I already pay health insurance; why pay extra for a retainer practice? Is age management medicine the same thing as geriatric medicine? Is the goal of age management medicine to live longer? Are illnesses like common colds, hypertension and diabetes addressed? What if specialist care is needed for a particular problem? Is it true, as I've heard, that Botox is a poison and dangerous? Is the same dose of Botox™ used for everyone? Is Botox the best treatment for fine lines above my lip? What is the difference between Mesotherapy and Fat Melting? Is Thermage only used for tightening skin on the face? I already pay health insurance; why pay extra for a retainer practice? A retainer practice is not going to be for everyone. If you’re satisfied with the amount of quality time you're spending with your physician there is no reason to change. But if, like many patients, you feel that your visits are rushed or you don’t have time to address all of your health concerns, you might enjoy a more relaxed, unhurried atmosphere with easy access and availability to your physician that this type of practice offers. Is age management medicine the same thing as geriatric medicine? Not at all! Where geriatrics emphasizes the treatment of the conditions and diseases associated with aging, age management medicine looks at the diseases associated with aging as not only treatable but often preventable through exercise, nutrition and replacement of the decline in our hormones seen with aging. Is the goal of age management medicine to live longer? The goal of age management is to extend that period of time when our quality of life is at its optimum level. This encompasses optimization of our physical, mental, psychological and sexual function at whatever age we have attained. Are illnesses like common colds, hypertension and diabetes addressed? Absolutely! Dr. Bligh is Board Certified in General Internal Medicine and can address all aspects of healthcare related to the care of the adult patient. The difference lies in his ability to not just treat an acute problem but to identify potential problems which may be avoided. What if specialist care is needed for a particular problem? Dr. Bligh is closely aligned with some of the top specialists in the St. Louis Area. Both he and his staff will assist in expediting referrals or any other testing needed. Is it true, as I've heard, that Botox is a poison and dangerous? This is a very common misconception! The poison is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum, which is responsible for Botulism. Botox is the purified type, a toxin that works locally to prevent the release of the neurotransmitter acetycholine causing paralysis of the muscle; thus producing a local but not systemic effect. Is the same dose of Botox™ used for everyone? No! The dosage will vary according to the area treated, the underlying musculature, the thickness of the skin and the aesthetician's expectations of the patient. In general men will need higher doses than females due to larger muscle mass and there are significant differences between what is considered aesthetically pleasing for men versus women. Is Botox the best treatment for fine lines above my lip? It depends on the depth of the line. Some fine lines can be treated extremely well with small doses of Botox given in the peri-oral region. If the lines are deeper they can often be better treated with a combination of Botox and a facial filler for optimum results. What is the difference between Mesotherapy and Fat Melting? Mesotherapy generally involves injecting a mixture of drugs which are used for treatment of cellulite and tightening of skin. Lipo-disolve is the term used for dissolving small stubborn areas of fat and generally utilizes phosphatidylcholine as its primary ingredient. It is more of an "inches off" than weight loss therapy. Is Thermage only used for tightening skin on the face? While it may be true that this is the only FDA approved use of Thermage, we are finding that it is an excellent treatment for loose skin in other areas of the body such as the abdomen, legs, and arms. The center's founder, Dr. Richard Bligh, is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with additional Board Certification in Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Bligh has an MBA from Southern Illinois University, MD from Ross University and BS from University of Maryland. Dr. Bligh also has AMA Level 4 Certification in Botox and Restylane, and Certification in Mesotherapy, Lipotherapy, Laser Hair Removal, Microdermabrasions, IPL, Thermage and Contour. Dr. Bligh acts as Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Christina Robins is Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Robins has a MD and BS in Biology from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Robins attended St. John’s Mercy Medical Center for family medicine residency. She has been practicing medicine for eight years. She has additional interest in women’s health and weight management. Conditions of Use | Privacy Practices | © 2010