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| Dr.
Zandi has a great deal of experience with
cosmetic surgeries performed on Asians and
has been performing them since 1974. |
| Laser
Skin Resurfacing |
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| Laser
resurfacing is designed to
improve facial wrinkles, acne
scarring, sun damaged skin
and other types of scars.
Aging, exposure to the natural
elements, smoking and other
lifestyle factors may contribute
to excess facial wrinkles.
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| Who
is a Good Candidate? |
| Anyone who has any one or combination
of the following: |
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Sun
damaged skin |
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"Crow's
feet" lines around eyes |
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Fine
wrinkling around the mouth |
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Acne
or chicken pox scars |
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Deep
lines of the face |
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| Private
Consultation: |
Age
is not usually a contributing factor for
laser resurfacing. Your physician will
evaluate your skin condition and let you
know if you are a good candidate for laser
resurfacing. Skin coloring is an important
factor in determining if you are a candidate
for laser surgery.
During
your initial consultation you will discuss
with your plastic surgeon your past and
present medical conditions and current
medications used. He needs to know if
you have hypertension, thyroid problems,
diabetes, allergies to any medications.
He should also know about your past surgeries,
personal habits such as drinking and smoking.
It is of utmost importance to let him
know if you have taken or are currently
taking Accutane for acne or if you have
a history of cold sores. Your skin will
be evaluated during the physical examination.
Preoperative photographs will be taken.
You may be shown before and after photographs.
Lab tests, x-rays or EKG may be ordered
depending on your general health. At the
conclusion of your consultation and physical
examination, fees will be discussed with
you by the doctor and his staff.
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| Preparation: |
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Stop
all non-prescriptive medication, diet
pills, herbs, and garlic two weeks before
surgery.
One month prior to surgery your surgeon
will place you on a skin care regimen
to prepare your face for surgery.
It
is advisable to stop smoking two weeks
prior to and two weeks following surgery.
Avoid aspirin
and aspirin
containing products such as Advil and
avoid garlic and garlic products two weeks
prior to surgery. These products can prolong
bleeding and increase bruising. Tylenol
may be taken during this period.
Do
not eat or drink anything after midnight
before surgery. You may, however, take
prescriptive medication with a small amount
of water and brush your teeth the morning
of surgery. Wear a loose fitting button
or zipper type shirt that does not pull
over your head. Loose sweats are recommended
as you will be in a compression garment
after surgery and they may be difficult
to get on. Do not wear jewelry or bring
valuables. Also bring a wide brimmed hat
to protect your face from sun exposure
for the drive home.
Please
plan to have someone bring you to and
take you home from the surgical facility.
Notify the office staff of this person's
name and telephone number prior to surgery.
Have
all prescriptions filled before surgery
so they will be available for you when
you arrive home from surgery. |
| The
Procedure: |
Laser
resurfacing can be performed using local
or general anesthesia on outpatient
basis. Weeks before surgery your surgeon
may start you on a skin care regimen
to prepare your face for the laser surgery.
Skin resurfacing is performed using
a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, which
is the most recently developed technique.
The laser removes damaged skin layers
by vaporization. Your plastic surgeon
has been trained on the technique of
surgery as well as trained on the proper
equipment in order to perform the surgery
safely and effectively. He can control
the amount of depth and penetration
unlike chemical peels. The top layer
of your skin will be removed and will
require specific care during the regrowth
process. You will be instructed on the
specific skin care regimen to follow
after surgery. Be aware that your skin
may not return to its natural color
for several months, however, the results
are long lasting.
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Postoperative
Care: |
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Rest with your head
elevated on two or more pillows the evening
after surgery.
Your
face will be covered with an ointment
such as vaseline, to keep your face lubricated
and keep the air away from your skin.
Keep your face covered with this ointment
at all times. You may shower daily and
wash away the residual ointment and immediately
apply fresh ointment. You will notice
pinkish color appearing over a period
of ten days, which may last up to several
weeks. Avoid any direct or indirect sun
exposure approximately four months following
surgery. During that period sunscreen
should be made a part of your daily skin
care regimen. Camouflage make-up can be
applied (at the discretion of your surgeon)
after two to three weeks to cover the
redness.
Social
activity can be resumed in approximately
two to three weeks when the scabs have
fallen off. You may return to work after
two weeks depending on your job.
You
are encouraged to call the office if you
have any questions.
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| Fees: |
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It
is customary that the fees to be paid
two weeks prior to surgery. This assures
that the patient is sincere in his or
her motivation. The fees include the surgeon's
fee, the facility charge, which is a private
and fully accredited with high tech equipment,
and anesthesiologist or certified nurse
anesthetist, if general anesthesia is
used. Also included in this fee are any
laboratory tests performed in the office,
or use of special equipment such as the
laser. It is very rare that insurance
plans cover cosmetic surgery. Please feel
free to ask the office staff if you have
any questions in that regard.
We
understand this is a very important decision
in your life and you would like to do
this for yourself. In your private consultation
with Dr. Zandi, who is a Board Certified
plastic surgeon, you may discuss your
needs in detail and also obtain additional
information.
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