As with any type of surgery there are a variety of risks and complications that can occur. Patients should discuss pre, post and in-surgery care, risks and potential complications and create a plan to minimize them. Using an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon (not a doctor that took a plastic surgery course) should be at the top of a patients list when looking to avoid complications from surgery.

Dr. Stevens outlines resources and things each patient should know when dealing with a complication from a plastic surgery procedure.

• Discuss with your surgeon – Be honest and open about the complication and your expectations on how the surgeon can assist in fixing it. Don’t automatically assume blame. Make sure you understand the cause of the complication and take notes to reference your understanding.

• Relax – Take time to de-stress and relieve anxiety. Clear your mind and allow yourself to start thinking about potential solutions.

• Think about revision surgery – Develop a plan of action for consulting with your surgeon about a second procedure to correct the complication. Identify the costs, risks and detail an ultimate plan of action.

• Consult a new surgeon – If you are unhappy with your results and choose not to elect a repeat operation with the original surgeon, seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon that has experience with revisionary plastic surgery.

• Contact the medical board – Notify your state medical board if you feel that your surgeon was in the wrong or caused you harm.

• Litigation – A law suit should be the last resort when there is no resolution possible between you and your surgeon. However, if a complication occurred as a result of unforeseeable circumstances, it is better to consult with a new surgeon.

Protect yourself and be prepared before surgery to know how to handle any potential complications. For further information and resources on the risks and results of cosmetic surgical procedures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

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Famous faces like Demi Moore and Suzanne Summers have more than great genes working on their side. Their flawless skin and seemingly ageless appearance — like most celebs — isn’t a natural occurrence, but the work of talented plastic surgeons specializing in treatments that can turn back the hands of time.

For mature patients worried about sagging or wrinkling around the neck, jaw line and mid-face, you don’t need celebrity status to regain your youthful appearance and restore vibrant and taut skin.  Dr. Stevens often recommends a facelift (or rhytidectomy) procedure to aid in your goal of creating a more youthful look.  During a facelift procedure, excess neck fat is removed and facial and neck skin is repositioned to restore firmness and enhance your appearance.  There are a number of different types of facelifts in additional to the traditional rhytidectomy, and Dr. Stevens will work with you to select the best procedure for your face and neck.

Different Types of Facelifts

Mid-Facelift – For sagging cheeks and laugh lines, patients have the option of electing a mid-facelift procedure. This option involves minimal incisions behind the hairline and inside the mouth to raise sagging cheek tissue, reduce nasolabial laugh lines and give patients an overall more youthful, even “well-rested” appearance.

Mini-Facelift – This procedure is typically the least invasive option and provides a temporary solution for younger individuals concerned about pre-mature aging.  Unlike a traditional facelift, a mini face-lift only affects specifically targeted areas.

Patients should work with their surgeon during their initial consultation to determine the best possible facelift procedure for them and view beforeandafterpictures of previous patients to get an idea of what their results would look like.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens to discuss facelift and other anti-aging procedures for both mature men and women looking to keep their youthful appearance. 

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

1. iAugment – Patients considering breast augmentation can use this app to access vast amounts of information and resources on the topic. This app this provides a comprehensive overview of breast surgery while also educating users about procedures and recovery methods. Users can also upload and modify pictures to see simulated “Before and After” results.

2. BodyPlastika – This app allows users to upload photos and “virtually test” various cosmetic surgery procedures on their iPads, iPods and iPhones. Users can play with shapes and adjust parts of their body to simulate nose jobs, cheek implants, chin and lip augmentation, jawline contouring and a range of liposuction treatments.  They can also share these potential results on Facebook or Twitter if so inclined!

3. BuildMyBod – Users curious about the cost of a wide range of procedures can review a detailed estimate of the procedure they are considering, including listings of plastic surgeons in their local area.

4. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery – Built by the American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, this app offers advice on up-to-date advice on plastic surgery procedures and regulations on patient safety. Users can also search a database of reputable surgeons and learn important cosmetic surgery terms.

5. The Plastic Show – This “Before and After surgery” app allows users to watch videos about everything cosmetic surgery-related.  Users can also connect with patients that have had plastic surgery procedures to discuss expectations, results and more.

While mobile apps are fun, there is still no substitute for discussing your options with your plastic surgeon.  Dr. Stevens uses Vectra 3D technology during his in-office consultations to provide patients a preview to their new look with precision. Learn more about this technology in Dr. Steven’s video here and schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens to discuss your plastic surgery needs.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

Another tip:  Avoid plastic surgery mistakes by doing your homework and taking notes from several celebrities who should have done theirs as well.

Also, check out before and after photos featuring Dr. Stevens work the way it’s supposed to be done.

Jocelyn Wildenstein was once a beautiful woman who caught her husband cheating and decided to make herself more beautiful to win back his heart by undergoing a series of plastic surgeries. Unfortunately, her operations resulted in a disaster and her marriage still ended up broken.  The lesson here is don’t change yourself to please someone else.  Plastic surgery is an investment in yourself, and feeling good about yourself is the end goal.

Donatella Versace, famed fashion designer and sister to the late Gianni Versace, has had her rounds of breast augmentation, lip injections, Botox and nose jobs to the point of disaster. The best plastic surgery strives for natural results – and Donatella definitely does not look natural.

Joan Rivers, America’s favorite raunchy and funny comedienne proudly totes her plastic surgeries across the television screens with no remorse. The 73 year old has had so many face lifts that there is not one wrinkle on her face – a fact that Rivers herself often jokes about!  Never believing that she was attractive, Rivers enlisted the help of her plastic surgeons who should have evaluated her decisions to change her looks before her numerous operations.

Dr. Stevens evaluates all patients during their consultation before scheduling a reconstructive or aesthetic procedure to ensure that body dysmorphic disorder is not a factor for wanting surgery. He will also work with you to manage expectations and to set realistic plastic surgery goals.  Speak further with Dr. Stevens about safe plastic surgery and contact his office here.

Those we recognize as having had “work” will most likely be those who attract attention for the not-so-right reasons. I tell my patients at the Beverly Hills’ Lasky Clinic, “You only notice bad surgery.”

Ask anyone and the answer will be the same: the plastic surgery procedures that are most obvious are those that appear unnatural.  For example, Botox, when overdone, can produce unattractive outcomes.  The prescription medicine, which is injected into muscles to block nerve impulses and thereby inhibit wrinkling, can last up to four months and should not be injected more often than necessary.  Like the title of the 1979 Donna Summer-Barbara Streisand duet, enough is enough!  Unfortunately, this is an important lesson that some of the rich and famous who frequently grace the red carpet must still learn.

Actress Nicole Kidman, for instance, has been criticized for her overuse of Botox, but now says she “didn’t like it” and no longer uses it.  Reality star Kim Kardashian received Botox injections in 2010, but swore off future injections for at least 10 years after she suffered temporary bruising.  While these and other stars might stand out because of the undeniable alterations to their appearance, I believe this aesthetic should not be the norm.  If an aesthetic approach can be summed up in one word it should be “natural.” I truly believe that good plastic surgery should go unnoticed; not too pulled, not too filled, not too augmented.  You should just look good.

But what do you think, readers? Do you believe plastic surgery should look natural? You may tweet me your replies @DrLeslieStevens or on Facebook.

Image via Glenn Francis