Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dallas | Dr. Rai

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

You Lost the Weight, but Now What?

Massive weight loss is a major accomplishment that requires hard work and determination. After losing the pounds, many people find they are still not happy with the look of their bodies. Stubborn pockets of fat, lax muscles, and excess skin, all of which can be unresponsive to diet and exercise, can be impossible to get rid of.

Body contouring surgery addresses all of these areas and brings your body shape back into balance with your new weight. A combination of procedures that may include liposuction, tummy tuck, body lift, thigh lifts, arm lifts, breast lift, facelift, and neck lift can complete the look you started by losing the weight. From there you maintain your look with proper diet and exercise.

If you would like to learn more about any of these procedures, please contact Dr. Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas to schedule your initial consultation.

posted by Lynn at 9:31 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 28, 2008

Botox at Center of Serious Health Risk Allegations

It has recently come to light that Botox, used to treat a variety of problems including wrinkles and headaches, and a similar injected drug, have been associated with sixteen deaths, four them being children, and scores of serious injuries that occurred after the drug spread to people's vital organs. The drug is a neurotoxin used to relax muscles and according to a petition filed with the FDA, groups are asking that it come with a far stronger warning label and asking that patients be given a letter detailing its dangers.

The makers of Botox, Allergen, issued a statement January 24, 2007 stating that adverse reactions are rare. They claim that it's not even been proven that Botox caused the reactions that have been reported. The maker of the similar drug, Myobloc, is a company named solstice Neurosciences and has not yet responded to the allegations.

The injection sites of these drugs come dangerously close to the esophagus, causing partial paralysis that can lead people to have difficulty swallowing. People can also suffer from aspiration pneumonia, which is caused by breathing in food or liquids. Of the 16 people who died, only one is known to have been undergoing cosmetic treatment for wrinkles.

Dr. Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas cares very much about the health and well being of his patients and would be more than happy to answer your questions regarding Botox and these allegations. Please contact the office today to schedule an appointment.

posted by Lynn at 8:31 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Chin and Cheek Augmentation

The contours of your face may be enhanced by a variety of techniques. Chin augmentation (also called genioplasty or mentoplasty) strengthens the appearance of a receding chin by increasing its projection. Similarly, the cheekbones can be made fuller, creating a more sculpted look, using implants. Facial implants provide a permanent and predictable result. Sometimes fat may be injected into specific areas to restore a more youthful fullness to your face. Treatment with fat injections may need to be repeated to maintain improvement.

The goal of chin augmentation is to improve your profile by creating a better balance between your chin and other facial features. Increasing the projection of your chin will not affect your bite or jaw function.

There are two techniques for adding prominence and contour to your chin. One, performed through an incision inside the mouth, requires moving the chinbone. A more common approach involves insertion of a chin implant. The implant is inserted through incisions inside your mouth or on the underside of your chin. In the latter case, surgery usually leaves only a faint scar that is barely visible underneath the chin.

To permit proper healing following chin augmentation, you may be placed on a liquid diet for a day or two. Your chin may be taped or bandaged.

Augmentation of your cheekbones is achieved by placing a specially designed implant over them. The procedure usually is performed through an incision inside the mouth, but it may be done through a lower eyelid or a brow lift incision.

After a chin or cheek augmentation, you will most likely be up and about the same day, but your activities will be restricted. You should be able to return to work within one to two weeks.

To learn more about these exciting cosmetic surgery procedures, please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas today to schedule your initial appointment.

posted by Lynn at 8:04 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 21, 2008

Get on the Blepharoplasty Bandwagon and See Better Now

Each year in the United States, approximately 100,000 men and women elect to have blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) performed to improve the look of their eyes and face. Droopy eyelids may not only make you look older than you are, they may actually impair your vision. Eyelid surgery can correct both of these problems and also remove the puffiness and bags under your eyes. What blepharoplasty will not fix: sagging eyebrows, dark circles under your eyes, and fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. Sometimes patients opt to have other surgeries performed while their blepharoplasty is being done such as facelifts, browlifts, or skin resurfacing.

Being in good health is essential to successful plastic surgery. Also, patients must have realistic expectations of surgery results. Eyelid surgery will remove excess fat, muscle and skin from upper and lower eyelids, and the result is a more youthful, refreshed appearance. If you have any serious medical conditions, you will not be a candidate for plastic surgery for obvious reasons.

The Procedure

In upper eyelid surgery, your cosmetic surgeon first marks the individual lines and creases of the lids in order to keep the scars as invisible as possible along these natural folds. The incision is made, and excess fat, muscle, and loose skin are removed. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions, thereby minimizing the visibility of any scar.

In lower eyelid surgery, your surgeon makes the incision in an inconspicuous site along the lashline and smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle, and skin are then trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures. Under normal conditions, blepharoplasty can take from one to two hours.

Post-Surgery

Immediately after surgery, your surgeon may apply tiny sterile bandages. It is not crucial that the eyes be covered. However, an ointment to prevent dryness of the eye area may be used. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal. Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will enhance healing and relieve discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe medication for discomfort if necessary.

For a week and a half following blepharoplasty, you will clean the eye area (the eyes may feel sticky, dry, and itchy). Eyedrops may be recommended. Your surgeon will also list activities and environments to avoid in the weeks immediately following surgery. Permanent stitches will be removed in three to five days after surgery. Self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own.

Many patients claim that blepharoplasty not only improves their look but improves their self-confidence. If you suffer from droopy eyelids or your vision is affected by your eyelids, blepharoplasty just may be the solution you are looking for.

posted by Lynn at 7:46 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Only the Healthy Should Undergo Plastic Surgery

Citing certain risk factors, medical experts in the United States warned that cosmetic surgery should be performed only among people in generally good health.
A recent issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal showed that one out of 298 patients who underwent cosmetic procedures suffer from serious complications, with one recorded death in every 51,459 cases.

According to Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the rise is the number of people seeking cosmetic procedures is mainly due to its popularity among celebrities as well as media hype about it.

"I think American consumers have been treating plastic surgery like a commodity. It's not like going to find a pair of shoes. You can take the shoes back. You can't bring your life back. Bottom line, cosmetic surgery is only for patients that are healthy. If they're not healthy, it's really not usually a good thing to do," Rohrich said.

In 2006 alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that 11 million Americans underwent cosmetic procedures, which is approximately a 48 % increase from the year 2000.

The most common cosmetic procedures include reshaping of sagging breast, reducing the size of large ears, correcting drooping eyelids or removal of puffy bags below the eyes, nose lifting, filling the bald areas of one's own hair, wrinkle and acne removal, and liposuction. For more information about any of these procedures, please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas today.

posted by Lynn at 8:07 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 14, 2008

Face and Neck Lifting Can Produce Dramatic Results

Despite the uniform excellent results, understanding the limitations of face/neck lifting and the need to utilize other procedures is crucial for success. First, patients learn that a facelift means lifting of the cheek, jowls and neck. Incisions are placed in the hairline and around the ear. In all cases, these incisions are placed in a natural skin crease for camouflage and without the need for shaving of hair. The surgery can take 2-4 hours, usually performed under intravenous sedation and without any discomfort. Following surgery, a dressing is applied to protect the face and is removed the day after. Many surgeons use a daily magnetic resonance imaging (Soft Pulse), massage and ultrasound to hasten postoperative healing. Most patients are feeling much better in 10-14 days.

The "turkey neck" can have an aging impact on your entire appearance. The method to achieve this result is called platysmaplasty, or the stitching of the underlying muscles in the front of the neck and back borders, tightening the muscle like a corset. Once the underlying structure is in place, the skin on top is draped over, with the process continued up to the cheek area, if needed. The underlying work, which removes fat before the skin is draped, is vital to a good neck lift. If the underlying area is not sufficiently treated, laxity will remain and the "neck bands" will return sooner, as the skin stretches in the first 12-18 months post-op. Undertreating is more commonly seen than overtreating. In the latter case, skin circulation could be compromised and the skin could scar. Non-conservative, deliberate overtreatment is difficult to justify, even though a slightly longer lasting result may be achieved.

To learn more about any of the cosmetic surgery procedures to improve the appearance of your face and neck in the Dallas area, please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center today to schedule your initial appointment.

posted by Lynn at 8:04 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Smooth Fine Lines with Botox

BOTOX has enjoyed growing popularity over the last few years as an effective treatment for lateral crow's feet and frown lines. Injected through the skin into the underlying muscle, BOTOX works by paralyzing the muscles responsible for causing the wrinkles. Since the muscle cannot continue to function, lines soften and in some instances, are eliminated. BOTOX is not permanent, lasting anywhere between four to six months. It is often used in conjunction with other skin refinishing treatments for maximum results.

BOTOX Risks & Reactions

Risks include an allergic reaction to the toxin, swelling, redness, bruising, numbness, and headaches. Rarely, a reduced blinking reflex, which may last for several months, can cause corneal exposure and ulceration.

Please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas for more information.

posted by Lynn at 7:34 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 7, 2008

Otoplasty Can Fix Protruding Ears

Ear surgery (otoplasty) is done to set prominent ears closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Ear surgery can also replace ears lost due to injury and to correct ear problems such as awkward folding, unusual smallness or absence of natural folds and curves.

Otoplasty usually takes two to three hours and requires Dr. Rai to make a small incision behind the ear to expose ear cartilage. The cartilage is then sculpted to bend the ear back toward the head. Alternative techniques involve folding the cartilage back onto itself, and allowing the ear to reshape itself without removal of the cartilage. To pin the ears back, Dr. Rai sews non-removable stitches concealed behind the ear.

Ear surgery does not usually require an overnight hospital stay, and patients can be up and around within a few hours after the procedure is completed. Overall recovery time is about five days to seven days, after which time normal activities may be resumed but taking care to avoid bending their ears for about a month.

To learn more about Otoplasty, please contact Dr. Vasev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas today.

posted by Lynn at 7:48 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Get Relief Through Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reductions are preformed to reduce the weight of very heavy breasts making it easier to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Women often find that this surgery relieves back, neck, and shoulder pain. The primary benefit of the operation is functionality, but most often a breast lift will enhance your appearance and improve your body image.

The incisions for breast reduction are not unlike those used for a "keyhole-anchor" breast lift technique. The procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola and extends downward to follow the natural curve of the breast. Excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin are removed. The nipple and areola are then moved to their new position. The skin from both sides of the breast is brought down and around the areola giving shaping to the new contour of the breast.

In most cases, the nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves. However, if the breasts are very large or hang loosely, the nipples and areolas may have to be completely removed and grafted into a higher position. Unfortunately, this usually results in a loss of sensation in the nipple and surrounding tissue.

Another reduction method known as the periareolar, or "donut shape," may also be effective if there is not a large excess of skin. This method has the advantage of hiding scars; however, it tends to flatten the breast shape to some degree. In general, the more skin that is cut, the more it is possible to shape the breast. Therefore, there is a trade-off between the extent of the scars and the extent of the shaping of the breast.

If you are interested in breast surgery and live in the Dallas area, please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center today to schedule your initial consultation.

posted by Lynn at 8:24 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Common Questions About Breast Implants

What is a saline-filled breast implant?

A breast implant is a sac (implant shell) with the outer shell made of silicone elastomer (rubber). The implant is surgically implanted under the breast tissues and then filled with sterile saline (a salt-water solution) through a valve.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure done to increase or decrease the size
and proportions of a woman's breasts.

What size breast implant should be used?

The McGhan Medical BioDimensional Planning System is used with the Style 468, Style 363, and Style 163 BioCurve Shaped Breast Implants to help provide more consistent and predictable results. With this unique planning system, you Dr. Rai can consider important dimensions like breast width, height, and lateral protrusion to establish the ideal implant size and shape to complement your figure. Breast width is significant because it figures prominently in both cleavage and lateral (sideways from the body) protrusion.

Your surgeon will also evaluate your existing tissue to determine if you have enough to cover the breast implant. If you desire a breast implant size too large for your tissue, Dr. Rai may warn you that breast implant edges may be apparent or visible post-operatively. You may even risk surgical complications. Also, excessively large breast implants may not maintain as youthful an appearance over time.
Where is the incision made?

There are three locations that are commonly used to insert the breast implant. The inframammary fold incision is made where the lower portion of the breast meets the chest wall. The periareolar incision is made where the darker tissue around the nipple meets the skin. And the transaxillary incision is made in the armpit. This last incision site usually involves Dr. Rai using an endoscope (a small telescope with a video camera) to help with the surgery. Augmentation with all of these incisions can be done in a manner that leaves a minimal scar after healing is complete.

How long does the surgery take?

Breast augmentation surgery times vary due to the surgeon's technique, the location of the incision, and the placement location of the implant. Typically, surgery takes from one to two hours.

Are breast implants available in different shapes?

The most commonly used breast implant has a round shape. The round breast implant will enhance breast size and may produce a more rounded appearance to the upper breast.

Shaped breast implants are designed to reflect the slope of the breast. With its upper area gently sloping downward and outward, the shaped breast implant is more likely to shape the upper part of your breast with a gentle slope.
Why do some breast implants have a textured surface?

Breast implant shells with a textured surface were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast). The BIOCELL® large-pore surface texture, found only in McGhan Medical breast implants, may help hold the breast implant in place.

What are the possible complications?

With breast implant surgery, there are possible complications from the surgery and from the implant.

Undergoing any surgical procedure may involve the risk of complications such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, and pain.

Possible complications specific to breast implants include deflation or rupture, capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast tissue if it compresses the breast implant), formation of calcium deposits, hematoma (a collection of blood), seroma (a collection of fluid), and changes in breast and nipple sensation. Some other possible complications are related to dissatisfaction with cosmetic results, such as wrinkling, asymmetry, implant displacement, incorrect size or shape, implant palpability, scar deformity, or sloshing.

To learn more about breast implant surgery in Dallas and the surrounding areas of Texas, please contact cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Vasdev Rai, today to schedule your initial consultation.

posted by Lynn at 12:59 PM 0 comments