FDA’S POSITION ON SILICONE IMPLANTS

In November 2006, the FDA allowed silicone impants back on the market. In June 2011, the FDA released a follow-up statement on the clinical and scientific information for the use of silicone gel-filled implants. This report reiterates the safety of silicone implants for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. A brief summary of the FDA’s findings: . When used as labeled, silicone implants are reasonably safe and effective. . No association is evident between silicone implants and connective tissue disease, breast cancer or reproductive problems. . Breast implants are not a permanent lifetime device and will have to be replaced. “Between 20 to 40...

Cosmetic Surgical Options/Post-Bariatric Surgery

Numerous articles continue to be written about the dangers of obesity and the many health problems associated with being overweight. Some people choose to undergo bariatric surgery to address their weight problems. Unfortunately with extreme weight loss in a relatively short period of time, the skin does not shrink to accommodate this weight fluctuation. The post-bariatric patient may be left with excess hanging skin in such areas as the face, breast, upper and lower abdomen, arms and thighs. This excess skin may cause significant psychological and physical problems such as skin irritation and skin breakdown. A variety of cosmetic procedures may...

Fat Grafting/Fat Transfer

Signs of facial aging may reveal not only skin sagging but volume loss as well. Although, a facelift may be beneficial in addressing loose skin, jowling and the so-called (turkey gobbler) neck, it will not address volume loss in the soft tissues of the face. Fat grafting is now sometimes used in conjunction with a facelift to restore volume, especially in the cheeks to restore a more balanced and youthful appearance. Fat grafting is the most natural form of filler, as fat cells are harvested from your own body. This procedure involves taking a small amount of fat from a...

Dermal Fillers/What Do They Do?

Injectable fillers may help to plump up lips, increase volume to facial hollows and help soften facial lines and creases. In our practice we use several dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid fillers, a substances found naturally in the body. Examples go under the brand names such as Juvederm, Perlane and Restylane. They can be used in the lips, naso labial folds, smile lines and to soften facial wrinkles. Another type of filler used in our practice is a calcium hydroxylapatite filler, this is a heavier filler. This filler is used to fill the deepest creases in areas as the naso labial folds....

Suncreen Facts

As more and more of us relax pool side or at the beach it is important to be aware of some simple facts regarding sunscreen. The SPF rating applies to UVB rays only. These are the rays that cause your skin to burn. The UVA radiation also causes damage to your skin by penetrating the dermis of the skin which may cause skin cancers and premature wrinkling of the skin. Children are the most vulnerable to the affect of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. It is estimated that we receive 80% of our lifetime exposure to the sun by the...

Breast Augmentation Warranty

Recently we have seen several women in our practice with ruptured breast implants. If you are considering breast augmentation (enlargement) surgery it is important to understand that your implants might need to be replaced in your lifetime. Allergan and Mentor, supply 99% of the implants used in the United States, offer free lifetime replacement on their failed devices. The companies do not cover all the other incidental costs of replacing your implant. Below is the summation of the warranties- .automatic enrollment at the time of your surgery .lifetime product replacement .silicone and saline implants are both covered .during the 1st 10 years financial assistance of...

Joint position statement issued on stem cell and fat grafting

A joint task force from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgery recently released a position statement regarding the use of stem cell and fat grafting in cosmetic surgery. There has been much concern recently regarding marketing claims utilizing stem cell and fat grafting techniques. Although this is regarded as a field with much promise, the scientific literature is very limited regarding the safety and efficiency of stem cell therapies in aesthetic procedues. Please refer to the ASAPS website link for the full position statement. http://www.surgery. … rch/node/STEM%20CELL

Breast Augmentation with Fat Injections

A recent study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons raised concerns regarding breast augmentation with fat injections. The concern involves microcalcifications which developed as a result of fat necrosis ( some of fat cells not surviving and appearing as microcalcifications on mammograms). These microcalcification are usually looked for on the mammogram to detect breast cancer and therefore may cause some confusion in patients who have undergone fat injections and developed microcalcifications as a result of the procedure. A previous study in the March issue of PRS, however ,...

Unqualified Practioners May Pose Risk

Reports of injury, disfigurement and less than acceptable results continue to be reported in the popular media throughout the country particularly with regard to injectable fillers. A variety of complications have been seen by patients who have had injections with various substances into the buttock, breasts and facial areas. Patients should be very careful about doing even non-surgical injectable procedures in non-medical settings by unlicensed medical practitioners. Patients are encouraged to do their homework and seek out qualified medical professionals with appropriate board certification for even non-surgical cosmetic procedures in accredited facilities. For more information see; American Society for...

THINK TWICE BEFORE TRAVELING ABROAD FOR YOUR COSMETIC SURGERY

Medical tourism or travel out of the country for cosmetic surgery may be risky business. The allure of cheap surgical prices coupled with travel to remote locations can prove to have disastrous consequences. .United States has standards and practices in place to ensure that patients can find qualified board-certified plastic surgeons by checking with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as appropriate certified facilities and hospitals. .In most cases, consultations are handled via the internet with minimal or no preoperative in-person evaluation. Patients often times send photos of themselves for the physician to review. .There is often a language barrier...