Question:
I’m interested in Breast Augmentation. What are the main ingredients to success in choosing the best Plastic Surgeon for me? Is it necessary to select a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?

Answer:
I believe there are several important steps to a successful Partnership between a board certified Plastic Surgeon and their Patient!

The key to picking your Plastic Surgeon for any procedure is that:

1. He or she is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A handy list to refer to when interviewing or considering a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon can be found here.
2. That he/she has experience in performing Breast Augmentation. The Plastic Surgeon needs to be committed to helping you decide on the best implant and also committed to following you every year after surgery so that you better understand what to look for if you think you detect any changes in your implants and get the latest information on implants. For more information on Breast Augmentation click here.
3. That you can view typical case photos of the surgeons Breast Augmentation results. Click here to view our Breast Augmentation Galleries.
4. You need to evaluate the Plastic Surgeon’s skills by first going to a consultation that should evaluate your individual anatomy, your expectations and review your options. Bring a list of questions or concerns to help organize your thoughts. TOGETHER you should pick an implant for each breast. Breasts are often different. Be sure your Plastic Surgeon helps you decide what will best meet your expectations and provide you with the post operative and long term care you need. Implants, like all medical devices, do not last forever. You should expect to need replacement during your long healthy life.
5. If the Plastic Surgeon is also an active member of ASAPS then you know they also fulfilled the impressive criteria to become a member.
   Among the requirements for invitation and election to ASAPS membership, a plastic surgeon must:
   • Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
   • Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification
   • Participate in accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) to stay current with developments in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery.
   • Document the performance of a significant number and variety of cosmetic surgical cases to demonstrate wide experience.
   • Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons to help ensure that the applicant’s professional reputation meets the high standards required by ASAPS.

The requirements for membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) are designed to encourage application by trained and experienced plastic surgeons who concentrate their practices in performing cosmetic plastic surgery of the face and the entire body. ASAPS membership remains an exclusive privilege for those surgeons who possess the necessary qualifications. Only about one-quarter of all American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeons have been accepted into ASAPS membership.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about a Surgical or Non-Surgical procedure we would be happy to set up a personal consultation. You may reach us at (847) 657-6884. We are located in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Glenview, Il.

If you’d like to submit your own plastic surgery question please do so here!

Question:
Why does Dr. Casas recommend injecting Sculptra ® Aesthetic in conjunction with topical Retin-A daily to restore a more youthful appearing face?

Does using topical Retin-A enhance the result of Sculptra® Aesthetic?

Reply:
The combination of a Sculptra® Aesthetic treatment with consistent use of topical Retin-A continues to fascinate me. I completed a 106 patient study on the synergy of these two very effective treatments and found that their use in combination can be powerfully effective. Sculptra® Aesthetic is injected just below the skin and then proceeds to stimulate the growth of one’s own collagen through an inflammatory process. The Retin-A is topically applied daily to the same areas, and it’s efficacy on it’s own is impressive, but it appears to decrease the amount of Sculptra® Aesthetic needed for full correction. The skin thickens and the surface of the skin appears more youthful. Retin-A is one of the FDA approved topical agents known to scientifically alter the skin’s surface. Other creams and lotions can temporarily help slough off the outermost layer of ‘dead skin cells’, but documentation shows that Retin-A temporarily alters the quality of the skin while the patient is using it.

When Sculptra® Aesthetic is injected correctly, and topical Retin-A is used consistently, the two products act as complimentary partners to help you achieve your goal of making your skin look more youthful.

Read more about Sculptra® here.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about a Surgical or Non-Surgical procedure we would be happy to set up a personal consultation. You may reach us at (847) 657-6884. We are located in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Glenview, Il.

If you’d like to submit your own plastic surgery question please do so here!

Question:
With all the options for Facial Soft tissue fillers available, why should I choose Restylane® or Perlane®?

Answer:
Restylane® continues to be the #1 dermal filler in the world. Restylane® is a safe skin filler made with hyaluronic acid (HA) that is used to fill the aging lines of the face. Perlane® is a similar filler but because of it ‘s larger particle size, it is used for deep lines of the face. Both Restylane and Perlane are FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to deep facial wrinkles such as the nasolabial folds that are commonly found around the mouth. When injected properly, they can help erase your wrinkles and creases.
Read more about Restylane® and Perlane® here!
Click here for Restylane / Perlane before and after photos.

Generally, the effects of Restylane and Perlane last a minimum of 6 months and often 12-18 months if the area is re-treated within 6 months. They do not require any pre-testing for allergic reactions, but it is important to avoid aspirin and aspirin-related products for 7-10 days prior to injection to minimize the potential for bruising. Side effects from a filler session are minimal and results are usually evident within days after swelling subsides.

Come in for a complimentary consultation to evaluate whether Restylane or Perlane would be the best option for you!
You may reach us at (847) 657-6884. We are located in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Glenview, Il.

If you’d like to submit your own plastic surgery question please do so here!