Celebs and their plastic surgery

Articles tagged ASAPS

Annual Meeting of the Aesthetic Society – San Francisco, CA

Monday, April 28th, 2014

I’m writing this post as I’m stuck in the middle seat on an airplane flying from San Francisco back home to Detroit.  I’ve spent the past couple days at the annual Aesthetic Meeting, a massive conference organized by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and attended by thousands of the top cosmetic plastic surgeons in the world.  My trip this year was brief, flying in on Saturday and flying out on Monday, but chock full of great stuff.  Some of my highlights from the meeting included:

1.  The emergence of Voluma – for years I’ve been a big fan of Sculptra and fat grafting to add volume and rejuvenate the cheeks (midface).  Voluma is a new FDA-approved injectable that’s taken the place of Sculptra in many of my patients.  The more I use it the more I like it.  There were several talks on Voluma at this meeting, and I’m even more impressed now.

2. Filming for a documentary on plastic surgery – I was privileged to bring around a camera crew who are filming a documentary about plastic surgery.  I can’t reveal any more than that, but it was a lot of fun hooking the producer and director up with some of the biggest names in my field.

3. Alphaeon – This is a new player in plastic surgery, aesthetics, and the self-pay health care industry.  As an investor, it was great to see and feel some of their new acquisitions and offerings. I think we’ll be hearing a lot about Alphaeon in the coming years as they (we) emerge as a major player alongside other aesthetics companies like Valeant and Allergan.  It was a pleasure meeting the CEO Robert Grant for the first time.  I am Alphaeon!

4. Re-Connecting with some old friends – It was great to see some of my old friends again, and make some new ones, too.  I really enjoyed spending time with one of my best friends, Dr. Steven Svehlak, a top Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, and his beautiful wife Wendy.  Some other top aesthetic surgeons I enjoyed talking with were Dr. Michael Schenden (Troy, MI), Dr. Bob Basu (Houston, TX), Dr. Chad Tattini (Bloomington, IL), Dr. John Diaz (Beverly Hills, CA), Dr. Tim Sayed (Boca Raton, FL), Dr. Sanjay Grover (Newport Beach, CA), Dr. Brent Moelleken (Beverly Hills, CA), and Dr. George Bitar (Washington, DC).

5. Dinner with Dr. Zein Obagi – I’ve been really impressed with ZO Medical’s new skin care lines and have been selling more and more of their products in my office.  I was privileged to have dinner with Dr. Obagi and several of his inner circle of doctors and advisors (like the great author / media extraordinaire Wendy Lewis and Dr. Frank Barone from Toledo, OH) last night at a nice steakhouse in town.  A definite highlight.

But the best part of my trip?

Heading back home to see my wife and kids.  Can’t wait.

 

Official 2013 Plastic Surgery Statistics – Most Plastic Surgery Since the Great Recession

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recently released its annual plastic surgery statistics from the year before.  Here are some highlights:

·         There was a 6.5% increase in the total number of surgical procedures performed last year as compared to 2012. Almost 2 million procedures were performed among the core group last year

·         Americans spent $12 billion on cosmetic procedures for the first time since 2008 when the recession hit

o   Of that total, more than 7 billion was spent on surgical procedures  and more than 5 billion was spent on  nonsurgical procedures

·         Lipo was the number one procedure, increasing 16% over 2012. This is in spite of the burgeoning growth of technologies such as CoolSculpting

·         As previously stated, Buttock augmentation has increased 58% over last year and Labiaplasty increased 44% over last year

·         Injectables are way up this year:

o   Botulinum toxin, (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin): 3,381,476  in 2013 – up from 2,915,865 in 2012 – a 16% increase

o   Hyaluronic acid:  1,738,999 for 2013 – up from 1,318,197 in 2012  -  a 32% increase

·         Aesthetic plastic surgery for men is being de-stigmatized

o   Liposuction is up for men by 24% since last year alone

o   Injectables for men are up 16%

o   Men broke the million mark for number of procedures performed first time since 2007

There are a few surprises here.  I’ve seen my personal numbers for liposuction surgery decrease, I believe due to the plethora of non-surgical liposuction alternatives out there.  Although these alternatives (like Coolsculpting and Body FX) don’t have nearly the dramatic results of actual liposuction, a lot of people are having them done.  With the FDA approval of the cheek filler Voluma, I expect hyaluronic acid filler injections to increase significantly in 2014, with a decrease in injections of Sculptra.  I’ve found Voluma to be a very effective alternative to Sculptra and fat grafting in many patients.

Plastic surgery was definitely hot in 2013.  I think the numbers will be significantly higher in 2014.

 

2013 in Plastic Surgery: Year of the Butt and Labiaplasty?

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Last year was the Year of the Butt.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there was a 58% increase in buttock enhancement surgery in 2013 compared to the year before. This operation had the largest gains of all cosmetic procedures for the year.

So why are so many Americans undergoing surgery to enhance their derrieres?

I believe the answer lies with the media, both broadcast and social. Plastic surgeons are seeing more and more women who want the backsides of various stars. While I don’t hear Jennifer Lopez’s name much anymore, other stars with ample behinds have taken her place.

Ratings for her reality show may be declining, but Kim Kardashian is still the poster child for a large and shapely backside. In fact, a recent butt selfie (also known as a “belfie”) on Instagram went viral with over 1 million admirers “liking” it. Beyonce’s skimpy outfit at the Grammy Awards this year displayed her well-rounded tush for all to see and admire. And Internet sensation Jen Selter’s nearly impossibly round and smooth bottom is quickly becoming the most requested rear end of all. In fact, one of my patients even dubbed it the “Eighth Wonder Of The World.”

It’s not easy to get curves like theirs. The most common type of buttock enhancement, called the “Brazilian Butt Lift,” involves liposuctioning fat from the thighs or hips, purifying it, and then re-injecting it into the buttocks.

For the rest of the article, click HERE to visit CNN.com

 

Should You Trust Your Doctor?

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

Here is my latest article on CNN.com.  It’s inspired by a recent local story about a hematologist who allegedly misdiagnosed patients with cancer so he could charge for their chemotherapy.

Most of us assume that our doctors are trustworthy. They undergo a minimum of seven years of postgraduate schooling, pass rigorous tests and are responsible for our health and the health of our families.

But are they as trustworthy as we think?

A Michigan oncologist was arrested recently for allegedly running a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud Medicare. He’s accused of administering chemotherapy to patients with no real chance of survival and misdiagnosing patients in order to charge for their expensive treatments.

And earlier this month an Ohio spine surgeon was indicted on charges that he persuaded patients to undergo millions of dollars worth of treatments that they didn’t need. Among the things he allegedly told patients was that their heads would fall off without his operation.

While these egregious stories are truly shocking and uncommon, there are unfortunately many less dramatic examples of untrustworthy doctors that don’t make big news. My field of cosmetic plastic surgery has its share of doctors who don’t necessarily place their patients’ best interests first. I encounter these patients’ subsequent problems nearly every week.

To read the rest of the article, click HERE to go to the CNN.com page.

 

Plastic Surgery Can Give You A Lift – Some Interesting Statistics From ASAPS

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

These are some interesting statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  I do a lot of lifting procedures and find that these have some of the highest satisfaction rates in plastic surgery.  One thing that surprised me, 80% of people who lose weight gain it back!  That’s a disappointing number.  I wonder how these numbers may be applied to the various diets?  Some probably have higher rates of recurrent weight gain than others.

 

The Newest In Aesthetic Plastic Surgery At The ASAPS Annual Meeting In New York City

Friday, April 19th, 2013

I just returned from the annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the premiere society for cosmetic plastic surgeons.  It took place at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, and was attended by the top aesthetic surgeons in the United States.  This is THE meeting where the hottest new treatments are introduced, scrutinized, and demo’d, and plastic surgeons describe the newest ways to perform surgeries with less downtime and better results.  Here are some highlights:

1. I was privileged to be invited to be on the Media Relations committee for ASAPS, along with several other very prominent plastic surgeons.  Although our committee is small, it’s a virtual who’s who in famous ‘media’ plastic surgeons today, including Dr. Andrew Ordon from “The Doctors,” Dr. Brent Moelleken from “Extreme Makeover” and “Plastic Wives,” Dr. Arthur Perry who co-authored the “Me” books with Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Dr. Steve Teitelbaum, chair of the committee and frequent television commentator.  I look forward to working with these great doctors to exert a positive influence on today’s media.

2. “Hot Topics” is my favorite session at the annual meeting, as this five hour course reveals the most newsworthy items in our field.  Some highlights included Exparel (a new medication that might make pain pumps obsolete), the Lifestyle Lift, Nonsurgical Fat Reduction, and the award for the worst, overhyped gimmick of all (the fad of thread lifts).

3. Two of the most talked-about subjects in plastic surgery are the new FDA-approved Natrelle 410 breast implants (aka the gummy bear implants) and use of Strattice for treating breast implant capsular contracture.  My old friend and colleague, Dr. Brad Bengtson, revealed his experience using Strattice to treat recurrent capsular contractures, with impressive results.  If only the Strattice wasn’t so expensive!

4. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Dr. John Trupiano, an old friend who is now a practicing plastic surgeon in Fargo, North Dakota.  We had a nice dinner together and then watched “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”  If you’re in Fargo, he’s a great guy to see.

I’m looking forward to the next ASAPS meeting next year, scheduled to take place in San Fran!

For more about ASAPS, or to find an ASAPS doctor in your area, visit www.surgery.org.

 

The Present And Future Of Breast Enhancement

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Here is my latest article in the Huffington Post:

The statistics are in.  2012 is officially the year of the silicone breast implant.

Every year the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) publishes annual cosmetic surgery statistics from the year before.  The numbers released on Tuesday, March 12th reveal that breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States.  In 2012, 0ver 330,000 women underwent this procedure.  Of these patients, 72% chose silicone gel breast implants and 28% selected saline-filled implants.  The number of women choosing silicone has skyrocketed since the FDA lifted the moratorium on these implants in November, 2006.

So what will 2013 bring?

This February the FDA approved the Allergan 410 form-stable, shaped breast implant for general cosmetic use.  This implant, also known as the “Gummy Bear Implant,” is considered by many plastic surgeons to be superior due to its firm composition.  It literally feels like a gummy bear.  Plastic surgeons and patients have been waiting over ten years for this implant to be approved.  I suspect that the number of women undergoing surgery with these implants will boom in 2013.

What else is on the horizon?

To read the rest of the article, visit Huffington Post HERE.

 

ASAPS Releases Plastic Surgery Statistics for 2011

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

From the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS):

NEW YORK, NY (March 20, 2012) – The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) today released their 15thannual multi-specialty procedural statistics. The Aesthetic Society, which has collected plastic surgery procedural statistics since 1997, says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 197 percent since the tracking of the statistics first began. Almost 9.2 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2011. The most frequently performed surgical procedure was lipoplasty (liposuction) and the most popular nonsurgical procedure was injections of Botulinum Toxin Type A (including Botox and Dysport).

“For fifteen years these statistics have been a large part of the Aesthetic Society’s public education mission,” said Jeffrey M. Kenkel, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “Since 1997, the interest in and demand for cosmetic plastic surgery has risen exponentially and our comprehensive statistics continue to show that.”

Cosmetic surgical procedures increased almost 1 percent in the past year, with over 1.6 million procedures in 2011. Surgical procedures accounted for 18% of the total numbers of procedure performed representing 63% of total expenditures.  The top five surgical procedures were:

Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed one of the surveyed physicians decreased almost 2 percent, with over 7.5 million procedures in 2011. Nonsurgical procedures accounted for 82% of the total number of procedures performed representing 37% of total expenditures.  The top five minimally-invasive procedures were:

  • Botulinum Toxin Type A (2,619,739 procedures)
  • Hyaluronic acid (1,206,186 procedures);
  • Laser Hair Removal (919,802 procedures)
  • Microdermabrasion (499,427 procedures)
  • IPL Laser Treatment (439,161 procedures)

For the first time ever this survey asked the doctors for the total number of non-surgical procedures being performed in their practices by BOTH physicians and their physician assistants and nurse injectors. Below is the TOTAL number of procedures performed in the practices surveyed:

“Growth in demand will likely coninue to grow as  baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical options,” said Dr. Kenkel. “Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin and reshape the underlying tissues are necessary in order to show significant improvement.”

Women had almost 8.4 million cosmetic procedures, 91% of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women increased over 208% from 1997. The top five surgical procedures for women were: breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, eyelid surgery, and breast lift.

Men had almost 800,000 cosmetic procedures, 9% of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased over 121% from 1997. The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breast, and facelift.

Americans spent nearly $10 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2011. Of that total $6.2 billion was spent on surgical procedures; $1.7 billion was spent on injectable procedures; $1.6 billion was spent on skin rejuvenation procedures; and over $360 million was spent on other nonsurgical procedures, including laser hair removal and laser treatment of leg veins.

The Aesthetic Society partnered with RealSelf, the most visited online community for learning about and sharing information and results for medical-beauty treatments, to get information on patients’ first-hand experience with procedures.  The RealSelf ‘Worth It Rating’ printed in the statistics report reflects the combined opinions of thousands of RealSelf community members. Each member shares whether an elective surgery or treatment was “worth it” all things considered.

To read the official ASAPS press release, click HERE.

 

Oprah’s Website Reveals 13 Surprising Statistics About Plastic Surgery

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

From Oprah’s blog: (my comments are in italics)

318,123

Number of breast implant surgeries performed in 2010

It’s by far the most common cosmetic surgery in my practice.

2,414

Number of those surgeries performed on patients 65 and  older

4,153

Number of those surgeries performed on patients 18 and  younger
This is a scary statistic.  I do not agree with plastic surgery on minors, unless in cases of severe deformity or reconstruction.  Many other plastic surgeons, unfortunately, do not feel this way.

20

Percentage of patients with breast implants who will need them  removed within ten years because of rupture, hardening of the tissue around the  implant, and other complications (according to a recent FDA report)
Breast implants are not lifetime devices.  This percentage may be lower if the surgery is well-planned and performed.

133,511

Number of nose jobs performed last year

9,094

Number of nose jobs performed on patients 18 or younger

I think this is acceptable in cases of extreme deformity.

33

Percentage of potential nose job patients who have moderate to severe  symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (according to a recent study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
I read somewhere that a male rhinoplasty (nose job) patient is the one most likely to murder his surgeon.  I know some plastic surgeons who have loaded guns in their desks because of this!

84,685

Number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed on patients 65  and older in 2010 (including 26,635 facelifts and 24,783 cosmetic eyelid  operations)

91

Percentage of cosmetic surgical procedures performed on women in  2010
This is very similar to what I see in my practice.

184

Number of members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic  Surgery (ASAPS) in 1967 (the year it was founded)

2,069

Number of members today
I am an active member of ASAPS.  Members of ASAPS constitute most of the prominent cosmetic plastic surgeons in the field today.  It is the most prestigious cosmetic plastic surgery society in the United States, as they are very discerning on who is given membership.

1.35

Percentage of members of ASAPS who are women
This is surprising, and I assume gradually changing.

10,677,415,674

Dollars that Americans spent on cosmetic procedures in  2010
Plastic surgery is hot!

 

ASAPS Releases Their Plastic Surgery Trends For 2012

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

According to surgery.org:

With a new year right around the corner, many are thinking about which plastic surgery procedures will be popular.

According to Denise Mann, editorial director for several plastic surgery information websites, consumers may see a lot of deals for injectables such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.

The recent introduction of Xeomin, which is available under the brand name Bocouture and is derived from the same ingredient in Botox and Dysport, botulinum toxin type A, means that plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists have yet another option to offer their patients who want to treat wrinkles.

“Expect to see rebates, price drops and Groupons galore as companies and surgeons vie for your business,” Mann says.

The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that botulinum toxin type A injections were the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure in 2010, with more than 2.4 million people undergoing the treatment.

The topical use of Botox may also be another trend for the upcoming year. Studies are underway to determine whether or not the drug is effective for cosmetic use when applied topically. HealthDay reports preliminary studies are positive with the substance effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have to give the final okay for the drug to be used topically before it is available to consumers.

Some say that more men may turn to plastic surgery to enhance their appearance in the upcoming year as well.

In 2010, ASAPS reports that more than 750,000 men underwent surgical and non-surgical procedures, accounting for 8 percent of the total. However, many doctors say they’ve seen a bigger increase in the number of men seeking their services.

In the past, men have commonly undergone surgical procedures including liposuction, rhinoplasty, cosmetic eyelid surgery and facelifts. Botox (sometimes referred to as Bro-tox when it’s done on a man), laser hair removal and hyaluronic acid injections are popular non-surgical procedures many men have undergone.

“Men like getting work done,” a Florida-based plastic surgeon recently told WTSP-TV News.

Industry experts say that several recent, highly-publicized reports of botched plastic surgeries at the hands of inexperienced and unlicensed individuals may also prompt consumers to be vigilant about researching their plastic surgeons in the upcoming year.

“How many more horror stories do we need to hear about plastic surgeries gone wrong before realizing that these procedures should be left to the pros?” Mann asks.

Individuals interested in enhancing their appearance through surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures should contact a licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure they reach their desired outcome as well as maintain safety.

 

The Current State of Cosmetic Stem Cell Treatments – Buyer Beware

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

You may have seen advertising for stem cell facelifts and breast augmentation.  Some cosmetic and plastic surgeons are touting these treatments as cutting edge procedures that promise results far greater than anything we’ve ever seen in plastic surgery.  So what is the truth behind stem cell cosmetic surgery?

Stem cells are definitely the future of medicine and plastic surgery.  But the truth is, the claims of today’s marketing have pushed far ahead of the actual science supporting these cosmetic stem cell treatments.  The two most prominent plastic surgery societies, ASPS and ASAPS (both of which I am a member), have issued a joint statement on cosmetic stem cell therapies.  Here is a summary of their statement:

1. The marketing and promotion of stem cell procedures in aesthetic surgery is not adequately supported by clinical evidence at this time.

2. Until further evidence is available, stem cell therapies in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery should be conducted within clinical studies under Institutional Review Board approval, including compliance with all guidelines for human medical studies.

3. Stem cell based procedures should be performed in compliance with FDA regulatory guidelines. If devices are employed that are subject to regulation by the FDA, surgeons should use these devices with appropriate approval in place, especially when used for investigational purposes.

4. Standard fat grafting procedures that do transfer some stem cells naturally present within the tissue should be described as fat grafting procedures, not stem cell procedures.

So what does this all mean?  Simply put, the devices that separate stem cells from regular cells are not FDA approved at this time for use in cosmetic applications.  Therefore, any physician who utilizes these devices for cosmetic use in patients should obtain approval by the appropriate boards for performing human experimentation.  There is a lack of scientific evidence to support the many unjustified claims of stem cell facelifts and breast enhancements that are currently being promoted by a handful of doctors.  So if you are considering a stem cell cosmetic treatment, two words of advice: Buyer Beware.

For the position statement by ASPS and ASAPS, click here.

To read my memoir about becoming a plastic surgeon, touted by The Doctors’ Dr. Drew Ordon as “brilliant and bouncy,” click here.