Four Ways to Take the Guess Work out of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Sometimes it is difficult for patients to envision or visualize the results of Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Sculptra or Radiesse fillers about the face.  Other patients may also not appreciate how a poorly performed rhinoplasty or “nose job” can be improved by filling injections.  Even those with a receding chin have trouble visualizing what the result might be. 

One way to “try before you buy” is to have a “demo” test.  This “no-risk” demonstration is achieved by injecting sterile saline (salt water, the same liquid that is used as intravenous fluid) to display the results of the proposed long-lasting filling injection or even some surgeries.

The sterile saline can be injected into the fold of the deep nasolabial creases around the mouth to show the effect of the common fillers.  It can be injected into the tissues of the chin to show how the profile would look if the chin were augmented, the so-called “chin augmentation.”  It can be injected into the nose to show how one who has a very low, scooped out or over-pinched result from cosmetic nasal surgery would look.

The sterile saline “test drive,” if you will, can be rendered almost painless by the application of a topical anesthetic about one half hour prior.  The results will last for one to two hours.  Photographs can be taken before and after for documentation so that the patient can study the improvement before making a commitment to having natural fillers. 

It makes sense doesn’t it?