Harold E. Beam, M.D.
Harold E. Beam, M.D.
Harold E. Beam, M.D.
Harold E. Beam, M.D.

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Category: Blog

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Fun Facts About Botox® in Glastonbury

Botox in Glastonbury, CT

Many people prefer to treat the signs of aging without surgery. Botox® is a popular treatment choice because it gives immediate, long-lasting results. It is an injectable solution that is inserted directly into the targeted facial muscles with a very thin needle. It temporarily freezes the facial muscles, causing the wrinkles to smooth over. The result is a firmer, younger looking appearance.

Here are some fun facts you may not know about Botox®.

The Origins of Botox®

You may not know that Botox® is a neuromodulator derived from the toxin that causes botulism. That’s right. It all started back in the 19th century when a group of Germans were poisoned after eating contaminated sausages at a dinner party. Dr. Justinus Kerner discovered a toxin, botulinum toxin, in the meat. He named the ailment that killed the Germans “botulism.” Decades later, Dr. Emile Pierre van Ermengem from Belgium determined that the food poisoning was actually caused by the bacteria that we now know as Clostridium botulinum.

In 1989 Botox® was first approved for the treatment of crossed eyes and eyelid twitches. By 2000, the FDA had approved Botox® for the treatment of neck and shoulder spasms. During that time, doctors who were using Botox® for the eyes noticed a side effect – it also seemed to smooth out wrinkles. Botox® was used to ease facial lines and in 2002 the FDA approved Botox® to treat frown lines. During the 21st century, the FDA has approved Botox® for the treatment of excessive armpit sweating, migraines, chronic pain, and for overactive bladders.

Growing Popularity

Botox® has enjoyed growing popularity since 1997 when the demand for it was so high that the U.S. temporarily ran out of it. Today, Botox® is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. Since the year 2000, Botox® injections have increased in popularity by almost 800 percent.

Botox® Safety

Due to its long history and its thorough research, Botox® is one of the safest products on the market. It can be safely used to treat lines and wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. But the results you get are directly related to the expertise of the professional doing the injection. You’ve probably seen those “frozen”, unnatural looking outcomes. These unnatural looking results can occur when the injections are done by someone who is not properly trained and does not have sufficient experience in giving Botox® injections. That’s why it’s so important to choose an experienced plastic surgeon for your Botox® injections.

To find out if Botox® is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Why Is It So Hard to Shed Those Last Five Pounds? Glastonbury Plastic Surgeon Has the Answer

CoolSculpting® in Glastonbury, CTYou try and you try, but no matter what you do you just can’t seem to lose those last 5 or 10 pounds. Why is it so hard to reach your goal weight and what’s standing in your way?

This is a common problem, so know that if you are experiencing this you are not alone. You watch what you eat, you exercise and you still can’t lose the weight. The body’s resistance to weight loss is actually a built-in protection mechanism that keeps us from starving and dying.

Why Can’t You Lose Those Last 5 Pounds?

There are many reasons that you are unable to lose those last five or ten pounds. Here are a few of the things you should consider.

  • You need to change your routine – Maybe you eat the same foods and are doing the same exercises over and over again. When this happens, your body may adjust to your routine and your weight loss plateaus. You need to surprise your body and shake things up. Try mixing up the healthy foods you are eating or try some new exercises. It could be the change you need to reach your ideal weight.
  • You’re eating too much – The closer you get to your goal weight you may get into the habit of letting the little things go. You’re not as strict about your diet as you were before. A bite here and there adds up and the extra calories could keep you from reaching your goal. Try keeping a food journal. Write down every single bite of food you have each day. This will help to make you more aware of what you’re putting in your mouth.
  • You’re eating too little – As your endurance grows and you exercise more you may need a little snack to keep your metabolism going. Otherwise, your metabolism will slow down and your body will go into starvation mode. When that happens, you will not be able to lose weight.
  • Your resting metabolic rate drops as your weight drops – The less you weigh, the fewer calories you need. So if you want to continue to lose weight you will have to try adjusting your diet to drop calories and increasing your calorie burn with more exercise.
  • Hormonal changes – The older we get, the harder it is to lose weight. Hormonal changes are the reason it is harder to lose weight as we age.

What You Can Do

There are some additional things you can do to help you lose weight:

  • Try building more muscle with exercise to create more lean body mass. This will help you to burn more calories.
  • Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Sleep deprivation actually slows the metabolism.
  • Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

About CoolSculpting® in Glastonbury

If you have tried diet and exercise and still cannot lose those stubborn areas of fat on your body, you could target those areas with a procedure known as CoolSculpting®. This simple non-invasive procedure is one of the few non-surgical options for fat reduction and it is quickly growing in popularity.

The CoolSculpting® procedure safely delivers precisely controlled cooling to target the fat cells underneath the skin. Treated fat cells are crystallized, and then they die. Over time, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving your body more sculpted. The results are long-term because the procedure removes the fat cells for good, without doing any damage to other healthy body cells.

CoolSculpting® can help you get the body of your dreams. It is safe, effective and it leaves no scars. There is no downtime following the treatment, so you can go about your daily activities as you normally would. (However, it may be necessary to pause your exercise routine for a couple of days.)

To find out if CoolSculpting® is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Liposuction vs. Fat Freezing (CoolSculpting®) in Glastonbury

CoolSculpting® in Glastonbury, CTMany people find that no matter what they do they just can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fat in certain body areas. If you have stubborn areas of body fat that persist even with diet and exercise, body sculpting may be the answer.

Let’s take a look at the two most popular body sculpting treatments – liposuction and CoolSculpting® – and find out which procedure is right for you. One option is surgical and one is non-surgical, but both options are effective for patients who are good candidates.

Neither procedure is a substitute for weight loss. Also, these procedures are not a solution for loose, sagging skin – if you have this problem you should ask your plastic surgeon about a surgical lifting procedure.

About Liposuction

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. This surgical procedure removes body fat through a hollow tube with the assistance of a high-pressure vacuum. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of liposuction.

Advantages of Liposuction

  • The ability to remove large pockets of fat
  • Immediate results
  • Fat is removed in a single treatment session
  • Produces more dramatic results
  • Can be performed simultaneously with other surgical procedures

Disadvantages of Liposuction

  • A longer recovery time (typically a week)
  • Although rare, there are possible surgical risks

About CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting® is a safe and non-invasive procedure that works by freezing fat cells underneath the skin, which allows your body to naturally get rid of these fat cells without having to move a muscle. Treated cells are crystallized, and then they die. Over time your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving your body more sculpted. (Results are visible in as little as three weeks.) The results are long-term because the procedure removes the fat cells for good without doing any damage to other healthy body cells. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of CoolSculpting®.

Advantages of CoolSculpting®

  • The procedure is non-surgical (non-invasive)
  • It leaves no scars
  • Little to no downtime after treatment
  • Fewer risks

Disadvantages of CoolSculpting®

  • Requires multiple treatments
  • Takes longer to achieve your desired result
  • Results can be less dramatic than liposuction

To find out if liposuction or CoolSculpting® is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Glastonbury Moms Ask: What Is a Mommy Makeover?

Body Sculpting in Glastonbury, CT

Having a baby will change your life – and for most women, it will also change your body. Many mothers experience frustration and depression over the unwanted changes pregnancy has made to their bodies. And in many cases, these changes are permanent unless surgery is done to reverse them.

If you’re feeling down about losing your figure after pregnancy, and diet and exercise have not been able to resolve these issues, a mommy makeover may be the solution for you. A mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures that are designed to help you get your pre-baby body back. These surgical procedures focus on the areas of the body that are most commonly affected by pregnancy.

A mommy makeover can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. It can involve any combination of procedures that are right for you. Here are some of the plastic surgery procedures that may be included in a mommy makeover:

A tummy tuck and breast surgery are the most common procedures in a mommy makeover, but any combination of procedures can be performed to reach your post-baby body goals. It is easier to address all of your concerns in a single surgery so that you would only have to go under anesthesia once and you would have a single recovery and downtime.

How Pregnancy Changes the Body

Our bodies change during pregnancy. The changes you experience may include:

  • Breast deflation
  • Abdominal stretch marks
  • Drooping and sagging
  • Extra deposits of body fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
  • Separation of the abdominal muscles resulting in a bulging of the abdominal wall

Many of these body changes are permanent, even if you try to combat them with diet and exercise.

When Should I Have a Mommy Makeover?

Your body needs time to recover after giving birth. So if you’re thinking about having a mommy makeover, make sure to give your body time to recover and make sure that you are done breastfeeding. You should wait at least six months to have a mommy makeover. If you are considering having more children, you should wait until you are done having children to have your mommy makeover. That’s because your body will undergo significant changes every time you get pregnant. If you have another child after having your mommy makeover, you will be undoing all the work that you have done.

How Involved Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover requires general anesthesia. The procedure can take anywhere from three to eight hours, depending on the various procedures that you are having done.

This is considered a very involved form of plastic surgery since it has the potential to reshape so many different areas of the body at once. Your recovery will depend in great part on the type of surgical work you are having done, but because a mommy makeover involves the reshaping of so many body areas at once, a fairly lengthy recovery time is the norm. Most women who undergo a mommy makeover will plan to take off at least three or four weeks from work.

To find out if a mommy makeover is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Glastonbury Plastic Surgeon Answers: Do I Have Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia Surgery in Glastonbury, CT

Gynecomastia is the development of enlarged male breasts. This condition can happen at any age and it is usually caused by hormonal changes, the use of certain medications or genetics. The condition can range from slight puffiness in the nipple to a fully formed man boob, and it can happen in one or both breasts.

There is a difference between actual gynecomastia and the development of chest fat from weight gain.

Gynecomastia is a common condition, especially during puberty. It is estimated that up to 65 percent of all adolescent males will develop gynecomastia, but it will usually resolve itself within a year or two of onset. That means most young boys will outgrow their enlarged breasts.

How Do I Know If I Have Gynecomastia?

The diagnosis of gynecomastia is usually first made when a man notices some swelling in his nipples. The nipples begin pointing out and the areola (the area around the nipple) becomes more prominent. Then the breast may start swelling.

Here are a few steps you should take when trying to determine if you have gynecomastia.

  • Account for hormonal changes – Take note of any recent hormonal changes, which can account for the breast enlargement. This is quite common in young boys at the onset of puberty. If you’re a young boy and you are experiencing a growth in breast tissue it is most likely due to your changing hormone levels, which will regulate themselves on their own. Men can also experience hormonal changes due to certain medications, recreational drugs, or health conditions.
  • Do a self-exam – It is important to do a self-exam to understand whether you are experiencing chest fat or gynecomastia. Fat deposits look like a breast but they are much softer to the touch and they are saggy. Real breasts are firmer. They look and feel much more like a woman’s breasts.
  • Know the signs – Look for a hard lump under the nipple or in the chest. Gynecomastia often starts with a small lump under the nipple and grows into a breast. Next, touch your entire chest area and look for signs of sensitivity. Gynecomastia is often accompanied by some soreness. Next, look at the nipples. One of the signs of gynecomastia is an erect and puffy nipple.

About Gynecomastia Surgery

If you have gynecomastia, there’s no need to live with the embarrassment. Thousands of men each year turn to male breast reduction surgery to resolve their gynecomastia. Technically known as reduction mammoplasty, male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin to produce a firmer, flatter, more masculine chest contour.

To learn more about gynecomastia surgery, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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What Glastonbury Residents Can Do Right Now to Change How You Age

Dermal Fillers & Injectables in Glastonbury, CT

As we age our bodies change. It’s only natural. But some changes to our outward appearance are more difficult to accept than others. Your face is your most important feature. So when you look in the mirror and you don’t like the reflection staring back at you, it may be time for a change.

As we get older we lose the fat pockets in certain areas of the face – the cheeks, the temples, the forehead, the areas around the eyes, and the areas around the mouth. The result? Facial features that formerly appeared round (like the cheeks) may sink. Other areas of skin that were smooth and tight become loose and saggy.

The lower part of the face has its own unique challenges. These areas tend to become baggy and you may develop “jowls” in the chin and neck area. Wrinkles are another big concern as we age.

Facial changes are unavoidable as we age. But if you’re unhappy with the way your face is aging, there are several things you can do to help you age more gracefully.

The Best Ways to Fight Aging

  • Skincare is so important as you age. It’s very important that you use creams and lotions that are specifically designed to help fight premature aging and skin damage.
  • Sun protection is the best way to keep your youthful appearance. Always wear sunscreen that protects against UVB light, which causes sunburn. Wearing a hat on sunny days is also helpful.
  • Lines and wrinkles can make us look older than we really are. Botox®  injections are a great way to get rid of crow’s feet around the eyes and those expression lines in the forehead and between the eyebrows. The results of your Botox® treatment will last about six months, so you must continue with follow-up procedures to keep up your results.
  • Lines are also created on the face from the natural loss of collagen and fat as we age. Dermal fillers and injectables can help. Second in popularity only to Botox® injections, dermal fillers and injectables are widely used in the U.S. The most popular location for these injections are the nasolabial folds (the pair of lines extending from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and marionette lines (the pair of lines extending from the corners of the mouth to the chin).
  • Thinning lips are another problem we face as we age. Our faces naturally lose volume in certain areas including the lips. Lip injections are a great way to plump up thinning lips and help you to look younger.
  • Skin repair is another important way to fight facial aging. Laser skin rejuvenation will help to get rid of wrinkles, skin discoloration and sunspots, producing an even skin tone and texture. Laser light is directed at the skin to vaporize the outer layers and to reveal the radiant, youthful skin underneath.

To find out more about fighting aging, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

 

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Why Glastonbury Plastic Surgery Is Important

The importance of plastic surgery cannot be understated. Plastic surgery can be a life changer. It can give you the body of your dreams. When performed by an expert plastic surgeon, plastic surgery can provide you with your desired appearance while boosting your well being and improving the overall quality of your life.

Plastic surgery can be done for a variety of reasons:

  • To correct deformities on any part of the body or face
  • To improve the appearance of specific body parts
  • To revitalize and rejuvenate the skin

Ask yourself why you want to have the surgery and what it is you are hoping to achieve. Discuss your goals with your plastic surgeon before having any plastic surgery procedure.

Plastic Surgery in Glastonbury, CT

Prepare Yourself for the Procedure

Whatever the plastic surgery procedure you’re considering, it is important to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the procedure. Before undergoing any surgical procedure you should understand the risks and potential health complications that may result from the procedure.

Here are some things to consider before having plastic surgery:

  • Surgery is not generally recommended for patients with high blood pressure, heart problems, a weakened immune system, obesity, diabetes or depression
  • Prepare for your surgery by maintaining a healthy diet
  • Don’t smoke and stay away from drugs and alcohol
  • Limit your caffeine intake
  • Stop taking any over the counter medications temporarily
  • Have rational expectations about the results of the surgery
  • Find out how long the recovery period is for the procedure and how much downtime to expect
  • You will want to consider the cost of the procedure since most plastic surgery procedures are not covered by insurance
  • How long will the results last?
  • Are there any risks?

Risks and Complications

Although serious complications are rare, scarring and bruising are common following a plastic surgery procedure. Other issues you may encounter include tissue damage, numbness, infection, and bleeding.

To find out if plastic surgery is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Five Facts About Male Breast Reduction

 

Breast reduction is not just for women. In fact there are millions of men who suffer from gynecomastia, the development of enlarged male breasts. This embarrassing condition can cause low self-esteem and make it difficult to do even normal activities. You may be embarrassed to remove your shirt, or you may even feel embarrassed when fully clothed. The good news is, you don’t have to live with this condition. You can undergo male breast reduction surgery.

This is not a condition that happens when you get older. A male of any age can get gynecomastia, and breast reduction surgery can be performed on teens or adult men. The condition is caused by many factors including genetics, use of certain medications and hormonal changes.

Male breast reduction surgery is the most effective known treatment for gynecomastia. Technically known as reduction mammaplasty, male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin to produce a firmer, flatter, more masculine chest contour.

Facts About Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia Surgery in Glastonbury, CT

  1. Male breast reduction surgery is quite common. It is performed on thousands of patients each year.
  2. You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you are physically healthy and of normal weight, your breast reduction has stabilized, and you are bothered by the appearance of your breasts.
  3. Male breast reduction surgery is permanent, but there are external factors that contribute to gynecomastia. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle, watch the supplements and medications that you take and get treatment for medical conditions that may cause your gynecomastia to return.
  4. Adolescent gynecomastia may resolve itself a year to two after onset, usually between the ages of 14 and 16. That means a young man in puberty may outgrow his enlarged breasts.
  5. Sometimes in gynecomastia only one breast is affected.

To find out if male breast reduction is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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Enhancing the Contours of Your Body with Liposuction

 

Some stubborn areas of fat like love handles, thighs, abdomen, back and flanks can be hard to lose, even with a strict diet and exercise routine. If you’ve been struggling with localized pockets of fat that won’t respond to diet and exercise, liposuction could be the solution.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction in Glastonbury, CTLiposuction slims and reshapes these targeted areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, giving you the body contours you desire.

One of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S., liposuction can help you reshape your body. It is an effective way to remove areas of excess fat on the body that diet and exercise simply will not solve. Liposuction gives you the body you want so you can feel more confident.

Dr. Beam uses tumescent liposuction to deliver optimal, lasting results. First, a lidocaine and epinephrine based solution is injected into the area to reduce pain and swelling. Then, tiny incisions are made where fat can be removed. A thin tube called a cannula is used to gently suction the fat from the body.

Tumescent liposuction benefits patients with a shorter recovery time than ever before and minimal scarring, making it one of the safest and most effective liposuction options.

Who Can Benefit from Liposuction?

Men and women alike have experienced great results by having unwanted fat pockets removed in this manner. Patients who are in generally good health and who are within 25 pounds of their ideal body weight are considered good candidates for this procedure.

Liposuction can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or it can be combined with another procedure, such as a tummy tuck.

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and is not a replacement for diet and exercise.

The results of liposuction are long-lasting. They should continue as long as you control your weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Any significant weight gain can reverse your results so it is important to live a healthy, active life.

To find out if liposuction is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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How Fillers & Injectables Can Help Boost Your Confidence

How we look is directly related to how we feel. As you age you may begin to notice lines and wrinkles – and when you look in the mirror you may be unsatisfied with the way you look. These changes to our appearance can strike a real blow to our self-confidence.

The face naturally loses subcutaneous fat as we age and smile lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles become more apparent. If these signs of aging are bringing you down, here’s some good news. There is something you can do to help reduce the signs of aging to help you feel younger.

Fillers and Injectables Can Help

Dermal Fillers & Injectables in Glastonbury, CT

 

If you don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror, take a look at fillers and injectables. They are a quick and easy way to turn back the hands of time and they are becoming more and more popular among both men and women.

Dermal fillers are natural or synthetic substances that are injected into the body to fill the skin and make it look plump. They can be used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, or they can be injected into the lips to make them look fuller.

There are a variety of fillers to choose from. Natural fillers have hyaluronic acid. You can see the results of these injections immediately, but they will only last for about six months to one year. Synthetic fillers contain collagen or similar chemicals and their results can last longer.

How Dermal Fillers Can Change Your Appearance

Dermal fillers can be used in a variety of ways to achieve different anti-aging effects. Here are some of the ways you can use fillers to change your appearance.

  • Smooth out wrinkles and creases
  • Reduce laugh lines
  • Make the cheeks fuller for a more youthful appearance
  • Smooth out vertical lines along the edges of the lip
  • Even out scars and irregularities
  • Plump up thin lips by adding volume
  • Improve the sagging, dark circles in the area under the eyes

To find out if dermal fillers are right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

Harold E. Beam, M.D.

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COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY IN GLASTONBURY, CT Location Map

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300 Hebron Avenue, Suite 101
Glastonbury, CT 06033

CALL TODAY to schedule a consultation

860-266-6502
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