Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hi Dr. Lam,
As you know, I have a facial mole that I'm having excised by you towards the end September. If I had botox in my laugh line or cheek area within the next few weeks would that cause any problems?

Thank you,
Tracy

P.S. Hope the trip to NY was great for you and your staff!

actually, that would be better because theoretically it would heal even better, but why are you getting botox in a laugh line? that could affect your speech adversely. yes, we had a great time. i am editing the video as i write this.

Dr. Lam,
Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I figured you would be beat from your trip. But, no, here you are answering questions! That's awesome! (I'll check out the video).

I was looking at some pictures from last summer and I realized that before I lost weight my the mole on my face was less obvious. I guess I lose weight in my face first so, although I'm happy to be losing weight, I hate that I look older (saggier in the face) and my mole protrudes more. Sounds weird but it's true. I had lunch with an old friend today and I could tell she was looking at my mole!

I figured botox may help plump that area up a bit and maybe make the mole less noticeable. (Maybe just my cheek area and not actually in the laugh line - can you have it put anywhere you want??) I don't have wrinkles really that bother me in that area, but the skin is not as tight there as it once was. I know my dermatologists office advertises that they do botox and I thought it would help me temporarily. Can you tell me if there are any important questions I should ask? Seems like I read something about "diluted" botox someplace on your site but now I can't find it. Now that you say it could affect my speech, I suppose I need to consider the pro's and con's a little more before proceeding.

Thank you,
Tracy

you need to watch my videos on botox. you are misunderstanding botox. botox is not a filler. it is a paralytic. it blocks muscle movements of the upper face and occasionally lower face. if you are asking about putting restylane, a filler, into the line before mole removal, the answer is no.

Yep, I know nothing about botox, you're right. I'll check out the info on your site. Thanks.

good. that is what i thought when you said botox my smile line. DANGEROUS!
best,
sml

Thanks, Dr. Lam. I think I understand better now the difference between botox and fillers. I had this idea today and wanted to run it by you. Because I am so unhappy and constantly thinking about this mole removal, I've been considering having it shaved (by my dermatologist) - then I can still have the excision done by you of the remaining area to reduce the scar size. Do you see any problems with that scenario?

LEAVE IT ALONE. LEAVE IT ALONE. LEAVE IT ALONE. YOU NEED TO STOP OBSESSING WITH THIS MOLE. You need to understand that I am always reticent treating someone who is this obsessed over a mole that you have had all of your life. Is the mole just a mole or are you expecting something more out of this treatment? As you know, a mole removal will not fix someone's life. Sorry to be rude. I just want to ensure that I will have a happy patient afterward. I want to see if I am missing something in my analysis. Are we back on the page for a 911 mole removal? Don't frighten me. I am worried about your deep motivations.

For more information on Botox, please watch the next 3 days. I am posting a 3 part series on the long-term benefits of Botox.

sorry, i know my last post was rude. it was not intended. i just want to make sure that i am doing the right thing for you.

Dr. Lam,

I have been reading your posts for some time now.
I don't think your post was rude at all. In fact, if you had not told the poster with the mole you were worried about her, I would have wondered why you didn't catch it... we all focus on this or that, a mole, a pimple, wrinkles, lines, etc. But, I agree that there is a point where obcession becomes a psycological problem (maybe deeper than the mole) which is something to discuss with your patient. I think you were right on...and no need to apologise.
I wish all I had wrong with my face was a mole, I'd keep the freaken mole and thank god for my beauty!!!!!

K

thanks. tracy is a nice woman. i just don't want to be missing something. i want to make sure that i am doing the right thing.

Dr. Lam,
I truly don't think I have any deep motivations other than I'm tired of people staring at my mole. Like I said, the weight loss has probably made my face sallow, making the mole more plump and noticeable. Until about a year ago I wouldn't have been able to justify spending the money to have this done by you. I don't think it's in my head or that I am over-reacting, just someone who has always been confident now feeling unattractive. I don't have any expectations of a perfect life after the removal. I know this one thing will not make me happy - that's something I have to do internally regardless of my appearance. I really appreciate your frankness. I know your goal is to help people. I'll sit tight and try not to dwell. I have much to be thankful for and it's very easy for me to focus elsewhere. You can ask anyone who knows me and I don't give up easily so please don't be concerned about me, I'm just determined, that's all.
Sincerely,
Tracy

no problem, tracy. just think of your lovely children...and coldplay!