On Monday April 27th Dr. Graham and his staff are hosting an educational seminar for the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) Piedmont Chapter. This is a nursing professional organization specific to OR nurses, most of them hospital-based.
We will provide education about office based surgery including national accreditation, safety standards, back-up systems, peer review, advanced cardiac life support training, and finally specific facial, breast & body cosmetic procedures.
This seminar is an element in required continuing nursing education.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
10,000 hours to become an expert
Outliers is the title of a recent book by Mr. Malcom Gladwell about high achieving individuals. One of the observations he makes is that extensive experience in one's field is needed to become an expert. His 10,000 hour rule has reached the status of pop culture recognition. Ten years or 10,000 hours of dedicated work in a specific endeavor is generally required to achieve a high level of expertise. This applies to fields as varied as music and business. Plastic surgeons have much more.
Plastic surgery training generally consists of about 10 years. By the time a new plastic surgeon is board-certified he or she has had 4 years of medical school, 6-8 years of residency training and 1-2 years of independent practice. Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is part of that training.
On top of that, aesthetic & breast surgery has been the entire focus of my practice for more than 12 years. I have been honored to care for tens of thousands of patients. My work is probably the most enjoyable of any specialty within the practice of medicine. Patients want to come to a plastic surgeon and love what we do.
Plastic surgery training generally consists of about 10 years. By the time a new plastic surgeon is board-certified he or she has had 4 years of medical school, 6-8 years of residency training and 1-2 years of independent practice. Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is part of that training.
On top of that, aesthetic & breast surgery has been the entire focus of my practice for more than 12 years. I have been honored to care for tens of thousands of patients. My work is probably the most enjoyable of any specialty within the practice of medicine. Patients want to come to a plastic surgeon and love what we do.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Breast Augmentation, Lift, etc.
Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure. This is true for our practice and based on national statistics (see prior blog post).
People are starting to get out and do more. This time of year, with its warmer temperatures, sunshine, Easter and Spring Break is an active time for phone calls, website visits, and consultation visits. Women are interested in learning more about breast implants, breast lifts, etc.
Dr. Graham's practice has a strong interest and excellent reputation in breast surgery. We have helped hundreds of women achieve better proportions and improved appearance in work clothes, casual clothes, work-out clothes and swimwear. Also, if you're having problems with asymmetry (difference between the two), nipple appearance, changes after breast-feeding or pregnancy, we can help.
If you would like more information, or to schedule an appointment, use the "Contact Us" link on our website or call 864-676-1707
People are starting to get out and do more. This time of year, with its warmer temperatures, sunshine, Easter and Spring Break is an active time for phone calls, website visits, and consultation visits. Women are interested in learning more about breast implants, breast lifts, etc.
Dr. Graham's practice has a strong interest and excellent reputation in breast surgery. We have helped hundreds of women achieve better proportions and improved appearance in work clothes, casual clothes, work-out clothes and swimwear. Also, if you're having problems with asymmetry (difference between the two), nipple appearance, changes after breast-feeding or pregnancy, we can help.
If you would like more information, or to schedule an appointment, use the "Contact Us" link on our website or call 864-676-1707
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Refer A Friend - Obagi Professional Skin Care Day
On April 16th our Skin Care Specialists Erin and Stacy will set aside an entire day to see new & existing skin care patients. You'll have a thorough skin evaluation with recommendations on how to make the best of your skin.
Our established patients who refer a friend who sees us on the Thursday will be able to enjoy a complimentary Facial treatment. We know you'll enjoy that.
New and old patients will receive the additional benefit of 10% discount on Obagi product purchases made that week.
Schedule your favorite time on 4/16/09 by phone at 864-676-1707 or e-mail using the Contact Us Today link at our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/skin.html
Our established patients who refer a friend who sees us on the Thursday will be able to enjoy a complimentary Facial treatment. We know you'll enjoy that.
New and old patients will receive the additional benefit of 10% discount on Obagi product purchases made that week.
Schedule your favorite time on 4/16/09 by phone at 864-676-1707 or e-mail using the Contact Us Today link at our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/skin.html
Unqualified Personnel, Medical Tourism, Branded Procedures: Seek Quality Cosmetic Procedures
Seek Quality Cosmetic Procedures
Beware. Seek value, but don’t surrender quality. At times potential patients are considering a facial enhancement or breast & body procedure. Some of them may be your friends and acquaintances. There are some options they may need to be warned against. Check out the list below:
1) Inexperienced or unqualified personnel: This is a particular concern with laser and injectable treatments. Plastic surgeons have a reputation for extensive education and broad experience, both in evaluation and in treatment of facial and body cosmetic concerns.
Companies that produce filler injections and lasers market them heavily to doctors in many fields that have little experience treating skin and aesthetic problems. Some salons and spas solicit a doctor to give assurance to wary clients. Ask about board certification? In what specialty? How much training? Is the laser operator a MD or licensed RN? Be wary of technicians without nursing or medical degrees. If an injection is involved, is the substance FDA approved? Is there data to support “off-label” use?
2) Medical tourism is a growing industry. For decades, patients have come to specialists in the US for outstanding care. Quality training and high safety standards have been our hallmark. A reverse phenomenon is the flow of patients to second and third world countries for discount cosmetic surgery. Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Hong Kong have some respected well-known plastic surgeons, but many well-marketed doctors in Central America and Asia entice patients with low prices. They do not offer US medical care standards or important follow-up. These situations have produced both excellent results and injured or disfigured patients.
3) “Branded” operations are cleverly marketed procedures. One can usually recognize these procedures by their gimmicky names: “Lite-lift,” “Easy-lipo,” “Wonder-lift,” “Laser-lift,” or “Make-over lift.” The appeal is the possibility of cheaper, fast, simple, painless, or risk-free surgery. The procedures are usually relatively minor modifications of common operations – not break-through developments. Some are scaled-down versions of procedures. Some of the operations were generally abandoned by surgeons as having limited effectiveness. More established operations exist for a reason – proven effectiveness helping patients achieve quality results.
Dr Graham and his staff have excellent background, years of experience, and receive on-going training on quality procedures. We have the ability to offer a range of aesthetic techniques, minimally-invasive options or operations – designed to address each of your concerns – safely, effectively and at moderate cost. We can design a plan to do simple things now, and transition to more substantial improvements as you wish.
Beware. Seek value, but don’t surrender quality. At times potential patients are considering a facial enhancement or breast & body procedure. Some of them may be your friends and acquaintances. There are some options they may need to be warned against. Check out the list below:
1) Inexperienced or unqualified personnel: This is a particular concern with laser and injectable treatments. Plastic surgeons have a reputation for extensive education and broad experience, both in evaluation and in treatment of facial and body cosmetic concerns.
Companies that produce filler injections and lasers market them heavily to doctors in many fields that have little experience treating skin and aesthetic problems. Some salons and spas solicit a doctor to give assurance to wary clients. Ask about board certification? In what specialty? How much training? Is the laser operator a MD or licensed RN? Be wary of technicians without nursing or medical degrees. If an injection is involved, is the substance FDA approved? Is there data to support “off-label” use?
2) Medical tourism is a growing industry. For decades, patients have come to specialists in the US for outstanding care. Quality training and high safety standards have been our hallmark. A reverse phenomenon is the flow of patients to second and third world countries for discount cosmetic surgery. Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Hong Kong have some respected well-known plastic surgeons, but many well-marketed doctors in Central America and Asia entice patients with low prices. They do not offer US medical care standards or important follow-up. These situations have produced both excellent results and injured or disfigured patients.
3) “Branded” operations are cleverly marketed procedures. One can usually recognize these procedures by their gimmicky names: “Lite-lift,” “Easy-lipo,” “Wonder-lift,” “Laser-lift,” or “Make-over lift.” The appeal is the possibility of cheaper, fast, simple, painless, or risk-free surgery. The procedures are usually relatively minor modifications of common operations – not break-through developments. Some are scaled-down versions of procedures. Some of the operations were generally abandoned by surgeons as having limited effectiveness. More established operations exist for a reason – proven effectiveness helping patients achieve quality results.
Dr Graham and his staff have excellent background, years of experience, and receive on-going training on quality procedures. We have the ability to offer a range of aesthetic techniques, minimally-invasive options or operations – designed to address each of your concerns – safely, effectively and at moderate cost. We can design a plan to do simple things now, and transition to more substantial improvements as you wish.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Just Released: 2008 statistics on plastic srugery
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) just published its 2008 annual statistical comparisons. The main findings are:
For the first time in 12 years, liposuction is no longer the most popular cosmetic surgery -- it is breast augmentation. Botox is again the most popular non-surgical treatment.
The top 5 surgery procedures for women (92% of patients) were breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast reduction. That is reflective of my practice, although facelift is also very common.
The number of procedures decreased 11% from 2007. Among males, procedures decreased 23%. 53% of procedures were performed in office-based surgery facilities. Total spending was $12 billion. Details are available at http://www.surgery.org/
For the first time in 12 years, liposuction is no longer the most popular cosmetic surgery -- it is breast augmentation. Botox is again the most popular non-surgical treatment.
The top 5 surgery procedures for women (92% of patients) were breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast reduction. That is reflective of my practice, although facelift is also very common.
The number of procedures decreased 11% from 2007. Among males, procedures decreased 23%. 53% of procedures were performed in office-based surgery facilities. Total spending was $12 billion. Details are available at http://www.surgery.org/
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Facial Aging & Blepharoplasty: Recent items in the media
Time Magazine ran an article in February with some very interesting observations on genetically identical twins and how environment makes us look younger or older. It reinforced recommendations that plastic surgeons have been making; that enhancing volume in the face makes one look more youthful. We use hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, etc.) and Fat Graft Transfer to maintain full healthy cheeks, correct jawline thinning, and fill in under-eye grooves. Facelifting techniques elevate and restore sagging or lost healthy tissues. The article contains other thought provoking ideas.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1877717,00.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html
More Magazine followed one woman through the process of blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). They show early post-op swelling, etc.
http://www.more.com/style/beauty/anti-aging/eyelift-one-womans-story/
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html#eyelid-surgery
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1877717,00.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html
More Magazine followed one woman through the process of blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). They show early post-op swelling, etc.
http://www.more.com/style/beauty/anti-aging/eyelift-one-womans-story/
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html#eyelid-surgery
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