Have you gone to parties where aside from canapés and drinks being served, you also get some Botox injections on the side? These gatherings have been done for quite a while now. Many people both from Hollywood and maybe even in your area are doing this.

But is this advisable? Is this safe? Is a party the right avenue to do this procedure? Most importantly, is the one administering the injection certified and skilled to do so?

Unfortunately these people conducting such events have trivialized the fact that getting a Botox injection is actually a real procedure. By that it means, it requires careful assessment and proper administration if you don’t want to get botched results.

There are so many things that could go wrong within such an environment, and incorporating a delicate procedure in the mix can yield disastrous results.
The celebrity physician, Dr. Oz even claimed that doctors who give Botox injections in parties are practicing “questionable medicine.”

So if you want to take the safe road to regaining that youthfulness, it is best to entrust your face to a good doctor, and yes a doctor, not a friend or an acquaintance.
How do you know if this particular doctor is the one you should trust?

First of all you need to make sure that he is board-certified. This means that he is allowed to perform this invasive procedure having been educated and trained on it specifically.

The length of experience is also important because this would mean that the doctor has developed the skills and certain techniques on how to best administer the solution.

Reputation is also another thing that you have to consider. Look into previous works that he has done. Does he get good reviews from previous patients? Is the kind of result he is able to come up with, the kind of look you are going for as well?

It really isn’t just about injecting, and viola you’re done. Botox injections require that the one giving it has a good eye for aesthetics and the good judgment on how to apply the solution at the right angles. They should also have control and control as to the appropriate amount that should be injected.

You simply cannot rely this on a friend or yourself to do the job, although the act itself might sound simple. But the question of safety is still at large when you don’t have it done by someone who has been trained to do it.

Some might say that they have had the procedure so many times that they basically know how to do it themselves. But you should not rest on this alone, there are still so many things that a professional can do better, and at the same time immediately respond to should any untoward reactions occur.
 
Stay away from those doctors or anyone who introduces you to “new products”, claiming that it is popular in Europe. Unless you have seen any written review or evidence that it does, please do not believe these questionable claims.

If you want to maintain sterility, safety and ensure the best results for you Botox injections, entrust your face to those who have the license to do this. Also remember that it would be better if you have it done in an appropriate environment. Click here for more medical aesthetic services information. 

Ok!! Yippee! I am out of the compression garment tomorrow except at night when it's time for beddy bye. Other than that, I have discovered a great online store called: ASOS. Don't be alarmed at some of the price tags. Oddly enough you will see a 400.00 shirt and next to it will be the cutest pair of pants you've ever seen for $17.00 (which I snagged). :D There are A LOT of bargains here, just surf around. And they have EVERYTHING a girl could want. ALSO, what is so exceptional about the site is that it's a British co. soooooo you've got much, much better fashion to choose from and more diversity---really cute and unique stuff! Just look for the clearance section and start there. There are over 14 pages of deals and steals. One of the most important perks? Free shipping back and forth, so no hidden charges and if you want to return it's free!

Wow! Enough promoting LOL! I am excited about taking a break from the compression because of the dents its made in my face...hopefully they will smooth out sooner than later. I look basically normal but I feel the density and numbness near my jaw--feeling like I am wearing a prosethic, but not really looking like that though! I am FINALLY leaving the house tomorrow!!! I wasn't comfortable wearing big scarfs, hats, glasses and basically looking like a suspicious terrorist or someone suspicious with my garb.  Also, the more I try to cover myself the more obvious I became, to me. Plus, I've been enjoying this hibernation and switching around my fun-fillled activities I created for myself! P.S. No emotional rollercoaster as of yet....perhaps it's optional, but that is because I was also very clear about what this was going to be all about and was prepared. It's very important.  Happy Wednesday.

P.S. My husband puts my ointment on my scars twice a day and we have the hardest time finding the scars! LOL!! We have to guess where it is..that's how fast they have faded and flattened. What do you think about that? Cheers for Dr. Cruise for creating mysterious disappearing scars...;)

Image Source: Click Here.

Hello darlings,

I am closing in the on the 2 week mark which is great because I will be compression free on my head during the day!! My scalp and head is really the one asking for the break. Wants to be stimulated and scratched (of coure no where near the stitches) it's just the top and back of my had has been pressed for so long....

As far as healing goes, there is a little pinkish, broken up bruising left on my left eyelid, the swelling is still htere,but showing daily progress for sure. I am now sleeping very soundly and have been probably since I go tthe stitches out--I think they were causing tension that would wake me in addtion to the sleeping on my back and unable to turn my body around.. Now I am so far along that I can adjust my head a little to the side while on my back and that makes a huge difference for me. It's, once again, because stitches are out and are not there to press into my skin.

My scars are flattening. They are sooooo well hidden in my hairline my husband and I are having a hard time finding where to put the anti-bacterial ointment!! The curve of my earlobe is the only place there is some redness that is visable. I am beginning to wonder will I need the Scar gel when I arrive back for my follow up on the 23rd.? Everyday my feeling is coming back and my numbness is decreasing. Yes, I feel the tingles, the shots of "pain" (if you can call it that), little bits of "activity" here and there. NOthing interferring, just something I notice and nothing more. I know that is the signs that the nerves are having growth spurts and are healing so, sure I welcome them!

Other than that, it wasn't until about 2 days ago or so that I finally felt like reading! I was more into being on the computer--reading, looking at pics, posting journals here....little low effort and passive things. I was wondering why I had no inclination to pick up my inspiring and compelling book. ??? Then when I began reading it I realized that I would get through about 4 pages and would want to change to low key activities or rest.  Ahhhh, now I understand. My body wasn't ready for reading yet and I was surprised to discover how much effort it actually takes to read a book! So, it was just me listening to my body and listening close enough to allow myself to be lead by me. In this society have we not lost touch with that natural and healthy instinct? :(  Regardless, it is my priority to honor that instinct and to not lose touch with it, even if it means just taking periodic days where that is all I do---listen and let my heart, body and soul guide the way. Happy Healings and happy Tues. May 15th 2012 for there will never be another one again.....x

It's day 9 and I went to Dr. Cruise's office yesterday to have my stitches taken out. That was a nice milestone to reach. They don't cause discomfort but somehow you sense they are there and it feels much better to have them released. My healing has excelled since my last visit only 3 days before, so it's onwards and upwards!

I haven't been keeping up too closely with my journals because, frankly, there is not much to report. The only thing that has been happening has been my daily incremental improvements (the last of the bruising on my eyelid (looks kinda like eyeliner) and swelling on my jaw is almost completely gone). I DO have to report that last night I fell asleep around 11:30 and slept until 10:30 whooooohoooo!!! I FINALLY  got more than 5,6 hours of sleep-that's been about all for me for the last 8 days!!  Remember: I am a stomach/side sleeper, never a back sleeper. I usually average 9 hours a night. I feel very well-rested. I also dreampt a lot which means my sleep was quite deep. I awoke to my beautiful prince of a husband handing me my morning fresh pressed vegetable juice and was completely surprised that that machine didn't wake me first--it's quite loud if you can imagine.

If you are ever interested in purchasing a juicer, don't get your regular store bought juicer. Try for a Champion juicer (you can get a bargain on craigslist), because it retains all the vitamines/minerals and retains the most out of the vegetable you are juicing. Once I started juicing (when my husband and I began living together) I was addicted!!! I didn't want a morning without it!! I can't really describe why, it's just once you do it, you'll be hooked like me. I am sure it's because your body gets soooo nourished and hydrated that it leaves you feeling like you got a supershot in the butt -- suddenly you are superwoman and happier than ever!  Happy Friday!!

I am going to Dr. Cruise's office today to be evaluated. Guess what? The mild bruising on my neck and jaw is gone. I am not even sure what I am going to do with the Arnica cream. Sample some on a piece of jam and toast? A little in my morning tea, if you please? The most bruising occured on my eyelid and although I had no eye work done, it is the predictable result of a temple lift. Now that seems to be heading into the past.

I WILL say the most difficult thing I've had to wrestle with is: I usually go to bed about midnight. I then wake up either at 5 or 6 am. Unable to go back to sleep and although I have my Peter Fonda Autobiography right next to me, I am too tired to read. It's my body that wakes me. It says: "move me. I've been in this position for a long time. I wanna move." So I try and lengthen my legs and stretch, put my hands above my head, turn a my hips a bit (left for a couple of mins. right a couple of more), all while lying in a 45 degree angle. Although this relieves some pressure, I am still not sleeping. So I decide this is the PERFECT time to do creative visualization. I think, feel, and APPRECIATE (as if it's already here) all the things I'd like to materialize and create in  my life. This is inspiring and feels so good! :) After that (ok. we are talking about lying in bed for 2-4 hours). After that, I remember happy experiences, count my blessings, tune in and feel my body, observing without judgement, where everything is lying and just noticing.  Creating awareness is one of the most important and beneficial things we can do in our lives and it affects and improves all areas!

More updates about my 1:30 pm doctor visit upon my return!

Oooooohh, I just wrote a bundle and just as I clicked on send, my writings erased and vanished. So I am going to make this quick: Evaluation with Dr. Cruise went well. I ALMOST look normal. I am on Day 5 not Day 6, as I thought. My healing is more advanced like someone at the 2 1/2 week mark! Most of which I attribute to good pre op planning and post care, truly!! I have had no emotional rollercoaster episodes whatsoever so, I am beginning to believe they may be optional! In fact, I've never been happier! I am soooo glad I have finally done that which I've been wanting to do for, like 4-5 years! I highly recommend doing it sooner than later for so many various reasons.

If anyone has any questions or wanna chat or discuss, feel free to reach out to me.
smm
Happy Monday!

Well, heck!! What can I say? I am feeling even better with every passing day. I already reported that on Day 1, 2, 3 if I wasn't lacking the energy I felt like I was ready to throw a party. I felt perfectly fine! Now it is Day 4 and I feel even better! The improvement is that I have my energy back and want to do more. Now I know to take it easy so I am getting the recommended small walks and that kind of thing and I am staying right on top of icing--which is soooo important right now. But, I feel like writing more, reading more--those types of activities vs. watching movies and napping, in and out.  You know, I told my husband that my wanting to get a facelift has been for 4-5 years now and carrying that around with me I think had an even more profound effect on my mood and outlook than I realized. It mostly subconcious but you feel this loss, this less than being ones potential or best one can be, you feel this "I am going downhill", or "the best prime years have come and gone". How can one really feel like taking on the world if one feels the anticpation of more loss along the way? Have you seen Elle McPherson? She looks AMAZING...Jacklyn Smith? The point is that these women take care of themselves physically which helps them mentally and emotionally AND allows them to live fully as if in their stellar early 30s. :)

If you are unhappy with the aging process, do something about it. You are way better off investing in a great surgeon like Dr. Cruise then buying that silly, overpriced luxury car. Nothing is more important than YOU!! OH! and btw, for those afraid of anesthsia?
there is a 0.00002% chance of anything going wrong and a 0.004% percent chance of getting struck by lightening. So what are you waiting for??

Hello Everyone!!

I am actually writing this from Day 3 of facelift but wanted to report the last couple of days while it's still very fresh in my mind.

I arrived with  my husband to the surgical center at 6:30 am. The nurse, (Amy?) was AMAZING. She had me sit in this padded chair that looked like a regular chair but, as she informed me, was actually a wheelchair AND when flattened will become my surgery table! Imagine that. I don't even have to move a muscle. She hooked me up to an IV all the while we were in an "in between" room. She summoned the anesthesiologist who politely introduced himself and answered my question about what was in the IV bag. I was impressed and pleased to hear that it was nutrients and electrolytes to keep me healthy and hydrated. He then connected me to a little "cocktail" to relax me. I was very happy to not feel drugged, weirded out, foggy, or spaced and drained just happy and relaxed and still pretty clear. Then the fabulous Dr.  Cruise came in and we went over a couple of brief points and I asked a couple of brief questions then he asked if I was ready upon which I definitely was. His manner was relaxed, calm and like we had all the time in the world. Very personable, connected to me and he even cracked a light joke which is my style--I LOVE humor.

It's true ... It's over just as it began because next I knew I was hearing Dr. Cruise talking to my husband telling him that everything went incredibly well and I didn't even need drains! The swelling and bruising was at a minimum. I felt clear headed but a little tired (probably because I got about 3 hours of sleep the night before) and was a little weak but, and I know this may sound strange, but not that yucky weak like when one has the flu but a comfortable weak. My body was in zero pain, I felt great! We went back to the hotel and took the necessary meds, walked around the room for 5 min. My head was in something similiar to a cast but it was very comfortable and I didn't mind it in the least!

My husband went next door and got me a large FRESH juice. There can't be a better first meal of the day after surgery. Vegetable juice. Carrots/celery/beets/apple/spinach/and a multi-vitamin shot. Luckily, our hotel was literally next door, walking distance. I found the best place to stay that has a little kitchenette, for obvious reasons, very quite, very nice professional staff, clean. Next door to juice place, a whole sale produce shop and Trader Joes! What more can you possible need? and all for $70.00. Trust me, anything really nice is a waste because all you need is a good bed, quite, clean, kitchen, excellent shower with massage head, and convenience. Plus it was 5 miles from Dr. Cruise. You won't be able to take advantage of extra bells and whistles.

I swear I felt so good that when my husband first started leading me around the room to walk every hour I joked and asked "Shall we dance?" I was happy, comfortable, relaxed, and had a wonderful day. Now I am on Day 3 and I am still on the upswing and I do think It's because I had prepared in a special way and I am doing special things that allowed my surgery and my post op days to go so well. When it comes to the surgery, I feel better about it than I did all month long waiting for the Big Day to come and it's only going to get better from here on out! Me and my husband are already talking about where we are gonna have our special date to celebrate. :D

Today I furthered my preparation for THE BIG day by ordering a book called: Lift: Wanting Fearing and Having a Facelift by Joan Kron. It seemed like an interesting book about, obviously, a woman and her experience with the entire process of plastic surgery from beginning to end. And for 0.01 on Amazon, who wouldn't order a copy?! That's right: 1 penny. :)

I see it as kinda like having someone there going through the same process with me. I imagine it to be comforting, illuminating, and insightful. I need to get my blood tests done today, but I am having too much fun researching, writing, and prepping for surgery to tear myself away and get into the beautiful, bright sunlight and drive over to the clinic. Ha!

Well, that's my 2 cents, no pun intended, for the day. I hope I have made a positive contribution to someone out there in surgery land today--us brave souls gotta stick together...! :)