FDA Approves Botox Competitor Dysport / Reloxin!

BIG news in the plastic surgery field. The FDA approved the drug Dysport (otherwise known as Reloxin) today for the treatment of fine lines in the glabella (between the brows). This is the first bona-fide competitor to Botox, as it is also a Botulinum Toxin Type A.

I've mentioned Reloxin in this blog before, as well as on the Rachael Ray show a couple months ago. Plastic surgeons (and patients) hope that this can act as an economic bailout for the 4 million Americans who pay several hundreds of dollars for each Botox treatment. I think we would all welcome a price war between Allergan (makers of Botox) and Medicis (makers of Dysport).

How does Dysport compare to Botox? Other than the fact that they are both Botulinum Toxin Type A, it's difficult to tell. However, if Dysport is priced competitively with Botox and has similar efficacy, we may see a multi-billion dollar product reaching your plastic surgeons' offices in the next 30-60 days. Stay tuned!

Source: Globe Newswire

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

FDA Approves Botox Competitor Dysport / Reloxin!

BIG news in the plastic surgery field. The FDA approved the drug Dysport (otherwise known as Reloxin) today for the treatment of fine lines in the glabella (between the brows). This is the first bona-fide competitor to Botox, as it is also a Botulinum Toxin Type A.

I've mentioned Reloxin in this blog before, as well as on the Rachael Ray show a couple months ago. Plastic surgeons (and patients) hope that this can act as an economic bailout for the 4 million Americans who pay several hundreds of dollars for each Botox treatment. I think we would all welcome a price war between Allergan (makers of Botox) and Medicis (makers of Dysport).

How does Dysport compare to Botox? Other than the fact that they are both Botulinum Toxin Type A, it's difficult to tell. However, if Dysport is priced competitively with Botox and has similar efficacy, we may see a multi-billion dollar product reaching your plastic surgeons' offices in the next 30-60 days. Stay tuned!

Source: Globe Newswire

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Saline or Silicone Gel? The Results May Surprise You...

A recent survey published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal shows what the current preferences are for breast augmentation surgery. According to a survey of 1746 board-certified plastic surgeons and members of the ASAPS:

- Sixty percent of surgeons are still using saline implants, and the vast majority of them are using them 75-100% of the time.

- The majority of surgeons (64%) preferred an incision near the breast crease, while 25% preferred an incision around the bottom half of the areola.
- The average implant size reported by 81% of surgeons was 300 to 400 cc (which is approximately a small to a full "C" cup bra).
- Smooth implants, rather than implants with a textured surface, were most often preferred by 92% of respondents because it was the surgeon's preference, less wrinkling, or overall better results for the patient.
- Ninety-six percent of surgeons used round, rather than anatomically-shaped, implants.
- The most common position for implant placement was under the muscle (62% of surgeons).

With the exception of the majority use of saline implants, these statistics reflect what I see in my practice. I estimate that I use saline implants only 25% of the time, since most patients seem to prefer gel. I utilize three incisions (underneath the breast, around the areola, and the armpit), with the most common being underneath the breast. My average size implant is probably 350-375cc, and I usually use smooth round implants placed under the muscle. I find that these choices usually minimize any complications and revisions.

To view a breast augmentation I performed on Fox News, click here.

Statistics source

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Saline or Silicone Gel? The Results May Surprise You...

A recent survey published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal shows what the current preferences are for breast augmentation surgery. According to a survey of 1746 board-certified plastic surgeons and members of the ASAPS:

- Sixty percent of surgeons are still using saline implants, and the vast majority of them are using them 75-100% of the time.

- The majority of surgeons (64%) preferred an incision near the breast crease, while 25% preferred an incision around the bottom half of the areola.
- The average implant size reported by 81% of surgeons was 300 to 400 cc (which is approximately a small to a full "C" cup bra).
- Smooth implants, rather than implants with a textured surface, were most often preferred by 92% of respondents because it was the surgeon's preference, less wrinkling, or overall better results for the patient.
- Ninety-six percent of surgeons used round, rather than anatomically-shaped, implants.
- The most common position for implant placement was under the muscle (62% of surgeons).

With the exception of the majority use of saline implants, these statistics reflect what I see in my practice. I estimate that I use saline implants only 25% of the time, since most patients seem to prefer gel. I utilize three incisions (underneath the breast, around the areola, and the armpit), with the most common being underneath the breast. My average size implant is probably 350-375cc, and I usually use smooth round implants placed under the muscle. I find that these choices usually minimize any complications and revisions.

To view a breast augmentation I performed on Fox News, click here.

Statistics source

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Does Sharon Stone Have Breast Implants?

This photo from The Blemish.com shows what appears to be Sharon Stone's breast implants. She looks like she's lost a lot of weight, revealing the round edges of breast implants that may be positioned below the muscle (hence the space between them). It's possible she may also have a capsular contracture, or excess scar tissue that can accumulate around the implants, causing them to look round and hard. Sometimes the scar tissue can be really thick, other times it can be just a Sliver!

I think her face looks great, though!

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Does Sharon Stone Have Breast Implants?

This photo from The Blemish.com shows what appears to be Sharon Stone's breast implants. She looks like she's lost a lot of weight, revealing the round edges of breast implants that may be positioned below the muscle (hence the space between them). It's possible she may also have a capsular contracture, or excess scar tissue that can accumulate around the implants, causing them to look round and hard. Sometimes the scar tissue can be really thick, other times it can be just a Sliver!

I think her face looks great, though!

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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An exercise in clock watching - the fda's review of Allergan's 410 "gummy bear" breast implants

As the plastic surgeons of the United States await approval of Allergan's style 410 breast implant (aka "the gummy bear" implant), I frequently get questions from patients about when this device will be approved.

The short answer is "I don't know!"

The approval of medical devices of all sorts has been heavily politicized. After a number of recent high profile issues with prescription drugs, cardiac pacemakers, and vascular stents (devices used to prop open clogged blood vessels or fix aneurysms), the FDA is under the microscope. Caught up in all this is the fate of the next generation of breast implant devices, for which the FDA has been sitting on the manufacturers approval applications for nearly 3 years.

For some context, "form stable" implants like Allergan's 410 have been used clinically around the world for over 15 years. In clinical trials (like this)they have an unparalleled safety record for this kind of medical device, and offer both superior durability and a reduction in every single kind of indexed complication (pain, capsular contracture, rippling, rupture, etc...) after cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery that we observe and track.

Allergan's Style 410 implant:


The NY Times reported earlier in April (here)on the ongoing reexamination of "legacy" devices that were exempted prior to the late 1970's from review as they were already being used. Silicone and saline breast implants actually already went through this review by the FDA in the early 1990's and eventually emerged with a clean bill of health. The only reason the newer implants have to go thru this process at all is the higher cohesiveness of the silicone polymer exceeds some artificial cut-off that would make them fall under the existing approval. This illogical rationale has cost tens of millions of dollars to companies and delayed patients access to improved devices.

As to the fate of the 410 implant, my understanding is that the FDA is satisfied with the safety and clinical efficacy of the implants and is negotiating on the final labeling to be included with the product. Apparently, surgeons will be required to attend an instructional course prior to being given access to the device (even someone like me who actually used these devices as a resident and fellow during clinical trials). We are hopeful that the ongoing activity signals approval is immanent this quarter!


Rob

Seven Plastic Surgery Tips to Survive the Recession

With the recession as bad as it is (I'm hearing that some plastic surgery practices are down 80%!), I thought I'd think up some ways my readers can still have their plastic surgery... but on a budget. Here are my Seven Plastic Surgery Tips to Survive the Recession:

7. Try Saline Implants Instead of Silicone Gel - Although not as natural-looking or feeling, saline breast implants are still nice implants, and may have a lower complication rate. They can also save you a cool grand in implant costs.

6. One Cream to Rule Them All - If you could only use one anti-aging cream for your face, it should be Retin-A. Not only does it improve acne, but it also smooths wrinkles, exfoliates, thickens collagen, and clears blemishes. And it costs less than a hundred bucks for a big tube. Do not use if you're pregnant, though.

5. Try Sculptra instead of conventional fillers - Although not FDA-approved for general cosmetic use yet, many surgeons are using Sculptra off-label to fill in hollowness under the eyes and overall gauntness. Unlike traditional fillers which last only 6-12 months, it can last 3-5 years.

4. Opt for Regular Lipo Over Ultrasonic or Laser Lipo - I recently returned my VASER machine since I didn't see a significant improvement over traditional liposuction in my patients, therefore not justifying the higher price tag.

3. Try Chemical Peels Instead of Lasers - A good TCA peel (like the Blue Peel) is comparable to laser treatments, but carries a much smaller pricetag. Whereas a laser can cost $150,000 to purchase, what are the costs for the supplies of a generic TCA peel? A couple bucks.

2. A Little Botox Goes a Long Way - Many patients are saving money on Botox by using a smaller amount and spreading it out over multiple areas. Instead of injecting 20 units in the forehead, they may have 10 units in the forehead and 10 units in the frown lines.

1. Let Your Insurance Pay For It - Do not take this wrong. Health insurance will not pay for your breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or facelift, BUT it might pay for your upper eyelid lift if you can prove the excess skin of your eyelids severely disturbs your vision. It may also pay for your breast reduction, if your breasts are massive and create severe pain.

If anyone has any other suggestions on how to save money and still have plastic surgery, please comment!

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Seven Plastic Surgery Tips to Survive the Recession

With the recession as bad as it is (I'm hearing that some plastic surgery practices are down 80%!), I thought I'd think up some ways my readers can still have their plastic surgery... but on a budget. Here are my Seven Plastic Surgery Tips to Survive the Recession:

7. Try Saline Implants Instead of Silicone Gel - Although not as natural-looking or feeling, saline breast implants are still nice implants, and may have a lower complication rate. They can also save you a cool grand in implant costs.

6. One Cream to Rule Them All - If you could only use one anti-aging cream for your face, it should be Retin-A. Not only does it improve acne, but it also smooths wrinkles, exfoliates, thickens collagen, and clears blemishes. And it costs less than a hundred bucks for a big tube. Do not use if you're pregnant, though.

5. Try Sculptra instead of conventional fillers - Although not FDA-approved for general cosmetic use yet, many surgeons are using Sculptra off-label to fill in hollowness under the eyes and overall gauntness. Unlike traditional fillers which last only 6-12 months, it can last 3-5 years.

4. Opt for Regular Lipo Over Ultrasonic or Laser Lipo - I recently returned my VASER machine since I didn't see a significant improvement over traditional liposuction in my patients, therefore not justifying the higher price tag.

3. Try Chemical Peels Instead of Lasers - A good TCA peel (like the Blue Peel) is comparable to laser treatments, but carries a much smaller pricetag. Whereas a laser can cost $150,000 to purchase, what are the costs for the supplies of a generic TCA peel? A couple bucks.

2. A Little Botox Goes a Long Way - Many patients are saving money on Botox by using a smaller amount and spreading it out over multiple areas. Instead of injecting 20 units in the forehead, they may have 10 units in the forehead and 10 units in the frown lines.

1. Let Your Insurance Pay For It - Do not take this wrong. Health insurance will not pay for your breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or facelift, BUT it might pay for your upper eyelid lift if you can prove the excess skin of your eyelids severely disturbs your vision. It may also pay for your breast reduction, if your breasts are massive and create severe pain.

If anyone has any other suggestions on how to save money and still have plastic surgery, please comment!

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Susan Boyle Gets Her Brows Waxed

Britain's Got Talent and YouTube star Susan Boyle has gotten her bushy eyebrows waxed. They look sooooo much better than before. If you haven't seen her absolutely fantastic performance on YouTube, you can check it out here. She has an amazing voice. I'd buy one of her CDs!

Photo credit: Pacific Coast News

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Susan Boyle Gets Her Brows Waxed

Britain's Got Talent and YouTube star Susan Boyle has gotten her bushy eyebrows waxed. They look sooooo much better than before. If you haven't seen her absolutely fantastic performance on YouTube, you can check it out here. She has an amazing voice. I'd buy one of her CDs!

Photo credit: Pacific Coast News

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Rupert Everett or Wax Figure?

Wow. What has happened to Rupert Everett's face? I really liked him in My Best Friend's Wedding, but it looks like the British actor is now planning to go for even younger roles! His skin is now smooth and wrinkle free, a possible consequence of Botox and chemical peels. I surmise that he's also undergone a facelift and injections of fillers, possibly Sculptra, to soften his cheeks and deep lines. He now looks like a very young Ray Liotta!

Photo credit: Popwatch

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Rupert Everett or Wax Figure?

Wow. What has happened to Rupert Everett's face? I really liked him in My Best Friend's Wedding, but it looks like the British actor is now planning to go for even younger roles! His skin is now smooth and wrinkle free, a possible consequence of Botox and chemical peels. I surmise that he's also undergone a facelift and injections of fillers, possibly Sculptra, to soften his cheeks and deep lines. He now looks like a very young Ray Liotta!

Photo credit: Popwatch

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

A Partisan's political pandering poised to poison prevention - Why Rep. Waserman's breast cancer bill is wrong.

That was a heck of the title, eh? My little pun on the "6 P's" ;)

Of all medical diseases, few are surrounded by as much politics as breast cancer. After all, who doesn't want to advance the treatment of breast cancer? The problems arise when feel good political ideas triumph over evidence based medicine and you end up with legislation which is almost sure to cause as many problems as it solves.

Enter the boldly titled "Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009" (EARLY Act) introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl). For whatever reason, Rep Schultz is one one of the single most obnoxiously partisan members of congress and gets on my every last nerve when I come across her on television. Schultz's bill seeks to spend $45 million over five years to start educational campaigns that would include promoting regular breast self-exams to secondary school students, even though the this has been proven ineffective and quite possibly harmful in clinical trials.


Breast self-examination may seem an innocuous and intuitive way to assist the self-detection of breast cancer except for the fact that IT DOES NOT WORK when applied on large populations of non-selected women. All young women have dense lumps and bumps in their breasts tissue which represent fibrous breast tissue or benign cysts that become symptomatic with their menstrual cycles. Recommending breast self-exams to this group of women will cause fear, many expensive negative imaging studies, false-positive results of various screenings, and many unneeded biopsies.

There's some math you need to think about with these younger women. The probability that a woman who is age 15 years will develop invasive breast cancer by age 40 years is less than one-half of one percent (0.497%). This can be compared to a 5% probability that a 50 year old woman will develop breast cancer by age 70 years (5.62%). The American Cancer Society reports that during 2000-2004, only 5% of new cases and 3% of breast cancer deaths occurred in women under 40 years of age. For women aged 20-24, there were only 1.4 cases per 100,000 women. The goal of an effective screening program is to find disease and save lives. Unfortunately, at the end of the day there is no effective method of detecting breast cancer in a healthy population of women under 40.

Other then family history, we're currently left with little other then some of the expensive genetic tests (like BRCA1 & BRCA2)to try and select out people for closer surveillance. Despite the strong association between BRCA mutations and breast cancer (where as many as 85% would be expected to develop invasive breast cancer), only 5-10% of all breast cancer patients have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This again gets back to the difficulty in effective screening.

Leslie Bernstein PhD of the City of Hope Hospital in California published an open letter to legislators considering this bill to explain why this is a poorly aimed directive and likely to cause more problems then it solved. The letter can be read here. A better public policy goal in my opinion would be to mandate insurers and Medicare to cover breast MRI for screening in high risk women.

Rob

Michael Douglas and Plastic Surgery

Michael Douglas continues to look younger than his 64 years. A recent post on Right Celebrity analyzes this.

In my opinion, he's had a good amount of work done. I would count an upper and lower eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) and facelift (maybe more than one) among the surgeries he may have had. Overall he does look pretty natural, especially when compared to some other plasticized male celebrities his age.

One of the keys to avoiding an overly operated, feminized look in male plastic surgery patients is to limit any tightening of the cheek area. Some male celebrities who've had obvious overdone facelifts exhibit a 'sweeping look' to the cheeks, making them look tight and overly pulled in an upward direction. I tend to focus my tightening more on the lower face and neck in men, as this tends to take off the years without making them look like they're in a wind tunnel or a skydiving George H.W. Bush.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Michael Douglas and Plastic Surgery

Michael Douglas continues to look younger than his 64 years. A recent post on Right Celebrity analyzes this.

In my opinion, he's had a good amount of work done. I would count an upper and lower eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) and facelift (maybe more than one) among the surgeries he may have had. Overall he does look pretty natural, especially when compared to some other plasticized male celebrities his age.

One of the keys to avoiding an overly operated, feminized look in male plastic surgery patients is to limit any tightening of the cheek area. Some male celebrities who've had obvious overdone facelifts exhibit a 'sweeping look' to the cheeks, making them look tight and overly pulled in an upward direction. I tend to focus my tightening more on the lower face and neck in men, as this tends to take off the years without making them look like they're in a wind tunnel or a skydiving George H.W. Bush.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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A Bra That Firms Your Breasts?? I Doubt It!

Anna Chan from MSNBC.com has recently asked me to analyze the claims of the Victoria's Secret Bust Firming Bra. According to the manufacturer, regular wearing for eight hours a day for four weeks results in an 18% increase in the firmness of the breast. Check out the article here to see what MSNBC.com's writer thought about it after wearing the same bra every day for seven weeks! They also include some of my oh-so-insightful opinions ;)

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

A Bra That Firms Your Breasts?? I Doubt It!

Anna Chan from MSNBC.com has recently asked me to analyze the claims of the Victoria's Secret Bust Firming Bra. According to the manufacturer, regular wearing for eight hours a day for four weeks results in an 18% increase in the firmness of the breast. Check out the article here to see what MSNBC.com's writer thought about it after wearing the same bra every day for seven weeks! They also include some of my oh-so-insightful opinions ;)

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Quick Links

Here are some links to take up your time:

1. A friend of mine writes an entertaining and humorous blog, Confessions of a PA (Physician's Assistant) student. Check it out if you're interested in the life of a physician's assistant. Click here.

2. A new documentary about plastic surgery, Youth Knows No Pain, will have its world premiere on Tuesday, April 28th at the Walter Reade Theatre in the Lincoln Center in New York City. Filmmaker Mitch McCabe spends two years on the road, visiting doctors, reconstructive surgery experts, and real-American characters who have gone to varying lengths to stay forever young. You may even catch a glimpse of me, although I doubt I made the cut! Click here for tickets.

3. Kim Kardashian has announced that one of the members of the Kardashian family is going to undergo plastic surgery to look "totally different." Click here for details.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Quick Links

Here are some links to take up your time:

1. A friend of mine writes an entertaining and humorous blog, Confessions of a PA (Physician's Assistant) student. Check it out if you're interested in the life of a physician's assistant. Click here.

2. A new documentary about plastic surgery, Youth Knows No Pain, will have its world premiere on Tuesday, April 28th at the Walter Reade Theatre in the Lincoln Center in New York City. Filmmaker Mitch McCabe spends two years on the road, visiting doctors, reconstructive surgery experts, and real-American characters who have gone to varying lengths to stay forever young. You may even catch a glimpse of me, although I doubt I made the cut! Click here for tickets.

3. Kim Kardashian has announced that one of the members of the Kardashian family is going to undergo plastic surgery to look "totally different." Click here for details.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Stevie Nicks: Botox Users "Look Like Satan's Children"

Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks has recently admitted to having used Botox and disliking it:

WWD: You said in a recent interview that you were relieved to still look like you. And you do. Is this the result of good work or no work?

S.N.: You mean like plastic surgery? No.
I had Botox and I hated it. For four long months, I looked like a different person. It almost brought down the whole production of the last tour. It was so bad, I would look into the mirror and burst into tears. Botox is becoming the new face of beauty and it’s unfortunate because it makes everybody look like Satan’s children. Everybody has pointed eyebrows. Everybody looks related. All the Desperate Housewives look like sisters.
If you’re an unattractive girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, forget it. If you are a beautiful girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, you will look like you’re angry all the time. You’d have to tie me down to get me to do it again.

In certain cases when people with arched brows have Botox, it can give them an overarched "Botox Brow." This can easily be treated by injecting a few more units above the eyebrow region. Most patients can also avoid this look by injecting less than the usually recommended 17-20 units in the forehead.

Overall I think Stevie is being a bit too harsh. I don't think that Eva Longoria looks like Marcia Cross's sister!

If you'd like to try using the Botox treatment visualizer (upload a photo of yourself and see what you'd look like with Botox), then click here.

Story credit: In Your Face blog
Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Stevie Nicks: Botox Users "Look Like Satan's Children"

Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks has recently admitted to having used Botox and disliking it:

WWD: You said in a recent interview that you were relieved to still look like you. And you do. Is this the result of good work or no work?

S.N.: You mean like plastic surgery? No.
I had Botox and I hated it. For four long months, I looked like a different person. It almost brought down the whole production of the last tour. It was so bad, I would look into the mirror and burst into tears. Botox is becoming the new face of beauty and it’s unfortunate because it makes everybody look like Satan’s children. Everybody has pointed eyebrows. Everybody looks related. All the Desperate Housewives look like sisters.
If you’re an unattractive girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, forget it. If you are a beautiful girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, you will look like you’re angry all the time. You’d have to tie me down to get me to do it again.

In certain cases when people with arched brows have Botox, it can give them an overarched "Botox Brow." This can easily be treated by injecting a few more units above the eyebrow region. Most patients can also avoid this look by injecting less than the usually recommended 17-20 units in the forehead.

Overall I think Stevie is being a bit too harsh. I don't think that Eva Longoria looks like Marcia Cross's sister!

If you'd like to try using the Botox treatment visualizer (upload a photo of yourself and see what you'd look like with Botox), then click here.

Story credit: In Your Face blog
Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Update on Donda West's Surgeon

It appears that there is one (possible) final postscript to the tragic death of Kanye West's mom, Donda West after having plastic surgery. Her surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, has just surrendered his medical license for the State of California. He has recently been given a one year jail term for drunk driving.

Sad story all around. Many physicians carry medical licenses in more than one state, so it's possible that he can still practice as a plastic surgeon in another state, like Florida, even though he surrendered his California medical license. Since I have practiced in both California and Michigan, I carry medical licenses in both states.

Unfortunately, I can think of a couple cosmetic surgeons in my area who should maybe have their license revoked too!

Happy Good Friday!

Source
Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Update on Donda West's Surgeon

It appears that there is one (possible) final postscript to the tragic death of Kanye West's mom, Donda West after having plastic surgery. Her surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, has just surrendered his medical license for the State of California. He has recently been given a one year jail term for drunk driving.

Sad story all around. Many physicians carry medical licenses in more than one state, so it's possible that he can still practice as a plastic surgeon in another state, like Florida, even though he surrendered his California medical license. Since I have practiced in both California and Michigan, I carry medical licenses in both states.

Unfortunately, I can think of a couple cosmetic surgeons in my area who should maybe have their license revoked too!

Happy Good Friday!

Source
Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Will the last of the Dow Corning breast implant plaintiffs please turn out the light!

The Star (UK) reports (here) on a plaintiff from the 1980's class action lawsuit against Dow-Corning involving silicone breast implants who finally received her share of the remaining settlement for a grand total of £207 ($304.50 USD at today's exchange rate).

It's hard to believe that elements of the 2nd or 3rd biggest "whale" of American class action lawsuits are still in existence. I call it 2nd or 3rd because asbestos and tobacco suits have dwarfed it now in overall compensation (Don't even get me started on the claims that smokers had no idea they could get addicted to cigarettes or get lung cancer!). The shenanigans of the trial bar in our country cultivating these proceedings does not reflect well on our legal system.

The person in the Star article had what sounds like subcutaneous mastectomies for painful breast cysts and reconstruction with silicone implants. She's attributed multiple and diffuse symptoms to the fact she had silicone breast implants in. (Keep in mind, large databases of women around the world with implants have failed to demonstrate an increase in any common rheumatologic symptom.)

She was among thousands of women from the USA and Europe who took action against the company claiming their health had been damaged after their silicone breast implants leaked or caused immune system reactions.

Now more than a decade of waiting the cases have finally been settled.

"It is an insult, they might as well have given us nothing at all," said Shirley. Women were originally expected to received thousands of pounds in compensation when the action was first launched. But Dow Corning, which did not admit liability in the legal case, went into bankruptcy and the amount of compensation available fell.

Well, if you believe the overwhelming world scientific consensus (see here) that has shown no linkage of any identifiable disease to breast implants , you might make the argument she received £207 too much. What's most striking is to consider how much the handful of class action plaintiff's lawyers literally stole from investors of Dow Corning (hundreds of millions of dollars) and how little claimants received some 20 years later.

Rob

Ann Coulter - Breast Implants?

Quick post today, since I've been busy with many, many other things...

Here's a link to Make Me Heal.com's post on Ann Coulter and possible breast implants.

For my previous posts on Ann Coulter, click here and here.

p.s. Yes, I assume the Playboy magazine is photoshopped...

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Ann Coulter - Breast Implants?

Quick post today, since I've been busy with many, many other things...

Here's a link to Make Me Heal.com's post on Ann Coulter and possible breast implants.

For my previous posts on Ann Coulter, click here and here.

p.s. Yes, I assume the Playboy magazine is photoshopped...

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Share |

Kylie Minogue Admits to Botox

Aussie singer Kylie Minogue has admitted to using Botox in the past, but states that she's now "a lot more natural." According to the Mirror:

"I'm definitely not one of those people who says, 'You shouldn't do this.' Everyone individually can do what they want. “I also think it doesn't have the stigma that it had when I was growing up. For all time women have wanted to, for the most part, look their best.
It's just that what we have available to us today is - what it is today. I'm preferring to be a lot more natural these days. I've tried Botox, I've tried all... You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

I've always thought that she displayed a bit of the Botox brow, like her fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman, however her brows have always been a bit over-arched. Botox or not, she does look great at 40!

For a previous post on Kylie Minogue and Botox, click here.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Kylie Minogue Admits to Botox

Aussie singer Kylie Minogue has admitted to using Botox in the past, but states that she's now "a lot more natural." According to the Mirror:

"I'm definitely not one of those people who says, 'You shouldn't do this.' Everyone individually can do what they want. “I also think it doesn't have the stigma that it had when I was growing up. For all time women have wanted to, for the most part, look their best.
It's just that what we have available to us today is - what it is today. I'm preferring to be a lot more natural these days. I've tried Botox, I've tried all... You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

I've always thought that she displayed a bit of the Botox brow, like her fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman, however her brows have always been a bit over-arched. Botox or not, she does look great at 40!

For a previous post on Kylie Minogue and Botox, click here.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Plastic Surgeon goes CSI to bust Booby bandit!

From NBC comes this story:

"Yvonne Jean Pampellonne, 30, allegedly used a fraudulent identity to pay for liposuction and a breast implant exchange, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. The total cost of the surgeries is valued at more than $12,000.

The Laguna Niguel woman is accused of opening a line of credit in someone else's name in September 2008, having the procedures and then never showing up for any follow-up appointments, police said."

The plastic surgeon who'd been defrauded for cost of the procedure apparently didn't take this lying down. They hadn't yet disposed of the patients old breast implants (which were exchanged during the procedure) when the fraud was discovered. They used the serial number imprinted on the old implants to track her down to her previous surgeon's office, and identified her via photos from the other office. I love it!

If you would like to "friend" Ms. Pampallone on MySpace, her profile can be found here. Apparently Ms. Pampallone was unfamiliar with myfreeimplants.com as she might have saved herself a multiple felony convictions.

Rob

Plastic Surgeon? Cosmetic Surgeon? Phony Doc?

Recently there have been several articles detailing bad events that have occurred at the hands of people who aren't board-certified plastic surgeons. Here are a sampling:

1. A family practice physician who considers himself a specialist in cosmetic surgery and advertises as a plastic surgeon was recently reprimanded by the State Board of Medicine for prescription fraud. He wrote prescriptions for patients and family members, using them to obtain drugs "for his own personal and unauthorized use." Click here for the story.

2. A Bronx mother dies after undergoing silicone injections by a "non-medical, unlicensed person." Click here for story.

3. A Head and Neck surgeon is accused of performing liposuction without a patient's consent. She had planned on having a tummy tuck only, but accuses him of performing a facelift and liposuction too. Click here for story.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons holds its members to strict ethical guidelines which many other "cosmetic"-type societies do not. It's not surprising, then, that most of the crazy plastic surgery-related news comes from physicians who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Here are two well-written articles by laypeople who focus on the difference between a "Plastic surgeon" and "Cosmetic surgeon."

1. What's the Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon?
2. Cosmetic Surgery Advice-- Consider the Source.

On my website I've written "How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon." Click here for it.

It's not enough for your "cosmetic surgeon" to have just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Plastic Surgeon? Cosmetic Surgeon? Phony Doc?

Recently there have been several articles detailing bad events that have occurred at the hands of people who aren't board-certified plastic surgeons. Here are a sampling:

1. A family practice physician who considers himself a specialist in cosmetic surgery and advertises as a plastic surgeon was recently reprimanded by the State Board of Medicine for prescription fraud. He wrote prescriptions for patients and family members, using them to obtain drugs "for his own personal and unauthorized use." Click here for the story.

2. A Bronx mother dies after undergoing silicone injections by a "non-medical, unlicensed person." Click here for story.

3. A Head and Neck surgeon is accused of performing liposuction without a patient's consent. She had planned on having a tummy tuck only, but accuses him of performing a facelift and liposuction too. Click here for story.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons holds its members to strict ethical guidelines which many other "cosmetic"-type societies do not. It's not surprising, then, that most of the crazy plastic surgery-related news comes from physicians who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Here are two well-written articles by laypeople who focus on the difference between a "Plastic surgeon" and "Cosmetic surgeon."

1. What's the Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon?
2. Cosmetic Surgery Advice-- Consider the Source.

On my website I've written "How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon." Click here for it.

It's not enough for your "cosmetic surgeon" to have just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Lauren Conrad - Plastic Surgery?

The Hills star Heidi Montag has received a lot of press about her plastic surgery. What about her friend / enemy Lauren Conrad? Has she had plastic surgery too?

I doubt it. The most common plastic surgeries in a woman her age are breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and liposuction. Her breasts don't appear augmented, her nose doesn't show signs of previous surgery, and she's too thin to benefit from liposuction. IMHO she's a natural beauty.

And then there's Heidi...

photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Lauren Conrad - Plastic Surgery?

The Hills star Heidi Montag has received a lot of press about her plastic surgery. What about her friend / enemy Lauren Conrad? Has she had plastic surgery too?

I doubt it. The most common plastic surgeries in a woman her age are breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and liposuction. Her breasts don't appear augmented, her nose doesn't show signs of previous surgery, and she's too thin to benefit from liposuction. IMHO she's a natural beauty.

And then there's Heidi...

photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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