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Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon
4754 Dale Rd., Modesto, California
5 | 13 Reviews
18 Questions Answered
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Will Botox help lift my inner eyelid? (Photo)

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
What we're discussing is consider off-label FDA use of Botox.  In my experience, I have treated only 3 patients for eye lid raising with Botox.  The injections are extremely tricky.  

I would inject the lateral and/or medial aspects of the pretarsal obicularis (which is the eyelid muscle) - taking extreme care to avoid the middle part of that muscle which is connected to the levator (which lifts the eyelid).  I would inject about 0.5 to 1 unit with each shot.  I don't want to go into too much detail because this is a discussion you need to have with your injector.  The basic theory is that if we weaken a depressor (which are the sides of the eyelid), we help the levator become more dominant.


For mild imbalances in appearance, I would leave it alone.  It's possible for us to make things worse with our decisions and injections.  With my only 3 patient trial of this method - this doesn't make me the expert on this topic.  It's a very rare request.

Basically if your question was an academic style question, I would say that it could be done if I understood your question correctly.  But in reality - check with your Botox injector!

Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

Best wishes.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Should I get a refund? (Photo)

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
From the picture, it seems that there are some Botox effects in the middle of the frontalis muscle and perhaps in the glabellar complex.  I can't tell for sure from the picture since it is only on activation of the frontalis muscle.  If the forehead lines are your #1 priority then you might possibly need 20-40 units in that muscle itself.  That is just one area.  I have had patients who need close to 40 units for satisfactory results in the frontalis muscle.  And then I have some patients where 6 units works perfectly.  Thus some patients need what seems to be very high doses.  The human body, being so magnificently diverse, makes it very hard to predict reactions to medications.

Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.


Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Had botox in beginning of May. I was able to drive my car up until five days later. Will I ever be able to drive again

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
Botox usually works in a reversible fashion.

Your problem, in my opinion, needs to be assessed in person by your Botox injector / doctor.

The duration of Botox effects vary depending on the dose and location injected.  But in general full Botox effects last about 3-4 then dwindles down so that your muscles act similarly to before getting Botox.

Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.


Best wishes.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

I have a partially closed eye, headache and tingling on the left side of face. Why has it happened? (Photo)

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
I'm not entirely sure about the swelling.  It could be from the Botox, or it could be from another issue.  Botox is known to cause eyelid drooping.  The swelling could be a decrease in the lymphatic drainage which could also be caused by Botox.  But an in-person examination by your Botox injector is one of the first steps.

Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

Best wishes.


Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Do you have to be an Obagi user to have the Blue Peel?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
It is convenient to pre-condition the skin with the OBAGI Nu-derm system.  But there are other lines that can precondition the skin.  I prefer that the patients precondition the skin with tretinoin and/or hydroquinone (preferably both) for at least 2 months before getting a Blue Peel from OBAGI.  The reason it's convenient - both the Obagi Nu-derm system and the Obagi Blue Peel are made by Obagi.  

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Latisse for under $125 for 5 mil bottle?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
If the price of Latisse had doubled, then I really need to catch up to that.  I have kept my prices very close to the same for a long time - meaning since Latisse came out in 2009.  

The 5 ML Latisse kit launched around August 2012 with a list price of $179 from the very start.  And the suggested price was $120 for the 3 mL Latisse kit from 2009.  The prices sold at pharmacies is much higher than these prices I've quoted for physicians offices.  Perhaps you've been looking at pharmacy prices? These prices have always been higher than physician prices with my understanding.

I know a little bit about Latisse and have connections with Allergan who makes Latisse because I was one of the original Latisse speakers for the product - rolling it out for other physicians to carry in their offices.  I had the honor of giving Latisse talks in Reno, Fresno, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, Napa, and other places.  But it has been several years since I've given a Latisse lecture.

3ML vs 5ML Latisse

There is of course the price difference.  But with the 5ML, you are getting 67% more drug, and 133% more brushes.  And the suggested usage duraing increases by 150%.

What I charge (if this helps):

I'm a practice that doesn't often have specials.  Thus I try to keep the price consistent; a good value most of the time.

We charge $100 for the 3mL size Latisse which is the original size.  And we charge $149 for the 5mL size Latisse which is the new larger size.  From what I understand,  the bottles are the same size but the 5 mL is filled up to the top.  But there may be different batches with different tops on the Latisse bottles. 

We also require that I personally make contact with the buyer of Latisse.

Answering your question:

To answer your question, I don't know of anyone in the area selling Latisse for $125 or less.

I will look into the price doubling issue.  Thank you for your comment and question.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California

provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

I had Juvederm ultra plus 2 weeks ago and have extreme swelling in my lips! Any suggestions?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
Your lips look like they would have great potential for great results.

It is sometimes possible that the upper lip swells more than the lower lip.  In my hands - that happens often because there are just so many more components in the upper lip - thus I have to manipulate the needle and filler in that area more.

Sometimes the swelling could be present for a month after injections, but that is somewhat unusual in my humble opinion.  But consider waiting till 3 weeks before deciding to do something different.  And if that's the case - you may just need more filler on the bottom and then you could have the results you wanted in the first place.

Lip fillers are a difficult project for me.  I do it every day, but I am still humbled by the artistry and difficulty of the procedure.  Best of luck to you.

Here's my disclaimer: 
Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I’m answering the best I can without physical examination info and a one-on-one dialogue. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I’m also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

Thanks for reading.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Why do I break out since having Botox?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
Wonderful question.  I've encountered this question about having breakouts in the area of Botox injections in my own practice in Modesto, California about 3 times.  So this is rare.  The world of medicine is complex, and sometimes it seems strange.  I have not had a case of the "man made pore" - so I can't address that question except to speculate that it may be a scar of sorts or somehow related to a cyst?   I've had an experience where there was a reddish - pimple like reaction to only one of my needle pokes.  I suspect in that patient that there was an underlying infection in that area - such a pimple - which then got exacerbated when I decided to inject Botox too close to that area.  Botox injections are tricky, we want our injections to be in strategic places, but sometimes in our patients, blemishes and veins get in the way of an ideal placement - and thus I have to compromise in my decision and Botox strategy.

Regarding the break-outs in the Botox areas.  For some of my patients, I've come to realize that they are sensitive to some of the antiseptic methods I use to help prevent infections from the Botox procedure.  Sometimes they are allergic to the antiseptic.  There are various ones available out there and perhaps having your injector switch to a different antiseptic could help.  And there's the possibility that the actual needle poke - which is a very mild form of skin trauma - could incite a inflammatory process.

Ironically (to your question of why does Botox cause more blemishes), I've found most of the time that Botox helps calm down inflammation in an area of skin. This may be due to reduced sweating or a direct effect on rashes and pimples by Botox.  Also, Botox sometimes shrinks pores as with what we've seen with meso-Botox.

Thank you for your question, I'm just answer from my own personal experience as a Botox injector. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

I hope this discussion is somewhat helpful.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California


provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Is it uncommon for botox for hyperhidrosis to not work the first time?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
A great question.  I can only speak from my own experience as an injector of Botox for hyperhidrosis patients.  I have had a few patients where the sweating has reduced somewhat after 50U of Botox on each axilla (arm pit area).  But then needed more.  A carefully planned approach to the remaining excessive sweat areas by using a simple starch test or even just observation, could help direct perhaps another 25 units into each side.  That's what I've done with some success in my own practice in Modesto California where it does get over 100 degrees F in the summers.  I think that 1 in 5 of my patients would benefit from a higher amount.  I've also worked with excessive sweating in the palms/feet which can be a lot higher in dose.

You've shown that it works with the reduction you noticed, and now it just needs more - probably because everyone is different.  And perhaps if you had to wait 6 months - it might work even better because I think there would be some overlap.

My practice doesn't accept insurances, so I totally understand that the cost can be a concern.  But many of my patients think that it is "a new lease on life" as some of my patients claim.

Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I'm answering the best I can without physical examination info. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I'm also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

I hope my own experience as an injector helps.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

I'm a Botox user but over the last 3/4 times I've had Botox it hasn't worked as well. What unit of Botox would I ideally want?

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
There are so many different ways to inject a neuromodulator and there are so many possibilities for a neuromodulator injection to work less effectively.  I'm going to use the word neuromodulator to describe Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin.  I agree that Dysport is sometimes called Azzalure.

WHAT CAUSES VARIANCES IN OUR RESULTS?

Patient factors
  • Is the patient Zinc deficient?  Zinc seems to play a role in neuromodulator
  • Did the patient develop antibodies to the product?
  • How long ago was the patients previous neuromodulator treatment.  Often, when the treatments are close enough together, there's a synergistic effect of the previous injection along with the new injection.  Thus don't wait too long between injections where to facial muscles have gained back all their strength.
Product factors
  • Dilution of the product.  Was it diluted appropriately.
  • Age of product.  How long has it been on the shelf?  Shelf life can matter.
  • Which product?  I feel that the neuromodulators are somewhat different from each other.  The units cannot be interchanged very easily.  It's sort of like asking - how many tangerines does it take to make a washing navel orange?  Similar, yet different for the discriminating injector/patient.
Injector factors
  • Where were the injections made?
  • Was there waste of product?
  • Was the measurements accurate?
  • Three dimensional injection, was the neuromodulator placed within the muscle or right under the skin, or right above the bone?
  • How many injection points were chosen?

I'm probably forgetting a few variables.  But you can see that there's so much going on here.

THE ANTIBODY QUESTION:  Try more Dysport and/or go back to Botox.

Consider going back to your injector and asking for a higher dose of Dysport.  If that still doesn't work, then consider asking your injector to switch back to your original - Botox - which seemed to work for you.  If both the higher dose and switching back to Botox - this might point to an antibody problem.  This will degrade the product faster.  This is a very rare possibility.  I think in the past, this happened more because of the higher percentage of albumin mixed in with the Botox.  But it's a much lower amount of albumin used now and thus the antibody reactions are much rarer.  If antibody reactions occur, I believe that you'd be forming reactions to all Botulinum Toxin Type A's:  Xeomin, Dysport, and Botox.  These are the ones available in the USA.

SWITCHING INJECTORS

But if you have doubt about your injector.  You can switch.  Neuromodulator injection styles are incredibly different - this might be what you're looking for - something different.  And hopefully better results.  I think you have a good idea on this one.


OR SPEND MORE TIME DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM

Consider spending even more time talking to your injector.  Perhaps he/she will come up with a comprehensive plan of figuring out what's happening with your new dissatisfaction.  Above is just my own plan of what I do with my patients who present with such a scenario.  But most of the time, it's because I've gotten patients who have decided to switch to me due to dissatisfaction with results from another injector.

IDEAL BOTOX UNITS FOR THE GLABELLA:

How many units of Botox for frown lines?  I call these lines glabellar lines.  I usually inject anywhere from 10-36 units of Botox for this one area.  Every person is different, but usually I am sticking to the same general amount of units for each treatment session.  Thus if a patient is a 36 unit user - they tend to be a 36 unit user for a few years.  I have found that they can usually space the treatments further apart though as they keep using Botox. 

On average, I use 20 units of Botox for the glabellar complex.  The numbers written above in the question are probably Dysport units which could be about 3 times more than the Botox units to achieve a similar (not same) result.  I'm not entirely sure because I am nearly 100% Botox in my own practice.  My experience with Dysport spans only about 3 months in my practice.  I was pretty happy with the Dysport results, but my patients seem to want Botox more, so I caved into consumer demand.  I am happy with both products.  But I do not use the terms Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport interchangeably.  They are different products and have different effects and require different care.


Thank you for your question. Without having seen you in person, I’m answering the best I can without physical examination info and a one-on-one dialogue. My comments are meant for a general public discussion to help others who may have similar concerns. I’m also using my answers to build up library of information for my own patients and also to see how my answers compare with other doctors. There is always much for us to learn from each other. My answers are generalized medical information only, not directed medical advice. For medical advice please see your doctor/surgeon in person.

Calvin Lee, MD
Modesto, California
provider-Calvin Lee, MD-photo

Calvin Lee, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

5 | 13 reviews

Calvin Lee, MD reviews

Calvin Lee, MD

RATING DETAILS

5.0
13 reviews

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Calvin Lee, MD
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10 Results
Dermal Fillers

Genius814642

5 Star Experience!

Dr. Lee is one of the most talented injectors around! His expertise really shows in his work and what tops off the experience is his fantastic personality. The office is gorgeous and staff is welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a five-star experience!

$48011 hours post-opLip Fillers

Blue2440

Highly Recommended!! Best Injector in the Central Valley!

Dr Lee, Injection Artistry at Surgical Artistry in Modesto, Ca., is hands down tops in his expertise. I have been getting fillers and Botox for 15 plus years. I recently moved to this area and wanted to fill in my lip lines, from years of smoking, and get botox for my forehead and 11 lines. Having had lip line injections over the years by many different Doctors I knew that it was going to be a 60 to 70 percent improvement at best.  I WAS SO WRONG!  Dr. Lee improved my lips by 95 percent, and even used less filler than I had purchased in then past. I was completely blown away with the results. At 60 years old how was this possible. Well let me tell you, Dr. Lee works with you on your budget and your desired results. He takes his time and appears to genuinely care about you as a person and strives to help you achieve your cosmetic goals. I recently moved 2 hours from Modesto, but continue to drive to Dr Lee's office for my filler and botox injections. After my last visit almost a year ago, HE AGAIN worked cosmetic MIRACLES! I can't stop looking at my lips as they look as if I never had lip lines or thining lips. There are many places everywhere that do fillers and Botox, offering various deals and prices. Dr. Lee's prices are about average, but I would pay top dollar to have the assurance of the results Dr. Lee produces. Unfortunately I  don't have top dollar to pay so I am so grateful for Dr. Lee's willingness to listen to my concerns and provide the best results within what I can afford. Honestly, I have been many places, paid less and also paid more, but never had these FANTASTIC results. Did I mention, Dr. Lee is kind, gentle, and a perfectionist in my opinion. In today's world it is hard to find Doctors that care as much! I dont want to write a book, but feel I need to mention in the past I dreaded getting filler due to the pain. I am amazed at how Dr. Lee can do such a beautiful job with no pain.

22 days post-opUltherapy

Warmhearted7768

Ultherapy

I received the Ultherapy ultrasound treatment from Esthetician Nikki at Surgical Artistry. Nikki was thorough and educated. The treatment is supposed to lift and tighten my face and neck. According to the company, it takes 3 months to see real results, but I think I am already experiencing them. My main area of concern, my jowls, already seem to be lifted. I am looking forward to October(3 mo). The treatment was minimally painful. I would highly recommend it.

$6006 months post-opJuvederm

Karen831

Lip injections

Dr. Lee is amazing! I had my lip injections 3 months apart. So I got the fullness I wanted without injecting too much all at once. 1 syringe of juvederm in lips 3 months apart. I am ready to do it again! Updated on 9 Jun 2019: I did it once then I did it again three months later. My friends ask me if I did them again. Totally worth it.

$1,2004 days post-opKybella

Karen831

Kybella: After 3 vials total I’m 54 and no sagging skin afterwards.

I had 2 vials of Kybella four days ago. I still have bull frog going on however it’s going down. Dr. Calvin Lee explained everything about it to me along with his staff. (They were so nice and they helped my nerves). I’m only on day four I had no bruising or pain whatsoever. I have numbness and that’s off and on. All of my friends keep saying to me omg we can already see a difference even with a little bull frog going on! Now all of my friends are going to make appointments. I have a daughter who is usually my worst critic lol and she even said what’s it called that you did and who did it? I’ll try and find some pictures to post. Thank you Dr. Calvin Lee! Oh by the way he’s done my lips before he’s a genius! If you are scared to have anything done go see him you’ll be glad you did! Updated on 14 Mar 2019: I’m just now four weeks..some of my friends say no don’t do another treatment to look natural . Some say yes to get more definition! Updated on 14 Mar 2019: My results these pictures were right afterwards and at 3 weeks. Updated on 4 May 2019: Updated on 17 May 2019:

$1,20011 hours post-opKybella

FiddyFiddy

Kybella 37 year old male

Just had 2 vials of Kybella done today by Dr Calvin Lee. It was completely painless and now a few hours later there is tenderness and some swelling but not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Juvederm

RSMember9639798

Dr. Calvin Lee is the...

Dr. Calvin Lee is the only injector I would ever trust. Going in my first time, I was so nervous but Dr. Lee is funny and he just reassured me that it’s no big deal and made my experience as pain free as possible. I would never go to any other injector after going to him, he makes everyone look very natural and enhances natural beauty.This review was created as part of a nomination to the RealSelf I Love My Injector Campaign.

Botox

Ckhan01

He loves his job!!!

He loves his job!!! I have never had a bad experience going to Calvin. He’s always in a good mood and glad to see you, not once have I left his office without a smile on my face. The whole office staff is wonderful.This review was created as part of a nomination to the RealSelf I Love My Injector Campaign.

Botox

RSMember1189988

Because he is very honest,...

Because he is very honest, gentle, geniune, compassionate and does not upsell you and the results are immaculate. Im so beyond pleased.This review was created as part of a nomination to the RealSelf I Love My Injector Campaign.

Botox

RSMember9957767

Dr Lee is so amazing

Dr Lee is so amazing,along with his amazing friendly staff members..I follow him on Facebook..I love the fact he does live video's on some of amazing beautiful work they do,,,i was invited to go watch it live at his office in Modesto,Ca ,,i actually fell in love..im hoping to save enough money up to have botox a nd fuller lips ...Thank You Dr Lee & StaffThis review was created as part of a nomination to the RealSelf I Love My Injector Campaign.

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