“What one pearl learned since your residency has been most helpful to running your practice?”

Dr. Casas says,

“I’ve learned to have the practice philosophy and mission statement and focus be patient-centric, especially in terms of their experiences and their outcomes.”

Read full article.

Answer:
Yes. There is a relatively simple, outpatient minimally invasive surgical procedure called Liposuction of the Neck. It is perfect for people whose skin elasticity is still intact yet you have a little sagging along and under the chin area and are not quite ready for a Necklift. I have performed hundreds of these procedures on men and women aged 20 to 65.

People show signs of aging differently and it is the skin condition, not the age of the patient, that determines if one is a good candidate for this surgery.

Typically, it is performed on an outpatient basis in the hospital under a twilight anesthesia (not general) on a Friday and the patient can be back to work or normal activities on Monday!

I highly recommend it for those seeking a safe, reliable method to improve your neck and jawline and feel years younger!

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!

Find out why, read full article here.

“If a person nurses five to nine times a day, their breasts get larger, then deflate after each session,” says Dr. Laurie A. Casas. “This enlarging and shrinking takes a toll on skin elasticity.”

Read full article here.

• Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Laurie A. Casas, Specializing in
Aesthetic Surgery & Cosmetic Medicine (Face and Body)

• Complimentary Mini-Consultations with Dr. Casas

• Owner, Ilene Leon, of Hairsay, and staff (Hair, Makeup, Nails)

• Brow and Makeup advice from Pam Krupp, Highly Respected and Well-Known Make-Up Artist

• Discounted Polish Changes

• Great socializing and networking opportunities! Bring a friend and enjoy the fun atmosphere of Hairsay!

• Music, Cocktails and Light Hors D’oeuvres

• Representatives from Sculptra Aesthetic, Dysport, Restylane
(meet the reps and hear what’s new in aesthetic injections!)

Please R.S.V.P. by May 17th
(847) 657-6973
Jenny @casas.md

Answer:
It truly depends on the individual.

The consultation is an important time for both of us (the teenaged patient and myself) to evaluate if the timing and expectations are a good match. If it is not clear that the patient is emotionally mature, and has reasonable expectations, I do not believe it is appropriate for that teenager to undergo plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is a commitment to change and it is essential to know and understand your reasons for wanting to make this change.
As physicians, we have an ethical responsibility to help prospective patients make the right decision regarding cosmetic surgery, and sometimes that means postponing surgery until the patient is better able to understand his or her reasons for seeking physical change. Changing one’s physical appearance will have psychological effects, and my goal is for these to be positive and reasonable. It will not change one’s life; it will change the way you perceive yourself and this in turn can help change, or improve your life! If the teenaged patient believes that having larger breasts will guarantee her boyfriend’s interest, it is obviously a red flag. If the teenaged patient cannot identify what she doesn’t like about a particular feature, but just wants it changed because her friends all had a particular surgery, or her mother wants her to have it, or societal pressure to ‘fit in’ to a pre-conceived aesthetic mold…those are all red flags. I prefer to wait until an individual has no ambivalence about a commitment to cosmetic surgery, and is clear about her expectations, as well as what she wishes to change. There are teenagers who are emotionally mature and ready for surgery, but it takes careful screening and assessment.

Dr. Casas looks for several factors when discussing cosmetic surgery with a young patient. Read CNN Health report for more on one teens story & Dr. Casas’ evaluation process!

Answer:
First you should consult with someone like me, a Board certified Plastic Surgeon who will honestly review your options for helping to make your dreams become a reality. Brides want to look their best for many reasons. It is a very special day and most brides are photographed quite a bit. I always recommend a good skincare program but especially before the wedding, it is a good idea to ‘step it up’ with professional exfoliation like a Blue Peel or a Hydrafacial and for a woman in her mid 30’s step it up with a few units of a Neurotoxin (like Botox or Dysport ) or a thin filler to ease worry or smile lines that can make someone look sad or angry. If your jaw line is not as defined as it used to be, Liposuction of the Neck is an outpatient procedure that can have you back to work in 3 days with no telltale scars but can make a dramatic improvement in your profile, and a big difference in photographs.

In addition, some brides may want to consider Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Surgery so that they can pick the dress of their dreams! This is very do-able. Other brides may want to wear their hair in an up-do hairstyle and want to finally address their prominent ears that have forced them to wear their hair down. Otoplasty (ear pinning) can definitely help a Bride address this issue.

Sometimes a little liposuction to diet and resistant fat pockets can make the difference in the wedding gown you choose. Click here for additional liposuction info and photos.

Ideally, 6 months before the wedding is the best time to see me. There are many options that although are very subtle and natural can make a dramatic difference.

We welcome you, your bridal party and of course, the mother of the bride and future mother-in-law! We would be honored to assist you!

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!

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!

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!

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!