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September 5, 2011

What should I expect with my facelift surgery?

Filed under: beverly hills facelift,Cosmetic Surgery,facelift,facelift los angeles,facial cosmetic surgery,Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 3:13 pm

Facelift surgery is the most powerful of facial cosmetic surgeries you can undergo.  Although we say it in practically every blog entry, in this instance it is more true than ever; choose a doctor who is experienced, up-to-date on the latest techniques, and skilled at performing facelifts.  The procedure for facelift has changed significantly in recent years.  What is clear is that there is not added benefit for the higher risk, deep plane facelift.

When it comes to choosing the best facelift for you, there is no right answer as to which method is the most effective, natural looking, or successful.  A customized treatment plan, established by you and your doctor and based on your features and desires will significantly influence the outcome of your procedure.   A facelift will always be a procedure of intelligent choices.

Where is surgery commonly performed and what type of anesthesia?

Typically facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, but overnight stays may be recommended after deep sedation or general anesthesia.  For certain individuals, your doctor can perform your facelift in the office, while you are awake and under local anesthesia.  But for most, general anesthesia or deep sedation is the best choice.  For cases requiring deep sedation and general anesthesia, Dr. Steinsapir performs surgery at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center and usually recommends an overnight stay at the surgery center.

Recovery and physical restrictions

A facelift takes approximately four hours. Usually there is minimal discomfort afterward; managed with either over-the-counter or prescription pain medications.  You may experience moderate swelling around the eyelids and other areas of the face, but this is normal and is not cause for concern.  Most find taking 7-10 days off from work about right.   This time frame can depend on the precise nature of you work.

Common complications after surgery

Facelift surgeries performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon rarely have complications.  The deep plane facelift mobilizes the tissue under the facial muscles and can injure these motor nerves causing facial weakness. The incidence is small but not zero.  The risk amounts to only a very small percentage of individuals who receive this treatment experiencing this complication, but there is just no reason to risk this nerve damage when other methods of facelifts are available.  In fact, there is essentially no cosmetic benefit to the deep plane facelift compared to other lifting methods. Other complications can include significant bruising and very rarely infection.

The time frame before full recovery

Recovery periods for facelift procedures vary greatly depending on the type of facelift surgery your physician and you decide on.  Typically however, you can expect to return to work after 6 to 10 days.  After 2-3 weeks, others are unlikely to detect that you just had surgery.  Facelifts are not considered fully healed until about 6 months after.  Once you have recovered fully, the results of surgery are very long term.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is on active staff at the UCLA Hospital and Medical Center at the David Geffen School of Medicine as an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmology in the Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. UCLA is consistently rated the best hospital in the West and ranked at the top with a handful of medical centers in the United States. Many surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis at the Surgery Center at the UCLA Medical Center.  Dr. Steinsapir addresses a broad array of oculofacial reconstructive concerns.  Contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir.

July 14, 2011

Facial Sculpting with Microcurrent

Filed under: beverly hills facelift,facelift,facelift alternative,facelift los angeles,facial fillers,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 7:22 pm

Microcurrent facial sculpting is a rising trend, but buyer beware the cosmetic surgery fads.  Like lasers, the term “microcurrent” sounds sexy and high-tech.  But the reality of microcurrents is that they are a lot of hype and very little science.  The use of microcurrent devices is essentially unregulated.  FDA clearance of these devices is very simple for the manufacturers because the amount of current used is so small.  The marketing for microcurrents would have you believe that by stimulating your facial muscles, your face becomes more toned and appears lifted and more youthful.  There is no evidence that this is true.

The Truth About Microcurrents

Quacks have been touting the value of electrical current for healing for about as long as man has controlled electricity.  Obviously, high voltage, high amperage devices are dangerous.  What we are talking about here is very low levels of electrical current.   Remember the adage that every good lie begins with a grain of truth.  It is easy to understand that if you lift weights consistently enough, the muscles become toned.  Proponents of microcurrent devices make the argument that the electricity of these devices will stimulate and tone the facial muscles and this will tone and improve the face, getting rid of wrinkles at the same time.  Sounds great.  The only problem is that there is not a single scientific study that supports this idea.   We call this “phony science.”  Microcurrents cannot, and will not lift and reposition the facial tissues.  Even the claims of mild improvement are unproven.  The harm here is that you are wasting your time and money and being deceived in the process.

Why all the Hype?

The hype surrounding microcurrent facial sculpting machines with unrealistic before and after pictures are equally misleading.  Typically these before and after pictures show a loose neck and jowls next to a youthful and sculpted jawline and neck.  These pictures could show the same person, but it is unlikely the differences were the result of microcurrent facial sculpting.  The smooth, wrinkle-free neck is most likely the result of a little Photoshop magic and lighting, not microcurrent.  These treatments offer empty promises.   The treatment does not compare to a facelift or nonsurgical facial fillers.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

July 1, 2011

Stem Cell Facelift vs. Fat Transfers

Filed under: beverly hills facelift,Cosmetic Surgery,facelift,facelift los angeles,facial cosmetic surgery,fat grafting,fat transfer,midface lift,midface surgery — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:32 pm

It is said that every good lie contains a grain of truth.  The truth about so-called Stem Cell Facelifts is that fat harvested from your body does contain small numbers of adult stem cells.  Taking that fat and transferring it to your face as a fat transfer does place these adult stem cells into the face.  However, the promise of the name: Stem Cell Facelift is a lie.  The implication is that these stem cells in some way rejuvenate the face.  Like fad dieting and get rich quick schemes, the public can’t get enough of this type of hype.  You would think at some point people would have learned that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  You would be wrong.  Enterprising cosmetic surgeons have learned this lesson as well.  So we are bombarded with new procedures with enticing names that seem so scientific.  It would be great if the Stem Cell Facelift was based on science rather than science fiction.  Do so-called Stem Cell Facelifts provide facial rejuvenation?  Yes, but not because of the adult stem cells in the fat.  This is just a new way for cosmetic surgeons to insult your intelligence.

The Real Benefits of fat grafting

The reality is, there is no evidence to suggest that stem cells present in adult fat placed in the face have any impact or role in the effects of volumizing the face with grafted fat.  Fat grafting procedures work because about 60 to 70 percent of the transferred fat survives, creating long-lasting volume and this helps improve the appearance of the face because loss of volume over time is an important factor in making one look older as we age.

Fat grafting is a biologically safe procedure because the fat transferred is from your body.  It is precisely delivered through a tiny poke in the skin that heals without scarring and the procedure can be done under local anesthesia. The fat transfer in a “stem cell facelift” may be combined with other procedures like a traditional facelift or midface lift.  It is more accurate to refer to a “stem cell facelift” as “facial volumizing with grafted fat.”

Fact and fiction

It is true that the stem cells in your body fat can be separated from the fat and, in a test tube at a research lab, be stimulated to develop into other cell types. There is a lot of impressive research being done in this area so we can learn more about important potential medical uses of stem cells. But there is no evidence to support the idea that the stem cells in the grafted fat are stimulated this way when transplanted from one part of your body to another

Finding a doctor who relies on science

The biggest concern with the “stem cell facelift” is not that it’s a bad or unsafe procedure, but rather that the term “stem cell” is a deceptive name that promises something that it does not deliver.  When seeking treatment, make sure that your potential cosmetic surgeon relies on science, experience, and skill rather than catchy marketing phrases. Your doctor should be a specialist in facial cosmetic procedures and completely honest about what a treatment does and does not do.  Relying on the honest application of skills, proven methods, and experience will help you achieve your goals. Deceptive marketing practices violate the principles that make a good working relationship between the surgeon and the patients, which must be based on well-placed trust and honesty.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is an expert cosmetic plastic surgeon who has skillfully handled face lift and fat grafting procedures in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for over 20 years.  He is a board certified ophthalmologist surgeon and fellowship trained in oculofacial surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology.  Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert cosmetic surgery provider.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success.  Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

June 29, 2011

Complications after surgery

Filed under: beverly hills facelift,blepharoplasty,cosmetic eyelid surgery,Cosmetic Surgery,eyelid reconstructive surgery,Eyelid Surgery,lower blepharoplasty,midface lift,midface surgery,oculoplastic surgeon — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 7:53 am

Complications following a midface lift and eyelid surgery are especially disconcerting because they can affect the basic functions of your eyes.  Whether your eyes begin to droop, tear, or fail to blink, any change in the way your eyes and face function is reason to be concerned.  But sometimes, inexperienced surgeons panic in these situations (even long-in-practice, but inexperienced surgeons) and respond with a shoot-from-the-hip, fix-it mentality, and may push you to undergo corrective surgery immediately.  Your surgeon may just want to take care of the problem as quickly as possible and as a result, you may feel pressured to have a corrective surgery.  There are certainly times where immediate work is appropriate.  Before you agree to such a fix, ask yourself if you are still comfortable trusting your surgeon.  In his book Blink, Malcom Gladwell describes the process of “thin slicing;” the way our intuition rapidly assesses a situation.  That intuition is ignored at our peril.  If the hair on the back of your neck is standing up because your surgeon wants to hustle you back to surgery, ask yourself: are you comfortable with what is being proposed?  If you are not comfortable, your best course of action is the natural one―dig in your heals.  There are occasional situations that are medical emergencies.  However, these are truly rare.  There is almost always time for a second opinion.

Undergo a consultation

Before taking any action to correct your complications, carefully weigh your confidence in your current surgeon.  There is no substitute for an in-depth personal consultation because discussing your problem with your doctor over the phone doesn’t allow him or her to see, and fully understand the physical complications.  Occasionally, the description of what is going on and the actual physical complications are not the same.  Fixing complications is specialized business.  Even if your surgeon does a lot of primary cosmetic surgery, he or she may be relatively unsophisticated when it comes to repairing surgical complications, especially when this work affects the function of the eyelids.

If you are not 100 percent confident in your surgeon and are casting about for opinions from strangers, listen to your feelings.  Do not blindly follow the recommendations your original surgeon or any surgeon whose recommendations do not make sense to you.  Don’t commit to a second surgery unless you have a clear understanding of the following:

  • What is going on and why these complications are occurring,
  • What type of surgery your doctor has planned,
  • Why a surgical solution is necessary,
  • The risks of a second surgery, and
  • The probability of success or failure.

The risks of midface and lower eyelid surgery and corrective surgery

Lower eyelid surgery and midface surgery have significant risks associated with them.  Your surgeon may not fully understand these risks.  If you’re experiencing complications it does not mean that your surgeon did something that another surgeon might have done in a similar circumstance.  However, how your surgeon addresses the problem can make a profound difference and he or she should not rush the process.

The anatomy described in some of the most important and most recent papers in the field of lower eyelid and midface surgery done through a skin incision under the lower eyelashes (infracillary incision) is inaccurate.  Dr. Steinsapir recently reviewed the literature on this subject and presented it before the Fall 2010 American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Scientific Symposium.  Some of the core papers describe anatomic hypotheses rather than proven anatomic fact.  Unfortunately, a hypothesis is a scientific guess―it does not make an established anatomic fact. Lower eyelid surgery through the lower eyelid skin is one example of this.  Surgery damages the motor nerves that help support the lower eyelid margin leading to complications that can surprise the unsuspecting surgeon.  Naturally, they are not going to say that they are surprised but be assured they would not perform surgery this way if they thought it would cause a problem.

So why do doctors still perform this kind of surgery despite the risks?  Despite the inaccurate papers it is possible to dissect in this plane in some cases without significantly altering the nerve supply to the orbicularis oculi muscle.   Motor nerve damage to the orbicularis oculi muscle near the upper and lower eyelid margin affects the blink and weakens eye closed.  Without this critical blink function, tears do not move across the corneal surface properly resulting in dry eye and tearing issues.  When the lower eyelid slumps, it does not properly cover the lower portion of the eye and there is increased corneal drying.

The remedy for midface and lower eyelid surgery complications

To address eyelid complications from a midface lift or lower lid surgery, the best answer is to avoid further eyelid tightening and allow the tissues to heal.  By preserving as much of the lower eyelid function and not cutting out additional tissue―as would be the case if your doctor were to try to fix the problems immediately following your initial surgery using a technique called canthoplasty―there are many more options and increased likelihood of an improved outcome if you allow the tissue to heal.  While in the healing process, keep lines of communication open with your surgeon or look for oculoplastic surgeons for consultation who have as a focus of their practice the repair of unsatisfactory cometic eyelid surgery.  Be skeptical of solutions that must be done “urgently” or don’t make sense.  While very few of these complications mend themselves, with time it may improve so less work than originally  thought may be necessary.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

June 20, 2011

Eyelid Surgery and Permanent Eye Makeup

Filed under: blepharoplasty,brow lift,canthal surgery,cosmetic eyelid surgery,Eyelid Surgery,forehead lift — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:13 pm

Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo that is applied to the eyelid margin to simulate eye liner, or along the eyebrow to fill-in or darken the brows.  These services are very popular, but if you are considering permanent eye makeup and are also considering eyelid surgery, Dr. Steinsapir recommends that you have a surgical consultation before receiving permanent makeup.  Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo, and therefore is relatively permanent; “relatively” permanent because over time the tattoo will lose color and after a few years you may need the color reinforced.  Generally eyelid surgery will have an effect on the shape of the eyelids and on eyebrow position.  For this reason, if you are considering doing both services, have the permanent makeup after you have healed from eyelid surgery.

I already have permanent makeup, can I have eyelid surgery?

If you already have permanent makeup, this won’t prevent you from having eyelid surgery.  Generally the permanent makeup is placed within the eyelashes and eyelid surgery typically does not require an incision along the lashes.  Occasionally, the permanent lower eyelid makeup extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes.  The portion of the eye line that extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes may be affected by lower eyelid surgery, but a skilled surgeon can work around this issue and many lower eyelid procedures do not require a lower eyelid incision.

I have permanent eyebrow makeup, can I have a facelift?

Permanent makeup for the eyebrow generally fills-in or darkens your existing eyebrows.  As a result, a forehead lift that moves the eyebrow will also cause your permanent eyebrow makeup to move.  Occasionally, a woman has plucked her thin eyebrow hairs and penciled in a brow at a higher location.  Before considering having this eyebrow location marked permanently with a tattoo, Dr. Steinsapir recommends a cosmetic consultation.  In some cases, an endoscopic forehead lift may correct the location of your eyebrows and improve your appearance and make your eyebrows appear more natural.  For this reason, before you have your eyebrows tattooed in a higher location, consider having a surgical consultation for an endoscopic forehead lift.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

May 2, 2011

Can I have my eyes and forehead lift at the same time?

Filed under: blepharoplasty,brow lift,cosmetic eyelid surgery,Eyelid Surgery,forehead lift,forehead surgery,open vs closed forehead lift — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:01 pm

As an experienced oculoplastic and facial cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Steinsapir often combines eyelid surgery with a forehead lift for a comprehensive facial rejuvenation.  However, every individual’s needs differ and a consultation and examination by a cosmetic surgeon is necessary to determine the extent of the procedure required.  Before you decide on a surgeon to perform any procedure, attend a consultation to learn how the surgeon will address your individual goals and his or her strategy for achieving optimal results.

The benefits of a forehead lift

In some instances, a forehead lift alone can freshen your face and provide you with the youthful appearance you are seeking.  The forehead lift elevates the eyebrows, reduces frown lines, and smoothes your forehead.  Eyelid surgery deals with the height of the crease, the crease structure, and eyelid and lash ptosis.  Although this can freshen your look as well, the forehead lift addresses one of the focal points of your face – one that can make the difference between looking tired and run down and looking youthful and refreshed.

A forehead lift can freshen your appearance

A forehead lift can freshen your appearance

Dr. Steinsapir only performs endoscopic forehead lift, or closed forehead lift, as opposed to the more traditional open forehead lift.  The endoscopic forehead lift offers faster healing time and fewer negative effects like scalp numbness, hair loss, or a long scar.

The benefits of a lid lift

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or a lid lift, allows the surgeon to remove excess skin and fatty tissue that create the appearance of droopy, deflated eyelids.  As the fat deposits, loose skin, and drooping of the eyelids typically occur because of aging, this procedure can reverse the effects of time to restore a youthful, refreshed, and rested appearance.  Upper eyelid surgery, because it is a versatile procedure, can also accomplish other goals, such as creating an upper eyelid crease.

How will the surgeon know which procedure I need?

The primary issue in determining whether you need a lid lift, forehead lift, or both is the type of eyebrow support and shape you need.  Some individuals need just a forehead lift.  Your surgeon will assess the need to address upper eyelid issues.  In some instances people will have both eyebrow ptosis and excess upper eyelid skin and fullness and benefit from both sets of issues being addressed at the same time.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon.  He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, Fillers, and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid and midface surgery.  He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiply revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions.  He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago.  He is board certified in Ophthalmology and multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage.  He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally.  He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.  His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills communities.  Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for this expert care.  Please contact us today to learn more about evidence-based treatment options with Dr. Steinsapir for proven results.

November 24, 2010

Traveling to Have Surgery with Dr. Steinsapir

Filed under: asian eyelid surgery,best cosmetic surgeons,Beverly Hills BOTOX,beverly hills facelift,Cosmetic Surgery,Dr. Steinsapir — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 12:32 am

It’s a given that for the best cosmetic surgery results, you’ll want to choose the best cosmetic surgeon.  This is why many people travel from across the United States as well as internationally to have surgery with Dr. Steinsapir.  Dr. Steinsapir is world-renowned for his leadership in facial cosmetic surgery, including the facelift, forehead lift, and specialized eyelid surgeries that provide natural results and a fast healing time.  If you are considering traveling to have surgery or other cosmetic treatment with Dr. Steinsapir, here are some important considerations that will help you have the best experience possible.

Consult First

We have found that many people who travel for cosmetic treatment feel they should be able to have surgery at the time of their initial consultation.  They want to take care of everything in just one trip, so they may fly or take a long drive to Los Angeles, have their consultation and have surgery on the same trip.  This is an alluring idea because then you only have to book a flight and pack your suitcase once, and you’ll probably save a little money—but please reconsider this approach.

At Dr. Steinsapir’s practice, we don’t believe performing an initial consultion and surgery at the same time.  Even if you save a few dollars in airfare, in the end this amounts to hasty and high-pressure decisions.  Your choice to move forward in having surgery with the right doctor is important, and it’s not a good idea to cut corners here.  In particular, Dr. Steinsapir has noticed that many people seeking revisional eyelid surgery and help for fixing other cosmetic treatment concerns initially got into their predicament because they were pressured into having surgery in the first place.

This is not our philosophy.  Cosmetic surgery and revisional cosmetic surgery should be something you and your surgeon approach calmly, thoughtfully, and with confidence.  Instead of too much pressure, we strongly advise and encourage you to take the time to make sure you have found the right doctor and right treatment approach.  We want you to have time to think about the options and be completely comfortable with the proposed surgical plan.

Take Time to Reflect

Consulting now and having surgery later is a sound approach for anyone seeking the right cosmetic treatment with any doctor.  Although admittedly not convenient, slowing down, thinking about your choices and being fully comfortable ensures that you can make a fully informed choice without the pressure of time.  However, you are much more likely to make a choice that is right for you.  This philosophy means that when you consult with Dr. Steinsapir, we do not pressure you into committing to surgery.  It is better for everyone if you have the opportunity to meet with the surgeon, then have time to think about the issues discussed well before having cosmetic surgery or revisional cosmetic surgery.

Make Thoughtful Decisions

For these reason, even for those who travel very far, we don’t believe in doing surgery at the time of the initial consultation.  In fact, we don’t believe in cutting any corners with cosmetic treatment.  The best surgery is always performed with the utmost of care, consideration, research, and planning.  We want you to go into surgery comfortable that you have made the right decision and confident in your cosmetic surgeon’s qualifications and ability to meet you treatment needs.

We invite you, near or far, to visit Dr. Steinsapir in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for your initial consultation.  Find out about his treatment philosophy, skilled experience, top educational and training background, the best individualized treatment for you, and simply whether your personalities mesh well.  We think you’ll find that Dr. Steinsapir’s friendly, caring, and honest approach demonstrates the highest ethical standards and thoughtful planning for best results.  Please contact us today to learn more about how taking the time now can give you the best outcome later.

October 27, 2010

Having Surgery at UCLA

Filed under: best cosmetic surgeons,Cosmetic Surgery,eyelid cancer reconstruction,eyelid reconstructive surgery,facelift,facelift los angeles,facial cosmetic surgery,fixing eyelid surgery — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:23 am

When you are looking for the best facial cosmetic surgery available, consider having your surgery performed at UCLA.  The Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center is world-renowned as as on of the leading medical centers in the world with excellence in patient care, compassion, scientific and medical leadership, and some of the finest physicians in the world who are truly experts in their fields.  You have a choice where you have surgery.  It only makes sense to have surgery at a leading medical center with its vast resources.   You may be surprised to learn that cosmetic surgery with Dr. Steinsapir performed at UCLA may be significantly less expensive that having surgery at an isolated office operating room or surgery center dedicated to cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills.  These centers simply can’t match the resources of the Outpatient Surgery Center at the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center.

Dr. Steinsapir offers advanced, personalized cosmetic surgery for Beverly Hills and also performs care at UCLA’s prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute, where he works as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology.  Only a few surgeons in the world are able to perform your facelift or other cosmetic procedures at UCLA, where you can be confident that you are receiving treatment from in one of the best medical facilities in the world.  The UCLA Medical Center prides itself on being patient-focused and compassionate, while offering the best in medical technology and skilled physicians and surgeons.

The new Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA was designed by the world-renowned, forward-thinking architects I.M. Pei and his son, C.C. Pei.  This Medical Center was built to bring you the best in healing, technology, medical care, and comfortable and efficient building design.  With much natural light, gardens, artwork, play areas for children, and private patient rooms with windows, the Ronald Reagan Medical Center can put you at ease.  Cutting-edge medical equipment and high-tech capabilities combined with the Center’s status as one of the first California hospitals to meet the new state seismic standards makes it one of the safest places to receive care.

Dr. Steinsapir’s Expert Care at UCLA

Dr. Steinsapir helps many individuals achieve the results they desire.  At UCLA he plans many specialized treatments for those who need individualized care, including those who need reconstructive eyelid surgery such as a Moh’s Surgery or to perform reconstructive eyelid surgery after an unsatisfactory prior eyelid surgery performed elsewhere.  He is an expert in customizing the best, scientifically proven facial cosmetic treatments and surgeries.

Dr. Steinsapir is honored to have been chosen to teach and practice at the UCLA Medical Surgery Center where the most advanced technology and qualified professionals optimize each patient’s experience.  If you are looking for the best in cosmetic treatment at one of the safest facilities available, consider making Dr. Steinsapir and UCLA part of your treatment experience.  Whether you are seeking a facelift, eyelid surgery, or another of Dr. Steinsapir’s areas of expertise, you can be confident that you are receiving world-class care.  Call us today to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can help you at UCLA.

September 9, 2010

What Is the Best Facelift?

Filed under: best cosmetic surgeons,beverly hills facelift,Cosmetic Surgery,facelift,facelift los angeles,facial cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 9:32 am

Are you ready for your facelift?  Consider how a facelift in Los Angeles with one of the top cosmetic surgeons in California can help you improve your appearance.  As the single most powerful facial cosmetic surgery today, a facelift is a beneficial treatment for those with neck cords, deep facial lines, fatty deposits, and sagging features.  With so many providers and procedures today, it can be a challenge to decide what facelift and what surgeon is right for you.  As you research your options, you will probably find yourself asking, “What is the best facelift?”

Facelift Before and After Photo

Facelift Before and After Photo

We’d like to modify this question slightly.  What you should be asking is, “What is the best facelift for me?”  What many people do not realize when they see pictures of someone else’s fantastic facelift results is that the name of the specific surgery type is less important than the skill and customization that was put into it.  The best facelift is always one that has been planned specifically for your features.  This means that for ideal results your doctor cannot simply pull out a blueprint in order to give you natural facelift results.  Rather, your facial cosmetic surgeon will need to individualize the most suitable options to your unique features and goals.

Finding the Right Facelift for You

You may be surprised to hear that a top surgeon with specialization in facelifts and the needed education and skill set can create impressive results with just about any facelift method.   Types of facelifts include the deep plane lift, the endoscopic facelift, the MACS lift, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift, the S-lift, the short scar facelift, and more.  If your surgeon is reputable and specializes in facial cosmetic procedures that emphasize balanced features and natural results, he or she can customize most any of these surgeries on a case-by-case basis.

Your cosmetic surgeon will consider which options best meet your needs and then tailor the facelift for your features and goals.  He or she will discuss with you the possibilities and also consider which methods are safest.  For example, the deep plane facelift can create excellent results, but the risk of facelift complications are slightly elevated with this procedure.  Although overall it is still safe, in most cases there is a safe facelift approach that can improve your facial appearance just as well.  Something you should avoid are the so-called facelift creams and home remedies.  The naming of these products is misleading because they do not employ facelift techniques at all, and chances are you are being quacked.  Feel free to test however many expensive creams you like, but don’t be too disappointed if you find their claims are exaggerated.

Finding the Right Surgeon for You

Your cosmetic surgeon can help you determine whether you are a candidate for the facelift or a different cosmetic procedure like BOTOX, and he or she can help you achieve your desired look by designing a facelift that is unique for you.  This will yield the most natural results.  Make sure that you seek a reputable facial cosmetic surgeon who specializes in facelifts.  Rather than opting for the “blue plate special” and seeking many cosmetic surgeries at once, choose a doctor who emphasizes facial balance and who can understand the best way your facial features can compliment each other.

Please consider a no-risk consultation with Dr. Kenneth D. Steinsapir, M.D., a facelift surgeon based in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area.  Dr. Steinsapir’s practice focuses on cosmetic facial procedures that help you achieve a natural, balanced appearance for your personal features.  In fact, he has been a leader in minimally invasive and small-incision facelifts for more than 20 years.  When you need experience and results you can count on, consider how Dr. Steinsapir’s prestigious educational background, forward-thinking and science-based practice, and trustworthy character can help.  Contact us today to learn more about the best facelift for you.

August 29, 2010

Do stem cell facelifts work?

Filed under: facelift,facelift alternative,facelift los angeles,facial cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 9:42 pm

“Stem cell facelift” is just a fancy name for fat grafting. Since fat from our body does contain stem cells, a fat transfer to the face for a facelift or other facial cosmetic surgery can technically be said to include stem cells. However, suggesting that these so-called adult stem cells are the reason that a fat transfers work is a huge leap.

Marketing Based on a Grain of Truth

It is said that most good lies are based on a grain of truth. After all, mingling fact with fabrication is an effective, if not questionable, method of convincing an audience. If part of something is true then how is a non-specialist to discern where the truth ends and the exaggerations begin?

Here is what’s true: The “stem cell facelift” being marketed today is the same process that goes by the medically accepted names of fat grafting, fat injections, and fat transfers. This is a process in which fat is harvested from another area of the body such as the thighs or tummy, often improving that area’s shape, and then grafted into a deficient area like a hollow cheek to provide a natural filler. This is a biologically safe procedure because the fat transferred is your 100% match, and it is precisely delivered through a tiny poke in the skin that heals without scarring. The fat transfer in a “stem cell facelift” may be combined with other procedures like a traditional facelift or midface lift, in which case we’d rather be straight forward and say “facelift with fat grafting.” This is a more direct description.

This is also true: The stem cells in our body fat can be separated from the fat and, in a test tube at a research lab, be stimulated to develop into other cell types. There is a lot of impressive research being done in this area so we can learn more about important potential medical uses of stem cells. But do they really play any role in a facelift?

The Real Benefits of Fat Grafting

So, yes, when we transfer fat to the face we do transfer some stem cells with it. However, there just isn’t evidence to suggest that stem cells are what make fat grafting and “stem cell facelifts” work. The reason they work is because much of the transferred fat – about 60-70% – survives, creating long-lasting benefits.

The overall distribution of fat over the body is very important. Too little or too much does not look good. The most common problems with fat distribution is too much in areas like the hips and too little in parts of the face. This means that we may look bottom-heavy while haggard in the face. Fat harvesting can improve an area that is too full, and the harvested fat can then be grafted into tissue-deficient regions. When carefully placed, the added facial volume creates a naturally soft appearance associated with youth, correcting the volume loss many of us experience as we age.

Honest Medicine for Best Results

Our concern with the “stem cell facelift” is not that it’s a bad procedure, but rather that this is not the most accurate description. Some professionals even feel that calling fat grafting a “stem cell facelift” is misleading. When seeking treatment, make sure that your potential cosmetic surgeon relies on science, experience, and skill rather than catchy marketing phrases. Your doctor should be a specialist in facial cosmetic procedures and completely honest about what a treatment does and does not do.

Dr. Steinsapir is among the top cosmetic surgeons in California. He is multi-fellowship-trained in both cosmetic and oculofacial surgery with special emphasis in natural results and fast recovery time. Dr. Steinsapir is straightforward, helping you understand the benefits of treatments you’re considering without any frills or exaggerations. You’ll also find that Dr. Steinsapir is friendly and caring. Because he individualizes each treatment plan based on your personal needs and unique circumstances, you can achieve results that are right for your features. Contact us today to learn more about how fat grafting, a facelift, or another treatment can improve your facial contour.

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