Baby Boomers are more likely to go rock climbing than sit in a rocking chair. And they're getting plastic surgery to help them look as lively as they feel.

These days, Baby Boomers just might be the coolest cats in town. They’re working out, launching new businesses, burning up the dating scene and looking as gorgeous as ever. For some that means indulging in a little plastic surgery to help them age gracefully.

A recent survey highlighted primary trends emerging among the Boomer generation:

1. They’re living longer. Medical advances and the easier-than-ever access to medical and health information is helping Boomers long outlive the life expectancies of prior generations. Well, why live longer if you can’t enjoy it? Boomers increasingly are reflecting upon their lives and reinventing themselves at each milestone year, setting new goals and taking up new hobbies or even launching new businesses. Seems the rocking chair has gone the way of the dinosaur.
2. They’re technologically and socially connected. Yes, Grandma is on Facebook. And she’s not there just to keep up with the grandkids. She’s got her own extensive list of Facebook friends, thank you very much. And her status updates just might make you blush. Statistics show that seniors are the fastest-growing segment signing up on Facebook and other social networking sites. Of course, since Grandma likely doesn’t have to get up and go to school or work in the morning, she’s got lots of time to meet and mingle with her Facebook friends off-screen. Seniors are on the social and dating scene like never before.
3. They’re competing and winning in the workplace: The financial crunch is affecting everyone, including seniors. But rather than stick to the jobs they’ve held for decades, many seniors are taking advantage of that milestone-year reinvention and going back to school in huge numbers. Many are enrolling to update their skill sets in an effort to land promotions at work. Others are ditching their old skill sets in favor of whole new ones with plans to switch career fields or launch new businesses of their own.
4. They’re aging gracefully. Those top three trends fold nicely into the proudly-going-gray movement. To help boost their success on the social scene, in the dating game and at work, seniors increasingly are undergoing plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures designed to help them look as lively on the outside as they do on the inside. Mind you, they’re not interested in the wind-blown, trout pout look of those who overdo it in an effort to shave decades off their looks. Today’s seniors are proud of their age and don’t care to look too much younger. They simply want to look their best at the age they are and they’re accomplishing that with expertly performed facelifts, brow lifts and eye surgeries or with less invasive procedures like Botox, Restylane or chemical peels.

If you’re a Boomer with an unbridled passion for life and want a look to match, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Jacksonville’s top facial plastic surgeons can help you continue to look gorgeous throughout your golden years.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery is North Florida's only JCAHO-certified office-based surgery suite.

If you’ve perused our website, you probably know that Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery is Jacksonville’s only office-based surgery site certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Organizations. But what does a JCAHO certification really mean and why is it beneficial to patients?

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is the undisputed leader in developing and the highest standards for quality and safety in the delivery of healthcare, and in evaluating organization performance based on these standards. In fact, more than 19,000 health care providers use JCAHO standards to dictate the way they administer care and continuously improve performance.

JCAHO certification means that a plastic surgery center is:

• Continually working to provide the highest quality services.
• Periodically evaluated by The Joint Commission for compliance with the standards and other requirements.
• Provided with expert advice and education from The Joint Commission about quality improvement.
• Able to attract qualified staff because they have more opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.

Plus, our facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia, both are double-board certified, highly experienced and highly respected by both peers in the plastic surgery field and by countless satisfied patients. There are dozens of plastic surgery suites in Northeast Florida, but only one can boast JCAHO certification. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery’s Jacksonville practice also offers single-night or extended stays at its Summer House Cottages, a private and secluded recovery suite located just a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect mix of cutting-edge treatment and unmatched comfort.

A major concern in considering Botox, Jacksonville patients say, is avoiding the so-called “poker face” look that come with going overboard on Botox or other dermal fillers. And it’s more than looks at stake.

According to David R. Neal, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, the expressionless look that results from a physician or patient insisting on a too-high amount of Botox can hinder communication.

“We read other people’s emotions in part by mimicking their facial expressions,” Neal recently told reporters. “If you have a poker face because your muscles are paralyzed, you can’t read the emotions of others as well.”

This hindrance is one contributing factor in the trend toward a more natural look with Botox. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery sees dozens of patients each week seeking a refreshed look that still allows them to clearly express their emotions. The same trend increasingly can be seen in Hollywood, where celebrities are requesting smaller amounts of Botox. Even those who claim to have sworn off dermal fillers and facial plastic surgery are still patients. But pressure from filmmakers in need of actors who can deliver a full range of emotions that a character calls for is forcing celebrities to tone down their quest for “perfection.”

“For celebrities, it’s a fine line they’re walking,” says Dr. Phillip Garcia, founder of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa. “Media scrutiny demands they always look their healthy, youthful best. But a limited range of emotions means a limited opportunity for film roles. Similarly, everyday patients who will never star in a blockbuster film also want to a youthful, radiant look. But they too want to be able to express what’s on their minds.”

If you’re considering Botox, Jacksonville, call 904-247-8522 to set an appointment for personal consultation today. We’ll help you achieve the natural, expression-friendly look you want.

One of the common questions we get from clients is whether they should choose dermal fillers or a full facelift. Jacksonville’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia each have years of experience in helping clients decide which facial cosmetic procedures are best for them, based upon their current looks, goals for their new looks and their lifestyles. Often, the choice between a dermal filler or a facelift is an easy one.

The trick is to understand exactly what is accomplished with dermal fillers and what is accomplished with facelift. Jacksonville patients sometimes think that the two will deliver similar results, but that’s not at all the case. Skin around the mouth adheres directly to the muscle, lacks fat and moves with speech, eating and emotion. Skin on other facial areas, including the cheek, jowls and neck, have a layer of fat between the skin and muscle. As we age, the fat disappears and skin begins to hollow or hang.

Dermal fillers like Botox, Juvederm and Restylane simply plump and smooth areas of the face that have developed wrinkles or lost some volume. They’re effective for filling in wrinkles of the forehead and nasolabial folds and for adding volume to the lips. Trying to accomplish this smoothing and plumping with the lifting and pulling that a facelift involves will leave you with a less natural look – including that dreaded “trout pout.” But no amount of dermal filler will lift sagging measures of skin best remedied with a facelift.

A facelift smoothes the face by removing excess skin left sagging by disappearing facial fat. Jowls, multiple cheek wrinkles, heavy nasolabial and neck folds, or hanging skin are best addressed with an expertly performed facelift.

Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you decide which facial plastic surgery or noninvasive cosmetic procedures are best for reaching your goals. Contact us at 904-247-8522 or via our online email form.

Baby Boomers are driving a new trend in plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures for men, Jacksonville's Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery says.

Surgical and cosmetic procedures for men are on the rise according to statistics recently released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Overall, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men jumped two percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, the numbers were much higher when zeroing in on particular procedures. Facelifts for men led the charge, jumping an impressive 14 percent.

ASPS’s statistics show that men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive. But six of the top ten procedures that men chose last year are surgical ones – a significant turnabout of the previous trend toward less invasive cosmetic treatments. Men increasingly are embracing plastic surgery as a way to remain competitive in the workplace, boost their confidence when it comes to dating, or simply to keep looking on the outside as young and active as they feel on the inside.

“Baby Boomers hitting retirement age are the new face of the male plastic surgery trend,” says Dr. Roberto Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville. “They’re still healthy, active and sharp minded. Those who are retiring are looking forward to enjoying all the free time they’ll have on their hands and want to look great doing it. Others feel they’ve got a few more years of competitiveness in them and are opting to delay retirement. Those guys know they’re competing with younger coworkers climbing the ladder, so they want to go head-to-head with them on all the factors that determine career success – including looks.”

For the best in cosmetic procedures, men in the Jacksonville area turn to Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons Drs. Phillip and Roberto Garcia specialize in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, plus a full battery of minimally invasive procedures designed to help you continue feeling confident and competitive. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.

Men’s Top Ten: Fastest-Growing Male Cosmetic Procedures (by percentage increase)

1. Facelift – 14% Increase
2. Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) – 11% Increase
3. Soft Tissue Fillers – 10% Increase
4. Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) – 9% Increase
5. Liposuction – 7% Increase
6. Breast Reduction in Men – 6% Increase
7. Eyelid Surgery – 4% Increase
8. Dermabrasion – 4% Increase
9. Laser Hair Removal – 4% Increase
10. Laser Treatment of Leg Veins – 4% Increase

The best facial plastic surgeons know that aging happens in your bones, as well as in your skin and underlying soft tissue.

The study involved computerized tomography scans of facial bones of patients in three age groups: young (20-40); middle-aged (41-64); and older, 65 and up. Detailed measurements in 3D reconstructions of the CT scans, conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center, showed definite differences in facial bone structure between the various age groups.

Study results were reported in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). They show that the orbital aperture (eye socket) becomes wider and longer with age in both men and women. The length and height of the mandible (lower jaw) decreased with age. And there were reductions in the brow, nose and maxillary (upper jaw) angles as well. These changes typically occurred earlier in women (between young and middle-age) than in men (between middle age and old age).

“The bony components of the face are important for overall facial three-dimensional contour as they provide the framework on which the soft-tissue envelope drapes,” reads the report, coauthored by researchers led by Dr. Robert Shaw, Jr., MD. For example, the decreased brow angle and enlarging eye socket can lead to forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and drooping of the lower eyelid.

What does this mean for your facial plastic surgery? Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute (a.k.a. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery) uses carefully developed techniques that address all of the aging effects of the face – not just those of the skin and underlying soft tissue and muscle, but those of the bones as well.  By taking all these facets into consideration, Drs. Garcia are able to deliver optimal results that look beautifully natural. To find out more, or to schedule a consultation at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville, call (904) 247-8522.

Botox, when used for approved purposes by a board-certified physician, is a safe and effective way to achieve a youthful, rejuvenated look despite the toxin's dubious beginnings and storied past.

Yes, Botox is a purified derivative of botulinum toxin, four strains of which (A, B, E and F) can make humans sick. But it certainly is not the only toxin that has been purified or otherwise altered for helpful uses. Contortostatin, a chemical found in copperhead snake venom is used to attack breast cancer cells. And the venom of the delicate gray and ivory magician cone shell snail is packed with nerve-debilitating conotoxins, which provides the basis for a powerful medication that targets chronic pain and is a thousand times stronger than morphine. In fact, scientists have discovered dozens of natural poisons, toxins and venoms that contain chemicals useful in creating an array of drugs that treat multiple diseases and ailments.

It’s true that Botox’s beginnings are a bit dubious. During the 1820s, Germany’s Dr. Justinus Kerner conducted a series of experiments and case studies to determine the cause of several deaths. Each of the victims had eaten sausage and Dr. Kerner soon identified the cause of death as food-borne botulism. His work showed that the condition included neurological symptoms such as droopy eyelids, and respiratory failure. Seventy years later, Belgium’s Dr. Emile Pierre van Ermengem identified the four illness-causing strains. That information nearly came into play during the 1940s when WWII leaders reportedly crafted a plan for Chinese prostitutes to plant botulinium toxin capsules in the food and drinks of high-ranking Japanese officials. No evidence that the plan actually went through exists.

Finally, during the 1950s and 1960s, positive uses of the toxin were developed when several physicians purified botulinum’s A strain into crystalline form. Dr. Vernon Brooks discovered that small doses of the toxin helped temporarily relax muscles and ophthalmologist Dr. Alan Scott began injecting it into monkeys on the educated guess that it could help alleviate crossed eyes. Scott later received governmental approval for human testing and proved botulinum’s safety and efficacy for treatment of crossed eyes. Subsequent research revealed other beneficial uses, including relief of facial and vocal cord spasms.

Allergan bought the distribution rights to the toxin in 1988 and the FDA approved botulinum toxin type A for treating crossed eyes and eye muscle spasms the next year. Allergan then purchased Dr. Scott’s company, solidified the Botox name and continued research with tests that proved Botox temporarily cured excessive sweating and cerebral palsy. In the late 1990s, ophthalmologist Dr. Jean Carruthers noticed that the skin around the eyes of her patients treated with Botox looked markedly smoother. She and her dermatologist husband published a report on Botox’s apparent ability to decrease frown lines and a whole new market was born.

Botox Cosmetic was officially approved for corrective treatment of frown lines in 2002 and for excessive underarm sweating in 2004. Just last month, FDA officials approved Botox for treatment of chronic migraine headaches as well. So, despite its dubious beginnings, you can be sure that the correct administration of Botox for approved uses by a reputable physician is safe and effective. To find out if you’re a good candidate for Botox, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville at 904-247-8522 or via our online email form.

Just Faces serves as a comprehensive guide to anyone considering a cosmetic procedure, whether it be a minimally invasive procedure such as a chemical peel or injected dermal filler, or a more intense facial plastic surgery procedure. The book is designed to help guide not just the patient through the process, but their family members and caretakers as well. Readers will develop a more thorough understanding of the facial plastic surgery process and the importance of following preoperative and postoperative instructions to achieve quicker healing and ensure long lasting, beautiful results.

Advances in facial plastic surgery techniques and approaches are constantly occurring. Last published in 2007, the new Just Faces is nearly twice as thick, and is full of updated information and new before-and-after photos. In the book, Drs. Garcia dispel popular facial plastic surgery myths and explain their approach to helping patient achieve a natural, balanced and refreshed look. Patients looking to turn back the clock come away looking like their younger selves – not a different person. Also, those with facial features that affect their self-esteem, such as a too-prominent nose or ears, achieve a more balanced look that brings facial features into harmony with one another.  This has the effect of drawing more attention to more attractive features, such as the eyes.

“Today’s facial plastic surgery patient is far more medically savvy than in previous generations,” says Dr. Roberto Garcia. “They do more research and they ask more questions. However, myths and misunderstandings about the facial plastic surgery specialty persist. Just Faces gives potential patients and those who share their lives a crystal clear understanding of what to expect before, during and after a facial plastic surgery or cosmetic procedure.”

Dr. Phillip Garcia is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and has a special interest in rhinoplasty and surgery of the aging face. Dr. Roberto Garcia is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and focuses on cosmetic surgery of the aging face as well as advanced and revision nasal surgery. The brothers also own and operate Garcia Reviva Medical Spa, which offers advanced skincare, laser hair removal and massage services. To obtain a copy of the newly published edition of Just Faces: A Guide to Facial Plastic Surgery call 800-803-0082.

Go ahead - Tell it to the world! A new survey shows society is more open than ever about cosmetic surgery.

According to the study released by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, a full 71% of respondents believe society is less judgmental about cosmetic surgery than it was just five years ago, and for 62% of them, society’s relaxed attitude made them feel more comfortable about getting their own procedures. Respondents younger than age 40 were nearly twice as likely as others to consider undergoing cosmetic surgery. And though they may have kept mum about it in the past, 52 percent of respondents say they today would tell their families about having invasive cosmetic surgery. Jacksonville patients share these thoughts.

Survey respondents are most comfortable talking about:

• Laser hair removal (61.9%)
• Botox (61.9%)
• Breast augmentation (42.4%)
• Facelifts (32.2%)
• Tummy tucks (32.1%)

“This is a confirmation of what many of us have felt for a long time – that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream,” said AACS President Dr. Mark Berman. “A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore.”

Adds AACS Past President Dr. Patrick McMenamin, “It’s been a long road but thanks to the hard work of so many, cosmetic surgery is rightfully gaining acceptance in our society. We’ve reached a point where people are no longer quiet about having a cosmetic procedure and that is important to all of us.”

How comfortable are you talking about cosmetic surgery, Jacksonville? Do you still keep mum? Do you tell only closest friends or family? Or do you proudly declare it to the world? Garcia Institute wants to know your thoughts, so please leave us a comment. And if you’re considering facial cosmetic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute can be reached at (904) 247-8522 or via our convenient online email form.

Baby Boomers account for a growing percentage of cosmetic procedures performed in Jacksonville and nationwide.

A few highlights of the survey:

• Facelifts by AACS members rose 44% from 2008 to 2009, totaling 34,455 last year compared to 20,478 in 2008;
• Blepharoplasty procedures jumped 42 percent to 60,507 from 42,602;
• Rhinoplasty surgeries went up 74% to 21,730 from 12,460
• Invasive procedures showing the largest gain in the past five years are Blepharoplasty, abdomonoplasty and rhinoplasty;
• Less invasive procedures with the biggest 5-year gain are laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers.

The study is the first of its kind performed by the AACS and involves polling of AACS members plus randomly chosen physicians nationwide. The total number of procedures performed by AACS members has increased by eight percent since 2008.

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, Jacksonville follows the same trend that physicians and surgeons are seeing across the United States – a boom in Baby Boomer clientele. Many patients of the Garcia Institute are in their 50s and 60s and not quite ready to concede their looks. Today’s mature population is healthier, more active and more consumer savvy than any previous generation. They also are more informed about medical, plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. Jacksonville’s Boomer population is one that knows what it wants and is comfortable asking for it.

“The Baby Boomers are getting older but they still feel young and they want to look that way too,” said AACS President Mark Berman, MD. “With anti-aging procedures, people tend to feel much better about themselves afterward.”

Cosmetic procedures in Jacksonville and beyond are expected to grow as America’s economy recovers.

“The cosmetic surgery industry continues to grow at a rate many people never thought it
would reach,” Berman said. “With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, I don’t think we’ve come close to hitting the ceiling yet. That 17 million is only going to expand.

If you’re a Baby Boomer who wants to look as great as you feel, contact the Garcia Institute at  (904) 247-8522 today.