I know one place that I would not trust for the best plastic and cosmetic surgery. The best cosmetic surgery is not done better in any geographical area. The only qualification for a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is to acquire space in Beverly Hills to see patients. That, by itself, is no certification of any great skills. Sometimes it is just the opposite. Sometimes doctors who practice cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills are not even trained plastic surgeons. Sometimes doctors have space in Beverly Hills so that they can say they practice in Beverly Hills. They may be able to make more money by saying that, but it does not show that they have any great credentials for doing cosmetic surgery.
The best way to look for the best plastic surgery is to find a plastic surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This organization makes sure that your plastic surgeon has gone through long, and rigorous training and adheres to very high ethics. Some plastic surgeons, who are members of ASPS concentrate their practices in the area of cosmetic plastic surgery and may be invited to become a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). This is truly the elite group that you should be looking for when you are in the market for cosmetic surgery. This group is the cream of the crop and must adhere to the very highest ethical and moral standards, and continuing medical education and research. They are not flashy and flamboyant, but steady and reliable.
They are not in any one geographical area. They are scattered throughout the USA. So please check the training and credentials of your chosen doctor before submitting yourself to his knife!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
This society will be holding its annual meeting from May 2 - 7, and Dr. Silverton will be attending. This is the premier society for cosmetic plastic surgery in the world. Membership has strict rigorous requirements. To be a member the candidate has to satisfy all the following criteria;
Must be a plastic surgeon
Must be Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Must already be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Must concentrate the majority of their surgery on cosmetic surgery
Must maintain the highest ethical standards
Must be sponsored by two existing members
Must have completed at least 3 years of practice after certification
Only about one quarter of plastic surgeons meet these qualifications. Dr Silverton is a member. The society regularly puts on educational meetings and sponsors research in cosmetic surgery. It serves the public interest by promoting patient safety, and provides accurate and timely information of interest about cosmetic surgery to the news media. It also compiles annual statistics of cosmetic procedures done.
Must be a plastic surgeon
Must be Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Must already be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Must concentrate the majority of their surgery on cosmetic surgery
Must maintain the highest ethical standards
Must be sponsored by two existing members
Must have completed at least 3 years of practice after certification
Only about one quarter of plastic surgeons meet these qualifications. Dr Silverton is a member. The society regularly puts on educational meetings and sponsors research in cosmetic surgery. It serves the public interest by promoting patient safety, and provides accurate and timely information of interest about cosmetic surgery to the news media. It also compiles annual statistics of cosmetic procedures done.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical Procedures in 2008
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery keeps a record of all cosmetic surgery statistics. According to figures recently released the top 5 procedures in 2008 were;
1. Breast Augmentation (355,671 procedures)
2. Liposuction (341,144 procedures)
3. Eyelid surgery (195,104 procedures)
4. Rhinoplasty (152,434 procedures)
5. Abdominoplasty (147,392 procedures)
1. Breast Augmentation (355,671 procedures)
2. Liposuction (341,144 procedures)
3. Eyelid surgery (195,104 procedures)
4. Rhinoplasty (152,434 procedures)
5. Abdominoplasty (147,392 procedures)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
How can you estimate your breast size after implant surgery?
I do not think it is useful to put bags of water or rice in your bra and expect that this will show you the best implant size. For one thing you could put an unrealistically large bag in your bra and implants of that size would not fit. This method does not take into account your tissue elasticity or stretch capability.
The best method that I have found takes a little imagination. Try pulling the nipple out to maximal stretch. Then imagine the breast filled out as in the attached illustration. Although not quite so easy as padding the bra this is more accurate and takes your own tissues into account.
The best method that I have found takes a little imagination. Try pulling the nipple out to maximal stretch. Then imagine the breast filled out as in the attached illustration. Although not quite so easy as padding the bra this is more accurate and takes your own tissues into account.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Can BOTOX make you happier?
Psychologists have long thought that the simple act of smiling actually makes you feel better. Now scientists have reported to the British Psychological Society that if you cannot frown and put on an angry or sad expression that you might not actually feel as angry or sad.
They tested one group of patients who had recently received BOTOX for their frown muscles against another group who had not received BOTOX. The BOTOX group had less brain activity when they tried to put on an angry expression than the non treated group.
So it is probable that facial expression has an effect on mood as well as the other way around. This improvement in mood will likely only be effective while the BOTOX remains effective.
Source: http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/search?q=Botox
They tested one group of patients who had recently received BOTOX for their frown muscles against another group who had not received BOTOX. The BOTOX group had less brain activity when they tried to put on an angry expression than the non treated group.
So it is probable that facial expression has an effect on mood as well as the other way around. This improvement in mood will likely only be effective while the BOTOX remains effective.
Source: http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/search?q=Botox
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Cosmetic Surgery Statistics for 2008
Here are some interesting facts as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. I am a member of this society.
From 2007-2008, there was over a 12 percent decrease in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures decreased by 15 percent, and nonsurgical procedures decreased by almost 12 percent.
The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: breast augmentation (355,671 procedures); liposuction (341,144 procedures); eyelid surgery (195,104 procedures); rhinoplasty or nose reshaping (152,434 procedures); and abdominoplasty or tummy tuck (147,392 procedures).
The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: Botox injection (2,464,123 procedures); laser hair removal (1,280,964 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,262,848 procedures); chemical peel (591,808 procedures); and laser skin resurfacing (570,880 procedures).
From 2007-2008, there was over a 12 percent decrease in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures decreased by 15 percent, and nonsurgical procedures decreased by almost 12 percent.
The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: breast augmentation (355,671 procedures); liposuction (341,144 procedures); eyelid surgery (195,104 procedures); rhinoplasty or nose reshaping (152,434 procedures); and abdominoplasty or tummy tuck (147,392 procedures).
The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: Botox injection (2,464,123 procedures); laser hair removal (1,280,964 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,262,848 procedures); chemical peel (591,808 procedures); and laser skin resurfacing (570,880 procedures).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Why I prefer the peri-areola incision choice.
1. The scar is usually better. It is camouflaged at the brown to regular skin color junction. It hardly ever becomes keloid. I have seen the incision under the breast get keloid more often. The incision under the breast is in plain skin and therefore shows more clearly - at least until it fully matures, hopefully into an inconspicuous line.
2. Access is better. I can easily see in all directions. I can control the procedure more accurately. Sometimes if using the incision under the breast it is hard to see the very top of the breast pocket - especially if there is a prominent rib in the way. This could obscure a bleeding point. I can get a consistently safer outcome with the areola incision.
3. Less bottoming out. The support structures of the fold under the breast are not harmed with the areola incision, and the implant seems to maintain its position better. Often, if the incision is under the breast the implant might descend too low over the next year or two, perhaps because the fold itself is weakened. This gives the breast an unsatisfactory shape, with not enough breast above the nipple and too much below. The nipple might start to point upwards. This does not look good and may need surgical correction.
4. Shape is much better. It is my opinion that if the areola incision is used, the bottom of the implant rests on the breast between the nipple and the crease and is tilted slightly forward, whereas it rests directly on the fold under the breast if the incision is under the breast and the implant is more vertical in orientation. Long term shape is much better with the areola incision as the implant comes down properly as the breast ages. If the incision is under the breast the implant does not come down so readily and often starts to create a bulge in the upper breast area as the breast ages over the years and comes down with gravity. This gives the breast a long look which is not good.
2. Access is better. I can easily see in all directions. I can control the procedure more accurately. Sometimes if using the incision under the breast it is hard to see the very top of the breast pocket - especially if there is a prominent rib in the way. This could obscure a bleeding point. I can get a consistently safer outcome with the areola incision.
3. Less bottoming out. The support structures of the fold under the breast are not harmed with the areola incision, and the implant seems to maintain its position better. Often, if the incision is under the breast the implant might descend too low over the next year or two, perhaps because the fold itself is weakened. This gives the breast an unsatisfactory shape, with not enough breast above the nipple and too much below. The nipple might start to point upwards. This does not look good and may need surgical correction.
4. Shape is much better. It is my opinion that if the areola incision is used, the bottom of the implant rests on the breast between the nipple and the crease and is tilted slightly forward, whereas it rests directly on the fold under the breast if the incision is under the breast and the implant is more vertical in orientation. Long term shape is much better with the areola incision as the implant comes down properly as the breast ages. If the incision is under the breast the implant does not come down so readily and often starts to create a bulge in the upper breast area as the breast ages over the years and comes down with gravity. This gives the breast a long look which is not good.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
This is part of an article on the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's website;
"There were 456,828 liposuction procedures performed in 2007, the latest data available, an increase of 13% from a year earlier, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. To perform liposuction, a practitioner must be a doctor, but isn't required to have any special licensing or certification. In many states, a licensed physician assistant can participate in the surgery, but only under a doctor's supervision."
It is sad but true that many doctors practicing plastic surgery procedures have not been trained in plastic surgery. Here are the requirements to be a fully trained plastic surgeon. Many doctors who practice cosmetic surgery cannot meet these requirements. It is important for all prospective patients to check up on their surgeon's credentials.
1. Is a qualified medical doctor who has at least 6 years of surgical training and experience with a minimum of 3 years of plastic surgery.
2. Is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
3. Operates only in accredited medical facilities.
4. Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
5. Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
6. Will be your partner, working to achieve your goals.
Only plastic surgeons with these qualifications have earned the right to display the ASPS Member Surgeon symbol. I have fulfilled all these requirements and have been a board certified plastic surgeon for more than 30 years.
"There were 456,828 liposuction procedures performed in 2007, the latest data available, an increase of 13% from a year earlier, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. To perform liposuction, a practitioner must be a doctor, but isn't required to have any special licensing or certification. In many states, a licensed physician assistant can participate in the surgery, but only under a doctor's supervision."
It is sad but true that many doctors practicing plastic surgery procedures have not been trained in plastic surgery. Here are the requirements to be a fully trained plastic surgeon. Many doctors who practice cosmetic surgery cannot meet these requirements. It is important for all prospective patients to check up on their surgeon's credentials.
1. Is a qualified medical doctor who has at least 6 years of surgical training and experience with a minimum of 3 years of plastic surgery.
2. Is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
3. Operates only in accredited medical facilities.
4. Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
5. Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
6. Will be your partner, working to achieve your goals.
Only plastic surgeons with these qualifications have earned the right to display the ASPS Member Surgeon symbol. I have fulfilled all these requirements and have been a board certified plastic surgeon for more than 30 years.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Cup size Conundrum
I am always being asked "What is the difference between a "C" cup and a "D" cup.
This is a very difficult question because there is no standard, and how can you describe a cup size in words? To make things more difficult the "C" cup for a 32C and 34C and 36C are all different. Also all bra manufacturers make bras that fit differently even for the same cup size. There is no standard.
We need to talk about the planned and desired outcome size differently, but it remains difficult.
Breast implants come with a volume label in milliliters (mls or ccs - they are the same) and not a cup size. A small implant in a large breasted person will not result in a small breast! The final result is the natural breast volume plus the breast implant volume. The cup size is an opinion, and not a fact. Confused? So is everyone else!
What counts is what it looks like and not the number on the breast implant. That is why we measure the breasts in such a detailed manner. The goal is to achieve a beautiful shape and be guided by the patient's desire for not so large or large or as big as possible. Not all sizes are possible or even appropriate, and should be customized to the patient's goals and body characteristics, such as skin elasticity and tissue thickness.
It is not easy, but it is worth the trouble to think about the options and try to get the very best possible outcome for everyone. That is our goal.
This is a very difficult question because there is no standard, and how can you describe a cup size in words? To make things more difficult the "C" cup for a 32C and 34C and 36C are all different. Also all bra manufacturers make bras that fit differently even for the same cup size. There is no standard.
We need to talk about the planned and desired outcome size differently, but it remains difficult.
Breast implants come with a volume label in milliliters (mls or ccs - they are the same) and not a cup size. A small implant in a large breasted person will not result in a small breast! The final result is the natural breast volume plus the breast implant volume. The cup size is an opinion, and not a fact. Confused? So is everyone else!
What counts is what it looks like and not the number on the breast implant. That is why we measure the breasts in such a detailed manner. The goal is to achieve a beautiful shape and be guided by the patient's desire for not so large or large or as big as possible. Not all sizes are possible or even appropriate, and should be customized to the patient's goals and body characteristics, such as skin elasticity and tissue thickness.
It is not easy, but it is worth the trouble to think about the options and try to get the very best possible outcome for everyone. That is our goal.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
LipoPerfection®
Dr. Silverton uses the LipoPerfection technique to reduce bruising and swelling after liposuction. We have used this technique for about 14 years now. It keeps getting better. It was invented by Dr. Silberg, a plastic surgeon who has been a personal friend of Dr. Silverton for more than 30 years, and is very effective at improving the liposuction experience and outcome.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Reflections on the Economy
With the economy in recession prices are significantly down and there are unusual bargains out there. This includes cosmetic surgery - but there are limits. Special prices are offered at this time, but there is evidence of great pent up demand out there. People still want their procedures, and many can still not afford them. We still have many ways to provide financing. If interested, you might want to call us to see if you qualify.
However, as soon as the economy starts to turn around there this pent up demand will become a flood that might overwhelm the ability to provide the procedures ina timely manner. This will result in price increases and long waiting lists. When will this happen? We do not know, but if the Fed Chairman Bernanke is right it might be as soon as less than a year from now.
However, as soon as the economy starts to turn around there this pent up demand will become a flood that might overwhelm the ability to provide the procedures ina timely manner. This will result in price increases and long waiting lists. When will this happen? We do not know, but if the Fed Chairman Bernanke is right it might be as soon as less than a year from now.
February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
How to get the most out of your BOTOX treatment.
Botox is Botulinum toxin. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that it is injected into. It is made into precise units. It takes 3 to 7 days to become effective. It works for about 4 months.
While the muscle is inactive it loses bulk (becomes atrophic). When it recovers it gets its bulk back and gets strong again. If you add Botox before it recovers the muscle never has a chance to bulk up again. It will continue to lose bulk and eventually will find it more difficult to recover. So, after repeated treatments it seems logical that Botox may be able to weaken the muscle for longer and be more effective.
While the muscle is inactive it loses bulk (becomes atrophic). When it recovers it gets its bulk back and gets strong again. If you add Botox before it recovers the muscle never has a chance to bulk up again. It will continue to lose bulk and eventually will find it more difficult to recover. So, after repeated treatments it seems logical that Botox may be able to weaken the muscle for longer and be more effective.
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