Dr. Kotler Speaks on Virtual Consultations on Skype

Posted on July 26, 2010 by admin

Dr. Kotler Speaks on Virtual Consultations on Skype

Today’s technology is allowing us to consult with people all over the world. That doesn’t mean that patients necessarily come here to Beverly Hills; now from the comfort and privacy of their home, patient’s can consult with me at the office.

The key is computer technology by which we can morph a patient’s digital “before” photo into a “after.” We can show the patient the predicted result of the cosmetic procedures or skin treatments. That is all done through our website. It is really quite something.

Now we are enhanced by Skype. Not only can we share with the patient our predictions for the result, but we can see the patient, speak with the patient, make some evaluations and have even more information at hand to make proper recommendations.

Virtual consultations are wise, economical and practical. Often, we can tell patient’s that they might not be a candidate and save them the trip either across the state or country, or across the ocean.

We have been a devotee of virtual consultations and continue to be so because there is nothing like chatting with the patient “face to face” and having the chance to discuss and have a meeting of the minds regarding the outcome that the patient hopes for and we predict will be achieved.

Dr. 90210 Nose Job

Posted on July 23, 2010 by admin

Dr. 90210 Nose Job

As I write this, I am in the Upper Midwest. While I spent some of my time in a small town, Green Lake, WI, population 1,100, I didn’t have too many discussions with people about rhinoplasty or cosmetic nasal surgery. In that part of the woods, nose jobs are not very commonly done because the sub-culture of a rural area in South Central Wisconsin doesn’t emphasize cosmetic surgery.

However, what is fascinating is that the young people recognize Dr. 90210. Ah, the power of television!

We had a fun encounter on the golf course at Lawsonia, on the shore of Green Lake. On the course, high school and college students drive the refreshment carts. Refreshments include snacks, soft drinks, ice-cold water, and they are much appreciated on these hot and humid Upper Midwest summer days.

One of my golfing buddies, chatting with one of the young lady golf cart drivers, pointed to me and apparently said something to the effect of, “See that guy, he is one of the doctors on Dr. 90210.” He reported that her eyes opened widely and her jaw dropped. The thought of a “Hollywood Celebrity” being in Green Lake, WI, population 1100, may have been just too much for her. Luckily, she didn’t pass out. He said to her “Would you like Dr. Kotler’s autograph?” Apparently she did and met us at the next hole with all due speed. I was pleased to give her a copy of my Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgery book card with my signature.

As I walked away to tee off, one of the guys in my group reported that she immediately got on her cell phone to call one of the other young people who work on the course to report that she “just met Dr. 90210” and that she has his autograph!

So, the Dr. 90210 fame continues and deservedly so, in my opinion. The program was educational as well as entertaining and demystified the subject of cosmetic surgery and simplified patient understanding of the course of the cosmetic surgery patient.

Dr. 90210 Rhinoplasty Specialist

Posted on July 19, 2010 by admin

Dr. 90210 Rhinoplasty Specialist

Here, in Zip code 90210, there are some of the world’s most sophisticated cosmetic surgeons. “ The Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills, Zip 90210” has eye doctors who specialize in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids and brow and dermatologists who specialize in chemical skin peels and filler injections such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Perlane and of course, Botox and Dysport. We have other cosmetic plastic surgery specialists that have particular expertise in cosmetic breast surgery, both primary and revision breast augmentation. There is one surgeon whose practice is nearly only breast surgery and he does revision breast augmentation for patients who have had work done elsewhere and are dissatisfied.

Other cosmetic plastic surgeons specialize in tummy tuck and liposuction.

I have always felt that the most specialized and highly focused talents should be the choices for patients. Patients often don’t recognize or are unaware of the degree to which all medicine has become specialized, sub-specialized and superspecialized. A superspecialist is a doctor who practices a very boutique practice, focusing on six or fewer procedures. Typically, he has taken additional training beyond a long residency and even after passing the rigorous board exam to become “board certified”.

As one of the doctors who appeared on Dr. 90210 and as a rhinoplasty superspecialist, I can attest to the fact that, unfortunately, there are patients who come to see us who have had substandard work done by surgeons who have had very little training in cosmetic and functional nasal surgery, and who have no focus in that area. These surgeons may do everything from hair transplants to thigh implants and everything in between. Rarely will they be the most experienced and proficient practitioners.

What prospective patients need to know is that if they put themselves in the hands of those surgeons who have long experience and a fine degree of specialization, they are more likely to have a satisfactory outcome.

Computer Imaging and Hollywood

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

Computer Imaging and Hollywood

There is something magical about computer imaging. The uniqueness is that the prospective patient can see their predicted result on a computer screen and immediately understand “what it is all about.”

The discussion of cosmetic procedures is often very abstract without some visuals. The most powerful graphic they can have would be a computerized prediction of the outcome of whatever procedure they are considering, whether it is rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, face and neck lift, chemical skin peel or neck sculpturing with or without chin augmentation.

Previously all we had available to demonstrate to patients would be a magic marker to “erase” the bump on the nose. We have used computer imaging in our practice since 1989. Today’s technology, of course, is far advanced over those rudimentary computer systems we had and patients very much appreciate the chance to have that as an important part of their consultation.

In Hollywood, the home of the stars, we sometimes kid our patients who come from out of state to see us that “Welcome to Hollywood, now we will show your transformation to a Hollywood star!”

Rhinoplasty Costs in Hollywood

Posted on July 12, 2010 by admin

Rhinoplasty Costs in Hollywood

Do rhinoplasties cost more in Hollywood than in other parts of the country? I suspect they do. There are several reasons for this. One is that we do have more superspecialists here performing cosmetic procedures, including rhinoplasty. Superspecialists tend to command slightly greater fees because of their prominence, their excellence lower rate of re-do or revision surgery.

The cost of doing business is higher in Hollywood than it is in Lincoln, Nebraska or Appleton, Wisconsin. The labor costs are higher; nurses and surgical assistants command higher wages, all of which are a factor of the higher cost of living in California. Ditto for New York and other centers of excellence.

If one had blepharoplasty and chin augmentation he or she would expect to pay a bit more than you would elsewhere, although not greatly more than in other large cities that have very sophisticated practitioners of cosmetic plastic surgery including New York City, Miami and Houston.

When looking at costs in Hollywood or anywhere else, always be mindful to ask about “the entire cost.” You need to know what additional costs there would be for the outpatient surgery center, and anesthesia specialists, medications and perhaps even a postoperative recovery facility in which to stay for one or two nights.

Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Hollywood

Posted on July 7, 2010 by admin

Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Hollywood

Hollywood has always been synonymous with stardom, with glamour, with beauty.

Not every Hollywood star arrived to make their career in the same state that they were delivered on earth. What I am suggesting is that many people in Hollywood have undergone cosmetic plastic surgery to improve their appearance because much of their success is tied to what their face and neck look like on the screen.

For some of the greats like Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin it was a nose job or rhinoplasty. For others it was upper eyelid surgery to reduce the sleepy look. For those with bags under the eyes, the appropriate procedure would be lower lid blepharoplasty. There have been chin augmentations and neck sculptures and even pinning back of ears. Some stars should have had their ears pinned back, e.g. Clark Gable.

But the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Hollywood would be the surgeon who delivers natural looking results so that you would not know that the patient had ever had a rhinoplasty. I have visited photo archives and I have seen many of the before and after photos and I could tell you that Dean Martin had an excellently performed cosmetic nasal surgery and you would be hard pressed to know that he was born with any other nose – but he was.

Rhinoplasty Surgery in Hollywood

Posted on July 2, 2010 by admin

Rhinoplasty Surgery in Hollywood

Rhinoplasty, which is cosmetic plastic surgery of the nose, has long been staple in Hollywood.
The reason is that Hollywood thrives on showing the world beautiful faces and it is impossible to have a truly beautiful face without a satisfactorily-shaped nose.

Some people are lucky and are born with a nose that is proportional and is pleasing to the eye. Elizabeth Taylor comes to mind. Likewise Grace Kelly and Catherine Deneuve.

Those who have not had luck on their side with respect to receiving a “good nose”, have always had the option of having the rhinoplasty surgery. Of all the procedures that a younger person can do to improve their appearance, rhinoplasty ranks number one. It is more important and more commonly requested than chin augmentation or blepharoplasty.

Remember, also, that many people have the rhinoplasty surgery at the same time as they have nasal septoplasty and turbinate resection to improve the airway or correct a sinus problem. This “double need” is more common in men than women, of course.

Marilyn Monroe had rhinoplasty. Comedian Milton Berle and actor Dean Martin also had rhinoplasty.

Years ago when I was researching for my book, Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon, I visisted a photo archives facility in Venice, California. It was fascinating to leaf through the drawers and recognize that many familiar faces had indeed had rhinoplasty surgery at some point in their life.

Incidentally, some people go to great lengths to conceal the fact that they are having such surgery. If you ever saw Barbara Streisand in the movie Funny Girl, you would know that it was the story of comedienne Fanny Brice. In the 1930s, Fanny had a rhinoplasty performed in a hotel suite. She felt that was the best way of keeping it a secret.

Today, rhinoplasties are not performed in hotel suites and, frankly, they are rarely performed in hospitals. It is appropriate to perform such a procedure in a credentialed outpatient surgery center or a duly qualified physician’s office surgical suite.