Seminar THURS March 19th & Our Spring Beauty News

Dear Dr. A - How do you decide what type of filler to use on a patient? When I begin a relationship with my patients for dermal fillers I first evaluate the offending wrinkles they're looking to correct. Most importantly, I consider the patient's hopes and expectations. Often the best filler choice will be determined by physical findings of the wrinkles. I also go over issues such as their prior filler experiences, their ability for downtime after treatment and their lifestyle and budget considerations.

There are numerous FDA-approved fillers available and they are NOT all created equal. They vary by the type of material content, duration of action, recovery time and cost. With my vast injectable experience, I feel the Juvederm products have proven to be the most versatile for the majority of wrinkles. However, in some patients and for certain wrinkle dynamics, Perlane offers greater re-volumization.

With the introduction of Johnson & Johnson's Evolence last year, we are also seeing some nice benefits to this new collagen-like filler and its promise to last longer than the older style collagen. I'm also anxiously awaiting Evolence's FDA approval on their Breeze filler, a sister product, which we hope to be a great option for those thinner, pesky lip lines.

So, if you've been considering fillers OR haven't had them in awhile, come in and talk to me. I'll review your priorities and we'll develop the right filler plan to give you a refreshed look. (Join us at our seminar on Thursday, March 19th where we'll do some product demonstrations and show you just how these fillers work.) You may also visit the different filler companies' websites and see for yourself some of their researched findings and results.

Dear Dr. B - Are the heavily marketed - 'smart, cool, and laser' lipo techniques really better than traditional liposuction? Of course not! Fat cells don't know how they are being removed, --they just want out! Because there are new machines being marketed right now, there's much public confusion about the best type of liposuction.

For your information, our bodies DO NOT make new fat cells after infancy! HOWEVER, our fat cells can swell or shrink as we gain or lose weight. When liposuction is properly performed, most of the fat cells in the treated area are removed --- FOREVER!

AGAIN, they do NOT reappear somewhere else on your body. If your weight stays about the same you will not regain the fat removed by liposuction. If you lose weight, you will tend to lose it in areas that were not treated by lipo. If you do gain weight over the years you will most likely notice it is proportionately distributed.

At our office, and most likely in those of respected board certified plastic surgeons, the tumescent lipo technique is the common method of surgery performed for fat removal. This involves the placement of a diluted local anesthetic (tumescent fluid) to the area, which is then followed by liposuction to remove the unwanted fat. It is our practice to use the IV sedation, not general anesthesia, for this cosmetic surgery. This keeps our patients comfortable and allows for better removal of fat during the procedure.

The tool I use for lipo is a "power-assisted" one, which I have found, is the best technique in removing fat for my patients. It is also the way I get the smoothest contours and best result. The difference you hear with newer lipo techniques are the types of removal devices which often add a laser. (This is reminiscent to the technique we used to do with ultrasonic liposuction of prior years). What we are observing, however, is that some of these results are really NOT as good as promised and skin irregularities are occurring. In addition, the laser techniques can often take longer to perform because heat is introduced, which can ultimately have the potential to burn skin and underlying tissues. To sum it up, if this new lipo is so smart why are most performing it NOT board certified plastic surgeons?

Remember, liposuction is still not for everyone. It's a great option to remove inches and problem areas of fat that can be exercise and diet resistant. However, if the patient's problem is an excess amount of skin, (from loss of weight, having children or even age,) ---especially in the abdomen, back or thighs, then no amount of lipo will shrink or remove skin. The right surgeries for these corrections are tummy tuck, flankplasty or thigh lift.

If you have any questions on the body contouring procedures I perform, come talk to me. We'll let you know if you're a good candidate for liposuction and review the benefits this surgery can offer in giving you a great new body.

If you have a question for the doctors, write to jill@hassplasticsurgery.com. We may include them in our next e-news. Either way we'll respond to all your questions personally and privately so you get right answers --- right away!

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Welcome our new Medical Aesthetician

We're proud to welcome a new aesthetician, Vanessa Gil, to our MediSpa staff at Hass Plastic Surgery. She joins veteran aesthetician, Kamila Leverrier to offer our patients even more opportunities for beautiful skin.

Vanessa's background and love for skin care came at an early age when she watched her mom with her 'lotions and potions', as she calls it. She trained at the prestigious Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care in NYC and was written up in an issue of New York Magazine in 2000 for her specialization in men's holistic skin care practices. She's worked in both the luxury spa setting as well as other medical practices not only in New York, but Orlando and Palm Beach as well. Her favorite treatments for patients, (those she feels give the most improvement and patient satisfaction) are the chemical peels. "Patients get the needed cell turnover which is consistent for their skin's rejuvenation." She, of course, always recommends patients use a good medical line of skin care products and daily sun protection.

In case you need reminding OR just haven't given your skin needed attention lately, ...we have a great menu of Medispa services that can help you have not only a more beautiful complexion, but healthier skin as well!

Our services and packages include: Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels, Facials, Laser Hair Removal, Waxing, Lash Tinting and Shaping, Permanent Makeup, IPL Photo Rejuvenation and even Pre-Surgical combinations for those getting ready for surgery. For a consult with our skin care professionals, Kamila or Vanessa, call (561) 624-7777 OR e-mail us and we'll get you on your way to great looking skin this Spring!