Chin Implant Surgery on the Doctors

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Dr. Jagdev Heir

Erica Seeks a More Feminine Facial Profile

“I feel like a don’t have a very feminine profile,” says Erica, on this episode of The Doctors, and “I’d like to see if there’s anything you can do about it.”

“You have a significant accumulation of subcutaneous fat,” says her surgeon. “You also have a significantly weak chin. If we drop a straight line down from the lower lip, we want the chin to hit that line, and you’re significantly behind that line. To make someone more feminine and more elegant, we often perform a chin implant to extend the profile.”

“You did a couple things,” says Dr. Andrew Ordon, during the show’s recap. “You smoothed out that neckline, as the first step. To give more fullness and shape, you added that chin [implant] to her profile through that incision, but people have choices when it comes to chin implants, right?

Different Styles of Chin Implant

Men use square implants, while women use softly rounded chin implants. “It’s only been a couple days since my procedure, but it’s really great an I’m just excited to see the final result,” says Erica. “It’s really remarkable, you can see that difference,” says the host about her before-and-after photos.

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FDA Advisory Committee Favors Juvederm for Restoring Cheek Volume

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Dr. Jagdev Heir

Treatment Would Correct Age-Related Volume Deficit in the Mid-Face

While cosmetic surgeons frequently use dermal fillers and fat grafting for cheek augmentation, there are currently no injectables with FDA approved indications for this treatment. Juvederm Voluma XC could change that in the near future, according to yesterday’s news release from Allergan Inc.

According to Allergan (maker of Botox, Juvederm, and Latisse), the FDA’s General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee cast their votes unanimously in favor of Juvederm Voluma XC as a treatment for cheek augmentation, claiming that treatment benefits outweigh the risks.

Already a popular injectable hyaluronic acid dermal filler, Juvederm is typically used for treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles. If approved, Juvederm Voluma™ XC would be the only dermal filler with an approved indication for cheek augmentation.

“Allergan is committed to working with the FDA as they continue their review of our PMA for Juvederm Voluma XC, with the goal of providing consumers with the first treatment option that has been specifically developed to help restore cheek volume that has been lost over time,” said Dr. Scott Whitcup, Allergan’s Executive VP of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer.

The advisory committee’s recommendation will be considered during the FDA review and decision regarding the new indication. FDA approval for the treatment could come later this year.

Photo by LeahLikesLemon

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Juvederm vs Restylane

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dr. Jagdev Heir

juvederm or restylane which is better

Two Smile Line Solutions Compared

Both Juvederm and Restylane are safe and effective treatments for facial wrinkles or folds. These are the most popular dermal fillers on the market today. Both are made with hyaluronic acid, a natural component of your skin and connective tissues.

Compared to the collagen-based fillers of the past, these products are a major improvement. They not only last longer, but you can receive treatment the same day as the consultation – no allergy test or waiting time is needed.

Let’s discuss a few different aspects of the both products:

Longevity: According to Allergan, Juvederm is the only HA filler FDA approved to last one year with a single treatment. Clinical studies cited on the official website say that Restylane has been shown to last 18 months when patients returned for a touch-up treatment at 4.5 or 9 months.

Cost: the cost of Juvederm and Restylane is about the same. However, Juvederm is sold in a complete syringe, while Restylane is available in two sizes, which can be more economical.

Consistency: Juvederm injectable gel has a smoother consistency than Restylane, which does not necessarily improve the treatment or its results.

FDA approved indications: Both products are approved and primarily used to treat nasolabial folds, or smile lines. Restylane has an additional indication for lip augmentation.

Rewards: Allergan offers the Brilliant Distinctions program that includes Botox, Juvederm, Latisse, and Natrelle breast implants. A less robust offering called “Restylane Rewards” is available through Medicis, the maker of Restylane.

Trust Your Physician to Recommend the Best Filler

Physicians as well as patients tend to have their own personal preferences based on past experience with each product.

When it’s time to decide between them, trust your provider’s recommendation first, because it takes a trained hand to administer Juvederm, Restylane or any other dermal filler. These treatments provide temporary results. So if you don’t like the outcome, you can always try the other filler during your next visit.

Photo by @boetter on Flickr

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Top Treatments for Turkey Neck in Sacramento

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Dr. Jagdev Heir

Here in Sacramento, many adults come in with concerns about fat in the neck and chin area. Excess fat and skin can hide the angles of your lower face, which detracts from a youthful appearance.

If neck issues are making you self-conscious, Sacramento Surgical Arts has treatments to consider.

The causes of neck fat are numerous:

  • Being overweight is one likely cause, but individuals at a healthy body weight may also have neck fat.
  • Weight fluctuations often cause formation of stubborn fat pockets, including in the neck region.
  • Genetic factors are also to blame, as the shape of the chin and jaw can make one prone to neck fat.

Neck Contouring with Liposuction

The traditional solution for neck fat, or any stubborn area of body fat, is liposuction. Liposuction techniques include laser-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and tumescent liposuction. During a consultation, we can recommend the best technique for removing excess neck fat. During liposuction, we use a thin tube called a cannula to suction out the fat from a targeted area.

For Older Adults, Neck lift Surgery is Often Recommended

For patients who are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, neck fat will often be accompanied by loose skin. In these cases, liposuction alone cannot fully contour the neck area, because the skin may not contract after the fat is removed.

The neck lift tightens the skin, much like a face lift. However, the surgery will also focus on neck muscles, including the platysma muscle, which is often to blame for a sagging neck.

High Tech Non Surgical Alternatives

Although new non-invasive “fat freezing” or “fat melting” treatments are gaining popularity, physicians aren’t using them to treat neck issues.

Laser and radiofrequency treatments can provide a mild improvement. However, most people who are truly bothered by neck issues will benefit from the dramatic and lasting results of a surgical procedure.

Photo by Duane Burdick

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What is a Nose Job? An Introduction to Rhinoplasty

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Dr. Jagdev Heir

Although it’s not the most appealing title for a cosmetic procedure, the term “nose job” is a common way to talk about rhinoplasty.

This procedure is performed to enhance facial symmetry and profile as it relates to the nasal structure. In some cases, rhinoplasty can also improve nasal function (although another procedure called septoplasty may be more suitable for that purpose).

Why Get Rhinoplasty?

The nose is a major focal point of your face. As such, it has an incredibly powerful effect on your overall facial appearance.

During rhinoplasty, we carefully reshape the underlying bone and cartilage to create a more balanced profile. Even the most subtle changes to the nasal structure can make a dramatic difference.

Rhinoplasty can achieve different goals for different patients.

It’s never a one-size-fits-all procedure. The doctor begins by listening to your concerns about your nose.

Do you think it’s too wide? Too long? Misshapen? During a consultation, share your cosmetic concerns right away and be open about your expectations for nose surgery.

Common concerns about the nose include:

  • Too large or wide for the face
  • A dorsal hump (bump on the bridge of the nose)
  • Flared nostrils
  • Nose asymmetry
  • Nasal breathing problems

Both men and women can benefit from the procedure, but the technique will vary between genders. Read more about how rhinoplasty works and what to expect during nose surgery at Sacramento Surgical Arts.

Also: read more about my philosophy regarding nose surgery.

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