Cosmetic Surgery Highlight: Facial Augmentation

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Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara offers facial augmentation which is not to be confused with a face lift surgery. Facial augmentation is done to change the contours of the face to add a more balanced, youthful appearance. A youthful face typically looks like an upside down triangle, with plumpness and volume in the upper half of the face. As we age, the face shape may change to more of a triangle where the heaviness lies in the lower half of the face (due to gravity and skin laxity). This can result in a tired, or unhappy looking, appearance. Facial augmentation can help counter the effects of age.

There are a variety of facial augmentation methods available:

  • Implants: Soft-solid alloplastic implants can offer permanent changes.  Unlike gel-filled implants, the soft silastic material can be custom cut and shaped without the possible complication of leakage. Areas commonly treated are the nose, cheeks, chin, angle of the jaw, and lips. Augmentation can be done as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with various surgical procedures. The soft-solid alloplastic implants are very well tolerated and, if ever desired, reversible. 
  • Fat Transplantation: Fat transplantation offers long lasting benefit although the percent of “take” varies with the individual. The ideal area to obtain fat from is the abdomen, although the inner thighs or knees can also be used. What does take is in place for years.  The face or breasts are the most popular areas to receive the fat transplant.
  • Dermal Fillers: Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, and Juvederm provide excellent, temporary facial augmentation. Depending on the product used, fillers can last 6 to 18 months. They can “fill” facial creases, wrinkles, flattened cheeks, lower eyelid grooves, lips, and the list goes on. 
All methods of facial augmentation listed above can be performed by Dr. Perkins. Schedule an appointment with him by calling his office at 805.563.0000.

Healing after Cosmetic Surgery

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At Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara we have found cosmetic surgery to be one type of medical procedure that people look forward to. Most cosmetic surgeries are done electively to enhance or correct something on a person’s face (such as a face lift) or body (such as liposuction). Recovery is often the hardest part of the process because the person is not “sick” and they may begin to feel impatient with the time it takes for the swelling to subside and/or for the bruising to fade. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions are critical in aiding your recovery period and, according to a  study from the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there are also some things you can do on your own to help expedite the healing too.

The study investigated the possibility that certain nutrients may help healing. Study participants were given a combination of bromelain, vitamin C, and grape seed extract (all taken in the supplement form) and it found that the supplemental nutrients cut down on recovery time by 17 percent! Here’s an easy way to get these super-healing nutrients:

  • Pineapples are the source of bromelain.  The supplement form is actually extracted from the stems of pineapples but it is present in all parts of the pineapple. Bromelain is often referred to as an anti-inflammatory agent and may be used after surgery to reduce swelling.
  • Vitamin C is known for the ability to help fight infections. It also plays a role in the growth and repair of tissues and can help to heal wounds. Citrus fruits, cantaloupe, kiwi, pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries are some of the fruits that have the highest sources of vitamin C. Certain vegetables also have a high source of vitamin C including broccoli, green and red peppers, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and tomatoes.
  • Grape seed extract is found in supplement form. Its antioxidant properties are considered to be stronger than those of vitamin C and vitamin E. It helps to repair connective tissue, strengthens and protects living tissues in the body.  

Of course it is also important to spend your “down time” after surgery as down time. Get plenty of rest because that helps the body heal quickly too. Post-operative care and instructions vary dependent upon the person and the type of surgery done.

Dr. Terry Perkins has been performing face lifts in Santa Barbara and liposuction in Santa Barbara since 1978. He uses the most advance technology and surgical techniques.  For an appointment with Dr. Perkins, please call his office at 805-563-0000.

Cosmetic Surgery Highlight: Forehead Lift Surgery

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Do you look in the mirror and feel surprised at the person staring back at you? You may feel young and happy, but your reflection may show a face that looks unhappy and tired. As most people age, the forehead relaxes downward, causing the eyebrows to flatten and crowd the upper eyelids, resulting in a drawn or upset appearance. Forehead wrinkles, in addition to a drooping forehead, may leave you looking ten years older than you feel.

One way to restore a more youthful appearance is through a Forehead Lift. At Cosmetic Surgery Center, Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins prefers to use a conservative approach when he shifts the tissues upward allowing for a natural, alert, and rested (but not “surprised”) look.
The Forehead Lift surgery has multiple benefits including raising the eyebrows to their normal position, tightening of the temporal area to improve “crow’s feet” around the eyes, smoothing of the horizontal forehead lines, and softening of the frown lines between the eyebrows. An additional benefit to a forehead lift is the opening up of the eyes.
Surgery does not need to be done under general anesthesia. It can be done with oral sedation alone, or in combination with intravenous sedation. During the surgery, three small incisions are hidden in the hair (the hair does not need to be shaved) to allow access to the muscles that cause frowning. Partial removal of these muscles causes permanent weakening to the muscle while retaining some function for normal expression. The forehead tissues are shifted upward and held in place with dissolvable sutures while healing fixes the forehead in the desired position. A light compression dressing is used during early healing to keep swelling and bruising to a minimum.
Pain is usually minimal and easily controlled with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Most people return to work in five to seven days. Walking may be started right away and activities will be gradually increased over the next three weeks, as tolerated.
The person featured in the before-and-after pictures above is an actual patient of Dr. Perkins. See additional Forehead Lift Before-and-After Pictures on his website.
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To schedule an appointment with Dr. Perkins, please call 805.563.0000. 

Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Procedures Up in 2011

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While our economy may still be shaky, cosmetic surgery and minimally invasive medical spa procedures (such as Botox, Dysport, and chemical peels) remain solid amongst consumers. In fact, cosmetic procedures are experiencing an upswing, with a 5 percent increase in procedures performed in 2011 from 2010, for a second year in a row, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A staggering 13.8 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive included, were performed in 2011. The most popular cosmetic surgery procedures were:

Top minimally invasive services in 2011:
As the numbers show, cosmetic surgery and medical spa procedures are not just for the rich and famous anymore. Many adults are now turning to cosmetic surgery to look refreshed or enhanced, but not “operated” on. Patients who seek the services of Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center, and those who come in for Dysport, Botox or fillers at Evolutions Medical Spa, are seeking a “natural”, rejuvenated look.

If you have been considering cosmetic surgery, Botox, Dysport, or dermal fillers, but are unsure of what the final “result” will be, you can rest-assured that a surgery by Dr. Perkins or a medical spa service at Evolutions will leave you looking well-rested and not well “done”!

Contact Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center at 805.563.0000.
Contact Evolutions Medical Spa at 805.687.0212.

Before and After Cosmetic Surgery Pictures in Santa Barbara

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At Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Terry Perkins has done hundreds of plastic surgery procedures in Santa Barbara. Some of the surgeries are subtle changes that make a BIG difference in the overall appearance of the person. We’ve recently added more pictures to our Before-and-After Picture Gallery and wanted to highlight some of them so that you can experience the changes yourself.

Submentoplasty / Neck Lift:

The goal of a Neck Lift is to re-contour the tissue underneath the chin and near the midline of the neck to remo
ve sagging tissue (“turkey gobblers”). Submentoplasty may
include excision of fat, tightening of the muscle banding, liposuction and, occasionally, skin removal. In a neck lift, the face is not worked on, but often clients say that the tightening of the neck area results in a more youthful appearance overall and, for some, makes them look like they have lost weight.
Fat Grafting to the Hands:

A face may look youthful, but often the hands may show a person’s “true” age. Over the years, the fullness found in younger hands diminish and what is left looks bony, veiny, and even spotted with sun damage. Fat can be grafted into the hands to re-create the lost fullness. Sun damage (“liver spots”) can be treated at Evolutions Medical Spa to help reduce or remove the spots altogether.
Rhinoplasty / Nose Surgery:

Nose surgery can be done to help appearance or breathing function. Dr. Perkins specializes in cosmetic surgery that results in a natural appearance, so most changes that Dr. Perkins makes during a Rhinoplasty procedure are subtle, altering the bone and/or soft tissue to allow the nose to have a more ideal relationship within a person’s face.
Forehead Lift Surgery:

Heaviness on the upper lids is caused by the relaxation of the forehead tissue. When this happens, the eyes can look smaller, tired and give the person an overall unpleasant look. A Forehead Lift repositions the forehead and brow. It is done through three small, undetectable incisions in the hairline and the frown muscles are usually partially removed (50 to 60%) so a person can still have the ability to frown, but it will be weaker. This helps to minimize from lines in the future. The result is a smoother, lifted forehead that opens up the eyes and makes the person look more approachable.
Liposuction:

Dr. Perkins performs body contouring through liposuction to various areas of the body: the hips and/or thighs, the arms, the abdomen and/or flanks and the neck area. Although treatment of the inner and outer thigh area is not a huge job, it does make a big difference in appearance for many people. Many women carry the bulk of their fat in the thigh area (often hereditary) and find the thighs to be resistant to change, no matter how much, or what, exercise is done. Slender thighs can slenderize the overall appearance of a woman’s body and we often hear that it makes them feel much more comfortable in a bathing suit.
Dr. Perkins has been practicing cosmetic surgery in Santa Barbara for over 30 years. Call Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara at 805.563.0000 to schedule a cosmetic surgery consultation with him today.

Ask Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins

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Although Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon, Terry J. Perkins, MD, has a very full schedule – between performing plastic surgeries in Santa Barbara and overseeing Evolutions Medical Spa – he always believes in taking the time to make his patients feel educated and informed about their surgical procedure. If you have a plastic surgery questions, email it to Dr. Perkins with “Ask the Cosmetic Surgeon” in the subject line and look for his answer sometime soon in this blog.

Q: Hi Dr. Perkins, I am considering cosmetic surgery and I want to know more about you and more about what happens during a consultation – before taking the time out to make my appointment. Is this possible?

A: Hello! Yes, this is very possible. Recently I have made several videos (available to view on my YouTube channel or on my website) to introduce myself to new patients, highlight my background, share my belief in educating the patient and speaking about technology involved in the surgical procedures that I perform at Cosmetic Surgery Center.

Technically speaking, you can “virtually” meet me this way! I’ve embedded a video below where I talk about what happens during a consultation:

To schedule a “live” plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Perkins, call his office, Cosmetic Surgery Center Santa Barbara, at 805.563.0000.

January Surgical Highlight: Santa Barbara Liposuction for Stomach and Flanks (aka “Muffin Top” & “Saddlebags”)

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Are you plagued by “muffin top” – the unwanted bulge over the waist band of your pants? Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Perkins can help you get rid of it through liposuction.

“Bulges” in the stomach and flanks can almost always be treated with liposuction. It is important to remove the fat evenly so that you are left with a uniform thin fat layer instead of the fat bulge. The small incisions are usually hidden in the navel, pubic hair or under the bikini line.

When skin removal is needed, a “mini tummy tuck” is often sufficient. This excision is done so the scar will lie at the upper edge of the pubic hair. It can be extended as far to the sides as is required to avoid a “dog ear” pooch of skin. If this is done, the abdominal muscles are usually sewn together in order to further flatten the lower abdomen. Skin removal is almost never necessary in the hips. Patients who are good candidates for this procedure are typically extremely happy with results.

Read more information on Liposuction and see more Before and After liposuction pictures of several of Dr. Perkins’ actual patients on the Cosmetic Surgery Center Santa Barbara website.

For a liposuction consultation with Dr. Perkins, call Cosmetic Surgery Center at 805.563.0000.

Ear Pinning (Otoplasty) in Santa Barbara: Cosmetic Surgery Highlight from Dr. Perkins

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Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, is one surgery that Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins will perform on patients of almost any age. The most common cosmetic problem related to ears is that they are too prominent or stick out from the side of the head.

Treatment involves reshaping/repositioning this tissue so there is symmetry of the two sides as well as a more normal relationship of the ear to the face and side of the head. The ear should roughly parallel the plane of the cheek. Too close to the head is no better than too far out!

Another problem that bothers many people is having earlobes that are too large. This can be readily treated in most cases by removing the “extra” earlobe tissue and hiding the incisions under the ear and against the cheek.

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For more information on ear pinning surgery, contact Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center Santa Barbara at 805.563.000o.

Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgeon and Founder of Leading Medical Spa Offers Most Comprehensive Suite of Aesthetic Options

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Read a recent press release about Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins, who has a medical spa and cosmetic surgery practice in the same town, and how the businesses provide a full spectrum of cosmetic treatments to enhance appearance.

Dr. Terry Perkins, a Santa Barbara plastic surgeon, has been practicing aesthetic surgeries – facial plastic surgery and liposuction – at his Cosmetic Surgery Center practice for more than three decades. During this time he began providing non-invasive aesthetic treatments such as chemical peels, laser facials, Botox and dermal fillers in the office of his practice. Realizing that not everyone enjoys visiting a doctor’s office for non-invasive and elective treatments, Dr. Perkins decided that he would expand those services to a medical spa located in the same town as his practice. He opened Evolutions Medical Spa almost five years ago and has discovered that his practice and the medical spa are perfect complements to each other.

Both businesses keep Dr. Perkins busy dividing his time between treating patients at Cosmetic Surgery Center, performing surgeries in his surgical suite and seeing patients at Evolutions Medical Spa each week. He plays an active management role in both businesses, a unique prospect these days where many medical spas are run with little medical supervision or without an appropriately qualified physician.

Dr. Perkins adds, “Interacting with patients from both businesses has provided a unique opportunity to crossover patients from one business to another. Those that have seen me at the medical spa for non-invasive treatments have become cosmetic surgery patients and those that have received cosmetic surgery have been treated at the spa for pre-operative and post-operative care and returned for other skin care concerns”.

Offering the most advanced surgical techniques and innovative skin care treatments has kept Dr. Perkins and his businesses at the top of their game. He has been voted Best Cosmetic Surgeon for the past three years by the Santa Barbara NewsPress Readers Choice Awards and Evolutions has been voted Best Medical Spa for the past four years. Accolades and awards, however, only go so far in the cosmetic surgery industry.

What makes Dr. Perkins successful is how his two businesses go hand-in-hand to insure superior results for clients. Dr. Perkins sends his cosmetic surgery patients to Evolutions Medical Spa for pre-operative skin care prep and for post-operative care to accelerate healing. Many of his cosmetic surgery patients continue their skin care at Evolutions – whether it is for facials, medical grade chemical peels, or Botox – to maintain their cosmetic surgery results, stretching their return on investment and having access to Dr. Perkins should a need arise. Being a patient of Dr. Perkins is a great choice. Between Cosmetic Surgery Center and Evolutions Medical Spa, he makes it easy for clients to enhance their appearance, from cosmetic surgery to skin care and everything in between.

For a Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery consultation, contact 805.563.0000.
For more information on Evolutions Medical Spa Santa Barbara, contact 805.687.0212.

Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Perkins Helps People to Look Their Best . . . Naturally

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There has been an interesting article circulating this week from Newsweek called “The Beauty Advantage” which discusses how external beauty has become more emphasized by society. The article claims that the looks of a person can impact a person’s status, wealth and more. During the course of the article, the author points out examples of how beauty does, in fact, play a role in the work place – and can be the determining factor in which candidate gets the job or the promotion. The author concludes with “Beauty has more influence than ever—not just over who we work with, but whether we work at all.”

The Newsweek article reinforces a press release from April 2009 in which Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins addressed that, even in a slowing economy, people are still spending money on cosmetic surgery or cosmetic procedures to upkeep their aesthetic appearances. In his 30 years of practicing plastic surgery in Santa Barbara, Dr. Terry Perkins has witnessed how a patient’s self-confidence can soar after an aesthetic procedure is done – whether it is something as simple as Botox to relax their wrinkles or a full facial rejuvenation through a face lift.

Many people desire work done by Dr. Perkins because he specializes in a more natural, “non-operated” look to enhance a person’s natural beauty. Patients experience superb results due to the fact that he takes the time to educate his patients and gives them the opportunity to make an informed decision with him about their treatment plan. Dr. Perkins also offers excellent pre-operative skin preparation and post-operative treatment to speed healing through Evolutions Medical Spa (of which he is the founder).
Whether you are entering a new career, leaving an old one, or simply are tired of looking at bags under your eyes or wrinkles on your forehead, cosmetic surgery may be an option for you. And Dr. Perkins can certainly help you put your best face forward!

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Call Cosmetic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation with Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins. 805.563.000.