We recently attended the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (www.cosmeticsurgery.org) annual meeting in Las Vegas. This meeting brings together leading cosmetic surgeons from around the US, and the world, for 4 days of presentations, discussion, and education.

While spending several days in Vegas sounds like a boondoggle at best, our days began at 7 am and lasted past 6 pm, with rarely a dull moment. There were often several equally interesting presentations going on at the same time, making it tough to decide which one to attend.

One of the highlights was Dr. Jean Carruthers’ keynote address on the evolution of botulinum toxin from a treatment for blepharospasm to its continued development as BOTOX Cosmetic, one of the leading cosmetic treatments worldwide. Rarely do you get the background scoop on such a groundbreaking technique!

The sessions on body sculpting (liposuction, tummy tuck, fat transfer), breast surgery (augmentation and breastlifts), and facial surgery (blepharoplasty, browlift, and facelift) were informative and abundantly stocked with great photos, technique pearls, and stimulating discussion. It was also nice to stop by the exhibit hall and see the latest tools of the trade, and get an early look at future developments.

One of the key benefits of this meeting is simply interacting with and learning from colleagues. You just cannot attend these sessions without learning things that will make you a better cosmetic surgeon.

At GLOW, we are committed to continual learning, education, and refinement. This commitment if a key tenet of our desire to provide the best care we can for our valued patients. Last year, we spent over three weeks devoted to continuing medical education – a number we hope to exceed in 2012!

While Smartlipo liposuction, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) remain popular as standalone procedures, we’ve seen an increased interest in combining some of these into one sitting. As such, a few lines on the fabled ‘mommy makeover.’

The term ‘mommy makeover’ usually refers to some combination of procedures meant to restore a woman’s body to the shape and dimensions enjoyed before pregnancy and breastfeeding. Natural and predictable changes on the road to motherhood may include stretch marks, sagging or lax skin, pesky, intractable fat deposits, and volume loss and sagging of the breasts.

Of course, some bodies revert to baseline in an enviable, almost magical way. We are not talking about those bodies. What if you, or someone you know, have some of these changes? You have options.

Changes in your breasts may be addressed with augmentation with implants, a lift (mastopexy), a reduction, or some combination of these options. If sagging and volume loss is present, one reasonable option may be breast augmentation along with a lift. Sometimes a straightforward augmentation with implants will suffice.

What about that fat, or sagging skin, particularly around the belly and love handles? Skin, while resilient, is sometimes stretched beyond its ability to snap back. If redundant, hanging skin is in abundance, removal during a tummy tuck may be necessary. Depending on the technique used, additional fat can be removed through liposuction, and the stomach wall can be tightened. If the skin is in good shape, Smartlipo liposuction may be all that is required.

The good news is that reshaping the stomach, love handles and breasts (ie. your torso!) can often be done at the same time. This means you can set aside the recovery and procedure time only once. Imagine that: one longish procedure and a significant transformation of your body.

At GLOW, we are excited to offer combination mommy makeovers to help our patients realize their goals. Do you want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation.

It’s about time we addressed a very pressing matter.  What are we going to do about all of those sagging breasts out there?

We know this doesn’t concern readers of this blog, but let’s face it: sagging breasts do exist, and they are here to stay.

We’re talking about breasts that have lost volume or shrunken in size, with a general downward tendency of the nipple.  The skin seems less tight, the breast seems to just lie there on the lower chest (or upper stomach!), and you just can’t appreciate them when looking down like you used to.

Sound familiar?  Not uncommon after a few years have passed, with an episode (or several) of breast feeding thrown in for good measure.

This can happen over time regardless of pregnancy or breast feeding, and sagging breasts with low riding nipples may be present right from the get go.

You don’t have to do anything about sagging breasts, but if you are of a mind to change how your breasts look, you have options.

Mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, is an out-patient procedure that involves tightening portions of the breast while elevating the nipple to achieve a natural, less droopy overall appearance.  On occasion, breast implants may be required to get the volume and shape just right.

The result?  More youthful appearing, full, and aesthetically pleasing breasts.  If that upper breast volume (ie. cleavage) has been missing in action…..welcome back.

Another nice outcome: the way the whole torso (stomach and chest area) can simply look better as a unit, with more definition and exposure of the upper stomach area.  Now it can’t hide behind those sagging breasts!

If this seems like a topic worth exploring further, drop by or call to learn more about how GLOW may be able to help (www.glowkskinrevived.com).

At GLOW, we love providing the shape and contour you’re looking for. Feel free to call or visit to learn more about the tummy tuck procedure, and whether it’s right for you.

We’re all familiar with the term ‘Botox.’  In fact, it’s earned a well-recognized place in our pop culture, with frequent mentions in movies, magazines, and other media.  So when we think about getting a few small injections to erase those subtle signs of aging, we think of Botox.

BOTOX® Cosmetic (from Allergan) reigns supreme amongst neuromodulators, an injectable drug class used for the temporary relief of frown lines.

Botox was the first product to market for cosmetic indications (frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet).  Safe and effective, we have used Botox at GLOW for years, and it forms the mainstay of our injectable practice.

Dysport® (Medicis) was the second botulinum derivative to gain approval in the US.  While very similar to Botox, there are some molecular differences that distinguish it.  We’ve tried Dysport, but really saw no demand for this alternative, and frankly did not see any difference in pricing.

Now it appears that another alternative to Botox looms:  Xeomin®, from Merz.  Stay tuned for more on this one.  We look forward to trying this here at GLOW.

So how do you choose?  If you have been using a particular product (Botox or Dysport), and are happy with the results, then stay with it.  If you are looking to have your very first treatment, do some research.  Ask your friends, visit a doctor or two, read reviews on line.  Get treated by someone you like and trust, and most likely you will be satisfied.

A quick note to beginners:  get in the habit of tracking the number of units for a given area that works for you.  This is the best way to compare apples to apples; no more vague notions of treating a given area for a set price.  You really don’t know what works unless you understand how many units of Botox or Dysport were used.  And, this is the only way to track and measure the exact cost of an effective treatment.  Handy metric if you happen to be price shopping.

We look forward to updating you on Xeomin.  In the meantime, please share your thoughts on Botox vs. Dysport.  What do you like?

Over the past couple of years, we have had the opportunity to discuss
Breast Augmentation with hundreds of women and it seems to us a few
questions are asked by just about everyone. One of the most common
questions is “What’s the difference between saline and silicone
implants?”

Ultimately, the choice of saline or silicone implants is yours. Many
women feel silicone implants look and feel more natural. However,
there are other important considerations as well: body type, implant
placement (over or under the pectoral muscle) and fill volume.
Typically, thin women with small to moderate natural breasts with
above muscle placement are going to prefer the look and feel of
silicone. In the long term, silicone implants weigh less than saline
and will cause less sagging. On the downside, silicone implants cost
more and require a slightly larger incision. Also, in the rare event that
a silicone implant leaks, it is difficult to
detect.

Size and placement of the incision is understandably a common concern
among patients. There are several different surgical approaches
including periaerolar (around the nipple), tranaxillary (through the
arm pit) and inframammary (the bottom of the breast where the breast
tissue meets the chest wall). Each approach has its advantages and
disadvantages. Size of incision varies. Saline implants are placed
“unfilled” and typically can be fit through a 2.5 cm incision.
Silicone implants are “filled” and incision size depends on the size
of the implant and the ability to safely compress it. Larger silicone implants
can require incision up to 5-6cm. Here at GLOW we principally use the
inframammary approach as we find it is well hidden, heals well and
allows us the necessary access for proper implant placement. With the
recent addition of the Keller funnel to our practice, we have reduced
silicone incision size to 3-4 cm and as a result seen an increase in
the number of women choosing silicone implants.

The decision to undergo breast augmentation is a personal one and
women understandably spend a great deal of time researching their
options. If you would like more information regarding what to expect
during and after your procedure, please visit our web page atwww.glowskinrevived.com