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Is Getting a Facelift Safer These Days?

November 29th, 2011 admin

In the wake of technological advancements, many cosmetic procedures are far safer today than they were in past decades. Facelift surgery is often cited as one such procedure. Over the past 25 years, facelift surgery has become more sophisticated, replacing the slightly riskier methods of the past that created a “tight” look and were known to be accompanied by some visible scarring. At Magnolia Plastic Surgery, we ensure that facelift surgery is a safe surgical procedure for our patients.

Our practice takes the needs of the whole face into account. We believe that in many cases, a facelift is necessary; and in others, less extensive procedures can be combined to attain the result the patient is seeking. For example, some patients are better suited for minimally invasive anti-aging facial rejuvenation, such as facial fillers (i.e., Alloderm®, fat injections, collagen), Botox®, skin resurfacing thread lifts, or PhotoFacial treatment.

It is estimated that facelift surgery has a 90 percent success rate; so using that statistic as a guide, it is logical to conclude that it is safer today than it was in the past. However, only a skilled plastic surgeon can assess whether facelift surgery is the right option for you at this point in the aging process. During a two-part consultation series with Dr. Carli, you can receive a personalized skin analysis and a complete skin care program, and all questions regarding facelift surgery and/or facial rejuvenation can be answered. We look forward to meeting with you for this appointment. Please contact Magnolia Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation today.

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Is Botox Right for You?

November 18th, 2011 admin

Botox ® may be one of the most sought-after anti-aging treatments available today, but is it right for you? There are a few questions you should ask yourself before considering Botox injections, as is the case with any medical procedure.

First, it is important to be aware of what Botox does and how it works. Doctors inject Botox into facial muscles to block nerve impulses. This results in a temporary semi-paralysis of muscle contractions, which then smoothes the skin and flattens wrinkles. The treatment is effective and lasts several weeks to a few months. The potential side effects are mild and resolve within days.

Now to determining if you are a good candidate. Consider where your wrinkles are. If they are in the brow, around the eyes, or in the forehead, these are prime areas for Botox. These are incredibly active facial areas and the muscles here are used countless times a day without our even knowing it.

If your wrinkles are around your mouth, you have bags under your eyes, or you would like to have fuller lips, then a dermal filler such as Juvederm ™ or Restylane ® would be a better bet.

The other criteria to consider if Botox is right for you are the same factors that you should consider before any treatment of any kind. Do you have significant sun damage? Do you have any disorders that affect your nerves or muscles? And if you are a woman, are you breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant soon? If you answered yes to any of these questions, be sure to talk to your doctor to get his/her advice on whether Botox would be safe for you. And as with all procedures, ideal candidates are in good, stable health and do not smoke.

If you have further questions regarding whether you would be a good candidate for Botox treatments, or would like to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Carli’s office today.

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Will my Friends Notice if I Get Botox?

November 16th, 2011 admin

If you are curious whether or not your friends will notice that you received Botox ® treatments, the honest answer is – probably. Unless your wrinkles are very subtle, the difference that Botox will bring will be striking. But then that’s the point of getting Botox in the first place!

The real question doesn’t have to do with if your friends notice or not, because if they don’t, then what’s the point anyway? The question has to do with any type of stigma that could possibly be attached to the treatment. The truth is that these days, there really isn’t one. Botox remains one of the top cosmetic treatments sought today. In fact, there were 2,437,165 Botox treatments performed in 2010 alone. If you get Botox done, you’re not exactly in rare company.

Botox is so popular because it is safe and effective. While side effects are a risk with any treatment, those associated with Botox are typically very mild and disappear quickly.

Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the more mobile muscles in the face around your eyes and forehead. This prevents wrinkles from forming and gives patients a more youthful, smoother face for several weeks at a time.

Botox treatments are widely available and only becoming more popular today. So if you are shy about what your friends might think, you really have nothing to worry about at all. You can call Dr. Carli’s office today and he will be happy to further explain Botox treatments during an appointment.

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Is Botox a Better Option than a Facelift through Cosmetic Surgery?

November 15th, 2011 admin

It could be, but that depends on several factors. To start, let’s define what Botox® is. Botox is the trade name of Botulinum toxin type A, a purified toxin that in specific amounts, can block nerve impulses that cause muscle movement.

Botox is ideal for targeting frown lines (a furrowed brow), which are caused by the action of a muscle called the corrugator. When you intentionally make yourself frown, you can feel this as a thickening just below the inside of your eyebrows.

Injecting Botox directly into this corrugator muscle stops your ability to draw your eyebrows together when you frown. Once the muscle is “paralyzed,” it cannot contract, and the frown line gradually fades away. Although the results of Botox will typically last three to five months, it may be a better option for you than a facelift if frown lines are your primary complaint. In order to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, repeat treatment sessions will be necessary.

Botox may also be a better option than facelift surgery if your signs of facial aging are limited to:

  • Crows’ feet
  • Forehead wrinkles
  • Neck folds

So, when is facelift surgery a better option than Botox? When the effects of time and gravity lead to facial sagging, Botox is not an effective remedy. Botox merely addresses facial lines – not sagging skin. Only facelift surgery can reverse the appearance of sagging facial skin. The results of a facelift may last up to several years, but the specific number of years depends on the amount of elasticity the skin still has prior to surgery. For that reason, Dr. Carli recommends considering a facelift procedure at the onset of facial sagging, rather than waiting until you reach a specific age.

Whether you believe your best option is Botox or facelift surgery, we have the solution at Magnolia Plastic Surgery. Contact our office today to request more information.

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More Men Becoming Our Inland Empire Botox Patients

September 26th, 2011 admin

Men who are attentive to their appearances have been dubbed lots of things, such as “metrosexual. But as the years go by and more men seek ways to physically improve themselves, people have become more accepting of male cosmetic enhancement. After all, in today’s job market, any way to get ahead could be a good thing.

At Magnolia Plastic Surgery, we’ve found that the most common way men cosmetically enhance their facial appearance is with Botox®. Dr. Carli is an experienced Inland Empire Botox provider, and he has helped countless men obtain a more rejuvenated facial appearance with this injectable.

As of 2010, there were about 750,000 American men obtaining Botox treatments. True, males are just a small portion of all Botox patients, and statistics gathered by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) show that men made up eight percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2010. But the bigger picture is this: The same report revealed that the number of cosmetic procedures for men has increased more than 88 percent since 1997.

Why are more men drawn to Botox? Dr. Carli’s patients express interest in the non-invasive option for various reasons; it requires no surgery and results appear quite natural almost immediately. It’s a subtle rejuvenation that can help men move ahead professionally in an increasingly youth-oriented business culture. For some, this discreet rejuvenation may even enhance their personal or romantic endeavors.

It makes sense to them, and it makes sense to us. For that reason, Magnolia Plastic Surgery is proud to service male patients. For more information, please contact our office today. Dr. Carli will be glad to answer your questions during a consultation appointment.

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The Mommy Makeover: Restoring Your Pre-Pregnancy Figure

September 22nd, 2011 admin

Childbirth can lead to a lifetime of joy and fulfillment. Unfortunately, however, it can result in loose, draping skin on the abdomen, extra fat on the hips, and a sagging bustline. For that reason, our Riverside tummy tuck patients are taking full advantage of the “Mommy Makeover,” which combines multiple surgeries to restore a post-pregnancy figure back to its pre-childbirth state. Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most commonly performed Mommy Makeover procedures.

Last year, tummy tucks rose by 13 percent, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). During a standard tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Carli will make an incision along the panty line from hipbone to hipbone, as well as another incision that frees the navel for repositioning. A wide portion of loose skin and its fat are lifted off the abdominal muscles, the stomach muscles are tightened, the loose abdominal skin is removed, and the remaining skin pulled down. A new opening is created for the belly button.

Temporary surgical drains are placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the wound is closed with stitches at multiple levels. Once recovery is achieved (typically two to four weeks), most patients enjoy a slimmer, more attractive abdomen that reminds them of their pre-pregnancy figure. Depending on the amount of excess fat on the body, liposuction may be used as well.

As for breast enhancement surgery: patients who opt to include breast augmentation can choose from different implant shapes and sizes; breast lift patients can learn of all their options for incision placement before undergoing the procedure. For optimal results, an augmentation and lift may be combined.

We like to present as much information to our Riverside Mommy makeover patients as possible. For more information, please contact Magnolia Plastic Surgery today, and schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Carli.

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Breast Reduction Recovery Time – What to Expect After Surgery

August 31st, 2011 admin

Individuals who have overly large breasts that are causing them pain and discomfort can find relief by undergoing breast reduction surgery. Women who are interested in undergoing a breast reduction procedure should be aware of what to expect after the surgery.

As breast reduction is a surgical procedure and performed under a general anesthetic, it is common for patients to feel groggy, sore, and tired after surgery. During the recovery process, a surgical gauze and compression garment will be placed over the breasts to help ease discomfort. Dr. Carli may insert drainage tubes that will be removed four to five days after surgery. It is important that surgical incisions and sutures be cared for properly in order to prevent infection.

Patients should also expect bruising, redness, discomfort, and sometimes reduced nipple sensitivity after surgery; this is usually temporary. Dr. Carli prescribes pain medication in order to help with the soreness and discomfort. Swelling is common after surgery. However, the compression garment helps control excess swelling and helps to speed the recovery process. As the breast tissue heals, the swelling will reduce.

Healing time for breast reduction may vary from patient to patient. Typically, patients are able to return to regular activities one to two weeks after surgery. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks after the procedure.

To learn more about what to expect after surgery, Inland Empire breast reduction surgeon Dr. Carli can go over all the information you need to know during an initial consultation.

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Breast Implant Options and the Basics of Breast Augmentation

August 29th, 2011 admin

If a woman is interested in undergoing a breast augmentation procedure, it is important that she is well-informed of the different options available. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals, as well as the plastic surgeon’s recommendation, implant size, type, and placement will vary.

Among the most important factor to consider is the size, which will be dependant upon the patient’s body frame and goals. Typically, women with a small frame are discouraged from going too large, as it may look disproportionate to the rest of their body. Also, women who are physically fit are not recommended to go too big because it may cause their body frame to appear less trim.

As far as breast implant type, there are different options available – saline, silicone gel, and cohesive gel. Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution, which is commonly considered to be safe. The most commonly used implant is saline. The choice of implants should be discussed with the doctor.

Patients must also decide whether to have the implants placed above or below the breast muscle. Based on the patient’s anatomy, implant chosen, and desired outcome, the most appropriate location will be chosen. To learn more about breast implant options, including fat transfer augmentation, please contact the office of Inland Empire breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Carli for a consultation.

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Breast Implant Options

August 23rd, 2011 admin

If a woman is interested in undergoing a breast augmentation procedure, it is important that she is well-informed of the different options available. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals, as well as the plastic surgeon’s recommendation, implant size, type, and placement will vary.

Among the most important factor to consider is the size, which will be dependant upon the patient’s body frame and goals. Typically, women with a small frame are discouraged from going too large, as it may look disproportionate to the rest of their body. Also, women who are physically fit are not recommended to go too big because it may cause their body frame to appear less trim.

As far as breast implant type, there are different options available – saline, silicone gel, and cohesive gel. Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution, which is commonly considered to be safe. The most commonly used implant is saline. The choice of implants should be discussed with the doctor.

Patients must also decide whether to have the implants placed above or below the breast muscle. Based on the patient’s anatomy, implant chosen, and desired outcome, the most appropriate location will be chosen. To learn more about breast implant options, including fat transfer augmentation, please contact the office of Inland Empire breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Carli for a consultation.

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Latest Data On Silicone Breast Implants Shows They Are Relatively Safe

August 19th, 2011 admin

Among many researchers, the debate of whether or not silicone gel breast implants are safe has been continuing on since 1992 when they were pulled off the market. A lot of the worries included the link between silicone implants and diseases such as lupus and cancer.

With no sufficient data and a failure to find a link, silicone breast implants were put back on the market in 2006. Yet, in a recent article on pssnet.com, the latest data collected on silicone breast implants shows that they are relatively safe. This is factoring in frequent complications that show one in five women had to have the implants removed within 10 years after the procedure. However, recent research on silicone breast implants has been incomplete due to the fact many women end up dropping out of studies before they are over; and once a medical product is approved, many researchers have no incentive to continue experiments. This has happened many times with the studies conducted about silicone breast implants.

In retrospect, women who are to undergo breast augmentation surgery should take the risks and complications into consideration before undergoing the procedure, no matter the type of implant. Breast augmentation patients should be well informed of the surgery and the side effects, such as implant rupture, wrinkling, and scar tissue formation around the implant.

If you are considering undergoing a breast augmentation procedure you should be in good health and have realistic expectations for the surgery. Inland Empire breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Carli can help you decide if you are a good candidate for this procedure during a consultation.

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Magnolia Surgery Center, Inc.
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10694 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, California 92505 | Phone: 951-688-8660 Fax: 951-688-2803