The articles this month look excellent, especially the piece by Dr. Mark Berman and the fitness article about posture by Maria Mercedes.

One page titled Inspired features several patient profiles in which men and women of different ages discuss the impact a cosmetic surgery procedure made on their lives. Another section is about “Achieving the Look” with cosmetic procedures. Featured articles discuss arm lift surgery, laser treatments, vein treatment, the tummy tuck, and the Brazilian butt lift.

At some point the site is supposed to include an area where readers can upload a photo to the site and use software to visualize results of a basic procedure, but that feature must still be in development.

Click here to view the New You website.

Join us for a special Grand Opening event
February 24th

To our distinguished VIP patients, your presence is requested for the grand opening of our new surgery center:

WHEN: February 24, 2010 – 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

WHERE: 8680 Monroe Court, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

DON’T MISS: Raffle prizes & appetizers
Ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Donald J. Kurth and city dignitaries

Call to RSVP
909-987-0899

Do my breast implants need to be replaced?

Breast implants do not have an expiration date and there is no definitive requirement to have them replaced periodically. However, according to the Institute of Medicine, the average life expectancy of a breast implant is 16 years. FDA studies of silicone breast implants suggest that most implants last 7-12 years. However, some breast implants clearly last much longer. So, there really is no absolute answer to the question . Speaking for myself, I am at 25 years and counting. My breast implants have far outlasted my marriage!

According to an article by the FDA, “breast implants do not last forever. If you decide to get breast implants, you will likely need additional surgeries on your breasts over your lifetime due to rupture, other complications or unacceptable cosmetic outcomes. According to The National Research Center for Women & Families, “the likelihood of rupture increases every year.”

But as long as the breast implant is intact and you are not experiencing any complications, there is no real need to have a breast implant revision.

After 25 years, I am not experiencing any major complications or significant positioning problems, even after two pregnancies and breastfeeding, however I am considering breast implant replacement. I want to be proactive and avoid any complications, but I also want to benefit from new technology and use this opportunity to achieve a new look.

What is breast implant revision surgery?

Breast implant revision involves the removal or replacement of your current breast implants. Surgeons recommend an evaluation and possibly replacement of breast implants around 15 years after breast augmentation. Evidence shows that somewhere between10 and 20 years after surgery, most women will either be experiencing some type of complication or desire an improved appearance of the breast. Over time, positioning changes may occur due to accidents or natural causes. Breast implant revision surgery can resolve these concerns and provide a more satisfactory breast appearance.

Some of the common reasons one might consider a breast implant revision surgery are as follows:

• Encapsulation, i.e. capsular contracture, which consists of excessive scar tissue development that can place pressure on the implant
• Implant wrinkling
• Improper implant positioning
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Desire to improve breast appearance
• Desire to use improved implant technology
• Aging and potential weakening of the breast implants

A revision surgery offers the chance to alter shape and size; after all, it is a whole new decade and your lifestyle is quite likely different than when you originally chose to get breast implants.

Do you have questions or advice for Michelle as she seeks a cosmetic surgeon for her breast implant revision? Email Her

During the FDA approval process, a clinical trial was cited where 93 percent of the 72 participants reported a more comfortable procedure with Juvederm XC. “Before the introduction of Juvederm XC, it often took up to 30 minutes for an anesthetic block to take effect.” said Charles Boyd, MD, Boyd Cosmetic Surgical Institute and clinical investigator in a company news release.

The new filler follows in the footsteps of Prevelle Silk, another wrinkle filler containing lidocaine. In 2008 however, when Prevelle Silk was introduced the response from surgeons was lukewarm. “The issue with a hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine is that it doesn’t work until you actually start injecting patients, and these injections are so quick, by the time the lidocaine takes effect, you’re almost finished” said Dr. Joe Niamtu to Cosmetic Surgery Times.

Traditional pain control methods (numbing cream and dental blocks) are quite effective, so it may take some time for Juvederm XC to gain popularity, even if it does offer a significant improvement in pain control.

The results cited by Allergan sound great and the safety profile is very similar, so it could really take off. We’ll know more as Juvederm XC finds its way to cosmetic surgery practices here in southern California.

Apparently, the lawsuit at least in part stems from an alleged non-compete agreement between the parties.

Competition is definitely increasing between makers of high quality skincare products, perhaps because the demand for anti-aging skin care products has increased among baby boomers over the last decade.  Between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening.

Skin health is affected by a number of variables, including the environment (sun, wind, pollution), lifestyle (diet and exercise) and genetics. As a person ages, the process of skin-cell-rejuvenation is also slowed. Topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health products on the market today are specifically designed to address these effects.

Today, I want to talk about the mini abdominoplasty (often referred to as the “scarless tummy tuck” or the mini tummy tuck).

Mini abdominoplasty

The mini abdominoplasty is a variation on the traditional abdominoplasty, suitable for those who have excess fat and/or loose skin only below the navel. Mini abdominoplasty calls for a smaller horizontal incision than the traditional full abdominoplasty, and it’s made near the top of the pubic hair line, enabling you to wear two piece bathing suits and other types of clothing that reveal the mid-body. Excess skin and fat are removed and slightly loosened muscles tightened. Then the skin is pulled downward and sculpted into place. Sometimes the procedure is combined with liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue.

7 possible indicators for a mini-tummy tuck

1. You are within 10% of the ideal weight for your age and height and have good skin elasticity and tone.

2. You have only a small amount of excess fat and loose skin and it’s localized below the navel line (lower abdomen).

3. You are not planning to get pregnant again.

4. You don’t have significant stretch marks that extend over your entire belly & abdomen. Stretch marks are not addressed by a mini-abdominoplasty. However, a full tummy tuck may be able to hide stretch marks.

5. You have a firm upper abdomen with no separation of the muscles, but have some weakness or protrusion between your navel and the top of the pubic mound.

6. Subcutaneous fat (fat that is situated just under the skin) is limited above and below the belly.

7. You have a disciplined diet and exercise regimen. You’ll want to avoid future weight gain to maintain your new shape.

• Read more about the mini-tummy tuck at Inland Cosmetic Surgery

Visually stunning images and cutting-edge information will populate the pages of New You, to keep consumers informed about proven cosmetic procedures and new trends in medicine.

Each issue of New You will offer tips and features like these:

• Patient stories and photos – from consultation through recovery
• How a cosmetic surgeon can enhance your appearance with the latest medical techniques.
• How you can avoid negative results and stay safe
• How to choose a trustworthy cosmetic surgeon

The primary distribution of New You will be in the waiting rooms of 2500 practicing cosmetic surgeons. An additional 50,000 copies will be distributed to newsstands and other medical professionals.

For more information, visit newyoumag.com

Have you thought about Botox?

Botox Cosmetic may be the single most popular non-surgical procedure to reduce or eliminate fine lines.

Wrinkles form gradually

Crow’s feet, lines and even deep grooves appear on our faces over the years, the result of our natural expressiveness, lifestyle habits, and the tendency to move our facial muscles in habitual ways. For instance, you may squint a lot (when you’re concentrating, when you’re worried, when the sun is bright, or when you are trying to focus your vision.) As the years go by, this repetitive motion begins to carve lines in your face and can eventually result in a permanent expression of worry or intense concentration.

We frequently notice these facial lines and wrinkles on friends and strangers alike. At times, we also find ourselves looking at someone and wondering, “Why is she so angry?” or “Why is he so uptight and stressed?” We’re talking about that vertical line that runs down the center of the forehead: one of the most obvious facial flaws, in otherwise attractive men and women.

Why BOTOX?

BOTOX injections are a quick and cost-effective way to improve your looks. Performed by a highly experienced hand, the results are truly gratifying, softening the appearance of common lines and wrinkles:

1. Around the eyes (crow’s feet)
2. On the forehead (both vertical and horizontal lines and creases)
3. Around the mouth (smile lines)

For days after BOTOX is administered, you will look in the mirror and continue to see increased improvement in your face as the treatment reaches its full effect. BOTOX requires only local anesthesia, if any at all. The procedure effectively blocks signals relayed between certain nerves and muscles, causing a temporary paralysis in specific facial muscles.

After Botox treatment, you’ll still be able to smile, frown, and make normal facial expressions. BOTOX generally lasts 4-6 months before it needs to be replenished. Over time, many of our patients notice that their facial wrinkles continue to diminish even when they have BOTOX treatments less often. It almost seems to “train” the muscles to be more relaxed, resulting in a more serene, pleasing image as time goes by.

You only have one face

A word of caution: You may have heard about “BOTOX parties,” where the treatment is administered to a group of women in someone’s home. We strongly recommend that you avoid this route. You only have one face. Don’t place it in the hands of someone whose knowledge of facial anatomy may be insufficient. Just because someone can inject BOTOX doesn’t mean he or she can do it properly or with an eye trained to give the best aesthetic result. A trained cosmetic surgeon will administer the treatment with your very own unique face taken into consideration. The only BOTOX party worth attending is the one done safely in our Rancho Cucamonga office.

If you are between age 18 and 65, are not pregnant, nursing or living with a muscular disorder, you’re probably a good candidate. Talk to us about BOTOX and start the New Year on a brighter, more attractive note.

This new location comes with ample parking and the privacy and comforts our patients’ desire. In addition to gaining more space for our practice, we built a state of the art surgical center named Surgical Arts of The Inland Empire. This Surgical Center is equipped with the latest technology for endoscopic surgery as well as traditional and laser assisted surgery.

In addition, being that Dr. Haiavy is a fellowship director and is passionate about teaching, the facility is built with latest video and computer technology to be able to host other surgeons for live surgery courses.

With this expansion and move we will be able to associate with other surgeons that can serve our patients as well. We will be working with some very talented surgeons:

• Cosmetic Podiatrist
• Vascular surgeon for vein therapy and sclerotherapy
• Bariatric surgeon for the Lap Band procedures and weight loss surgery
• Cosmetic Gynecologist for laser vaginal labioplasty and other procedures

You are invited to visit our new facility as we feel proud of our new home and hope to continue to serve you in the future.  Please look for an upcoming open house in the near future.

Your appearance may be an accurate indicator of your health and potential after all, according to results of the study: “Perceived age as clinically useful biomarker of ageing: cohort study.”

Danish researchers measured the perceived age of twins and found that perceived age was correlated with survival; i.e. the younger looking twin was likely to live longer than his or her counterpart.  Researchers also found significant correlations between perceived age and healthy functioning – both cognitive and physical.

Read More online in the British Medical Journal. Perceived age as clinically useful biomarker of ageing: cohort study.