Dr. James Anthony

We’re entering a really busy, exciting time of year when galas and Holiday parties are in full swing and we all want to look our best.  Since a big event may be the impetus for some women to try plastic surgery or a cosmetic treatment for the first time, we wanted to find out how to properly plan for the busy social season.  So we asked Dr. James Anthony, noted plastic surgeon, a couple of questions.

What should you look for when considering doctors?

Dr. Anthony: First and foremost, deciding to have plastic surgery or a cosmetic treatment is a big step and, indeed, you should take time and care in finding the right doctor. At a minimum, a plastic surgeon should be Board Certified and a member of ASAPS (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) – a membership demonstrating skill and interest in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. They should also have significant experience under their belts (ideally hundreds of cases) with the procedure you are contemplating. Finally, they should have a variety of before and after photos to view so you can see their work firsthand and, most importantly, they should be someone with whom you feel very confident in entrusting your care.

How far in advance should someone plan to have a treatment?

Dr. Anthony: I’ve provided a complete cosmetic treatment and surgery planner at the end of this post as a reference. For common procedures like Botox, the ideal time for treatment is at least one week before an event to see the best results. For those considering lip enhancement, you should allow for one to two weeks to see the best result. Also, for women considering minor liposuction or breast augmentation the downtime is only two weeks – probably not as long as most people think!

Dr. Anthony’s Recommended Planning Guide

The timing below indicates how much time one should allow for treatments and surgeries before attending a big event, gala, Holiday party or wedding. Please note however, that is a guide only to help making these important decisions and you should always consult with your doctor before making plans.

Botox: One Week.

Fillers (includes Juvéderm, Radiesse® and others for smile lines and wrinkles): One week.

Lips: One – two weeks (to allow any extra little puffiness to settle).

Latisse® (this is a relatively new product that makes eyelashes longer, fuller and darker): One month to start seeing effects and up to three to six months for fullest effects.

Breast Augmentation: Two weeks.

Breast Reduction: Four weeks.

Breast Lift: Two weeks.

A flat abdomen after a tummy tuck

Liposuction (female and male):  Two weeks to see initial results but final result (and ultimate waist / dress size!) can take up to six to eight weeks.

Tummy Tuck: One month to see initial good results, though results continue to improve for a few months post-op.

Nose: Two weeks to see initial results, though results continue to improve for six months or more.

Facelift: Three to four weeks, depending on your face as a thinner face heals faster and a fuller face may take up to one month. Results continue to improve subtly for up to three months post-op.

Eyes: Two to three weeks, though you can use eye makeup after one week.

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About Dr. Anthony: Dr. James Anthony is a board certified San Francisco-based plastic surgeon. He has been voted a Top Doctor for the past 10 years, Best Doctor for the past 8 years and was a member of the faculty at UCSF for over 12 years and trained over 40 plastic surgeons. He has written 70 papers on plastic surgery research and surgical procedures and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the Pacific Coast Surgical Society.