Through the new VISIA in-depth analysis of your unique facial characteristics, it is possible to design a facial rejuvenation and skin care program customized just for your specific complexion. The VISIA system’s multi-spectral imaging and analysis gives your plastic surgeon or skin care specialist a clear, multidimensional 'picture' of the individual aspects of your complexion which contribute to your overall appearance by identifying your skin's condition both on the surface and beneath your skin's surface. The VISIA imaging system measures features such as evenness and wrinkles to identify sun damage, and VISIA provides the most comprehensive means available for identifying all aspects of your complexion’s health.
Utilizing VISIA’s accurate imaging of your complexion, your skin care professional or plastic surgeon can design an optimal skin rejuvenation plan for your unique combination of facial characteristics and present you with options to help you realize the complexion you desire. Based on your individual complexion profile, your facial rejuvenation program will also include personalized recommendations for an ongoing skin care health plan, with VISIA imaging as an invaluable aid in monitoring your complexion’s vitality and checking effectiveness of your skin care regimen during a treatment plan.

Your skin complexion is the window through which your image is shown to the rest of the world. The VISIA Complexion Analysis system provides the information necessary to accurately individualize a facial rejuvenation and skin care regimens to match your unique complexion. A VISIA imaging session uses multi-spectral imaging and analysis to capture key 'visual' information of six key areas affecting your complexion's health and its appearance. These areas include wrinkles, spots, pores, color variation/evenness in the your skin's tone), evidence of bacteria within your skin's pores, and UV damage. In addition, the VISIA analysis sustem provides a precise and informative comparison of your complexion’s characteristics to those of others that share your same age and skin type.

La cirugía de los párpados, o blefaroplastia, corrige párpados caidos, así como bolsas y bultos alrededor de los ojos. Estas condiciones ser desarrollan como resultado de relajamiento de la piel del párpado y acumulación de la grasa alrededor de los ojos. No se limita a pacientes de mayor edad, como muchos individuos heredan una predisposición hacia el desarrollo de bolsas grasosas en una edad temprana. Debido a ello, la corrección quirúrgica es apropiada para todos grupos de edad.
Siguiendo las líneas naturales de sus párpados, el cirujano hace incisiones que utilizan un escalpelo o un láser . El exceso de la piel entonces puede ser removida por la extirpación tradicional o por el láser; la grasa no esencial se quita precisamente (para evitar un futuro aspecto "hueco" a medida que el paciente incrementa en edad). Las suturas finas se utilizan para cerrar los incisiones (y puede ser removido en dos a siete días). Asegurese de consultar con un cirujano plastico antes de someterse a la cirujia de parpados.

Body Shaping A great body can't always be achieved by diet and exercise alone. Everyone desires to be in the best shape possible. That's why body contouring surgery continues to increase at a dramatic rate.  With your plastic surgeon's vision, liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or body lift surgery can be life-altering procedures that improve your body shape and form.

A beautiful body can significantly contribute to a feeling of youth and vibrancy. Body sculpting procedures give amazing results and your body can have a wonderful new shape. Being confident about your body makes you feel good about yourself. There's a perfect form of body sculpting surgery for every part of your body that you're dissatisfied with. A plastic surgeon can sculpt your body with contours that you thought were gone forever. Once you've decided that you want a tighter, sleeker silhouette, the only other decision that you'll have to make is which slinky dress you'll want to slip into.

You may be a candidate for thigh lift surgery if you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity of the thigh, hip, or buttock areas. You may also desire this procedure if your skin in the thigh area is saggy, has an orange peel, flabby and/or dimpled appearance. The thigh lift surgery procedure may also be indicated if your thigh appearance improves dramatically when you lift the lax skin. If you are self-conscious about your lower body appearance you may also want to look into this procedure. The procedure is intended to produce tighter, more attractive thigh and buttock skin with improved contours. It is also intended to decrease irregularities in skin surface.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis unless otherwise advised by the surgeon. Wide variations in the design of the incisions to meet clothing or personal desires are possible. Lifting the inner thighs requires only short incisions extending from the anterior part of the thigh/groin crease around to the buttock crease. Lateral or anterior thigh lifts can be performed as separate procedures if desired. The buttocks can be lifted with upper or lower scars. The plastic surgeon will show you what specific procedures are available to solve your particular problem.

While there are usually only minimal risks or complications when a facelift is performed by a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon, it is important that you follow the surgeon's instruction closely in order to minimize the chance of any possible risk factors. A condition called Hematoma C, a collection of blood under the skin, can possibly occur with a surgical procedure and, must be removed by your surgeon. The nerves that control muscles in your face can possibly be injured; however, research has shown that any damage is usually temporary. As with any plastic surgery procedure, infection of the surgery site is a possibility, and some patients reported a negative reaction to the use of anesthesia. For those patients that smoke, nicotine effects blood circulation, and therefore,  a longer recovery period is required.

When you consult with your surgeon, your face, skin, and underlying bone structure will be evaluated. Also, your medical history will be reviewed in order to check for potential surgery-related issues, including high blood pressure, potential blood clotting, or if your skin shows a tendency to form large, excessive scars. During your consultation, it is also recommended that you discuss both your expectations and your goals with your surgeon in order to ensure the best possibility for your desired, results.

Important Tips for Would-Be Gift Givers, Recipients

More and more couples are considering plastic surgery as the ultimate gift. However, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of any aesthetic procedure, as well as choosing the surgeon, and setting that are right for you.

There are benefits to coming in for a consultation with a loved one, but decisions about individual surgeries should only be made by the person who is going to undergo the procedure. Additionally, couples who are both undergoing procedures should time their surgeries so that the other person can be available to care for their partner when they have surgery.

 

For anyone considering aesthetic surgery, Here is some important advice:

• The idea for plastic surgery should come from the person who intends to have it, not from a spouse, relative or friend.
• Plastic surgery takes planning. If you expect to give or receive a "gift" of plastic surgery, make sure that everyone involved does their homework well ahead of time. A self-motivated, well-informed patient is more likely to be a satisfied patient.
• Patients should discuss risks, benefits, expectations, and desires with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Surgery should be performed at an accredited surgical facility. All members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have significant documented experience in cosmetic surgery, and operate only in accredited surgical facilities.
• Not all patients are good candidates for all procedures. Patients need to be evaluated by a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if they are an appropriate candidate for a particular procedure.

Women with very large, pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight-from back and neck pain and skin irritation to skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Bra straps may leave indentations in their shoulders. And unusually large breasts can make a woman-or a teenage girl-feel extremely self-conscious.

Breast reduction surgery, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed for such women. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.

If you're considering breast reduction, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure- when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

The Best Candidates for Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is usually performed for physical relief rather than simply cosmetic improvement. Most women who have the surgery are troubled by very large, sagging breasts that restrict their activities and cause them physical discomfort.

In most cases, breast reduction isn't performed until a woman's breasts are fully developed; however, it can be done earlier if large breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. The best candidates are those who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results. Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed.

Your New Look
Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first few weeks, it may be six months to a year before your breasts settle into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response to your hormonal shifts, weight changes, and pregnancy.

Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest body-image changes. You'll be rid of the physical discomfort of large breasts, your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit you better.

The abdominoplasty procedure is an operation which is performed to eliminate excess fatty tissue and skin folds in the mid to lower abdominal region. Often, women who have experienced multiple pregnancies have an excess amount of skin in this region as a result of abdominal swelling during pregnancy. During this procedure, the surgeon raises abdominal skin and tissue, stretching it downward and removing the excess with a closure within what is referred to as a “bikini line.” Repair of muscular structures is done at the same time. Often, the procedure involves repositioning the navel to a higher level. To enhance the result, liposuction of the hips and abdomen is often performed.

The procedure begins with the plastic surgeon making an incision that goes from hip to hip along the lower pubic area, made in an area that will allow the resulting scar from the procedure to be hidden under a bathing suit or underwear. The surgeon will then lift the loose skin from the abdominal wall, at which point the loosened “rectus” muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength are tightened and repaired. This provides essentially the same effect of an old-fashioned girdle.

The belly button, or “umbilicus,” will be disconnected from the abdomen. The loose skin will be removed, the abdominal wall will be tightened, the thighs and buttocks will be tightened, and the belly button will be reattached. Drains will be used on each side of the abdominal incision in order to remove excess fluid and prevent buildup after the procedure.

In the abdominoplasty, postoperative scarring is significant and may take from six months to a year for resolution; it will never disappear completely. Most often abdominoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Routine activity can be resumed within ten days, but sports and exercising are prohibited for six weeks to allow the muscle to heal properly.

All too often, many people think of cosmetic surgeons as Doctors who decided not to pursue a more in depth field of medicine such a heart surgeon, or neurological surgeon, etc. What most do not realize is that cosmetic surgery is not a fly by night industry and while there are those surgeons who do a good job at furthering that myth, the majority of cosmetic surgeons are caring, skilled and experienced doctors with a sharp eye for the details.

Realize that cosmetic surgery is a very in depth field. Everyday a large number of cosmetic surgeons take a role in advancing the techniques and methods used in order to make cosmetic surgery procedures safer, and increase the probability of successful surgical procedures. Currently there are many techniques, and advancements for products such as breast Implants in clinical trials, being tested, research data is being recorded, and Patients taking part in these trails feedback and experiences are being sought- all in an effort to improve cosmetic surgery as a whole.

In order for a cosmetic surgeon in Idaho to excel, be successful and maintain a positive reputation, it takes a tireless work ethic, never ending study and education, and a desire to help people become the best they can be. Many of these successful cosmetic surgeons are also talented artists, and that natural artistic quality carries over into plastic surgery.

In short, to become and remain a successful cosmetic surgeon, one must always maintain a compassionate desire to help others, and do everything possible to further advance the technology, surgical methods and techniques that make cosmetic surgery procedures and successful results a reality.

Breast augmentation plastic surgery is one of the most common procedures performed annually by members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Women may choose to under go breast enlargement surgery for various reasons. These personal reasons may center around breasts that are perceived to be under developed, or because of differences in the sizes of the breasts or from changes after pregnancy or breast feeding. Some women may be happy with their breasts but just want them made fuller. Often after weight loss, aging or childbirth a woman's breast volume and shape may change. This too can lead to a woman to seek a breast augmentation. Breast implant surgery performed by cosmetic plastic surgeons is the most popular way to improve breast shape and size. Breast enhancement using breast implants can give a woman more proportional shape and may improve self esteem.

Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?

• you are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
• clothes that fit well around your hips are often too large at the bustline
• you feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top
• your breasts have become smaller and lost their firmness after having children
• weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts
• one of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other

What should I expect during the recovery process?

Recovery
At the conclusion of your breast augmentation procedure, you may be placed in a surgical dressing that may include a support bra or garment. Your Plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed instruction that should be followed. Prior to your discharge, you and your caregiver will be given detailed instructions about your post-surgical care including drains if they have been placed, the normal symptoms you will experience, and any potential signs of complication.

Options for your recovery after undergoing breast augmentation include:

• Home: When discharged, you will be released to the care of a responsible adult with safe, licensed transportation home. The adult may be a family member, friend or hired caregiver and must be competent to understand your recovery instructions and to monitor your health. Your caregiver must commit to stay with you at all times for a minimum of 24 hours after surgery.
• Licensed Recovery Facility: You will be released to the care of a licensed post-surgical recovery facility where nurses or specially trained medical professionals will monitor your health and comfort until you are able to return home and capably care for yourself.
• Hotel or spa: You may wish to recover at a hotel or spa location, where licensed healthcare professionals will monitor your recovery around the clock as recommended by your plastic surgeon.
• Overnight Hospital Stay: An overnight hospital stay may be offered to you or may be recommended. In this case your surgery will be performed at the hospital where you will stay overnight. You will be released from the hospital to a capable caregiver to continue your recovery at home, or to a licensed recovery facility.

You should be walking under your own strength immediately after your breast augmentation surgery. It is very important that you walk a few minutes every few hours to reduce the risk of blood clot formation in your legs.

The first 2-5 days following your breast augmentation surgery you may feel stiff and sore in the chest region. Any dressings will be removed within several days, and you may be instructed to wear a support bra. Your breasts may feel tight and sensitive to the touch, and your skin may feel warm or itchy. You may experience difficulty raising your arms. You should not lift, push or pull anything, or engage in any strenuous activity or twisting of the upper body. Some discoloration and swelling will occur initially, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month.

The effects of gravity, the stresses of daily life, and even just the evidence of time become visible in peoples' faces, causes the formation of deep creases between the nose and mouth, the loosening and slackening of the jaw line, the development of jowls, and the appearance of both folds and fat deposits on and around the neck.

While a facelift surgery cannot stop or even slow down the aging process, it can set back the clock by cosmetically altering and adjusting the placement of the skin on your face and neck, as well as removing excess fat and tightening the muscles underneath the skin. If a facelift is performed, it may be accompanied by a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or other procedures.

Candidates For A Facelift

Ideal candidates for facelifts are men or women whose skin on their neck and face has begun to sag, although their skin still retains some of its elasticity. A strong, well-defined bone structure also makes the procedure more simple. While some patients are in their seventies or eighties, most recipients of a facelift are in their forties to sixties. After a facelift, a patient will still look like themselves, but will help you look younger and fresher and may, accordingly, increase your self-confidence; it cannot, however, give you more youthful energy or vitality.

As with any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure, it is important to do you research and consult with a plastic surgeon prior to having any surgical procedure. Make sure you fully understand your chosen procedure and have all your questions answered.

As with any surgery procedure, the single most important factor in the success of aesthetic plastic surgery is the cosmetic surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility lightly. In most states, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That is why it is essential for you to understand what makes a surgeon qualified and research the qualifications of any surgeon that you are considering.

Breast augmentation Surgery
One decision more and more women are making everyday is to have cosmetic surgery in Oklahoma, in particular breast enhancement surgery (a procedure to enhance the size of your breasts by using implants – saline implants or silicone implants.) Implants are indicated for females where the patient is at least 18 years of age, and for reconstruction of the female breast. Cosmetic Surgeons are able to increase a woman's bust line by one or more bra cup sizes. Advances in technology and surgical technique are making cosmetic surgery a popular option among women of all ages desiring a change in the way they look. The decision to undergo breast enhancement surgery may result in a more flattering, better proportioned figure, more clothing options, and may enhance your confidence and self-esteem.

BOTOX®
Non-Invasive surgery procedures are becoming increasingly popular. Part of the reasoning behind this shift in popularity is because in this day and age, many advances have been made in facial rejuvenation and for a large number of patients, full face lift surgeries are not required for women to get the look they desire. Most of these facial rejuvenation procedures offer the desired results with little or no down time. One of the most popular facial rejuvenation procedures is BOTOX® Treatments.

Breast augmentation surgery, or augmentation mammoplasty, enhances the body contour of a woman who is unhappy with her breast size. It may also be used to correct volume loss after pregnancy, to help balance breast size asymmetries, or as a reconstructive technique following other breast surgery. The breast implant (prosthesis) is usually composed of an outer silicone shell filled with saline (salt water). The outer surface may be smooth or textured, and breast implants in Thousand Oaks come in various shapes to meet the individual woman’s needs.

The operation is carried out under general anesthesia and usually on an outpatient basis. The incision can be made under the breast, around the nipple or in the armpit. The implant may then be placed under the breast tissue and glands or partially under the pectoralis major muscle (the thickness of the breast tissue and its ability to adequately cover the implant is a determining factor in its placement). It generally takes one to two hours to complete the entire procedure.

While breast augmentation will enlarge the breasts, it will not alter basic defects in breast shape or form. Major asymmetries may be improved but will not be completely corrected. A slight difference in the size or shape of the two breasts is considered normal and should not be a cause for concern. If the difference in individual breast size or nipple position is great, then additional procedures to further improve symmetry may be necessary.

Be sure to consult with a plastic surgeon before having a Breast Augmentation procedure and do your research- do not take this all-too-important step lightly- it can mean the difference between a successful surgery and a nightmare.

Body Shaping A great body can't always be achieved by diet and exercise alone. Everyone desires to be in the best shape possible. That's why body contouring surgery continues to increase at a dramatic rate. Body Contouring procedures such as liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or even complete body lift surgery can be life-altering procedures that improve your body shape and form.

A beautiful body can significantly contribute to a feeling of youth and vibrancy. Body sculpting procedures give amazing results and your body can have a wonderful new shape. Being confident about your body makes you feel good about yourself. There's a perfect form of body sculpting surgery for every part of your body that you're dissatisfied with. Your Plastic Surgeon can sculpt your body with contours that you thought were gone forever. Once you've decided that you want a tighter, sleeker silhouette, the only other decision that you'll have to make is which slinky dress you'll want to slip into.

Liposuction Surgery can effectively remove the stubborn areas of fat that remain despite diet and exercise. Through a very tiny incision, which can be easily concealed, the surgeon places a tube beneath the skin. A combination of ultrasound energy and suction will remove and sculpt fatty layers. After wards, a compression garment or girdle will help control swelling and provide comfort while the skin shrinks and the bruising resolves.

Though liposuction alone can help many, others may find a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty to be the right solution. It is common for surgeons to help patients who have dieted, jogged, and done everything possible and still were unable to reduce their abdomen and stomach area. A surgeon's goal in a tummy tuck procedure is to create a flat, firm stomach and a thinner waist. As with all all body contouring procedures, A "partial" or "mini" tummy tuck can be applied in conjunction with liposculpture.

Your skin is the one organ you can have hands on care. Beautiful skin is obtainable by everyone. There are now revolutionary Skin Care procedures out that will strip away the dead layers of skin and rejuvenate the underlying supporting structures of your skin to give you that fresh new look you had in your youth. Your Plastic Surgeon recommend to you the right brand of skin treatment for your individual skin type to achieve the ultimate results.

Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are used for this purpose. The precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient's needs. Although chemical peel may be performed in conjunction with a facelift, it is not a substitute for such surgery, nor will it prevent or slow the aging process.

Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but neither treatment will remove all scars and flaws or prevent aging. Before you decide to have a skin-refinishing treatment, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. Men and women of all ages, from young people to older adults, can benefit from dermabrasion and dermaplaning. Although older people heal more slowly, more important factors are your skin type, coloring, and medical history. For example, black skin, Asian skin, and other dark complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy after a skin-refinishing treatment. People who develop allergic rashes or other skin reactions, or who get frequent fever blisters or cold sores, may experience a flare-up. If you have freckles, they may disappear in the treated area.

Day to day skin care of the face is equally important to one's appearance as peeling, resurfacing, and augmentation procedures.

Plastic Surgeons and Skin Care Specialists alike employ some of the latest and most effective methods of skin restoration available today. Only a qualified expert can provide such dermatological care. These processes use beautifying products that can remove any blemishes and discolorations while at the same time promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. The new cells will be rich in the natural chemicals that are necessary to make skin supple, yet strong. You’ll love your renewed vibrance!

Laser Skin Resurfacing
Time, sun, wind, and gravity all take their toll on the skin. The laser is the ultimate technology for precise aesthetic removal of deeper lines around the eyes, lips, cheeks and forehead. Some facial scars can also be improved with laser surgery. Your surgeon will review your medical history, examine your skin type and pigmentation to determine if laser resurfacing is appropriate for you.

Chemical Peels
Depending on one's goals, skin type and degree of skin aging you may benefit from any one of a variety of chemical peeling procedures. Different peeling agents will produce different degrees of skin penetration resulting in variable improvements in facial wrinkling and fine line improvement. Your plastic surgeon will review with you which peeling agent would be best for you.

Remember that any Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery procedure carries with it some level of risk. One should consult with a qualified and experienced specialist, and be sure to do his/her research prior to having your chosen procedure. There are many good websites on the internet offering information about plastic and cosmetic procedures. The best I have found is lookingyourbest.com- a free site that provides a wealth of in depth and accurate plastic surgery information.

The most common reason for breast augmentation surgery is a desire for larger breasts. In general plastic surgeons not recommend cosmetic breast augmentation for women under 18 years of age. Many women requesting breast augmentation have lost breast volume after pregnancy and nursing or simply with aging.

WHAT CHANGES CAN BE EXPECTED?

The breasts will be larger. A sagging breast can be lifted The most appropriate size implant is determined after a physical examination and is a joint decision between you and your plastic surgeon. Some women want only a very small implant, to restore the breast size and perhaps shape they had before childbearing. A small percentage of women want very large breasts. This may not be advisable, because there may not be enough support in the breast tissues, and too large an implant in these women can cause thinning of the skin or increase the risk of "capsular contracture." This is a hardening of the breast caused by shrinkage of the normal scar envelope that the body makes around any implant.

My mother has had multiple pregnancies in her life causing her abdominal skin to stretch and become saggy. This causes her to be very uncomfortable and self conscious about her appearance. She tried dieting and exercise to get rid of the problem but it did not seem to work at all, so she asked me to help her find a solution. I suggested a website offering information about plastic Surgery in Orange County California and she searched the website hoping that she could find a surgery to fix her problem. She learned about Abdominoplasty also known as a tummy tuck and also on that site we learned that "Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall." We also learned that "Women who have had multiple pregnancies and stretched their abdominal muscles and skin will specially benefit from such a procedure." My mother was very excited by this and could not wait to set up an appointment to talk to a surgeon nearby. She is now well on her way to receiving a Tummy Tuck surgery of her own.

It remains that with any elective plastic surgery, it is very important for anyone considering this procedure to be given informed consent. This means that anyone considering having permanent implantation of a medical device is made aware not only of the risks of the operation itself, but also of the lifelong risks of having implants. Anyone considering a plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure should first consult with a Plastic Surgeon to have your questions answered and gain an understanding of your chosen surgery procedure.

As with any surgery, the single most important factor in the success of cosmetic surgery is the surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility lightly. In most states, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That is why it is essential for you to understand what makes a cosmetic surgeon qualified and research the qualifications of any surgeon that you are considering.

Dr. Dan Mills, a cosmetic surgeon in Orange County California, recommends you choose a doctor who is board certified and affiliated with a reputable hospital, and is up-to-date on what is new in his/her field. Does your doctor offer a variety of techniques? With the right doctor, Breast augmentation procedures can yield marked results.

Dr. Mills has been in practice for over 15 years, with an additional 10 years experience teaching plastic surgery at Loma Linda University, and combines a sense of aesthetics, his surgical skills, and the latest techniques to achieve the results his clients want. He feels it is crucial that his patients find his practice to be a safe and comfortable environment, as well.

"It's very important that you feel comfortable with your doctor," Dr. Mills explains. "You should be able to talk to him/her openly, expressing your concerns. Communication is key in a relationship with your doctor," especially when you're talking about what you want from the surgery.

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, involves the removal of fat usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes. These features may make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. This procedure doesn't involve crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

Candidates suitable for eyelid surgery:
Blepharoplasty can enhance your looks and give your self confidence but won't make you look entirely different. So be realistic in your expectations.

1. The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable.
2. Most are 35 or older.
3. If droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
4. The medical conditions which make blepharoplasty more risky are thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and graves' diseases, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease.
5. If you have a detached retina or glaucoma. Check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.

When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. But you should always expect risks and discuss with your plastic surgeon about the pros and cons involved.

Blepharoplasty may take one to three hours. For this procedure, the plastic surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in your lower lids. The incisions can extend into the crow's feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes.

If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed, your plastic surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelids, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.