Plastic Surgery Offers Tools For Men and
Women In The Marketplace

by Carol Hollan, M.D., F.A.C.S.

We, in business, are the vessels through which transactions flow. We must be able to attract and hold the attention of others in order to demonstrate our competence and trustworthiness. Physical appearance means almost nothing when we are known and loved, but it represents us, who we are, when we are first encountered. Although it may seem superficial, even trivial, what you see is all there is at first. The first encounter determines if there is to be a second.

Youth, style, grace, strength, vibrant health, aesthetic beauty and wisdom are all attributes that beckon others. It is not surprising that the fresh, well-groomed, well-cared-for person will exude confidence and appeal beyond that of his exhausted, rundown, worn-appearing colleague.

Plastic surgery offers a tool to open doors for men and women in the marketplace. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I frequently am asked to help someone step up to a business opportunity.

My patients want to look as good as they feel and to reveal their vigor, enthusiasm and determination. They may feel ready to tackle the tasks and challenges ahead, but frankly believe that they look too old or too tired. This look is an unfortunate consequence of actually having lived awhile, acquiring experience and knowledge along the way. Turning the world around so that we recognize the desired wisdom and experience in a worn and tired face is a much more daunting task than freshening and rejuvenating that same face.

Rejuvenation of the aging face is a major goal of cosmetic surgery. Face and neck lifts, brow lifts, eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasties) are all directed toward reversing gravity changes and wrinkles associated with aging. Modern plastic surgery has added to this classic set of procedures liposuction of the neck, mid-face lifts and endoscopic brow lifts. These are all procedures that don't require large incisions.

We also attack skin changes such as acne scarring, fine wrinkles and blotchiness with alpha hydroxy, vitamin A and vitamin C skin care products, chemical peels and laser peels. Other quite dramatic adjuncts to major surgery (procedures that can be done in the office in approximately an hour) include Botox, collagen and Soft Form.

Botox is botulism toxin, traditionally feared because of its ability to paralyze muscles. Medical science has transformed this negative effect into a powerful, controlled tool to paralyze selectively small individual muscles in the face. Botox is injected in minute amounts into the muscles responsible for the frown lines between the eyebrows and crow's feet. These wrinkles that would not otherwise go away, disappear or diminish remarkably for months.

Injectable bovine collagen has long been used to fill deep scars and wrinkles and to plump up lips. Autologen is collagen made from a person's own tissue, thereby eliminating the risk of allergic reactions and prolonging effective duration.

Soft Form, a thick, injectable, permanent, synthetic implant, is used to create fuller, better-defined lips and to decrease wrinkles around the lips and nasolabial folds permanently.

Of course, a plastic surgeon's skills and toolbox have much to offer anyone who wants to look better, but the competition and need to put your best face forward in the marketplace make plastic surgery particularly valuable to the business man and woman.

Lori Zeigler Receives An Attractive Return On Her Investment

Here in her own words is Lori Zeigler's account of her experience with Dr. Carol Hollan.

"After investing in myself professionally by earning a Ph.D. in psychology and devoting many years to my career as a medical social worker, I decided to invest in myself.

"I was 58 years old, a single working gal on an average salary. In my quest to become extra healthy, I lost 40 pounds and made other beneficial changes. I also chose to make an investment in myself through surgery, to become a happier and more fruitful person.

"We spend more time and money making our cars look good than we do on ourselves! I wanted to look good for many reasons. Face it: we're all in a competitive environment. If we look better, it enhances our work and helps us compete more equitably in a youth-oriented society.

"I went to Dr. Hollan for an entire spectrum of improvements: full face lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, thigh lift, laser peel and eye lift. Nobody thinks twice about having their hair or nails done. Why should the rest be any different?

"I chose Dr. Hollan because I observed how she and her staff work in a total holistic methodology. I became a patient and also a partner with her. I liked her artistic approach; she told me that when she was a child and noticed a person with an irregularity, she would draw them so they would look better.

"Thanks to Dr. Hollan's artistic endeavor, my life is more fulfilled. What a great feeling it is to get up in the morning, go into the bathroom, brush my teeth and enjoy such a wonderful return on my appearance!

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