are right for you, schedule a consultation today with the esteemed Dr. Binder for a personalized path to a happier, more radiant you.

People undergo plastic surgery for all types of reasons, from health, to self-esteem. Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is one of several plastic surgery procedures that is designed to restore youth and vitality to your features. A facelift specifically targets the lines, wrinkles and aberrations on your face. There are many different kinds of facelifts, ranging from a deep-plane facelift to a mini-facelift. All of these separate procedures target different areas of the face with varying degrees of intensity, and only a licensed medical professional will be able to determine which type of facelift is right for you. The decision is ultimately yours, but here are 5 popular reasons to consider getting a facelift procedure:

Loss of Muscle Tone and Skin Elasticity

This is a natural part of aging, and can sometimes occur as early as your thirties. While some medical professionals will recommend a regular regimen of facial exercise to tighten everything up, a facelift will have a more permanent effect. A mini-facelift would be the best option here, as this only requires a minimal amount of surgery.

Tired Appearance

Perhaps the most common motivator for seeking plastic surgery, a tired appearance can mean anything from droopy eyelids to dark circles under your eyes. A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is usually all that is needed to remedy this issue.

Deep Creases Around the Nose and Mouth

This issue is a bit trickier, and can cause serious health concerns down the line in addition to negatively impacted appearance. A deep-plane facelift may be the best option here, as it will mobilize and reposition facial features through the stimulation of facial nerves.

Deep Wrinkles of the Neck and Face

This is another issue that onsets with age, although it is not harmful in any way. The best procedure for this is a mid-facelift, which rejuvenates sagging and wrinkled skin, especially in the middle of the face around the cheeks.

Sagging Neck Skin

A neck contouring facelift, which targets a sagging neck by defining the jawline and chin, would be the recommended procedure here. Sagging neck skin is something that unfortunately comes with age, but it is easily fixable. For more information, schedule a consultation today with a medical professional so that he can determine which facelift procedure would be best for you. Make sure to bring questions on what work you want done and what it would take to achieve the desired level of youth and vitality that you seek in your facial features.

Plastic surgery can be a big decision that will affect your self-image and your way of life. When choosing what will be right for you, consider how you want to feel and how much you are willing to spend in order to achieve the results that you want. Both standard and custom facial implants come with benefits and risks that clients should be aware of before deciding what they want with a doctor. Below are a few factors to consider:

Prices Vary

While standard implants have become quite common and affordable, custom implants are more expensive and require more attention. While those considering standard implants might pay up to $3,000 or $4,000, custom implants tend to cost at least double that amount.

The Process Might Take Longer

While standard implants may only take one or two visits to the plastic surgeon, custom facial implants require a lot more detail, with the surgery itself tending to take longer in order to achieve the desired effect. For standard implants, you most likely will have to have an initial consultation with a doctor. He or she can tell you what the process will be like and how much time you should expect to take to recover. The surgery is incredibly easy and takes only a few hours under anesthesia, and the subsequent recovery time is only a few weeks. However, custom implants may take more than one meeting with a doctor in order to get the measurements exactly right for your face. He or she will need to construct a digital model so that you can know exactly how you will look when the implants are added. The surgery might also take longer and require more recovery time as well.

Consider Why You Need the Implants

There are a number of different reasons why you might consider plastic surgery. If you have suffered from an injury and are looking for reconstructive surgery, it might be even more difficult to determine which option will be right for you. Fortunately, your insurance might be able to cover the costs of the surgery and the doctor visits. Many who have suffered from an injury choose custom implants for reconstruction because they can look very natural. Custom implants can also be a good choice when there are noticeable asymmetries in the face. Whatever you decide, you're making an active effort to feel good about how you look while choosing the best option for your budget and your lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to determine which implant is best for you.

A Rhinoplasty, or nose job, is the oldest and most common plastic surgery procedure around, it is also one of the most difficult. So before deciding on whether this procedure is right for you, it is important to know what to expect after the surgery. Here're a few things to consider before getting a rhinoplasty.

Take Time Off Work

You will need to take at least 7-10 days off before returning to work after your rhinoplasty. You can cut down your healing time if you stop taking fish oil, non-steroid anti-inflammatories, or aspirin, two weeks prior to your procedure.

Be Prepared for the After-Effects

While getting a Rhinoplasty is not as painful as other plastic surgery procedures, there is some pain related to the procedure as well as, swelling, bruising and slight bleeding, especially right after the procedure. Make sure you have cold compresses and ice gels to help manage the swelling, and bruising, around your nose and eyes. The swelling and bruising are at their worst in the first 3 to 5 days and should completely be gone, within ten days. However, the residual swelling, particularly at the tip of the nose, can last up to 12 - 15 months. This residual swelling may cause your nose to seem asymmetrical, until you hit the 12-15 month mark. It is normal within the first few days to experience some slight nasal bleeding and tiredness. It is also important to keep you wounds clean and manage your recovery with your doctor.

Avoid Exercise

You should avoid exercising for 2 to 5 weeks after your procedure. Elevating your heart rate can cause more swelling, bruising and even bleeding.

The Healing Process

Because it takes about 12 to 15 months for the residual swelling to dissipate, you will not truly see your final results until that time. You must be be patient and monitor your progress with your surgeon. Your internal splints will not be removed until the first post-op visit, seven days, after your rhinoplasty.

Manage Your Expectations

There is no such thing as a perfect nose and is not possible to just “add” any nose to your face. Noses are very specific, and there is a limitation to how yours can be shaped. The best way to manage your expectations is to be in constant communication with your surgeon, prior to the procedure, providing them with as many pictures or descriptions of your ideal nose, as possible. This way you can get an idea what you can expect to look like after your procedure. Hopefully the information provided will help you decide whether this procedure is right for you. If you have further questions or if you would like to discuss the procedure, feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience. Our expert staff will be happy to address any concerns you may have. To schedule a consultation visit doctorbinder.com today.

Botox has quickly become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures on the market. However, some would be surprised to learn the Botox also treats a number of health issues, from hypertension to overactive bladder. Botox has also proven to be a highly effective treatment for those who suffer from chronic migraines- since the FDA approved it as a migraine treatment in 2011. If you suffer from chronic migraines, and have been thinking about using Botox to relieve your symptoms, here is what you need to know.

How does Botox Treat Migraines?

Botox works by preventing the movement of certain muscles as well as preventing the release of certain brain chemicals. Botox relieves headaches because, this muscle restriction, prevents the muscles from becoming tense and sensitive, as they would during a headache. In addition, it is believed that Botox blocks the nerves that send pain messages to the brain.

How well does it work?

Most patients that use Botox, to treat their chronic migraines, experience a significant decrease in how often they experience migraine attacks. In fact, the vast majority of chronic migraine patients a day experience, 7 to 9, fewer headache days per month, making Botox one of the most successful migraine treatments to date. Is important to note that these results take time and usually do not present themselves until up to a two weeks, after your Botox procedure. In addition, these results usually do not happen after the first round of Botox and are more likely to start after the second, or third, treatment.

Who should try it?

Chronic migraine sufferers who experience debilitating migraines 15, or more, days out of the month, lasting four hours or more, should consider utilizing Botox to treat their symptoms. Most doctors will want you to try more traditional migraine treatments before recommending Botox. But if other migraine treatments or medications are not working for you, or you have a health condition the medicine may interfere with, such as stomach ulcers, you should definitely consider Botox as an alternative treatment.

How long does it take?

A round of Botox treatment can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. For maximum and long lasting results, chronic migraine sufferers should receive Botox treatments every three months for a 15 month period.

What else should I know?

Botox treatments are virtually painless, so there may be a slight swelling, or irritation, at the injection site- particularly, for those for with sensitive skin. Most insurance companies cover Botox procedures as a treatment for chronic migraines but you should definitely contact your insurance company to verify that they do. In rare cases, they may want you to undergo certain tests before they agree to cover the procedure. Now that you know how effective Botox treatments are for chronic migraines, if your suffering from severe migraines, this might be the perfect procedure to relieve you of this pain. To learn more about Botox treatment or discuss any of your questions or concerns about the procedure feel free to reach out to us today. Or to schedule a consultation visit doctorbinder.com.

First, let’s define the term Chemical Peel: • A chemical peel is a procedure that can improve the skin’s appearance. There are many factors that can affect your skin. A chemical peel uses a chemical solution that is allowed to soak into the skin and will remove the damaged outer layer of your skin. This is one of the easiest, and most cost effective, ways to improve the appearance of your skin. The chemicals applied to the skin will make the skin blister, and eventually peel off, leaving behind a smooth and taut texture. There are three degrees of chemical peels: • Light chemical peels usually do not require any type of pain killers. o A mild chemical peel, with Glycolic Acid of 30% to 40%, will typically have a short healing time and will have a very minimal downtime. o Initially after the peel, the skin will likely be red, dry and slightly irritated. o It usually takes about 4 to 7 days for the treated areas to develop new skin. o Light and superficial peels typically yield good results after about 3 sessions. Patients will see excellent results after about 6 sessions. • Medium chemical peels may or may not require pain killers. The doctor will likely give you the option. o This type of chemical peel, usually, achieves excellent results. Expect skin peeling to start 3 days after the peel, and last about 1 week. o Initially after the peel, the skin will likely be red, swollen, and tight. o It usually takes about 5 to 7 days for the treated areas to develop new skin. o Some patients experience redness on the skin for several months. o A medium depth chemical peel will provide excellent results after only 1 session. However, patients are encouraged to adopt an in-home care program to maintain the results. • Deep chemical peels typically require local anesthetic and a sedative. o These deeper peels will result in a much more dramatic result but it does come with an increase in pain and a longer healing time. o These procedures usually take up to 90 minutes. o Patients will, likely, experience severe redness and swelling. o It usually takes 14 days for the treated areas to develop new skin. o Some patients will develop cysts and white spots, which may be present for 2 to 3 weeks. Expect the redness in the skin to last for several months. Regardless of which chemical peel you choose, be sure to follow your doctors explicit instructions for cleaning and moisturizing the treated skin. Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S. will answer all your questions and concerns during the consultation.

The reality is a Liposuction surgical procedure usually creates pooling of excess lymphatic fluids. This results in swelling and dissatisfaction with the patient. Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) is a specialized massage technique that is recommended by plastic surgeons, after liposuction, to accelerate the recuperation period. The science behind why this massage works is fairly simple. Stroking the areas of the body that process the lymph fluid, and the lymph nodes, causes the fluid to drain. This massage procedure works well and has been demonstrated to show positive results, only after a couple of massage treatments! However, most patients need 4 to 6 LDM treatments to remove most of the excess fluid. Patients can expect relief from swelling after the 6th treatment. Some patients will experience lumpiness to the areas affected with liposuction. This is normal for most patients after surgery. The lumpiness is caused by inflammation and trauma from the surgical instrument that is used under the skin to extract the fatty tissue. The tunnels and channels which are created by the surgical instrument will fill with fluid and become swollen with both fluid and left-over fat. This fluid and left-over fat tends to begin to harden between one week and three weeks after surgery. LDM will help move the fluid by gently pushing back into the lymph passages. Doctors will advise their patients that, without LDM, there is a risk that the swelling and inflammation could turn into fibrosis, which is a permanent hardening of the area. LDM ensures you’ll achieve the best results possible from the surgery. Every patient is different, however, most doctors advise their patients to begin their LDM treatment after the 4th or 5th day after surgery to obtain the best, and fastest, results. A professional LDM massage therapist will know exactly what to do. He/she will massage in right place and with the right amount of pressure. However, this can be a DIY project at home, if you so choose. Here are some high-level instructions on how best to perform a ‘Self-Lymphatic-Massage’. • Place index and middle fingers in the indent area, just above the collarbone. • Gently move the fingers up onto the neck area. • Gently rub in a clockwise fashion in the direction of your chest. • Make sure to drive the lymph toward the node. This will encourage the lymph fluid to flush throughout the body. • Press and pull, firmly, the skin under the armpit in the direction of the neck. Repeat this motion several times. • Using a flat hand, massage the complete thigh area in the direction of the inner knee. Do not apply heavy pressure, as this will risk flattening the nodes. • Finally, massage the back of the knee in a pushing, and scooping, motion. It is very important, during your consultation with Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S., that you ask questions before embarking down the path of Self Lymphatic Massage.

What is Otoplasty?  Otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the outer ear.  It is performed for cosmetic/appearance reasons or for reconstruction of the ear after an injury.  Otoplasty will not change the ears hearing ability.  Otoplasty is sometimes incorrectly referred to as ear pinning. Otoplasty surgery is a very common plastic surgery procedure for children between the ages of 4 and 14.  This surgery is usually performed to correct large ears caused by excessive cartilage in the ear.  Otoplasty can help your child’s self-esteem.  A child’s ear is usually over 90% developed by the age of 4 or 5.  The surgery will dramatically improve the appearance of your child’s ears which will lead to potentially less ridicule, verbal abuse, or bullying from peers during their childhood.  There are a couple of very good justifications for electing to provide this surgery to your child at a young age:

• From a self-esteem perspective, the sooner the surgery, the greater the psychological benefits of not having to endure the unwanted attention on the playground.
• The cartilage is much easier to shape because it is much more pliable at a young age.

Otoplasty surgery usually takes between 1 ½ and 2 ½ hours under normal conditions. The U.S. National Library of Medicine conducted a study that clearly demonstrates the psychological benefits of Otoplasty for children.  The study was performed over a 4 year period on children between the ages of 5 and 15. Here are some excerpts of that study:  

• 97% of children reported an increase in happiness
• 92% of children reported an increase in self-confidence
• 100% reported that bullying was reduced or completely stopped.

  The study concluded that Otoplasty is an effective surgical procedure in diminishing and relieving the psychological anguish in most children that have the Otoplasty surgery.  The study strongly supports Otoplasty for children with large or prominent ears. When selecting a Otoplasty plastic surgeon for your child, choose carefully:  

• Make sure you have a clear understanding of how many times your surgeon has performed this exact same procedure.
• Look at before and after pictures of his Otoplasty patients.  An experienced doctor will offer these in advance and will give you enough pictures to make you feel comfortable.
• Make sure your surgeon provides you with specific steps to follow before and after the surgery.

  The healing process is critical to the success of the surgery.  After your child has the surgery, your doctor will ask that you limit and restrict their physical activities for about three weeks. Otoplasty should not be forced on to your child.  Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S. will want to meet with you and your child at a consultation to ensure he/she is emotionally ready and willing to have the surgery.  The short answer is that Otoplasty can absolutely help your child self esteem and quality of life.  

Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a highly respected global leader in the field of facial contouring. Surgeons around the world now replicate his techniques and breakthrough advancements in facial plastic surgery. His peers recognize him as the premier surgeon in the field of rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty, the number one surgical procedure in the U.S., can be a very difficult procedure. Let the expertise of Dr. Binder guide you through your procedure as well as any questions you may have. Blowing your nose after rhinoplasty is only one of many questions that patients have after surgery. Other frequently asked questions are:

1. Will there be any visible signs of a scar?
2. How painful is the procedure?
3. How long after surgery should I expect the pain to persist?
4. What type of pain reliever should I take?
5. Will I have bruising after surgery?
6. How long should I expect swelling?
7. How should I clean the nose after the bandages are removed?
8. When can I wear start wearing glasses?
9. How long before I can expect a full 100% recovery?

All these questions and concerns should be discussed with the doctor during the consultation. Now to address the question at hand: When is it safe to blow your nose after rhinoplasty?

• When you can blow your nose and how hard you can blow depends on the type of rhinoplasty procedure you have undergone.
• The timeframe can be as little as two weeks after surgery and as long as 12 weeks after surgery.
• You should wait for your doctor’s explicit approval before you blow your nose. Until you get that approval, you should apply a saline spray inside the nose and then gently dab.
• Doctors emphasize that when you do blow your nose, it must be done gently to avoid a nosebleed.

The key take-away is that your doctor is your best source of information for all your questions regarding rhinoplasty and your specific questions regarding blowing your nose after surgery. Everyone’s nose is different is some way. During your consultation with Dr. Binder he will discuss with you your desired goals and results. He will also use the consultation to educate you on the procedure and the uniqueness of your specific goal. The most important aspect of the consultation is to address any and all your questions and concerns. Ultimately, his overarching philosophy is to create a natural looking appearance for you.