Michael Pickart M.D.

Dear Rachel, I am sorry that you are less than satisfied. Who did your surgery? Frankly, $4500 is a very inexpensive price, and I wonder whether your doctor was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (as I am). I make sure that all of my patients understand the plan in great detail before surgery, and I call each patient daily for the first week. My office staff (all of whom have had "work") teach massage at the one-week follow-up visit. Anyway, my office is in Ventura, and I would be happy to help you if you have future problems. Sincerely, Mike Pickart

I have used both Dysport and Botox. It seems like some patients benefit more from one product or the other. Patients should be open-minded; perhaps, some will benefit from Dysport in one area, while Botox will be better in another! More research and experience pending!!

Dear GRS,

I am sorry that you suffered the flu soon after receiving Botox.  However, I suspect that the Botox had nothing to do with your symptoms.

Botox is incredibly safe.  It has had a positive track record for decades.  Occasionally, some of my patients develop headaches, bruising, numbness, or drooping from Botox, but not one (out of thousands) has ever developed the flu.

It is flu season.  Could you have been exposed to the flu, and then you happened to get Botox on the same day?  Could the flu be a coincidence?  Could the ER personnel have misdiagnosed you?  (Most ER physicians would rarely, if ever, administer Botox, and most probably are not aware of its safety profile.)

As you know, Botox is a purified protein.  It is not derived from a virus, like the one that causes the flu.

Regarding anxiety, some Botox patients do feel a certain "frustration" from being unable to fully express themselves.  However, I have never had a patient whose anxiety could be largely attributed to Botox.

Ultimately, GRS, I would recommend that you return to the surgeon who administered the Botox.  He or she should assess your situation, and then you should decide whether or not you have had a (very, very) rare reaction.

Good luck.