At Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, Jacksonville men and women achieve rejuvenated and youthful new looks every day. Like most of our colleagues, we see primarily female patients. But men increasingly are opting for facial cosmetic surgery to help them look younger, feel more confident and remain competitive in the workforce. Both Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia are board-certified facial plastic surgeons treating Jacksonville area men and women and have extensive experience with and insight into the differences that the two sexes face with plastic surgery.

Differences affecting plastic surgery for Jacksonville men include thicker muscles, different chemical reactions and a greater variance in exposed skin areas. The skin texture of a man’s chin and neck is more course than a woman’s, allowing for less scarring. Men’s visible scars from neck lifts and chin implants can be covered by sideburns and beards. Women have an easier time covering brow lift and facelift scars with their hairstyles than do men, particularly men with receding hairlines. Drs. Garcia carefully consider each of these factors when choosing incision points, particularly for male patients, as they typically continue to be more concerned about privacy than do women.

Risks of complications also differ between men and women. Men tend to bleed more than do women, increasing the risk for excessive bleeding or a hematoma (blood clot beneath the skin). Both are easily addressed, but recovery tends to be a bit longer in such cases. When it comes to skincare, men are cautioned not to shave for up to three weeks after a chemical peel. For both men and women, the skin may have a red tint and the face may remain swollen and sensitive for several weeks. A benefit for men is that this redness and swelling can be at least partially hidden by beards.

Drs. Garcia perform successful facial plastic surgery for Jacksonville for both men and women every day. Both are well aware of the differences that male and female patients face. If you are planning a facial plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery is your top choice. Contact us at 800-803-0082 or via our online email form.

There are big differences in the way men and women experience plastic surgery. Jacksonville's Garcia Insitute explains.

At Garcia Institute in Jacksonville, plastic surgery for men is growing. At one time a taboo subject among men everywhere, cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular for men, particularly Baby Boomers putting retirement plans on hold.

More men in Jacksonville and nationwide are opting for plastic surgery to help them remain competitive in the workplace.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures among men in 2009 were:

• Botox (308,000)
• Microdermabrasion (177,000)
• Chemical Peel (93,000)
• Soft Tissue Fillers (71,000)
• Nose Reshaping (66,000)
• Eyelid Surgery (30,000)

A major reason for plastic surgery among Jacksonville men is career competitiveness. According to the 2009 Harvard Study of Health and Life Quality, attractive and confident job seekers stand better chances of getting hired than do less attractive, less confident competitors. And the Journal of Economic Psychology published findings of a study that show employees deemed more attractive make 12 percent more money annually than do their less attractive coworkers.

These statistics are prompting many Jacksonville men to undergo plastic surgery. Jacksonville is not immune to the economic troubles that have hit the nation, so many local Baby Boomers are delaying retirement plans and instead finding themselves vying for promotions or new jobs. Trouble is, their competitors may be literally half their age. An AARP study shows this to be the case for 25 percent of respondents to a study on the issue, and many feel they’re at a competitive disadvantage when younger job seekers are eyeing the same positions. A recent NBC poll revealed that 95 percent of men undergoing cosmetic procedures are working professionals looking to extend the life of their careers and boost their income potential.

For men considering plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute is a top choice. Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia are board-certified specialists in facial plastic surgery and our facility is North Florida’s only office-based surgery suite certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations. Contact us at 800-803-0082 or via our online email form to schedule a consultation today.

When it comes to celebrity lookalike plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute (also known as Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery) cautions patients. Recently, Kim Kardashian made news by discouraging a fan, via Twitter, from undergoing a cosmetic procedure in an attempt to look like the celebrity.

“Don’t try 2 b someone else,” the TV personality tweeted.

Considering a celebrity lookalike plastic surgery? Jacksonville's Garcia Institute can help you achieve your own unique, star-worthy look instead.

Just last year, actress Demi Moore also held a mini “Twittervention” to plead with a mentally ill fan who planned her own set of lookalike surgeries. And we’ve all heard of Sarah Burge, the British model and socialite who has branded herself the “Real Life Barbie.”

Every plastic surgeon in Jacksonville and beyond has seen countless patients and potential patients walk into the office armed with stacks of magazine clippings of celebrities whose looks they want to emulate via cosmetic surgery. Angelina Jolie’s lips, Jessica Alba’s nose and Scarlett Johansson’s eyes are popular requests. And it’s not just the ladies looking for a star-inspired makeover. Male patients considering cosmetic surgery have been known to ask for Matt Damon’s jaw line or Johnny Depp’s cheek bones.

At Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, Jacksonville patients are encouraged to bring photos – even celebrity clippings – as references to help communicate the look they hope to achieve. However, in these cases patients also are cautioned to understand the limitations – both physical and ethical – of plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia are experts in the field of facial plastic surgery and are dedicated to helping patients become the best versions of themselves – not of someone else, celebrity or otherwise.

When a patient shows an unsettling interest or obsession with a particular person, it’s considered an emotional or psychological red flag, as was the case with the woman who aimed to replicate Demi Moore’s look. Such patients often are found to suffer from a range of problems from low self esteem to more complicated mental health issues such as body dysmorphic disorder or a borderline personality disorder. Plastic surgeons in Jacksonville and nationwide have become adept at spotting patients with potential psychological or emotional issues and likely will turn these patients away. Many will require certain patients to undergo psychological screenings before agreeing to treat them. Unfortunately, these patients who do manage to convince a surgeon of a drastic lookalike procedure rarely are pleased with the outcome, which can exacerbate their emotional troubles.

If you’re considering a celebrity-inspired plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute can help determine whether your particular facial structure may make a similar look impossible. Plus, keep in mind that today’s hot celeb look today may not be all the rage a few years from now. Instead of trying to copy a particular feature, we’ll craft a look that is based on your preferences and enhances your current look. To achieve your best look, contact the Garcia Institute at 800-803-0082 or via our online email form.

If you’re planning facial plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute (aka Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery) wants to make sure your experience is a positive one. That means taking every necessary safety precaution, including eliminating certain medications and supplements in the months leading up to your procedure. Many medications and dietary or herbal supplements can remain in your body for weeks and may interact with other medications and anesthesia required at the time of your surgery. A negative reaction between two drugs could put your health or life at risk.

It's imperative that you tell your surgeon about any medications or supplements you're taking prior to your facial plastic surgery. Jacksonville's Garcia Institute can advise you.

For your safety, be sure you tell your Jacksonville facial plastic surgeon about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary and herbal supplements and recreational drugs you have taken in the six months prior to your scheduled facial plastic surgery. Jacksonville-area patients are advised to avoid all types of aspirin and ibuprofen for two weeks prior to your procedure. Both of these medications are temporary blood thinners and thus can cause excessive bleeding during your surgery. If you need a pain reliever, ask your plastic surgeon if it’s okay to take acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Acetaminophen may be safer because it does not interfere with blood clotting.

If you have been prescribed antidepressant medications, make sure tell your surgeon immediately. Antidepressants and other drugs classified as MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors can negatively react to anesthesia. Telling your Jacksonville plastic surgeon and your anesthesiologist early allows them to make necessary adjustments and keep an extra cautions eye out for any potential problems.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that because herbal remedies are naturally derived they are safe. St. John’s wort, a popular natural supplement believed to help treat depression and premenstrual syndrome, is known to interact with anesthesia. St. Johns Wort, ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba can increase bleeding. Ephedra and kava can affect blood pressure and heart rate and interfere with anesthetic medications, and kava in particular can intensify anesthesia’s sedation effects. Echinacea can contribute to allergic reactions.

The Garcia Institute’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia also strongly recommend that you not smoke cigarettes for at least two weeks before and two weeks after your facial plastic surgery. Jacksonville patients who do not smoke heal quicker and have less noticeable scarring than do patients who continue smoking.

If you’re considering facial plastic surgery, contact Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute for a consultation today.

At Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, Jacksonville-area patients have lots of questions about various procedures – how they work, what results they achieve and how long those results will last. That’s a good thing in light of the many myths circulating about facial plastic surgery. Here are a few that we hear most often:

Confused about facial plastic surgery? Jacksonville's Garcia Institute dispells the myths.

Myth #1: Only celebrities and wealthy socialites have or can afford facial plastic surgery.

Jacksonville-area cosmetic surgery patients’ demographics mirror those in other areas of the nation. Studies show that a full 86 percent of plastic surgery patients are working women. And in a 2004 study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 60 percent of the respondents reported a household income of between $30,000 and $90,000, and 30 percent reported making less than $30,000. In fact, many people struggling in today’s tight economy are springing for plastic surgery procedures that will help improve their looks and boost their confidence. Why? Because studies by trusted institutions including the Harvard University and the Journal of Economic Psychology reveal that people who feel they are attractive also tend to have higher opinions of their worth and capabilities. That confidence means higher chances of landing competitive jobs and an average 12 percent higher income than their less attractive peers.

Myth #2: All plastic surgeons are created equal.

Save for the occasional rogue busted for performing cosmetic procedures without a license, all legally compliant facial plastic surgeons have the same core training and licensing. However, not all are board-certified in specialties within facial plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia both are certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Phillip Garcia also is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and Dr. Roberto Garcia by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Even with the same certifications, plastic surgeons across Jacksonville and elsewhere have their own personal styles. Remember that much of cosmetic surgery is an art, so it’s critical that you ask to see many photos of a cosmetic surgeon’s work before choosing one.

Myth #3: Plastic surgery leaves no scars.

All surgical procedures heal with scars, but advances in minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures are making those scars all but invisible. At Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, our Jacksonville surgeons make tissue incisions in strategic positions and directions to hide or minimize their visibility.

Myth #4: Plastic surgery results do not last.

This is the one myth that has an ounce of truth – but it’s entirely up to the patient. Cosmetic surgery procedures are designed to give patients lasting results, though aging and weight will factor into the long-term efficacy of any procedure. By doing your part with a nutritious diet, ample sleep, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, you add years to your cosmetic surgery’s results.

If you’re wondering about ear surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute has answers to all your questions. Formally referred to as “otoplasty” and often called “ear pinning,” cosmetic ear surgery is designed to change the appearance of your external ears. Most often, the surgery is performed on patients who feel their ears too noticeably protrude away from their scalps. When this is the case, an ear surgery procedure reshapes the cartilage in a way that brings the ear closer to the scalp.

However, other reasons for otoplasty exist, including genetic disorders such as Treacher Collins syndrome, hemifacial microsomia and Stahl’s deformity (known as “Spock ear”); and traumatic ear injuries caused by car crashes, fights or dog bites, for instance. Reconstructive or cosmetic ear surgery can involve moving, reshaping, adding or removing ear elements.

Before and after photos of an otoplasty procedure by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Click the image to see more patient photos.

Otoplasty was first developed in ancient India around 600 BC and often was used to reconstruct ears that had been amputated as a punishment for crimes. Those same early procedures form the basis for the very procedures that are performed today. The most common ear surgery procedures involve removing excess cartilage from the center back of the ear, then reconnecting the ear closer to the scalp using absorbable sutures. In pediatric ear surgery, Jacksonville surgeons typically perform the procedure under general anesthesia. Adults are treated under local or twilight anesthesia. Immediately following the procedure, patients wear headbands that keep their ears in place 24 hours a day for three weeks. And most are able to resume normal athletic activity within two weeks following ear surgery.

Jacksonville’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia focus exclusively on facial reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Otoplasty is a specialty for them, so rest assured that you are in the best of hands. To discuss your ear surgery, contact Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute at (904) 247-8522.