Our aim is help prospective patients look as young and healthy as possible for their respective ages. Our experienced and highly integrated team will be on hand at every stage of your pre and post-operative care. You will feel wrapped in a cocoon of professional warmth and attention.

Just mention Astra's name for a free consultation with Dr Tehrani.

Q: What is the difference between Restylane, Juvederm and Botox?
A: Resylane is a "filler". Restylane is a sugar derivative used to plump up creases in the skin of the face. It is best for the lower third of the face (lips, naso-labial folds and marionette lines). The injection is somewhat painful so a numbing block is given around the mouth (like at the dentist) to make the procedure more comfortable. Some swelling may occur in the lips for 24-48 hours.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by a bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause frown lines between the eyes. Wrinkles are diminished by muscle relaxation not by filling. The procedure takes about 2 minutes and can be performed in the office. The result lasts for approximately 3-4 months.You should avoid any blood thinning products such as aspirin, Motrin, vitamin I, coumadin, Aleve, Advil or Excedrin for 10 days prior to any injection procedure. Doing so will help decrease the incidence of bruising.

Q: Does liposuction work for everyone?
A: Yes, but some people are better candidates than others for the procedure. The best candidates are fairly thin with a specific area or two of fat excess — for instance, in the hip or "saddlebag" area. It also works very well for "love handles" in men.

Q: What is the difference between the different kinds of liposuction?

• The tumescent technique involves distending the fat with water before removing it. This causes less bleeding and thus less postoperative bruising. The fluid also makes the fat softer and easier to remove thus adding additional control.
• Power assisted liposuction improves sculpting technique and decreased procedure time.
• Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL). Patented VASER® technology and the advanced LipoSelection® technique now offer a safe alternative for ridding yourself of stubborn fat deposits to provide you a smooth new shape with fast recovery. VASER LipoSelection® is a minimally invasive procedure that precisely and efficiently removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, VASER LipoSelection® uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently reshape your body. What distinguishes the LipoSelection procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues - such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER® technology breaks up fat while conserving these other important tissues. Only the LipoSelection procedure uses the proprietary VASER System to first liquefy fat and then remove it from the body to promote smooth results and rapid healing with only low to minimal pain.
• Laser-Assisted Liposuction (Laser Assisted Lipoplasty - LAL) is an innovative new procedure for removing excess body fat and firming loose skin. In this minimally invasive procedure, a single laser fiber is introduced into the body through a small cannula, fat cells are literally melted away, removing stubborn fat deposits, tightening and toning the skin in the process. Laser liposuction popularly known as Smartlipo also tightens the skin, eliminating sagginess and giving it a youthful firmness. The entire laser liposuction process usually takes less than an hour for each targeted area and can be performed under local anesthesia. It involves a very short recovery time, with most patients being able to return to work and normal activities within a day or two. Q: Does liposuction require general anesthesia? A: No, our prefererence is to have a patient under "twilight" sedation so that you are not aware of your surroundings during the liposuction, and local anesthesia use used for pain management yet you are able to go home later that same day.

Q: Does liposuction hurt?
A: Not much. Prior to the procedure, gentle injection of a weak anesthetic solution is performed in the local area to be treated. The technique we use allows for the removal of purified fat with minimal blood — this results in minimal bruising and discomfort after the procedure.

Q: Does the fat return after liposuctioning?
A: Yes. If you gain weight (typically more than 20% of your body weight), the fat will return to other areas of your body. The best way to approach liposuction is to think of it as a "jump start" to weight loss. My happiest patients have lost 10 to 20 pounds with diet and exercise after liposuction. They are encouraged and motivated by the way muscle definition is enhanced after liposuction.

Q: What happens if you gain weight after liposuction?
A: The fat will deposit in areas not treated with liposuction first, then gradually go back to the treated areas. A healthy regimen of exercise and diet are required to maintain the results of liposuction.

Q: Which procedure is best for removing excess abdominal fat — liposuction or a tummy tuck?
A: That is a tricky question. Men who have gained then lost abdominal (potbelly) weight or women who have been pregnant may require an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" to tighten the stretched-out abdominal muscles. Young women and men (usually under 30 years of age) may benefit from just abdominal liposuction to reduce girth. The skin of younger patients tends to contract well after liposuction.

Q: What are breast implants made of?
A: They are usually made of a silicone shell and filled with normal saline, the substance that makes up 98 percent of our bodies. The silicone used for the shell is similar to that in artificial hips, knees and intravenous catheters used in the hospital every day. The newly FDA approved silicone gel implants are made of the same silicone gel and are filled with a silicone gel that is "cohesive". This means that like a cut gummy bear, it does not leak when and if ruptured.

For more information on breast implants, go to: www.breastimplantsafety.org.

Q: Is surgery in a hospital safer than an office outpatient facility?
A: For most procedures, cosmetic surgery can safely be performed in the office setting if the surgeon is board certified and the facility is accredited by the Joint Commission (JCAHO), American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) or The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). [Dr. Tehrani and his surgical center Aristocrat Plastic Surgery meet both these requirements.] Patients often prefer the individual attention and specialized setting of my newly installed, state-of-the-art surgery center. However, patients with special medical problems or those who wish to combine procedures such as abdominoplasty and hysterectomy may benefit from hospital admission. We evaluate each patient's needs and preferences prior to choosing a surgical setting.

Have more questions? Email Dr. Tehrani.