Monthly Archives: November 2009

How Important Is It to Focus On Whether the Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon Performs An “Open Rhinoplasty” or “Closed Rhinoplasty”?

Posted on by
Reply

How Important Is It to Focus On Whether the Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon Performs An “Open Rhinoplasty” or “Closed Rhinoplasty”?

I find patients often get hung up on technical details that have little bearing on the outcome.

Because of attention given to the so-called “open rhinoplasty” in recent years, it seems to have captured the imagination of the public.  The reality is that for over 75 years all nasal surgeries were done by incisions entirely within the nose, the “closed rhinoplasty” approach, and results were generally good. 

I understand the value of an open rhinoplasty as a technique to teach young surgeons but once they have mastered the fundamentals of cosmetic plastic nasal surgery, they should be able also to perform the operation from within the nose.  Yes, it is a bit easier to see the structures of the tip when an external incision has been made and the skin has been lifted up, akin to lifting the hood of a car.  However, there is always some price to be paid when additional incisions and maneuvers are fashioned.  For some people, the scar is visible and that turns out to be a point of dissatisfaction.  There is a slight increase in swelling after surgery and this could translate to longer healing times. 

In my opinion based on nearly 40 years and 4,000 nasal surgeries performed, the great majority of the noses can be satisfactorily done through hidden incisions entirely within the nose, closed with absorbable stitches.

Be Sure To Tell Your Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon About All the Medications You Are Taking. Prescription – And Nonprescription

Posted on by
Reply

Be Sure To Tell Your Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon About All the Medications You Are Taking. Prescription – And Nonprescription

In the medical journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in 2008, a study noted that “approximately 55% of plastic surgery patients . . . take supplements but often do not tell their surgeons.”

An article in The New York Times said that “70% of the adults in the United States are taking a variety of vitamins, herbs, minerals, supplements and that is an increasing trend as people tend to take more responsibility for their health.

All these are fine of they do not interfere with surgery.  

Los Angeles plastic surgeons have learned that this does present a risky situation because while supplements are non-prescription, they may well have some effect on vital body functions particularly blood clotting.  Now, supplements can mean homeopathic medications, over-the-counter medications, but whatever they are, they can render an effect particularly if there is an adverse combination with a prescription medication.  Patients need to be reminded that it is important to share all their medical information with the doctor.  Often cosmetic plastic surgery patients tend to minimize the medical significance of the procedure since it is referred to as “only cosmetic surgery”. But surgery is surgery and since these are done under anesthesia, the principles of safe anesthesia are no different for a cosmetic nasal plastic surgery or face and neck lift or for open heart surgery. 

The doctor needs to be sure to ask enough questions to determine what medications you are taking.  While people do remember when they take medications for thyroid problems or heart problems or blood pressure, they often forget to mention that they may be taking a dosage of substances that have an effect on vital organs or body function.   Among the non-prescription, over-the-counter medications, that have the potential for the most serious interactions are the “Five G’s”:  Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginger, Goldenseal and Ginseng. And, if you are taking any weight loss medication, indicate that also.

For your safety, be sure to list all your medications, discuss them with your doctor, and, of course, be sure to also discuss them with your anesthesia specialist prior to surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon’s Office Won’t Discuss Fees in Beverly Hills?

Posted on by
Reply

Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon’s Office Won’t Discuss Fees in Beverly Hills?
A Big Warning Sign.

When you call a professional office, you certainly are entitled to have some idea of the cost of professional services.  There may be a charge for consultation; you should be aware of it.  With respect to fees for specific cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, it is certainly fair and appropriate for the office to give you ,at the least, a range in fee for the service that you believe you would like to have.

Certainly, circumstances can be discovered at the time of consultation and examination which may have an impact upon the fee.  But a “ballpark” range of fees is a practical way to let you know whether or not your budget is in your ballpark. 

If a practice won’t reveal any significant fee information over the phone, why waste your time consulting with the doctor?  The practice may not be affordable.  You can’t just print money if you and the office are poles apart. 

It’s like oogling cars at the Rolls Royce dealer but knowing that your budget says Mazda or Volvo or Ford.

Dr. Oz and Dr. Linder Deliver a Great TV Segment To A National Audience

Posted on by
Reply

Dr. Oz and Dr. Linder Deliver a Great TV Segment To A National Audience

Mehmet Oz, MD, has created an excellent television program that focuses exclusively on medical consumerism.   Dr. Oz who is a heart surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical School in New York, has been a long-time favorite of Oprah.  He appeared with Oprah on 55 programs before launching his own television program which incidentally is co-produced by Harpo Productions, Oprah’s production company.

The Dr. Oz Show, on air for only six weeks, has already become the third most-watched television talk show. 

I have been impressed by Dr. Oz’s ability to clearly and graphically explain often complex medical issues to his audience.  He knows how to speak in words that all can understand, not medical-ese.   He is covering interesting and often controversial topics such as hysterectomy.  But with every program, there are always several “walk-away” conclusions and bits of salient advice for the viewer. 

On November 3, Dr. Oz aired an excellent segment that told a story of Becky Keenan.  Becky, a traveling carnival owner, had always been obese and lost 140 pounds via a gastric bypass operation performed in Houston.  Following that, Becky saw that she required some reconstructive plastic surgery because her breasts had, following the operation and subject to gravity, become very “hangy” and unattractive.  In addition, she had the typical “apron” of excess tummy skin literally hanging over her belt line.

Stuart Linder, MD, FACS, provided the answer to her sagging and hanging skin.  Using a standard breast reduction and uplift technique, Dr. Linder refashioned Becky’s breasts.  At the same time, a tummy tuck procedure erased the tummy overhang.

On the program, Becky recounted her history and showed a number of photographs as an always obese young person.  The program tastefully showed her postoperative results in one week which looked terrific. 

On the program, Dr. Oz and Dr. Linder clearly explained the technique involved with excellent graphics and animation.  It was very tastefully done and the viewer clearly understood the benefits of weight loss and the need and propriety for the reconstructive plastic surgery that followed. 

Whichever producer at the Dr. Oz Show produced the segment really hit a home run!