March 6th, 2012
The quote “Quality is not expensive. It is priceless”, is the perfect quote to keep in mind when contemplating cosmetic plastic surgery. In this economy many men and women are looking for a cheap way out. With plastic surgery, you get what you pay for. What many people do not know is that due to absent regulation, any doctor with a license to practice medicine can perform any procedure a patient wants done. In other words, a doctor who went to school and specialized in another surgical specialty may now be performing surgery outside of their scope of training. Many non-plastic surgeons have decided to go into areas in which there is limited over sight, more money and little, if any , interference from insurers because elective cosmetic surgery typically isn’t covered.
In medicine, board certification occurs when a doctor has met all of the qualifications required by one of the American Board of Medical Specialties’ 24 member boards, which represent the main areas of medicine, including plastic surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons with many years of experience and specialized training are able to command higher prices than those with less training. Most also offer certified and regulated operating rooms or higher quality products that in return require a higher price tag.
Even when patients survive, botched surgeries can be painful, disfiguring and costly. Whether you are considering abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, breast surgery, or ANY elective plastic surgery procedure, there are ways to find affordable surgical options without risking your health or your life. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Alexander to discuss technique options that may be more flexible to your budget. You may also want to consider financing options such as CareCredit or ChaseHealthAdvance that have been created specifically for cosmetic procedures.
Contact Dr. Alexander & Co. today to find options suitable for you without compromising results or more importantly your life!
Tags: abdominoplasty, board certified plastic surgeons, breast surgery, CareCredit, ChaseHealthAdvance, cheap plastic and cosmetic surgery, facial enhancement procedures, Financing Options, liposuction, surgical technique options
Posted in Plastic Surgery Guide
February 29th, 2012
The term sun spots refer to the brownish pigmented spots that appear on your face or body overtime. We call them sun spots or age spots because they appear on our body as we age and they are a result of overexposure to the sun. As we age our skin is subject to more and more sun damage. The melanin pigment in our skin absorbs sunlight and helps naturally protect our skin from UV rays. However, as we get older, our skin’s natural ability to fight off the UV rays begins to deteriorate and as a result, we see the development of these brown spots.
First way to prevent these spots is to apply a daily sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight on more vulnerable areas such as the face, neck, chest and hands. If that advice is too late there are treatments available to help! For light pigmentation, prescription strength topicals such as hydroquinone and retinoids can help block the production of the enzyme that causes pigmentation and increase cell turnover rate to help bring in some new healthy cells. For darker pigmentation patients may seek a blue or chemical peel to help shed discoloration faster. However, most require some form of pre-treatment to the area.
With decades of experience, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander has found the OBAGI product line works best! The series of ingredients include hydroquinone and retinoinds to improve overall facial skin quality, texture and coloration. Come to our office and meet with Dr. Alexander & his staff to come up with a plan specific for your facial and skin needs.
Tags: age spots, blue peel, board certified plastic surgeon, brownish pigmented spots, chemical peel, cosmetic surgery, Dr. Alexander, facial procedures, facial skin enhancement, hydroquinone, Las Vegas, look younger, NV, OBAGI, retinoids, sun damage, sunscreen, topicals, treatments
Posted in Health and Beauty
February 21st, 2012
Patients who have undergone plastic surgery such as, thighplasty or liposuction, to improve contours in the legs often ask what else they can do to improve or maintain their result! Most of the time the first answer is always maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. If this is something the patient did prior to surgery, it is often not the answer they want to hear. We did some additional research to come up with some answers that will keep your legs looking and feeling young! Try some of the tips below!
- Moisturize regularly! Dry skin can make skin loose elasticity and ashy. Adding lotion to your skin after a bath or shower can help hydrate and soften the skin.
- Wear the right shoes- Avoid shoes that are chunky and create stocky looking legs. Find slimming boots that always end below the knee and fit snug against your calves.
- Get a Sun-kissed glow without exposing your body to harmful UV rays. Try a self-tanning lotion! A bronze glow will give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette.
- Eliminate spiderveins – consult with a board certified doctor that specializes in this treatment to fight this battle. They can point you in the direction of products or treatments to use, while saving you lots of time and money on products that may not work.
- Eating the right foods and exercising regularly can help improve deep set cellulite areas. Although most of the time it is never eliminated entirely, eating right can help reduce sunken areas.
- Find the perfect pants. For a lean slimming look patients may appreciate the way skinny jeans fit like a glove. Showing off the post-surgical body contours and gaining a high sense of confidence!
Check out Dr. Alexander’s liposuction photo gallery here! For more information or to schedule your consultation appointment, please contact our Summerlin office at 702-242-6776.
Tags: Dr. Alexander, healthy diet & exercise, Las Vegas, legs, liposuction, maintaining results, NV, plastic surgery, Summerlin, thigh-lift, thighplasty
Posted in Body Contouring, Health and Beauty
February 15th, 2012
While many may believe that men are more impervious to body image issues than women, a recent trend seems to indicate otherwise. According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, between 2000 and 2010 the number of men undergoing abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck, has doubled.
Many men and women globally are becoming more educated about the correlation between combining a well-balanced diet and regular workout regimen for increased longevity, health and happiness. With the increase in men taking action towards weight comes the effects of weight loss aftermath- excess skin. While excess skin is not a medical condition and is preferred over the burden of the extra weight & health risks, it is often undesirable. Some men who are concerned about the appearance of their midsection may have tried over the counter products that advertise their capability to give users a six pack. Most consumers will find these ointment or creams are often ineffective and may lead men to seek out more permanent options like the tummy tuck!
With almost two decades of experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Alexander specializes in body contouring procedures to include abdominoplasty for men and women. This procedure is not a substitute for healthy diet and exercise. Optimal results are achieved when this procedure is performed on healthy individuals with firm, elastic skin that will reshape well to their body’s new contours. Contact our Las Vegas practice at 702-242-6776 for more information.
Tags: abdomen, abdominoplasty, American Society of Plastic Surgeon statistics, ASPS, body contouring, Dr. Alexander, excess skin, Las Vegas, male tummy tuck, Plastic Surgery for Men, tone & firm abs
Posted in Body Contouring
February 7th, 2012
The saying “You are what you eat from your head to your feet” could not be more true! What you put in your mouth directly impacts your hair shine, skin complexion, teeth, nail beds, and more. A diet rich in antioxidants, brightly colored fruits & vegetables, good fats & oils, and spices can help repair damaged cells, decrease inflammation, buffer and regulate gene expression, and adjust cell metabolism. You can also feed yourself with foods that can alter your complexion. See below for some great snack tips..
Oily/Acne Prone Skin- Foods high in vitamin A and zinc can help reduce oil production. Try adding some dark Leafy greens like kale and spinach, or sweet potatoes. Also avoiding dairy products such as yogurt or milk can help decrease small amounts of acne.
Dry Skin- Eating good oils and fat that add hydration into your diet can help add moisture to your skin. These types of food include salmon, walnuts, olive oil and flaxseeds meal. It may be beneficial to avoid caffeinated beverages.
Redness- Cucumbers, almonds, chickpeas and shell fish are high in zinc and can help cool your body from within, reduce inflammation and decrease the amount of redness to your face. You may also want to check the ingredient list on products you may use to see if there are any that cause redness.
Reduce Fine Lines- We all wish there was something as easy as eating a “magic fruit” to diminish our wrinkles. Although it is not that simple, eating foods with high water content like celery & cucumbers can hydrate and penetrate cells better than just drinking water which can plump skin cells and temporarily smooth out fine lines.
Although a healthy diet is a great start, sometime genetics get the best of us. Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander, offers a variety of procedures and techniques for men and women looking for a more permanent solution to their facial needs. Contact Dr. Alexander & Co. at 702-242-6776 to schedule your consultation for skin texture improvement or surgical facial enhancement today!
Tags: diet rich in antioxidants, Dr. Alexander, eat healthy, facelift, facial enhancement, foods to help with skin complexion, fruits & vegtables, Las Vegas Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, procedures, repair damaged cells and dull looking skin, snack tips, surgical and non-surgical solutions, texture
Posted in Achieving your personal best, Health and Beauty, Skin Care
February 1st, 2012
Las Vegas Board Certified Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander knows how important it is for women to look and feel their very best from chest to buttocks. To perk up or add volume to the chest there are procedures such as breast augmentation or lift surgery. However, there are many things you can do without surgery to enhance your lower half. Knowing your butt shape can help you understand some of the body contouring options that are available.
V-Shaped Butt- This butt has volume and fullness starting at the hips and top of the butt, but decreases size and shape towards the bottom making it appear heavier than you really may be. Liposuction around the hips and possibly outer thighs may help slim down the area so there is more definition between the waist and butt.
Square Butt- This shape is often most complained about because it appears flat from its side and there is not much volume. This butt shape is hard to enhance. Procedures such as fat transfer or implants may be an option with other surgeons, however, with almost two decades of experience, Dr. Alexander has found that both of those procedures may have unpredictable outcomes and unsatisfied results. Selecting pants with embellishments on the pockets or exercises that engage the glute may be a better non-surgical solution to perk up the area.
Round Butt- This is the second most popular butt as it is full of volume and has some shape. However, sometimes too much fatty tissue can take away from that total body proportion. You can try to eat your way to a better butt by eating a well-balanced diet to include proteins and good carbs & fats. This way you can get rid of the excess fat, but still maintain muscle and shape. Liposuction to hips and thighs can help removed stubborn areas that do not respond to diet and exercise if needed.
Heart or A-Shaped Butt- This butt is often most desirable! Women with the A-shape have a smaller waist line with a gradual increase of volume until you reach the natural fold of the butt cheek. These women experience a high satisfaction without having to perform any surgery!
Schedule your appointment at our Summerlin, Las Vegas office with Dr. Alexander to discuss your body contouring desires. Dr. Alexander will make an individualized recommendation based on your anatomy. Contact us at 702-242-6776 or info@alexandermd.com .
Tags: body contouring, butt shape, Dr. Alexander, fat transfer, implants, increase or decrease buttock size or shape, Las Vegas board certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon, liposuction, lower half enhancement, procedures, Summerlin
Posted in Body Contouring
January 25th, 2012
Did you know that Breast Cancer can occur in males? Most Breast Cancer occurs in women, but many do not know that it can occur in men as well. In general, breast cancer is a uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. The term “breast cancer” is often described as a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. When a tumor is considered malignant, it considered high risk because it can invade other areas of the body. Although not always pronounced and obvious as the female, almost all males have some amount of breast tissue.
Men can also have benign, non cancerous, disorders to the breasts. There are many types of tumors that are not cancerous, such as papillomas and fibroadenomas. Theses types of abnormal lumps do not spread to other parts of the body and do not pose a life threatening risk. These conditions occur only in a small percentage of men.
Gynecomatsia, over development of breast tissue, is one of the more common breast disorders that occur in men. Due to hormonal changes in their body, the condition appears more frequently in teenage boys during adolescents. If the body does not regulate the hormones properly, the undesirable fullness in the breast tissue may remain until adulthood. It can also occur as a side effect of medicine, anabolic steroids, or being overweight.
Although gynecomastia is much more common than breast cancer in men, both can be felt as a growth under the nipple, making it extremely important to have any and all lumps evaluated by a doctor. If you are considering cosmetic surgical improvement in the chest for a more masculine and attractive physique, contact Las Vegas, Dr. Alexander & Co. at 702-242-6776 to discuss your options!
Posted in Body Contouring
January 17th, 2012
Q: My nose is twisted at the end; can this be fixed with rhinoplasty?
A: The twisted nose can sometimes be one of the more challenging cases in rhinoplasty. If the nose is twisted at the end, that could be referring to the cartilage bridge and tip of the nose. In the hands of an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Alexander, significant improvement is usually possible. Sometimes the nose can be made straight at the time of surgery, but the patient should know that there is some memory to cartilage tissue and there is a chance that it may alter slightly as normal healing occurs. A more detailed consultation at our Summerlin, Las Vegas practice with Dr. Alexander will recommend techniques specific to your nose, and review what can realistically be expected with cosmetic nose surgery.
Q: How long do I have to wear a cast on my nose after surgery?
A: The answer varies on the specific type of rhinoplasty, and technique used on the patient. The type of “cast” Dr. Alexander uses on the bridge of the nose is commonly referred to as a “splint”. In an open rhinoplasty procedure, the splint remains on the nose for approximately 7-10 days and at that point will be removed at a follow up appointment. Due to natural oils that the face produces, the splint may fall off on its own prior to that. It is recommended to follow up with our office to ensure you remain on the right healing path.
Q: To correct an over sized hump in the nose, do you break it or shave it?
A: The dorsal nasal hump is composed of cartilage and bone. Dr. Alexander uses a variety of methods to improve the contour of the hump. Osteotomies, “cutting or breaking the nasal bones”, is an example of one technique used to help reduce the bump in the nose. The type of technique used will be unique to your specific nose and desires. This question can best be answered in our office at a consultation appointment!
View our rhinoplasty before and after photos here!
Tags: aestheic plastic surgical proceudures, cosmetic nose surgery, dorsal nasal hump, Dr. Alexander, improve cartilage, Las Vegas, Men & Women seeking cosmetic surgery, nasal enhancement, NV, recovery, rhinoplasty frequently asked questions and answers, rhinoplasty techniques, splint, Summerlin, understanding plastic surgery
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery
January 11th, 2012
Facial wrinkles are a cause of stress for many individuals. There are many ways to prevent the onset of crow’s feet and lines around one’s mouth, some include avoiding first and second hand smoke, routinely apply topical eye or facial creams, and including a healthy diet and workout regimen. But did you know that some experts believe that sleeping habits may have an impact on wrinkle development.
Experts believe that pushing your face against your pillow while side or stomach sleeping can cause creases in your eyes, cheeks, and mouth over time. These experts advise men and women to prevent these creases from forming by back sleeping. It may be a challenge breaking old habits so it is recommended to try placing pillows on your sides or underneath your legs to prevent from rolling over. Bedding material with a high thread count has been said to cause better rest and may help prevent you from waking up throughout the night.
Those interested in a cosmetic procedure to help reduce the “tired look” and improve the appearance of facial wrinkles have many options such as facelift, eyelid surgery, or browlift. In addition to reducing wrinkles through surgery, treatments such as injectable fillers and facial rejuvenation procedures can help enhance fullness and improve the skin texture with zero down time! For recommendations specific to your needs, contact Dr. Alexander & Co. at 702-242-6776 to schedule your Las Vegas consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Alexander.
Tags: blepharoplasty, botox, browlift, cosmetic enhancement, creases around eyes, crow's feet, Dr. Alexander, eyelid surgery, face rejuvenation, facelift, facial wrinkles, Las Vegas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, rhytidectomy, sleeping habits, wrinkle development
Posted in Health and Beauty
January 4th, 2012
A new study shows that liposuction may do more than just slim down your waistline… it may also help your heart!
The study was done to observe what happens to triglyceride levels after undergoing liposuction procedures. Triglycerides are fats in the blood that have been linked in other studies to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in Denver, results showed that within three months after liposuction, patient’s triglyceride levels had dropped an average of 43%- that is pretty dramatic!
The procedure also led to a reduction in the amount of white blood cells circulating in the blood. This finding proposes that the removal of fat is reducing inflammation, which is also thought to be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. While other research has shown that it is the fat surrounding the organs that is the most dangerous, this study shows that some progress in cardiovascular risk factors can result when more superficial fat is removed.
There is one thing that is still understudy and that is whether the effects are long lasting. More extensive studies will come soon documenting what the triglyceride levels are at 6 months and 1 year.
Liposuction is not a substitute for healthy diet and exercise, but does have a few perks if you are a candidate! Click here to view more information about liposuction done by Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Alexander.
Don’t forget to visit our before and after photo gallery!
Tags: body contouring, health benefits of plastic surgery, Heart benefits, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Alexander, life changing procedures, lipo, liposuction, understanding cosmetic surgery
Posted in Body Contouring, Health
