Botox – Some Things To Consider

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Botulinum toxin or Botox® is a product that has made it possible to improve the appearance of the face by temporarily fading expression lines. Although there are now other brands on the market, Botox® remains the most popular toxin and the benchmark for testing new options. Botox® is one of a group of toxins produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It can be found in its natural, complete form in decomposed food in places without oxygen, like rotten tinned food, and can provoke a very serious illness. The Botulinum toxin used for therapeutic purposes is purified according to very high standards, reducing any health risks so that it is very unlikely that patients who receive Botox ® in the correct doses contract a serious illness. That is why Botox® is so commonly used around the world over. Botulinum toxin functions by blocking the “communication” between the nerve endings and the small area of muscular fibers or sweat glands in the zone where it is injected, which stops them from functioning in this area for approximately 4 to 6 months. As a result, wrinkles fade or sweating decreases accordingly.
However, it is important to mention that the use of Botox® cosmetically only works on expression lines like wrinkles between the eyebrows and on the forehead or “crows feet”, as well as some bands that form around the neck. It can also be used to control excessive sweating in the armpits and hands.
Cosmetic use of Botox® does not improve wrinkles caused by sagging, like the furrows on the sides of the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds or laughter lines), neither does it lift sagging tissues like those on the cheeks because it is not a filler and therefore does not strengthen the tissue or increase its tautness.
Is it expensive? A little math will show us that Botox® use is comparable to the purchases throughout the year of cosmetic creams, make-up, treatments and hair appointments, and the results it offers are generally very good.
It is true that it produces strange expressions or a completely frozen face? No, like everything else, proper use in the correct quantities and frequency will produce good results; it is the abuse of the product that can lead to unnatural results.

Medical Tourism

I WANT TO HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY

Thanks to state of the art medical advances, plastic surgery has evolved greatly and reached a high level of sophistication, which has in turn revolutionized the treatments available.

However, before having plastic surgery we need to consider if we are good candidates or not. In order to make such a decision I recommend that you ask yourself some simply questions, in addition to seeking information from your doctor, of course.

- What are my reasons for having plastic surgery?
- Am I in a good condition for surgery?
- Am I willing to go through a recovery period?
- Am I prepared for an unsatisfactory result or complication?

Lets consider these questions:

What are my reasons for having plastic surgery?
Some valid reasons for having plastic surgery might include self-consciousness of a specific “defect,” like a crooked nose, eye bags, a “tired look”, aging or any other defect that concerns or bothers the patient personally. Reasons like: “everybody tells me to have breast surgery but I don’t really care,” “I want to do it because my boyfriend asked me,” or “I want to save my marriage or my relationship” are bad reasons to have plastic surgery and they frequently bring unpleasant results for patients.
Am I in good condition for surgery?
Ideally patients must be completely healthy. Patients who are overweight or have systemic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, arthritis and so forth can receive surgery but need to be checked carefully beforehand in order to ascertain that these conditions are under control. It is important for patients to know that some drugs (prescription or otherwise) like aspirin, vitamins and “natural remedies” may interfere and even delay the possibility of surgery.

Am I willing to go through a recovery period?
Just like any surgery, plastic surgery may produce symptoms such as swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, even some degree of depression or difficulties sleeping for some days after surgery. Patients will need to make several visits to their doctor, wear special garments and take some medication after surgery. You may even need to heed some temporary restrictions like refraining from working or getting a tan. You should always keep in mind that the time it will take to reach your final goal is variable.

Am I prepared for an unsatisfactory result or complication?
Just like the risks of any human activity, plastic surgery can produce unsatisfactory results or complications, even when being carried out by the most skillful and careful surgeon. Therefore, you need to be well informed about the possible risks and solutions. A well-recognized surgeon should be willing and prepared to deal with such unwanted complications, until you are left completely satisfied. Be wary of pseudo-surgeons or pseudo-specialists.

Well, it must seem that I am trying to discourage you from plastic surgery, right? That is not my intention at all; what I want to do is help you to make the best decision when considering plastic surgery and to ensure that you are left satisfied, whatever your choice.

Medical Tourism

Over the last few years there has been a boom in the number of people traveling abroad to seek medical attention to the point where even medical insurance companies are considering extending their cover to different countries. Some of the reasons for this can be attributed to rising costs or saturation of healthcare systems in highly developed countries. Another reason is increased confidence in the medical attention afforded by different countries.

The term “medical tourism” refers to any travel worldwide that is undertaken to receive medical attention; this brings with it opportunities and hope as well as new risks. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) conducted a review of this trend. There are no actual regulations regarding the practice of medical tourism, however, if you are considering opting for medical attention in a place other than your hometown, the following considerations might be useful to keep in mind:

• As your trip is for medical reasons (even for plastic surgery) your activities would be subject to medical instruction.

• Choose services offered in well-known hospitals with professional personnel.

• An essential factor in your decision should be the credentials and reputation of your physician. In Mexico, specialists must be fully certified by one of the different medical boards depending on their specialty.

• Remember to take into consideration the minimum period of time you will spend away from your home. This time may need to be extended.

• In Puerto Vallarta, there are many qualified specialist doctors working in the main local hospitals. Ask friends living here about their previous experiences with a particular doctor and/or hospital. Make sure the doctor you choose will be available the whole time you are supposed to be in town.

• Most importantly, base your decision on the confidence, credentials and reputation your physician offers and not merely on the economic factor.

• Be suspicious when you are unsure of a physician’s credentials or reputation.

• Don’t trust unknown ‘clinics’ or when they offer ‘miracle’ or 100% safe treatments.

• There are physicians around the world self-named “Aesthetic Doctors;” be aware that there is no such specialty. Don’t assume they are Plastic Surgeons

If you follow these simple recommendations, your chances of a successful treatment will be high.