By Linda Hankemeier

Char can see now see just fine through her Irish eyes after previous years of struggle due to heavy eyelids.

“I come from an Irish background,” shared Char. “Every nationality has some traits. Those of us who are Irish sometimes develop heavily-hooded eyelids over time.”

Upper and lower eyelids slowly change as we age. Skin stretches and becomes loose over time, sometimes to the point that your vision becomes blocked or appearance changes.

Char is one of about 200,000 people a year in the U.S. who opted for a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift. While some people choose this procedure solely to improve appearance, Char and others find the eyelid lift is the only way to truly remove the vision obstruction created by their heavy eyelids.

An eyelid lift is one of the most common forms of plastic surgery in the U.S.  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports it was the fourth most common plastic surgery procedure performed with 204,015 procedures completed in 2012 (most current year on record). And, eyelid changes impact both men and women: 14% of all blepharoplasty surgeries were performed on men that year.

“I looked tired all the time. People thought I wasn’t well rested even when I felt great,” Char lamented. “But more importantly, my eyelids were so heavy that I was constantly lifting my forehead muscles to keep my eyes as open as possible which gave me constant headaches.”

Eyelid lifts follow the same process steps as many other plastic surgery procedures. After the necessary pre-operative steps, the day of surgery arrives. The patient is given anesthesia and after the patient is sedated, the plastic surgeon marks the incision lines on the appropriate areas of the eye. Then, incisions are made either in the upper or lower lid, depending on the area needing to be addressed. If the upper lid is the focus, the incisions are made typically around the crease connecting the lid to the brow bone area. For the lower lid, the incision is typically made below the lash area. The additional skin is removed and the incisions are closed.

During recovery, the patient will have bruising and it will take time for the skin to heal. Char described her recovery as “uneventful.” In consultation with her surgeon, she used ointment on the incisions to keep the skin supple and regular application of ice and lots of rest to keep the swelling under control. Approximately five days after surgery, her sutures were removed. She also used makeup during this time to cover the bruising if she needed to go out in public.

The price of blepharoplasty can vary greatly, but there is a chance for at least the upper eyelid lift that it will be covered by insurance if the procedure is needed to correct a medical condition. If the eyelids are impacting a patient’s range of vision, he/she can work with an ophthalmologist to see if visual field testing shows the eyelids are contributing to reduction in vision; the lower eyelids, on the other hand, are normally considered a cosmetic procedure only and is not typically covered by insurance.   Char said she found her eyelid lift to be affordable overall. “People will say they can’t afford things. However, it’s just how you choose to spend your money,” Char commented. “We’ll spend thousands of dollars remodeling a kitchen or buying a car. My eyelid lift is something that makes me feel better, look better and see better.”

And almost two and a half years later Char continues to be pleased with the results of her eyelid lift. “My vision is so much better! I used to have to crank myself around in my seat when backing out of my driveway just to see everything. Now, I turn my head as others do.” Char commented. “I don’t have to use my forehead muscles to keep my eyes open all the time so the headaches are gone.”

Now, others can see Char’s Irish eyes a-smilin and know she feels great. “My eyes now match my energy: I look as upbeat as I feel,” she shares.

Call Dr. Paige Holt for a consultation at (309) 664-4444 if you deal with heavy eyelids that hinder your vision.

Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery

There is nothing easy or simple about a cancer diagnosis. From the moment a patient hears the words “you have breast cancer,” she begins an exhausting schedule of medical appointments, treatments, and procedures. While much attention is given to treating the patient’s medical condition, she also needs support in thinking through her options impacting her health and appearance.

The vast majority of breast cancer diagnoses involve some type of surgical treatment with lumpectomies being more common in early-stage cancer situations. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 57 percent of women with early stage (Stage I or II) breast cancer have a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy and 36 percent have a full mastectomy, with others electing non-surgical options. Thirteen percent of women with late stage breast cancer (Stage III or IV) have a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy and 60 percent have a mastectomy.

The ACS also tells us 20 to 40 percent of women who undergo mastectomy have breast reconstruction which typically includes an implant, tissue from another part of the body, or a combination of the two.  Some types of reconstruction can begin during the mastecomy surgery itself, so having a reconstruction plan from the beginning of treatment is critical. Of course, some women are not candidates for lumpectomies due to the size or location of the tumor. But for a woman who has options, how does she make the decision to remove part or all of her breast?

Current data shows the type of surgery – lumpectomy or mastectomy – does not appear to impact a patient’s survival rate or possibility of cancer recurrence. Also, these surgical options do not impact the need and/or type of chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy a doctor recommends.

A lumpectomy almost always:

• Allows the patient to preserve more of their breast, which can give the patient comfort and an obvious feeling of normalcy.
• Involves a less extensive surgery in which the patient can go home the same day.
• Requires radiation as part of the therapy to treat the breast cancer.
• Does not involve placement of an implant.

Lumpectomy with radiation therapy (XRT) is becoming much more common versus a full mastectomy; from a breast conservation perspective and oncologic perspective, this is good. But there are some downsides to choosing lumpectomy/XRT that are rarely mentioned to the patient.

• Lumpectomies can result in uneven breasts which may not give the patient the look they hoped for.
• The defect may still leave a significant cosmetic concern, but any surgery to correct this may be considered cosmetic and be more difficult to get covered by insurance.
• Radiation treatments can cause adverse cosmetic changes such as darkening of the skin at the treatment site.
• Any surgery that is ever done on the radiated breast for the rest of that patient’s life is at a much higher risk for complications due to the radiation, and, therefore, limits the patient’s options for reconstructive surgery in the future.

The decision to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy is as individual and personal as a surgery can be. Each patient should talk with their plastic surgeon prior to making their final decision so they can be fully informed of the advantages and challenges of each option. As board-certified plastic surgeons, they have the education and experience to provide effective breast reconstruction consultations and provide patients peace of mind during a stressful time as they reclaim their life and body from this disease.

Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery

Most people have seen advertisements that promise to “melt fat away without diet or exercise!”  And most people would dismiss such claims as too good to be true.  However, there really is an FDA approved treatment called Kybella that gets rid of fat in the area below the chin.  Many people feel that their “double chin” makes them look older or heavier than they really are.  Weight gain, aging, and genetics are causes for this problem area in both men and women, and it is often an area that cannot be improved by diet and exercise, especially if genetics is the cause. For those people that are bothered by excess chin fat, Kybella may be an excellent solution.

So how does this fat-melting process work? Deoxycholic acid is naturally produced in the body to break down dietary fat.  Kybella is synthetic deoxycholic acid. When it is injected directly into the fat tissue, it physically destroys the fat cells.  The cells die and are then eliminated naturally from the body.   And once these fat cells are destroyed, they don’t ever come back, so the results are permanent.

Kybella is a quick, in-office treatment that takes about 20 minutes.  You can resume your normal activities right away, although there will likely be some swelling and bruising. Most people need more than one treatment to achieve the best results, and subsequent treatments are usually spaced 1-1/2 to 2 months apart.  Results aren’t noticeable right away.  Since the fat cells are being destroyed, it is more of a gradual process where you will see improvement over the course of several months. Many people have reported that they notice a significant difference after the second treatment.  Even though the results aren’t immediate, the treatment is effective and the improvement is permanent.

It’s important to note that Kybella will not tighten saggy skin – it only gets rid of the fat. And currently, it is only approved for use in the chin area. It cannot be used to eliminate fat in the abdominal area, such as a “muffin top” or “love handles” as these areas are too large and would require too many injections.  It is also not approved for use around the eye area due to safety concerns.

Kybella is very safe. Not only is it made from something that is naturally found in the body, it has been extensively tested.  About the only serious side effect is the small possibility of injuring a nerve, which could cause some weakness of the facial muscles.  But even if this should happen, it would not be permanent.  The most common side effects of Kybella include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and areas of hardness around the treatment area.

Like most cosmetic procedures, Kybella is not covered by insurance.  But unlike many other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the results are permanent, so you do not need to worry about any maintenance or future costs. Kybella is not for everyone, so it’s important to consult a plastic surgeon like Dr. Paige Holt who can answer all your questions and determine the best procedure for you.

Ears: Those wonderful features on the sides of head that allow you to hear the world around you.

For most of us, we probably hear few comments about our ears. But for others, their ears may be the subject of unnecessary conversation.  No one wants to be teased about their appearance, but unfortunately big ears are a regular target. It’s estimated that five percent of the population has ears that stick out beyond a normal range.

Many kids are born with cute little ears that stick out. And, when kids are little, those pronounced ears just add to their overall cuteness. As children grow, the vast majority find their ears slowly become less prominent as their head and features settle into their adult position. However, sometimes ears don’t shift into position or an injury may cause the ears to stick out even more.

Around 20,000 people a year in the US undergo otoplasty, a surgical procedure to adjust or reform the ears. The procedure itself can address a variety of issues either coming from the natural position or size of the person’s ears, medical conditions creating ear deformities, or injuries resulting in disfiguration. Before considering surgery for these types of conditions, it’s best to wait until the patient’s ears are fully grown or, if issues are due to an injury, fully healed. Most surgeons recommend waiting until a child is at least 6 years old, if not older, prior to considering surgery.

If surgery is the right option, the surgeon will meet with the patient ahead of time and plan their surgical procedure. The surgeon will provide the patient (and his/her parents, if the patient is a child) with an overview of what incisions will be needed and what to expect for recovery.

Most times, otoplasty can be performed as an outpatient surgery. The patient is given anesthesia and incisions are made by the surgeon based on the exact needs of the patient’s condition. For many surgeries, the incisions are made behind the ears where the ears can be adjusted but the scars can be easily hid. If incisions are needed in the front of the ears, many surgeons will try to place the incisions inside the folds of the ears to keep the visible scars as limited as possible. Permanent internal sutures are typically used to hold the cartilage in place after the necessary adjustments are made. The surgeon then uses stitches to close the incisions, again focusing on making the stitches as discrete as possible.

Recovery from otoplasty is fairly consistent with other facial plastic surgeries. The patient can expect itching as the stitches heal, and will need to keep the incisions clean and untouched as much as possible. Two things that can be especially challenging after otoplasty are sleeping – if the patient tends to sleep on his/her sides – or washing his/her hair the first few days. In both situations, a patient can discuss the location of the specific incisions for their surgery and ask for recommendations for how best to handle the days that follow surgery.

“Should I or shouldn’t I?” many women ponder before going under the knife. Prior to considering any type of cosmetic surgery, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons associated with the procedure. Deciding whether to go through with a surgery can be difficult enough without having to wade through the laundry list of myths commonly associated with the operation.

Breast augmentation, which was the No. 1 surgery performed during 2012, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, can help improve a woman’s self-confidence, but can it lead to breast cancer? Will they leak? Won’t they feel unnatural? The answer to most of the common myths associated with this procedure is no, but there’s no harm in asking your physician anyway.

They will look fake: FALSE
 A properly performed breast augmentation surgery will not lead to unnatural looking breasts. Healingwell.com emphasizes that the most important selection to be made prior to your surgery is choosing the proper doctor, one who is board certified and experienced in performing cosmetic procedures. Tissue is constructed to match the patient’s age, weight, height and existing cup size, then implants are placed with care and precision for the most natural look.

I won’t be able to breastfeed: FALSE
 One of the most common myths associated with breast surgery is that the patient will no longer be able to breastfeed due to inability or fear of transferring harmful chemicals to an infant. These are both, however, false claims. Mother Inc. explains that there currently exists no medical evidence that states breast implants interfere with breastfeeding capabilities. With or without implants, some women are unable to successfully breastfeed, but implants should not impede a woman’s ability to do so.
They will have to be replaced regularly: FALSE – but there are caveats
While implants do not have to be regularly replaced, ASAPS does remind interested individuals that they may eventually need to be. However, this solely relies upon the patient’s age when receiving the procedure, the type of implant she receives and how she treats her physical health.