Be Beautiful Boca: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Fighting Acne and Aging?

At the Skin Care Center at Berman Plastic Surgery, I’m often asked if a single product can fight pimples and attempt to beat wrinkles?

There was an interesting article in a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal about products targeted at adults suffering with acne. I’m sure you have seen a number of products being marketed as having both an anti-aging benefit as helping get rid of acne.

It appears to me that the cosmetics industry realizes that they can broaden the appeal of a single product by targeting both the young and old. Resulting in an interesting dichotomy for their products: Younger clientele get a cure for their acne, while older clients get the wrinkle prevention they desire..

The article points out that the combination skin care products can contain antibacterial, anti-acne ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide; as well as salicylic acid, which helps clear the pores. These medicines are tried and true — they work. Regardless of age, it is clogged pores that cause acne. Think of each acne spot is a mini-infection.

The other components of the dual-mission products are often moisturizers and clarifying cleansers. The purpose of these is to improve the skin’s appearance, and, hopefully, slow the aging process. Retinol is the most commonly used ingredient in the form of retinoic acid (Retin-A.)

My best advice is that you read the labels, study the components, and then make an educated decision. Most importantly, you do not have to spend a fortune on these products. More often than not, the higher cost items are paying for brand awareness and other cost accrued by the cosmetic company. Also remember everyone’s skin is different so it’s best to discuss with you skin professional what products are best for you.

If you have any more questions about skin care, I invite you to check out the Skin Care Center at Berman Plastic Surgery.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

50 is the new 30!

I read an article last week in the New York Times about the elderly population wanting and having cosmetic surgery. In the past, more often than not, we would not perform cosmetic surgery on patients older than 70. It is a different time now than it was 10 years ago. I have performed cosmetic surgery on 65, 75 and 80 year olds. I am doing a facelift this week on a 78 year old woman who is super fit!

Baby boomers like me are now getting into their fifties. They are successful, sophisticated, upwardly mobile and want to continue their youthful life. We want to age as gracefully and slowly as possible. We are entering our 50's and we don’t feel old. We accept the maturity of aging but not the biological fact that we are older. Coming out of our 40’s is like leaving our 20’s, and therefore turning 50 is like turning 30. We understand that we are aging, but feel more like we are entering our 30’s rather than 50’s.

Baby boomers are more active, vital and involved with their health and fitness than their parents were. The boomers are cycling, running marathons, taking spin classes, hiring trainers, running triathalons, swimming, exercising like gym rats....all to keep looking young and fit. All to turn back the clock and trying to stop father time from marching on. Think about what my generation is eating: Whole foods, organic meats and vegetables, all believing that these are healthier and better. How many people my age are Vegans? Vegetarians? Fruitarian? Pescatarians? Yes the 60's saw a break from traditional values, yet those that are now 60-70 are not as active in their 50's as those in their 50’s today; the later baby boomers.

So....

Did I ever think in a million years I would take a spinning class? I was clearly not the only 50 year old in the class. There were mostly women ages 25-45. But a few men like me were in their 50’s.

See the attached photos. Me, yes me, in a spin class(I loved it!) and a friend of mine who is 51 wearing a “30” jersey. I think I heard him first say it…“50 is the new 30!”

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What to Ask Before Your Breast Augmentation

So, you are considering a breast augmentation. What’s next for you now? The most important thing is to do your research so you know what to expect and select the perfect surgeon for you. We’d like to suggest some key questions you can ask to help you make the best decisions for the details of your operation. Often times we clam up when we get to the doctor. Many patients are often surprised by the choices and considerations they’re faced with when considering a breast augmentation.

Looking at your breasts the way a doctor does can be an emotional event full of new information which may be hard to process, but it is essential that you and your doctor are ‘on the same page’ regarding the type of implant and surgical approach that will be used.

Here are a few questions you should discuss and answer prior to having your breast augmentation procedure:

Saline or silicone? 

The two most commonly used types of implants are: saline and silicone. Saline implants are silicone shells that are inserted empty and then filled with sterile saline after they’re placed into your breasts.

Silicone implants are inserted into the breasts in full gel form. Most patients choose silicon implants since they definitely have a more natural feel. However, if a patient is going to have breast lift in conjunction with, silicone implants are recommended over saline.

What size implant? 

This is perhaps the biggest consideration in the minds of most women. Breast size after surgery will be dependent on how big your breast were prior to surgery and the final volume of the implant that is inserted.

Breast implant volume is measured in CC’s (30cc = 1oz). The most popular implant size is 300cc’s. To give you an idea of what 300cc’s might look like, fill a freezer bag with 10 ounces of water. Then place that in the lower part of your bra. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon should let you try on actual implants by placing them inside your bra. We suggest that you two different types of tops (perhaps a blouse and a tank top.) This will help you make a better decision about what the right size is for you.

High profile or low profile? 

Although implant volume is very important, the shape of the implant is an equally significant consideration. Most women want to be sure their breast augmentation procedures leaves them looking proportionate. A good proportion is not only determined by the breast implant size, but also by the shape of the implant as compared to the size and shape of her chest wall and torso. The choice of moderate vs. low profile has a lot to do with your anatomical chest frame dimensions. For example, if you have a really narrow chest, the round low profile implants may have too big of a diameter for your chest wall. Therefore, you may need to consider going with the high profile shape, which has a narrower diameter but more projection(taller).

In comparing implants of the same size, a low profile breast implant has a wider, rounder base when viewed from the top. A high profile implant has a smaller base. Therefore, when viewed from the side, the high profile implant has more projection. The high profile gives more projection and more fullness near the top. The choice of implant will also affect the resulting cleavage from the procedure. These days more women tend to prefer the high profile implants.

Textured or smooth implants? 

Some implants have a textured surface while others have a smooth surface. A smooth implant is softer and able to move more freely than a textured implant. The past ten years have send trend favoring smooth implants.

Under or over the muscle? 

Breast implants can be placed over the muscle or under the muscle. Below the muscle, as it is commonly referred to, is actually a partial insertion of the top part of the implant under the pectoralis major muscle. The most common medical recommendation is under the muscle because it gives the most natural look and the best long term result. There is however a downside, which is that your recovery may be a couple of days longer since the procedure is more involved to get the implant placed under the muscle

If your surgeon suggests ‘over the muscle’ be sure that he has a very good reason for that choice, as inevitably the result does not hold up well over time. Knowing the location of your implants is important to understanding exactly what the plastic surgeon has planned.

Where to have the incision? 

Most patients with a preference have based their opinion on the experience of someone they know having had that type of incision and the way that looks. There are several types of breast augmentation incisions used by plastic surgeons including the inframammary incision, the circumareolar incision, the axillary incision and even the TUBA incision. The truth is every type of incision has its pros and cons. There is not one best incision for all breast augmentations. Every case is individualized based on the patient’s specific choices and objectives.

With or without a breast lift? 

If you have sagging breasts and a loss of fullness in the top portion of your breasts, you may benefit from having a breast lift in conjunction with your breast augmentation. Often, with age and particularly after pregnancy, the breast skin is stretched or the nipple begins pointing downward. For those patients, who wish to achieve the fuller appearance with better cleavage, I recommend getting breast augmentation with a breast lift.

If you’re planning a breast augmentation procedure, consider these variants be sure to discuss them with your surgeon. Be sure to try implants on for size.

Implant size and profile, incision placement, and implant types are not things you want to go into blindly! It’s important that you discuss them with your board certified plastic surgeon during your initial consult so that you can get the results and look you want and deserve.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Technology and your recovery period.

While much of our website is dedicated to better inform you about cosmetic surgery and helping prepare you for your upcoming procedure, we would like to talk about the recovery period following any cosmetic surgery procedure.

During your pre-op appointment, the Surgical Coordinator will review your post op instructions. This appointment normally occurs a few weeks before surgery so you have some time to review. They will give you a description of what you should expect following your cosmetic surgery.

Topics usually discussed include:

• how long to wear the garment

• when you can shower

• when you can drive

• drains- when do drains come out

• pain pumps and pain control

• swelling and bruising

• when to contact the office

Perhaps the most reassuring post-op instruction is that we encourage you to call if you have any questions or concerns.

But in today’s day and age, cell phones can do a lot more than place a phone call! These days most patients have smart phones, or phones that can take pictures, send e-mails, and text. You may have questions about redness and swelling following your cosmetic surgery procedure. All surgeries involve some amount of redness , swelling, and discomfort. However, some complications will start to present themselves with an unusual amount of swelling and or redness. Whenever we suspect such a situation we will always insist on the patient coming into the office to be examined, no matter what time or day of the week it is.

However, sometimes the patient is vague about the symptoms and it may be hard for to judge over the phone whether you should come in sooner than your next scheduled appointment. In these instances, when a patient calls with a question or description of a particular problem they are having, it may be a good idea for the patient to send a photo of the operative site to him by e-mail or text.

In most instances a photo will tell whether you need to be seen in the office right away. This is a great tool for both doctors and the patient, as it often times will save everybody an unnecessary extra trip to the office!

A picture says a thousand words, and technology is wonderful. But when ever in doubt, call the office and come in. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Liposculpture or Liposuction: Twenty five cents or a quarter? Kleenex or Facial Tissue?

Liposuction of often thought of by women as a way to look slimmer. Most plastic surgeons agree. They use liposuction as a way to shave off pockets of fat where needed. However, as the technology and views of beauty have progressed curbs and form are now equally as important. It is not only important to remove the fat in areas of concern, but also to add where necessary.

But the truth of the matter is that liposculpture and liposuction are interchangeable. Patients who undergo liposculpture have liposuction. Fat is removed by different techniques: LASER, suction, ultrasound, etc. The inventors of the various forms of the removal claim their form of fat removal is less "stressful" to the tissue, less "traumatic" and ensures less downtime and more rapid healing.

Consider this: the less surgery you have performed, the less healing that has to occur, and thus allowing you a faster the return to daily activities. Therefore the more surgery you undergo, as well as the more invasive surgery that is performed is, there more noticeable result.

Whatever form of surgery that is performed creates local tissue injury. The local tissue injury results in immediate post-operative swelling. The swelling is to be expected and is a normal part of the healing process. It takes time to resolve. It is not uncommon for patients immediately post-op to have less swelling than they do one week after surgery. For the most part, patients who undergo liposuction need to wear post-operative girdles and garments to help control the post-operative edema and swelling to facilitate more rapid and controlled healing.

For more information about your liposuction, contact Dr. Berman’s office.