Although the reasons for seeking plastic surgery vary among individuals, many senior citizens seek aesthetic enhancements for the same reasons as their younger counterparts. Many simply want to feel better about the way they look. A boost in self-confidence is often the main reason for undergoing plastic surgery.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, some of the most popular choices for cosmetic surgeries among people over the age of 65 are facelift surgery, liposuctions breast reduction, forehead lift surgery, breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, and cosmetic eyelid surgery. Many of these surgical procedures focus on counteracting the effects of gravity. For instance, a breast lift helps restore some of the original perkiness that is common in more youthful figures.

Women in their senior citizen years often find that a breast lift can help turn back the clock slightly, helping to create a firmer, more rounded breast shape. Normal aging tends to break down the breast fibers, often causing a droopy, saggy appearance. Over time, the nipples may begin to point downwards, creating breasts that appear even more droopy and pendulous. While senior citizen women used to accept these figure changes as an inevitable part of the aging process, it is no longer something that all women decide to accept as part of their future. Like other types of cosmetic surgeries, major advances in breast lifts have given the results of this procedure a very natural, attractive appearance, making it more appealing for many older women.

An initial consultation can help you determine whether or not a breast lift is right for you. This cosmetic procedure may involve a variety of techniques, depending on your individual requirements and your specific desires. A breast lift helps enhance your upper body figure by repositioning and reshaping your breast tissue. This cosmetic procedure gives you a natural look, taking into consideration your age and body shape. Some women decide to have breast implants at the same time as the breast lift, although many women find that the lift alone gives the breasts a very satisfying roundness and impressive curvature. Those in the Orange County area may contact breast lift surgeon Dr. Carli to learn more.

Eating Healthy is Expensive – Fact or Fiction? This one is Fiction. You can eat healthy while spending the same amount of money you use when consuming a more fattening diet. Although some nutritious foods may cost a pretty penny, you can get around this by shopping wisely. Look for the most affordable nutritious options, such as the weekly specials in the produce aisles. Choose whole-grain breads and lean meats. Eat well on a low budget by swapping out your usual fare with more nutritious choices, rather than just adding to them with more costly items.

Lose Weight By Eating Early in the Day – Fact or Fiction? This is also Fiction. What you eat is more important than when you eat, although many people swear they gain weight if they eat after a certain time in the evening. Evening munching can lead to weight gain, although this is generally due to the fact that evening snacking usually involves sweets and fatty foods, rather than fruits or vegetables. If you get hungry for a late night snack, satisfy your cravings with low-calorie treats, such as plain popcorn, an apple, or a sliver of low-fat cheese.

Twenty Minutes of Exercise Will Keep Me Slim and Trim – Fact or Fiction? Well, this depends. If you overeat throughout the day, you will probably find that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to burn off the excess calories. However, if you eat sensibly and keep your calories in check, 20 minutes of aerobics per day, balanced with a couple hours of resistance training throughout the week ,may be all you require to stay in shape. Unfortunately, many people fall short of their exercise goals on a regular basis. Setting realistic expectations and incorporating the help of a workout buddy can help you attain your exercise goals.

Diet and exercise are both beneficial methods of improving your overall health and maintaining an optimal body weight. However, even with adequate exercise and diet, many Americans find that stubborn pockets of fat tend to resist continued attempts at weight loss. Some individuals turn to liposuction as a method of ridding the body of unwanted fat. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that targets specific areas of fat, helping to trim and shape the body. This cosmetic option is one way to sculpt your physique into the shape you desire. Dr. Carli is an Inland Empire liposuction surgeon who can provide you with further information during a consultation.

Gravity – Although you can’t eliminate this natural earthly element, gravity is one of the biggest factors in the downward draw of breast tissue, as well as all your other features. The pull of gravity is more noticeable in larger breasts than in small breasts. Gravity’s effect is also more noticeable as women age, especially after the age of menopause, when breast tissue tends to lose the support of the elastin and collagen fibers at a more rapid rate.

Repeated Weight Gain and Loss – Known as yo-yo dieting, losing and gaining weight over and over can wreak havoc on perky breasts. Losing fat causes your breast tissue to appear less firm, while regaining the weight can increase tension on the ligaments, resulting in sagging. Pregnancy can also cause an increase in breast tissue weight, causing an excess of pressure along the supporting ligaments and creating a greater risk of droopiness, especially after you lose the weight once you give birth.

Smoking – Harmful carcinogens in cigarettes tend to do more than increase your risk for developing lung cancer. Smoking can cause elastin fibers in your body to break down, leading to a decrease in tissue resilience. This type of tissue breakdown can show up in your breast tissue as an increase in droopiness and sagginess.

Properly fitted bras can provide a temporary device to help lift and support droopy breasts. For a more permanent fix, a surgical breast lift procedure may be necessary. A cosmetic breast lift repositions and reshapes the breasts, giving them a more youthful appearance. Depending on your individual requirements and your personal desires, a cosmetic breast lift can be done in conjunction with an augmentation. Many women find that just lifting the breast tissue back into place gives them the shape and appearance they desire. If you are in Orange County, breast lift surgeon Dr. Carli is in nearby Riverside and can perform this breast procedure.

Few things can drive up your tension meter quite like a confrontation with your boss, a disagreement with your mate, a screaming match with your teenager, or a guilt trip conversation with your mother. Turning to food, such as a bag of salty chips from the vending machine or a hot-fudge sundae from the nearby drive-in, is a common response to everyday stressors. Unfortunately, food fixes like this often end up as extra fat cells on the waist, hips, and thighs. According to the American Psychological Association, 43 percent of study subjects reportedly overate as a response to stressful situations.

Finding healthier ways to deal with stress can help protect your health and your sense of well-being, as well as help you maintain an optimal weight and an attractive body shape. When you begin to feel stress starting to creep up on you, rather than turning to the old, familiar food-fix, chill out with these healthier alternatives:

• Turn on some of your favorite tunes and sing along. If you are at home, take advantage of your environment and bust out a few dance moves. A little dance therapy, no matter how unpracticed and unprofessional, will help lift your spirits, burn some calories, and help take your mind off your woes and away from thoughts of French fries and sinfully sweet chocolates.
• Stop what you are doing and go outside for a brisk walk or hit the halls or stairways in your building to burn a few calories and take your mind off your worries and the thought of food for a while. Breathe deeply while you take deep strides to increase your heart rate. Turn your mind to things you enjoy thinking about while you benefit from a few minutes of exercise.
• Quiet your mind for a few moments with meditation, a prayer, or a mantra. Close your eyes, slow down your breathing, and take a few minutes to focus on the peacefulness around you or inside you, listening to your heartbeat or the sound of your breathing, the wind, the sound of traffic passing by outside your window or the birds singing in the distance.

Losing weight can seem almost insurmountable for many individuals. Excess weight can actually be another source of stress, especially if the stubborn fat fails to respond to diet and exercise. If excess body fat is keeping you from enjoying life fully, Inland Empire liposuction surgeon Dr. Carli can perform liposuction. It may be just the answer to help you resolve your weight concerns and regain your optimal body shape. Liposuction targets areas and pockets of unsightly fat, enhancing your physique and form.

Besides, the treatment HCG is available at the Magnolia Surgery Center. Depending upon your fat distribution, you can be treated medically with HCG or surgically with liposuction.

Fortunately, liposuction recovery is generally very mild when compared to other plastic surgery procedures. There is typically some bruising, swelling, and redness that will subside as the days go by. The area treated will be sore for a few weeks, but you should be able to resume normal activities within the first week (with the exception of strenuous work or intense exercise, which you should avoid for up to one month). Here is a recovery timeline that represents what most of our Inland Empire liposuction patient’s experience:

Weeks 1-2: The treated area will be sore, but this discomfort should not be unbearable. Movement will be hindered, and the area treated will be sensitive to the touch. Movement is encouraged to promote blood flow, and your compression garment will help reduce the swelling. Your bandages will need to stay on for a few days, and the surgical drains and sutures will be taken out at your follow-up appointment.

Weeks 3-4: Your discomfort, including the numbness, should have subsided by this point and you should start getting your sensitivity in that region back. The area may still be swollen, but in this stage your “new” figure begins to take shape.

Weeks 4+: As your recovery period nears its end, swelling will subside and all numbness will go away. Slight bruising can remain for up to two to three months. Your best results will appear after the six-month mark, when scarring is reduced and the skin starts to look tight and healthy again.
To expedite recovery, take note of these liposuction recovery tips:

• Drink lots of water
• No heating pads, no ice packs over the incisions
• Continue to wear your compression garment until Dr. Carli advises otherwise
• Do not take a bath, go swimming, or sit in a Jacuzzi for at least a week, as this will increase the risk of infection (quick showers are permitted).
• Continue to take all medications prescribed by our Dr. Carli
And, be sure to let our Inland Empire liposuction surgeon know if you experience:
• Extreme pain
• Strange odor coming from the incisions
• A fever
• Growths around the incisions site (blisters or holes)
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Discharges from the incisions such as puss

Of course, these complications are rare. As stated, liposuction recovery is generally very mild when compared with other procedures. For more information, contact Dr. Carli today. He will be happy to discuss your options with body contouring.

Truth be told, this can be the case at any age. According to Dr. Christopher Zachary, chairman of the UCI Department of Dermatology, said that, “For the teenager reaching the age of majority, for the 20- to 39-year-olds finding a compatible mate and a job that they enjoy, for the 40- to 60-year-olds who can see their waning years approaching with the fear of losing their employment and of being alone and irrelevant, everyone wants to look their best.”

In other words, physical improvement – with our without cosmetic surgery – can be a lifelong process. And despite what some say, there is no shame in that. Looking your best can be an asset that helps one find a partner, move forward in a career, and feel good inside. It’s a healthy, worthwhile journey.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) released separate poll results that reveal the most popular cosmetic surgeries among age groups, as follows:

Teenagers
ASPS: Rhinoplasty (“nose job”)
ASAPS: Otoplasty (“ear pinning surgery”)

Young Adults
ASPS: Breast augmentation (for ages 20-39)
ASAPS: Breast augmentation (for ages 19-34)

Middle Age
Both polls: Liposuction (for ages 35-50)

The age groups known as “upper middle age” (40 and up) and those approaching senior status (51 and older) were also polled. The ASPS reported that the top plastic surgery procedure among those 40 and up was eyelid surgery – the same procedure we addressed earlier. At Magnolia Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carli has treated countless Inland Empire eyelid surgery patients – so we can attest to this statistic. Per the ASAPS, facelift surgery is reportedly the top procedure among those 51 and over, with eyelid surgery at a close second.

If any of the above procedures interest you, contact our Inland Empire eyelid surgery, facelift, breast augmentation, and body contouring surgeon today. Dr. Carli will be glad to meet with you.

Healing - The surgery you chose to undergo causes trauma to the nasal tissues. It is normal to expect one side of the nose to heal faster than the other. At Magnolia Plastic Surgery, we tell patients that bruising and swelling are to be expected and may last a minimum of two weeks.

Swelling - Cartilage swelling, caused by scar tissue build-up, may cause the nose to look larger than it actually is, and should not be regarded as part of the final result. Keep your activity to a minimum for the first two to three weeks to ensure optimal healing of scar tissue. After six weeks, you can resume most normal activities.

Habits - Smoking and improper care of your treatment area can prolong the recovery process and lead you to believe your surgeon made a mistake, when in fact your own habits are at least partially to blame. Quitting smoking at least two weeks before and after rhinoplasty can ensure better results and faster healing. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is also imperative if you wish to avoid revision rhinoplasty.

If all else fails, most surgeons recommend waiting a period of at least one year before requesting a revision rhinoplasty procedure. This will help you be more certain of your decision and ensure that the results of your first procedure are final.

Some of the tell-tale signs that your breasts could be disproportionate to your body to the point of needing reduction are skin deep – literally. Check your shoulders. Are there grooves there from pressure created by your bra strap? Also, is there any kind of rash or skin irritation under the breasts?

There are other simple but important factors that you can consider. Check your posture. If your shoulders stoop forward regularly, this could be to compensate for too heavy of a chest. Additionally, consider where you feel pain. If pain is chronic in your shoulder, back, and neck, this is another sign that you may need a reduction.

Other factors have to do with considering how difficult it is to find fitting clothes, assessing how active you are, and considering whether your self-esteem is affected by having disproportionate-sized breasts.

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, you could consider undergoing breast reduction surgery. It is important to know ahead of time that changes in your appearance could take some getting used to once the surgery is complete. Understanding the risks, which are higher if you are overweight, and the recovery time, which takes about a week or two on average, are also important factors to weigh in on to determine if this is the right procedure for you.

Inland Empire breast reduction surgeon Dr. Carli is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call his office today to schedule a consultation.

Popular both for its ease of recovery time as well its effectiveness, Botox is especially sought after by women and men 35 years and older. However, there is another trend growing towards younger patients opting to undergo Botox injections. According to the Aesthetic Medicine News, patients between the ages of 19 and 34 accounted for 14 percent of the total Botox treatments performed in 2010.

This is an interesting statistic that shows that those who are already young are seeking treatment to make them look, frankly, younger. Doctors and plastic surgeons today debate the efficacy of Botox on younger patients; so far, there is no concrete evidence regarding just how young is too young. There are concerns among some in cosmetic medical circles that excessive Botox treatment too early could lead to muscle atrophy, thus speeding up the aging process rather than fighting it.

If you are interested in getting Botox treatments but do not know if you are the right age for it, the most important thing you can ask yourself is why you want the treatment in the first place. Botox is incredibly effective at smoothing the skin and flattening wrinkles because it temporarily semi-paralyzes the muscle contractions in facial areas. However, if you are a younger patient, just how deep are your wrinkles? In the mad dash to stay young forever amongst contemporary phobias about aging, we can sometimes distort just how severe our perceived flaws can be. So it is important to be honest with yourself, as well as to seek the opinion of your primary health care provider.

Another factor that is important to consider is that young faces are still developing. It is typically not advisable to seek cosmetic work on any area of our body that is still maturing, so if you are just barely leaving your teen years this is another thing to consider.

Again, while the damaging effects of Botox on too-young of patients is still only speculation, it is important that anyone considering the treatment seriously thinks about why he/she wants it done and just how deep the wrinkles and lines really are. If you are interested in Botox treatments but teetering in your decision due to questions regarding your age, Dr. Carli would be happy to assess your situation through a consultation in his Inland Empire office. Call today to schedule a time to speak with him.

However, it is important to note that in some of the more serious cases that have been reported, Botox was not administered in a cosmetic application. For example, reports of Botox deaths in 2009 were linked to the injections being administered to children as a remedy for muscle spasms.

Incidents of Botox health problems after the injection was given for cosmetic reasons do occur, but they are often temporary. Most commonly, this includes a slight lowering of one eyelid, also known as “ptosis.” Complications may even be so minor that they are not noticeable by the patient.

And, even when Botox is used for non-cosmetic reasons, it is normally a safe, effective treatment. Since 1980, Botox has been used for the treatment of strabismus (cross-eyed or wall-eyed) and blepharospasm (uncontrolled eyelid twitching). Sweaty palms and migraine headaches are also ailments that may be safely addressed with Botox.

Botox was first used to treat forehead lines and wrinkles in 1989. In April 2002, it was FDA approved to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows. In the vast majority of cases, it has been safe and successful. However, there are some Botox health risks that all patients should be made a ware of. They include the aforementioned ptosis, as well as temporary (seven to 10 days) loss of other facial muscle functions.

Other Botox health problems that have been reported after cosmetic use include headaches, flu-like symptoms, blurred vision, dry mouth, fatigue, allergic reactions, and swelling or redness at the injection site. Again, these are rare and temporary.

During a consultation appointment at Magnolia Plastic Surgery, we can explain these risks in detail and answer any questions you may have in determining if Botox is the right treatment for you. We understand your need to be 100 percent comfortable with your decision to receive Botox injections, and will help become better-informed.