Dr. Lara Devgan Talks New Technology and Debated Issues
November 4, 2013
Tell us about an issue relating to your field that is highly debated. What is your stand on this issue and how does it shape your practice?
One classic debate in facial rejuvenation is injectables versus surgery. In other words, for someone who wants to age gracefully, is it better to do minimally invasive things like Botox, filler, chemical peels, and laser—or is it better to go straight to a blepharoplasty, under-the-chin liposuction, facelift, or necklift? For me, the answer depends on you.
My philosophy is to use the most advanced techniques to get the most natural-looking results—and to get the results that you actually want. In general, the most definitive and permanent results come from surgery. But the quickest procedures with the shortest downtime are the non-surgical ones. Often, a combination approach is best. If I were seeking a cosmetic improvement myself, I would be very wary of going to a doctor who pushes only one end of the spectrum. As the old saying goes, if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Botox is not the right answer for every person, just as a facelift is not the right answer for everyone either. You will have the best chance of getting a personalized, thoughtful, beautiful result if you see a plastic surgeon who is comfortable offering you the entire spectrum of techniques. If you’d like to read more about my surgical philosophy, take a look at my website, http://laradevganmd.com/philosophy.
What new technology have you incorporated into your routine this month/year, and how has it shaped your client experience for the better?
The most exciting new technology these days is fat grafting. Fat grafting is a technique where fat is liposuctioned from one part of your body, purified to get the best fat cells and stem cells, and reinjected back into another part of your body. In truth, fat grafting is not all that new—it has been around for at least a decade. But recent data has supported its use in all sorts of applications—alone, in combination with facelifts and necklifts, to fill the “tear trough” area under the eyes,” and to fill out the breasts and buttocks. Fat grafting is more than just a volume filler. It actually improves the contour and complexion of the face. I now use it as an adjunct to many of my facelifts. It also allows the breasts to be augmented in a way that looks and feels soft and natural.
