If you are considering plastic surgery in the D/FW area, but have yet to take the plunge and contact a local plastic surgeon, what is holding you back? Are you concerned about what others will think about the work you’ve had done or are time and money the biggest factors in your decision?

If recovery time and the overall price tag are your biggest concerns, you may be the perfect candidate for a new wave of relatively non-invasive procedures that can enhance your appearance without the use of a scalpel.
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Now that Botox injections, dermal fillers and other treatments are more widely available, it may be time for more women and men in Texas to revisit their options.
As technology progresses, the expense and invasiveness of cosmetic surgery is going down. You can maintain your look starting in your 20’s with periodic injections and other low-impact treatments.
Interested in what Botox, chemical peels, dermal fillers, laser procedures and other non-surgical cosmetic enhancements can do for you? Contact Dr. Mark Bishara’s Office in Mansfield and Southlake, today to learn more about the transformative treatments we offer. Call us at (817) 473-2120 to find oit more information.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

The last two weeks of December can be the busiest time of year for plastic surgery.
One — because the time off around the holidays allows people to heal without having to walk around the office with any tell-tale puffiness.
And two — for people getting procedures covered by insurance, the end of the year can be a good time to save some money, if they’ve already gone to the doctor a bunch and met their deductibles.

Beauty takes no holiday

December, particularly the latter half, is the busiest time of the year for many plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists and doctors who perform weight-loss operations like gastric bypass. Some doctors say they do twice as many of these elective procedures per day in this period as during the rest of the year.
The reason: After many cosmetic procedures patients want to go underground during the days-long recovery period, which might involve swelling, bruising and extra healing time. The holiday season makes it easier to avoid interacting with others at work or in school car pools. A patient can be under the knife or laser beams early in the week and still be presentable by the time the parties start.

Many patients opt for Laser treatments, which promises to make patients look younger by removing freckles and dark spots with a laser. Some people like to hide out while they heal. Laser procedures are meant to leave the skin looking younger and offers patients little or no downtime.  The Laser 360 treatment has more downtime, but with people off work for the holidays- it can be the optimal time to try an ablative treatment like this.  Many other treatments are optimal this time of year, including Fotofacials, Clear Lift Skin Remodeling and fillers and injectables, such as Botox and Juvederm.

A lot of patients opt for this time to have cosmetic surgeries or laser procedures to look good for the new year and before spring rolls around.  Because people have limited time in the sun this time of year and are covered under layers of clothes- it makes it the perfect time of year for a surgery or laser treatment(s).
With school on break during these weeks, you don’t have to worry about seeing other parents while dropping off kids at school. You can have enough time to heal and be fabulous for New Year’s Eve.
Health insurance can be another reason that demand rises for certain elective surgeries in December. In the case of bariatric surgery, for instance, people might have met their insurance plan’s annual deductible and want to have the operation before year end. Patients do want to fly under the radar and they can do that during the holidays.
For plastic surgeons, the most popular procedures for December can be those that require the most time for healing, like face-lifts, breast augmentation and tummy tucks.  Our office also performs Robotic Hair Transplants, which offers no downtime.  But for some patients who want to discretely come in for a procedure and go unnoticed- the holidays can be a perfect time.
Dr. Bishara provides a wide range of cosmetic procedures to help patients look and feel their best. These procedures are designed to improve the appearance of the face and body through minimally invasive techniques that provide highly effective results. Many of these procedures can be combined in order to achieve your desired appearance.
Please contact our office for further information at (817) 473-2120 or email at appointments@markbisharamd.com
 
 

Many myths surround the seemingly glamorous world of plastic surgery. But in fact, plastic surgery is a lot like every other medical specialty with highly-trained physicians providing many different services. Here are the Top 5 Plastic Surgery Myths.
#5 Plastic Surgery is All About Beauty and Vanity
Although breast augmentations, Botox and facelifts get all the press, plastic surgery encompasses everything from correcting birth defects such as cleft palates to post-cancer breast reconstruction and work-related hand injuries.
Plastic surgeons care about the functional and overall results after surgery, not just the aesthetics (although we are specifically trained to optimize those, as well). When a patient does choose to have surgery for cosmetic reasons, it is often to correct areas which are not amenable to diet, weight loss or nonsurgical procedures.
#4 Plastic Surgery Patients are the Rich and Famous
If plastic surgeons only operated on the 1%, we wouldn’t have a thriving plastic surgery industry.
Most aesthetic patients are not the rich and famous, but are average people who simply wish to restore confidence, enhance their overall appearance and improve their lives.
#3 Only Women Get Plastic Surgery
Although women have been the traditional customers of plastic surgery, men are turning to plastic surgery in increasing numbers.
Less invasive procedures such as Botox, laser treatments and dermal fillers can give men a rejuvenated and naturally youthful appearance without any downtime and at relatively low costs. These, along with liposuction, are the most popular cosmetic surgery treatments for men, with many men reporting a need for a competitive edge in the workforce as the reason they have pursued cosmetic treatments.
#2 Plastic Surgery Leaves No Scars and Lasts Forever
Plastic surgeons are great at making scars look better, more refined and smaller, but all types of plastic surgery will generally cause some type of scar formation. We can often recommend the best way to minimize scarring, and give advice and treatments on how to make your scar look as great as possible after surgery.
And while many plastic surgery procedures are long lasting and can give you years, if not decades of personal satisfaction, many factors determine how long the results will last. Plastic surgery can turn back the hands of time – but the clock keeps on ticking. Great skin care, less-invasive office procedures, surgical touch-ups, and your overall health are all important to maintain your natural good looks.
#1 Plastic Surgery is the Same as Cosmetic Surgery
All plastic surgeons do not have the same training. Many doctors trained in, and board certified in, other specialties such as gynecology or family medicine have ventured into plastic surgery, causing what is known as “white coat confusion“. Yes, they are board certified – but not in plastic surgery.
Being board certified in plastic surgery means that a physician has undergone years of specific training related to all the nuances of cosmetic and plastic surgery. Patients choosing a surgeon for their cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures should always inquire about a doctor’s specific board certifications.

This information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa with offices in Mansfield and Southlake, TX



 

It used to be that one would go to a salon simply to get one’s hair and nails done, but these days salons offer all kinds of beauty treatments including cosmetic injectables and even more invasive procedures. The prices can be very cheap, but the results can be catastrophic.
Why is it crucial for consumers to take a second look and ask more questions? Notably, there were dramatic cases out of Miami last year when reports surfaced about illegal cosmetic injections being performed on several women. “Doctors” were accused of injecting these women with substances like mineral oil, super glue, concrete, and Fix-a-Flat. The women reportedly were getting buttock injections in hopes of attaining a healthy “backside”, but they could have lifetime disfigurement as a result.
Earlier this year, in Tyler, Texas, a salon owner was arrested for injecting clients in the breast and buttocks with an unknown substance (likely automotive grade silicone) and closing it with a superglue-type sealant. Why would someone get this done to their body? Perhaps it is the very low cost and the lack of information about what these victims are being injected with.
Please be educated on the three P’s of getting a cosmetic procedure done as safely as possible: Product, Practitioner, and Place.
1. Product – Make sure the product you are getting injected with is an FDA approved product for the particular area you are wanting injected. The FDA has approved certain products for injection into different regions of the face for cosmetic purposes, like Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, and Sculptra. There is no synthetic material that has been approved by the FDA for injection in the breast so that is a red flag itself. Ask what neurotoxin or filler is being used, and even research the product labeling online. If a provider refuses or is unable to tell you what material you are being injected with, do not let that person treat you.
2. Practitioner – Know what type of practitioner to go to like a physician trained to do cosmetic procedures or his/her designee has cosmetic injection training.
3. Place – Don’t get injected in a place that you feel uncomfortable undergoing a procedure in such as a salon, mall, or private home. These are medical procedures and they should be performed in a medical office or medical facility due to its sanitary environment with resources at hand. Often the price may seem too good to pass up, but if you hear of a Groupon ad that’s too good to be true or a salon owner that is offering rock bottom prices on something that is going to be injected in your face or body, let the buyer beware as it be dangerous or even fatal. Even at a Botox “party” or event, a physician must be supervising anyone who is doing these procedures and they must the appropriate credentials.
In other words, do your research, ask questions, and become informed!

This information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa


 

Cameras, jewelry, iPods. These are things we expect to see on the wish lists of our friends and family. But, a face lift? Yep, it seems that cosmetic procedures have found their way into Santa’s sack.
With this trend, though, comes a warning. While giving someone a pricey surgery can be considered kind and loving, it can also come with problematic implications. Because the choice is such a personal one, gifting a plastic surgery procedure can be interpreted as meddling and insulting. If you’re thinking of bestowing a loved one with the gift of physical improvement this year, make sure it will be well-received.
Gift-Giver Beware
It wasn’t so long ago that plastic surgery was a hush-hush topic; something that people did but didn’t discuss. But with its rapid rise in popularity and the openness with which many celebrities discuss the work they’ve had, the stigma has been lifted. And with that lift, we’ve seen the fairly recent phenomenon of giving surgeries as gifts.
Presenting significant others and family members with cosmetic procedures has become increasingly common. And it’s not unusual for people to use the holiday season as an excuse to pay for a loved one’s surgery. This practice, however, can rub some people the wrong way.
Surprise Surgery
When it comes to buying someone else a surgery, the worst mistake is making it a surprise. For example, giving your girlfriend a gift certificate for a breast augmentation can cause offense if she didn’t ask for it. It would be like giving someone a membership for a weight loss program; it sends an obvious message that you’re unhappy with their appearance. What was meant to be a present is actually an insult.
There’s really no right way to offer someone a surgery unexpectedly. If you give a certificate for a specific procedure, it’s very clear that you’re critical of that particular part of their body. And if you give an open-ended certificate to a plastic surgeon’s office, it comes across as a general affront to their entire appearance. You might as well say, “I’d love you more if your body were different.”
The Right Way
Giving the gift of surgery is less problematic when it’s on the patient’s wish list. If someone expressly asks for a surgery, then the gift can be considered extremely generous and thoughtful. If the asker isn’t able to afford the procedure on their own, receiving it as a present can be a dream come true.
Before making a purchase, remember that the choice to have a plastic surgery is a very personal one that should be made without the influence of others’ desires for your appearance.
The best possible scenario goes as follows: You are absolutely certain that someone wants a specific procedure as a gift- and you give them a gift card. In a consultation, the surgeon will be able to fully inform the prospective patient about their options, the risks involved and the expected outcomes, as well as an accurate cost. Only after these preliminary steps, should the gift be considered.
There are certainly more conventional and less awkward gifts than that of a plastic surgery procedure. A present should never result in hurt feelings or compromise of one’s own desires. But, if you’re still thinking about wrapping up a surgery gift certificate, make sure it’s for the right reasons.

This note is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa