portrait of a beautiful young

What Plastic Surgery Procedures Can Be Combined?

Bloomfield Hills, MI – The numbers of plastic surgery procedures being performed each year continue to rise. The stigma of having a cosmetic procedure done is falling away, and more people are visiting their surgeon’s offices. Along with that comes the request for multiple procedures at one time. But is that safe, and if so, which can be performed together?

“Surgical techniques have greatly improved, as has the ability to safely perform anesthesia on patients for longer periods of time,” says Dr. Ali, a Michigan cosmetic surgeon. “That makes it much easier to perform more than one plastic surgery procedure on a patient at the same time. This allows the patient to only have one recovery period, and they can see their desired results faster, rather than having to wait extended periods for each surgery to heal before moving on to the next one.”

The decision to combine procedures will be up to the individual plastic surgeon. He or she will take several things into account, such as your overall health and the exact procedures you want performed. If you are healthy and the procedures are similar enough, they may be grouped together into one operation.

For example, facial plastic surgery procedures may be easily grouped together. Face lifts are often combined with eyelid surgeries to offer the best, most youthful looking appearance. You can even add laser skin resurfacing to offer the most ideal result.

“Aging doesn’t happen in just one area of the face, in most cases,” says Dr. Ali. “Most patients can benefit from minor procedures in multiple areas of the face to offer them the most rejuvenated and natural looking result.”

In the case of rhinoplasty procedures, or nose jobs, sometimes patients can achieve their desired look by adding a chin implant that can make the face look better proportioned.

Tummy tucks and breast lift procedures or other breast augmentations can also be performed together. And to finish off the look, many patients like to add a bit of liposuction, as well. Many women opt for this combination of procedures after having children, and this combination has led to the term “mommy makeover.”

There are a few advantages to combining procedures. First, you’ll only incur one bill for anesthesia, facility fees and any other fees associated with the procedures. Some surgeons may even offer packages that offer a slight discount on the procedures when grouped together.

Additionally, the patient will only need to undergo one recovery period. That means you’ll be up and about, and won’t have to worry about another recovery period in the future for additional surgeries. You’ll also get to see your results faster, without waiting for surgeries scheduled months into the future.

There are, however, risks to combining procedures. The longer a patient is under anesthesia, and the more procedures that are combined, the higher the risk for complications.

“All surgery has inherent risks associated with it, and complications that can arise,” says Dr. Ali. “It’s crucial that all surgery be performed by a properly licensed and trained surgeon in a proper setting, where a patient can undergo the correct monitoring during the procedures. This will also ensure the proper follow-up following the surgery.”

If you are interested in learning more about which procedures can be combined or are interested in scheduling a consultation, call Dr. Ali today.

© 2015 Millionairium and Dr. Ali. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Dr. Ali are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Look Younger with a Non-Surgical Facelift

Bloomfield Hills, MI – As you’ve aged, you’ve probably noticed that your face has lost some of its fullness and volume. As that happens, you also lose skin laxity, resulting in the appearance of folds and jowls in your skin.

As the fat in our faces atrophies over the years, it results in wrinkles and folds that can make us look much older than we actually are. But the good news is, you don’t have to undergo an extensive plastic surgery procedure to gain back your youthful look. You can achieve a full, younger looking face with what is known as a liquid facelift.

Dr. Ali, a Michigan plastic surgeon, uses FDA approved facial fillers to correct the areas of the face affected by natural aging. This non-surgical facelift is a great alternative to a traditional facelift, but perhaps the best part is there is little to no recovery time.

Facial fillers work to lift, smooth, re-contour and add fullness back to the face. It is important to note that a liquid facelift, while effective, cannot correct major signs of aging, such as sagging eyelids and heavy jowls. A liquid facelift is appropriate for those with moderate signs of aging.

Aging naturally results in the loss of collagen and elastin, which creates sagging features. Injecting fillers, such as Juvederm, Radiesse or Restylane, can lift and contour the features to reduce wrinkles and folds, restore a face to a more youthful fullness, and provide a more rested look.

Depending on your needs, your surgeon may use fillers to lift the entire face, or to lift and contour specific features. Your surgeon can mask bags under your eyes or can open up your eyes by lifting your eyelids. Flattened cheeks can be filled out, and even bumps on your nose can be hidden.

Dr. Ali will use the type of facial filler that can best meet your goals.

  • Collagen is a natural protein that supports the skin, and injectable collagen is available in different formulas. Results from these can last for two to four months.
  • Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body and is an ideal injectable for filling facial creases, and some surface wrinkles. Juvederm and Restylane are this form of injectable, which can last six months or longer.
  • Hydroxylapatite is naturally found in bones and is the heaviest of the facial fillers. It is best for deeper creases and frown lines, and can be used to enhance the cheeks to provide a fuller looking result.
  • Human fat can also be harvested from your body and re-injected. Because it uses liposuction to extract the fat, it is a more extensive procedure than other filler options.
  • PMMA are a mix of microspheres suspended in purified collagen, and is recommended to improve the look of smile lines.
  • Sculptra is a synthetic biocompatible material that can improve skin thickness and reduce the appearance of folds. Results from using Sculptra can last up to two years.

Tenderness and redness may be present at the injection sites following a liquid facelift. Very rarely, a patient may experience negative side effects, such as an allergic reaction or infection.

Results are immediate, however, they are not permanent. To maintain the new appearance, patients will need to have touch-ups with Dr. Ali periodically.

If you’re ready to once again face the world with a more youthful look, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali today to see what a liquid facelift can do for you.

© 2015 Millionairium and Dr. Ali. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Dr. Ali are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Trends in Cosmetic Surgery – The Later In Life Lift

One of the most recent trends in cosmetic surgery is treating patients who are approaching their golden years.  While this demographic isn’t new, the increase in patients considering cosmetic surgery is!  As baby boomers approach retirement, they are choosing to enter it with their best foot forward.  From 2012 to 2013, the number of elective procedures jumped 4% in the 55+ age group.

While nose reshaping is a popular cosmetic procedure across the board, the over 55 crowd tends to lean more towards facial procedures including lifts, forehead lifts, ear reshaping and hair transplants. Regardless of the procedure, the most common reason was that they finally have time to focus on themselves.

While many see cosmetic surgery as purely vain, we feel otherwise.  You work hard every single day to provide for yourself and loved ones – shouldn’t you feel your best?  Some of the unknown benefits that our patients experience are increased self-esteem and confidence!

Don’t believe us?  Check out what they have to say in our reviews section!  Dr. Ali is one of the best in the business, board certified and able to offer you a comprehensive experience – even with non-invasive procedures.

As you ease into your retirement, have you considered a nip or tuck?  Perhaps a procedure that will finally take care of the area that has been frustrating you?  Contact us today for a consultation!

The Ins and Outs of Injectables

The health and beauty industry is always bursting at the seams with new products, and it can be hard for consumers to keep them straight. What’s the difference between Botox and Juvederm? If I want to make my lips full, what’s the best product? These questions and many more are ones that we receive at our office on a daily basis. We thought it would be a perfect opportunity to offer a quick FAQ on some of the injectable products we offer and what they do!

Botox: Botox is a purified protein that blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle. This effectively “paralyzes” the muscle, smoothing out the wrinkles. The result is a refreshed appearance that can take years off of your face. This is a great option for someone who is unsure about a permanent facial surgery, as it lasts roughly four months and results in only slight discomfort.

Juvederm: Juvederm uses hyaluronic acid (HLA) to correct facial wrinkles and folds. While that may sound scary, HLA is found in the body. This dermal filler improves the look and feel of your face as the HLA retains water underneath the skin’s surface, providing volume in the face. There is little to no recovery time and the results typically last for 9-12 months.

Radiesse: Radiesse is a calcium-based wrinkle filler that is injected into the skin and works with your body to stimulate your own natural collagen production. This process means that you will continue to see improved results in the months following your treatment. Like Botox and Juvederm, the side effects are minor, and there is virtually no down-time. Results can last up to a year or more.

For a full list of injectables and what they offer – check out our site. Dr. Ali is happy to help you determine which is best for you! Contact us today for a consultation!

Can You Go Out In The Sun After a Chemical Peel?

If you are unhappy with facial blemishes, wrinkles or uneven skin pigmentation, a chemical peel may be the perfect solution for improving the texture of your facial skin. When a patient undergoes a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face and works to remove the sun-damaged outer layers of the skin. Chemical peels promote the regeneration of new and healthy layers.

Every chemical peel procedure is different and depends on the patient’s unique condition and desired results. Some chemical solutions contain a much higher concentration of chemicals than others and will result in a deeper peel.

Whether you have a low concentration chemical peel or a high concentration chemical peel, it is extremely important that you avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Following a procedure of this kind, you may have some stinging, redness, and irritation. Don’t forget that your skin is in a delicate state; the outer layers have been removed and this leaves you at risk for a serious sunburn. In addition to actually burning, direct sun can often result in an undesirable pigmentation of the treated skin. You may be instructed to avoid sun tanning or intentional sun exposure for a few days or even a few months following your procedure, so that your skin has time to regenerate.

Your qualified aesthetician should always provide you with specific instruction for aftercare, regardless of what type of procedure is performed. If you are interested in having a chemical peel, only trust a skilled specialist with extensive training. To find out which type of chemical peel is right for you, contact Amae Plastic Surgery Center.

What Is A Liquid Face Lift?

A liquid face lift is a highly successful non-surgical alternative to plastic surgery. Liquid face lift procedures typically involve a series of facial filler injections into various “problem” areas of the face.

In the past decade, we have seen an explosion in the popularity of non-surgical procedures, which has resulted in several new FDA-approved products being introduced.

Facial filler products include but are not limited to: BOTOX®, XEOMIN®, Juvederm®, Restylane®, BELOTERO BALANCE ®, Dysport®, Sculptra®, and RADIESSE®. These injections, often used in conjunction with each other, provide lifting, plumping, smoothing and re-contouring.

The benefits of a liquid face lift include, but are not limited to:

  • A non-invasive rejuvenation of the face
  • Very fast, sometimes immediate results
  • Short procedure times (many procedures take only 20-30 minutes)
  • Little recovery time (many patients return to work the same day)

Patients may experience some tenderness or redness surrounding the injection sites, but side effects such as infection or allergic reaction are very rare.

While with most products, results can be seen immediately, they are not permanent like a surgical facelift. A liquid face lift will only improve the look of aging for six months to a year, depending on the product(s) used. Liquid face lifts require touch-up procedures over time to maintain the patient’s desired appearance.

Patients seeking more permanent results which will change the elements of the face may instead consider a surgical procedure such as a facelift, brow lift or eye lift.

We strongly advise anyone looking to have a liquid face lift of any kind to schedule a professional consultation with a plastic surgeon that is board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Although liquid face lifts are non-surgical procedures, patients often see the best results when selecting a skilled specialist with extensive training surrounding facial aesthetics. Every product is different, as is every patient. Only a board-certified plastic surgeon can determine which procedure and product is best for you.

If you are considering injectables, fillers or a liquid facelift, contact Amae Plastic Surgery Center today.