natural body movement

Unraveling the “Natural Body” Movement

Posts, Procedure Overviews

The human body is both a work of art and a powerful machine. It performs a myriad of physical functions every day, and its contours shimmer and shine with perfection. 

Your physique evolves over time, growing more muscular, more mature, or more curvaceous as you age. Only you should determine the trajectory of these changes. So, it’s important to not listen to trends, peer pressure, or social media. Your body is your own, and it is magical.

In the spirit of supporting the individual’s sovereignty over her or his appearance, a movement called the “natural body” trend has emerged. On the surface, this craze is designed to celebrate your size and shape, but it is inherently flawed in its unanimity. By telling people they should not explore every option when it comes to self-improvement, the “natural body” crowd is can be another form of conformity.

ONLINE IMPRESSIONS

First, we must address the elephant in the chat room: the hypocrisy of the plastic surgery shaming phenomenon. Many of the social media influencers partaking of this bullying have a squadron of stylists, lighting technicians, and world-class photographers to make them look unnaturally beautiful. When people put down others who have gone through plastic surgery, they are ignoring all of the non-invasive enhancements they are currently sporting. It’s important to remember that some people aren’t open and honest about the work they’ve had done as well. Telling fans to “stay natural” while secretly enjoying the benefits of cosmetic procedures is the ultimate in hypocrisy.

Even if these celebrities have, indeed, never received cosmetic surgical enhancements this should have a minimal impact on the decisions you make for your body. Maybe they were born with perfect cheekbones, a high metabolism, or flawless skin. Genetic good fortune does not give anyone the right to shame others for wanting a little boost from a skilled medical professional.

Do not let anyone prevent you from looking and feeling the way you want. In addition to the obvious physical benefits afforded by cosmetic enhancement, there is also a psychological boost that you may enjoy.

An extensive study conducted in 2013 surveyed over 800 individuals, 544 of whom experienced plastic surgery while the remaining 264 did not. The results indicate that cosmetic procedures helped to increase people’s feelings of attractiveness, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Meanwhile, indications of body dysmorphia, social phobia, anxiety, and depression all decreased. By attaining their true aesthetic self, patients aligned with their identity, confidence, and happiness. In short, looking better helped them feel better.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR AESTHETIC RIDE

You are unique. From your fingertips outward, nobody looks, behaves, and thinks exactly like you. That is why your individual journey should be respected. Just because someone online says that you must adhere to her “natural” beauty regimen, it does not mean you need to listen.

Take the fabulous nose, for example. If you are blessed with a button look, then you can snap selfies and preach about how nobody else should dare alter their nose, because look how perfect yours is! Seems unfair, right? 

Rhinoplasty is the great equalizer. A nose job procedure works with the contours of your face, highlights your innate attractiveness, and minimizes any imperfections you may perceive. But it also has a functional purpose. Rhinoplasty can open up your breathing passages, address any asymmetry issues, and help you sleep at night… literally. By fixing the septum that sometimes prevents a restful slumber, rhinoplasty can make your dreams come true.

People never know what others are struggling with, which is why it can be unfair to judge those who receive rhinoplasty surgery.

WE’RE NOT BUYING WHAT THEY’RE SELLING

Let’s face it: money makes the world go around. Many social media influencers try to be authentic and accessible, projecting the “girl/guy next door” vibe, but they are often compensated for their work. Instagram stars may get free clothes from fashion brands to show them off and generate “likes” by the thousands.

Fitness stars are similarly paid to promote a certain lifestyle. Gym selfies and workout blogs flood the Internet, but how applicable are they to your reality? If you exercise every day of the week, it can provide a host of wonderful health benefits, but it may not be effective in shaping your body the way you want.

Liposuction can be the perfect supplement to a healthy lifestyle. If endless hours on the treadmill are taking you nowhere fast, then consider the benefits of this procedure. These liposuction methods target unwanted fat deposits and vacuum them away gently and effectively.

The “natural body” folks may frown on liposuction, but it the most accurate way to sculpt your shape. The procedure employs a thin tube, called a cannula, to bathe fat stores with a tumescent liquid. This liquid loosens unwanted fat, making it easier to remove through the cannula.

People with bulges of fat that do not adhere to the “natural” look touted by online tastemakers can benefit from liposuction in various ways. The procedure can highlight the vibrant structures beneath excess fat. Liposuction helps level the playing field between those who are born with svelte figures and those who must work for them. 

WELCOME TO THE NEW YOU

To achieve the transformative benefits of cosmetic enhancement for yourself, contact our Beverly Hills office. It is natural to strive for excellence. It is natural to want the best for yourself. The only thing unnatural about aesthetics is forcing your opinions on others. Ignore the haters and love yourself!

facial cosmetics for men

Why Are Facial Cosmetic Procedures on the Rise for Men?

Posts, Procedure Overviews

Guys are often taught to “put on a brave face” and “keep their chin up,” but how can they accomplish these vague directives? The human face is expressive, but it can only do so much. To make meaningful, subtle, or truly transformational alterations to the face, men may need the help of a cosmetic surgeon.

Plastic surgery is stereotypically considered a female undertaking, but that label is limited and becoming more misguided every day. Men are increasingly benefitting from a nip here, a tuck there, and a general boost from medical science. 

To counteract the forces of Father Time, guys are exploring their options in the realm of aesthetic improvement. A carefully placed dermal filler injection, for example, can fill the gaps under the skin and smooth out the wrinkles above. This adds vigor and vitality to the face, exuding confidence in the face of aging. 

To get a more complete picture of the current landscape, let’s dive into the data.

MALE FACIAL ENHANCEMENTS: BY THE NUMBERS

Let’s face it: guys care about their looks too. To illustrate this trend, just take a look at the latest numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Male patients are requesting the aforementioned dermal fillers, for example, at a rate of 5% higher than they did a year ago. There are now over 100,000 such procedures performed annually on men who want a fuller, firmer profile with which to face the world.

The same report indicates that liposuction for men is also up 5% from the previous year. This contouring procedure can remove unwanted fat pockets along the jowls, reduce the occurrence of double chins, and generally trim and slim the face overall. Men are left looking more rugged, svelte, and youthful as a result of facial liposuction.

One of the only metrics that actually saw a decline in male activity (year over year) was in the Botox arena. Men requested 3% fewer Botox injections than they did the year before, but it is important to look more closely at the big picture. Taking a long view of the male Botox trend, we see that the statistics have skyrocketed since the year 2000. In less than two decades, guys are getting Botox at a rate that is 381% higher than it was at the turn of the millennium. 

A wrinkle in time no more!

COSMETIC TWEAKMENT

Let’s continue with the Botox example, for now, to see how it can accentuate a man’s gym achievements. Guys spend countless hours lifting weights, sweating through cardio, and bulking up rep by rep. But how can they achieve that chiseled look where it counts most: the face? 

Botox can address many guys’ issues with the telltale signs of aging like crow’s feet and forehead creases. These lines are caused by the contraction of facial muscles that pull on the skin. Over time, the lines become more pronounced until the muscles simply cannot relax on their own.

The moral of the story: not all muscular activity makes you look young.

Botox gets to the root of wrinkles by disrupting repetitive facial contractions. A quick injection releases strained muscles and smooth out the surface of the skin. Guys can get Botox in conjunction with dermal fillers to plump up the gaps below the epidermis while simultaneously preserving a “devil may care” confidence to their expression.

These subtle enhancements are sometimes called “tweakments” and they are becoming more and more popular with men. Why waste time and money on fad diets and fitness contracts when you can rev up your look in a span of mere minutes?

Tweakments are not just cosmetic enhancements; they also offer peace of mind. Men of a certain age must compete for jobs with guys half their age. There is no room for doubt when it comes to looking your best, so a facial enhancement might be just what the doctor ordered.

KEEPING UP WITH THE MILLENNIALS 

To get a glimpse of the not-too-distant future, look no further than Silicon Valley. The tech industry has its finger on the pulse of innovation, and maintaining this trajectory requires vision and experience. Unfortunately, hiring managers are getting too little experience these days as they opt for more and more young blood.

Recent statistics reveal that Gen X workers are finding work in the tech industry at a rate that is 33% lower than they are being hired in general. Compare that to millennials, who are snagging tech jobs 50% more rapidly than they are finding work in other sectors.

The bottom line: Silicon Valley may be looking for a quick fix rather than a long-term fit. To compete with the rampant ageism in the tech sector, older men may have to look the part. By investing in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, they may be securing a lucrative future in the industry where they truly belong.

PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

Whether you are striving for a dream job in a youth-dominated world or simply want to tune up your look, Doctor Binder can help. His precise approach to facial enhancement will honor your natural contours by highlighting your rugged appeal. You won’t look like you had a drastic procedure, but you will feel like a new man.

To take the brave first step toward improvement and empowerment, contact our Beverly Hills office. You have worked hard to get where you are and climbed the social/corporate ladder to impressive heights… now let us push you over the top and into a successful new reality.

earlobe surgery

Facial Facts: A Deep Dive into Otoplasty (Earlobe Surgery)

Procedure Overviews

Commonly known as plastic surgery of the ear, otoplasty can remedy damaged, sagging, or stretched earlobes. Time can be unkind to the ears. Aging robs soft tissue of its elasticity and environmental factors introduce abrasion and irritation to the mix. It all adds up to a pair of ears that show the weariness and wear of life lived at full volume.

If you want to turn down the noise and crank up the healing, you should consider an otoplasty procedure. Earlobes often go neglected or abused, but otoplasty can perk up your ears and lend a boost of youth and vitality to your overall look.

Before we dive into the ways in which otoplasty can benefit battered earlobes, let’s examine the root reasons for outer ear distress.

COMMON CAUSES OF DAMAGED EARLOBES

The most common factor that contributes to ear scarring and stress is having piercings. The art of adorning earlobes with jewelry dates back as far as ancient Egypt when bodies were mummified with earrings dangling from their aural protrusions. 

While piercings can provide an edgy, stylish appearance, they can also leave a trail of tearing behind. Every time you get a new piercing, it can result in swelling, bleeding, and possible infection. The earlobe may require up to two weeks to recover from a piercing, but every individual reacts differently to the introduction of foreign objects to their system.

The damage done by a piercing is multiplied when the width of the item being thrust through the lobe increases. Earlobe stretching has become fashionable over the past few decades, but if the size of the opening is a 2-gauge or greater, it may not heal of its own accord. The stretched lobe might require surgical assistance to return to its former glory.

In addition to the sheer magnitude of a puncture wound, another factor that damages earlobes is the material of the jewelry. Nickel-plated earrings can cause a condition called contact dermatitis. This is an allergic reaction that the sensitive skin on the ears may have to certain metals.

Perfumes and skincare products can also elicit adverse reactions along the tender exterior of an earlobe. Over time, the more you irritate the skin, the harder it is for that skin to bounce back. Our bodies produce less collagen as we age, and collagen is the building block of tissue reparation and maintenance. Even if you could heal from a bad piercing with ease in your teenage years, that process becomes more harrowing in your 30s, 40s and beyond.

Vigorous activities can also damage the earlobes over time. Boxers experience a phenomenon known as “cauliflower” ears due to the repeated strikes they take to the side of their heads. The ears swell up and resemble the cauliflower after which this condition is named. Even seemingly gentler endeavors like swimming can interfere with ear health. Otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, occurs when water gets trapped in the inner canal and flourishes into an infection. This infection can swell up and damage the tissue on the exterior of the earlobe. 

OTOPLASTY: MUSIC TO THE EARS

In order to remedy the various assaults on the earlobe outlined above, a skilled surgeon can rectify the situation and contour the ears back to health. The procedure begins with a small incision hidden behind the ear. This allows your doctor to access the cartilage that forms the blueprint of your ear that lives just beneath the skin.

By reshaping the underlying cartilage, your surgeon creates a foundation of strength and solidity upon which your rejuvenated ear will triumph. Once the cartilage is repaired, the doctor works outward. Any excess or damaged skin can be removed to fit your taut, smooth new earlobe. 

The epidermis is then sutured closed with a sense of precision and grace. You may be administered a local anesthetic or you may request general anesthesia to maximize your comfort level. The ultimate decision will be made in coordination between you and your physician, so please feel free to communicate your concerns during the consultation period.

The entire otoplasty procedure may only last one or two hours, but the results will shimmer for a lifetime. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress and remove any remaining sutures approximately one week after your surgery.

RECOVERY AND RESTORATION

Please arrange for a loved one to transport you to and from the clinic on the day of your procedure. No matter which level of anesthesia you require for your individual otoplasty treatment, you may not operate a vehicle for several hours following surgery.

When you depart the clinic after your otoplasty procedure, you will require a few days of downtime. Do not rush your recovery; your body will tell you when it is ready to resume your normal routine. If you have any questions, please contact your support staff and heed their advice.

After about a week, you may be able to resume light activity. In two weeks’ time, you should be able to get a more complete picture of how your new earlobes are taking shape. The swelling will continue to diminish as your vibrant new appearance emerges.
We spend far too much time overloading our senses in an attempt to flood our brains with stimuli. Loud music, brusque activity, and garnish piercings may seem cool during adolescence, but they can leave your earlobes singing the blues. To reclaim the youthful appearance that your ears once enjoyed, consider booking an appointment with Dr. Binder at your earliest convenience.

What is the Difference Between Fillers and Implants?

Procedure Overviews

Fillers and implants are both great ways to touch up your appearance and give you the fresh, youthful appearance you long for. While both can bring about change that you’re both excited and proud of, there are profound differences as to what both fillers and implants offer and what kind of lasting change they bring about.

Let’s explore a little bit further.

What are facial fillers?

Facial fillers, or dermal fillers, are used to improve the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles and add youthful fullness to eliminate signs of aging in the face. The most common areas to apply fillers are the smile lines around the nose and mouth, marionette lines at the corner of the mouth, frown lines between the eyes, and fine lines around the mouth.

Unlike Botox, which reduces wrinkle-causing muscle activity, facial fillers respond to trouble areas with collagen, stimulating collagen growth in the face while adding definition to lift the skin. Fillers battle collagen loss while giving your skin a firm, youthful, and well-hydrated look.

There is no one ideal filler, and each is used for different areas of the face, different skin types, and different indications. Collagen fillers such as Zyderm®, Cosmoderm®, and Restylane Fine Line® are all designed to treat small or shallow wrinkles and scars and can be especially effective in smoothing delicate frown and smile lines, as well as helping to correct certain kinds of acne scarring.

Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane® and Juvederm® naturally hydrate the skin by naturally attracting water molecules and acting as a cushioning agent by holding in water, giving the skin a smoother, healthier glow.

Thicker fillers such as Juvederm® Ultra Plus, Perlane®, Sculptra®, and Radiesse® are better for volume enhancement and treat areas of the face that need plumping up through fat and dermal-fat transfer.

The benefits of fillers include immediate results, no surgery or anesthesia necessary, and they are safe and cost-efficient. The effects wear off on their own after about 12 to 24 months and are often implemented as a trial procedure of facial improvements. In order to maintain results, periodic re-treatment is often necessary.

What are implants?

While fillers are a great way to try a new and improved look, implants are an option when you want lasting, effective change. Implants are custom-made solid materials used to bring symmetry and balance to the face, namely the cheeks, chin, and jaw, and the surgical route for substantial changes in your facial structure.

Cheek implants give a more pronounced appearance to the width of the cheeks, chin implants increase the size and projection of the chin, and jaw implants broaden the lower third of the face. Cheek augmentation has risen 126% amongst males alone in the last two decades.

The implant surgery allows custom-designed facial implants to be inserted through incisions into pockets in the facial tissue. These incisions may be bandaged or taped for protection in the healing process. With proper care, any scars at the incisions will be hardly visible and can be easily concealed with cosmetics. For many chin implant surgeries, for example, the resulting scars are found inside the mouth and not visible after surgery.

Advancements in 3D printing have allowed the majority of the work to be complete before surgery even takes place. A 3D model of the patient’s skull and facial bone structure is uploaded to a computer, which a surgeon then uses as a detailed reference guide. This vastly reduces surgery time, while innovation in 3D scanning gives the patient the tools to be more intimately involved in the entire reconstruction process.

3D printing has also allowed hyper-customize to fit implants that have proven to result in minimal complications with a very high satisfaction rate.

Chin and jaw implants are incredibly durable devices that are designed to stand the test of time in their permanence. While the natural aging process affects appearance in different ways, an enhanced contour will not chance. Trauma to the face could result in damage to an implant that would require another surgery to replace it.

What are the major differences between fillers and implants?

Cost: Fillers range from $1000 to $3000, while facial implants can range from $2400 to $5000.

Time: Filler injections usually take five to thirty minutes per area, while most facial implant procedures take between thirty minutes to two hours and may require general or local anesthesia.

Construction: Dermal fillers are injections that add volume to key areas beneath the skin and enhance facial contours and definition, usually lasting for 12 to 24 months. Implants are materials that are inserted into a pocket made within the facial tissue by a surgeon.

Materials: Fillers are made out of collagen, hyaluronic acid or fat grafts and are injected into areas of the face for more definition. Implants are made of silicone, Teflon, Dacron, or newer biological inserts compatible with human tissues.

Surgeon type: Intricate skill with facial contouring is essential for fillers, and an experienced plastic surgeon with a passion for helping patients is necessary for implant surgery.

Cosmetic surgeries, such as facial implant surgery, can be scary, just like any surgery. A good plastic surgeon, however, can help educate the patient on how to prepare and what to expect. Dr. William J. Binder has a proven track record of giving patients comfort through knowledge and making them feel happier and more comfortable in their everyday life.
Dr. Binder is committed to giving his patients nothing short of the best possible plastic surgery results. Contact us today to learn about your options when it comes to everyday enhancements or if you are considering facial implant surgery. Our skilled and knowledgeable team is ready to assist with any curiosity you might have.

How 3D Printing Has Mapped Medical Breakthroughs of the Recent Past, Present, and Fascinating Future

Lifestyle, Motivation, Procedure Overviews

3D printing technology charts the horizon of medical science at its most innovative, but the process has roots in surgical procedures from centuries past. Hip replacements were performed as far back as 1891, when a German doctor used ivory to replace the head of a human femur. Dental implants date back even further, but the source of the tooth donors was shrouded in mystery. The common myth purported that patients were receiving teeth pulled from brave soldiers who perished on the field of battle, but the truth was that dentists were just harvesting them from cadavers at the local morgue.

Fast forward to the digital age. The first successful 3D-print assisted reconstructive surgery was performed in the Netherlands during the summer of 2011. The 83-year-old patient suffered from a chronic infection in her skeletal system, adversely affecting the strength of her jawbones. Given the woman’s advanced age, surgeons needed to exercise the utmost sensitivity; traditional implants would have been too cumbersome for her fragile frame.

Enter the 3D Printer

Using titanium powder, the laser-guided printer fused together thousands of layers of the alloy to create a jaw that emulated the subject’s original facial structure. Each millimeter of her new jaw’s height required 33 layers of titanium – a painstaking process indeed. But the result was a true breakthrough. It featured a bio-ceramic coating and articulated joints with a network of grooves and cavities that would facilitate ideal muscle attachment and foster the healthy growth of veins and nerves.

The operation was a resounding success. The patient was home four days later. Her new jaw weighed only about 30% more than her organic jaw; not bad for the first metallic model ever implanted.

Since that inaugural effort six years ago, 3D printing and medical technology have evolved exponentially. As with any successful endeavor, surgeons must pinpoint the challenges and counter them with opportunities. Face transplantations are complex procedures that entail a myriad of complications. The patient in need has already suffered facial tissue loss due to an accident or a disease; countering the damage involves an extremely delicate process that requires vascular reconstruction to preserve and replenish as much of the subject’s tissue as possible. The main obstacle is that this procedure demands the patient’s blood flow to be halted while the reconnections occur. 

This process must be expedited, or the consequences could be lethal. 

3D printing allows the majority of the work to be done BEFORE surgery. A scan of the subject’s skull and facial bones is uploaded to the computer to create a 3D model; surgeons can use this model as a detailed reference guide. If they fully understand their endpoint, it’s much faster to get there. This reduces surgery time and increases the patient’s chances of survival. While the average facial transplant procedure takes up to 25 hours, the vascular reconstruction process alone takes  60 minutes.

Now let’s look at that same surgery from the patient’s point of view. Medical advances are all well and good for the doctors performing facial transplants, but what about the recipient of the services? The main concern is very intimate and aesthetic: What will I look like after it’s completed? The answer is only limited by the technology at hand. 3D scanning innovation advances every microsecond; present and future subjects of facial transplantation are benefiting from every upgrade to the software. But the diagnosis for the reliability and reproducibility of 3D printers is still inconclusive.

Some patients, however, don’t have time to wait for science to catch up to their urgent health demands. Such is the case with a 12-year-old Chinese boy whose spinal cord was threatened by a malignant tumor. Doctors at Peking University had to act fast, so they turned to 3D printing technology to assist them in saving the lad’s life. Surgeons were able to remove the affected vertebra and replicate it with their 3D scanner. They created and printed a replacement bone out of titanium powder, but this presented a new challenge: how would they safely implant it in their young patient’s spine? The answer: craft tiny pores in the 3D printed vertebra so the surrounding bones could fuse and grow with it as the boy progresses through adolescence. 

The future presents an even more fascinating menu of possibilities. While most current 3D printed structures are designed to replace skeletal body parts, medical experts are formulating theories to transplant synthetic organs into their patients. One glimpse at donor lists across the country (and the world) verify that the demand is great, but what about the supply? Surgeons can’t simply craft a kidney out of metallic powder; they would require organic materials for the organ to function properly. This would necessitate sampling a small amount of the patient’s healthy tissue and multiplying it in a lab.

How long would this process take? Would the host reject its artificially grown organ? Who is willing to be the first patient to submit to such experimentation? These questions pave the way to a 3D printed path toward medical progress and the future of healthcare.

To learn more about the benefits of reconstructive facial surgery using the latest in 3D printing technology, please contact us today. We are happy to discuss the details and procedure in more detail at your convenience.

5 Successful Celebrity Cheek Augmentations and Why They Worked

Motivation, Procedure Overviews

Getting a cheek augmentation, or “lift” in laypeople’s terms, helps renew your youthful vigor and perks up your demeanor for those gazing at your visage. And nobody has more face time than celebrities. 

Some of the biggest stars in film, television, and music have benefitted from cosmetic enhancements in the past, even if some of them disavow such procedures. Which raises an important point: the best cosmetic surgeries are seamless. You shouldn’t be able to tell whether or not someone has undergone a cheek lift if the doctor has done his or her job correctly.

Madonna

Although the Material Girl officially denounces the very idea of plastic surgery, experts have hypothesized that her cheekbones defy gravity (and age). As we age, our cheeks tend to lose their fullness and elasticity. That’s why we squeeze babies’ faces to express how adorable they are!

Madonna seems to enjoy the same baby face that she had thirty years ago, specifically when it comes to her cheekbones. They are full, vibrant, and expressive, implying that they have had some help from a skilled surgeon in recent years.

Regardless of Madge’s medical history, her face is as timeless as her music. Rock on, we say!

Claudia Lynx

Iranian model turned internationally acclaimed actress, Claudia Lynx has transformed before the watchful eyes of the world stage. She got her start in baby commercials and never lost that youthful luster, even as she graced the covers of magazines and guest starred in shows like The West Wing. In before and after analysis of Lynx’s look, we see how her cheeks ascended, most likely thanks to skillful surgical maneuvers. 

Speaking of skillful surgeons, our team is well versed in creating the sensational aesthetics that Claudia Lynx has sported on runways around the globe. We can determine which supermodel style is right for your face and formulate a plan accordingly.

Priscilla Presley

She was married to the King way back in the 1960’s, but Priscilla Presley is still the Queen of looking fabulous. The septuagenarian rose to prominence when she met Elvis Presley at the tender age of 14. Since then, she became a celebrity in her own right, appearing in such films as The Naked Gun franchise.

Priscilla is also an enduring symbol of youth and beauty, thanks in part to her carefully crafted look. Her iconic facial structure has undoubtedly benefitted from a probable cheek implant procedure, as evidenced by the unwavering height and robust nature of her mid-facial bone structure.

From Graceland to Tinseltown, Ms. Presley is an example of cosmetic enhancement done right. Viva Priscilla!

Renee Zellweger 

The veritable “It” girl of the 1990’s, Zellweger is a prime example of growing into your years with grace and elegance. Instead of making drastic changes that amplify or pronounce your facial features, she took a more restrained approach, seeing as how she already had plump lips and rosy cheeks. 

But on the subject of cheeks, experts believe that Zellweger has recently introduced some minor enhancements to her mid-facial area. But here’s an important tip to keep in mind: she apparently did so in conjunction with the rest of her features. The cheekbones aren’t jutting out noticeably further than her forehead, and they create a pleasant line with her jaw. These subtle alterations complement her naturally aging skin and tissue, making her supposed cheek augmentation so subtle that it might not have even happened (we’ll never tell, Renee)!

Kourtney Kardashian

If there’s one family that’s synonymous with plastic surgery, it has to be the Kardashian clan. But not all procedures are created equal, so let’s break down the ins and outs of a successful cosmetic procedure by putting Kourtney under the proverbial microscope.

While Kim’s little sister only admits to having breast augmentation, experts believe that she also added some oomph to her cheeks. Over the years, she has gone from cherubic to statuesque by elongating the shape of her face. This may have been achieved with some sculpting procedures, or perhaps a simple injection of Juvederm. Rumors have swirled about the myriad procedures that Kourtney may have had, but her cheeks remain an understated testament to her natural beauty. Although a little help from the doctor might also be in play.

Which brings us to an essential stopping point in our journey through the heights of Hollywood cheek lift success stories: know when to say when. A responsible surgeon will know how to satisfy your cosmetic needs without overdoing it and concoct an aesthetic plan that works for your face (and budget). 

While some people want to look like a pop music legend, an exotic model, or an infamous reality TV celeb, we encourage you to focus on just being the best version of you that you can be. Contact Doctor Binder today and start the essential conversation that will help determine how best to keep that apple red glow in your cheeks for years to come.

The Dangers of Overseas Plastic Surgery

Environment, Lifestyle, Procedure Overviews

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!

5 Myths About “Lunchtime” Plastic Surgery

Lifestyle, Procedure Overviews

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.

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What’s an appropriate age to consider cosmetic procedures?

Lifestyle, Procedure Overviews

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.

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How Much Does Facial Plastic Surgery Cost?

Lifestyle, Face Lifts, Procedure Overviews, Botox

For something as important and personal as the appearance of one’s face – arguably the most memorable and distinct feature that each one of us has – there are many people who would like to improve some aspect of their facial appearance, knowing they would like the way their face looks better if they could improve or enhance one or more of its features.

Many others are happy with their facial structure and features but would like to rejuvenate their facial appearance to look more like they did when they were a little younger.

For some, the desire stems from an insecurity about their looks that a facial cosmetic procedure can correct, giving them a valuable boost of confidence and self-esteem. For others, the motivation is simply a desire to look their best.

Whatever the reasons for seeking plastic surgery, one relevant factor in a patient’s decision to undergo a facial plastic surgery procedure is the cost involved, and in the beginning stages of researching the pros and cons of plastic surgery, potential patients want to get an idea of the price of a facial plastic surgery procedure.

You may have found that it’s difficult to get an accurate assessment of the cost without an in-person examination of your face and medical history by a cosmetic surgeon, and an in-depth consultation about your specific goals and desired outcomes for undergoing facial plastic surgery.

Because your face is as unique as your fingerprint, and because the facial enhancements ought to vary by patient, cosmetic surgery to alter facial features is an individualized plan and operation for every patient based on their face and their aesthetic desires.

No two facelifts are the same, each rhinoplasty will be different for each patient, and each eyelid or earlobe procedure is unique. Facial surgery to correct a medical problem (such as rhinoplasty to improve breathing) may be covered by some insurance policies.

There are also multiple procedures to achieve the same result and multiple surgical methods for performing the same procedure:

  • Each with their own pros and cons,
  • Each more or less invasive and prone to complications for a given patient,
  • Each with different requirements for anesthesia,
  • Each with their own typical recovery times,
  • And each with varying limits on the extent of the results that can be achieved.

All of these different factors and the surgical plan you and your doctor choose will determine how much a facial plastic surgery operation will cost for each different patient.

In helping patients to come to a decision about their plastic surgery, a modern, professional cosmetic surgeon will help the patient assess how each separate aesthetic feature of their face contributes to their overall facial appearance. The surgeon will also help determine what enhancements to the brows and eyelids, nose, cheeks or mid-face, lower face and chin, neck and/or the composition of the facial skin, fat, and muscle will achieve the most aesthetic overall result in line with the patient’s goals.

Subsequently, the cosmetic surgeon and patient will develop an individualized surgical plan that addresses the patient’s concerns and desires. Therefore the price of the operation will depend on what each person needs and the amount of time it will take the surgeon to perform the operation.

For something that will affect your life as much as facial plastic surgery, it is important to take your time researching plastic surgeons, reviewing their credentials and experience, reading over their websites, viewing before and after photos, and calling to ask any questions you have after researching online.

The High Cost of Impatience

As the old saying goes, haste makes waste – and it can also be costly. When patients require a second or even third visit to the surgeon, each of these revisions could cost as much as the initial operation. That’s why it’s important to be diligent with your research before undergoing any procedure. Communicate your concerns and questions to your doctor. If he or she doesn’t respond to your satisfaction, then it’s time to ask for a second opinion.

Medical professionals must be just that: professional. They should never rush you into a procedure for which you are not ready.

The ramifications can be dangerous and pricey.

Take, for example, breast augmentation surgery. Last year, the cost of this operation averaged $3,718. Now consider the fact that somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of all breast augmentation patients sought additional surgeries within eight to ten years of their first procedure. This leads to soaring healthcare costs, not to mention the discomfort and inconvenience of repeated recuperation times. In addition to the price of the actual operations, you must also factor in lost salary from work as you take time to heal, not to mention the consultations and residual medical costs involved with each follow-up visit.

Caution is advised for any cosmetic procedure, not just the one detailed above. Rhinoplasty, for example, is a delicate operation that requires an equally delicate touch. Of course, you want a skilled doctor in the O.R., but you also want that exacting attention to detail long before the date of your procedure. Planning ahead is essential, and your physician should map out your unique facial structure before formulating any plans when it comes to reconstruction.

Your cartilage is as individualized as your bone structure. Some people have thick, sturdy reserves of cartilage that is more difficult to reshape. Others have thinner nasal shapes that are extremely vulnerable to change and must be treated as such.

Also, once the cartilage has been reconstructed, your skin must be assessed for its elasticity. Will it conform to your new face? How conducive will it be to breathing and general functionality? Are your cosmetic goals attainable given the parameters of your cartilage and skin, as detailed above? If not, how can you and your doctor work together to re-imagine your plans and move forward safely and effectively?

It’s important to answer these questions before the day of your procedure to avoid the need for a repeat visit. After all, the average rhinoplasty costs somewhere in the vicinity of $5,125 according to recent studies. That’s a price tag you only want to encounter once, so let’s work together to get it done right the first time.

When it comes to facial surgery, the most important consideration is safety and the quality of the results you will achieve. USA Today personal finance correspondent Regina Lewis has sound advice to offer regarding the costs of cosmetic surgery. “Don’t cut quality corners,” she said. “Regardless of the procedure you’re interested in, always look for a top board-certified surgeon. Certification standards can vary.” Lewis outlined the following questions to consider when choosing a surgeon:

  • What is the doctor board-certified in?
  • Is the doctor licensed? Are there any state disciplinary actions?
  • How often has the doctor performed the surgery you are considering?
  • Is the facility where the surgery taking place accredited?

Lewis concluded, “Just because you’re getting a nip and tuck, you never want to cut corners on quality.”

Be wary of plastic surgeons who advertise discounts on their fees. “Bargain” and “surgery” are two words that do not look good together. Discounting the value of any specialized, professional service, especially surgery shows very poor judgment in marketing and calls into question the quality of the face-altering surgery you may receive.

When consulting with your prospective plastic surgeon about the cost of your operation, pay attention to whether your surgeon is carefully listening to you, make sure they truly understand the aesthetic results you hope to achieve and gauge your sense of how available and attentive they will be to you after the operation has been completed. Don’t hesitate to look elsewhere if you have any concern that an operation with them might cost you more than their fee.

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.

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