Vanity Thy Name is RestylaneOct 23 '05 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Restylane has changed the way women look as they age. It isn't for everyone. It is expensive. If you can grow old gracefully more power to you.
This essay is Part II in my three part series on facial procedures. My first one was Botox. About 1 1/2 years ago I went to my plastic surgeon who injected Restylane. He did a great job. When I called to make another appointment I was told he no longer did the procedure and had another doctor who did. Deciding that if I were going to a new doctor I may as well go to one close to me. I ended up looking like Goldie Hawn in The First Wife’s Club and on top of that my entire head numb from the anesthetic called Lidocaine. When it was time to have my third injection I decided to go back to my original doctor’s practice in spite of the 3-hour round trip. Don’t compromise your face. If you have heard of a great doctor but you have to drive then do the drive. It will be worth it rather than going to a mediocre doctor. Your doctor must be Board Certified. What is Restylane and how does it work? Restylane, made in Sweden, is the new collagen injection that has come out on the market. There are different kinds of what are known as fillers that plump out lines and smooth out wrinkles. Collagen and fat are some of the more common fillers. Years ago I had a Dermatologist inject collagen into my jowl area. I had to have an allergy test first. You will not have to have an allergy test with Restylane. Restylane is a non-animal, biodegradable gel based on hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found in the connective tissue of the body that cushions and lubricates. Since it is found in our own bodies we aren’t allergic to it. Restylane is a crystal clear gel also known as NASHA, its generic name, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA has the ability to interact with the body without harmful effects. The gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle Restylane lasts longer than fat and collagen injections. It maintains its shape using the body’s own moisture. However collagen is usually less expensive but when you factor in the time it lasts it is a wash. I’d rather pay more and have the injections last longer. Collagen lasts for three to four months. Restylane lasts for six to 12 months. It is estimated that over 3 million treatments of Restylane have been used in over 70 countries. It is approved in the United States for the treatment of wrinkles and folds. www.restylane.com/consumer/ http://www.drugs.com/restylane.html What to know: Like Botox or many non-invasive procedures you should be advised not to use aspirin and supplements such as Vitamin E for a week before the procedure. These can increase bruising or bleeding. There will be some pain involved which I will talk about under My Experiences. For me the results of Restylane are seen much better in some areas than in others and for longer. Since I do so much cardio work at the gym, my injections probably last a shorter time than others who don’t work out the way I do. Your age and general skin type are factors that will impact the of your injections. You may be swollen or red for a few days. any redness or swelling disappear. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18, you shouldn't use Restylane. From www.drugs.com/restylane.html and www.restylane.com/consumer/ Questions to ask your doctor: 1. Are the desired results I described realistic? 2. How should I prepare my skin for the treatment? 3. Where is the procedure performed? How long will it take? 4. Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of Restylane? 5. How much does the procedure cost? 6. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?) 7. How long has your practice offered Restylane injections? 8. What percentages of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you) 9. When should I start noticing the results of the Restylane procedure? 10. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.) 11. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients. 12. May I have the names and contact information for several recent Restylane patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the physician.) 13. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the procedure? (Either on videotape or live.) 14. What should I expect post-operatively in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity? Ask if your doctor has a list of activities that you should avoid. 15. Who will be assisting during the procedure? What are their qualifications? (Does the dermatologist perform the entire procedure?) 16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended? 17. Do you have privileges to administer Restylane injections at an accredited hospital? 18. Do you offer patient financing? I did not ask any questions since this was my third experience. I think if I were having invasive surgery I would ask all these questions but truly I must say that I think some are not necessary for Restylane injections such as #16 but that's just my opinion. Be sure to: • Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements). • Tell your doctor if you have any serious medical conditions. • Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription). • Carefully follow any instructions your doctor gives you My experiences: I mentioned my second experience which really was not pleasant. The doctor gave me much too much Lidocaine. Not only was I too numb but the pain of all those needles to numb me may have been worse than the procedure. Although I asked the doctor to fill in some lines around my mouth I didn’t know that my entire mouth would be puffy and pouty looking. (Not sexy, stupid) I think he should have told me so this is where my mistake of not asking the doctor the results do come into play. During my first visit my regular doctor used one small vial which cost me $525. He used no Lidocaine. He said he didn’t like to for these injections which may be why he doesn’t do them anymore. He’s a magician in the operating room; the best stitcher I’ve seen but having Restylane without Lidocaine is not something I would recommend. My most recent experience was by far the most pleasant. The doctor talked with me first and had me look in the mirror and show her where I wanted the filler. Although my biggest concern is a scar I have that I like filled in I know from past experiences that this area of my face is just obstinate. For the first few days while I was swollen the area was great but as soon as the swelling went down the results weren’t as significant as those in the Nasolabial Folds. There are the ridges or edges that appear from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth. Mine are not deep. Restylane is recommended for deep folds but it is amazing that just filling those areas takes off years! I can be 53 with a scar but it is hard to be 53 without any semblance of nasolabial folds. The doctor gave me about five injections of Lidocaine. The injections weren't bad particularly because there were not that many. While we were waiting for me to get numb she did my Botox injections. It was then time for the Restalyne. I opted this time for a large vial costing $750. The procedure took about 20 minutes or so and wasn’t really uncomfortable. A very thin needle is used. There may have been an area or two that didn’t get much Lidocaine but it wasn’t horribly painful. Afterward while I was waiting for another treatment I sat with ice on my face. I experienced no bruising though I did have a bit of swelling. I don't want you to get the idea that this is pain free. It isn't. The only part of Restylane I don’t like is that in the beginning I can feel it under my skin. I have been told by the two good doctors that if I feel any lumps to massage them which is what I did and they basically got distributed. If you aren’t expecting that you may be calling your doctor asking what the lumps are. Will I do it again? Absolutely. Until I get a little tightening of my face I will continue to get rid of those folds and a few lines around my mouth. I hoped this has helped. I like www.faceforum.com a lot for support and information. Feel free to leave me a comment or question or e-mail me privately.  |
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