If you’re bothered by fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes (and who doesn’t have a few?) then you may want to check out this medical grade product from Obagi Medical.  The ELASTIderm eye treatment is designed to restore elasticity in your skin and reduce those persistent lines near the eyes.

What’s Inside?

Obagi’s trademarked Penetrating Therapeutics deliver ingredients like zinc, copper, malonic acid and blueberry extract.

How do I use it?

ELASTIderm eye cream is designed to be applied to the skin of both corners around the eyes as well as the eyelids.  After cleansing, toning and application of prescription skincare products, apply the eye cream and then follow with moisturizer and sun protection.

Read more about Obagi ELASTIderm at New Jersey Plastic Surgery

Dr. Gabriel conducted a 30-patient clinical trial for the off-label Botox application, demonstrating success in the management of post-operative pain following breast reconstruction.

During breast reconstruction, a temporary tissue expander is often placed between layers of the chest muscle, which is then gradually filled with water to create a pocket for the breast implant. Pain can result from muscle contractions and spasms in response to the expansion of tissue.

Along with his collaborator Dr. G. Patrick Maxwell, the doctor theorized that Botox injections could offer relief by temporarily paralyzing the muscle so that fewer spasms occur, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.

They designed a clinical trial with 30 breast cancer patients, who all planned a mastectomy and subsequent silicone implant breast reconstruction.  They were divided into 2 groups: one received Botox injections in the chest muscle and the other received injections of saline solution as a placebo.

After reconstructive surgery, the women who received the Botox injections were reportedly more comfortable than those who received placebo. The doctors measured patient responses 3 times during and after the procedure, noting that during days 7 to 45 of the recovery period, those that received Botox injections used significantly fewer doses of narcotics and muscle relaxants.

Read more on Medscape

Marketed under the brand name Body-Jet Lipo, this gentle new water-assisted liposuction technique causes very little tissue trauma and typically results in less bruising, swelling and downtime than traditional liposuction.

Body Jet Lipo is similar to tumescent liposuction in that the procedure doesn’t require general anesthesia.  Local tumescent anesthesia fluid can be delivered into the body via the device’s water jets, and the anesthetic solution can be suctioned out simultaneously, which decreases the risk of lidocaine absorption and the overall risk of liposuction surgery complications.

Unlike laser liposuction procedures, such as Smart Lipo, Body Jet Liposuction doesn’t tout skin tightening as a benefit, but if firming effects are needed, the Body Jet procedure can be combined with laser liposuction to reduce skin laxity.

Another advantage of Body Jet Liposuction is that there is less pain during the recovery period.  The results of Body Jet Lipo are also typically apparent in a shorter period of time than with traditional liposuction because less swelling is present following the procedure.

Just as with other types of liposuction, the best candidates for Body Jet Lipo are adult men and women at a stable body weight who want to remove stubborn fat deposits from their neck, arms, belly, flanks, love handles, hips, thighs and buttocks.  Although Body Jet Lipo carries fewer risks than some plastic surgery procedures, it is still surgery and should only be performed on patients who are physically and mentally healthy.

While new liposuction technologies can offer numerous benefits to patients who wish to undergo body contouring, the key to ensuring you achieve great results is seeking an experienced, board-certified New Jersey plastic surgeon to perform your liposuction procedure.

In addition to the emergency license suspension and fine, which was increased from $10,000 to $50,000 by the medical board, Jean-Baptiste could also face a three year probationary period of supervised practice once the suspension is up.

“I think he’s in a lot of trouble because he doesn’t have a surgical background,” said board member Dr. Trina Espinola, a St. Petersburg surgeon.

A certified family medicine specialist with no plastic surgery residency or fellowship training, Jean-Baptiste had completed only a single three-day liposuction training course.

Jean-Baptiste’s punishable offenses included allowing two unlicensed medical assistants to perform liposuction in an unregistered surgical facility and failing to perform a proper pre-operative exam.

In addition, the board also discovered that Jean-Baptiste was not keeping adequate medical records in this case and did not appropriately document important surgical details, including the amount of anesthesia used and the amount of fat removed.

The Florida Board of Medicine’s decision reflects its awareness of the inherent risk of unqualified practitioner participation in a cash-only industry like cosmetic medicine, as well as the importance of seeking a well trained and highly qualified plastic surgeon for liposuction, laser liposuction or any other cosmetic surgery procedure.

“This kind of case underscores how a weekend of coursework doesn’t prepare physicians to perform procedures such as liposuction,” said Chris Nuland, a Jacksonville attorney representing Florida’s plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

Considering that physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery spend two to three years exclusively learning how to correctly perform plastic surgery procedures, including several hours of liposuction training, these specialists are uniquely qualified to perform liposuction.  Be sure to seek a board certified New Jersey plastic surgeon if you are considering body contouring with liposuction.

Cosmetic use of Xeomin will be considered off-label use as of its initial U.S. launch because the product is approved only for treating neuromuscular conditions, such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm, and is not yet approved to treat dynamic wrinkles between the brows and on the forehead.

Although Botox and Dysport are both approved for cosmetic use in addition to therapeutic use, Xeomin is expected to compete directly with the two botulinum type A wrinkle-relaxing injectables for a portion of the anti-aging market.

Xeomin, Dysport and Botox are each composed of similar, yet slightly different formulations of the botulinum type A neurotoxin.  The formulation in Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is particularly unique because it is free of complexing proteins, which may give Xeomin an advantage over Botox and Dysport in treating neuromuscular conditions, since the higher doses necessary can be given without resulting in antibody formation.

Xeomin’s lack of complexing proteins is not seen as a potential advantage over Dysport or Botox when it comes to cosmetic use, however, as the doses used to smooth forehead wrinkles and frown lines, or 11’s, is so low there is no noticeable difference.  In fact, some physicians are concerned that it may be more difficult to control spreading or migration of Xeomin, which may lead to muscle relaxation that causes droopy eyebrows and other undesirable results.

Essentially, the effects of Xeomin injections for wrinkle reduction are anticipated to closely mirror the effects of Botox injections.  The unit measurements of the two products are even expected to be about the same, although Botox is distributed in 100-unit vials, and Xeomin will be distributed in 50-unit and 100-unit vials.

The only other notable difference is that Xeomin will not require refrigeration prior to reconstitution as Botox and Dysport do, which is a convenience to physicians that likely will not affect consumers.

The lack of fluctuation in Botox prices after Dysport, its first competitor, was launched in April 2009 suggests that the introduction of Xeomin to the U.S. market will not cause a decrease in the price of wrinkle-relaxing injections.

Fat grafting, which is sometimes referred to as fat transfer or fat injections, is already commonly used by plastic surgeons to fill facial folds and restore volume to the sunken cheeks and temples of their patients, as well as create plumper, more shapely buttocks via the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure.

Celution System results

The Celution System is approved for the digestion of fat tissue to extract, wash and concentrate a patient’s stem cells and other associated cells for use in autologous fat grafting procedures.

This basically means that the Celution System extracts and separates regenerative and stem cells from a patient’s own adipose tissue then multiplies them, creating grafts of fat tissue that are filled with stem cells.

When reintroduced to the body, the additional stem cells in the graft allow for a better survival rate of the transported fat cells and promote better tissue regeneration and tissue healing.

The PureGraft System

The PureGraft System, a membrane-based tissue filtration device that was FDA-approved for use in the U.S. earlier this year, is designed for use as a standalone graft preparation product, as well as a complement to the Celution System.

The purpose of the PureGraft System is to prepare fat tissue for grafting by quickly and efficiently filtering it to remove unneeded fluid, lipids, blood cells and other debris in a controlled manner.

The PureGraft system can purify a fat graft ranging from 50 to 250 mL in about 15 minutes, and when used independently, the PureGraft System produces optimal graft tissue for use in autologous fat grafting procedures.  When used in tandem with the Celution System, the PureGraft System lowers tissue processing times and increases processing volumes.

Although there is still much research that needs to be done on this new stem cell-enriched fat grafting procedure, especially as it pertains to performing breast reconstruction or enhancement with autologous fat, the Celution and PureGraft systems are exciting innovations because they offer reconstructive and plastic surgery patients potentially better ways to achieve natural-looking reconstructed breasts, fuller, more shapely buttocks and youthful facial volume.

It is important to note that the quality and longevity of fat grafting results are extremely technique dependent.  If you are considering a fat transfer procedure, consult a highly experienced, board certified New Jersey plastic surgeon to ensure optimal results are achieved.

Sheyla Hershey with 38KKK silicone breast implants

Botched boob jobs are constantly making headlines, but the stories seem to do little more than pique the casual interest of shoppers stuck in checkout lines or entertain salon clients as they sit under hair dryers.

However, an article in the Orange County Register pointed out that many recent high profile breast implant disasters serve as cautionary tales and teach valuable lessons to prospective breast augmentation patients.

Buyer beware breast augmentation

The article starts by outlining the story of Kenyatta Brown, a mother of four who went to an Atlanta eye doctor in hopes of getting discounted breast implants.  The surgeon was obviously practicing outside his specialty, which is ophthalmology, and nearly caused Brown to bleed to death during surgery.

Unsafe breast augmentation goals

The second botched boob job tale is decidedly the most “high profile” of the three, as it involves the 38KKK bustline of Sheyla Hershey, owner of the world’s largest breast implants.

Unable to get the gigantic breast implants she desired in the U.S. due to legal restrictions, Hershey traveled to Brazil to have her most recent breast surgery, after which she developed a near-fatal staph infection that forced her to have the new silicone breast implants removed.  Hershey may also lose her natural breasts in whole or in part due to the infection.

Traveling abroad for breast surgery

Finally, the article concludes by describing the story of Nicola Stratton who flew from the UK to Los Angeles to undergo 30 hours of plastic surgery, including breast augmentation, for the British Extreme Makeover TV show.

After one of Stratton’s saline breast implants deflated and she developed a common scar tissue problem called capsular contracture, Stratton needed breast revision surgery but didn’t have the means to travel all the way to her original surgeon in L.A. for follow up or pay the necessary $5,000 hospital fee for the revision surgery.

Choosing the right breast augmentation surgeon

These stories of breast surgery gone bad primarily point out what patients should avoid when seeking breast enhancement and illustrate the importance of choosing a New Jersey breast augmentation surgeon who:

• Is certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Adheres to U.S. and Canadian health care laws and ethical practice guidelines
• Is located in an area that you can afford to travel to for follow up and breast revision surgery, if needed
• Will help you set realistic expectations and achieve healthy cosmetic goals

This is exciting news for doctors and patients alike, as new cosmetic injectable products mean:

• New technology and innovation
• Better results
• More anti-aging treatment options
• Increasingly competitive pricing

New hyaluronic acid fillers

Belotero, a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler similar to Juvederm, has already been filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and may be available later this year.  The injectable, which is made by Merz, is offered in three concentrations—soft, basic and intense—and is purported to provide an improved level of tissue integration that causes fewer incidences of lumps and bumps than other hyaluronic acid fillers.

In addition to Belotero, other HA injectable fillers anticipated to hit the U.S. marketplace include:

• SubQ & Voluma (Medicis & Allergan) – Thicker, heavier HA fillers for contouring larger areas
• Restylane Vital & Juvederm Hydrate (Medicis & Allergan) – Thinner, lighter HA fillers for wrinkle treatment and volume restoration in difficult areas

Juvederm Voluma is used throughout Europe for facial contouring, such as chin and cheek augmentation, and SubQ is reportedly used for both facial contouring and body contouring, including buttocks enhancement and breast augmentation.

Restylane Vital and Juvederm Hydrate are purported to offer wrinkle prevention by boosting skin hydration and elasticity, as well as treat areas that have been historically difficult to correct with fillers, such as the back of hands, décolleté and neck.

Restylane Vital also offers a specialized automatic injection pen that regulates product injection volume and speed for more precise results.

More options for non-surgical facial rejuvenation

The innovative new is the first injectable filler composed of spherical, flexible structures called Geleons, which are formed from marine brown algae extract.  This patented Geleon technology reportedly makes Novabel injections virtually pain-free and also improves skin elasticity.

In addition, the composition of Novabel is said to make injection easier and reduce swelling, making it ideal for adding volume to facial areas with thin skin, such as the eyelids and tear troughs.

In addition to Novabel, another new non-HA filler is working its way to the U.S.  Derma Veil, a pure collagen stimulator made of polylactic and polyglycolic acids (PLGA) will compete with Sculptra for a portion of the facial volume restoration market if approved.

Beyond Botox: Naked botulinum type A injectables

“Naked” botulinum type A neurotoxins Xeomin and PurTox are also poised to bring some competition to the world of wrinkle relaxation currently dominated in the U.S. by Botox and Dysport.

Unlike Botox and Dysport, the active protein structures of these products are not complexed to other, inactive proteins.  As a result, Xeomin and PurTox may theoretically work faster, last longer and decrease the possibility of allergic reaction and development of blocking antibodies in patients.

The vast majority of face lift patients surveyed one year after face lift surgery were satisfied with their results, and 10-15 years later, more than 68 percent of the same face lift patients felt they looked 10 years younger and said their results continued to be “very good or beyond expectations” 10-15 years after face lift surgery.

Only 31 percent of patients who participated in the study indicated that they were disappointed by some aspect of their long-term face lift outcome, which suggests a majority of facelift patients experience a high degree of satisfaction with facelift results many years after surgery.

According to authors Drs. John Owsley, Michael Friel, Richard Shaw and Matthew Trovato, this study is the first to measure long-term facelift patient satisfaction rates.

The study included 89 participants, all face lift patients of study senior author Dr. John Owsley, and each participant underwent a superficial musculoaponeurotic system–platysma face lift, or SMAS face lift, between January 1, 1994 and January 1, 1999.

SMAS facelift surgery typically involves tightening and reshaping the sheet of muscle and connective tissue on the cheek that contributes to facial expression known as the SMAS.

The SMAS facelift differs from a traditional skin-only facelift in that deeper tissue layers are manipulated during surgery to provide more natural and longer lasting results.

A SMAS facelift typically corrects sagging skin and jowls, while an extended SMAS facelift offers the same benefits as a SMAS facelift, in addition to correcting nose to mouth creases, or nasolabial folds.

If you’re considering a face lift for facial rejuvenation and skin tightening, don’t get caught up in the catchy names, marketing terminology and particular surgical techniques.  Instead, focus on choosing a highly experienced New Jersey facelift surgeon who can perform custom surgical techniques to achieve your unique face lift goals.

The guidance was issued in response to an inquiry by the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, which found that the PIP implants were filled with an unapproved silicone gel that had not undergone safety tests and were not equipped with an essential protective barrier, making them prone to rupture.

Breast implant ruptures are uncommon in the FDA-approved breast implants used in the U.S., but when ruptures caused by implant malfunction or breast trauma occur, it’s important to know how to detect the rupture, as well as your options for correction.

In saline breast implants, ruptures are usually easy to detect because the implants deflate and noticeably lose volume.  In cohesive silicone gel breast implants, ruptures are not as obvious and require an MRI for detection.

Many women who experience a rupture in one or both breast implants choose to exchange their implants for new ones via breast augmentation revision surgery, while other women choose to simply undergo breast explant surgery, or implant removal, and do not have their implants replaced.

When breast implants are removed and a breast augmentation revision is not pursued, a breast lift may be performed to remove skin stretched by the breast implants.  Some women may even choose to forego revision surgery when ruptured breast implants do not cause problems with breast appearance or health.

If you discover your breast implants have ruptured, it is important to remain calm, as there is no immediate health risk.  Consult an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who can show you before and after pictures of their breast revision surgery patients and help you decide whether breast augmentation revision or breast explant surgery, with or without a breast lift, is the right choice for you.