Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hey Dr. Lam, i wrote an email but since i found the forums might as well post here also

I am planning to travel all the way from Greece to Dallas to get those injections but i do have one concern : If i book an appointment and visit your office will the procedure be performed at the same day ? (I wont be able to stay for more than 1 week in USA hence im worried). Also if lets say i book the appointment tomorrow when are you gonna be actually available ? Is there long queue/waiting list?

Thanks in advance and im sorry for my poor english.

First, I need photographs to make sure I can do this for you. I don't want you to fly all the way here and my not being able to deliver the goods. Second, I would like you to describe a little about your scars. How you got them, what you have done for them, results?

Yes, you can typically fly here, get the treatment, and fly back out the same day. I am now booked out about 3 months in advance but let's first check whether can even do this for you. Please follow the first instructions before you and I commit to an expensive flight and treatment.

Honored to take care of you,
SML

Thanks for responding Dr Lam.

About the evaluation of my scars (i think acne caused them) : Under most lighting circumstances/angles they are not visible at all. In other conditions (i.e car's mirrors) they are apparent. What makes the situation even more frustrating is the fact that the left side of my face is almost flawless (in terms of scarring) while the right side has more scars (3-4 total). While i cant judge accurately myself (photographs that i ll send hopefully will clarify it), i think my scarring is mild to moderate.

I have done just a single laser treatment (Fraxel) here in Greece, 6 months ago (March 2008) which produced fairly good results (20%-30% improvement).

Which email address should i use to attach and send the photos ? ( info@lamfacialplastics.com ). I will gladly send the photos you requested to have your opinion which matters the most. Crossing fingers to be a good candidate!

Again many thanks for your time and your interest!

send it as a private message to me. you will see that option for messages at the top of this forum menu.

Done Dr Lam, i have sent you via PM the links of my face pictures (i had troubles hosting them directly from your site; maybe it was the file size). As i mentioned in the PM even if there is a slim chance to yield the most minimum results i am definitely up for it. Plus, i have always wanted to visit USA anyway so this will be the perfect opportunity

Let me know if its necessary to also call in for the appointment ( I will need to stay awake for this until 4am our local time). I think we have 12 hours difference

i responded in a PM. ALL of your photos are completely out of focus. stand back the camera a foot or two. i think you are trying to get macro images with a non-macro lens. your minimum focal length is longer than the camera-to-subject distance is currently.
best,
sml

No problem at all... I will try to retake them the way you want. I am not very experienced with digital cameras but i will try my best

Update : New pics added Dr Lam i sent them via PM. Thanks.

Still a bit out of focus but MUCH better. I actually can tell something now. Obviously, as you know, I am limited by your photos so I don't want to give you the wrong info or have you fly out here and be disappointed. I will tell you what I see are skin etches rather than holes. When I see small pinpoint etches I do the CROSS treatments. When I see holes, I do silicone. You sort of have wide-based etch marks and a rougher texture. When I see that problem, I usually do the plasma at high double pass settings. that probably won't be great for traditional acne scars but yours look different a bit. The problem is if I do plasma it is a bit more pricey (3500 plus sedation charges 300). Also, you will look bad for a week and can't be in the sun 2 to 3 months before or 2 to 3 months after. You will probably see no improvement for 3 to 9 months with real improvement (but not anything close to perfection) at 9 months to a year. Honestly, I think that is closer to your condition only because you tell me you can only see it in certain lighting. My concern is that I can't usually do silicone in something that superficial. However, again I might be wrong when I see you. I just want to be careful with what I promise online especially to someone trusting me enough to travel halfway around the world. I really wish this were a simple silicone case. I have doubts that I can make huge improvements with that method.
best,
sml

Allright Dr Lam fully understandable and im truly thankful for the time you devoted. Wish i was a silicone injections friendly case that wont have any downtime as more aggressive treatments now that will require me to stay indoors for months are not an option. However, if in the near future i have this luxury i will surely contact you to arrange an appointment and get this plasma method done.

sounds good. look forward to take care of you when you are ready.
best,
sml