Happy New Year!

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I always thought that the phrase Happy New Year was a bit odd. Why is it that just because the calendar moves forward, things should be any different? January 1 is no different than any other day of the year. It is 24 hours long, and night follows day.

I think the distinction, although artificial, is important for human nature. The change of the year offers hope and opportunity for improvement. Perhaps you will use the date as a time to stop smoking and try using vape liquid instead. Or perhaps you want to go to the gym and exercise on a regular basis, or to start that new diet you have been meaning to get to. These are personal health goals. Try and set goals that will improve your health and wellbeing.

One can say that this new year, I will read more, spend more time with the children, do charitable acts, finally get my degree. All things to aid in personal growth, and all worth pursuing. If a silly thing such as the flipping of a page on a calendar can be the motivation, great.

Personal appearance can also be a goal. A new hairstyle, different makeup, a wardrobe turnaround, or a change in hair color may be in order. Even Plastic Surgery can be a goal. Refreshing your face after a certain age, fixing the damage caused by pregnancy or weight change, or getting the breasts you have always wanted are common consults I get around this time as well.

So, as phony a holiday as it is, make use of it to insure 2013 is the best year yet. Look for exciting changes at Yager Esthetics in the new year as well.

Christmas and Plastic Surgery

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As tomorrow will be Christmas for most of the world, I thought I would take a minute to reflect on what the spirit of this holiday season means, and how it relates to plastic surgery.

The Christmas spirit to me means going that extra mile to be a little more patient, kind, and courteous to your fellow man. Holding open the door for someone, an extra smile and wish for a nice day to a total stranger, giving to those less fortunate than yourself. Basically, the way you should behave all of the time when life doesn’t get in the way.

So what does this have to do with Plastic Surgery? While cosmetic plastic surgery is certainly about looking better, it is also a way to transform how you feel about yourself. When you look better, you feel better. When you feel better, you are more likely to be in a good mood and helpful and pleasant to others.

From my perspective, it is a time to be grateful for the opportunity to serve the Hispanic community, and to be thankful for the gifts and abilities I have been blessed with to make others more cheerful. No matter how hard I work, or if I have a difficult day, I never forget that it is a privilege, not my right, to be trusted by my patients.

Have a wonderful holiday, and try to be beautiful inside and out this season and always.

Social Media and Plastic Surgery

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Social media has become an important communication tool for Yager Esthetics as well as many other practices. As my practice has evolved from its opening in 1997, I have found that the majority of the referrals still come from my existing patients, but I have seen a tremendous increase in patients from the internet.

While I do not participate in Facebook for my personal life, I have found it helpful for my practice and patients. It gives a little more connection to what we do at Yager Esthetics. In a little more than a year or so, we have created a following with minimal efforts. We will concentrate a little more on this in 2013.

My weekly blog has been going without fail for about 2 years now, and my patients seem to enjoy these little insights into my writing style and thoughts. If you are reading this, please comment and let us know how to make it better, or if there are topics you would like me to comment on.

Twitter is also a very exciting part of my plans for the year to come. We usually tweet at least daily, but I promise to use my mobile app to help keep my followers entertained and informed for the future. The format is fun to work in. Then there is Instagram – another platform which I don’t use to it’s full potential. I know a lot of people and businesses use an organic instagram growth service to boost their followers, so that is something I may look into.

I look forward to connecting on a more personal level (social media wise that is) with all of you. I want you to feel a part of what we have been building for over 15 years. So please follow me, like me, read my blog and mention me. I need all the Facebook friends I can get!

The Holidays and Plastic Surgery

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After Thanksgiving, everyone’s thoughts turn to the holidays. Searching for presents and airline tickets can use up a lot of free time. The other concern is holiday parties and seeing friends and family after another year has passed. Do you look good? Should you diet or change your hair? How can you look a little younger so people compliment you?

As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, I see a lot of these people in December. Fortunately, at Yager Esthetics, we offer a lot of quick fix treatments that deliver great results for the money. Do not despair, we can help.
Injectable products are very popular, both fillers and wrinkle relaxers. Botox can take care of those expression lines such as crow’s feet and forehead lines. The results begin at three days, and last for 4 to 6 months on average. For a 10 minute procedure, you receive a lot of years off your appearance.

Fillers, such As Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, and the newest, Belotero, offer great ways to fill in the smile lines and wrinkles around the mouth. In some cases, we can treat very superficial lines as well as the lines under the eyes. The lips can be plumped as well. Results are instant, and last from 6 months to a year depending on the products you choose.

In the spa, Silkpeels can refresh and brighten skin and treat acne. A wonderful 30 minute experience. MIcrodermabrasion, facials, massage, and masks are always popular too. Our licensed estheticians can also do a free Visia Skin Care Analysis on the computer to scientifically determine which prescription skin care products can work best for you.

We are offering December specials through the end of the month, with the best values of the year as a thank you to our patients. We hope you will stop by for a quick preholiday refresher.

Don’t Fall For Wrinkle Rip-Offs

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Every year around the holidays, patients start thinking about holiday parties and family functions. This means they start worrying about how they look. It is too late for surgery, so they want quick treatments with minimal downtime and good results. The problem is that while it is good to bargain hunt for presents and holiday items, cosmetic procedures need a little more care and caution.

With the changes in insurance reimbursements, many doctors are looking to make more money. Cash up front procedures such as Botox, injectable fillers, and lasers seem like a good idea. Even if they are not trained at all in plastic surgery, most companies will have a nurse or doctor come to the office and train them for a few hours and sell them whatever they wish. I know of Ob-Gyns, Internists, Family Practitioners, Anesthesiologists, Rehab Medicine, and Podiatrists who rebrand themselves and advertise as if they are the experts in the field. Some even do cosmetic surgery!

Another problem is the salon or spa that offers these services with an unlicensed person in the business or an apartment. They claim to be doctors or nurses from other countries, and inject who knows what into unsuspecting people with often disastrous results.

So, how do you avoid these traps? First, make sure you know what specialty your doctor trained in. Ask if they are Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If they give a different board name, it is not the same. You can check going to www.plasticsurgery.org and use the “Find a Physician” tool.
Second, make sure you ask to see the box and syringe of any injectable filler, as it will have the name printed right on it. If they take it out of a large bottle, and it is clear, 99% of the time it is silicone and not what you want injected. Even if it is Botox, ask to see the bottle. It should say Botox and have a purple top. Ask how many units you will be getting so you can make sure they are not watering it down to lower the price.

Lastly, do not let anyone inject you with anything outside a doctor’s office. Make sure it is a licensed physician in the state you are in, or a nurse under his/her direct care. Anything else is illegal.
Wrinkle treatments, when done properly by a trained injector, can be incredibly rewarding and offers a quick beauty boost. Go for it, but just be safe and smart. If it doesn’t feel right, just say no.