Injectables

All three products are made from botulinum toxin, and all produce very similar wrinkle-fighting results. Botox® is by far the oldest, most popular, and most recognizable formula, dating back to the late 1970s when it was first used to treat eye spasms. However, Dysport® and Xeomin® are comparable products, and some doctors believe these formulas work even faster than Botox®. Personal preference is the main factor in which product to use. Additionally, Dysport® and Xeomin® may work for patients who have stopped seeing results from Botox®.

Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® are all FDA approved for cosmetic purposes, though that approval is specific to certain areas of the face. Until recently, for example, Botox® was not officially endorsed by the FDA for treating “crows’ feet”, and extensive trials had to be conducted before the product’s approval was updated.

Injectable treatments are very safe, and there are few side effects associated with their use. Aside from the normal side effects at the injection site, rarer complications can include:

• Headaches
• Droopy eyelids
• Tiredness
• Double or blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Allergic reaction
• Eye problems
• Neck pain

Any signs of rare side effects should be reported to your cosmetic surgeon immediately.

Only medical professionals should be performing Botox® injections, but the level of training given to providers varies greatly, and you should seek the services of an experienced cosmetic surgeon to perform your treatments. While this may cost more per treatment, you reduce the risk of poor results or avoidable complications, while having the peace of mind that your safety is in the hands of an experienced board-certified surgeon.

Because it takes a few days for the product to start affecting the facial muscles, results will not become apparent right away. Patients can expect to start seeing improvement within 48 hours and full results a few days after that, depending on the product used and the severity of the facial wrinkles.

Many people are concerned that because injectables affect the movement of the facial muscles, they will not be able to form facial expressions normally, and the results will look unnatural. This is an exaggerated perception of how much the treatment will affect the muscles. Botox®, Xeomin®, and Dysport® offer natural-looking facial rejuvenation when administered by a qualified provider.

A unit isn’t a typical measurement: it’s a measure of biological activity and number of molecules. Botulinum toxin treatments generally come in 100 unit bottles, and your plastic surgeon will be able to determine how many units you will need in each area to be treated. This amount can be adjusted in future treatments if necessary.

The feel of the implants will vary depending on the type of implant used. Implants will never feel quite the same as natural breast tissue, but silicone gel implants do a good job of mimicking the feel of natural breast tissue. You should be able to feel some actual implants before your surgery so you can get an idea of how the breasts will feel after the augmentation process.

Breast augmentation is a safe procedure when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in a top-notch facility, like our Emory Aesthetic Center in Atlanta, but there are some inherent risks in surgery, as well as some risks that are specific to the procedure itself. Complications can be minimized by choosing the right surgeon and paying attention to surgeon instructions before and after surgery, but patients should also be aware of potential complications so that any signs of trouble can be dealt with immediately.

Over the long term, the most common complication of breast augmentation is the development of capsular contracture, which is scarring around the implant which can make the implant feel firm or can change the appearance of the breast. Other risks and complications of breast augmentation can include bleeding, infection, scarring, anesthesia complications, breast pain or numbness, poor aesthetic results, implant shifting, and implant rupture. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your surgeon prior to surgery.