Unlike hospitals, ASC facilities are able to avoid unscheduled surgeries, such as add-on cases and emergency cases. ASC facilities are also physically smaller than hospitals, making it easier to move patients and equipment around more quickly, and ASC staff is usually smaller, more consistent and thus able to work more efficiently than hospital staff. Additionally, surgeons are assigned to a single room in an ASC and do not have to change rooms as they do in hospitals, which also saves times.

Study authors Drs. Terrence Trentman, Jeff Mueller, Richard Gray, Barbara Pockaj and Daniel Simula began their research in 2005 when their practice’s ASC facility was closed, which forced all outpatient breast surgeries to be performed alternatively in a hospital setting.

The study authors compared the surgical records of 92 patients who had breast surgery in the ASC facility between January 2004 and December 2005 with the surgical records of 92 patients who had breast surgery in a hospital facility starting January 2006. The cases reviewed for the study involved female patients of similar age, with similar recovery room times, and all of the breast surgeries were performed by the same two salaried surgeons who did not receive additional bonus pay for productivity.

Although the study concluded that ASC facilities offer significant preoperative time-savings, findings also suggested that breast surgery patients spend an almost identical amount of time in an ASC and a hospital once they reach the operating room. So, while study findings support the common perception that outpatient surgery can be far more efficiently performed in dedicated outpatient surgical centers outside of hospitals, such as ambulatory surgery centers, it identifies that the time-savings benefits of an ASC facility are only offered during the preoperative, or preparation, stage of a breast surgery procedure.

The type of anesthesia used during surgery can also affect recovery time immediately following surgery, however this did not significantly affect overall surgical time from the preparation stage to the patient discharge stage.

Dr. Gerald Edds performs all cosmetic breast surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction, in an efficient, state-of-the-art ASC facility.

Although many studies have been conducted to evaluate short-term face lift patient satisfaction, this study is the first to evaluate long-term satisfaction in face lift patients.

Study participants included 89 patients of study senior author Dr. John Owsley, who performed a superficial musculoaponeurotic system–platysma facelift, or SMAS facelift, on each patient between January 1, 1994 and January 1, 1999.

When patients were surveyed one year after surgery, 98 percent reported that their results were “very good or beyond expectations.”  Each facelift patient was surveyed again 10-15 years after surgery, and 68 percent reported not only that their results continued to be “very good or beyond expectations,” but also that they looked 10 years younger.

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 in the long term.

It is important to note that the results of a SMAS facelift are typically longer lasting than those of a subcutaneous, or skin-only, facelift, and improvement of sagging skin and jowls is an expected outcome.  An extended SMAS facelift offers the same benefits as a SMAS facelift, plus correction of nasolabial folds.

Variations of the SMAS facelift technique exist, but all SMAS facelift techniques involve repositioning and tightening the SMAS, which is a sheet of muscle and connective tissue on the cheek that contributes to facial expression.

If you’re considering face lift surgery, don’t trust your face to just anyone.  Avoid marketing hype and seek a highly experienced Owensboro facelift surgeon who can customize your facelift procedure to meet your unique facial rejuvenation goals.

The guidance was issued after the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons discovered the PIP breast implants contain an illegal, untested silicone gel substance that makes the implants abnormally susceptible to rupture.

Unlike women with the faulty PIP breast implants, women who undergo breast enlargement with the safe, FDA-approved silicone breast implants used in the U.S. have a choice about when and how to address implant malfunction in the unlikely event of a rupture.

Rupture in saline breast implants tends to be obvious, as deflation and noticeable volume loss will occur in the implants.  However, in silicone gel breast implants, ruptures are not as obvious and an MRI is required for detection. 

When ruptured breast implants do not cause problems with breast appearance or health, occasionally women will choose to forego revision surgery, however most pursue corrective surgery. 

Options for corrective surgery include:

• Breast augmentation revision, or breast implant exchange
• Breast explant surgery, or breast implant removal
• Breast implant exchange or removal with breast lift, or mastopexy

Most women opt for breast augmentation revision to exchange ruptured implants for new ones, while others choose breast explant surgery, or breast implant removal, and do not have the ruptured implants replaced.  

When breast implants are removed and are not replaced, a breast lift may be recommended to remove the extra skin stretched by the breast implants.  A breast lift with augmentation revision may also be recommended if the breasts have begun to sag since the initial breast augmentation surgery.

If you experience a breast implant rupture, don’t panic, as there is no immediate health risk with FDA-approved implants.  Consult a highly qualified cosmetic surgeon with significant experience performing corrective breast surgery.  Once you have discussed all possible options, you and your surgeon can decide whether breast implant exchange or removal, with or without breast lift surgery, is best for you.

You may remember last year’s campaign led by Brooke Shields. This year, the campaign is led by lifestyle designer Kathy Ireland, professional ballroom dancer Chelsie Hightower and style guide Bobbie Thomas. Watch the video to learn more about the campaign and see important product information about Latisse.

“With approximately 1.5 million bottles sold since launching the product a little more than a year ago, LATISSE is giving back by helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant the wishes of children. Through the campaign, we will double each individual’s donation, with a maximum donation of $250,000, through October 31,” said Robert Grant, President of Allergan Medical, a division of Allergan, Inc.

What are the causes of breast ptosis?

In general, the cause of breast droop is a combination of factors including breast size, aging, and gravity.  Large breasts are gradually pulled downward by gravity.  As your skin becomes thinner and less elastic with age, it stretches and becomes less able to maintain a youthful breast position.

A recent study conducted at the University of Kentucky sheds some light on the factors that contribute to breast ptosis.  Surgeons found that age, significant weight loss, higher BMI, larger bra cup size, number of pregnancies, and smoking were found to be significant risk factors for breast ptosis.

Interestingly, “breast-feeding, weight gain during pregnancy, and lack of participation in regular upper body exercise were not found to be significant risk factors.”

Evaluating Breast Ptosis

A common way to measure breast ptosis is the Regnault classification, which is as follows in simplified form:

1. Pseudoptosis – the nipple falls above the fold, but the breast is hypoplastic and hangs below the breast crease.

2. Glandular Ptosis – the nipple is above the fold, but the breast hangs below the crease.

3. Minor Ptosis – the nipple is level with the breast crease.

4. Moderate Ptosis – the nipple is below the breast crease, but above the lower breast contour.

5. Severe Ptosis: the nipple is below the breast crease and below the lower breast contour.

Correcting Breast Ptosis

Using the classification system above, a surgeon can recommend the right procedure to correct breast ptosis.  Surgery to correct minor ptosis may be quite different from the procedure to correct a severe case of ptosis.  The usual procedure of choice is breast lift surgery.

Surgeons in Lithuania recently studied the success rate of different suture types used in Otoplasty.  A 3-year study was conducted with 100 patients.  They were divided into these groups based on the suture materials chosen:

• PDS
• Monocryl
• Mersilene

Patients (48 men and 52 women) had a median age of 20 years.  After analyzing the data for each group, the doctors found that 3 patients in the PDS group and 3 patients in the Monocryl group had unsatisfactory aesthetic outcomes requiring revision surgery.  Patients in the Mersilene suture group had the lowest rate of recurrence.

Read more about this study online on PubMed: “Comparison of otoplasty outcomes using different types of suture materials”

Sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the nation’s largest medical society of cosmetic surgeons, the 3 day workshop focused on procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction surgery. “Our breast course has earned excellent recognition and is one of the most popular breast courses in the Academy,” said Dr Mandell-Brown.

The doctors discussed the latest development in cosmetic breast surgery.  Through a combination of lectures, surgery, and anatomy labs, the visiting physicians can improve their skills.  “Its a great way to showcase Cincinnati to our visiting doctors” observed Therese Holden, Nursing director.  She added, “we really strive to make this an outstanding educational experience for the participants.”

The President has issued a proclamation declaring this week “Women’s Health Week.”  In an official Whitehouse press release, goals were outlined by Mr. Obama that he says will help “break existing barriers” and “improve the health of American women for generations to come.”

Some guidelines include advice to:

• Lead healthy lives and set an example for young people.
• Take advantage of preventive care with routine screenings and checkups.
• Emphasize the role of women in promoting the vitality of our children and communities.
• Remember the simple everyday steps like using sunscreen, exercising regularly, and eating healthy.

Online resources were also cited for promoting the goals of women’s health week, including the Whitehouse Council on Women and Girls, womenshealth.gov, and girlshealth.gov.

At the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran, a randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 48 patients.  They were injected with either Botox or saline, the placebo.  Injection sites were customized for each patient’s anatomy.

When Botox injections were performed with anatomic measurements as a guide, they “significantly reduced pain at rest in patients with chronic refractory lateral epicondylitis.”  Due to the side effects, the treatment may not be appropriate for patients who require finger extension.

Read more from the Canadian Medical Association Journal

CNN reports on the growing trend of cosmetic procedures being offered in the war-torn country of Iraq.  As the violence subsides, doctors who treat war wounds are starting to see more patients for elective procedures.