7 Safety Guidelines for the Cosmetic Surgery Patient

The Health writers at CNN recently compiled a list of useful guidelines that cosmetic surgery patients should use to protect their safety. Though we’ve organized them into a shorter format for easy reference, you should read the whole story on CNN.com

Do….

  • Investigate the procedure of interest.

Though your cosmetic surgeon should be a trustworthy, knowledgeable authority, you still need to seek out more than one resource for information. Research will help you protect yourself and help you decide if cosmetic surgery is truly in line with your personal values.

  • Ask your surgeon about board certification.

Find out what board has certified your surgeon and what standards must be met to receive that certification.

  • Find out if your surgeon has a prevention plan for DVT.

Deep vein thrombosis is a possible complication. Your plastic surgeon should take steps to minimize the risk and be prepared to see early signs of its occurrence.

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Giving the Gift of Cosmetic Surgery? Proceed With Care

As far as holiday gifts go, cosmetic surgery definitely falls in the “extraordinary” give_me_giftscategory.  But it’s not that uncommon.

We know some women who would much prefer a breast augmentation or mommy-makeover to the usual electronics and clothes that get exchanged each year.

“There are a large number of people who really want cosmetic surgery, and they just need that little nudge or incentive to get it done” says Dr. Mark Berman, President-Elect of the AACS.

However, Berman also offers some crucial advice for those of you considering this type of extraordinary gift: Make sure you’ve discussed the idea with the recipient so it doesn’t come as a total surprise.

A consumer survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery revealed that nearly 50 percent of consumers would forego an expensive vacation or even a luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.

I’d say those are pretty good odds that your gift will be a satisfying one.

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Why Should We Support or Reject the "Botax"?

There are many opinions being expressed about this so-called “Botax” but there’s one problem: patients aren’t voicing their own position – and they would be the ones paying most of it.

As Dr. Steven Teitelbaum told the New York Times this week, “[cosmetic surgery patients] are a disorganized group that has no one of its own representing it.”

“They don’t want to come out and march on Capitol Hill,” he said. “You’re not going to have a million-man Botox march.”  Aside from the occasional gripe from one or two people here in Cincinnati, there haven’t been many non-surgeons weighing in on this issue.

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Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons Oppose New Tax on Elective Surgeries

cosmetic_surgery_taxSurgeons in the United States have responded strongly against the recently proposed “elective cosmetic medical” tax that was unveiled late Wednesday, calling it “discriminatory, arbitrary, and difficult to administer.”

Plastic surgery statistics have repeatedly shown that middle class females predominantly purchase these services, so any tax levied against them will unfairly discriminate against women.

The bill also imposes the burden of making clear distinctions between procedures that are “medically necessary” and simply elective.  This is a very difficult line to draw in certain situations, and many have questioned the government’s role in making such distinctions.

Details of the bill are below:

”SEC. 5000B. IMPOSITION OF TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES.
”(a) IN GENERAL.-There is hereby imposed on any cosmetic surgery and medical procedure a tax equal to 5 percent of the amount paid for such procedure (determined without regard to this section), whether paid by insurance or otherwise.
”(b) COSMETIC SURGERY AND MEDICAL PROCEDURE.-For purposes of this section, the term ‘cosmetic surgery and medical procedure’ means any cosmetic surgery (as defined in section 213(d)(9)(B)) or other similar procedure which-
”(1) is performed by a licensed medical professional, and
”(2) is not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease.

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News and Happenings in Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Bloggers poke fun at the plastic surgery iPhone app.imyphone

First at Fort Hood: Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, who often train alongside plastic surgeons while treating hard and soft tissues of the face, were among the first responders at Fort Hood.

Scientists in Australia work to develop an amazing procedure that would allow women to regrow breasts after a mastectomy.

The publication Plastic Surgery Practice is discussing the idea of a “global aesthetic consciousness” on their blog, in reference to a piece written in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

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5 Important Things to Evaluate Before Your Breast Augmentation

OhioAlthough several surgical practices are offering breast implants in Cincinnati and Dayton, they are not all equal. With an elective surgery like breast augmentation, you want to be satisfied with the first operation. You also want excellent aesthetic results and an experience that is positive overall.

In order to achieve those goals, you may need to do some investigative work before you choose a surgeon. Use this list as a general outline of things to evaluate about each surgical practice.

1. Does your surgeon have specific training in breast augmentation and the versatility required to offer you multiple options?

Because skills often overlap, you might find different types of surgeons offering the same procedure. Just remember that only plastic and cosmetic surgeons receive training for breast augmentation as a primary part of their residency. Having a specific focus on cosmetic surgery of the breast will often translate into a greater ability to perform different techniques that may be necessary.

2. Who will administer anesthesia for your surgery?

Anesthesia is safe with a trained practitioner, but in the wrong hands it can pose a significant risk. Whoever administers anesthesia for you should be well trained, prepared for unexpected problems, and focused on your safety.

3. Who will be with you before, during, and after your surgery?

It is common for the supporting staff to oversee much of the operation and guide patients through the process. Doing this is vital to both the success of the surgery and to the overall experience.

4. Does your surgeon have privileges at a local hospital?

To obtain hospital privileges, your plastic or cosmetic surgeon must be able to prove and/or demonstrate a record of training for the procedures he or she intends to perform there. If your surgeon doesn’t operate in a hospital, he or she may be in an outpatient surgical suite or surgery center.

5. Is the surgical facility certified and safe?

Breast augmentation can be performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. To receive proper certification, specific standards must be met. Read more about our AAAHC accredited facility in Cincinnati.

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Is Donda West Law Really Necessary?

schwarzAccording to the LA Times and several other news sources in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that will require physical examinations before cosmetic surgery can be performed on a patient.

Named after Donda West, who died as a result of liposuction complications, the law is intended to prevent life threatening complications due to poor patient selection. Mrs. West is said to have been turned away by other plastic surgeons before she underwent liposuction by Dr. Jan Adams.

At the Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center, patients undergoing cosmetic surgery have always been evaluated by a primary care physician or specialist prior to having surgery.  Patients also have blood tests and EKG testing as indicated for their age and the cosmetic  procedures they will have.

According to Dr Mandell-Brown, “with all due respect to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, you can’t legislate the practice of quality medicine”.  For years we have required an independent history and physical exam for our cosmetic surgery patients.”  Dr. Mandell-Brown, a triple board certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon added,  “to practice good plastic surgery, you have to first be a good physician.”

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Mark Mandell Brown Warns Against Botox Breast Lift

botox_breastliftDoctor Mandell-Brown recently appeared on Local 12 to answer the question “What is a Botox Breast lift?”  You can see a video of this appearance on our media page.
The report explains that although the breast lift is common, and Botox is practical and effective, the so-called Botox Breast Lift is not a cost effective cosmetic treatment people should consider.

The most common theory behind this procedure posits that Botox injections can relax muscles and affect a woman’s posture in such a way that simulates lifting of the breasts.  Dr. Mandell Brown answers the question conclusively:

“Rather than spend four or five or ten thousand dollars on a breast lift, lets do $200-$300 of botox. Are we just throwing away the 300 dollars then? Yes. Is there any research to support that this would be even remotely effective? No. In reality, the tissue’s too heavy for that to happen.”

Click here to read more about breast lift surgery in Cincinnati.

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Support RIDE FOR THE CURE and Get a Discount on Injectable Treatments! Now Through November 1st

bicyclerideAs we posted before, Mark and Marianne Mandell-Brown are participating in the Greater Cincinnati Chapter Ride for The Cure October 15-18, 2009.  Marianne is riding 60 miles and Mark is attempting over 100 miles through Death Valley, California.  Most importantly, it’s for a great cause; we’re trying to raise funds for research on juvenile onset diabetes.

Through November 1 of 2009, we’re offering our patients a special deal on injectable treatments that will help fund the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Contribute $25 to $100 and receive double discount on Botox, Dysport, or soft tissue fillers.   For example, write a check to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for $25.00 and receive $50 off Botox, Dysport, or Soft Tissue Fillers of your Choice.  Write a check for $100 and receive $200 off Botox, Dysport or Soft Tissue Fillers (Perlane, Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse)

Contact our office for more information on this great cause and this special offer!

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Is Cosmetic Surgery a Viable Solution for Aging?

The UK Observer published an editorial over the weekend that offered contrasting opinions from British journalist Alice Hart-Davis and Annabel Jones, beauty director for the UK fashion magazine Grazia.  The Observer asked them, “Can cosmetic surgery ever be a viable solution to aging?”

It seems the question is flawed from the beginning; can anything at all be a viable solution to aging?  Unless you’re very optimistic about regenerative medicine and  stem cell research, the aging process is a fact you must accept.  So, the word “solution” is a little misleading; cosmetic surgery doesn’t have a “solution to aging,” but it does offer many options.

Those options for dealing with the cosmetic effects of aging are highly individualized.  One person may be totally satisfied with “great skincare, clever makeup, and an amazing haircut” – but that doesn’t mean you or I need to be.  This concept of individuality seems to be an underlying point of contention between the two journalists.

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