Knife-Free Plastic Surgery

Knife-Free Plastic Surgery

By Deanna Fene
First Coast News

The new laser procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and theres no recovery time
It happens to all of us, as we get older, things change. But what if you could defy the years, without a doctor's scalpel? In fact, imagine leaving your office for lunch and coming back looking better.

You no longer have to undergo the knife to look younger. And you no longer have to worry about the down time with microdermabrasions and chemical peels, either.

The new laser procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and there's no recovery time. The laser helps reverse the aging process by making fine wrinkles and sun damaged skin practically disappear.

Dr. Scott Trimas uses two different lasers on his patients, one for wrinkles, another for brown spots and blood vessels. "With these lasers you don't get any external damage to the skin. It's all internal which corrects the outward things that we see."

Dr. Dan Collaway uses a different laser. This one works on wrinkles and brown spots. "It's a very subtle very gentle very natural way of rejuvenating the skin."

It only takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and with little to no redness, clients can rush back to work.

33-year-old Leslie Dorian's been getting the treatment for a few months now. "You can go finish your day." And she's able to do it on her lunch break, without anyone knowing she's had any work done, "that's right that's what I like best."

It's quick, easy, and virtually painless, but it'll take several months and multiple treatments to see any results. And at $250 to $500 a pop, it isn't cheap.

Dorian says it's worth the price, "plastic surgery or a face lift is ten thousand dollars, so I'm only paying $500 dollars. It's definitely worth it."

After two months, Leslie says the fine wrinkles around her eyes are now gone. The brown spots on her forehead are still there but not as strong. She hopes another treatment or two, and it will be gone.

Credit from http://surgerynews.net/news/111003/face/face311-005.html

Ear surgery pioneers in city operation

Ear surgery pioneers in city operation

SURGEONS from all over the world were set to perform pioneering ear reconstruction operations in Edinburgh today.

Three children were due to get new ears created for them in complex procedures at a specialist unit in the Capital.

Pictures of the surgical teams - from Japan, France and Germany - at work will be beamed live to the Royal College of Surgeons to be watched by delegates from across the globe.

The conference was organised by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgeons, with work by Edinburgh-based cosmetic surgeon Ken Stewart.

Mr Stewart, who is the only surgeon to perform the complex surgery in Scotland, said the operations took between six and eight hours.

The surgeons will operate on nine-year-old Sean Bentley, from Denny, Stirlingshire, who was born with one underdeveloped ear.

The other patients are a 12-year-old whose ear was ripped off by a dog when she was a baby, and another child with a birth defect.

Mr Stewart said: "There is evidence that this kind of surgery, while often purely cosmetic, can have a big effect on children's self-esteem and improve their lives in the long term."

Credit This article from : http://news.scotsman.com

Considering Breast Enhancement? What You Need to Know

Considering Breast Enhancement? What You Need to Know

By Dr. Richard Reynolds

Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that plastic surgeons use for breast enhancement or to obtain more symmetry. Every day, women all over the world decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery for a variety of reasons. It is important to research and understand the surgery and examine your reasons for considering it when deciding whether breast augmentation is the right procedure for you.

Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Right for Me?

Women are impacted by the pressure from society to look perfect from a young age. Compound that with a spouse or partner that prefers larger breasts and it is reason enough for many women to decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery. There are plenty of women that decide to proceed with breast enhancement for the right reasons, based solely on their own wants and needs. To ensure a successful outcome, it is important to take a close look at what is behind your desire for enhanced breasts.

-Have realistic expectations - Women must go into breast enhancement with realistic expectations of what the operation will do for them. It is important to keep in mind that even though breast augmentation surgery can do wonders for self-esteem, it is meant to enhance your appearance, not make your life perfect.

-Who are you doing it for? Yourself or someone else's happiness? - It is essential that you decide to explore breast enhancement for yourself and not for anyone else. Many women make the mistake of going through with breast augmentation surgery to please their spouse or partner, or to comply with social pressures, instead of listening to their own needs. This is a mistake that will not fix problems, but has the potential to multiply them.

-Be physically healthy - The best age for breast enhancement is anywhere between 18 and 50. After 50, you can still get implants, but there is a higher risk of medical complications, and the operation has a lower success rate. If you are pregnant or nursing, now is not the time for breast augmentation surgery. Make sure that you don't have any serious chronic diseases or ongoing treatments that may pose a risk. The best way to be sure that you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to talk to your doctor.

-Does your surgeon have the necessary experience to deliver the breast enhancement result you are looking for? Ask potential surgeons to disclose important information about their background, including; education, professional experience, board certification, and the number of years they have performed breast augmentation surgery.

-Be mentally prepared for altering the appearance of the body - Often, there is a period of adjustment after surgery. Take the time to ensure that breast enhancement is right for you from both a physical and mental perspective.

-Know what results you want to see - Be upfront and open with your doctor about what you want your breasts to look like after the breast augmentation surgery. Clear up any questions or lingering concerns about expectations before moving forward with breast enhancement.

-Know what type of breast implants you want - The two options for breast implants are silicone or saline. Both are safe for breast enhancement, but each has pros and cons that need to be considered.

-Understand the maintenance that may be required over the long-term - You can undergo breast enhancement, but you cannot stop the process of aging and your shape may change with time and a breast lift may be required later. Many women have to go in for follow-up treatment, either to remove or replace the implants, or have them adjusted due to the effects of age.

The Breast Augmentation Surgery: Before and After

Although breast augmentation surgery is a quick and efficient procedure, it is still serious and it is important to know what to expect during and after, in terms of pain and recovery. A breast enhancement is performed as an outpatient procedure, usually under a general anesthetic and takes about one hour. There is mild to moderate soreness that improves significantly two to three days after breast augmentation surgery and most patients are back to work three to four days after surgery. Low impact activities can resume immediately but there are some restrictions on strenuous activity for three to six weeks. Six weeks after the surgery there are no restrictions.

Short term side effects of breast augmentation surgery include soreness, swelling, change in nipple sensation (increased or decreased sensation), and bruising. Most of these resolve completely within a few weeks to a few months. Some potential long term problems include deflation, leaking, rupture, capsular contracture, and rippling. Capsular contracture is abnormal scar tissue around the implant. All implants develop a capsule around them but some can become hard or painful and may require a procedure to remove the scar tissue. An MRI can confirm leakage of a silicone implant if suspected and saline implants usually deflate entirely when there is a leak or rupture.

When considering breast augmentation surgery, do your homework on the options available for types of implants. In November of last year, the FDA approved use of silicone implants for all women over twenty-two years old, which ended a thirteen year restriction on silicone implants. Plastic surgeons can now use silicone or saline implants for breast enhancement, depending upon patient preference and anatomy.

If silicone implants are used during breast augmentation surgery, the implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle. If saline implants are used for breast enhancement, most plastic surgeons will place them under the muscle. There are pros and cons to placing them above and under the muscle. Placing the implants above the muscle decreases post-operative pain and may decrease distortion during heavy chest muscle activity--important for body builders or weight lifting enthusiasts. Placing the implants below the muscle hides the upper portion of the implants and offers slightly more tissue coverage if tissue in this area was very deficient.

Conclusion

Breast enhancement is a valuable option for women who want to enhance their appearance, with realistic expectations in mind. In order to ensure a successful outcome from breast augmentation surgery, it is important to understand your own motives and to do your homework to learn about all the risks and potential side effects that could result from the procedure in the short and long-term.

Credit from http://www.americanchronicle.com

Ten Plastic Surgery Risks You Need To Know

Ten Plastic Surgery Risks You Need To Know

By Miriam Marcus

We are one vain bunch.

Need proof? Demand for cosmetic plastic surgery continues to increase. Americans spent $11.5 billion for 11 million cosmetic procedures in 2006--a 48% increase over the number performed in 2000, according to the National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics.

While TV shows like ABC's Extreme Makeover and NBC's Bionic Woman paint a rosy picture, plastic and cosmetic surgeries are not without risks.

After all, surgery is surgery.

"The human body makes no distinction when the scalpel hits," warns Dr. Richard D'Amico, president-elect of the American Society for Plastic Surgery (ASPS). "The difference with elective cosmetic surgeries is that patients generally start out being healthy."

Among the more common dangers: numbness, seroma and necrosis.

Proceed With Caution
Temporary numbness or loss of feeling at the site of the incision is fairly common in face-lifts and tummy tucks, though it's rarely permanent.

Numbness after breast surgeries of any type is the most common. Loss of sensation in the nipple in particular occurs anywhere from 10% to 70% of the time, says Dr. Nahai, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) depending on the type of procedure. What's worst? Breast reductions, where the nipple and areola are totally removed and reattached as skin grafts.

Seroma is a collection of watery body fluids that occurs most often in tummy tucks. It's common enough that many surgeons take preventative measures by inserting a drain during surgery, notes Dr. D'Amico.

Some tissue death from surgical manipulation, called necrosis, is inevitable after any procedure, though your risks increase dramatically if you're a smoker. That's because smoking affects blood supply to the tissues. By definition, the surgeon is cutting into those tissues, and if the blood supply is already compromised, necrosis is more likely to occur.

After any surgery, there is the possibility of excessive bleeding. Hematoma, a collection of blood, occurs more in men than in women because beard follicles in the face mean there are more capillaries--and therefore an increased blood supply in that area.

Infections are rare in plastic surgery patients, since most are healthy to begin with. When they happen, however, they can spread quickly and must be stopped immediately.

The rarest and most feared of side effects is, of course, death. Toxic levels of anesthetics have been known to cause respiratory failure in some patients. In some rare instances, high levels of topical lidocaine have led to death. In others, imitation Botox, or other imitation fillers not approved by the FDA, have left patients in comas for up to several years, and eventually dead.

Scared? There are several steps you can take to minimize the potential dangers of plastic surgery.

Reduce Your Risk
Choosing the right surgeon is important. Identical twins may undergo the same procedure by two different doctors and have two different results, explains Dr. Darrick E. Antell, a New York-based plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery.

Be sure to pick a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Medical Association. Ask your doctor which types of medicine they hold certifications in, and check for yourself at the American Board of Medical Specialties Web site.

Any MD can claim to be a surgeon, but you should choose only a board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.

Also, verify that your doctor of choice has privileges to perform surgery in a hospital. A doctor may choose to perform certain procedures in a private office, but he or she should have credentials from a hospital's "credential committee." Having such credentials, says Dr. Antell, is as important as a doctor's board certification.

If your doctor chooses to perform surgery in a private space, make sure the facility is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Accreditation is "the gold standard," according to Dr. Antell--and many of these facilities are better than what you'll find in hospitals. Make sure there are registered nurses and an anesthesiologist on hand in case anything goes wrong.

To Operate Or Not To Operate?
Some elective surgeries are a safer bet than others. Many surgeons, like Dr. D'Amico, would recommend any proven procedure as long as there is an acceptable ratio between risk and benefit. Others, like Dr. Nahai, disapprove of certain procedures per se. He's not in favor of thread lifts, for example (like a face-lift, but less invasive).

"It's not a good operation," he says. In relation to the risk, "the results don't last long enough."

The doctor must be certain the surgery is appropriate for that specific patient, and that the risk to benefit ratio is balanced.

"People need to practice some restraint," insists Dr. Antell. You want to pick the smallest procedure to get the results you want with the least risk. Remember that these are elective surgeries.

"Everyone thinks 'complications won't happen to me,'" he says, "but they can and do happen."

Credit from http://www.forbes.com

The Benefits Of Glue Used In Facelift Surgery

The Benefits Of Glue Used In Facelift Surgery

Facelift Surgery

Dr. Davis B. Nguyen, M.D.'s and Dr. Frank M. Kamer, M.D.'s
co-authored study on the benefits of the use of fibrin glue adherent in facelift surgery has been published in the September issue of world's premier Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, that of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The study represents the most comprehensive clinical assessment of the use of fibrin glue in facelifts to date and its conclusions demonstrate a significant advancement in surgical facelift technique.

The study was conducted at the venerated Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills, one of the first accredited outpatient ambulatory surgical centers in greater Los Angeles, founded by Dr. Frank Kamer in 1981. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Kamer analyzed two hundred patients undergoing elective facelifts in a consistent fashion. One hundred patients over a one year period received fibrin glue during facelift surgery and their healing was measured prospectively. Another one hundred patients from the previous year who had not received fibrin glue had their charts retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent facelifts by the same surgeon using the deep plane technique, which involves repositioning large skin flaps at multiple levels of the face. Patient healing was evaluated in stages at 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.

The use of fibrin glue was associated with several significant benefits in both the short and long-term healing processes of the patients studied. Fibrin glue alleviated the need for drainage tubes postoperatively that can cause discomfort. The tubes are normally placed under the skin for 1-2 days following facelift surgery to collect blood and prevent swelling. The fibrin glue adherent, which is applied before the external skin flap is resealed, also reduced the incidence of severe complications such as hematoma, seroma, and death. Most notably, zero percent of patients who received fibrin glue suffered prolonged swelling, discoloration, or hardness as opposed to twenty-two percent of patients who had not received fibrin glue.

Fibrin Tissue adhesive dates back to World War I when it was used topically to control the bleeding of wounded soldiers. Since then, it has been utilized with success in a variety of surgical procedures. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for colostomy procedure, cardiopulmonary bypass, and splenic surgery. Its use in aesthetic surgery, though popular in Europe, has been less widespread in the United States. Dr. Davis Nguyen, former chief surgical resident at Yale University, is among the few facial plastic surgeons employing this advanced facelift technique. "This advancement has had a tremendous impact on my practice," states Nguyen. "The major concerns for my patients are results, risk, and downtime. With this technique, my patients benefit from shorter recovery periods, fewer complications, and superior surgical outcomes."

By: Dr. Davis B. Nguyen, M.D. on Oct 01 2007

Credit from
By: Dr. Davis B. Nguyen, M.D. on Oct 01 2007
http://www.emaxhealth.com
http://www.topix.net

Structured programmes for MRCS

Structured programmes for MRCS

Recognition: Professor Gautam Sen, chairman, Indian Chapter of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

“The Medical Council of India (MCI) has to take many factors into consideration before giving blanket recognition for [degrees such as] MRCS and FRCS and MRCP,” says Professor Gautam Sen, chairman of the Indian Chapter of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

MRCS is only an acknowledgement that the candidate is fit for four more years of training before he or she could be certified to practise surgery, says Dr. Sen. In an e-mail interview with Education Plus, he explained the background of these degrees.

“MRCS diploma is Membership of Royal College of Surgeons of all Royal College of Surgeons in England — The Royal College of Surgeons of England, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow. This diploma came into existence only in 2000, when the training to become a surgeon became more structured. It was provided in two stages — a two-year basic surgical training (BST), and only after two years of Basic Surgical Training (after MBBS) and a Basic Surgical Skills Course — one could appear for this basic diploma and if successful become member of either of the Royal College of Surgeons.”

MRCS was a first step to undertake four more years of higher surgical training in the U.K. On completion, a certificate of completion of surgical training (CCST) is issued. Thus after six years of training in the U.K., one could appear for the FRCS examination. Only after this could one become a consultant surgeon.

Changes introduced

In 2001- 2003, changes in training methods were introduced under the new Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) — an autonomous body, set up by the U.K. Government and independent of all Royal Colleges. This was followed by the Modernising Medical Career (MMC) Document, which the U.K. considers as basic to train their doctors into specialists. “The emphasis is on structured training, competence-based continuous and in-training assessment,” Dr. Sen says.

Basically, there is Foundation Year 1, Foundation Year 2 and Foundation Year 3, training which is common to all, after MBBS, followed by, if selected, further four years of continuous training before one can get a Completion Certificate of Training. This means a student could be considered for appointment as consultant in NHS hospitals.

Phased out

“The present pattern of MRCS Examination is soon going to be phased out. The Indian Chapter of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh brought FRCS examination to India in 1998 so that surgical trainees here could write it. The examination was discontinued in 2000 in favour of the BST and HST system.

“The Colleges conduct MRCS examination in India that does not require training as eligibility criterion, unlike in the U.K., where a structured training programme after MBBS is a pre-requisite.

“Theoretically, one may take this examination in India, without a single post of training, and get MRCS Diploma,” he explains. Earlier, successful non-European Union MRCS students could go to the U.K. and work in NHS hospitals.

Basic and Higher training

The Indian chapter has initiated a dialogue with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for conducting the Basic Foundation Years of Structured Training (3 years), followed by MRCS examination and then continuing further four years of structured training in Specialty, followed by FRCS examination as in the U.K.

Recognising MRCS diploma as an eligibility to practise surgery does not arise. If a candidate undergoes BST and HST for six to seven years in Indian hospitals then the MCI should recognise such training and the FRCS degree as Postgraduate Degree in Surgery or in higher specialty in Surgery.

As regards recognising the old FRCS — that is, 1975 to 2000 (FRCS prior to 1975 was recognised) is welcome, as most of the doctors with this old FRCS had enough experience and developed competence working in the U.K. and later in India.

MRCS is the first step to undertake four more years of higher surgical training in the U.K.

R. SUJATHA

Credit from http://www.topix.net

http://www.thehindu.com

SBi Launches RHead(TM) Lateral Radial Head Implant And.....

SBi Launches RHead(TM) Lateral Radial Head Implant And RHead(TM) Plating Systems To Expand Its Elbow Management System

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a single-source provider of products, technology and education for the small bone and joint orthopedic market sector, announced the launch of the rHead(TM) Lateral Radial Head Implant System. To further augment its Elbow Management System, the company also launched the rHead(TM) Plating System for internal fixation of proximal radius fractures.

The rHead Lateral Implant is a side-loading radial head prosthesis that allows for a minimally invasive approach and exposure in radial head replacement surgery. The head and stem of the implant connect by the means of a dove-tail locking mechanism that does not require a set screw - saving time in the operating room.

The rHead implant and new plating systems have received 510(k) clearance by the FDA. The rHead Lateral is indicated for treatment of arthritic and traumatic conditions of the radial head.

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman & CEO of SBi, said: "The addition of the rHead Lateral implant and the complementary new plating system responds to surgeon demand for a full range of treatment options for every disease stage or severity of trauma in the elbow."

The stem of the rHead Lateral implant is plasma coated with titanium for immediate stability in the canal and optimum osteo-integrating properties. As with SBi's existing rHead implants, the stem has a 12-degree curve to match the anatomy of the radius. This stem is available with a 2 mm standard collar or a 6 mm extended collar.

"The modularity of treatment options now available from SBi is making the often complicated alignment challenges in elbow repair or reconstruction more manageable and predictable in outcome," said Amit Gupta, M.D, who completed the first procedure using the Lateral rHead at the Louisville Arm and Hand Center.

"A unique feature of the system is the coupling mechanism between the radial head and stem that enables the implant to be implanted sideways to reduce ligament disruption," Dr. Gupta added.

According to SBi, surgeons have been instrumental in creating the Elbow Management System. The first rHead(TM) device was released in 1999 by Avanta (later acquired by SBi) and two years later a bi-polar version, the rHead Recon was introduced.

This was followed last year with the introduction of the SBi UNI-Elbow Radio Capitellum System(TM) as the first commercially available uni- compartmental elbow arthroplasty system. The new rHead Lateral implant heads are approved for use with the UNI-Elbow System for patients requiring a uni- compartmental solution.

Surgeons using SBi's Elbow Management System are also benefiting from the company's Precise Guidance Technology (PGT(TM)) instrument system that assists anatomical placement of the rHead implants. The trialing system helps to size the implant to render it as minimally invasive as is practicable.

The new rHead Lateral implant comes with an assembly tool for quick engagement or disengagement of the head and stem. The accompanying impactor tool is configured to assure precise positioning of the implant by referencing the surrounding anatomy.

About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi) was founded in 2004 by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, (VB), the New York-based merchant banking firm that specializes in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector. VB created SBi as the first company to focus purely on small bone & joint science. By integrating established companies and professionals in the field, SBi can offer a broad, clinically proven portfolio of products and technologies to treat trauma and diseases in small bones & joints. Today, SBi has more than 130 employees at facilities in New York, NY, Morrisville, PA, and Bourg-en-Bresse, France.

SBi was a 2006 recipient of Red Herring magazine's annual "Red Herring 100 North America" award, recognizing SBi as one of the nation's leading technology companies and the only orthopedic device company selected among an initial entry of more than one thousand firms.

Additionally, SBi's Artelon(R) CMC-I Spacer, developed for patients with osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb, was featured on the cover and highlighted within Medical Design Technology magazine's "Year of Innovation" issue as one of the most fascinating technologies influencing the medical device industry.

Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine named SBi to its list of "50 Companies to Watch" in 2006, noting, "Small Bone Innovations is going against the grain in its determination to become a market leader in the small bone & joint device sector."

About Viscogliosi Bros., LLC

Established by Marc R. Viscogliosi, John J. Viscogliosi and Anthony G. Viscogliosi in New York City in 1999, Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (VB) was the first venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm dedicated to the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector of the health care industry.

Today, VB is a leading independent firm with a mission to create, build and finance companies founded on innovations developed by surgeons and uniquely focused on "life changing" musculoskeletal/orthopedic technologies. VB has worldwide surgeon, industry and trade relationships and significant financial expertise in the musculoskeletal/ orthopedic sector.

As principals of VB, the Viscogliosi brothers have a combined total of nearly half a century of experience analyzing and investing in the musculoskeletal-orthopedics sector, directing literally billions of dollars through the orthopedics industry.

The Viscogliosi brothers have pioneered innovative financial, strategic and management initiatives for nearly 150 companies in the sector, from start- up, seed and development stage all the way to exit, while helping people lead better lives through the orthopedic and spinal products marketed and sold by the companies they have assisted in developing and financing. For more information about VB, please visit: http://www.vbllc.com

Forward-looking statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting SBi's business including increased competition; the ability of SBi to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks.

Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
http://www.totalsmallbone.com

Credit from http://www.topix.net
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