The Botox Debate: Is it really Dangerous?

The debate over the safety of Botox injections is as old as the procedure itself—it’s a discussion that’s never really gone away, in part because it’s useful not only as a cosmetic procedure, but also as a medical one. There are some risks associated with the cosmetic use of Botox, but an experienced professional can minimize those risks.

Botox is a toxin, but it can still be used safely

One of the biggest arguments of anti-Botox advocates is the fact that Botox is a toxin. It’s true—Botox is derived from the bacterial toxin that causes the food-borne illness botulism, which can lead to fatal paralysis. However, there’s a huge difference between eating botulism-contaminated food and having Botox injected beneath the skin.

When contaminated food is eaten, death is a risk because the toxin can pass into the tissues and make its way to the lungs, where it has a paralyzing effect on the nerves that control breathing. When the toxin is administered beneath the skin, as in the use of cosmetic Botox injections, it typically does not move away from the location where it’s injected. The Botox dose used for cosmetic purposes is extremely small, which serves to reduce the risks even further.

Anti-Botox advocates also argue that Botox use is linked to fatalities. This is partly true, but again, it’s not the whole truth.

While there have been some deaths associated with the use of botulism toxin, the deaths are linked to medical use of the toxin, not cosmetic use. When Botox is used for cosmetic purposes according to FDA guidelines, the dose that’s administered is too small to cause fatal complications.

Botox has side effects and risks, but they can be minimized

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are side effects and risks involved in the use of Botox, but the common side effects are minor and last only a short time.

The truth is, most of the problems associated with the cosmetic use of Botox arise in cases where it’s been administered incorrectly, by someone who lacks the experience to do the job right. Incorrect placement of Botox can cause some side effects that last for several months, such as drooping eyelids, dry eyes, and crooked eyebrows or mouth. In very rare cases, serious symptoms such as difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing, or muscle weakness, may occur. These symptoms require prompt medical treatment, but it bears repeating that they’re extremely rare, and don’t occur when Botox is used correctly.

When Botox injections are administered by an experienced professional, there are some side effects that can be unpleasant—such as a small amount of bruising and swelling at the site of the injection—but these effects are minimal and temporary, and are not dangerous.

Still have questions about Botox?

Give Dr. Chasby Sacks a call at his Arizona surgery center today. 

Is Liposuction Safe? How Advanced Techniques Reduce the Risks

All surgical procedures have some attendant risks, and cosmetic procedures are no exception. With liposuction, the main risks relate to the use of general anesthetic, and complications that can arise after the procedure, such as infection, embolism, and alterations in skin sensitivity at liposuction sites. Some complications are potentially life-threatening, but they occur very rarely.

While there are risks associated with liposuction, a trained professional is able to minimize those risks to make the procedure much safer for the patient. As well as this, modifications have been made to the liposuction procedure, with new techniques and technology giving rise to methods that are safer and less invasive. One such technique is tumescent liposuction, which is what Dr. Sacks performs at his AZ cosmetic surgery office.

The main difference that makes tumescent liposuction distinct from other forms of liposuction is the way in which anesthesia is administered. Prior to the development of tumescent liposuction, general anesthetic was required for all liposuction procedures. This added to the risks of the procedure, simply because there’s always a very small risk of fatal complications whenever general anesthesia is used. In tumescent liposuction, anesthesia is administered via IV directly into the liposuction site, which means that general anesthesia is not needed for the procedure.

As an additional safety measure epinephrine is added to the IV solution used for tumescent liposuction. This causes temporary constriction of local blood vessels, which reduces blood loss and eliminates the need for transfusions. Another safety enhancement is the fact that lidocaine is typically used for IV anesthesia. This pain-killing drug helps inhibit bacterial growth, and therefore helps reduce the risk of post-operative infection.

While the risk of serious complications is much lower, even advanced techniques like tumescent liposuction have side-effects. There are several minor side-effects that all people will experience as a result of liposuction. After this procedure, it’s absolutely normal to experience bruising and tenderness for several days, and even discomfort and pain. There may also be a small amount of bleeding for the first couple of days. The most common side-effect is swelling at the liposuction sites. Most swelling subsides within a few days, but minor swelling can linger for quite a while, and often it’s several weeks before the final results of the procedure can be fully appreciated.

Still have questions about liposuction?

If you have any questions for Dr. Chasby Sacks aboutLiposuction, feel free to call our Arizona cosmetic surgery center for a consultation today.

Can You Still Breastfeed after an Augmentation Procedure?

Breast augmentation has always been one of the more common plastic surgery procedures, but although it’s well-known, there’s still a lot of misinformation circulating. One particularly persistent myth is the idea that women are unable to breastfeed after having this surgery; in fact, most women find that their ability to breastfeed is not affected by augmentation surgery.

There is a small germ of truth in the myth, however: while most women can produce milk, some find that they produce smaller quantities of milk, and might have to supplement their baby’s diet with formula. If you’ve had breast augmentation surgery and are hoping to breastfeed, it can be useful to talk with a lactation consultant before the birth, for advice on improving milk flow. It’s a good idea to also talk with your baby’s pediatrician about the surgery you had. This way, the pediatrician will know to monitor your baby’s weight gain more closely as an extra precaution.

There’s no way to tell in advance exactly how a woman’s ability to produce milk might be affected by the surgery, but there are indications that certain incision types have more of an effect than others. When the surgical incision is made around the areola, it’s more likely that a woman’s milk will be affected than if the incision was made beneath the breast fold, or in the armpit. This is because nerves in the breasts signal the brain to produce a hormone that promotes lactation, and an areola incision is more likely to affect those nerves. Even so, the risk with an areola incision is still fairly small. Generally, if a woman has a good level of nipple sensation after her surgery, her ability to produce milk is unlikely to be affected.

Augmentation versus other Breast Surgery Procedures

While most women find that they can still breastfeed at least partially, if not fully, after an augmentation, some other types of breast alteration procedures are more likely to result in breastfeeding issues. Some women experience problems after a breast reduction or reconstruction procedure, for example. This is because reduction and reconstruction surgery are more likely to involve the actual removal of breast tissue, or the severing of nerves in the breasts, so these procedures are more likely to affect the function of milk-producing glands or the milk ducts.

If you still have any questions about breast feeding after breast augmentations please contact Dr. Chasby Sacks at his Arizona cosmetic surgery center today. 

5 Year-Round Skin Care Tips to Keep your Skin Youthful

A facelift can work wonders for sagging skin, but have you ever noticed that some people just seem to look naturally youthful? Surgery aside, there’s so much you can do to keep your skin looking young, from everyday skincare to minor cosmetic procedures that can rejuvenate tired skin.

Make sunscreen part of your daily routine

Almost everyone knows these days that too much sun exposure is bad for the skin, but how many of us actually use sunscreen on a daily basis? For women who wear makeup on a daily basis this is less of a problem, but it’s important to note that most sunscreens are only effective for a few hours, and it’s necessary to reapply at least once during the day. Also remember to protect the neck, décolletage, and hands, which are all very sensitive areas, and prone to developing a crêpey look with age.

And men, take note: skin cancer is more common in men than in women, and more likely to be fatal, too. That’s partly because so many makeup products contain sunscreen, but in some cases, it’s just that men don’t think to use sunscreen, even when they’re spending a lot of time outside. Don’t fall victim to this trap—start using sunscreen today, and protect your skin from cancer and aging at the same time.

Great skin starts with good nutrition

Protecting your skin will definitely help you keep looking young, but don’t forget that health starts from the inside, and so does youth. A healthy diet and good hydration contribute to a youthful appearance by providing your skin with essential nutrients—vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, and plenty of moisture.

Incorporate healthy lifestyle habits

Similarly, regular exercise helps keep your skin looking young, because with improved muscle tone your skin has the support it needs to prevent sagging. Exercise also improves your circulation, keeping your skin well-supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Good-quality sleep and stress reduction techniques also help keep you—and your skin—looking and feeling young.

Consider having regular chemical peels

A single chemical peel can improve the skin’s appearance and texture, but for best results, it’s preferable to have a series of peels over the course of a few months. Mild chemical peels can be used as often as every month, a course of action which is especially beneficial for people with chronic skin conditions like acne or hyperpigmentation. Otherwise, a chemical peel one to four times a year helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and sun damage, giving the skin a more youthful look.

Always wash your face before bed

Little things can make a huge difference, and this one is no different. The best time to wash your face is right before bed, to give your skin a good eight hours free from the dirt and grime that collects during everyday life—but be sure to moisturize afterwards.

If you have any questions for Dr. Chasby Sacks, feel free to call our Arizona cosmetic surgery center for a consultation. 

10 Plastic Surgery Myths You Thought Were True

There’s a lot of conflicting information about plastic surgery, making it difficult to decide whether or not it’s a good idea. Here we debunk some common myths about plastic surgery, to help you make informed choices.

Plastic surgery is only about vanity

Appearance is important to most people, but surgery is about more than looks. People who have cosmetic procedures don’t just feel more attractive, they tend to feel more self-confident and have higher self-esteem too.

Procedures are too expensive

It used to be that only very wealthy people could afford cosmetic procedures, but that’s not the case any more. Botox, hair removal, and chemical peels cost only a few hundred dollars per session, and the average breast augmentation procedure is around $6,000.

Cosmetic procedures make you look fake

This one is up to the individual—people who have too many procedures, or who try to change their appearance too drastically, sometimes do look unnatural. But if you’re just looking to enhance your appearance without changing it dramatically, you’re on the right track to looking great.

Fat always grows back after liposuction

Liposuction physically removes fat and fat cells from the body, and the fat doesn’t spontaneously grow back. If someone gains weight after liposuction, it typically happens for the same reasons as they had excess fat in the first place, whether that’s taking in too many calories, or having a naturally high weight set-point.

Botox is unsafe and looks unnatural

As long as Botox is administered by a trained and experienced professional, there’s very little chance of anything going wrong. And Botox looks natural, as long as it’s used in moderation—the telltale “frozen face” look only comes when it’s overused.

Surgery causes visible scars

Most surgery does cause some scarring, but cosmetic surgeons are trained to hide scars in places that aren’t normally visible. For example, facelift scars are hidden behind the ears and at the hairline.

Breast implants are unsafe

As with any kind of surgery, there are risks involved with breast augmentation. Multiple research studies show that breast implants don’t increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, however, and the FDA says implants have a “reasonable assurance” of safety and effectiveness.

Silicone implants aren’t as safe as other kinds

This was once true, because the first silicone implants weren’t as durable as they are now. Modern silicone implants are much stronger, and they have the same low chance of leakage as saline implants.

Women can’t breastfeed after augmentation surgery

In some cases breast augmentation procedures do affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed, but most women are able to breastfeed normally after this surgery.

Cosmetic procedures are only for women

This might have been the case several decades ago, but not any more. According to studies carried out by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of men undergoing cosmetic procedures has nearly tripled in the last 25 years.

Questions for a cosmetic surgeon?

If you have any questions for Dr. Chasby Sacks, feel free to call our Arizona cosmetic surgery center today.

02/12/2015  | Chasby Sacks 

Very annoying article in NewBeauty magazine recently equating untrained Physicans with Surgeons certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

The ABCS (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery) is the only Board certifying exclusively in Cosmetic Surgery. Surgeons certified by this Board must undergo Fellowship training in Cosmetic Surgery under the guidance of a Senior Cosmetic Surgeon and they must exhibit their own experience of 300 Cosmetic Surgery procedures before being eligible to take the Board exam after this training. The ABCS examination process is rigorous  and consists of both oral and written portions, both of which must be passed.

The ABCS stresses experience, training, education and safety for Board certification and patients can be reassured that ABCS Board Certified Surgeons have achieved the highest standards in Cosmetic Surgery.

Please click on this link to get the TRUE STORY! www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/newbeauty-open-letter

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Arizona Cosmetic Surgery blog. 

We'll be posting helpful cosmetic tips, news from the cosmetic surgery industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in cosmetic surgery.

We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients. 

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Here's to a better you!