Dr. James Barber - Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Plastic surgery and vanity wrongly and unfairly go hand in hand. Quite the opposite is true, actually. Mariam Webster's definition of vanity is: inflated pride in oneself or one's appearance. Cosmetic surgery candidates typically lack pride in their appearance and suffer with low self-esteem. I am always quick to correct a patient that walks into the office saying "I am so vain for wanting a breast lift", for example.

When patients reach out to Dr. Barber, it is usually because they have a deep desire to feel better about themselves, which is NOT vanity. Desire for self improvement is a natural impulse, and typically people who seek plastic surgery are simply unhappy about an aspect of their appearance.

Pittsburgh plastic surgery encourages and promotes a strong, positive self-image. It can be a rewarding choice if done for the right reasons. Let's be realistic. Wanting to look like Angelina Jolie is neither healthy nor realistic. Examine the reasons behind your decision. Why do you want surgery? Are you doing it to please someone else? Are you doing it in hopes of changing your life? Improving your appearance could help promote a positive change in many areas of your life, but you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you think it will change your life as a whole.

Many patients tell us they want to look younger because they feel young on the inside and they want the outside to reflect it.
Other positive motivations may be:

• Look younger for personal/professional reasons. (Example: stay competitive in the workplace.)
• Change a feature that they have never liked. (Example: Pittsburgh rhinoplasty)
• Finally get what nature forgot. (Example: Pittsburgh breast implants)
• Repair damage from weight loss/gain or pregnancy. (Example: Pittsburgh tummy tuck)

It is Dr. Barber's job to help potential Pittsburgh plastic surgery patients examine and understand their motivations. Speak openly and honestly with your surgeon. Honesty and a healthy perspective will lead to a realistic and successful experience.

Contact our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. James Barber. 412-741-1976

Labels: breast implants, breast lift, Dr. James Barber, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck

Pittsburgh plastic surgery patients have many options when it comes to the aspect of anesthesia. The options can be confusing and the thought of anesthesia alone can make most cosmetic surgery patients very fearful. Well, never fear...because we are here...to help. (Yes, that was bad.) There are a variety of factors that play a role in determining anesthesia-the patient's body type, medical history, type of procedure, and extent of time in the operating room setting. Dr. James Barber will discuss your options so that you are clear on what to expect during and after surgery.

OPTIONS

Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is typically used for noninvasive procedures. The area surrounding the treatment site is numbed with local injections. The anesthetic can be applied as an injection in the tissue or as a "block". This approach is not recommended for larger-scale plastic surgery procedures because patients are typically fully awake and coherent. We normally use local anesthesia for procedures such as mole removals, laser skin resurfacing procedures, and facial filler treatments (upon the patient's request).

Twighlight Sedation
With this approach, there is a continuous stream of intravenous sedation which allows the patient to remain "awake" throughout surgery. The plastic surgery patient, while "awake", will not feel the procedure and will not remember the experience. We suggest twilight sedation for facial rejuvenation procedures-full facelifts, mini facelifts, eyelid lifts, and brow lifts.

General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typically used for more invasive procedures such as nasal surgery, tummy tucks, breast augmentations/lifts, and liposuction. This approach places the patient in a sleep state without sensation for the duration of the procedure. General anesthesia carries some risks however in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist, these risks are minimal.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Whenever you are heavily sedated or have general anesthesia, you put your life in someone's hands. Much of that responsibility falls to the person administering the medications and monitoring your vital signs. You need to know the qualifications of the person assuming that responsibility. Their training can range from specialization after earning a medical degree (anesthesiologist) to specialization after nursing training (nurse anesthetists) to nursing training only.

After years of performing cosmetic surgery procedures like breast enlargements, Dr. Barber is well aware of which approaches do--and do not--tend to work. Our Pittsburgh plastic surgery team works with only the most capable professionals to ensure your safety. We will advise you of the pros and cons to each method and make sure you are comfortable and confident that you are in the best hands.

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, brow lift, Dr. James Barber, face lift, liposuction, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, tummy tuck

For a limited time we are offering complimentary consultations with Dr. Barber. Patients can contact the office to schedule a consultation for:

• breast augmentation
• liposuction
• eyelid lift
• face lift
• botox
• restylane/perlane
• tummy tuck

If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary consultation, contact our office today at 412-741-1976. Appointments are limited.

Labels: Botox, breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast implants, Dr. James Barber, eyelid lift, face lift, liposuction, Perlane, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Restylane, tummy tuck

Starting in March, patients will have the option to have a consultation with Dr. Barber at Skin Beautiful Medical Spa on Pittsburgh's South Side. We are very pleased to offer this new convenience to all of our patients.

Skin Beautiful Medical Spa strives to enhance the beauty of each of their clients with the most qualified and caring staff in a safe and comfortable environment. They are available to assist you in all your cosmetic concerns-hair removal, teeth whitening, massages, permanent makeup, as well as a variety of other treatments.

Dr. Barber is now available at this location for appointments concerning:

Facial Rejuvenation

• Face Lift
• Eyelid Lift
• Brow Lift

Body Sculpting

• Breast Augmentation (Implants)
• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck
• Breast Lift
• Skin Tightening

Contact our office to schedule a consultation. 412-741-1976

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast implants, breast lift, brow lift, browlift, eyelid lift, face lift, liposuction, tummy tuck

Our elegant gift certificates make a unique gift for someone special in your life. They can be used for the purchase of skin care products, anti-wrinkle treatments like Botox, Restylane, Juvederm or towards surgery-facial rejuvenation (facelift, eyelids) or body sculpting (liposuction, breast implants, tummy tuck).

Call our office today to order a gift certificate. 412-741-1976

Labels: Botox, breast enhancement, eyelid lift, face lift, Juvederm, liposuction, Restylane, tummy tuck