[Montclair, NJ - January 29, 2012]

In a recent survey, eighty-two percent of women reported having cellulite, most believing they could minimize its appearance with diet and exercise. In fact, cellulite can’t always be eliminated by diet and exercise alone, and now for the first time there is a safer and more effective treatment available to select physicians nationwide.

Click to see more Cellulaze before and after photos

New Jersey Plastic Surgery has recently added Cellulaze™ to the practice. This new technology goes beyond traditional treatments for cellulite, straight to the root of the problem, to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

“Until now, it has not been possible to treat cellulite effectively, but with the introduction of Cellulaze, we can finally give our patients the results they’ve been looking for,” said Dr. Barry DiBernardo. “I’m thrilled to be able to add this to my practice, providing my patients with one-stop for all their cosmetic needs.”

Cellulaze is ideal for treating patients who, despite a healthy diet and exercise, retain the appearance of cellulite. Cellulaze gets to the core of the problem by targeting the cause beneath the skin. First, it delivers laser energy to the dermis, producing thicker skin and increased elasticity. It also thermally subscises fibrotic bands that pull down on the skin. on the skin. Lastly, it contours for the
improvement of herniated pockets or lumps of fat.

Cellulaze offers a new approach to the way physicians think about cellulite and as a result, treat cellulite. By utilizing this technology, and working with a skilled and qualified physician, patients are now able to achieve long-lasting results they never thought possibleall from one simple treatment. Patients usually see improvements within a few weeks, with the most dramatic improvements continuing to show for a few months following the procedure.

For more information on the Cynosure® Cellulaze system and our other offerings, including the Smartlipo TriPlex LaserBodySculpting® system, or to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, please call New Jersey Plastic Surgery at 973-509-2000.

Ptosis, a condition characterized by drooping upper eyelids, can interfere with vision, cause discomfort and detract from your appearance. Through upper eyelid surgery and blepharoptosis repair, these problems may be corrected.

Multiple Studies Confirm Outcomes

The new study published in Ophthalmology journal analyzed the results of 13 other studies, looking at the reported outcomes of these surgeries.

“As oculoplastic surgeons, we see the visual improvement and comfort that patients obtain from the surgical correction of upper lid ptosis and dermatochalasis,” said Kenneth V. Cahill, MD; “this study was performed to analyze the scientific data available to substantiate this.”

An Elective Procedure?

Sometimes, Dr. Cahill says, patients are denied functional blepharoplasty and ptosis repair surgery by third party payors because of “arbitrary and/or incorrect policies regarding the functional indications for these procedures.”

Although eyelid surgery is frequently performed as an elective cosmetic procedure, ptosis repair improves vision and should be characterized as such.

The procedure helps address problems such as:

• Ptosis, drooping of the upper eyelid due to paralysis or disease, and
• Dermatochalasis, loose, redundant skin on the eyelids

Dr. Tamara R. Fountain, an American Academy of Ophthalmology clinical consultant, was not involved in the study. But said she is always amazed at how life-changing the surgery can be for patients who suffer from ptosis.

“For my patients who have been denied coverage and then choose to pay out of pocket, they often tell me it was the best investment they’d ever made and only wish they’d done it sooner,” Dr. Fountain said.

Read more from Medscape Medical News or view the abstract from ophsource.org

Through candid interviews, the film documents the experiences of models from the 70s and 80s.

“The divergent attitudes among the women about everything from the business of modeling, to aging and plastic surgery, are fascinating and priceless. ”

- The Sundance Film Guide

An excerpt from the film trailer asks Carmen Dell’Orifice: “What is it about plastic surgery and facelifts – what is your sense of that whole world?”

She says “Well, if you had the ceiling falling down in your living room,would you not go an have a repair?”

About Face has several screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, January 19 – 29 in Park City, Utah.

The partnership brings together the world’s largest group of plastic surgeons with a leading provider of healthcare technology. Strengths of both organizations, they hope, will advance the specialty of plastic surgery practices around the nation.

The ASPS has been at the forefront when it comes to delivering practice management solutions, especially in the realm of information technology. For example, the society has a journal with a new iPad application, endorsed companies for website design, and now a collaboration with an EMR provider.

“ASPS has a long history of innovation in providing our members with practice management solutions,” said ASPS President Malcolm Roth MD, “including emerging information technology tools. Through collaborations like this, we can help transform the delivery of healthcare throughout the specialty of plastic surgery…”

About the Partnership

“eClinicalWorks and ASPS share the vision and the entrepreneurial spirit that evolution demands,” said Sameer Bhat, co-founder and vice-president of sales for eClinicalWorks. “This partnership further strengthens our leadership with specialties. We are excited to collaborate with this leading medical specialty society and are confident our proven track record of product innovation will meet the needs of plastic surgeons.”

Plastic surgeons will get access to a variety of eClinicalWorks systems, helping to facilitate tasks like:

• Management of patient flow
• Accessing patient records (in house or remotely)
• ePrescribing
• Secure communication with referring physicians
• Secure communication with patients
• Clinical and financial analysis

ASPS chose eClinicalWorks after an 18-month evaluation led by a taskforce of ASPS members. 111 plastic surgeons responded to an ASPS survey regarding Health Information Technology and Electronic Health Records (HIT/EHR). The survey found that plastic surgeon’s use of the technology was “lighter than expected.” The ASPS task force has encouraged more plastic surgeons to embrace EMR and its associated technology.

Surgeons who responded to the survey listed their 5 most valuable EMR functions.

• Computerized physician order entry (CPOE)
• Web-based system (cloud computing)
• Patient web portal
• Ability to check or advise on evaluation and management coding levels based on fields entered
• Ability to use a tablet in the office.

Through the survey, ASPS was able to understand practice profiles as well as different EMR/PM vendors to assess software features and functionality. By choosing eClinical Works, the society says it will help members find a cost effective entrance into an electronic medical record system.

People with early signs of aging can achieve good results and high satisfaction 10 years or more after their face lift, according to a new study in the January edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal.

A previous study found that older patients were more likely to have lower satisfaction scores, with varying facelift results.

This new study by Doctors Liu and Owsley (at California Pacific Medical Center) involved comparisons of long-term and short-term patient satisfaction scores, combined with analysis of long-term results using photo analysis. Three age groups were selected: younger than 50, 50 to 60, and over age 60.

“Remarkable Maintenance of Youthful Appearance”

Patients who had a facelift before age 50 showed “remarkable maintenance of their youthful appearance,” according to the authors. At both short and long-term follow-up, younger patients reported higher satisfaction scores. Their scores were further supported by photo analysis.

The study results support the idea of performing “maintenance” facelifts for patients who don’t have significant signs of aging. “Younger patients who have facelifts (<50 years old) have longest lasting results with less noticeable postoperative changes,” Drs. Liu and Owsley say. Because at 50, the visible signs of aging represent “the tip of the iceberg” in relation to changes beneath the skin that come later.

Many patients in this age group are likely to treat facial wrinkles and other localized signs using injectables. For a long-lasting result, it may be a better idea to undergo a face lift.

Compared to a facelift at age 60 or older, the surgery results will also be more subtle, so patients can be modest about having cosmetic surgery.

Read more on plasticsurgery.org

A study by researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida found that women diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (a common non-melanoma skin cancer) were more likely to have smoked. Subjects who smoked 20 years or more were twice as likely to develop the disease.

Women smokers have higher risk

Both women and men get plenty of exposure to the sun, and men in general are more likely to develop skin cancer. However, for men, the correlation with smoking wasn’t significant. Researchers theorized that perhaps some physiological difference, such as estrogen, makes female smokers at a higher risk for skin cancer.

The researchers recruited 383 patients with skin cancer and 315 without it. All patients had white skin, which puts them at risk for skin cancer.

They asked subjects questions like:

• How much do you smoke?
• When did you start smoking
• How many years have you smoked?

The researchers found a startling correlation: the more people smoked, the more likely they were to develop non-melanoma skin cancer.

About Skin Cancers

Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are common non-melanoma skin cancers. If you suspect skin cancer, a doctor can identify it and order a biopsy to confirm if a growth or lesion is skin cancer. You should always see a doctor if you notice any suspicious growths or changes in your skin.

Plastic surgeons frequently remove skin cancer lesions, while taking extra care to reconstruct the tissue and minimize damage to the skin. Surgical removal is often quick and minimally invasive, but it can leave scars. One of the most common techiques is excision (surgical tissue removal) followed by direct closure.

Read more about the study on smoking and skin cancer from Health Day News.

Photo credit: Smoke by Amagill on Flickr

A recent story from msnbc and the Associated Press has cast a new light on the renewing capabilities of laser surgery.

Bryon Widner had left his white supremacist lifestyle behind when he decided that facial tattoos were no longer a proper reflection of his identity.

Looking like a thug wasn’t in line with his new priorities: holding a job and doing his part to support his family.

After searching the web in vain for a safe way to remove tattoos, he reached out to a group call the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group helped him find a solution and a a donor who would help pay for his extensive tattoo removal procedures.

Dr. Bruce Shack, a plastic surgeon and member of the ASPS, was the doctor who helped Widner remove the signs of his past.

Widner and his wife Julie found Dr. Shack to be the professional and caring physician they needed for such an arduous treatment process. “He didn’t just see the tattoos; he saw me as a real human being,” Widner told reporters.

The Associated Press story provides details of his laser treatment:

“On June 22, 2009, Widner lay on an operating table, his mind spinning with anxiety and hope. A nurse dabbed numbing gel all over his face. Shack towered over him in protective goggles and injected a local anesthetic. Then he started jabbing Widner’s skin, the laser making a staccato rat-tat-tat sound as it burned through his flesh.”

Through 25 laser tattoo removal procedures, Dr. Shack was able to erase the ink from Widner’s face, giving him hope for a normal life.

Read about laser tattoo removal in New Jersey.

Men who have gynecomastia have excess breast tissue. The problem can develop during adolescence or adulthood. Gynecomastia can negatively affect a man’s self-image, harming his quality of life for years.

Male breast reduction is common solution to the problem. A plastic surgeon can remove glandular tissue and fat, sculpting the chest into a more masculine shape.

Research on Male Breast Reduction

The Italian study evaluated 126 cases of gynecomastia during a six-year period.

The average patient was a 28 year old male. Most patients had symptoms of gynecomastia on both sides of the chest, while a smaller number (11.9 percent) had the condition on one side.

During procedures, the surgeons employed different techniques as necessary. They frequently performed “adenomammectomy with periareolar inferior or inverted Omega incision,” while another alternative was “circumareolar or vertical scar incision and liposuction.”

The procedures effectively removed the excess glandular tissue and fat from the patient’s chest.

Effectiveness of The Procedure

Before and after their male breast reduction surgery, patients filled out questionnaires for their experiences. They answered questions like:

• Why did you choose to undergo male breast reduction?
• How satisfied are you with your results?
• Has the quality of your life improved after surgery?

According to the study, patients had high satisfaction: “all patients reported an improvement in their quality of life with an average satisfaction score of 8.2 out of 10.” The complication rate was reportedly 17.72 percent.

“We suggest to the patients affected by gynecomastia to undergo surgery always and as soon as possible,” the authors conclude.

On November 21, 2011 The Doctors TV covered unusual procedures in an episode titled “Gross Anatomy.”

Urologist Dr. Jennifer Berman recommended the unusual surgery to the patient, and plastic surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens performed the labiaplasty procedure. Stevens said “many women come in [to his office] wanting labia reduction, but few actually need it.”

Cosmetic gynecology can be controversial in the medical community, though. “For every single thing that’s normal about a woman’s body there’s a man trying to change it,” said Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, an obstetrician and gynecologist at NewYork – Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

• Click to watch the full clip from The Doctors at abcnews.com
• Read more about cosmetic gynecology procedures in New Jersey