Quick blog.
I have not had my patients take off their masks for filler (lip, around the mouth, in the nasolabial fold) in my clinic now for almost a year. A YEAR. I know it has frustrated many a patient.Ā And when you see me in clinic, I look a little like I’m going into combat everyday: I wear a shield, a N95 mask, and scrubs which are supposedly antibacterial (which I wash after each day). No stress squeezy balls or hand holding during the injections. I can’t wait for this Covid stuff to improve. But I am trying to be safe. California is a hotbed of disease. And today it reinforced why.
Why am I not doing filler around the mouth? Covid is spread by aerosol. You can’t be that close with a mask off and not be exposed.Ā Even if you get a test, to show “I’m negative!” a negative test is not conclusive. (when was your test? was it a rapid test? were you just not testing positive yet but you really have it?)Ā Close proximity, enclosed indoor space, exposure over 10 minutes are all risky. They think you are sicker if you have a higher viral load, and those surgeons who work near the face get higher viral loads. Once we are vaccinated, the risk will improve.Ā I’m not sure when I will feel comfortable with doing lip fillers again, but I know the day will come.
“Plastic Surgeon dies after giving lip fillers.” This story appeared today about a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who just died after injecting lip filler into a patient who was positive. He reportedly was wearing a mask. I have questions- was that his only exposure? what kind of mask? how long was the procedure? did she cough? did he have any other medical issues? Regardless, it doesn’t matter the details. He was 50. It is being reported the lip filler was his exposure. And he died.
My condolences to to his friends and family. I can’t wait until this is in our rearview mirror.