Several weeks ago, the company Allergan launched a new and improved version of Juvederm that contains lidocaine — a numbing medication similar to novocaine. Their studies have shown that 9 out of 10 patients are more comfortable with the lidocaine than without, and so far Dr. Donaldson’s patients agree. Procedures that might have otherwise required a nerve block (direct numbing of a facial nerve) can now be done safely and comfortably with the new filler alone.

In the last several days a competitor, Medicis, announced the availability of their latest products: Restylane-L and Perlane-L. These next-generation fillers also contain lidocaine for a more pleasant cosmetic experience. Dr. Donaldson is one of the first plastic surgeons in the country to have them available for his patients.

Whether you have had Juvederm or Restylane in the past or are curious to try one of them for the first time, you will most likely benefit from the addition of lidocaine to the filling material. Columbus, Ohio plastic surgeon Dr. Donaldson believes that increased comfort is a major advantage, and Juvederm XC, Restylane-L and Perlane-L are important breakthroughs in cosmetic medicine.

Recent studies have suggested that people who are unable to make certain facial expressions actually feel the associated emotion less. For example, if you can’t scowl, you may not feel as angry… If you can’t cringe, you may feel less embarrassed or disappointed… If you can’t frown, you may feel happier!

Botox has been used extensively to treat tension headaches caused by muscles of the neck, face, and forehead, and now it is increasingly linked to improvements in depression as well:

At Donaldson Plastic Surgery, Columbus, Ohio native Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson uses Botox in combination with other injectables such as Restylane and Juvederm to provide customized, comprehensive facial rejuvenation. In addition to improvements in appearance, the research above suggests that these patients may notice improvements in mood as well!

As men and women age, the cycles of weight loss and gain, exercise success and failure, pregnancy, dietary and nutritional changes and genetic influences tend to distort the abdomen. The skin may stretch, fat may accumulate and the muscles may thin and spread apart. Routine
surgical procedures such as hernia repairs, c-sections and appendix removals can also contribute to these changes. The safest, most attractive and durable treatment for this common set of concerns is the Tummy Tuck. Columbus, Ohio plastic surgeon Jeffrey Donaldson addresses each aspect of the tummy tuck with equal care. First, he removes the loose, wrinkled, stretched skin to ensure a smoother, tighter appearance. He then removes any extra fat, including the “love handles” on the flanks. Finally, he cinches in the muscles to better define the “six-pack” and eliminate any bulging from muscle spread. If the belly button has been misshapen over time, Dr. Donaldson will revise it to be smaller, more vertical, and youthful in appearance.

The resulting scar should be as small, thin and unnoticeable as possible. Dr. Donaldson works with each of his patients to understand where they want the scar positioned — usually just under the bikini line to accommodate low-rise jeans, underwear and swimsuits.

In Columbus, Ohio, tummy tuck surgery is often considered an integral part of a complete “mommy makeover” at Donaldson Plastic Surgery. Dr. Donaldson has experience and an eye for detail when it comes to this important cosmetic procedure.

It is important for a woman who is considering breast augmentation in Columbus, Ohio to carefully examine herself, and to think about where she desires more fullness, what amount of cleavage, possible improvements in symmetry from side to side. Dr. Donaldson considers this information essential to his discussions with patients about their goals and expectations, and he uses it to customize his decisions about implant position for each patient.

A decision to go above or below the muscle is often determined by several factors: the incision, the implant type, and the shape and quantity of natural breast tissue. If the incision is made in the armpit, the submuscular position is generally preferred because it is a simpler surgical plane. If the implant is filled with saline, the submuscular position may also be preferred to improve the natural feel and to disguise the edges. A large amount of natural breast tissue often makes a subglandular position desirable; whereas a breast that has dropped some from breastfeeding may respond well to a bi-planar position to encourage fullness toward the neckline. When augmentation is combined with a significant breast lifting procedure, it may be advantageous to protect the implant under an extra layer of muscle.

While some surgeons are only trained to place implants in one position, and others tend to fall into a rut using the same technique for every patient, Dr. Donaldson approaches each patient uniquely in Columbus, Ohio; breast augmentation results can vary remarkably depending upon the implant position.

Safety: First and foremost, breast implants are safe. The FDA has approved both saline-filled implants and silicone implants for breast augmentation after considering a vast amount of scientific data, patient experiences and doctors’ statements. There is no increased risk for certain illnesses or cancer, although the surgery itself carries some risk of bleeding, infection and other complications.

Materials: Most breast implants in the United States have a very thin silicone shell — the difference is what’s inside. Some are filled with saline (salt water), and others are filled with silicone gel. Some surgeons feel strongly about using one style of implant every time; Dr. Donaldson offers both types of implants, as he believes there are specific reasons to choose one or the other to match each patient’s body type and goals during breast augmentation.

Columbus, Ohio patients recognize in a side-by-side comparison that silicone feels more natural than saline — one is like a water balloon, and the other is like a breast. But in certain circumstances — such as when the implant is placed behind the chest muscle or beneath a large amount of natural breast tissue — it is often quite difficult to tell the difference.

Size: The most frequent reason for re-operation after breast augmentation is to change the size. To avoid this dilemma, Dr. Donaldson works hard with his patients to determine their goals and expectations in advance. Each person is different: some want a discreet enhancement that is only obvious when naked or in a bathing suit, others want a maximum impact that is obvious even in winter clothes!

Implants are sized according to their volume, which is usually measured in cubic centimeters, or cc’s. The typical range from small to large is 150 to 500cc’s, although they are made even smaller and bigger when necessary for women in Columbus, Ohio. Breast augmentation measurements to consider also include projection (distance projecting outward from chest) and width (distance from side of chest to middle of chest). The shape and size of a person’s chest and torso help determine which implant measurements will ultimately provide the best fit.

Shape: “Teardrop” or “anatomical” shapes are available, but Dr. Donaldson generally prefers smooth, round implants because they have a pleasant appearance from every angle. Also, if they turn in place, they will still look the same!

One option is to hide the incision in the fold beneath the breast. This location tends to blend in well over time, but the position must be precise so that it does not rise up onto the lower part of the breast or sink down to the upper part of the abdomen. It is easy to make this incision longer if necessary to accomodate a larger implant.

Another option is to place the incision along the curve of the nipple/areola, in a half-circle that hides between the lighter skin of the breast and the darker skin of the areola. This approach makes sense if changes in the shape of the areola are desired, a small “lift” is planned or the fold under the breast is too exposed. The length of incision is limited by the size of the areola.

Finally, for many women in Columbus, Ohio, breast augmentation is only desirable when there are no incisions on the breast at all. These patients opt to have their implants placed through the axilla or armpit. The small scar fades fast, and it is best for saline implants that are placed under the pectoralis muscle. It requires specialized endoscopic equipment and training to achieve optimal results.

Many surgeons learned one way to perform breast augmentation, and they still use the same incision every time. For breast augmentation, Columbus, Ohio surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson trained with leaders in the field nationwide, and he is comfortable offering each patient a personalized, customized approach. He will help you choose an incision that suits your individual needs and preferences.

Dr. Donaldson has helped to teach plastic surgeons from India, Turkey, Japan, Columbia, Mexico and New Zealand, and he has a great amount of respect for international plastic surgery; however, he does not recommend traveling to a foreign country to save money on breast augmentation. Columbus, Ohio residents are fortunate to have a
world-class option right at home with Jeffrey Donaldson, MD.

There are many reasons to avoid medical tourism: any savings from surgery are spent on travel; surgeon reputation and patient outcomes may be difficult to determine; language barriers can hinder communication between doctors and patients about goals and expectations; pre-operative testing and post-operative care is abbreviated or eliminated in order to get patients home more quickly.

Dr. Donaldson’s patients enjoy personalized consultations, medical examinations and pre-operative clearance in Columbus, Ohio. Breast augmentation surgery is then followed post-operatively with careful observation and encouragement by Dr. Donaldson and his staff. Any concern that may arise is handled with compassion, immediacy, and great expertise –
without the need for boarding a plane!

Droopy upper eyelids often tend to run in families, as mothers and fathers pass on such characteristics to their children. The sagging skin accumulates over time, leading to a tired, worn-down appearance and sometimes even a decrease in lateral vision. The extra skin will not go away with any amount of cream or laser; the skin must be removed by surgery to restore a youthful appearance.

Similarly, the lower eyelids become puffy because of a decrease in fat below the lid-cheek junction, and a protrusion of fat from beneath the eye into the lid. This can occur with thinning of the eyelid skin such that the darker muscle behind it shows through… hence the dark circles. Again, no probes or peels will reshape the fat or tighten the muscle; these maneuvers must be accomplished through the skill of a plastic surgeon.

Non-surgical therapies may seem less expensive than surgery, but added together they often cost more without ever treating the problem.

Columbus, Ohio, blepharoplasty patients trust Dr. Donaldson because he has undertaken specialized fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery — plastic surgery around the eyes. He offers the latest techniques for treating difficult eyelids and customizing his results for each patient.

Many women who are unhappy with the size, shape and position of their piercings choose to have earlobe repair. Columbus, Ohio plastic surgeon Jeffrey Donaldson performs minor office-based surgery to correct these areas and restore the earlobes to their normal contours.

Small incisions are often hidden within the natural folds and creases of the ear, and the scar is minimized with three layers of repair. As a courtesy to his patients (included in the fee), Dr. Donaldson will re-pierce the ears with sterile medical technique after several months of healing.

In Columbus, Ohio, earlobe repair is now safe, effective and affordable at Donaldson Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Donaldson does not offer or recommend mesotherapy because it is not regulated by the FDA, not endorsed by major American medical societies, and not proven to be safe in Level-I evidence medical literature. There is no standard formulation for which chemicals are used, how they are mixed, and what constitutes effective quantities. It it still unknown where the fat goes after it dissolves, how it affects the liver and kidneys over time, and what the side effects of the chemicals and dissolved fat might include.

On July 1st, 2008, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons published a policy statement with guiding principles on mesotherapy for physicians: ASPS mesotherapy statement.

This provides a good overview on the risks and controversies from the world’s largest plastic surgery organization.

For patients interested in mesotherapy, Columbus, Ohio, surgeon Dr. Donaldson recommends liposuction or other types of cosmetic surgery instead. These techniques are generally safer, more effective, better studied and more tightly regulated than injection lipolysis.