Ask Dr. Jenq
What is best for vertical lines around my lips, botox or a filler?
The right procedure for you depends on the location of the extra wrinkles and also whether you have extra skin that can benefit from tightening (like a facelift). Typically, if you are primarily interested in nonsurgical therapies, a filler like Juvederm or Restylane works best for lines around the mouth. Some people have "smokers lines" which occur after years of smoking cigarettes. It this case, smoking cessation will be the most important action that you can take to stop future premature aging from tobacco use. Filler can be used in the area of the lower face for softening laugh lines or marionette lines.
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Liposuction with tummy tuck–Yes or No?
Liposuction with tummy tuck–Yes or No?
A tummy tuck contours the belly by removal of extra skin. Sometimes, the extra skin hangs only in the area of the lower belly. Other times, the extra skin overhangs both the lower belly and also the skin above the belly button. If this happens, there may be fullness of the area above the belly button as well. For both situations, the extra skin can be removed through the lower abdomen, and then the skin is stretched taut to create a better contour.
The question next however is whether liposuction would be helpful as well. The best area to assess this is by pinching the sides of your lower rib cage. This area, called the flank, is not well treated with a tummy tuck on its own, because the scar has to taper off at the front of your hips. However fullness of this area indicates a significant component of both extra skin AND fat that is causing the contour issues of your belly. The downside of adding liposuction is obviously increased cost. However the benefit is correction to a better aesthetic outcome for patients who have a significant amount of both problems.