What Is Lipodissolve?

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:05:16 +0000

Although there have been countless media reports detailing the possible risks associated with the lipodissolve treatment, a number of our Dallas patients are interested in learning more about the procedure. Here, we review the lipodissolve procedure, including its risks and record of success. Then, we present some weight loss alternatives that are safer and more effective than lipodissolve.

Lipodissolve Treatments

Lipodissolve is also known as mesotherapy. The treatment gained attention in 2004 as a way for patients to lose weight without having to undergo surgery. In lipodissolve treatment, patients are injected with a solution that is intended to break up localized areas of fat; according to lipodissolve surgeons, after a series of injections, excess fat would “melt” and be naturally expelled from the body.

Lipodissolve ingredients: Concerns over the safety of lipodissolve were raised after surgeons began using their own mix of ingredients in lipodissolve injections. There is no standard lipodissolve formula approved by the FDA. Further, the FDA has not approved some of the individual ingredients commonly used in lipodissolve injections.
Migration of excess fat: In addition, other experts have questioned where the excess fat actually goes. Lipodissolve surgeons claim that the fat is excreted from the patient’s body over a period of time. Other health experts argue that the excess fat may travel to other parts of the body, such as the arteries, resulting in a potential long-term health threat.

Lipodissolve Alternatives

The potential risks associated with lipodissolve treatment, in addition to the development of safer and more effective fat removal procedures, have led most patients to seek alternative options.

Liposuction: Liposuction is still considered to be the gold standard for patients that want quick and controlled results. During liposuction, Dr. Pin can remove precise amounts of fat from specific areas of the body. Advances in ultrasonic and tumescent technology have made liposuction recovery more comfortable and the side effects less severe.
Non-surgical methods of fat removal: A number of non-surgical methods of body contouring treatments have been developed in recent years, including the Zerona laser and Velashape.

If you are interested in undergoing a liposuction consultation with Dr. Pin, contact our practice today.

2011 Plastic Surgery Statistics

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:23:22 +0000

The American Society of Plastic Surgery released the number of cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that were reported by its member surgeons in 2011. The total numbers in both categories were up compared to the previous year, with a 2 percent increase in the number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and a 6 percent increase in the number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

2011

The top 10 procedures that were performed in 2011 were:

Breast augmentation: 307,180
Nose reshaping: 243,772
Liposuction: 204,702
Eyelid surgery: 196,286
Facelift: 119,026
Tummy tuck: 115,902
Breast lift: 90,679
Dermabrasion: 73,433
Forehead lift: 46,931
Ear surgery: 26,433

Total cosmetic plastic surgery procedures: 1,579,079

2010

In 2010, tummy tuck surgery was more popular than facelift surgery. Aside from that change, the procedures in the top 10 remain the same.

Breast augmentation: 296,203
Nose reshaping: 252,261
Eyelid surgery: 208,764
Liposuction: 203,106
Tummy tuck: 116,352
Facelift: 112,955
Breast lift: 89,931
Dermabrasion: 68,636
Forehead lift: 42,433
Ear surgery: 29,828

Total cosmetic plastic surgery procedures: 1,555,614

2000

The total plastic surgery numbers in 2010 and 2011 are still lower than the total number of procedures that were performed in 2000.

Nose reshaping: 389,155
Liposuction: 354,015
Eyelid surgery: 327,514
Breast augmentation: 212,500
Facelift: 133,856
Forehead lift: 120,971
Tummy tuck: 62,713
Breast lift: 52,836
Hair transplantation: 44,694
Dermabrasion: 42,218

Total cosmetic plastic surgery procedures: 1,901,049

Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Treatments

2011

2011 saw the highest number of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that have been recorded since ASPS started tracking data.

Botulinum toxin: 5,670,788
Soft tissue fillers: 1,891,158
Chemical peels: 1,110,464
Laser hair removal: 1,078612
Microdermabrasion: 900,439
Intense pulsed light: 501,577
Laser skin resurfacing: 466,238
Sclerotherapy: 355,403
Laser treatment of leg veins: 237,052
Cellulite treatment: 37,916

Total minimally invasive cosmetic procedures: 12,249,647

2010

The order of the top 10 procedures remained the same in 2010 and 2011.

Botulinum toxin: 5,379,360
Soft tissue fillers: 1,773,328
Chemical peels: 1,144,865
Laser hair removal: 937,602
Microdermabrasion: 824,706
Intense pulsed light: 459,529
Laser skin resurfacing: 426,695
Sclerotherapy: 365,744
Laser treatment of leg veins: 218,393
Cellulite treatment: 31,227

Total minimally invasive cosmetic procedures: 11,561,449

2000

The order of the top 10 minimally invasive cosmetic treatments has changed dramatically since 2000.

Chemical peels: 1,149,457
Microdermabrasion: 868,315
Sclerotherapy: 866,555
Botulinum toxin: 786,911
Laser hair removal: 735,996
Soft tissue fillers: 652,885
Laser treatment of leg veins: 245,424
Laser skin resurfacing: 170,951
Cellulite treatment: 23,952
Intense pulsed light: Data not available

Total minimally invasive cosmetic procedures: 5,500,446

The FDA Approves a New Cellulite-Busting Device

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:45:59 +0000

The FDA has approved Cellulaze, a cellulite reduction treatment, for commercial use in the United States.

The device, which is manufactured by Cynosure, uses a laser to treat the physiological structure of cellulite. During treatment, a series of tiny incisions are made. Next, the Cellulaze device is inserted through the incisions so the proprietary SideLight 3D side-firing technology reaches the actual causes of cellulite, which lie beneath the skin. The laser targets:

Herniated pockets of fat
Stiffened septae
Thin skin

The treatment works by heating the skin to stimulate collagen production, melting underlying fat, and loosening the fibrous bands that produce skin irregularities.

Since the incisions that are created during the procedure are so small that they do not require stitches, the Cellulaze procedure is considered minimally invasive and results in virtually no scarring. The Cellulaze laser fiber itself is no wider than one millimeter.

Over the next six to eight weeks, cellulite begins to disappear as the skin tightens. During the next year, patients continue to notice an improvement in skin tone.

Cellulaze has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite in just one treatment session. Compare this to cellulite creams, skin tightening, and other cellulite-busting procedures that have to be performed multiple times to obtain visible results.

Although there are hundreds of other cellulite treatments on the market, Cellulaze is the only one that has been shown to increase skin thickness by 25 percent and skin elasticity by 29 percent one year after treatment, according to clinical data that was submitted to the FDA.

“Based on the scientific data and the patient results we have observed over the past several years of evaluating the device, Cellulaze represents a new and highly effective standard of treatment for cellulite,” said Dr. Barry E. DiBernardo, a board certified plastic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor who was one of five clinical investigators involved in the Cellulaze study.

Cellulaze is currently being marketed in several countries, including the European Union, Australia, Canada, and South Korea.

Safety Concerns Over Breast Implants Manufactured by French Company

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:24:03 +0000

Western Europeans’ concerns over the safety of silicone breast implants made by French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) continue to grow as more women are made aware of the potential health risks associated with the devices.

PIP began manufacturing breast implants in 1991; they shut operations down in 2010 when European regulators pulled their silicone breast implants off the market because they contained non-medical-grade silicone filler. During that time, an estimated 300,000 PIP silicone implants were sold, mostly in Western Europe and Latin America.

The implants have since been found to have high rupture rates. However, French and British authorities do not think they pose an increased risk of cancer.

Still, the French government recommends that the 30,000 French women that have the silicone implants undergo surgery to have them removed. The French government will cover the cost of surgery.

The British government has taken the position that the 40,000 British women that have the silicone implants do not need to have them removed at this time. The government is continuing to review the potential risks associated with PIP implants.

It was revealed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified PIP’s manufacturers of 11 breaches from standard ‘good manufacturing practices’ at PIP’s plant in southern France in 2000 when the company submitted an application for approval of its saline implant products (at the time silicone implants were not approved for use in the United States). According to a warning letter from the FDA, PIP did not have a quality assurance process that would ensure the manufactured products matched design specifications, did not investigate deflation problems with the product, and failed to report 120 complaints in France and other countries. The FDA ended up rejecting PIP’s application for saline breast implant approval in the United States.

Disclosure of the FDA’s complaints raises questions about the safety of PIP’s saline implants, in addition to their silicone implants.

FDA Approves a New Hyaluronic Acid-based Facial Filler

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:46:18 +0000

BELOTERO Balance®, a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that is manufactured by Merz Aesthetics, was approved by the FDA earlier this month for the treatment of moderate and severe facial wrinkles.

BELOTERO® is produced with Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM) technology, which gives the hyaluronic acid increased elasticity and viscosity. The injectable is designed to soften facial lines and folding for several months.

BELOTERO Balance® is currently approved for use in Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Merz obtained approval from the FDA based on the results of a study that included 118 patients. Each patient was treated with the BELOTERO Balance® dermal filler on one side of the face. The other side of the face was treated with an FDA-approved bovine collagen.

Next, patients were evaluated according to the five-point Wrinkle Severity Scale (WSRS). The wrinkles treated with BELOTERO Balance® exhibited a greater reduction in wrinkles, for a longer period of time when compared to the wrinkles treated with collagen.

The patients involved in the study did not experience serious side effects or complications from the BELOTERO Balance® injections. Mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and injection site nodules were reported.

According to Rhoda S. Narins, MD, the lead investigator of the study and a dermatology professor at New York University Medical School, “BELOTERO Balance® is a soft dermal filler that is designed to achieve meaningful results by integrating into facial skin tissue. Patients are able to see a visible softening in their lines for a natural look that lasts.”

Merz Aesthetics is a medical cosmetic company that manufactures a several facial injectable products. RADIESSE® is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that offers results that last for about two years. Earlier this year, Merz received FDA approval on another wrinkle-reducing injectable, Xeomin®. Xeomin® is a botulinum toxin-based injectable that is comparable to BOTOX Cosmetic® and Dysport®.

Study: Breast Reconstruction Improves Quality of Life

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:23:38 +0000

The results of a recent study shows that patients that underwent breast reconstruction surgery using tissue from their own abdomen experienced an improvement in their self confidence and overall quality of life in as little as three weeks after surgery.

The study included 51 women, ranging in age from 28 to 77, who had the MS-TRAM or DIEP flap breast reconstruction procedure done at the University of Toronto sometime between June 2009 and November 2010. The researchers had the participants complete questionnaires at three key points during the surgical process: before surgery, three weeks after surgery, and three months after surgery.

The questionnaires were design to evaluate patient satisfaction and quality of life after breast reconstruction surgery. Questions touched on the following topics:

Anxiety
Depression
Thoughts about cancer
Psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being

The researchers of the study found that the women experienced significant improvements in their sexual, social, and mental health after surgery. They also found that the patients experienced increased stomach problems, including pain, bloating, bulging, and muscle weakness.

Patients that are thinking about undergoing breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy will benefit from learning about the results of the study.

“In the current health care environment where patients and providers increasingly seek evidence-based data to guide clinical decisions, discussing satisfaction outcomes with patients will help them make educated decisions about breast reconstruction,” Dr. Toni Zhong, one of the researchers of the study, said in a news release. “Our study can serve as an important source of evidence to guide the decision-making process for both surgeons and patients.”

Dr. Zhong, of the University Health Network Breast Restoration Program at the University of Toronto, Andrea Pusic, MD, a plastic and reconstruction surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and their colleagues authored the study. It is published in the journal Cancer.

Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:53:17 +0000

If you are thinking about undergoing breast augmentation, check out our recovery timeline for information about the side effects that occur after surgery.

Swelling/Tightness: The size and shape of the breasts changes significantly during the first few months after breast augmentation surgery as swelling subsides and the implants settle into place. The worst of the swelling occurs three to five days after surgery. In patients that underwent subglandular (over the muscle) implant placement, the swelling goes down quite a bit by week two; in patients that underwent subpectoral (under the muscle) implant placement, most of the swelling is gone by week four. Patients should have a pretty clear idea of the final size of their breasts by six weeks after surgery, but it can take up to three months for all swelling to go away.

Bruising: Patients experience little bruising after breast augmentation surgery. If any bruising occurs, it fades within a week or two.

Pain: The amount of pain that you experience is related to your surgical treatment plan; generally patients that have under the muscle breast augmentation and those that have larger implants placed will experience more pain. Pain is typically at its worst two to three days after surgery, and all discomfort should subside by two weeks after surgery.

Nipple Sensitivity: Nipple sensitivity is caused when the nerves are stretched out during and after surgery. In a few weeks to three months, the nerves should return to normal.

Nipple Numbness: Nipple numbness is a less complication of breast augmentation. It is caused when a nerve is injured during the incision or dissection steps of surgery, or when too much pressure is placed on the nerves after the implant is inserted. Nipple numbness is more likely to occur in small-framed patients that have large-width breast implants placed. While patients may experience temporary nipple numbness, sensation should return within six to 12 months.

Muscle Spasms: During the subpectoral breast augmentation procedure, the pectoral muscle may be stretched out, resulting in temporary muscle spasms after surgery. The risk of this occurring increases in patients that have large implants placed. Generally, muscle spasms stop within three to four weeks of surgery.

Settling of the Breasts: Immediately after breast augmentation surgery, the breasts will seem a little high. The breasts will gradually settle into the pocket, resulting in a more natural looking appearance. Patients should expect it to take anywhere from three to six months for the breasts to settle completely.

Breast Massage: Massaging the breasts after surgery can maintain the softness of the implants, keep it mobile, and prolong great results. Patients should start massaging their breasts a few days to a week after surgery.

Scar Treatment: Scar treatments such as the use of silicone healing sheets can be used once the breast augmentation incisions have begun to heal. They should not be used on open wounds. Typically, patients can start to use silicone sheets three weeks after surgery; they should continue use for about three months.

Restylane Cleared for Use in Lip Enhancement Procedures

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Medicis, the makers of Restylane, announced last week that the FDA approved its premarket approval application supplement to expand the approved use of the popular dermal filler to include lip enhancement.

Restylane is an injectable gel that contains hyaluronic acid and adds volume to the skin. It is commonly used to fill in wrinkles and plump up the lips.

The FDA originally approved Restylane for use in the cosmetic treatment of the nasolabial folds, the vertical, curved creases that develop on either side of the mouth.

However, plastic surgeons and dermatologist have been using the product off the label for years. When injected into the lips, physicians found that the product safely and effectively added fullness to the upper and lower lips. Most surgeons find that Restylane lip injections look more natural than lip implants and offer more predictable results than fat transfer injections.

With the FDA approval, physicians and patients can feel more comfortable using Restylane injections to add volume to the lips; the FDA recommends that the product be used on patients that are 21 years of age or older.

“We are pleased with the FDA’s decision to expand the RESTYLANE label to include lip augmentation,” Medicis Chairman and CEO Jonah Shacknai said. “This marks another significant milestone for RESTYLANE, now the first and only hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved in the United States for lip augmentation. We were very encouraged by the compelling data from the robust pivotal clinical study, showing effectiveness for up to six months, with a clear majority of eligible subjects opting for retreatment at six months.”

Prior to receiving the FDA approval, Medicis conducted a study of 180 patients. According to the conclusion of the study, Restylane injections were well tolerated by patients, and lip-enhancing results lasted for up to six months. After the six months were up, 80 percent of the patients included in the study elected to undergo Restylane lip injections again. Associated side effects were reported as mild, and included pain, swelling, bruising, and erythema.

Breast Cancer Treatment Made Easier: Oncoplastic Surgery

dr — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:42:00 +0000

Oncoplastic surgery is a fancy name for a procedure that makes it easier for women with breast cancer to avoid a mastectomy by having a lumpectomy and a breast lift/reduction at the same time.

Normally, a breast cancer can be treated by a lumpectomy only if the tumor is in a good location and is small compared to the size of the breast. If a lumpectomy and radiation is done under non-ideal circumstances, as with a relatively large tumor, the woman’s breast can be permanently deformed. Oncoplastic techniques allow a larger lumpectomy to be performed by the breast surgeon and then the plastic surgeon will sculpt the remaining breast tissue into a normal appearing breast. This is done by performing a breast reduction or lift on the remaining tissue and on the opposite breast to create symmetry.

A breast reduction involves the classic “anchor” incisions: around the areola, down the front of the breast and in the fold beneath the breast. In most cases, sensation to the nipple is preserved. Occasionally, due to a lack of blood supply, the nipple may need to be removed and replaced as a free graft. In these cases, there is a permanent loss of sensation to the nipple.

There are several advantages to Oncoplastic Surgery:

1. A breast cancer patient who might otherwise be a bad candidate for keeping her breast can now do so;

2. The post-operative radiation is better tolerated in a smaller breast;

3. Pre-operative symptoms of breast enlargement are usually relieved;

4. It is much safer than trying to “fix” a breast that is distorted following radiation therapy.

This type of procedure is applicable to patients who have extra skin and breast tissue at the time of their cancer diagnosis. Smaller-breasted patients can still have a standard lumpectomy. Women who are interested in avoiding mastectomies should discuss this procedure with their surgeons.