Conversations in the treatment room

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That or a kick-ass red lipstick.”

–Gwyneth Paltrow

My lip injection.

Today is my day off from work but I’m strolling into the golden towers that house Cosmedica, Montreal’s beauty mecca, for a different reason. Scurrying through the elegant lobby, I do a mental check of my appearance; I like to keep it professionally casual in case I bump into patients… Today it’s a little challenging as I’m toting my two year old while balancing on my heels and sucking on a Freezee. At 31 years old, I’m the one sucking on the Freezee and not sharing. At the clinic, between us girls, frozen goodies are our preferred method of minimizing bruising post lip injection, and a darn good excuse to have Haagen-Dazs.

before-nadine-lip-injections

After a flurry of greetings and hugs, we gather around in Isabelle’s injection room to watch the transformation take place. With a wink and few expert injections with her Restylane syringe, Isabelle plumped my lips just the way I wanted. Her special “hydrated lips” technique only requires an economical half a syringe of product, enough to give that sleep-swollen lips look you wish would last all day, minus the puffy eyes. As our other nurse Val explains: “hyaluronic acid (Restylane) occurs naturally in the human body, it is the main component in our skin and is also used by the body to lubricate and prevent injury to our joints. Because it already exists in our tissues, there is very little risk of any allergic reactions.”

There is already anesthetic mixed into the Restylane so the procedure was very bearable. I’d do ten of these over a Brazilian bikini wax! Then again, who needs Brazilian bikini wax when Cosmedica offers virtually painless laser hair removal by LightSheer Duet. That’s a topic for another day…

immediately-after-lip-injections

I would like to thank Aurelie who giddily exclaimed: “ouch, I know exactly how you feel right now!” Thanks. Without Val bouncing around my two year old, this whole thing would not be possible. Thank you to Dr. Benchetrit, of course, for taking good care of us. Special thanks to my beloved colleague Isabelle, Montreal’s top injector nurse who really knows her way around a needle and helps me wear my red lipstick even more proudly!

one-week-post-lip-injections

Nadine Harvey

Medical esthetician at Cosmedica

Breast Implants & Lifts Give You A Better Sex Life, Poll Finds

Can breast enhancement surgery give you a better orgasm?

Maybe. According to a poll by RealSelf.com, women who had chosen to receive breast implants or breast lifts claimed a 34% increase in overall satisfaction with their sex lives, on average. They also claimed to have more sex post-procedure.

The survey, conducted on RealSelf.com, found that 61% of women reported they had sex more frequently after their breast plastic surgery, while only 7% claimed to have fewer sexual encounters. 70% of respondents said their overall sex life satisfaction improved after the procedure; 28% of patients go even further, claiming their satisfaction levels went up “four points or more” based on the one to ten scale.

It may be impossible to prove that the surgeries themselves were responsible for women’s increased sexual pleasure, but we suspect the confidence boost patients receive has much to do with it.

Plastic surgeries have made a fresh round of headlines lately. While breast implants may lead to more pleasurable repercussions for adults, a number of teens are opting for another procedure with the goal of looking good for prom: chin implants are reportedly on the rise among high-schoolers.

The total number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States by plastic surgeons has nearly doubled since 2000, with plastic surgeons performing almost 14 million procedures in 2011. It’s not all good news on the breast implant front, however; 8,000 French women recently had their implants removed after ruptures in their brand of insert were found to cause health problems.

Check out the infographic below, and click over to RealSelf.com to read more finding from the study.

Plastic surgery growing trend for grads

Jackie Vega

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Graduations are behind us this semester, but there’s a growing trend of more and more graduates getting plastic surgery as gifts.

“I’m not shocked completely because there’s a growing trend for plastic surgery in all age ranges,” said plastic surgeon Jennifer Walden. “And basically, with teenagers getting plastic surgery, it kind of goes along with plastic surgery being more accessible, pervasive in our media.”

Most popular procedures

• Rhinoplasty
• Breast augmentation or correction
• Breast reduction
• Liposuction

Walden said teenagers need to be emotionally ready for a permanent change in their body after undergoing surgery. In addition, she said parents need to definitely be on board and supportive.

It has to be a win-win arrangement between plastic surgeon, family, parents and the patient getting the surgery, said Walden.

“They should’ve researched the procedures out and be able to take the time off of sports, camps, any type of summer school they may be doing to recover from these procedures so they don’t end up with a complication,” said Walden.

What to do before procedure

• Do research ahead of time
• Talk to your parents
• Go and see several different board-certified surgeons well-versed in that procedure
• Be emotionally ready for permanent change in body

 

And while many associate plastic surgery with vanity, Walden said it’s deeper than that a lot of the time.

 

“This is not an exercise in vanity,” she said. “A lot of these surgeries help correct a very embarrassing body part, such as enlarged breast  on a teenage boy, or prominent ears, or a hooked nose.”

It helps teenagers establish self-esteem and confidence before venturing off on this new leg of their life.

“We have such a visually-oriented society with Facebook, Instagram and TV images that it’s not uncommon for teenagers to want to and be able to change their appearance for the better at that juncture between going off from high school to college,” said Walden.

As for recovery time, it varies by procedure. Still, the general rule is to rest up for five- to seven days.

Tips for recovery

• Teens need four weeks off sport activities
• They must take off six weeks for contact sports, such as football
• Use sunblock for those sun-exposed areas
• Some good rest and relaxation
• Stay inside and recuperate in the air conditioning, especially because swelling can happen in the outdoor heat

Aurelie’s Breast Surgery Journey!

Hi,

 

So it’s been a while now since my operation (8 days) and I’ll update you about how it’s been. 

Day 1 – Operation day – As I said, it went well, a little towards the end but due to anesthesia. Dr.B was great and really reassured me throughout the process.  All went well without any vomiting. Hospital and staff was fantastic. Big thanks to my nurse Josée.  Any transitions (to lie down or get up) is very stiff (muscle pain) and causes a lot of pressure.

Day 2 – Sore, to be expected.  Tolerable pain still feeling the anesthesia. Very itchy where the incisions are. Transitions displacement still difficult.  Can’t wait for shower.  I don’t know why (perhaps meds or anesthesia makes you sweat) but my hair is very dirty.

Day 3 – Reaction to Dilaudid (Pain medication). Vomited, very tired, stayed in bed all day, not eating but lots of Gatorade. Still itchy & pressure during transitions

Day 4 – Stomach-wise better, both breasts sore (pressure pain), no pain were incisions were done. Itchy!

Day 5 – Stomach much better (must have gotten rid of anesthesia in my system).  Bra and tape causing much itchiness. Still transition issues

Day 6- Saw Dr.Benchetrit post op to take some of the bandages off. He was very pleased with the results. I had no bruising or leaking.  The incisions look great. My nipples are in the right place. I still have Steri strips that will eventually fall off on their own.  Now I can take a shower but without touching breasts! Yay!!

Day 7 – Tired du to lack of sleep since I’m always sleeping half sitting up and still sore.  Tired o being tired and sore!!

Day 8 – So far. Back at work.  More pain on left breast than right.  Since it’s hot very itchy. Saw Dr.B again and is very pleased with result.  Incision very nice.  Swelling is going down a bit.  Asked if I was please with size and I am.  I chose 370 cc’s which a full C size.

 

Here are some suggestions and comments about having this surgery:

You’ll get sick of lying down on your back.  Have lots to watch on tv or dvd’s.  Calculate 4 days to doing nothing at home with a mastopexie (lift) with implants.

 

You won’t be sleeping well so buy yourself specialty foam pillows if you can to make sure you are comfortable and allows you to be partially sitting while sleeping

 

At the en of all of this, having this surgery is priceless, honestly. I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

 

Make sure that you choose a size that you’re happy with so you don’t regret your choice. The implant trial with the nurse is invaluable.

 

I’m already seeing the results in my clothes and I’m loving it.

 

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT OVER DO IT POST SURGERY!

Aurelie’s Breast Surgery Journey! Tomorrow’s the big day!

OK people Tmrw is the big day : my surgery and I am sooooo exited, I am nervous only because I have been waiting for almost a year for this surgery but I am really not nervous about going under general anesthesia and also I trust Dr.Benchetrit at 110% because I have seen his work and he is really the “boob Doctor” lol so I know the results are going to be amazing!!!

 

So I have prepared myself for tmrw at the hospital to bring loose clothes with a zipper, I took off my nail polish on fingers and toes, and you need to have someone to bring you so my driver will be my mom!!! I can’t wait to feel confident again in tops and feel good about my breast because like I have said I am doing this for me to feel better with my breast so this feeling will be Priceless!

 

You will always have those friends or family members that will tell you don’t do it you don’t need it!!! They don’t know how you feel, they don’t know how your confidence goes down just because of this!

 

So I will keep u guys updated on how my recovery is going J

 

Bye for now xoxox

 

Aurelie

 

 

Aurelie’s Breast Surgery Journey!

Hello everyone my name is Aurelie and I work for Dr.Benchetrit.

 

The reason for my blog is to let you know that I am getting breast surgery in 3 days with Dr.B. I want to share my experience before and after the surgery. I will start with the fact that I have lost almost 100 pounds in a year so my breast are really not what they used to be so that’s why I decided to get a breast lift with implants ( mastopexy with gel implants).

 

My surgery in on June 14th so in 3 days!!! I feel exited, nervous and I cant wait plus I know I am in great hands with Dr.Benchetrit!!!

 

So I will be posting my little journey of before and after my surgery and hopefully it will help some of the women out there understand better breast surgery and that you do it for you and not for anybody else! J

 

If ever any of you would like to ask me questions it will be my pleasure to answer them online or call me at the Clinic 514-695-7450.

 

Aurelie. J

New Feature: “Conversations in the treatment room”

“Conversations in the treatment room: week 1” Prospective patients always want to know which treatments we do on ourselves and which ones we like. In a casual conversation a lot can be said about what we do and what we are passionate about without sounding pushy about our services, and gives insight on who we are as a team. This information is delivered in fun, lay-person, terms, like a girlfriend chatting about the latest thing you “just gotta try”.

 So Valerie and I are on our 6th Accent treatment, getting ourselves bikini ready for the summer that should arrive any day now, any day now… Now that the cellulite has disappeared from my outer thighs, thanks to Val, and we have half an hour left for our lunch, what else can we do? Like the cavalry decisively charging forward, we head to the treatment room: on to the lower buttocks! A woman’s body requires maintenance; even alpha women like Cindy Crawford, Elizabeth Hurley and I are not exempt. It is what it is: estrogen levels drop in the mid-thirties, resulting in damage to the collagen matrix that girdles the fat layer beneath the skin. As the saying goes” “90% of women have cellulite, the other 10% think they have it”

Nadine Medical esthetician at Cosmedica