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Terry L. Hand, M.D.
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What makes a Leprechaun smile?
Glowing Skin!
This month with any SRA intense pulsed light treatment or Matrix RF treatment, receive 25% off all Obagi or Glycolix products!
Offer expires 3/31/2010 |
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Ask The Doctor
I am seeing more advertisements for facelifts on TV. Can you comment on a new one I have been seeing called the QuickLift?
Earlier in the year I predicted that more and more advertising would be hitting the airways. All of these procedures such as QuickLift or Lifestyle Lift have a copyrighted name for the procedure, not a unique ability to perform it. Certain physicians may make claims they originated the technique or are uniquely qualified to perform it but that is rarely truthful. A well trained plastic surgeon is aware of all of these techniques, good and bad.
In most of these advertisements you will see cheerful patients that have had the procedure make positive comments about the procedure and the ease of recovery. However, the physician that performed the procedure is not necessarily the one that is being advertised and ancillary procedures such as blepharoplasty and forehead lift may have additionally been performed without necessarily informing the consumer. As I caution with every potential surgical procedure, please see the post surgical results of the doctor that will be performing your procedure, not results of a colleague.
There are many variations of a regular facelift during which the muscles and facial skin are tightened, jowls lifted and the neck lifted with the fat under the chin removed and banding eliminated. That is the gold standard of facelifts. Some patients do not need such an extensive approach and a variation of the extensive surgery may be more appropriate. A QuickLift is a variation of an extended minilift that may be appropriate for some but may be a poor choice for others. A board certified plastic surgeon has training in all variations of facelift and will usually recommend a facelift procedure that is customized for the individual patient with the least downtime. That being said, advertisements of procedures that promise a weekend recuperation are rarely truthful. Any facelift surgery is a surgery and will require possibly weeks to fully recover.
In my practice, I perform minilifts, extended minilifts, regular facelifts, and shortscar facelifts all tailored to the particular need of the patient. I refuse to subscribe to marketing agendas that push a patient towards a procedure that may not be of benefit.
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| New and Fun Procedure: Cankle Surgery! |
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Cankles! What could this be? A slang term that unites the words calf and ankle, "cankles" refers to the absence of a defined indent between calf and foot. In short, thick ankles. Cankles are generally caused by one of two things -- your weight or your genes. Body fat is body fat and it doesn't matter if it's on your ankles, thighs, hips, or belly -- all fat cells behave the same way.. When you exercise, fat cells are triggered by adrenaline to release fat, but some cells are more stubborn than others, and that affects the pattern in which weight is lost and that pattern is predetermined in your genes. Unfortunately for some, fat accumulations around the ankles may be resistant to exercise and weight loss.  Above is a patient that was profiled on the following clip from "The Doctors" that underwent "cankle" liposuction and discussed her reasons for pursuing surgical correction. Although the photos adequately illustrate the considerable improvement in her calf/ankle contour, I would have preferred to see her postoperative photo in flat shoes. See The Doctors Video ClipPlease note the video contains a graphic representation of liposuction. This procedure is performed with VASER ultrasonic liposuction. Liposuction of the ankle/calf is a 1 hour procedure that is performed utilizing general anesthesia. A postoperative garment or wrap for compression must be worn for 2 to 3 weeks and the calves should be elevated for several days postoperatively.
My vote for this procedure, thumbs up!
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Prevelle Silk Promotion Extended!
Prevelle Silk will remain at our special price indefinately since the response has been so great from our patients!
The first syringe of Prevelle Silk will remain at our promotional price of $500.00, the second syringe or more will have an additional $50.00 instant rebate per syringe making the net cost $450.00.
I offer all of my patients topical anesthesia as well as a dental block for all filler injections. With Prevelle Silk, there is additional local anesthetic in the product. The net effect is more a comfortable injection initially and a decrease in post injection soreness. I find that post injection lumps and redness are minimized as well. |
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| New CareCredit Plan! |
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2010 has brought new government rules regarding financing. CareCredit has refined it's programs and has a new option that will benefit most of our patients. In the past, our office offered a 3 month same as cash option for payment. Carecredit has revised the program so that the repayment period is now extended to a 6 months, same as cash! There is no longer a minimum charge amount to qualify for this offer.
Credit lines up to $25,000 are available with instant qualification and credit availability. A secure CareCredit application may be found on the financing page link below.
Please let Cheri or Lisa know if you need any further clarification regarding the current financing options with CareCredit.
As always, our office continues to accept Visa, Mastercard and personal checks as well.
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May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
An Irish Blessing
Happy St. Patrick's Day month! OK, so lately I've been on a celebrate the holiday kick but what could grab your attention better than luck and leprechauns!
This month I will comment on the marketing of external laser liposuction devices, particularly the Zerona laser. I am really starting to get annoyed that patients are being duped into investing their plastic surgery budget into marginal procedures that deliver little. The basic jest of the procedure is to shine a laser pointer at the skin (by a technician), eat protein and vegetables for 2 weeks, come in every other day for a treatment and lymphatic massage and for all that effort magical results will occur. When looking at the advertising, I feel like all that is missing is a trustworthy leprechaun to wink and drive home the sales pitch. What is the pitch you ask? Try this one: Lose 7 dress sizes with 6 of these treatments. I can do real liposuction surgery and take 3 liters of pure fat off of an abdomen and am unable to make a claim such as this. So what happens? The patient that has the desire and funds to opt for a liposculpture session opts for the easy solution, no down time and no surgery. The results, very little difference in his or her body and a whole lot lighter wallet. The patient is upset and the budget that could have been used for a real surgery that would have provided real change is depleted. I have always said and will continue to say, appreciable difference in body contour is only attained with real liposuction, my favorite technique being Vaser liposelection. External laser liposuction devices will continue to be advertised heavily by clinics that do not have the surgical expertise, operating room accreditation, hospital privileges or surgical training to perform authentic, result driven surgery. Later in this newsletter, I have added frequently asked questions about real liposuction and links to both my results and other MD's that have posted results using Vaser LipoSelection.
There is big news in the Botox business these days, the launch of the Brilliant Distinctions program. Many of you may remember that in the last year, the Allergan company had several rebate promotions for Botox. They have now developed a consumer loyalty rewards program where you earn points, much as you would in airline miles. Enrolling is accomplished online with an immediate $25.00 coupon that you may use immediately at your next visit or continue to bank in your rewards account. The challenge for our practice is to get our patients enrolled before the next Botox treatment. Our office should have our enrollment packages with the individual codes within the next 2 weeks. Please give Cheri a call or drop her an email so that she can give you your individual code number that will enable you to enroll into the Brilliant Distinctions program. Information about the enrollment link and further explanation of this program may be found later in this newsletter. Next month, after you all are hopefully enrolled and utilizing the program, we will publish more on redeeming your rewards.
Prevelle Silk continues to be an excellent addition to our practice. In the past month, 2 other manufacturers have added their versions of hyaluronic acid fillers with lidocaine to the dermal filler market as well. I am finding Prevelle Silk to be more comfortable for the patient post injection, with less inflammatory redness and a smooth line of injection that results in fewer lumpy areas. I believe the addition of adding topical anesthetic to the product will delight most patients. For that reason, I have decided to continue our introductory pricing for Prevelle Silk, $500.00 for the 1st cc and $450.00 for additional ccs. indefinitely. Over the past 20 years, I have seen many fillers come and go. We will continue to offer other dermal fillers but are pleased to offer this great product .
Our "New and Fun" procedure this month is again not really a new procedure but certainly one that is not often in the news, "cankle surgery". As many women know, a cankle is a calf and ankle that is poorly defined and seems to be one straight unit. Via liposuction, the ankle can be shaped to be more defined as well as the knee to calf area. I've added a video that was seen on "The Doctors" that offers a very good explanation of the procedure and a patient that underwent the procedure.
I have included a short blurb that illustrates the 3 procedures for the face that I feel give the most "bang for your buck" when combined, with photos to illustrate the dramatic difference.
I wanted to remind you that CareCredit, the cosmetic financing company that we are most successful with has changed their no interest program to 6 months same as cash instead of 3 months same as cash. This month several of our patients took advantage of this program and commented that the additional 3 months extension of interest free payments was very helpful.
All the best,
Terry Hand, M.D.
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| Frequently Asked Questions About Vaser LipoSelection |
These are frequently asked questions that pertain to the procedure I use most often when doing regular liposuction. This is an extremely effective method that delivers measureable results unlike most noninvasive measures. At the bottom of this review, I have added a link to review some of my liposuction patients as well as a link to review other results that are available on the VASER website.
What is VASER® Lipo? How does it differ from traditional liposuction?
VASER Lipo, also known as LipoSelection®, is an advanced body contouring procedure that selectively removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, VASER Lipo uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently reshape your body. What distinguishes the VASER Lipo procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues - such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER technology breaks up fat while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth results and rapid healing.
How does VASER Lipo work?
First, the area to be reshaped is filled with a special saline solution that helps numb the site and shrink the blood vessels (to minimize blood loss and reduce bruising). This solution wets and fills the area to be treated, making it easier to break up fatty tissue with the VASER Lipo System's ultrasound energy. Then a small probe transmits sound energy (similar to that used for cataract removal from the eye) to break up fatty tissue on contact while preserving other important tissues. Finally, the liquefied fat is removed through a gentle suction process designed to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.
What body areas can be treated with VASER Lipo?
Doctors have experienced great success in treating all of the following areas: abdomen, thighs, knees, buttocks, hips, back, arms, male and female breasts, love handles, chin, neck areas and just about any other body part you need treated.
How much fat can be taken?
There are limits to how much fatty tissue can be safely taken from the body. One way to get a good idea for yourself is to stand and bend from the waist. The amount of 'loose-hanging' fat you can easily grab above / below your waist will approximate what can be removed. Bear in mind that this procedure is not intended as a weight loss solution. The goal is to create a slimmer silhouette. You may not notice a significant amount of weight loss, but you should be pleased with your slimmer new shape.
Where is VASER Lipo performed?
VASER Lipo is performed in a clean or sterile environment. Some possible options are in a doctor's office, an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia (awake), IV sedation, or general anesthesia. You and your physician will decide the best type of treatment for you.
How soon will I see my results? What is the recovery time?
This varies with the extensiveness of the procedure-the amount of fat removed, the number of sites treated, and so on. Many patients report that they see results immediately after the procedure with the final result at around 3 to 6 months. It is important that you establish realistic expectations through discussion with your doctor.
What about future weight gain / fat migrating to other areas?
This is a common misperception. Following your VASER Lipo procedure, should you experience weight gain or loss, it will tend to be proportionately distributed over your entire body. Once you have fat removed, it is gone and, assuming a healthy lifestyle of proper diet and exercise, it will not return or migrate. However, because fat is necessary to a healthy body, some essential fat layers in any given site remain untreated. If you do gain a significant amount of weight, the remaining fatty tissue will expand. Normal aging changes can also be expected.
How can I be certain VASER Lipo is right for me?
If you are frustrated by the resistance of certain body areas to diet and exercise, VASER Lipo can provide a solution. If you are healthy and seeking a fast, low-pain solution to losing stubborn fat deposits, the VASER Lipo procedure could be your answer. Although there are limits to the amount of fat that can be removed, your doctor can assist you with your decision about potential areas for sculpting, anticipated results, and the recovery process.
Click to see liposuction results from my photogallery
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Brilliant Distinctions Botox Loyalty Program |
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Our office is waiting to receive our first group of sign up kits. Please call or send an email at this link to our office and Cheri will put your name and email address on her list. As soon as we receive the packets, she will email the instructions and activation code that you will need to begin using your Botox Loyalty Program.
* Sign up now for 200 bonus points (Value $25.00)
* Get your activation code from our office with a simple phone call, then sign up online at www.BotoxCosmetic.com/activate
* Accumulate points with your Botox treatments
* Redeem points to create a coupon and use that coupon for any Allergan treatment or product in our office
* Your first 200 points will be instantly redeemable for a $25 coupon on your next Botox visit to our office.
Brilliant Distinctions Loyalty Program
Brilliant Distinctions is a Consumer Loyalty Program offered by Allergan, the makers of Botox, Juvederm and Latisse. Points are earned for each Botox treatment. These points can then be used to create a coupon that you can apply not only toward your future Botox treatments but also toward Juvederm treatments or to purchase Latisse.Currently the program only allows you to earn points from your Botox treatments. Point accumulation for Juvederm will begin in the early summer.
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Deposit 1 and 2 |
200 points |
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Deposits 3, 4,and 5 |
250 points |
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Deposits 6,7, and 8 |
300 points |
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Deposits 9, 10 and 11 |
350 points |
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Deposits 12 and up |
400 points |
As you continue to receive Botox treatments, you will see a larger savings. Point awards increase as your treatment numbers add up. See Point Redemption Values below.
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200 Points |
$ 25.00 coupon |
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300 points |
$ 35.00 coupon |
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400 points |
$ 50.00 coupon |
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500 points |
$ 65.00 coupon |
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575 points |
$ 75.00 coupon |
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725 points |
$100.00 coupon |
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850 points |
$125.00 coupon |
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950 points |
$150.00 coupon |
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1100 points |
$195.00 coupon |
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1450 points |
$320.00 coupon |
Next month, when the Brilliant Distinctions Program is fully in place, we will post the specifics regarding redemption and accrual of points. This month our focus is to get all of our patients started with this wonderful plan and it's rewards! Once you have your account created, you will start receiving rewards immediately.
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Three Procedures That Make A Big Difference: Blepharoplasty, Botox and Dermal Fillers
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Before After
Before After
A question that I am asked often is "What procedure(s) will give me the biggest bang for my buck?" As you can see from the above patient, refreshing her eyelids and midface with a upper and lower blepharoplasty did wonders. Her midface was elevated and her cheek fat pads were repositioned during the lower lid blepharoplasty procedure to recreate her more youthful appearance. She also benefited from Botox to her brow area and a hyaluronic dermal filler to her nasolabial creases (the creases from the nose to the mouth).
The combination of these procedures made a huge difference in the overall refreshed and more youthful look of this patient.
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What Would You Like To Hear About?
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Click the link below to send a
question you have been wondering about and would like to see discussed
in this letter. If I haven't heard of it, I will get the scoop and
report back.
Dr. Hand, comment on this please?
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| Thank you! |
Once again, thank you for reading our newsletter! As always, subscribers to this letter are free to come into the office for a no charge consultation regarding surgical or cosmetic procedures. Please give Lisa or Cheri a call for any questions or if you would like to meet with Dr. Hand. We will look forward to hearing from you!
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hand
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