I often get asked by patients which is better saline or silicone implants? I generally tell my patients silicone…why? The new silicone implants are gel-filled, not the old liquid filled implants. They will not leak throughout ones body, since they are not liquid. Silicone implants feel more natural, less like the water balloon feel of a saline implant. The new silicone implants have been approved since 2006 by the FDA. Saline implants life span is around 10 years, then they will break and have to be replaced. Silicone implants should last longer than that, since the old liquid filled silicone implants have lasted 20-30 years in many cases. So if the lifespan is longer with silicone, they would be a better value and less out of pocket expense versus saline implants.

Costs for rhinoplasty surgery can vary in a great range from approximately $2,500.00
up to $13,000.00. The factors that affect costs are many, including:

1. Geographic location
2. Complexity of the procedure
3. Amount of existing cartilage
4. Anatomy of bone structure
5. Surgeon’s expertise
6. The facility choice such as a hospital or
office based facility
7. The overhead expenses of the office
8. Staff members participation in care
9. Type of anesthesia which may be general
anesthesia, regional or local anesthesia and sedation

A Primary Key to
Understanding the Impact of Training and Cost

It is understandable that costs may vary and the basis for a decision on the price to pay should begin with an investigation of the surgeon’s background. Often, in the case of rhinoplasty, the surgeon may have
more than one type of board certification. In addition, the years of education that plastic surgeons undergo for rhinoplasty training vary. Plastic surgeons will usually undergo one or more years of participation in residency programs that may focus on general surgery, plastic surgery or otolaryngology. They may participate in more than one residency program in order to feel that they obtain adequate training to perform rhinoplasty. Plastic surgeons may participate in additional training through continuing education courses provided by organizations such as the American Academy for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The Drive for Improved Liposuction Methods

Clearly, the manufacturers of
liposuction technology are dedicated to improving technology. Both women and
men are interested in finding improved ways to improve skin tone,
elasticity and lose weight in the most troublesome areas. In fact, the
technology of yesteryear did not provide for the needs of the obese which are
provided in technology today. But why we would need radio frequency liposuction
may be the question that still remains.

Radio frequency liposuction
couples the advantage of today’s small cannulas that allow for smaller
incisions and less trauma with energy based treatment that is targeted to
contract the skin. In addition, radio frequency liposuction is said to hold
promise for the treatment of large areas which might otherwise require
additional treatment sessions. Finally, radio frequency liposuction may result
in less pain, bruising, and swelling which helps to speed the wound healing
process. Studies to support the efficacy of radio frequency liposuction are
just beginning to surface. Yet, the technology may present another viable
liposuction method in years to come.

Five Things You Must Know Before a Breast Augmentation

by Christopher Costanzo MD,  Thousand Oaks, CA.  www.doctorcostanzo.com

Know Your Doctor

I rank this as number 1, because picking the right Plastic Surgeon will assure you a great outcome and happy results.

Some tips on getting to the right Breast Augmentation Surgeon are: Ask around, I’ve found the best referrals come from nurses who work with different doctors and can compare their surgical skills.

Also, make sure your Breast Augmentation Surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Most persons don’t realize that there is “NO” recognized Board Certification for Cosmetic Surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the State of California. This is important, because only Plastic Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery learn how to perform Breast Augmentation surgery while in hospital residency training prior to starting private practice.

An additional factor to help find the right Plastic Surgeon is to inquiry of about length of time in practice. An experienced surgeon is a valuable asset.

Understand if a Breast Lift is Necessary for a Good Shape

This is important because breast implants look the best if you have good shape to your breasts. If your breasts have stretched out or fallen, then a shaping lift may be necessary before or at the same time as a Breast Augmentation. Go to the Breast Lift page on my website for information on the Breast Lift.

Understand the Limits of the Size and Shape Implant for Your Body

The more detailed in your discussion with me, the easier it is for me to match the breast implant size and shape to your new look. Specific things I find important include, a cup size, whether you want to be on the fuller or smaller side and photos of women who have already had Breast Augmentation.

Ask if You Should Have a Submuscular or Subglandular Implant Placement

If your nipple position is high and your breasts have not stretched out, then I will place the implant under the muscle. This places an additional layer over the implant to reduce visibility. However, if your breasts have dropped somewhat, your skin is loose and you are not very thin, then I will place the implants on top of the muscle. This subglandular placement of the implant may mean you can avoid a Breast Lift.

Find Out Which Implant, Either Saline or Silicone is Right for You

Here are some of the differences:

Saline implants have the following advantages;

Lower cost, ease of replacement, less interference with a mammogram reading and the most important of all, overfill and adjustability. Overfill means I can add more saline if you’re petite and want more fullness. Adjustability on the other hand gives me the ability to add more saline to one implant, if one of your breasts is smaller that the other.

Silicone implants have these advantages;

Sometimes a softer and more natural feel, less chance of visibility of the implant edge and better durability. Silicone implants on average last longer than saline implants.

The word mastectomy is a very scary word for many women. Today, however, there are many more options and much better cosmetic results for reconstruction in the face of breast cancer. Many women choose bilateral mastectomy. The cometic results can be quite good. Please see the attached video in the news.

Giuliana Rancic to have double mastectomy

December is traditionally our busiest month here at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery.  At first it might seem unusual for people to have procedures over the holidays.  Certainly that is how it seemed to us at first.  But in some ways it does make sense.  People have time off so there are no scheduling issues.  There is plenty of time for recovery.  They have family around to help them during their recovery.

In our case, many people travel to us for Beverly Hills plastic surgery.  This is even moreso during the November and December.  While usually about twenty percent of our patients are from out of state or abroad, during the holiday period this goes up above fifty percent.  Our warm weather location is also part of the draw for people in the colder winter months.

While procedures done over the holidays are typically very rewarding for patient and their families, good planning is called for.  Following a procedure such as rhinoplasty Beverly Hills, for example, there will be some restrictions on activities.  No running, swimming, sunning, or contact sports should be done for at least a few weeks after surgery.  If someone wants to have big New Year’s Eve celebrating, it may be best to postpone things until after the festivities are over.  But with good planing, care in communication between doctor, patient, and family, this is typically a great time to go ahead and plan for a change.

Do you know the crucial difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Cosmetic surgeons are not as qualified as plastic surgeons. Most cosmetic surgeons are often doctors who were originally trained in other specialties but took a fast-track course in cosmetic surgery so they could perform those procedures.

Cosmetic surgeons do not complete the long residencies required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is itself a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. These boards have demanding standards for the doctors they certify, including years of residency training under senior surgeons.

None of the cosmetic surgery boards are a member of the ABMS, so even a board-certified cosmetic surgeon is not the same as a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Cosmetic surgeons advertise lower prices than plastic surgeons. This is partly because cosmetic surgeons don’t have the training to qualify to do surgery in a hospital or accredited surgery center.

A slew of reports have surfaced recently of malpractice by barely-qualified cosmetic surgeons, including gross negligence, botched surgeries, and even deaths. See Some non-plastic surgeons disciplined for disastrous results in USA Today.

Angelo Cuzalina, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, estimates that cosmetic surgery is being done in the US by 50,000 to 100,000 doctors who are not board-certified plastic surgeons.*

At Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, our doctors are board-certified plastic surgeons. After medical school, they completed eight years of training, residencies, and fellowships. To maintain their board certification, they must continuously update their training and education.

Wherever you choose to have plastic surgery, please verify that your doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery by going to the ABPS website.

*Citation: Lack of training can be deadly in cosmetic surgery – USA Today.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a very important cause for all women. At Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, the staff and doctors fully support this cause and want to help as many women as possible. Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter have been at the forefront of breast cancer for more than 25 years. Both doctors believe that breast reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer or other condition. This process can dramatically improve a woman’s self-image, self-confidence and quality of life. We are proud to be sponsors of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation and provide procedures for: Breast Reconstruction, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Correction of Breast-Asymmetry, Development Problems and Implant Problems. During the month of October proceeds from Breast Procedures will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Call now to book a consultation 714 902 1100.

Although it has been long perceived that age old age increases risks following surgery, a new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery suggests otherwise.

Researchers of the Cleveland Clinic followed 216 women who have had the facelift. Of the group, 148 were younger 65, and 68 were older.  Over the course of three years, the researchers examined the women’s progress and took note of any complications that may have occured following surgery. They found that, if screened properly,  there was no statistically significant difference between the rates of complications between the two groups of women, that age is not a predictor of complications.

Read the full article here.

How do you know which of the dozens of sunscreen products to choose from is the safest and most effective? Look for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.

“The Seal of Recommendation is the only labeling program worldwide that not only sets rigorous standards for sun protection products, but scrupulously verifies that they are met.”

Now 32 years old, the Seal of Recommendation is getting an upgrade. It designates whether a product is intended for “Daily Use” or “Active Use.”

In contrast to the FDA, which does not publish or enforce its sunscreen requirements, the Skin Cancer Foundation’s criteria for its Seal of Approval are published and are scientifically verified. Its new criteria include:

For Daily Use products:

• An SPF of 15 or higher (which specifically measures UVB protection)
• Validation of SPF number by testing on 20 individuals
• Acceptable results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritancy testing on 20 people
• Ability to retain adequate potency for some time without breaking down in the sun
• Substantiation for claims that a product is water- or sweat-resistant.

For Active Use products

• An SPF of 30 or higher
• Validation of the SPF number by testing on 20 individuals
• Acceptable results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritancy testing on 20 people
• Proof that the product retains potency for some time without breaking down in the sun
• Proof of water resistance

The transition to the new Seal of Recommendation program will be completed by May 2012.

Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery Drs. Larry Nichter and Jed Horowitz and their BioSpa  Medical Aestheticians are best suited to help you select the  best sunscreen products for your skin including products like Klen , a combination sunscreen and body soap/shampoo  as well as other products for sun damaged skin and can select the best treatments, sunscreen and skin maintenance  products best for your skin type.

Abstracted from “Introducing the New Seal of Recommendation”, The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, 2011, Vol. 29