Putting your best face forward involves keeping the signs of aging at bay. However, even if you are on top of skin care methods for preserving your facial appearance, the development of wrinkles and sagging skin are eventually unavoidable. To combat these negative physical effects, many men and women often turn to cosmetic procedures and undergo facelift surgery.

When Dr. Wald’s patients visit The Aesthetic Institute for their consultation, a question they often ask is, “What is the best age for a facelift?”

The truth is, there is no particular age that is best to undergo facelift surgery since the aging process affects everyone differently. Rather than having facelift surgery performed at an exact age, you should aim to have a facelift done when one or more of the following conditions develop:

• Sagging in the midface and lower face

• Creases around the eyes, nose, and mouth

• Loss of muscle tone in the lower cheeks (jowls)

• Excess skin and fat under the chin

At his practice, Dr. Wald performs various facelift techniques that are specifically tailored to meet each patient’s individualized needs.

Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift is performed using incisions that start at the temples, extend down around the ears, and end in the hairline of the lower scalp. In some cases, an incision may also be made underneath the chin. Excess skin and fat are removed while the cheek muscles are repositioned to eliminate wrinkles, creases, and sagging skin.

Mini Facelift

Unlike a traditional facelift, this method focuses solely on the midface. Incisions are made at the temples that extend down around the ear but not into the hairline. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is redraped to reveal a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Endoscopic Facelift

This method is carried out in almost the same way that a regular facelift is performed. However, an endoscope (small camera with a light) is inserted through the incisions to give the surgeon better vision throughout the procedure.

The facelift technique that is best for you will be determined after Dr. Wald evaluates you and your aesthetic goals during your personalized consultation.

To restore a rejuvenated appearance to your face, we encourage you to contact our Orange County practice today. Please call (888) 401-2806 or feel free to fill out our online contact form. Dr. Robert Wald is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and looks forward to helping you attain a more youthful appearance with lasting results.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 11th, 2014 at 6:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.

Mommy Makeover Results

Women who have had their children notice the effects of pregnancy and age.  It’s quite concerning for a woman who has always looked good, but now has a tummy that has gained fat and loose skin and breasts that are smaller and more saggy.  Unfortunately, diet and exercise can not improve these problems.

To correct these problems, some sort of abdominal suturing or tightening is required.  Not uncommonly, a breast augmentation is performed at the same time.  These 2 operations are very common and usually called a Mommy Makeover.  My advice to my patients is to do this surgery earlier in life.  The younger this makeover is performed, the longer the woman can enjoy it.  This procedure is extremely satisfying to the patient.  She can now go back to the youthful appearance she had prior to her pregnancies and increasing age.

To determine exactly what needs to be done, a woman needs to see a plastic surgeon.  There are several options available to treat the abdomen. These include an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) or some modification of this procedure.  There are short scar Abdominoplasties combined with liposuction. Occasionally, liposuction can be done alone if the skin envelop is without a lot of loose skin and stretched muscles.

The breasts are also of concerns following pregnancy.  The breasts usually deflate and sagginess can occur.  There are 2 options to treat the breasts.  This can include placement of a breast implant alone or a Mastopexy or breast lift.  A breast lift can be done alone or in combination with a breast implant.

A woman who decides to do this procedure must take 2 weeks off work and her motherly duties.  At 2 weeks, a person can drive, shower normally and perform some household chores.  Heavy lifting and exercise cannot be done for 4 to 6 weeks.  The results of this surgery are seen instantly but final results are not experienced for 6 months.  Scars fade, breast soften and swelling gradually diminishes over several months.  For the first few days following surgery, activity is limited and there is some discomfort.  Contrary to what is commonly statedonline, the pain is not excessive.

My patients are extremely pleased with the result of these procedures.  It is one of the most satisfying surgeries I perform.  If one wants to rid the bodily consequences of age and pregnancy, these procedures can accomplish your goals.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 2nd, 2014 at 8:56 am and is filed under Body Procedures, Breast Enhancement, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck.

The “Mommy Makeover” is a catchy nickname for a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to reverse the visible effects of pregnancy on the body. Sagging breasts, stretch marks, excess skin on the abdomen, and fat in new and undesired places are just a few of the side effects of pregnancy, and the Mommy Makeover can remedy all of them.

Those who consider the Mommy Makeover have likely tried every diet and exercise routine available to try to get their pre-pregnancy body back. The truth is, no amount of diet and exercise can eliminate excess skin, perk up deflated breasts, or remove stretch marks. New fat deposits on the lower abdomen and thighs are also often extremely difficult – if not impossible – to remove.

Depending on the results you desire, Dr. Wald offers any combination of breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), and liposuction to correct the bodily changes that result from pregnancy.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can significantly boost a woman’s confidence, especially after childbirth. Breast implants will increase the size and improve the shape of a woman’s breasts. There are many choices associated with this procedure, and Dr. Wald will thoroughly inform you of all your options during your consultation.

Breast Lift

Women often have sagging breasts after pregnancy. Sagging can be slight or more severe, with the nipples falling below the breast crease or pointing downward. A breast lift will remove excess skin and elevate the breasts to a higher position. This procedure does not increase breast size, which is why it is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery targets excess skin and fat in the upper and lower abdomen, resulting in a trimmer, firmer midsection. As a result of pregnancy, many women have weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which are tightened during this procedure. Stretch marks will also be removed if they are located on the skin that is to be excised.

Liposuction

Liposuction will target all the areas of the body where fat seems to “stick.” The arms, back, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, and flanks are just some of the common areas women choose to firm up with liposuction. The best candidates have good skin elasticity and do not have excess sagging skin. Those who do have a significant amount of excess skin will have better results with tummy tuck surgery.

Dr. Robert Wald has been performing the Mommy Makeover for many years at his practice in Fullerton, CA. He can help you determine the combination of procedures that will re-create your pre-pregnancy body and restore your confidence. If you would like to learn more about the Mommy Makeover procedure, please schedule a consultation by calling (888) 401-2806. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 at 8:00 am and is filed under Breast Enhancement, Breast Lift, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck.

With more than 200,000 cosmetic rhinoplasty procedures performed every year, men and women of all ages are clearly focused on improving the appearance of their nose. However, rhinoplasty is a very specific procedure that requires a skilled physician to ensure that the nose is in complete harmony with the rest of the face. To understand how a natural appearance is achieved, we first need to know what deformities a rhinoplasty can correct.

Rhinoplasty can effectively improve:

• Nose size
• Nose width (position of the nostrils)
• Bumps and depressions on the bridge
• Bulbous or upturned nasal tip
• Asymmetry

In the past, rhinoplasty was put into a category of surgery that regularly left people with an “overdone” appearance. The early methods of this procedure resulted in noses that were not in proportion with the rest of the face because of a variety of mistakes, including:

• Removing too much bone and/or cartilage
• Taking the bridge of the nose down too low
• Shortening the tip of the nose
• Making the nose too upturned

Instead of performing traditional techniques, Dr. Wald offers his patients a choice between the open or closed methods to achieve results that look natural. The procedure itself is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. During surgery, Dr. Wald will make very tiny incisions inside or outside of the nose to remove bone and/or cartilage and then reshape the nose to put it in balance with the rest of the face.

For more information about rhinoplasty or to schedule a consultation with The Aesthetic Institute, please call (888) 401-2806 or fill out our online contact form today. As a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in cosmetic nose surgery, Dr. Wald looks forward to meeting you soon and helping you achieve your goals.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 at 3:19 am and is filed under Rhinoplasty.

No matter how old you are, you are always susceptible to getting acne. Caused by a buildup of bacteria-laden oil (sebum) and dead skin cells in your pores, acne can wreak havoc on your physical appearance, as well as your confidence. In the past, keeping skin free of dirt and sweat was only thought to be done with special scrubs and washes. However, various studies have found other ways to effectively fight against the development of acne.

Besides washing your face at least twice a day, below are a few helpful tips to effectively prevent acne and get the beautiful skin you deserve.

Get Your Vitamins

Just like your heart or lungs, your skin is an organ (the largest in the body). When it doesn’t receive the proper nutrients, there’s is an increased possibility that it will respond by overproducing sebum and clogging pores.

Mask it

Applying a homemade facial mask made of honey and cinnamon may seem like a waste of time, but it is more helpful than you think. Honey is a natural antibiotic that kills bacteria and cinnamon contains antimicrobial properties that slow the production of bacteria. All you need is two tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon and…Voliá!

Change Your Pillowcase

When you sleep, dirt and oil rub off onto your pillowcase, becoming a hotbed of bacteria of the coming days. Changing your pillowcase on a weekly basis can noticeably help prevent breakouts.

Check Your Laundry Detergent

Many laundry soaps contain chemicals and fragrances that are harsh on the skin and can irritate your pores. If you’ve been sporadically experiencing acne recently, then try using a detergent that is color- and fragrance-free.

Go Easy on the Makeup

If you’re one of those women who tend to cake on their makeup, perhaps this is the root of your acne. As an added problem, applying makeup means touching your face, which can promote bacterial growth. To help reduce your risk for acne, wear less makeup and wash your makeup brushes at least once a week.

At The Aesthetic Institute, we offer a wide range of skin care products and treatments that can diminish and prevent acne. To schedule your consultation, call (888) 401-2806 or fill out our online contact form to get started. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain clear, beautiful, acne-free skin.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 at 8:37 pm and is filed under Skin Care.