Younger Looking Skin with No Long-term Commitment

Jul 25, 2014 | Uncategorized

Summer might have a reputation as the season for lounging by the pool and taking leisurely road trips, but “organized chaos” is probably closer to the truth. During the summer months mothers and professionals in Johnson City have their hands full. If you’re looking for a quick aesthetic boost before your next vacation, but don’t have time for a full surgical recovery, a non-surgical procedure could be your busy-season solution.

Chemical Peels

Dermatologists have made chemical peels famous for rejuvenating the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and smoothing blemishes on the face. Chemical peels are a quick, easy procedure with little downtime. TCA peels may result in some redness, puffy skin, or mild peeling for up to a week. The recovery time for a microdermabrasion or glycolic acid peel is much milder, and rarely lasts longer than 48 hours. Our experienced technician will carefully remove the rough outer layer of skin to remove blemishes and reveal the smooth, youthful skin below. Chemical peels are a simple procedure with minimal discomfort. A patient can undergo a glycolic acid or microdermabrasion treatment on their lunch break and return to work that afternoon, or stop by for a chemical peel during travel preparations and head off to the beach several days later.

Injectable Fillers and Botox

Botox, Juvederm, and fat injections are the cosmetic procedure of choice for non-surgical improvement of wrinkles and creases around the face. Botox is popular among both male and female patients for its subtlety and effective results. Botox treatments involve injecting a prescription medication into the muscle to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Juvederm is an injectable filler used plump the lips and treat wrinkles and creases around the mouth and chin. The results of Botox last several months; Juvederm treatments last around a year. During a fat injection treatment Dr. Brantner will remove fat from the patient’s stomach area to inject into their face. Fat injections are used to treat loose skin, facial depressions, and wrinkles or creases in the face. The effects are usually permanent, and have lower risk of complications because the injectable material came from the patient’s own tissue.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are an easy way to see fast results. Chemical peels, injectable fillers, and Botox treatments have minimal procedure and recovery time, making them minimally disruptive to a patient’s busy schedule. To schedule a procedure, contact Dr. Brantner’s scheduling coordinator.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon

Jul 18, 2014 | Uncategorized

After a patient decides to have cosmetic surgery, she must find the right physician. Research board certified plastic surgeons in Johnson City, TN before scheduling a cosmetic surgery consultation.

Plastic Surgery Credentials

When a patient decides to undergo cosmetic surgery, finding a qualified plastic surgeon is crucial. A board certified surgeon has the skill and experience to address potential complications during surgery or infections during healing. Make sure your plastic surgeon:

• Is board certified in plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are highly skilled physicians uniquely qualified to provide unbeatable patient care with minimal surgical complications. Choose a surgeon certified by the ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• Has a good record. Contact your state’s medical board to verify your physician’s license and surgical history.
• Has hospital privileges for the procedure. Hospitals perform extensive background checks before allowing a plastic surgeon to operate within their facilities. Most hospitals require their cosmetic surgeons to be board certified in plastic surgery.
• Makes you feel comfortable. Before scheduling a cosmetic procedure, make sure your physician makes you feel comfortable and well-informed. Bring a list of questions about your procedure to your consultation and make sure your physician answers them to your satisfaction.

Cosmetic Surgeon vs Plastic Surgeon

Although cosmetic surgeons often oversell their expertise, there is a clear cut difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. A plastic surgeon is required to have five years of surgical training for both facial and body procedures, and at least two years of specialized medical training in plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgeons do not necessarily receive surgical training during medical school or residencies; they often train themselves in cosmetic surgery while on the job. An American Board of Plastic Surgery certified physician must pass extensive qualifying exams in plastic and cosmetic surgery. A cosmetic surgeon could be certified in anything from Dermatology to ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat), but may not be professionally trained in plastic surgery. Because plastic surgeons have accredited training, they are equipped to handle complications and medical emergencies that non-specialized cosmetic surgeons can not.

Dr. Brantner has been certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons since 1985. To learn more about Dr. Brantner’s qualifications, contact his plastic surgery office.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Jul 3, 2014 | Uncategorized

Breast augmentation surgery gives women the opportunity to choose a breast size that will flatter their figure, improve their self-esteem, and enhance their overall appearance. Choosing breast implants is a personal decision. Some women may only want a small increase in breast tissue, while others desire a major change to the size of their breasts. During your cosmetic surgery consultation, Dr. Brantner may offer suggestions about breast implant size based on your proportions; however, your results are up to you.

Consider Your Body

In today’s “bigger is better” culture, many women fall into the trap of choosing the wrong size implants for their body type. Picking implants that are too large increases the chance of complications, extends recovery time and breast discomfort, and results in too-round breasts with shiny, stretched skin. Disproportionately large implants are also more likely to put strain on a patient’s upper body and sag in the years to come. Follow the steps recommended by your physician to find the ideal implant size for your proportions.

Cup Size Doesn’t Matter

Most women consider breasts in terms of cup size, but the truth is “cup size” is an inaccurate measurement. The bra industry is inconsistent when measuring breast size. What is a C-cup in one store might be a B-cup in another. Bra stores change cup size based on band size, giving a 38C a larger cup than a 36C. In addition, a breast size that looks perfectly proportionate on an average height woman may make a shorter woman look top-heavy. When considering your cup size, look at before/after photographs of other breast augmentations. Find a woman with similar proportions to your own to make sure you get the breast size you want.

Please note: If Dr. Brantner feels a patient’s desired breast size will look disproportionate on her body, he may council smaller implants or elect not to perform the surgery.

For more information on choosing the right breast implants, call Dr. Brantner’s office.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos