One of our happy patients
Dr. Moss' Philosophy on Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Facial Rejuvenation Treatments
Boston Cosmetic Surgery Specialist - Dr. Moss
There has been a virtual explosion of options for patients to choose from if they want to look younger or better. There are the traditional facial cosmetic surgery procedures such as facelift, mini-facelift, eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), rhinoplasty, and brow lift. These surgeries should be performed by board certified plastic surgeons or facial plastic surgeons. In many ways these surgeries are the backbone of facial rejuvenation. Facial plastic surgery generally requires that a patient take 7 to 10 days off from work for recuperation. Dr. Moss is trained and has extensive experience in all of these surgeries. Dr. Moss also performs an extensive amount of cosmetic breast and body surgeries such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck. All surgery is performed by Dr. Moss.
Currently, Dr. Moss is focusing on the 25 to 55 year old patient who is looking for an improvement in his/ her facial appearance. He will perform rhinoplasty surgery on patients as young as 15 years old and otoplasty surgery as young as 5 years old. He performs:
- Mini Face Lift
- Liposuction of the Face
- Eyelid Surgery
- Brow Lift
- Rhinoplasty - Nose Reshaping
- Otoplasty - Ear Reshaping
You will find more extensive information about each of the above surgeries on his individual website pages. Dr. Moss also performs an extensive amount of cosmetic breast and body surgery. Please refer to those pages on this website for more information.
In addition to the above surgeries Dr. Moss also offers a variety of injectables which fall into two categories:
These injectables do not replace surgery, but work in conjunction with cosmetic surgery procedures to provide for a younger more youthful appearance. Some patients, especially younger patients, do not need any surgery and can greatly benefit by just being treated with injectables. The injectables are not permanent and patients do need to come back on average anywhere from 4 months to 1 year (depending on the product) to maintain their improvements. While there may be some bruising with these injectables, there is virtually no down time associated with them.
This patient had an upper lid blepharoplasty and liposuction of the neck and jowls. She later had Restylane® injected in her lips in order to enhance her appearance.
Only Dr. Moss, not his staff, performs the injectable treatments. Dr. Moss is a board certified plastic surgeon with 24 years experience. He feels that if patients call his office for an appointment to receive facial injectables, it is he they want to perform their treatment. This website provides more extensive information on facial injectables in the non-surgical procedures page.
Dr. Moss also offers products and treatments for facial skin rejuvenation. Currently, Dr. Moss offers the Vitalize PeelTM from Skin Medica. This is a mild facial peel with no downtime associated with it. It improves the skin's texture and tone. Dr. Moss performs all Vitalize PeelsTM himself. Dr. Moss also carries the full line of Skin Medica products. Dr. Moss is a trained plastic surgeon and it is his preference to concentrate on facial surgery (with patients age 16 to 55) and facial injections (as well as cosmetic surgery of the body such as breast augmentation and tummy tucks). He has made a decision to provide the Vitalize PeelTM and Skin Medica products because he feels that these products work well with the surgical procedures and injections that he provides.
Dr. Moss' thoughts on technology driven treatments and "no down time" surgery
Today's technology has produced a wide variety of products and treatments, many of which are focused on facial rejuvenation with little or no down time. Some of these treatments claim to tighten the skin. The required equipment can be very expensive. It is not unusual for this equipment to cost $50,000 to $100,000. This means that the cost of treating individual patients can be expensive ($3000 is not unusual). Dr. Moss keeps abreast of all of the latest technologies. While most of these non invasive technologies appear to be safe, many do not produce consistent improvement in most patients. In addition, there often is no way to predict which patient has a better chance of having a successful treatment with significant improvement. For this reason, Dr. Moss has elected not to offer these treatments. He realizes that patients are attracted to the no down time feature. However, it is Dr. Moss' preference to provide services that he feels have a reasonable and reliable chance of success.
Another question that patients frequently bring up, is that concerning facelifts or mini-facelifts utilizing some type of suture or wire as the main method of lifting. They are often presented with the concept of little down time. We've heard patients refer to these surgeries as everything from "lunchtime" to "week-end" facelifts. Dr. Moss does not utilize these methods. While he certainly can understand the attractiveness of little down time for surgery, it is his preference to perform surgeries he has confidence in. Therefore, Dr. Moss hopes to attract patients who want results and are willing to make an effort to get them, including finding the time to recover, if in fact they need surgery. It should be noted that if Dr. Moss does not think that a patient needs surgery, he will certainly let the patient know.
Dr. Moss performs mini-facelifts using techniques that are time tested to provide reasonably reliable results. This involves releasing the skin from the underlying tissues, re-draping the skin at low tension, and removing the excess skin. It also involves the tissue beneath the skin. Dr. Moss does not feel that performing mini-facelifts where the method of lifting is based on one suture or wire is in the patient's best interests. Therefore, he offers the mini-facelifts using the traditional methods that have stood the test of time.
Dr. Moss and staff hope that you have enjoyed this introductory section on facial cosmetic surgery. For information on the individual surgeries please go to those pages on this website.
Facial Cosmetic Surgery, My Personal Experience
Written by Carla Moss
Dr. Moss' wife and office manager
The first signs of aging
Most women cannot pinpoint the first signs of facial aging. It just creeps up on you and all of a sudden you feel like "you need it all." And today's media doesn't let you forget that you "need it all," especially whatever product or treatment they are promoting. For me, I started thinking about improving my appearance in my early thirties. An upper and lower blepharoplasty was the first cosmetic surgery procedure I had to rejuvenate my appearance. I had this surgery when I was thirty five.
So how does one become sufficiently informed to select the products, treatments and surgeries that are best for her? As both providers and consumers, Dr. Moss and I (his wife and office manager) hope that our readers will find this information both interesting and informative. We've included helpful hints wherever possible. We have also provided you with information concerning Dr. Moss and the care that he and his staff provide all patients.
Dr. Moss and Carla's personal experience with facial cosmetic surgery
Both Dr. Moss and I have had cosmetic surgery procedures of the face. Dr. Moss has had both a rhinoplasty and an upper lid blepharoplasty. I have had an upper and lower lid blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, coronal brow lift, and mini face lift. I have also had a breast augmentation. In addition, I have also had multiple injections of BOTOX® and many of the injectable fillers (Restylane®, Radiesse), and both the bovine and human based collagen products. I also have a Vitalize PeelTM about four times a year to refresh my skin. I personally use products from the SkinMedica line that we carry in our office.
My personal experience with cosmetic surgery and "injectables" (BOTOX®, Restylane®, and Radiesse) has been very favorable. I am now 54 years old. I remember when I was 37 and had had an upper and lower blepharoplasty as well as a brow lift. I was flying home from a meeting when a female flight attendant asked me for identification when I asked for a glass of wine. That hadn't happened in years!
Dr. Moss refers to his own personal cosmetic procedures as "they were some of the best things I ever did and they were instrumental in my decision to go into Plastic Surgery."
Finding the Plastic Surgeon that's Right for Me
I had some of my cosmetic surgery procedures before I met Dr. Moss and some after we met. Before I met Dr. Moss, I was like any other cosmetic patient. I did not even have any friends who had previously had cosmetic surgery. The following are some helpful hints on how to find a cosmetic surgeon.
Is your surgeon board certified in Plastic Surgery? (Board Certification in Facial Plastic Surgery is also acceptable as is Ocular Plastic Surgery for Cosmetic Surgery of the Eye.)
Most doctors are "board certified" in some specialty. You want a surgeon whose training and certification is specific to the surgery you are having him perform for you. If any advertisement or website doesn't state the specific area a doctor's board certification is in, beware. Unfortunately, there are too many doctors who have decided to jump on the cosmetic "bandwagon," taken a weekend course in a cosmetic procedure and start advertising their services. This doctor may be great in his own specialty that he is board certified in, but not have the proper training to start performing facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Moss is board certified in Plastic Surgery as well as Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). He has twenty four years experience in performing both facial and body cosmetic procedures. All of his continuing medical education courses focus on cosmetic surgery.
Is your surgeon "credentialed" to perform your surgery in a hospital even if you are having it performed in an office setting?
Dr. Moss is credentialed to perform all of his cosmetic procedures in all five of the hospitals he is on staff at. This means that he has submitted proper documentation to the hospital administration supporting his education, training, professional reputation and capabilities in performing these cosmetic procedures. Dr. Moss has elected to perform almost all of his surgeries in a hospital setting because he was able to obtain favorable pricing for his patients and still offer the safety and security of a hospital facility.
Has your surgeon made available before and after pictures of his own patients for the procedures you are interested in?
Dr Moss always includes before and after pictures in his consultations. While we have a variety of before and after pictures on his website, Dr. Moss has the capability to show you more during his consultations. Obviously, only patients who have given Dr. Moss permission to show their before and after pictures are shown.
Do you feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon and his staff? Did your surgeon take the time to answer all of your questions in a way that you understood all of the information? Has the office staff been helpful and pleasant?
Dr. Moss is known for his thorough consultations. He will always examine you and ask you what your goals of the surgery are and explain what he feels are realistic expectations of what he can achieve. His staff is very knowledgeable and will take the time when scheduling you for your consultation to answer your questions. They will also be asking you for information to insure that you are provided with sufficient time for your consultation.
Dr. Moss consulting with a patient
What is your surgeon's professional and surgical reputation?
If you know other patients who have been to the surgeon you have chosen, their references can be helpful. Your own primary care physician may be able to provide you with a recommendation. In Massachusetts, The Board of Registration in Medicine has information on line concerning malpractice lawsuit verdicts during the last ten years against any Massachusetts physician. Dr. Moss has never had a successful lawsuit filed against him in his entire 24 years of practice. He also currently has no pending lawsuits filed against him. Patients often say that Dr. Moss does not over-promise results. He is very careful to fully inform patients during their consultations. You will also find that your pre-operative visits are an hour in length, as Dr. Moss and his staff spend plenty of time with you to ensure that you fully understand the goals of the surgery as well as all of your pre and post operative instructions. Dr. Moss' goals are always patient safety and patient satisfaction. He has an excellent surgical reputation.
Is Facial Cosmetic Surgery right for me?
I (Carla Moss) was always happy with the procedures that I have had done to improve the appearance of my face and body. While I have had numerous procedures performed on my face, I was always organized and practical about these surgeries. Before I met Dr. Moss, I went to the plastic surgeon who performed my upper and lower lid blepharoplasty and browlift. At that time, I knew specifically what bothered me. I also was willing to listen to my plastic surgeon who told me "I cannot perform an upper lid blepharoplasty at the same time as a browlift." Let's do the blepharoplasty first and then we can consider the browlift at a later date." And that's what I did. I had the upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) performed immediately and went back at a later date for the browlift. In other words, I was able to identify the areas of my face that I felt needed improvement or rejuvenation. I followed the advice of my plastic surgeon. I made the effort and had both of my surgeries performed and achieved the results I wanted.
This meant that I had to find the time in my busy work schedule to take time off from work. I had both of my surgeries around Thanksgiving and Christmas because that was the easiest for me.
Helpful hints:
Before calling any plastic surgeon's office for information take a moment and think about "What bothers me about my face." Think about "What improvements do I want made to my face." Dr. Moss' staff can both send you material in advance and schedule your appointment more accurately, if you can provide this information.
Most surgical procedures require you to take at least a week off from work. Before you call, think about when you can be available for surgery. Dr. Moss' staff can let you know what times he has available for surgery. If you cannot get time off for surgery, perhaps you should consider the less invasive treatments such as BOTOX® and Restylane®.
Finances are an important consideration for any potential cosmetic surgery patient. Before you call, think about what your budget is for cosmetic surgery. How much can you afford to spend? Dr. Moss' staff will always attempt to give you general pricing over the phone, and we do list general pricing for all procedures on this website. In addition, Dr. Moss' staff will provide you with information on financing if you would like.
Sometimes patients want everything and they want all the surgeries performed at once. This is sometimes not possible. For example, if a patient needs a brow lift and an upper eyelid lift, these procedures will need to be performed at separate times. However, there are multiple surgeries that can be performed at the same time on the face, such as mini-facelift and upper and lower blepharoplasty. In addition, facial cosmetic surgery can be performed at the same time as body cosmetic surgery. There is also a limit to how much surgery can be safely performed at one time. If you want multiple surgeries performed, prioritize what is most important and start planning on multiple surgeries. Think in terms of needing two separate times off from work, rather that just one time off. You can also have surgery on what "bothers you the most" and then decide afterwards if you want additional surgeries.
What is the difference between having surgery in the office versus a hospital?
I have had cosmetic surgery under local anesthesia in an office setting. I have also had cosmetic surgery using general anesthesia in both a free standing surgery center and in a hospital. I have always been pleased with my results and found the care to be exceptional. In Dr. Moss' office, we all work together to provide our patients with the same level of care that I have personally experienced as a cosmetic surgery patient.
We do feel that if a patient wishes to have surgery utilizing anesthesia in an office setting, then that surgery center should be accredited and the surgeon should be credentialed to perform the surgery in a hospital as well. In addition, a patient should not think that the surgery is any easier, less invasive, or less painful because it is performed in an office setting. It may seem like just going for an office visit. However, it is surgery, the same as if you went to the hospital.
Dr. Moss is currently performing all surgeries in a hospital setting except for those surgeries that can be performed using local anesthesia only, such as an upper lid blepharoplasty. When Dr. Moss reviewed the costs of accrediting his office for office surgery (which is now mandated by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons), he found that he could provide patients with better pricing by performing these surgeries in a hospital setting. This also meant that we had the optimal support for all our patients. In addition, by being on staff at five different hospitals, we can better accommodate patients with surgical dates and locations.
Dr. Moss operating on a patient
More Plastic Surgery Consultation Information:
Read about getting the most from your cosmetic surgery consultation with Dr. Moss in our consultation blog.
Return to main Procedures page or click on a link below to learn more about Facial plastic surgery procedures:
Call us at 508.747.1322 or 781.337.2421
