Botox is a surgical injection of botulinum toxin that helps eliminate signs of aging in the face and neck. Botox will temporarily reduce or eliminate frown lines, worry lines, laugh lines, forehead wrinkles and crows feet. Botox is also given to relieve the pain of migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the face and neck.

Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerve impulses and paralyzing the muscles causing wrinkles. The result is a smoother, younger looking appearance.
Before the procedure, the doctor applies ice to the treatable area. The patient remains seated while the doctor injects the Botox into the muscle. The doctor will ask the patient to contract the muscle to be treated or will use a non-invasive instrument to effectively target the muscle. An average of three injections per muscle is given. The patient is then given a gauze pad for the injection site and the procedure is done.

The entire Botox process requires between ten to thirty minutes.

Botox is also effective in reducing or eliminating wrinkles on the forehead that give the face an older and more haggard appearance. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause these wrinkles resulting in smoother, fresher looking skin with fewer wrinkles. A common misconception is that the doctor must treat each wrinkle. Wrinkles are caused by the underlying muscle. Only these muscles must be treated, not the individual wrinkles. Botox injections only affect muscle nerves and not nerves of sensation, so patients experience no loss of feeling in the treated area. Botox is also FDA approved for several non-cosmetic treatments including migraine headaches and excessive sweating. It can also help reduce chronic back pain and jaw tension. .

Cost of the Procedure

Risks of the Procedure

Like all medical procedures, there are risks involved. The risks of Botox include temporarily weak or heavy feeling eyelids, droopy eyelids, blurred vision, double vision, inability to close the eye, sagging mouth, brow droop, excessive tearing, and long term weakness.

Are travel and vacation activities compatible with surgery?

Botox is an outpatient procedure that requires very little recovery time so most vacation activities are compatible. After Botox, the patient is able to drive the same day. As soon as the injections are completed, the patient may resume regular activities. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for the first 24 hours. Mild swelling may occur for the first 4-24 hours so the patient must refrain from bending or lying down for approximately four hours after injections, allowing the toxin time to attach to the muscle.

Preparing for the procedure

Before the procedure, the doctor applies ice to the treatable area. The patient remains seated while the doctor injects the Botox into the muscle. The doctor will ask the patient to contract the muscle to be treated or will use a non-invasive instrument to effectively target the muscle. An average of three injections per muscle is given. The patient is then given a gauze pad for the injection site and the procedure is done. The entire Botox process requires between ten to thirty minutes.

Planning for my recovery

As soon as the series of injections is completed, the patient can go back to regular activities. Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 24 hours after the injection. The patient must refrain from bending or lying down for approximately four hours after the injections until the toxin has had time to attach to the nerve-muscle connection. The patient must not rub the area in order to prevent the toxin from spreading to adjacent muscles. The patient may be asked to return after two weeks for evaluation of the treatment results.