Recently, the FDA has approved Restylane for the use in lip augmentation or lip plumping.  This will be the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler on the market today approved for this purpose in patients over 21 years of age.

According to the ASAPS, Americans spend $1.9 billion in 2010 on injectable fillers.  They also reported that hyaluronic acid procedures were the second most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure, preceded only by Botox injections.

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October is breast cancer awareness month.  This annual event not only raises funds for research but also offer information and support to those affected by the disease and reminds women to be breast aware for early detection.

click here for link

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You may have noticed that more and more non-surgical medical procedures are being promoted by websites such as Groupon and Living Social.

It is important that the public be aware that procedures such as Botox and Filler injections, laser treatments while non-surgical are still medical procedures.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has suggested the following questions be asked before purchasing any such coupons:
. Is the med-spa located within a physician’s office?
. What are the credentials of the physician supervising your treatment?
. Who is performing the procedure?
. How effective are facial injectables and what is the right product for me?
. Is the product FDA approved for this use?
. Have all your questions been answered and are you fully aware of the risk and benefits of the procedure?
. What to expect from the procedure?
. Am I taking the procedure seriously?
. Am I basing my decision on the best treatment option and not on the price?
. What if I’m not happy with the results?
. Have you been told who holds financial responsibility for any revisions or if complications arise?

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USA Today’s

Linked below are these helpful educational articles as they appeared in USA Today:

9/14/11 Cosmetic surgery gets cheaper, faster, scarier

9/14/11 Lack of training can be deadly in cosmetic surgery

9/13/11 Some non-plastic surgeons disciplined for disastrous results

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Breast reduction has been viewed as a procedure between a cosmetic and a reconstructive surgery. In some cases, insurance companies may cover this surgery, but there has been controversy regarding coverage. ASPS has now addressed insurance coverage for this procedure outlining possible criteria for coverage.

The justification for a reduction mammoplasty should be based on the likelihood of relieving clinical signs and symptoms of breast hypertrophy. Because it is difficult to determine the size at which symptoms become a problem, the ASPS position has focused not on the amount of tissue removed or the initial size of the breast, but the degree of symptom relief.

Symptoms from breast hypertrophy usually center around shoulder pain, painful shoulder grooving from bra straps, and/or a rash underneath the breasts, as well as headaches, backaches, etc. Conservative therapies have been found to be ineffective in providing significant relief, and there are no studies confirming the cost-effectiveness of conservative care as a first line of therapy.

There has been good scientific evidence indicating the reduction mammoplasty is effective in treating related symptoms from breast hypertrophy and improvement in overall quality of life. Evidence has indicated that women across a wide range of breast sizes may experience similar relief of symptoms following a reduction mammoplasty.

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As the “baby boomer” population grows older, rhytidectomy surgery has become the third most desired procedure in this age group. When deciding to have a facelift it is important you choose a board certified plastic surgeon. It is also important for you to develop a good rapport between you and the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you choose. You should be in overall good health and have realistic expectations.

By changing how you look helps you change the way you feel about yourself. This may increase you self confidence and reduce the anxiety of growing older.

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Reality television may have hit a new low with the new show “Bridalplasty”.  The premise of the show is having twelve soon-to-be brides competing with one another to win the plastic surgical procedures of their choice. The show ends with a $100,000 dream wedding for the winner paid for by “E” network at which time the bride will unveil her new look to her husband at the time of the wedding.

Philip Haeck, M.D., President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons stated,” After seeing all the other plastic surgery shows, Hollywood seems to have exhaused the well for unique ideas.  It is shocking to have seen the lengths to which people will go to mix plastic surgery with the institution of marriage.”

These types of reality programs can lead to unrealistic expectations of patients and the safety concerns associated with multiple surgical procedures being performed at the same time.

ASPS member surgeon Garry Brody, M.D., stated on ABC news, “It’s a bad idea on two counts, one the patient is rushing a surgery, which is dangerous, and more importantly it’s totally unethical to offer plastic surgery as the result of a contest.” The Boston Herald wrote recently that this show might be the most depressing series ever to be aired on television.

It is important when considering a plastic surgical procedure to do your homework.  Make sure the plastic surgeon is board certified and a member in good standing with the American Society of Plastic Surgery.The importance of the consultation for both the patient and the physican is to create dialog that will lead to a relationship of trust for both parties. **see blog written on 7/9/10 on cosmetic consultations for more information.

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Dr. Delia will now be offering the dermal filler, Sculptra in both his Duxbury and Stoughton Offices. Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic filler used to correct the deep lines in the naso labial fold area (smile lines) and can also be used for other facial wrinkles. Sculptra works slowly to replace the volume lost through the decrease in collagen production as we age.  On average, 3-4 treatment sessions are need to achieve the desired effect.  These treatments are spaced 3-4 weeks apart to allow the product to work.

Unlike other fillers, Sculptra can last up to two years or more. For the first time, Sculptra is offering a special through March 31, 2011, $100 off each vial, up to three vials with a potential savings of $300. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and take advantage of this great offer. Click here to visit SculptraAesthetic.com

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Have you been thinking for some time about having a cosmetic surgical procedure—perhaps a breast augmentation, a tummy tuck or a facelift—and the only thing holding you back is how to pay for the procedure? Our office realizes that these procedures are costly–some more so than others–and financing is often the best option for the patient. For this reason, Dr. Delia makes available to prospective patients the option of financing their procedure(s)thru Care Credit.

Care Credit is a financing company that is geared toward an individual’s health and beauty needs. One applies via phone or online for a line of credit to cover the procedure in question, and once the account is established, the patient receives a card similar to a credit card and uses this to pay for their surgery. The patient is then billed a low minimum monthly payment and, depending upon the surgery performed, payments can oftentimes be extended for up to 60 months. This is a win-win situation in that patients do not have to wait for the procedure to be done and can pay it off gradually to lessen the impact on their finances. In addition, there are no enrollment fees and there is no penalty for prepayment.

Feel free to call our office at 781-341-8000 for more information or just click here to learn more about Care Credit’s payment plans.

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One of the most common reasons for re-operation after breast augmentation is for purposes of size change–usually to become larger. At the Baystate Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Delia takes every effort to avoid this additional surgical procedure by actively involving patients in the decision-making process. During the initial consultation, patients goals are discussed, measurements are taken, and patients examined. A fitting bra may then be used with a variety of breast implant sizers until the desired shape and size is achieved. A second visit is then scheduled giving the patient time to think about her choice and the sizing process is again repeated. A discussion ensues regarding anatomical concerns Dr. Delia then discusses anatomical concerns which are unique to each patient and advises regarding concerns about type of implant implant(silicone vs. saline), the choice of shape for the implant(round vs. teardrop), and other technical problems are all addressed. After the second consultation for breast enhancement surgery, most patients feel comfortable with their choices and have narrowed down the size of the implant they prefer (to within 25 cc or so which typically represents only a small fraction of a cup size). However, if there is still a concern, some patients will be asked to schedule another visit to finalize the most appropriate options for their breast enlargement surgery.

At Bay State Center for Plastic Surgery, we never pressure patients into making quick decisions. We want happy, satisfied patients. We engage them in the process and have them actively participate in breast implant selection. We also make sure the patient understands any concerns the surgeon may have regarding their choice. With this approach, we find patient satisfaction to be very high and re-operations for breast augmentation surgery are kept to a minimum

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