December 11th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Many people think that plastic surgery is best performed in highly affluent areas such as Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and New York City. Perspective cosmetic patients have preconceived ideas that these cities are the hot beds for this type of surgery. What they don’t understand is that their local community plastic surgeons may perform cosmetic surgery as well, or better than surgeons located in these areas.
Patients should do the appropriate research for their cosmetic surgeons. There are many surgeons right in their communities that are extremely qualified to perform their cosmetic surgery. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are all trained well and have the expertise to perform these surgeries.
Patients should do the homework prior to selecting their surgeon. Patients should evaluate their doctor’s credentials, their Board Certification and their experience. By visiting the surgeon, the patient must be comfortable with the surgeon. Prices will vary depending on location. An experienced competent surgeon will not be the cheapest in town.
Robert Wald
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December 11th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
It is quite common for people to be born with congenital deformities of the ears. One of the most common birth deformities that we are born with are prominent ears. This gives the appearance of a Dumbo like appearance with marked protrusion of the ears from the side of the head. It is not uncommon for children to be teased because of these prominent ears. Women who continue to have these prominent ears cover their ears not commonly with their long hair and are very hesitant to wear their hair up.
In order to correct this problem, surgery is required. In this procedure, incisions are made behind the ear and the excess cartilage is either removed or bent backwards. The scar is essentially invisible. The surgery is approximately 1 1/2 hours and the person needs to know that there will be bruising and swelling of the ears for 2-3 weeks. The patient must wear sterile protection of the ears for on week. It is generally recommended that the individual take one week off work.
Patients are extremely pleased with the results of this procedure. The woman is able to wear her hair up and the male individual is not self-conscious about these very prominent ears.
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December 11th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
frequently I see Patients who complain of flabby or loose skin located in the upper arms. This can be due to excessive weight loss, either from dieting or gastric bypass surgery. It also occurs commonly with age. As we age, this loose skin becomes even more cosmetically displeasing and it is not uncommon for many patients to want this to be improved. Unfortunately, liposuction will not improve loose skin. The only way to eliminate this flabbiness is to remove this extra skin. This results in a long scar extending from the arm pit area to near the elbow. This scar is placed in the best possible position the the upper arm in order to minimize any visibility. In time, this scar fades nicely and easily blends with the surrounding skin. I have found in my practice that people are extremely pleased with the results of this surgery.
Robert Wald
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November 26th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass for weight loss are left with redundant skin located throughout their body. This excess skin can be located in their arms, face, chest, breast, abdomen and thighs. In order to correct this excess loose skin, the patient must undergo multiple surgeries to eliminate this loose skin. It is not uncommon that an individual who has lost over 150 pounds will undergo two to three surgical procedures to correct all of these problems. In my office, I have a long discussion with the patient about what concerns her most about her body. Depending on her desires, the excess skin can be removed from the abdominal, back, thigh upper, arms or breast areas. Insurance generally covers the marked loosenes of skin in the abdominal area if there is noted to be excess rashes located underneath the abdominal pannus. A patient must understand that there will be permanent scars, but these scars blend well over time. I have found that patients are extremely satisfied with these operations since no diet or excercise will help eliminate this marked looseness of skin.
Dr. Wald
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November 24th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Today skin cancer is very frequent. This is due to a large degree from excess sun exposure we have growing up. Occasionally these cancers can be herefitary. Most patients believe that their dermatologists are the best doctors for treating these problems. However when one realizes the extensive surgical training a plastic surgeon receives, it is easy to understand that the quality of surgical care is superior.
Not all plastic surgeons trat skin cancers. For this reason, the patient must inquire of that doctor before making an appointment.
In my practice I see several patients a day for facial and body lesions. My first step is to determine whether a biopsy needs to be done. If the lesion appears to be suspicious for skin cancer, a shave biopsy is performed and the ledion is sent to the lab. After the pathologist examines the lesion and the diagnosis is skin cancer, treatment options are discussed. In most cases, minor surgery is required to remove the lesion. Frozen sections or immediate pathological examination is performed to insure free margins around the tumor. At this time, reconstruction using skin flaps or skin graft is performed. After several months of healing, these surgical scars blend well with minimal, if any deformity. The doctors in my community realize the superior cosmetic appearance following a plastic surgeons care and treatment of these problems. It is important that the patient realizes the advantages of a plastic surgeon performing skin cancer excision and reconstruction.
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November 24th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Our Neck is often one of the first areas to show early signs of aging. Tissue changes include loose, wrinkled or hanging skin. Hereditary conditions cause excess fat in the neck creating a double chin. The combination of tissue decent, fat accumulation and exposure to the elements can have a profound impact on neck contour and skin quality. When the skin becomes slack under the chin, it can create an unattractive “waddle” or “turkey” neck. Occasionally the muscles of the neck become more prominent and sometimes appear as vertical cords. Loose skin and fat deposits can also produce jowls or jowl line contour deformities.
In order to correct these problems, surgical intervention is required. Frequently a full face lift is most effective. My patients are shown that the face and neck are in continuity and in order to achieve facial harmony, neck and facial tissues must be tightened together.
However depending on the degree of neck and facial skin aging, selected patients can undergo isolated neck lifts. In these patients, hair line incisions are made behind the ear which is unnoticeable. Some patients with minor degree of neck loosening can undergo temporal or short scar lifts. Essential to these procedures are the patient’s desires and expectations. Patients with neck fullness can undergo liposuction alone which allows for secondary skin contraction and tightening.
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November 19th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Today most patients desire a short healing period, minimal scars and natural results following facial surgery. Depending on the patient’s age, skin quality and amount, short scar techniques are now available. With these techniques, incisions are made at the hair line or behind the temporal hair line and may extend in the contours of the ear. These incisions are essentially invisible once healing has occurred.
The main advantages of these techniques are the minimal scars and face recovery time. Surgery can be performed under local anesthesia. The surgery takes approximately two hours to complete. The bruising and swelling are minimal, allowing the patient to return to work within seven days. Make up is applied at one week and exercise is resumed in two to three weeks.
The results of this surgery are impressive. My patients are thrilled with these procedures. They are amazed at how much younger they appear but lack the stigmata of surgery. Their friends constantly tell them how good they look but are unable to detect that surgery has been performed. This is a procedure that I highly recommend in the patient who has the correct facial anatomy.
Click here for more info and before and after Face Lift Pictures
Dr. Wald is a board certified plastic surgeon, with over 20 years of experience. Our office is located in Orange County, in the city of Fullerton. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wald, please contact our office at 714-738-4282.
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November 13th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
The hallmark of a youthful face is a well defined jaw line with a sharp line between the face and neck. If excess fat develop underneath the chin and along the jowl line with good skin tone and minimal excess skin, liposuction can be performed. In this procedure, one or two small incisions are made on the underside of the chin and/or in the crease around the earlobes. A canula or hollow tube is place beneath the skin and into the fatty tissue. Using this canula, this excess fat is broken up and suctioned out eliminating the double chin and creating a nice contour of the neck.
I recently saw a thirty-year-old woman from Yorba Linda who complained of excess fullness in her neck. She said her mother and father both have this problem and despite diet and exercise, she was unable to lose this fat. After liposuction of her neck, she developed a youthful, natural and clean neck. She returned to work after three days and was extremely pleased. She said this procedure had changed her whole life and her attitude about herself.
Dr. Wald
see more info on Liposuction
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November 11th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
Loose wrinkled abdominal skin and excess fat in the lower abdomen is a common problem. This may occur following pregnancy or weight loss or for genetic reasons. Occationally liposuction may be the only treatment needed for a protruding abdomen, if the skin tone is good. But if the patient has loose skin and lack of tone in the abdominal area, then an abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, may be required.
Abdominoplasty has become one of the most popular procedures I perform. Today the modern woman wants to regain her figure after child bearing, wearing fitted clothing and look natural in her overall contour, both sitting and standing. The best results are achieved with careful incision placement, skin and fat reoval and recreating a natural umbilicus (belly button). The key to a natural umbilicus is placing the scar deep within the contour of the belly button. The stomach muscles are also tightened to flatten the abdomen. Women who have dieted and exercised and unable to correct these problems are excellent canditates for this surgery.
My patients return there abdomen to a beautiful shape that looks great in pants and swimwear. A two week period of time is required for recovery. With modified abdominoplasties, the patient will return to work within ten days. The scar length varies with the women’s contouring and is easily covered by her swimwear and underwear. This is one of the most satisfying operations that I perform.
DR. WALD
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November 11th, 2008 Robert Wald M.D.
The nose is a very prominent part of our face. A nose that is long, short, narrow or wide can be considered attractive. The most important aspect in judging the aesthetics of a nose is whether it fits one’s face in a complimentary way. A nose that is in harmony with other facial features blends in.
Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) can be done for cosmetic or reconstructive (breathing issues or trauma) purposes. Insurance will cover breathing impairment or a traumatic nasal deformity. Not uncommonly, patients request a combination of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
The patient must be extremely be extremely diligent in finding a nose surgeon. The skill of the plastic surgeon is the key factor in achieving the type of result that each patient desires. I many instances, the best results are those that are subtle. A surgeon who has performed several hundred rhinoplasties is best suited to perform this surgery. Even with extensive experience, revisional nasal surgery may be needed. The number of re-operations tend to be markedly higher in the untrained hands.
Dr. Wald
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