The Informed Choice » General Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery

Daddy Makeovers

Carol — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:44:08 +0000

Most daddies won’t admit that they want a makeover, but like women, their body starts to change in the beginning of their forties. Fat starts to distribute in the trunk of their body, they can’t find the time or energy they used to have for the gym, and they start loosing muscle mass and then here comes Mr. Pot Belly along with his tires, who sometimes needs a bra. The most popular ‘Daddy Makeover’ I see in my office is liposuction of the chest, tummy, and love handles. Also, men are deciding they’d rather have their flat stomach back and opt to have a tummy tuck. So bring it on daddy because nobody has to know, and you can have that thirty-something body back before you know it.

Usher Wife…what was she thinking?????

Carol — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:55:50 +0000

Usher, Usher, Usher, why didn’t you call me? Your wife was only four months post-partum and has suffered cardiac arrest after plastic surgery! Here’s a man, who lives in Atlanta, where I’m based, who takes the advice of a friend. Obviously, someone who knows nothing about plastic surgery, and recommends for his wife to go to Brazil to have two very common surgeries – liposuction and a tummy tuck- that are performed in abundance here in the United States. One of the first things I worn my clients about is to have surgery close to home in case there are complications. One of the biggest things I think Tameka, Usher’s wife made, is that she was only post partum four months. Any reputable plastic surgeon wouldn’t touch a post-partum patient until at least six months but most won’t for even a year, depending on what the surgery is.

I hate it when I read stories like this. Here’s a woman, who obviously jumped into something that she knew nothing about and has taken a huge risk. I hope Tameka will be back in the states soon, where she can heal and be with her family again.

A story like this is always very disturbing to me. Here you have a famous artist, that takes advice from a friend that obviously knows nothing about cosmetic surgery and recommends for his wife to go to Brazil, to have a very common procedures performed that very well could have been done here in the United States. Brazil has some excellent doctors, in fact, many of them are pioneers in the industry, but I can promise you one thing, NO reputable American doctor would have ever performed a cosmetic surgery procedure on a woman who was only post-partum four months. This is so unnecessary and so sad. I hope others can learn from this unfortunate situation.

Seraphim Skin Care…..You will love it!

Carol — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:43:13 +0000

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Who is Dr. Alan Bittner?

Carol — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:20:50 +0000

I can tell you who he’s not. He’s a doctor who has the audacity to promote himself as a plastic surgeon, when he’s only taken a course at a hotel on how to perform liposuction. He’s also arrogant enough to promote himself to the Dr. 90210 show knowing he is no more qualified to perform cosmetic surgery. Why? Because he’s a Radiologist. People, what don’t we get about this? Everybody needs to wake up and do their homework about who they choose to perform their cosmetic surgery.

I’m not going to go on and on about this, but please, click on http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123483369375096025.html for more information. Or, if you’re considering liposuction, please go to Amazon.com and order my book, The Little Book of Lipo. It will save you time and possibly save your life.

Let’s Make a Deal

Carol — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:17:11 +0000

The economy has hit the plastic surgery business hard all over the United States. Even some of the top doctors in New York have called me asking if the doctors down here are busy. This isn’t good for he doctors, but it can definitely be good for you. If you’ve been thinking about having surgery and keep putting it off, this could be the time to get a great deal on your surgery, and I promise you, it will not compromise your outcome. Plastic surgery is a very competitive business, and each year, more and more plastic surgeons are coming into the field because it is a cash cow business. Usually, insurance is not involved; so therefore, it is a very attractive business for doctors to get into. If you decide to have surgery soon, don’t be surprised if they offer you a deal. If they don’t, then ask if they would consider sharpening their pencil. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know, and the worst they could say is no.

Mommy Makeover

Carol — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:15:37 +0000

Do you have to have a baby to have a ‘Mommy Makeover’? The “Mommy Makeover” has become one of the most popular surgeries in the last few years. Many people call and ask me exactly what a “Mommy Makeover” is. Usually, it consists of a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast lift, or breast augmentation, but in many cases, like myself, I had a mommy makeover, and I’ve never had a baby. So, why did that happen? Well, up until my forties, I was a size six, and one day, I wake up, and I’m a size 8, and then 10, and then I was almost a size a twelve- blaming the dry cleaners, my husband washing my clothes, or the stores for making their sizes smaller. So, to make a long story short, I consulted with many doctors, and it boiled down to, I needed a tummy tuck. How can that be when I’ve never had a baby? As women age, usually in the forties, their bodies start to change as they get closer to menopause, and it ain’t in a good way. Basically, we’re all pre-programmed to age a certain way. Diet and exercise can control a lot of it, but like so many mothers and non-mothers that come to my office, sometimes that’s just not enough.

So whether you’ve had a baby or not, a ‘mommy makeover’ can be such a wonderful self-esteem booster like you can’t imagine.

The Little Book Of Lipo

Carol — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:36:16 +0000

Teen Dies from Breast Surgery

Carol — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:56:51 +0000

It was so sad to read about the 18 year old Florida cheerleader who died from complications of a breast augmentation, and my heart goes out to her family and friends. For me, when I hear of a cosmetic surgery ending in tragedy, it’s also a wake up call for patients, and I remind all my clients who are considering surgery, you’ve got to prepare for it…Any surgery is risky, but those risks can be minimized by taking certain crucial steps to safety-proof your surgery. In the case of the West Boca High School cheerleader, they suspect a rare condition triggered by anesthesia.That’s why I warn people, you’ve got to fully disclosing all medications you are taking, including over the counter drugs, herbs, vitamins or any drugs, legal or illegal—that could dangerously interact with anesthesia. We won’t know what happened until the autopsy, but if even if you are taking over the counter cold medicines, tell your surgeon—and the anesthesiologist. People don’t die from actual surgery, but from complications, and it’s as important to choose a top anesthesiologist as it is to choose your plastic surgeon. I’m not blaming, it could happen to any surgeon. It’s a tragedy for everyone, including the board-certified cosmetic surgeon who performed the operation in a private surgery facility. Here’s what the Miami Herald wrote: “The West Boca High School cheerleader, 18, died Saturday from complications during surgery to correct asymmetrical breasts and inverted nipples, after being rushed to Delray Medical Center Friday morning.

According to her family’s attorney, a rare and silent condition called malignant hyperthermia could have killed the popular teen, who was looking forward to her senior prom and heading to the University of Florida.

The condition is triggered by anesthesia. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, muscles that become rigid and a fever of 110 degrees or higher. The condition is reversible if recognized and acted upon — usually within 30 minutes of onset — with Dantrolene, the only known antidote, said Dr. Henry Rosenberg, president of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association, whose organization fielded a call to its hot line about Kuleba’s case. “

While the autopsy results aren’t back, so we won’t know for sure exactly how she died until then. But I urge you to do your homework before surgery, and outline a number of things you can do to safety proof your operation. While I focus on liposuction in my new book, “The Little Book of Lipo” (Amazon, $19.95), it has pre-surgery tips that can apply to any cosmetic procedure. As a patient, you CAN maximize the chances for a safe, successful surgery.

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons Offer Patient Advisory for those Affected by Fig LipoDissolve Closures

Carol — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:18:29 +0000

New York, NY (December 14, 2007) — Responding to recent reports of the Fig LipoDissolve Centers going into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) offers the following advice to patients currently in treatment there or suffering from unwanted outcomes. Although neither Society recommends the use of injection lipolysis for fat reduction until appropriate research has documented the safety and efficacy of this non-FDA-approved treatment information is available for those patients needing help.

If you are in the middle of lipolysis treatment and have concerns:
Contact ASAPS
If you are in pain, have a complication such as swelling or bleeding or need immediate attention; please contact your nearest hospital emergency room.
If you are seeking body contouring or are considering your various options please remember the following:

All procedures involving injecting pharmaceutical or other agents into the body are medical procedures and need to be conducted in an appropriate medical setting by a physician. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can help you weigh your options to achieve the optimal outcome you desire. The ASPS and ASAPS do not recommend that their patients undergo injection lipolysis treatments. All medical procedures have risks. If you decide a procedure is right for you, make sure you have done your homework, that the procedure has been fully explained by your healthcare provider and that you have thoroughly read and signed informed consent documents. “The proliferation of advertising of such treatments and the abrupt closing of Fig LipoDissolve Centers nationwide has raised many questions from both patients considering treatment, and those who have already been injected with the unproven medical treatments touted to reduce localized fat. Said Alan Gold, MD President – elect of the Anesthetic Society, “To date, injection lipolysis, LipoDissolve or any fat-melting injection has not gone through FDA sanctioned clinical trials or the research necessary to document the results claimed or clearly identify the potential underlying complications.” “Consumers should not ignore the proliferation of blogs and media that are reporting the ineffectiveness and the complications experienced by fat-melting injections,” said Richard A. D’Amico, ASPS President.” This mixture is not FDA approved nor has it been formally tested for predictable results or safety. That alone should steer consumers away from the marketing hype.”

New Study Shows Surgical Treatment on Breast Asymmetry Improves Quality of Life

Carol — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:13:19 +0000

New Study Shows Surgical Treatment on Breast Asymmetry Improves Quality of Life

New York, NY (December 17, 2007) – Findings from a study released today in the November/December issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggests that surgical treatment for breast asymmetry (disproportionate breast size) provides an improvement in the quality of life and self-esteem of patients. Breast asymmetry is not uncommon in women; in fact, few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts. “Breast shape and size irregularities can cause damaging physical and emotional consequences,” said Miguel Sabino Neto, MD, PhD, lead author of the study. “While plastic surgery of the breast can provide an aesthetically acceptable result with few complications, it is important to also consider the impact on the physical, social and psychological well-being of the patient.”Thirty-five patients with breast asymmetry were selected for the evaluation of the impact of breast asymmetry surgery on self-esteem and health-related quality of life. Patients that participated in the Brazilian study ranged from ages 16 to 50 years old.Patients completed the Brazilian version of the SF-36, a quality of life indicator that measures eight dimensions of health status, including physical function, role limitations caused by physical problems, pain, health perception, vitality, social function, role limitations caused by emotional problems, and mental health. Participating patients also completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, which evaluates quality of life based on responses to ten questions on the subject of self-esteem. Both were completed before and after surgery at three and six months post-operative follow-up.A progressive improvement in all dimensions of the SF-36 was observed, with scores that were significantly higher for emotional factors at three months after surgery and for pain, vitality and mental health six months after surgery. Self-esteem was also found to be statistically significant.“These findings underscore the positive effect that surgical treatment can have on patients with breast asymmetry,” said Foad Nahai, MD, Atlanta plastic surgeon, President of ASAPS and Associate Editor of ASJ. “The results of such surgery go far beyond aesthetics, more importantly improving the self-esteem and quality of life of these patients