Nip This Tuck That

 Tag this one under ” Buyer Beware”…  Had lunch with the Beverly Hills area Restylane sales rep at a very trendy sushi restaurant and during our conversation he mentioned that bootleg Restylane was found in the US.  Now for those of you unfamiliar with Restylane, it’s a great soft tissue filler that’s injected into facial folds and wrinkles.  It can also be used to plump up the lips.  It’s been approved for use, here in the US, for about 1 year and we do a large volume of Restylane Injections in our office.  I personally think it’s a great product.  

 Bootleg Restylane apparently is being sold to doctors in the US from sources other than the company that has the distribution rights.  I know our office frequently receives faxes offering Restylane, Botox and other injectable products for amazingly low prices.  We have never felt comfortable buying these products from any company other than the company reps. 

 You may recall a similar incidence with Botox in Florida where Botox was obtained from a source other than Allergan, the company that distributes Botox in the US.  Several people became ill and after an investigation, the Botox used was not up to snuff.  How does this happen and how can you protect yourself from it happening to you or someone you love?  The best way, is never use price as a deciding factor when getting soft tissue fillers or any plastic & cosmetic procedure.  By doing so, you may be falling prey to doctors that will buy these materials from other sources in order to cut costs.  Remember, if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is!  So what was in the bootleg Restylane that the company discovered.  Well my sources tell me that it was in an identical box to the real Restylane but contained liquid silicone.  Yikes!  Be sure to ask your doctor where he/she obtained the Botox or Restylane and be sure to go to well kown reputable physicians for your Botox, Restylane, Radieese or Collagen injections.  Pay the going rate for these services and you should be OK.  It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in Botox, Breast Augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Blepharoplasty, Forehead Lift, Face Lift, Cheek Augmentation, Chin Augmentation, Lip Augmentation, Rdiesse Injections or a Tummy Tuck…do not choose your Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon based on price.  Experience, aesthetic vision and expertise are the proper means by which to judge and select your plastic and cosmetic surgeon

Dr. Francis R Palmer, III