Deciding to have a plastic surgery procedure is an important choice. Whether you are considering breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelift or non-surgical options, the physicians at Watertower Surgicenter are experts and provide consultations to help answer your questions. If you are thinking about one of these procedures and are not sure which one is right for you, we can help.

At Watertower Surgicenter, our board-certified physicians are dedicated to helping you find the information about your desired procedure. The more you know about the procedure and the options available, the better equipped you will be to make an informed decision.

Non-Surgical Procedures:
Contributed by Dr. Stephen Dayan

Botox

If you desire a slight improvement in your look or a "cleaning up" of age-related wrinkles, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be for you. It has become a superb option for the patient hesitant to undergo surgery, but wanting to erase the deep creases and furrows of the face. By relaxing the muscles that cause these wrinkles, you can rid yourself of the heavy tension look or remove a misrepresented, tired and angry appearance. Patients appreciate its subtle improvement and are pleased when their acquaintances are not quite sure why they look better. Following treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic, you can expect to appear more relaxed and rested. BOTOX® Cosmetic is also commonly used to reduce the heavy vertical creases between the eyebrows, flatten deep forehead wrinkles, and smooth out the crow’s feet area of the eyes. Newer areas that are being treated include the age-defining wrinkles around the mouth, nose and the thick muscle bands of the neck.

Restylane

A lot of excitement surrounds the December 2003 FDA approval of the hyaluronic products. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all species. It is highly attracted to and binds water. By binding water it fills the wrinkles or lips by bringing in water to the site allowing for a soft supple correction that looks very natural. Most patients appreciate its persistence with many experiencing 8 months to a year of correction from a single treatment. Additionally it has a very low side effect profile. In our experience a very small percentage of patients will develop bruising or swelling at the treatment site lasting beyond 24 hours. The vast majority of people who are treated are thrilled with the results and appreciate the immediate return to their busy schedule. There have been a few reports of hypersensitivity reactions, but because it is so unlikely the FDA does not require skin testing of patients.

Collagen

The best candidate for collagen injections is a physically healthy man or woman who has realistic expectations and is interested in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles, lines and scars. Collagen injections are typically administered in a surgeon's office-based facility and take less than an hour to complete. The injection itself contains anesthesia and, in most cases, additional anesthesia is not required.

Collagen injections are associated with virtually no downtime, though some patients may experience some minor discomfort along with some minor bruising and swelling. Patients are typically able to return to work and other normal activities right away. The potential complications associated with collagen injections include the following: abscesses, allergic reaction, infection, open sores, skin peeling, and scarring.

For more information on non-surgical or surgical procedures, please visit drdayan.com

Surgical Procedures
To learn more about cosmetic surgery procedures, click on the following links:
www.drdayan.com
www.stephenmadrymd.com
www.chicagolandplasticsurgery.com
www.drtinsley.com