Kenneth Viste, Jr. M.D.

This post is an exception to our usual blog posts.  The usual aim of this blog is to share my experience and knowledge so that you may have as much information as possible to help in case you have:

• Nasal obstruction
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged turbinates
• Unhappiness  about the appearance of your nose

Rather than devote this blog to that education, we wanted to share the recent passing of a friend. Below you will see the connection between my choice of medical specialty and him.

In medical school, in the class ahead of us, was an extraordinary man:  Ken Viste, Jr. He was one of the last of our generation (slightly pre-“Baby Boomer”) to have contracted polio at age 13 in 1955.  It left him a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair.  But none of that kept Ken from finishing college and then medical school.

Ken was an extraordinary person in terms of his achievements in the medical world.  It is not easy to go through medical school in a wheelchair.  All of us take for granted all our faculties.  To participate in surgery, physical examinations, and the conduct of anesthesia are a lot tougher when you cannot stand up.

We became close with Ken when we worked together on the same “service” at one of our medical school’s teaching hospitals.  On the service were one resident, two interns, and two senior students, known as “sub-interns.” Your truly was one of the two sub-interns.  All five of us worked very closely.  It was a great team we had assembled.  We learned a lot, enjoyed the experience, and particularly enjoyed each other’s company.

Despite the rigors of being an intern, Ken never complained.  He always had a good sense of humor and, of course, engendered tremendous respect and appreciation from our patients.

While a sub-intern, Ken used to razz me about my interest in matters cosmetic.  He often said, “Hey, you’re gonna go and do rhinoplasties, facelifts, blepharoplasties and correct deviated septums?  Hey, that’s not real medicine.  You’re too smart to do that stuff.”

We appreciated the compliment, but I never felt that engaging in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures required any less study and diligence.

We kept up with Ken, and even saw him at one of the medical school reunions about four years ago.  Recently, I read of his passing in the university’s alumni magazine.  I sent a note to his widow along with a charitable contribution in his memory.

We quote from her response:

Dear Robert,

 I am sorry to be so late with this heartfelt thank you for your lovely letter and the gift you made to the Leukemia Research Foundation in Ken’s memory.  Our entire family thanks you for your very kind and personal expression of sympathy.  Over 1,200 cards, calls, and visits containing words of comfort and memory of Ken have helped us through this most difficult time. 

We have found great solace in knowing that Ken will continue to live in so many hearts in addition to our own. 

Warmest Regards,

Jan

Can you imagine 1,200 expressions of sympathy! The man touched many, many hearts in his too-short life.

Finally, we should note that Ken, besides being an exemplary physician, became very active in medical organizations.  He became:

• The President of the Wisconsin State Medical Society
• Served on the alumni board of the medical school
• Innumerable other professional organizations

A difficult life, yet one well-lived.

Ken was, and will always be, one of my personal heroes.

(Read “Three Miles by Wheelchair” on Dr. Viste’s  memorial website.)

Pain Management After Cosmetic Surgery in Los Angeles

Postoperative pain varies from patient to patient.  It depends on the procedure.   Operations that are performed on tissues or areas that are in motion tend to be a little more sensitive.  Therefore, tummy tucks can be a bit more uncomfortable because every time one sits up or changes position, there is the requisite tightening of the abdominal muscles and some discomfort.  Breast augmentation and breast reduction tend to be less uncomfortable. Likewise, nasal cosmetic surgery and nearly all the facial procedures carry little postoperative pain burden because there is less movement.

However, the pain threshold is different from patient to patient.  The discomfort can also be a function of swelling and bruising.  For that reason, cosmetic surgeons will typically provide for the patient anti-swelling and anti-bruising medication and, of course, pain medication.  The best indication for what the ideal pain medication is for a given patient is their past experience. 

The surgeon should ask:  “Have you ever had previous surgery, and if so, what pain medications did you take that were effective?”  This will be a guide.  Our experience has been that for most patients, mid-level pain medication such as Tylenol with codeine or Vicodin suffice.

For those patients in whom Vicodin or Tylenol with codeine are not satisfactory, the practice can provide stronger pain medication.  Typically, this is only necessary for a day or two.  Please remember that in the postoperative period, when one is taking narcotic pain medications and less active than usual, there is a greater chance of developing constipation and so that should be foreseen and properly addressed.

On Thursday, April 23rd, Dr. Stuart Linder and I hosted the Beverly Hills Latisse Launch Party. 

Dr. Linder and Dr. Kotler

Dr. Linder is a board-certified plastic surgeon who limits his practice to body sculpting procedures and is the author of The Beverly Hills Shape. I, Dr. Kotler, am a board-certified otolaryngologist.  I limit my practice to procedures of the face and neck.  I am the author of Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon.

Peter Houtz, Crystal Linder, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Linder

Many of our past patients attended the event and were happy to learn more about Latisse, the new, by- prescription eyelash enhancer that makes your lashes longer, thicker and darker.

Our attendees were thrilled to participate in our raffle.  The prizes given out were a box of Latisse, one syringe of Juvederm, a custom Airbrush Tanning Session with Sunset Tan and a full set of products from Revale Skincare.

Everyone is attendance had a great evening. We have already received calls from people asking “When is the next party?”

Dr. Kotler, Helaine Kotler, Suzanne Sena and Michael Levine