December 2nd, 2009 admin
As everyone knows now the former Miss Argentina, Solange Magnano died during a buttock lift from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lungs). Unfortunately complications can happen with any kind of surgery. Even if the surgeon does everything right problems can arise. There is an old saying in surgery,”If you don’t have any complications, you’re not doing enough surgery.”The best we can do as surgeons is make sure that the patient we operate on is in the best shape or the procedure and we take all the precautions we can to minimize risk.
This article on CNN.com
highlights some of the dangers involved with cosmetic surgery. No surgery, no matter who performs it, is totally risk free. Your surgeon should inform of all risks before the procedure. Fortunately accidents like what happened to Ms. Magnano are very rare and plastic surgery overall is safe. Just make sure you have a properly certified surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the surgery is done in an accredited operating room. If you do that , you’re off to a good start.
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November 30th, 2009 admin
When you go for your plastic surgery consultation, here are the first five of 42 questions you might consider asking:
6. How many (insert Procedure here) have you performed?
7. How many revisions of your own work do you perform?
All surgeons perform revisions of their work. It just goes with the territory. Also ask if you will be charged for such work and how much.
8. Would you be willing to perform cosmetic surgery on a loved one?
In all honesty, some people would and some would never. I don’t think there is a correct answer for this question, but the reasons for or against may give you some insight in to your surgeon’s personality.
9. Why are you or are you not a good candidate for this procedure?
10. What are the complications of this procedure?
Very important question. There are complications for hang nail surgery. Your surgeon must absolutely must inform you of this as a matter of protocol. If he/she does not, find another surgeon.
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November 29th, 2009 admin
When you go for your plastic surgery consultation, here are the first five of 42 questions you might consider asking:
1. How long have you been practicing plastic surgery?
Not always a good indicator of competence, bu, in general,t it the more experience, usually the better results.
2. Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
This the official Board for plastic surgeons. The American Board Cosmetic Surgery is not. To be Board certified requires approved training and then an extremely rigorous written and then even more rigorous oral exam. It is a very difficult exam i can assure you. The pass rate is extremely low compared to other medical sub specialties. It does not guarantee that your surgeon will give you great results, only that he/she is competent and ethical.
3.When will you re certify?
Surgeons certified after the mid 1990’s, will need to recertify every ten years. Older surgeons are exempt from the exam.
4. Gave you ever been disciplined by the board, the state or any hospital?
With more surgeons practicing in all fields, professional misconduct is on the rise. Hopefully you will get an honest response.
5. What is your favorite procedure to perform and why?
Every surgeon has one. The answer might give you some insight into his/her personality and competence.
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November 29th, 2009 admin
Traditional “tumescent” liposuction uses a large volume of fluid (usually natural salt solution and local anesthetic) and it is infiltrated in the tissues making fat cells easier to suction out.
The Truth:
Tumescent Liposuction is still the “gold standard” for this procedure. It has a low complication rate and an overall high level of satisfaction. It is still the preferred method of liposuction performed bythe vast majority of plastic surgeons the world over.
The Verdict:
Still the best method (not just because I prefer it), all others are marketing gimmickry and experimentation. This is the one you want.
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November 28th, 2009 admin
“Smart, laser assisted, Lipo”, is the newest form of liposuction. A laser tip is mounted at the end of a cannula and is used to break up and dissolve fatty tissue beneath the skin. Bascially it claims to address “add” liposuction needs.
The Truth:
The technique is only effective in removing small amounts of fat and is the most useful for minor touch ups. The claims that it also “tightens skin” is unproven.
The Verdict:
Wait and see. The learning curve and long term results are not available yet for Smart Lipo. It can be a great addition to plastic surgery or be a disaster like Ultrasonic Lipo has become. We need a few years to know which way the results will go. At this point, use it at you’re own risk.
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November 26th, 2009 admin
Ultrasonic liposuction (UAL) is a technique that uses sound waves to break fat cells then they are removed via a normal liposuction cannula. It is supposedly better becasue it can remove more difficult fat and thus is better for many problem areas.
The Truth:
Ultrasonic liposuction was all the rage when I started practice about fifteen years ago. Almost every week you could count on a call or visit from the UAL salesman. These days you probably can’t give the machine away. They have become fraught with problems; burning of the dermis (the tip of the cannula gets very hot) and a much higher incidence of seroma or fluid formation after the procedure.
The Verdict:
Stay away
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November 24th, 2009 admin
Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) is a technique that uses a special cannula to remove fat rapidly using small vibrations. It claims that the surgeon can remove more fat, more easily and efficently.
The Truth:
Power Assisted Liposuction is really a technique that benefits the surgeon and no one else. Liposuction can be a very tiring for the doctor and PAL was designed to allow the surgeon to do more with less effort. Because the cannula vibrates rapidly, it is a less accurate technique. Therefore it can leave uneven results on the skin.
The Verdict:
Pass on this sales pitch
Next: Ultrasonic Liposuction (Part 2)
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November 7th, 2009 admin
Just a note for all prospective plastic surgery patients.
You should always inform your surgeon of all medications that you are taking. However, you should also be aware that herbs and herbal medications, including common ones like garlic, ginseng and echinacea, can cause severe bleeding and greatly compromise the results of the procedure. Not only is bleeding an issue, but also some herbs can interfere with heart function and anesthesia.
Therefore, before you go under the knife, make sure you tell your surgeon everything you’re taking in addition to your usual meds. It can make a huge difference.
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September 24th, 2009 admin
Maybe.
Although all plastic surgeons have seen a decrease in business due to the recession, the number of people coming for plastic surgery will a specific goal in mind, like getting a new job, I think has increased. This article in the New York Times seems to support this. I find that more and more people are coming in to look better as they find themselves looking for a new job. Of course cheaper alternatives to the knife like BOTOX and fillers such as Restylane are leading the pack, eyelid surgery, liposuction, facelifts and tummy tucks are also very popular these days. A younger, more youthful and vigorous appearance tends to show prospective employers that you are up to the task. Of course there are no guarantees, but it is sure better than going into that interview looking worn out and tired.
So if you are thinking about a better look, there are a lot of ways to attain it through plastic surgery. Come in for a free consultation and let me show you how.
Posted in Liposuction, Plastic Surgery | Comments Off
August 23rd, 2009 admin
Many patients come to my office and want a breast lift. That’s OK, but if you are a big breasted women (I would say D cup or larger in this case), a breast lift may not be the correct procedure for you.
A breast lift is a skin only operation. Excess skin is removed to make the breast rise. Women with heavy breasts are not great candidates for this type of surgery. Of course it can be done, but the results will not last that long. How long will they last you ask? In general the bigger the breast the shorter the result will last. Perhaps only a few months. This is because heavy breasts will quickly stretch the tightened skin and the breasts will fall again. So, you may look pretty good for a few months, but after that you’ll be right back down again. Time and money wasted.
A breast reduction, on the other hand, is really the procedure of choice for the bigger breasted woman. It will give you the lift you seek as well as relieve the back, neck and shoulder pains associated with large breasts.
So you large breasted women may now ask, “what happens if I like my current breast size and just want a lift, not a reduction.” The answer is not to have surgery at all. The lift will not last and the reduction will make you smaller than you want to be.
In summary, breast lift is really a procedure for the smaller breasted woman. Otherwise consider a breast reduction-same result, plus less upper body pain.
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