Finding A Good Plastic Surgeon: Article in LA Times

See a recent article in the Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-plasticsurgerybox19-2009jul19,0,1952565.story

Nine Secrets to Longer Life

1. Move: find ways to stay active
2. Plan de vida: build your purpose in life
3. Downshift: take a break occasionally
4. 80% rule: don't overeat, stop at 80% full
5. Plant power: choose greens in your diet
6. Red wine: glass a day
7. Belong: stay social
8. Beliefs: get ritualistic
9. Your tribe: family matters

These are a summary of the recommendations of Dan Buettner. He wrote The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest (National Geographic publishers). This work came from living with and studying people in Sardinia, Okinawa, Costa Rica, and Loma Linda, California. If you're interested: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/955/4264/110.html

We can all easily make use of some of these principles. Healthy and happy life is a universal goal.

Diprivan (Propofol) in Plastic Surgery: Safe usage vs. Michael Jackson in the news

Safety in surgery and anesthesia are extremely important to us at the Aesthetic Center. We have a nationally accredited in-office surgery facility with all anesthesia provided by our board-certified physician (MD) anesthesiologist. This facility and its staff is unique in the Carolina upstate. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/about.html#nationally-accredited-facilities

The news about the death of performer Michael Jackson has included mention of Propofol (diprivan) a potent sedative normally used in anesthesia, being used for insomnia treatment by a home care physician. We do not want adverse news or mis-information about this medication to cause concern among our patients or the public. For those that want more information, we suggest a website rxlist.com. http://www.rxlist.com/diprivan-drug.htm

It's FDA approved uses are induction and maintenance of general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care, and sedation of intensive care unit patients on breathing machines. The usage in our facility is according to FDA approved guidelines and accepted standards of anesthesia professional care.

Safe, Experienced Injectables (Juvaderm,Restylane,Botox,etc.)

We want patients to have a great experience, whether they need standard facial rejuvenation surgery, some type of mini-lift, or enhancement with injectables such as Juvaderm, Restylane or Botox.

We recommend you do your homework. Ask about certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Otolaryngology (with Certificate of Added Qualifications in Facial Cosmetic Surgery) for surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists should also be experienced around the eye area.

Recently, doctors from all unrelated specialties have been attracted to cosmetic surgery (ie. Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, etc.). When you find a "Medical Spa" or "Cosmetic Medicine" practice, inquire about the board certification and experience of the physician. If other personnel will be performing your injections (nurse[RN], nurse practitioner [NP-C], esthetician [non-medical] or technician [un-licensed]) you need to know even more.

Dr. Graham and Janice Sarrer NP-C have excellent background and specific additional injectable training.

The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety was set up by reputable organizations to promote public safety. See their site at http://www.injectablesafety.org/. They have videos and quality information. There is additional info on our site http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html

Dysport is new Botox alternative. More news

Since my recent post (June 13th) about the new FDA approval of Dysport as an alternative to Botox, I found another media mention in the Washington Post. My website discussion of neurotixins applies equally to Botox and Dysport. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html#botox

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052202257.html

Magic Wand Analogy (laser or injection): Check out the Witch or Wizard (plastic surgeon) using that thing! (copyright)

Wrinkle treatments, newest lasers, latest filler injections. We regularly get calls and we welcome questions about new developments. We are constantly looking at the many offerings of companies to find the best to offer our patients. Each new "Botox-alternative," "non-surgical facelift," "minilift" or "new laser wavelength" is a potential benefit, but quality studies are often lacking.

The "magic wand" analogy occurred to me recently. Potential patients need to ask the question posed by Glinda in the Wizard of Oz, "are you a good witch or a bad witch?" You don't need to know so much about the wand as the one waving it. The witch or wizard using the magic wand is the person who will determine the quality of your outcome.

Expert surgeons can obtain similarly excellent facelift results using a variety of techniques (SMASectomy, SMAS plication, MACS lift for example). Quality "injectors" using Botox at different concentrations or Juvaderm Ultra Plus versus Perlane can obtain superior results. The most important questions are questions about the doctor or nurse's skill, training and experience. You are not just buying a uniform product (25 units of magic neurotoxin). You are buying their medical experience.

So, my advice is don't worry so much about the wand, seek quality witches and wizards; you want the good ones.

Reloxin approved by FDA (Dysport in Europe) - Botox alternative

An alternative to Botox will be available later in 2009. Medicis Corporation, which markets Restylane and Perlane as well as other dermatologic products, announced recently that the FDA has approved its application to market an alternative botulinum toxin in the USA. Medicis has licensed the product known as Dysport in Europe from Ipsen Corporation there.

The new toxin Reloxin will work similarly to BotoxCosmetic, but with different dosages due to different activity of the product. Doctors will need to evaluate its effects on patients and adapt correct dosages.

Dr. Graham has been aware of this alternative neurotoxin for many years due to it's overseas use, and will evaluate it's benefits and risks for our patients when available here. We are one of the most active Botox users in the area, and will certainly offer proven benefits to our patients.

For a press announcement see www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/fashion/02SKIN.html?_r=1
For more information on our practice and botulinum toxin seehttp://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html#botox

We hope Reloxin will be a less expensive alternative to Botox!