Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant event and it’s important to find a plastic surgeon that makes you feel secure and comfortable about your procedure.  Often times patients search throughout the country in order to find the best plastic surgeon.  Utilizing a surgeon that is out of town provides privacy, confidentiality and enables a patient to recover away from their friends and family.  The SHAW Center’s excellent reputation attracts a number of patients from outside Arizona.  We have a few simple steps in order to adequately accommodate out of town patients. 
            Once you decide to undergo a procedure, have a friend or spouse help take photos that can easily portray your areas of concern.  Email the pictures along with your concerns to info@theshawcenter.com or click on the Contact us link on our website.  Our forms of contact are confidential and is sent directly to Dr. Shaw to analyze. 
            After you send Dr. Shaw pictures, the next step is to set up a phone consultation.  Throughout your conversation with Dr. Shaw he will provide his recommendations along with your surgical and recovery plans.  You are more than welcome to express any concerns or questions throughout your consultation.  A general pricing plan can be supplied along with financing assistance as needed.  Keep in mind that surgical planning and pricing may alter until it is established with an in-office evaluation. 
            Following a phone consultation, you may schedule a surgery date along with pre-operative and post-operative appointments.  Contact Samantha at (480) 767-1900 to schedule your surgery and visit to Scottsdale.  Our staff will tailor your recovery period depending on your specific needs and customize it to your desires. 
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         Now that summer’s here we’re sure you’ll find yourself exposing more skin than usual and if you can’t tone it, tan it!  There are so many bronzing products available now that are much safer than traditional tanning or going to a tanning salon.  One of our favorite sunless products is Quick Tan self tanner by Body Drench. 
            Quick Tan helps give you a desired instant summer glow with salon quality sunless tanning at home.  The Bronzing Spray has a 360-degree nozzle to ensure simple application and the tinted formulas make it easy to see where to put the product on.  Once applied, a natural tan will progress within 3-5 hours.  The SHAW Center carries Quick Tan bronzing spray in medium/dark.  For the best results, consider the following:
·      Use on clean, exfoliated skin
·      Shake well before use
·      Spray evenly over body holding the spray 10” away
·      Wash hands after application
·      Let your skin dry before putting on clothes
·      For a darker tan, use once a day until you attain desired color
·      To maintain your tan, apply once or twice a week
Another sunless tanning alternative are spray tans.  The FDA has backed DHA, the principal component in sunless tanning products, for over 40 years.  Although DHA is considered safe, if you are receiving a spray tan avoid spraying your face for various reasons.  Since the skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, spraying your face can clog your pores, which will most likely lead to blemishes and breakouts. DHA is recommended for external use only so you should avoid inhaling the product.  If you already have dark spots on your face, spraying your face will make them appear darker.  Once your spray tan begins to fade, it may fade unevenly on your face.  The best option to make your face tanner is to utilize bronzer.  Some of our favorite bronzers are Laguna by NARS and Smashbox Bronze Lights.
          If you have additional questions about Quick Tan or would like to purchase, contact the SHAW Center at (480) 767-1900.   
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            All procedures provided at the Shaw Center are performed in a customized, professional and innovative office environment.  There are a few steps that a patient experiences in order to receive a procedure.  These steps include a consultation, pre-surgical preparation, surgery and post-surgical care that are all provided in a skillful and attentive manner.
            Prior to any cosmetic procedure a consultation with Dr. Shaw is done for a small fee, all spa consultations are complimentary.  Consultations give patients sufficient time with Dr. Shaw and his staff for an in-depth evaluation based on the patient’s concerns.  Understanding the patient’s goals, determining what is best for the patient, and educating the patient about the procedure and recovery are the primary focal points of the consultation.  Any and all questions the patient has will be thoroughly answered throughout the consultation as well.
            A preoperative preparation presents in-depth tailored instruction, photography and a detailed discussion with Dr. Shaw and the staff.  All procedures aside from treatments in the spa are performed in Hospital based and fully accredited Outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Facilities.  The majority of the procedures are done using general anesthesia.  In order to strengthen safety and reduce risk, a board-certified anesthesiologist administers the anesthesia and monitors you during the procedure. 
            All post surgical care is fulfilled through an outpatient bases or inpatient at the Piper Ambulatory Surgery Center.  Our staff will contact you in person or by phone and are available for any issues, questions or concerns 24/7. 
            If you are unable to make an appointment, please contact us with at least 24 hours advanced notice in order for us to give your appointment to another patient if possible.  The Shaw Center accepts the following forms of payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Cashier’s check, money order or personal check.  We also accept patient financing through Care Credit.
            If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or would like more information, call the Shaw Center at (480) 767-1900.
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            Whether you have had one child or several, we’re sure your body has gone through numerous changes.  Several of these transformations include new spider veins, a spreading midsection with loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles, and large breasts that have now gotten smaller and sag.  The SHAW Center offers an array of procedures intended to improve the face, breast and body, while reversing the effects of pregnancy and restoring your youthful radiance.
            Our “Beauty after Baby” procedure consists of a tummy tuck, breast lift (with or without implants), Liposuction, breast reduction, Vaginal Rejuvenation, CoolSculpting, facial treatments and spider vein therapy.  Dr. Shaw can help determine what procedures are right for you during a consultation. 
            An abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, removes the excess skin and repairs the weak and stretched abdominal muscles.  This procedure will also elevate and tighten vaginal structures.  Liposuction will help get rid of resistant pockets of baby fat.  A labiaplasty reduces the size of the inner labia and tightens the vaginal opening.  Pregnancy hormones cause facial skin changes such as the mask of pregnancy or melasma.  Different skin treatments such as microdermabrasion and skin peels will help get your skin back to normal.  Vein therapy will get rid of spider veins on your legs.
            When it comes to the breasts, there are several options depending on your situation.  After breast-feeding, the breasts usually deflate and experience loss of volume.  A breast augmentation can help correct this issue.  If your breasts increased in size during your pregnancy and have now have gotten smaller and sag, a breast lift will help fix this issue and increase volume if needed.  A breast reduction will not only reduce the size of your breasts but will help lift them as well.
            If you are interested in having a “Beauty after Baby” procedure, contact the Shaw Center at (480) 767-1900 for a consultation!
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            Considering plastic surgery but worried about the financial burden?  You can receive your procedure faster than you think!  The Shaw Center accepts CareCredit, a financing option for health, beauty, and wellness expenses.
            CareCredit is the nation’s leading healthcare credit card that allows you to choose between special financing options when you use their card for $200 or more.  You can apply online and will receive a response almost immediately.  CareCredit is a part of GE Capital and they securely submit your application to GE Capital Retail Bank.  Once you are approved, you are able to start treatment prior to receiving your CareCredit healthcare credit card.
            CareCredit doesn’t have to be used strictly for invasive procedures; you can utilize it for non-surgical or dermatologic treatments such as the services provided in the Shaw Center Spa.  As long as you have credit available on your card, you can use it as much as you like for maintenance procedures such as Botox or Restalyne injections that you receive multiple times a year.  CareCredit also allows you to pay for multiple procedures at one time.
            Once you use your CareCredit card for transactions over $200, you have the ability to select a special financing option that works best for you.  Special financing options range form 6 to 24 months.  Longer-term plans for up to 60 months are also available.  In order to make CareCredit successful for you, here are some suggestions to control your credit card: pay on time, never miss a payment, pay more than the minimum, pay off your balance in full every month, check your monthly statement, and preserve a moderate “debt-to-income ratio.”
            If you are interested in CareCredit, contact the Shaw Center at (480) 767-1900 for more details or apply online today! 
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            Once your appointment is booked for your procedure, it is important to properly prepare not only for your actual surgery but for your recovery time as well.  Before booking your surgery it is crucial that you are fully satisfied with your decision in order to avoid apprehension and nervousness.  We have a few suggestions to make sure you are organized for a speedy recovery!
            Prior to your procedure, Dr. Shaw will give you brochures and information regarding your procedure and what to expect.  Read up on as much as you can and don’t be afraid to ask him any questions you may have to better prepare yourself.  It is best to have someone close to you be there for support once you initially come out of surgery and plan on taking you home.  If they can be around you for a few days following the procedure in order to help take care of you, even better!
            Properly prepare your home for your return from surgery.  Make sure you stock up on healthy food, plenty of pillows, magazines, movies and essential ice packs.  You can fill your prescription for any medication you may need beforehand so it is readily available once you are back at home.  
            It is very common to feel some doubts the night before surgery, which is normal.  Lack of sleep and high blood pressure may come as a result; try some deep breathing or meditation techniques in order to calm yourself down or watch a funny movie to help relax.  Once you are back at home, take it easy, soon enough you will be able to enjoy the benefits of your procedure!   
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            With the New Year right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of your resolutions and ways you wish to improve.  Have you always considered plastic surgery?  You’re not the only one!  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 14.6 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the U.S. last year.  We have compiled a list of great reason on why you should contemplate going under the knife or having cosmetic procedures. 
            Reconstructive surgery is a great option for those that have insecurities due to scarring or defects.  Accidents can cause disfiguration or scarring that reconstructive surgery can help reduce and eliminate.  Birth defects like cleft lips and ear deformities can be repaired to a standard image through a sequence of surgeries as the person grows.  The majority of women who have undergone a mastectomy turn to reconstructive surgery in order to relieve psychological pain.  
            For those that have undergone a major weight loss, plastic surgery is a great alternative to remove excess skin that you are unable to lose.  One of the most common reasons to get plastic surgery is for your own self-esteem and image.  If you have certain insecurities, plastic surgery will help boost your self-confidence and make you feel better about yourself!
            If you are not ready to commit to plastic surgery, there are many non-invasive treatments, procedures and products that The Shaw Center offers that still produce noticeable results.  Products like Botox can be used to enhance your appearance and can also be used for medical reasons such as reducing migraines and sweating. 
According to Before After Surgery Toolbox, the top ten reasons people give for having plastic surgery are to turn back the hands of time, look like a beauty, not a beast, look smokin’ hot (sometimes like a person one admires), erase mistakes (like scars due to an overzealous sense of immortality), get rid of too much “me,” make more of “me” in the right places, to make my partner happy (wrong reason), to fix what’s broken (reconstructive surgery), to make sex better (because I’ll look and feel sexier), and to be happy with my looks (comfortable in my own skin.) 
            Whatever your reasoning may be for plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shaw at (480) 767-1900 in order to discuss your options and improve yourself for the New Year.  We wish everyone a very happy New Year! 

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