Discount Botox

I love coupons.  I grew up in a house where we only bought the breakfast cereals my mother had coupons for, and I swore I would never be like that – but I guess we all become our mother sometime.  However, a coupon for your favorite Kellogg’s cereal is completely different than a group discount site (think Groupon) offering deals on Botox and other injectables.  Recently, a group discount site (who shall remain nameless) had an offer for "20 Units of Botox.” For $165.00, they were offering 20 units of Botox (about enough for one site).  Our office charges $300 a site – sounds like a pretty good deal, right?

Wrong…According to Dr. Robert Louton, “Plastic surgeons most often bring in new patients by word of mouth from previously happy patients.  Would you feel comfortable being injected by a doctor who has to advertise with a group discount site and offer such low price in order to bring patients in?

If you ever see an advertisement for this, and are starting to consider it, think about these two things: 

1. Will a doctor be in the facility? Just because a spa has a medical director doesn't mean he or she will be administering the treatment. State regulations vary, and some states don't even require a doctor to be on site, much less in the room.  A doctor should always be in the vicinity in case of an emergency.

2. If a doctor is present, is he or she a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? If not, then you may want to reconsider. Would you want your hair and nails styles managed by a plastic surgeon? Then why would you want your injected Botox to be done by your hair stylist or the women who does your facials? Plastic surgeons are specialists who understand the full range of cosmetic procedures available. They know if your issues are best solved with a syringe of Botox or Juvaderm—or if you'd be better served by a peel or some other procedure.

Bottom line – when it comes to your health and injectables, cheaper is not better.  Blair Plastic Surgery participates in Allergan’s Brilliant Distinctions Program, as well as offering an in-house special.  When a patient purchases 3 sites of Botox within one year, he/she will receive one site for free.  The special applies to Juvaderm as well.  

-Elizabeth

BRA Day 2012

Blair Plastic Surgery is a proud sponsor of BRA Day. BRA Day, or breast reconstruction awareness day is an international initiative to make reconstructive options know to all people affected by breast cancer. Not only are reconstruction options available, reconstruction is also covered by insurance!

Dr Louton has 20 plus years of experience using all types of reconstructive procedures, and most recently has become a sub investigator for BRAVA Fat trasfer procedure, which uses the patient's own fat to reshape the breast mound.

We are proud to sponsor such a great project, and hope that we can get the word out that we are serious about helping our patients close the loop on breast cancer!

-Dr Fanny, The Kaptain

everything you have ever wanted to know about Botox

Have you wondered about Botox, but were afraid to ask? We went through some of our most common patient questions and answered them for everyone!

- Does Botox prevent wrinkles? Yes! Botox slows the muscle contraction that causes fine lines to etch into the skin.

-Is Botox going to make me feel numb or look frozen? No, Botox does not interfere with the nerve endings that control sensation. Looking frozen can be a by product of too much Botox concentrated in one location. Dr Louton most often recommends softening the lines instead of freezing the area all together.

-Does Botox hurt?  Like any injection, there may be a slight discomfort at the injection site. discomfort can be minimized by icing the are before and after. We provide our patients cool packs to help with the sensations associated with discomfort.

-What is the best age to start Botox? You don't have to wait for the wrinkles to start to begin Botox treatments. Any age is fine to begin Botox, which is FDA approved for patients ages 18 to 65.

-How long does Botox last? Botox last anywhere from 3 to 4 months before the muscles regain motion.

-Will my friends know I had Botox? Yes and no. Your friends may notice if you look a little bit more refreshed. However, if your Botox was over done, they may notice you look shiny, tight and totally frozen.

-What can I expect the day after Botox treatment?- Not a whole lot. Botox takes several days to a week to take effect. The lines then will gradually decrease over the course of one to three months. Anyone preparing for a major event show have treatment at least 2 weeks in advance.

-Diane

Breast Cancer Awareness

October brings apple cider, crisp weather and pink ribbons.

Breast Cancer Awareness month begins today, and the Skin Care Krew is doing their part! This year, Blair Plastic Surgery is promoting BRA Day, the first annual event in the United States!

BRA Day is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, a day set aside to raise awareness at of all reconstruction options after surgical treatment for breast cancer. 7 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer are never told their full surgical reconstruction options, and may be left struggling to find clothes to fit, a sense of loss and inability to emotionally heal.

Here in the office, The Admiral, Dr Robert Louton, will be giving a series of seminars all about breast surgery. Together with an online initiative and offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons nationwide, we can all get the word out about closing the loop on breast cancer.

-The Skin Care Krew

How much is too much? Part One- lip augmentation

When you make the decision to have injectable fillers, presumably it is to address facial features that are inadequate or have changed over time. So how much filler is enough?  It depends.  Is the goal to reverse some of the signs of aging?  Or is the purpose to enhance a facial attribute such as lips or eyes?  Reversing the signs of aging tends toward larger volumes distributed over larger areas, while enhancement tends to focus the volume to a single feature.

We often address a single feature when we should be looking at the overall picture and asking ourselves what is the best way to improve the result.

The objective of filling a single facial attribute should be to enhance the feature not to change its anatomy.  What my filler patients fear most is over correction.   A fake look is rendered when the anatomy of the feature is not respected. 

A perfect example is the lips.

 

My goal is to define the philtrum first and then increase vermillion height.  I stop the injection before distorting the natural contour of the lips.   The patient should not look as though she just came out of the plastic surgeons office.  The lips should appear natural and youthful with a modest amount of definition and volume.  Attempts to upturn the lips greater than their anatomy allows often yields distortion and loss of delicacy of the bow or an unnatural projection of the lips (“duck lips”).

 

 

-"The Admiral" Dr Robert Louton, MD, F.A.C.S.

 

 

 

Consultations and treatment are available from Dr Louton in both our Altoona and State College locations. Call (814)949-7280 or (814) 234-1420 for more information.