Welcome to Orange County’s New Normal! As we move forward into Fall/Winter 2022, we do so with patient safety continuing to be of the utmost importance, now more than ever. With this in mind please note the following changes for your upcoming injectables appointment at our Newport Beach Plastic Surgery Center:
- First and foremost, we are a surgical center. With that comes the advantage of having a board-certified plastic surgeon performing your service. This also means that we are held to a higher standard of care than a traditional MedSpa setting, as we are regulated and surveyed just as a regular hospital. Our protocols may be more stringent, but they are in place to protect all patients and to promote their safety and comfort.
- We have reopened injectables in phases, and masks continue to be required by the California Department of Public Health: Thank you for your patience as we continue to accommodate a backlog of injectables patients impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and closures. It is important to note, phases of opening are determined by Dr. Chong, dependent on the level of perceived risk of viral transmission. While we remain in a fluid atmosphere, appointments may be adjusted accordingly (you will be notified in advance of any changes).
- While universal precautions for client safety have always been a focus, we are also now focusing on reducing opportunities for COVID-19 viral transmission, by reducing frequency of patient contact. If you arrive early for your appointment, we ask that you please text/call and speak to a staff member before coming up to the office (so that we may be sure to safely accommodate you). As we aim to reduce traffic in the office, guests will be permitted only as needed to assist with a recent surgical patient’s continuity of care. If you are a recent surgical patient, you may be accompanied by one adult who has been designated as your care provider. We ask your guest to please conform to our protocols (screening questions, temperature checks, masks). For non-surgical patients, guests are not permitted at this time.
- Numbing is so 2019! While dermal fillers have a small amount of lidocaine, Botox does not. In the past, many patients have asked us to apply a topical numbing cream prior to treatment. Moving forward, we will no longer be offering numbing in-office. Working without numbing cream gives the injector a better read of the treatment area, producing optimal outcomes. It also provides patients the opportunity to receive treatment while reducing the amount of contact between patient and staff, thereby lowering opportunities for viral transmission. For patients who still desire numbing prior to treatment, we are happy to call in a prescription to our compounding pharmacy, and can provide guidance on how to apply your numbing cream prior to your arrival. To obtain a prescription for numbing cream, please call (949) 644-1400 today!
Botox & Fillers FAQ
Who performs the procedure?
All non-surgical injectables appointments for dermal fillers such as Voluma, Restylane, Teoxane RHA, and Belotero are performed by Dr. Lavinia K. Chong at her private plastic surgery suite in Newport Beach, on the coast of Orange County. Appointments for Botox injections for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines are available with our Aesthetic Nurse Injector, Taylor Zvokel, R.N. If you would like Botox at the same time as your dermal filler appointment, please advise your patient care coordinator at the time of scheduling.
How much do you charge for Botox & fillers?
Prior to treatment, your goals will be assessed and a treatment plan developed with Dr. Chong. She will review your treatment options and propose product placement. You will be provided with an estimated cost based upon your goals. At that time, based upon your preferred budget, the day’s treatment plan will be set. You may decide to have Dr. Chong provide treatment with a goal full face correction, or you may decide to treat only specific zones. Please note, all non-surgical appointments have a minimum fee of $375 (any injectables fees and skincare purchases will be applied to this minimum).
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for this procedure?
If this is your first time meeting with female plastic surgeon Dr. Lavinia K. Chong, you would begin by scheduling a virtual consultation. Virtual consultations for facial rejuvenation are convenient and time-saving for patients who are on the go (please allow yourself approximately 15-20 minutes). Please email a selection of photos from throughout the years (for a review of your natural aging process). During your consultation, Dr. Chong will review your photos and address how neurotoxins such as Botox and/or dermal fillers such as Voluma, Restylane, and Teoxane RHA may help you achieve your goals. Following your consultation, our Patient Coordinator will provide you with an estimated cost of treatment based upon your individualized treatment plan, and will assist you with scheduling a treatment date.
Please click here to access our secure Virtual Consultation form
How long can Botox and injectable dermal fillers last?
Results vary between patients. While the full effect of Botox treatments may be seen within 3-7 days, treatment generally lasts patients an average of 3-4 months. Dermal fillers as well are a temporary procedure lasting several months at varying lengths depending on the patient. Once full correction is achieved, maintenance appointments may be scheduled for touch-ups. Please remember, any addition of product carries with it an additional cost.
Is there anything I need to know after having injectable dermal fillers or Botox?
Yes! After having Botox, please refrain from strenuous exercise for two (2) hours. After having filler, please note that many of the products are hydrophilic, meaning that you may notice an increased swelling within the first 72 hours before gradually resolving on its own. For all injectables: cold compress may be applied in 15 minute increments to alleviate swelling; avoid drinking excessive alcohol; Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be taken as a pain reliever; and please refrain from massaging, rubbing, or touching the treatment area.
How soon after microneedling can I have fillers?
We advise you to space your Secret RF microneedling and injectables appointments three (3) weeks apart from each other.
Will the amount and type of product I use change as I get older?
It is possible the amount of neurotoxin (Botox) units used may decrease with age. As we age, we encounter a risk of decompensation of lateral brow ptosis (dropped brow), necessitating a reduction in units used during treatment. On the other side of aging, we may also encounter more long-standing glabellar etch lines (wrinkle lines between the eyes). To reduce the appearance of these lines, a low volume of filler may be used.
I have had a facelift, will I see any benefit from filler?
Patients who have had a facelift and necklift (Rhytidectomy with Cervicoplasty), may benefit from the use of dermal fillers. Surgical techniques reposition subcutaneous tissue, redefine the jaw by surgical repositioning of the jowls, and re-drape the “turkey gobbler” by removing excess fat from under the chin. But as we continue to age, we also continue to see a loss of volume throughout the face. To address this loss of volume, we turn to non-surgical “liquid facelift” techniques. Using injectable dermal fillers such as Voluma, Restylane Refyne, Defyne, and Kysse we are able to help compensate for such volume loss and achieve full face correction. It is important to note, surgical techniques for facial rejuvenation and non-surgical injectable therapy complement the results of each procedure, and are not mutually exclusive.
What is a liquid facelift and full face correction?
Liquid facelift is another term for full face correction, the temporary replenishment of volume for overall improvement of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For some patients, full correction provides a temporary solution to problems encountered with aging (loss of volume, skin laxity, and an increased appearance of wrinkles). For others, full correction provides solutions related to weight gain/loss (fat is the original filler).
What is the cost of full face correction?
Costs vary as each patient’s needs are unique. Per Allergan recommendations, full face correction due to aging can be calculated at a need of 1-1.5 syringe(s) per decade of life. For example, a 50-yr old patient likely needs no less than five (5) syringes of filler to achieve optimal full face correction. A variety of fillers exist to provide solutions to enhance individual areas, or zones. The average cost of filler is $850 per syringe.
Fillers vs. fat grafting vs. facelift … what’s best?
Some patients may not have the physical resources (BMI) to be a candidate for fat grafting. Some patients may have time constraints which are not able to accommodate the recovery time needed for a surgical procedure. Overall some patients may see the most benefit by saving their budget and allocating the time for surgical procedures versus relying solely on non-surgical options. These are all great points to discuss with Dr. Chong at the beginning of your appointment!
I have an HSA card and/or CareCredit, are you a participating provider?
We are able to process any HSA card transaction with a Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover logo. Our Newport Beach Plastic Surgery office is a participating CareCredit provider, offering patients 6-months no interest promotional financing or a 24-month fixed interest financing (some restrictions apply). Care Credit’s payment calculator makes it easy to calculate payments and helps patients stay within their budget!
Do you ever have specials?
We do our best to keep patients up-to-date on any specials or manufacturer rebates. Most product manufacturers offer patients rewards programs in which credit is earned for treatment and can be redeemed at future treatments. Restylane rewards are available by registering with Aspire Rewards Program, and rewards for Botox and Voluma are available by registering with the Allē Rewards Program.
If you are new to Allē, new to Botox, or have not received a Botox Treatment in the last year. you may be eligible to receive $50 off a Botox cosmetic treatment Some patients may also be eligible for $75 off their next injectables treatment with Voluma. These are a limited time offers, so be sure to visit https://alle.com/offer/botox-50off-national and https://alle.com/offer/juvederm-75off-national22 today to see if you qualify!
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