Many patients ask in jest if they can use their own fat for breast augmentation–”Couldn’t you just take my belly fat and put it up a little higher?” Although presently not a reality, this may indeed be a possibility in the future. Research is presently being done to test the possibility of using a person’s own fat-derived stem cells to help tissue and fat regenerate in another part of the body. The research is focused at this time on the hope that when these cells are injected back into the same patient, the cells will regenerate. This would be a ground-breaking development in a variety of situations such as post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation where the patient’s own fat cells could be used to regenerate and reconstruct the breast tissue. Of course, this is only in the research stage at present and much experimentation and testing must be done to insure the safety of using these types of cells in humans. But as is often the case, it is plastic surgeons who are leading the way in this exciting field, and while much more work needs to be done on this theory, the early studies are most encouraging. Stay tuned for further developments!!

One of the more exciting events that occurred this past October is the Jordan Hospital’s opening of its State-of-The-Art Breast Center. This Center is a community-based comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center providing “one stop shopping.” The facility is a full service center offering digital screening and diagnostic mammography, stereotactic core biopsy, breast ultrasound exams, breast biopsy, and breast MRI. A multidisciplinary team staffs the Center and includes radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses, technologists and other support staff proving a wide range of services.The surgeons and specialists are specifically trained to handle complex breast pathology as a team. The patient receives the best and most up-to-date care all under one roof. Surgical treatment options in particular, are comprehensive and involve a multidisciplinary approach as exemplified by the close coordination between breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Dominic Zazzarino and plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Stephen Delia, with Dr. Delia offering the post-mastectomy patient the full gamut of breast reconstrucion options. Patients can make an informed decision as to whether prosthetic breast reconstruction or reconstruction using their own tissue (called autologous reconstruction) is best for them. The most exciting aspect of this venture, however, is that now women can feel confident that they can indeed receive Quality Care Close to Home!

After years of having only one wrinkle relaxer available for use in the U. S.—that is, Botox, the FDA has now approved a new wrinkle relaxer called Dysport. Like Botox, Dysport is FDA approved only for use in the frown line area. However, as with Botox, Dysport has shown itself to be useful in what is called in the industry “off-label uses”. In the facial area, wrinkles in the forehead, “crow’s feet” wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, and even the fine lines around the mouth—”smoker’s lines”, can be relaxed and made to appear less prominent with Dysport. However, while both Dysport and Botox are effective in reducing wrinkles, keep in mind that they may differ as to the length of time before results are seen as well as the length of time the results will last. As always, the amount of the product used should be tailored to each patient and not be administered “cookbook-style”. The amount of product needed to achieve a good response differs with each patient. Some patients need more than the recommended amount of wrinkle relaxer (for example, men often need more units than women in the same facial areas), while others can achieve a good result with less.

Dysport has been promoted as a cheaper alternative to Botox, but as always, “buyer beware”. Patients need to be careful when comparing fees as a cheaper price may simply mean using less units of the product. An inadequate dose equals an inadequate response! Cheaper is not always better and it remains to be seen if the test of time will reveal differences in performance between Dysport and Botox which will ultimately lead phyicians to choose one over the other.

Anger, frustration and disbelief is often heard in the voices of those who inquire about corrective surgery after bypass surgery. After their surgery with its quick and dramatic weight loss, individuals are often left with loose, sagging skin in their breasts, upper arms, thighs, abdomen, and flanks. Just when they are feeling more confident and good about themselves, they look in the mirror and see extra skin hanging off multiple parts of their bodies. Unfortunately, they are often under the assumption that because their health insurance paid for the gastric bypass surgery, it will pay for the cosmetic surgery needed afterwards. Their disappointment and frustration arises when they find out—-

A. Health insurance will not cover these procedures as they are considered “cosmetic” and not medically necessary.

B. Most patients need several corrective procedures to get the results they desire.

For example an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is often needed but with the addition (and added expense) of a circumferential (that is–recontouring around the entire waist/abdominal area)technique is needed. Breast surgery such as breast augmentation or mastopexy (breast lift)is often needed and in many cases, both procedures are required. Body contouring procedures such as thigh lift, body lift and liposuction of various areas are often also necessary to achieve the look the patient desires.

C. And most importantly, the patient often finds that these procedures are costly as they should be performed only by board-certified plastic surgeons with expertise in these areas.

These procedures take years of training and experience to master and should always be performed by accomplished plastic surgeons under general anesthesia in a certified facility.

See before and after pictures

Any woman who has given birth soon realizes her body has undergone some major and rather unwelcome changes. No matter how much she exercises and watches her diet, she still looks in the mirror and sees an excess of loose, stretched out abdominal skin and in many cases, her breasts have lost the volume and youthful “perkiness” she had before the pregnancy. Instead, she sees flatter, sagging breasts, and while thrilled with the joy the new baby brings to her life, she is not so thrilled with the havoc the pregnancy has wreaked on her body!

The cosmetic surgical option open for her is the “Mommy Makeover” which usually combines several plastic surgical procedures into one surgical package–for example, a tummy tuck (abdominioplasty) and if needed, a breast lift or breast augmentation, or perhaps liposuction and a tummy tuck if the woman is only unhappy with her abdominal area. After consulting with her plastic surgeon, the patient will learn which surgical options will achieve the desired result. It is, however, recommended that a new mom wait at least six months after giving birth before considering such cosmetic surgery, and it may even be wise to wait until one is through having children in order to maintain the at the best results over time.