Gary Busey - What a Mess...

How would you like to meet Gary Busey in a dark alley? Make Me Heal has a nice post giving many plastic surgeons' opinions on his possible plastic surgery, dental veneers, and brain injury. Take a look at it here.

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

Gary Busey - What a Mess...

How would you like to meet Gary Busey in a dark alley? Make Me Heal has a nice post giving many plastic surgeons' opinions on his possible plastic surgery, dental veneers, and brain injury. Take a look at it here.

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

Pete Burns Wins Settlement in Plastic Surgery Lawsuit

Former 1980's Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns has won a settlement for botched lip surgery, according to The Plastic Surgery Channel. He won the equivalent of about $900,000 from a doctor who injected a product, Outline Original, known to create bad side effects. Eventually Burns was left so disfigured that he could only drink through a straw and became a recluse, even contemplating suicide. Burns has said that he needed to undergo 100 additional operations to fix the problem.

I've never heard of Outline Original, and because of the high risk of side effects am choosy with what I inject into the lips (only fat, Restylane, Juvederm, and Prevelle). Hopefully the money Burns won in the settlement will help him get "right round."

Photo credit: awful plastic surgery

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

Pete Burns Wins Settlement in Plastic Surgery Lawsuit

Former 1980's Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns has won a settlement for botched lip surgery, according to The Plastic Surgery Channel. He won the equivalent of about $900,000 from a doctor who injected a product, Outline Original, known to create bad side effects. Eventually Burns was left so disfigured that he could only drink through a straw and became a recluse, even contemplating suicide. Burns has said that he needed to undergo 100 additional operations to fix the problem.

I've never heard of Outline Original, and because of the high risk of side effects am choosy with what I inject into the lips (only fat, Restylane, Juvederm, and Prevelle). Hopefully the money Burns won in the settlement will help him get "right round."

Photo credit: awful plastic surgery

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

Definitions of surgery

Surgery is a medical technology consisting of a physical intervention on tissues.As a general rule, a procedure is considered surgical when it involves cutting of a patient's tissues or closure of a previously sustained wound. Other procedures that do not necessarily fall under this rubric, such as angioplasty or endoscopy, may be considered surgery if they involve "common" surgical procedure or settings, such as use of a sterile environment, anesthesia, antisepticsurgical instruments, and suturing or stapling.

All forms of surgery are considered invasive procedures; so-called "noninvasive surgery" usually refers to an excision that does not penetrate the structure being excised (e.g. laser ablation of the cornea) or to a radiosurgical procedure (e.g. irradiation of a tumor). conditions, typical

Behind the (1 in ) eight ball: More breast cancer patients choosing prophylactic mastectomy

The AP wire is reporting that the number of women opting for surgery to remove the healthy breast after a cancer diagnosis in one breast is rising, despite a lack of evidence that the surgery can improve survival. Sometimes this is presented as controversial, but I think this represents rationale behavior by many women choosing this.

There's the powerful slogan that's penetrated popular culture that women have a "1 in 8" risk of breast cancer. That's kind of correct but oversimplifies things. Biology is destiny with breast cancer and appears to overwhelm anything in your diet or the environment in terms of producing breast cancer. Like most cancers, risk of breast cancer increases as you get older. Taking all comers in the United States, a woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 233 when she's in her 30s which steadly rises to 1 in 8 by the time she's reached 85. However, there are women in that group who are at substancially more or substancially less risk.

Younger patients in particular would seem to benefit the most from prophylactic removal of the breast due to this increasing bias for later tumor development. The survival benefit for this surgery hasn't really been studied (as far as I can tell) in your breast cancer patients out for decades. It's assumed that you'd likely see a significant difference in that groups risk of breast cancer in the post menopausal group. Widely referenced studies (see here) suggest that after prophylactic mastectomy a woman's risk for later developing breast cancer is reduced by an average of 90% (some even suggest closer to 100%).

It's clear to me which way I'd suggest for all but the most favorable tumors in young women. Is it for you?

Rob

Does the Zerona Fat Removal Laser Really Work?

You may have seen my segment on the Rachael Ray Show Friday where I discussed the new Zerona laser. Does it really work to reduce inches without pain, downtime, needles, or surgery? The answer is yes.

In my experience, the majority of patients who have Zerona treatments achieve inch loss. The studies appear to show an average of 3-4 inches after 2 weeks of 40 minute treatments every-other-day. This is consistent with what I've seen in my office when measuring four areas: hips, waist, and each thigh. So yes, it does work when the protocol is followed. It is the only machine that I know of that can do this.

That being said, there are people who do not get 3-4 inches of loss. For this reason I've instituted a policy where the patient receives a $1000 credit towards the procedure of their choice if they do not achieve at least 3 inches of total loss from the four areas. Why not refund the whole fee? The company that makes the machine leases it on a "per use" basis. That means that every time I use the machine I pay them a fee which I cannot get refunded.

So overall, the Zerona appears to be a safe, effective way to reduce inches without pain or downtime. It's not a valid substitute for liposuction, though, since the results are not nearly as dramatic as surgery. As time goes on, I expect that we'll find ways to improve the technology and protocols to get even more impressive results. Until then, it's not a bad deal at all!

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

Does the Zerona Fat Removal Laser Really Work?

You may have seen my segment on the Rachael Ray Show Friday where I discussed the new Zerona laser. Does it really work to reduce inches without pain, downtime, needles, or surgery? The answer is yes.

In my experience, the majority of patients who have Zerona treatments achieve inch loss. The studies appear to show an average of 3-4 inches after 2 weeks of 40 minute treatments every-other-day. This is consistent with what I've seen in my office when measuring four areas: hips, waist, and each thigh. So yes, it does work when the protocol is followed. It is the only machine that I know of that can do this.

That being said, there are people who do not get 3-4 inches of loss. For this reason I've instituted a policy where the patient receives a $1000 credit towards the procedure of their choice if they do not achieve at least 3 inches of total loss from the four areas. Why not refund the whole fee? The company that makes the machine leases it on a "per use" basis. That means that every time I use the machine I pay them a fee which I cannot get refunded.

So overall, the Zerona appears to be a safe, effective way to reduce inches without pain or downtime. It's not a valid substitute for liposuction, though, since the results are not nearly as dramatic as surgery. As time goes on, I expect that we'll find ways to improve the technology and protocols to get even more impressive results. Until then, it's not a bad deal at all!

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

UPDATE on teen breast augmentation death: Florida state medical board finds no fault with doctors action

I just saw an update in the Miami Herald (here) on the events surround the anesthesia related death during breast augmentation of Florida teen Stephanie Kuleba, who underwent a fatal malignant hyperthermia(MH)reaction. This is a case I wrote about in Spring 2008 here & here.

Office based anesthesia is common for many procedures including oral surgery, dentistry, colonoscopies, otolaryngology (ENT), and plastic surgery. There's lots of reviews on this demonstrating outcomes and safety data comparable to hospital operating suites. Most plastic surgery procedures in this setting are on healthier patients, which can make a death more shocking.

Writing back then I said,

"I'm not sure what the take home message from this is. It's such a rare event that it's hard to justify having exotic protocols at all times in low risk procedures. Most office surgery suites maintain a supply of Dantrolene, a medicine to treat MH which is almost $2500 per dose and must be restocked often to stay current. There's plenty of adverse events more common then MH, but we don't have aortic balloon pumps or cardiac bypass machines routinely laying around for that. It already sounds like that the family has hired an attorney who is already assuming an aggressive posture in his comments to the media so I'm sure we'll see some legal proceedings even if perfect care for MH was instituted."

Predictably, the teen's parents in this case are still wanting their pound of flesh and have recently decided to proceed with medical malpractice lawsuits against her surgeon and anesthesiologists despite the Florida Department of Health finding there was no evidence of deviation of standards of care in this tragic event. Does that make any sense to anyone?

Rob

Dr. Youn on the Rachael Ray Show Friday Sept 25th!

Set your TiVo's folks, I'm making my return to the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow (Friday Sept 25th). I'll talk about four of the newest plastic surgery "breakthroughs." It's at the beginning of the show, so don't tune in too late! Also, you can learn the secret of her Sloppy Dawgs!

Link to a teaser for my episode: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/839/

Link to local showtimes: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/showtimes/

Thank you to everyone at the Rachael Ray Show for their hospitality!

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

Dr. Youn on the Rachael Ray Show Friday Sept 25th!

Set your TiVo's folks, I'm making my return to the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow (Friday Sept 25th). I'll talk about four of the newest plastic surgery "breakthroughs." It's at the beginning of the show, so don't tune in too late! Also, you can learn the secret of her Sloppy Dawgs!

Link to a teaser for my episode: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/839/

Link to local showtimes: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/showtimes/

Thank you to everyone at the Rachael Ray Show for their hospitality!

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

Jessica Lange - What Has Happened to Her Face?

Why did Jessica Lange look so strange at the Emmys? Could it be too much plastic surgery?

Here is a list of what I think she's done: Browlift, Upper and lower blepharoplasty, Canthopexy, Facelift, Cheek Implants, and Botox. She look a whole lot better if she would lay off the Botox a bit. Although Botox is a fantastic treatment to smooth wrinkles, too much can be a bad thing.

I like how Jaclyn Smith is aging.

For a previous post on Jessica Lange and plastic surgery, click here.

photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Jessica Lange - What Has Happened to Her Face?

Why did Jessica Lange look so strange at the Emmys? Could it be too much plastic surgery?

Here is a list of what I think she's done: Browlift, Upper and lower blepharoplasty, Canthopexy, Facelift, Cheek Implants, and Botox. She look a whole lot better if she would lay off the Botox a bit. Although Botox is a fantastic treatment to smooth wrinkles, too much can be a bad thing.

I like how Jaclyn Smith is aging.

For a previous post on Jessica Lange and plastic surgery, click here.

photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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FDA Issues a Warning Letter Regarding Latisse

The FDA has issued a warning letter to Allergan, makers of Latisse, claiming that the company has omitted certain risks of the popular eyelash lengthening medication in their advertising. Specifically, the FDA focuses on possible complications including iris pigmentation, hair growth outside the desired area, bacterial eye infection, and allergic reactions. You can find the actual FDA letter to Allergan here. An MSNBC.com article about it is here.

We've been using Latisse in my office since it arrived on the shelves several months ago and have not seen any complications yet. So far it appears to be both well-tolerated and effective. The vast majority of patients we've treated have been very happy.

As far as the complications above, allergic reactions can result from anything applied to the skin, from Latisse to moisturizer to soap. Bacterial eye infections can occur when anything not completely sterile touches the eye, most commonly contact lenses. Iris pigmentation is a complication associated with the other form of bimatoprost (Lumigan) when it is applied directly to the eye. To my knowledge it has not been found when applied to the upper eyelids.

But, as with anything in life, you must take a slight risk to achieve the nice benefit.

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

FDA Issues a Warning Letter Regarding Latisse

The FDA has issued a warning letter to Allergan, makers of Latisse, claiming that the company has omitted certain risks of the popular eyelash lengthening medication in their advertising. Specifically, the FDA focuses on possible complications including iris pigmentation, hair growth outside the desired area, bacterial eye infection, and allergic reactions. You can find the actual FDA letter to Allergan here. An MSNBC.com article about it is here.

We've been using Latisse in my office since it arrived on the shelves several months ago and have not seen any complications yet. So far it appears to be both well-tolerated and effective. The vast majority of patients we've treated have been very happy.

As far as the complications above, allergic reactions can result from anything applied to the skin, from Latisse to moisturizer to soap. Bacterial eye infections can occur when anything not completely sterile touches the eye, most commonly contact lenses. Iris pigmentation is a complication associated with the other form of bimatoprost (Lumigan) when it is applied directly to the eye. To my knowledge it has not been found when applied to the upper eyelids.

But, as with anything in life, you must take a slight risk to achieve the nice benefit.

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

Megan Fox - Plastic Surgery?

It seems that everywhere I turn I see photos of Megan Fox. Her new movie, Jennifer's Body, is coming out soon, so the media blitz is in full gear. She is undoubtedly a classic Hollywood beauty, but has she had plastic surgery to help her look the way she does?

There are two surgeries that people have focused on: Rhinoplasty and Breast Augmentation. If I would have to guess, I'd say that she's benefited from both. Check out my previous post with photos of her possible rhinoplasty here. I have heard rumors of who her plastic surgeon is, and I know this surgeon very well. Wish I could reveal it! (unfortunately not me)

While Megan Fox does look great, she has not impressed me in her interviews. She comes across as a bit arrogant. She seems to know how attractive she is, and even though she has only acted in big-budget robot movies, she fancies herself some type of thespian. A bit of humility would make her even more attractive.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Megan Fox - Plastic Surgery?

It seems that everywhere I turn I see photos of Megan Fox. Her new movie, Jennifer's Body, is coming out soon, so the media blitz is in full gear. She is undoubtedly a classic Hollywood beauty, but has she had plastic surgery to help her look the way she does?

There are two surgeries that people have focused on: Rhinoplasty and Breast Augmentation. If I would have to guess, I'd say that she's benefited from both. Check out my previous post with photos of her possible rhinoplasty here. I have heard rumors of who her plastic surgeon is, and I know this surgeon very well. Wish I could reveal it! (unfortunately not me)

While Megan Fox does look great, she has not impressed me in her interviews. She comes across as a bit arrogant. She seems to know how attractive she is, and even though she has only acted in big-budget robot movies, she fancies herself some type of thespian. A bit of humility would make her even more attractive.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Sly Stallone - Open Browlift?

Interesting photos on Dlisted.com show what appears to be open browlift scars on Sylvester Stallone. In this close-up picture you can see the scar extending along the hairline, very consistent with what you might find with an open hairline browlift. Plus, his eyebrows are over-arched in the photos, a possible consequence of Botox (or Dysport).

I haven't performed an open browlift in over five years. Although many fantastic surgeons use this procedure, I have never seen a hairline browlift scar I liked. For this reason, I perform almost exclusively the Endotine Endoscopic Browlift. Scars are much shorter with less risk of numbness and chronic pain. The results may be less permanent and predictable than with an open browlift, however.

Sly better watch out. He's starting to resemble Burt Reynolds...

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

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Sly Stallone - Open Browlift?

Interesting photos on Dlisted.com show what appears to be open browlift scars on Sylvester Stallone. In this close-up picture you can see the scar extending along the hairline, very consistent with what you might find with an open hairline browlift. Plus, his eyebrows are over-arched in the photos, a possible consequence of Botox (or Dysport).

I haven't performed an open browlift in over five years. Although many fantastic surgeons use this procedure, I have never seen a hairline browlift scar I liked. For this reason, I perform almost exclusively the Endotine Endoscopic Browlift. Scars are much shorter with less risk of numbness and chronic pain. The results may be less permanent and predictable than with an open browlift, however.

Sly better watch out. He's starting to resemble Burt Reynolds...

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

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Plastic Surgery for Cankles?

An interesting article from the Daily Mail describes some recent techniques in treating the "cankles:"

You can have Botox injections in the balls of your feet so you can wear high-heels for longer without pain; operations to shorten toes so they look dainty in Louboutins - and now you can have France's hottest export: cankle removal.
While most women are fortunate to have a narrowing where the lower calf and ankle meet, giving a shapely contour, some have little or no discernible difference in shape - which is known as cankles. Age and status is not a factor, and nor is whether you have long or short legs, are slim or overweight. Cankles are inherited, just as you may have inherited your mother's apple or pear body shape.

The article goes on to describe liposuction treatments for cankles, with and without laser-assistance. Traditionally this area has been a tough one to treat because of the risk of contour deformities and fluid collections. I have treated one set of cankles in five years, but was happy with the result.

It does appear that there is hope for all those who suffer from a case of the cankles!

Article link: dailymail

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

Plastic Surgery for Cankles?

An interesting article from the Daily Mail describes some recent techniques in treating the "cankles:"

You can have Botox injections in the balls of your feet so you can wear high-heels for longer without pain; operations to shorten toes so they look dainty in Louboutins - and now you can have France's hottest export: cankle removal.
While most women are fortunate to have a narrowing where the lower calf and ankle meet, giving a shapely contour, some have little or no discernible difference in shape - which is known as cankles. Age and status is not a factor, and nor is whether you have long or short legs, are slim or overweight. Cankles are inherited, just as you may have inherited your mother's apple or pear body shape.

The article goes on to describe liposuction treatments for cankles, with and without laser-assistance. Traditionally this area has been a tough one to treat because of the risk of contour deformities and fluid collections. I have treated one set of cankles in five years, but was happy with the result.

It does appear that there is hope for all those who suffer from a case of the cankles!

Article link: dailymail

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

On tort reform, President Obama DOES lie

President Obama has spent the week furiously trying to put lipstick on the pig that is his healthcare reform bill. He gave a fine speech last week which was noticeably short (by design) on specifics, and one which left out any plausible way to pay for the program. Trying to defang critics, he generalized a number of areas where centrist Democrats and Republican ideas would be incorporated. One of these was a brief mention of tort reform.

Color me uinmpressed.

As with his summer speech at the American Medical Society (AMA) meeting that was met with boos, the president has over and over made it clear he is not interested in addressing real medical tort reform. If you took the most disingenuous elements of lawyer-speak mixed equal parts with the opacity of politican-speak you end up with the President's message to his Democratic trial bar donors (alongside organized labor, the most influential group in Democratic politics). ie "Relax boys, THERE WILL BE NO REAL RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR ABILITY TO SUE DOCTORS, Amen!"

Anyway.....

From the 60 Minutes interview tonight(click here for video)

KROFT: If it came down to getting this plan passed would you be willing to do more in the area of tort reform and malpractice insurance? Would you be willing to agree to caps, for example, on malpractice judgments?

OBAMA: You know what I would be willing to do is to consider any ideas out there that would actually work in terms of reducing costs, improving the quality of patient care. So far the evidence I've seen is that caps will not do that. But there are a range of ideas that are out there, offered by doctors' organizations like the AMA, that I think we can explore.....

KROFT: And the conventional wisdom has been that the reason that the House has always voted against any kind of malpractice reform or tort reform was because of the heavy contributions from the trial lawyers.

OBAMA: That is the conventional wisdom. And I think there's also been philosophical issues and differences about whether or not patients who really have been subject to negligence, whether it's fair to just say to them, "You know what? You can only get a certain amount, no matter how egregious it is."

That is nothing but double-speak goblety-gook which avoid any commitment to do anything. At least Democratic leader Howard Dean had the balls to recently come out and say that tort reform is not going to be in the bill because of the relationship of the party to the trial bar.



Rob

Hydrelle - New Hyaluronic Acid Filler with Lidocaine

Coapt Systems, makers of the Endotine device which I use for browlifts, has recently announced FDA approval for their hyaluronic acid filler Hydrelle. What makes Hydrelle significant is that it is one of the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers that contains lidocaine, an anesthetic. Therefore, Hydrelle may be less painful to inject.

According to the company's press release:

Hydrelle represents an attractive value for patients seeking a safe and cost-effective filler option, since patients only require approximately 50% of typical injection volumes, thus requiring fewer syringes to fully correct facial wrinkles. Hydrelle also represents a significant opportunity for aesthetic professionals to expand their respective practices by offering patients an advanced, long-lasting dermal filler with an affordable price, particularly during volatile economic times.

It seems there is a new hyaluronic acid filler on the market every month. Currently in my practice we utilize Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Prevelle Silk. In the past I've also used Hylaform and Hylaform Plus. In my opinion, adding lidocaine to the injection isn't that big a deal. Prevelle Silk has lidocaine in it as well.

Overall, I've been very happy with the selection of fillers I utilize. My only complaint is the price. If a company can make a long-lasting (one year or so) filler at half the cost of current fillers then they'd have a huge fan in myself. I'm not a proponent of permanent fillers.

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

Hydrelle - New Hyaluronic Acid Filler with Lidocaine

Coapt Systems, makers of the Endotine device which I use for browlifts, has recently announced FDA approval for their hyaluronic acid filler Hydrelle. What makes Hydrelle significant is that it is one of the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers that contains lidocaine, an anesthetic. Therefore, Hydrelle may be less painful to inject.

According to the company's press release:

Hydrelle represents an attractive value for patients seeking a safe and cost-effective filler option, since patients only require approximately 50% of typical injection volumes, thus requiring fewer syringes to fully correct facial wrinkles. Hydrelle also represents a significant opportunity for aesthetic professionals to expand their respective practices by offering patients an advanced, long-lasting dermal filler with an affordable price, particularly during volatile economic times.

It seems there is a new hyaluronic acid filler on the market every month. Currently in my practice we utilize Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Prevelle Silk. In the past I've also used Hylaform and Hylaform Plus. In my opinion, adding lidocaine to the injection isn't that big a deal. Prevelle Silk has lidocaine in it as well.

Overall, I've been very happy with the selection of fillers I utilize. My only complaint is the price. If a company can make a long-lasting (one year or so) filler at half the cost of current fillers then they'd have a huge fan in myself. I'm not a proponent of permanent fillers.

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

Dumb Advertising

I saw this ad on a post at Plasmetic.com and thought it was funny. What happens after the special runs out? Do you only get a unaboob?

There is also a bargain-basement cosmetic center in my area which is advertising "Buy one surgery, get one free" as well. But, according to the ad you need to be one of the first fifty or so people to call in order to qualify for the special promotion. Fortunately, the ad has been playing for months, so either there is no one calling or they've decided to extend it to any poor victim who calls.

By the way, the doctor in the above billboard advertises as a "board-certified surgeon." I wonder why he left out that he's a board-certified general surgeon and not a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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

Dumb Advertising

I saw this ad on a post at Plasmetic.com and thought it was funny. What happens after the special runs out? Do you only get a unaboob?

There is also a bargain-basement cosmetic center in my area which is advertising "Buy one surgery, get one free" as well. But, according to the ad you need to be one of the first fifty or so people to call in order to qualify for the special promotion. Fortunately, the ad has been playing for months, so either there is no one calling or they've decided to extend it to any poor victim who calls.

By the way, the doctor in the above billboard advertises as a "board-certified surgeon." I wonder why he left out that he's a board-certified general surgeon and not a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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

Buy one (implant), get one free - Stay classy Wisconsin!

A really, really tacky billboard campaign in rural Wisconsin by a wannabe made me immediately think to quote the Will Ferrel character, Ron Burgundy, from the movie "Anchorman",


"Stay classy, Wisconsin!"








Tasteful advertising! Does it surprise anyone that this Doctor promoting plastic surgery is not actually a Plastic Surgeon? Well at least he's a surgeon which is not the case with all these cases. Of note, this yahoo was recently fined (see here) closed to $20,000 for Medicare billing fraud.


Remember to always look for a board-certified Plastic Surgeon when you're considering cosmetic surgery. You can inquire here on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website.

Rob

Addicted to Beauty - My Thoughts

I had a little extra time over the holiday weekend to catch up with some programs on my TiVo. Addicted to Beauty is a reality program on Oxygen that follows the employees at Changes Plastic Surgery and Medspa in La Holla.

I've actually found the show to be quite entertaining. Although some of their employees wouldn't last a week in my office (Hello, Gary the drama queen!), it's fun to see how other people deal with such infighting and personality issues. I don't know how Dr. Gilbert Lee puts up with all of them. He seems like a level-headed guy. The only ones I would consider hiring are Natasha (the administrative assistant who is a knockout AND a hard-working team player) and Melanie (the no nonsense office manager).

This is a show that is worth checking out if you are into the plastic surgery and medspa world. Also be sure to catch Youth Knows No Pain, the plastic surgery-related documentary on HBO and its sister channels. You can see its schedule here.

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

Addicted to Beauty - My Thoughts

I had a little extra time over the holiday weekend to catch up with some programs on my TiVo. Addicted to Beauty is a reality program on Oxygen that follows the employees at Changes Plastic Surgery and Medspa in La Holla.

I've actually found the show to be quite entertaining. Although some of their employees wouldn't last a week in my office (Hello, Gary the drama queen!), it's fun to see how other people deal with such infighting and personality issues. I don't know how Dr. Gilbert Lee puts up with all of them. He seems like a level-headed guy. The only ones I would consider hiring are Natasha (the administrative assistant who is a knockout AND a hard-working team player) and Melanie (the no nonsense office manager).

This is a show that is worth checking out if you are into the plastic surgery and medspa world. Also be sure to catch Youth Knows No Pain, the plastic surgery-related documentary on HBO and its sister channels. You can see its schedule here.

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

Holly Madison on Her Plastic Surgery

The newest issue of Life and Style Weekly has a big article on Holly Madison and her plastic surgery. In the article she admits to undergoing a rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, both of which are pretty obvious when looking at her. There are a few surprising revelations, however. According to the New York Daily News:

Former Playboy model Holly Madison says that beneath her Barbie-doll measurements beats the heart of an insecure woman who used plastic surgery as a way to build her self-esteem.
And she blames ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner for that lack of confidence.
"Living with Hef brought down my self-esteem a lot," Madison told Life & Style. "I was comparing myself to the other girls ... You have to look a certain way at the mansion."

"Plastic surgery made it easier for me to get things I wanted in my career," she said. "Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. My nose photographed really big in front of my face. If I wanted to do anything in the entertainment industry, I needed to get it fixed."

I think she's a knockout. Not only is she blessed with good genes, but her plastic surgeon did a nice job as well. I never understood the interest in Kendra, though, whom I find to be quite annoying.

Some of my viewpoints of cellulite and its treatments are also highlighted in the magazine.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Holly Madison on Her Plastic Surgery

The newest issue of Life and Style Weekly has a big article on Holly Madison and her plastic surgery. In the article she admits to undergoing a rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, both of which are pretty obvious when looking at her. There are a few surprising revelations, however. According to the New York Daily News:

Former Playboy model Holly Madison says that beneath her Barbie-doll measurements beats the heart of an insecure woman who used plastic surgery as a way to build her self-esteem.
And she blames ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner for that lack of confidence.
"Living with Hef brought down my self-esteem a lot," Madison told Life & Style. "I was comparing myself to the other girls ... You have to look a certain way at the mansion."

"Plastic surgery made it easier for me to get things I wanted in my career," she said. "Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. My nose photographed really big in front of my face. If I wanted to do anything in the entertainment industry, I needed to get it fixed."

I think she's a knockout. Not only is she blessed with good genes, but her plastic surgeon did a nice job as well. I never understood the interest in Kendra, though, whom I find to be quite annoying.

Some of my viewpoints of cellulite and its treatments are also highlighted in the magazine.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Breast Reduction Amazon style - the legend of Amazonian breast mutiliation

According to Greek historian, Herodotus, the Amazons were a race of female warriors living on the Thermodon River in Scythia. There were no men in the community, and any boy born was killed or dispatched to his father beyond the river.

Hippocrates wrote that the girls had their right breast burnt off with hot irons such that they might better draw the bow. In the 3rd century AD, Roman historian Justin asserted that the mythological Amazon is derived from the Greek roots a (without) and mazos (breast). In Anabasis of Alexander, mention of the Amazons, said that their right breasts were smaller and were uncovered in battle. This observation could mean the legend of elective mastectomy was really right breast underdevelopment caused by deliberate binding or pinching.


Does it make sense that a mastectomy would make using a bow easier?

Actually it does. It's been observed that most competitive women archers are smaller breasted, and a chest guard is actually worn by many competitors to avoid inadvertent injury to their breast when shooting. The weight of the breast also changes the center of gravity and requires active extension of your lower back muscles to remain erect, a distinct liability for horseback based or hand to hand combat.




Among these legendary Amazonians were Queens Hippolyta, whose girdle Hercules was assigned to recover (sure sounds like a panty raid to me) as one of his 12 great tasks, Penthesilea for whose death Achilles mourned, and Thalestrias who had an affair with Alexander the Great.


In DC Comics, the famous Wonder Woman is supposed to be Diana, daughter of Hippolyta and Amazonian princess. For whatever reason she apparently did not get the memo about having small breast :)





Factoid to store away next time you're a contestant on Jeopardy: Spanish conqueror, Francisco de Orellana named the Amazon River as such after encountering women warriors among the Indian tribes of South America.

Rob

Demi Moore Responds to Articles Like the One Below

Apparently Demi Moore is not happy with people questioning her claim that she's not had any plastic surgery. Her quote in Marie Claire France magazine prompted many websites, such as this one, to question the truthfulness of her claims. This caused her to respond via Twitter:

“All this garbage that came out today about me is nothing more than an effort to diminish not just me but all women,” Demi Tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Demi advised other women to live their life free of body comparisons or criticisms. “Diminishing us by continually measuring women based on how we look. Or dont look. Creating comparisons instead of connections Say no 2 that!” she added.

The lady doth protest too much, methink.

Photo credit: prphotos.com
Story credit: Access Hollywood

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

Demi Moore Responds to Articles Like the One Below

Apparently Demi Moore is not happy with people questioning her claim that she's not had any plastic surgery. Her quote in Marie Claire France magazine prompted many websites, such as this one, to question the truthfulness of her claims. This caused her to respond via Twitter:

“All this garbage that came out today about me is nothing more than an effort to diminish not just me but all women,” Demi Tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Demi advised other women to live their life free of body comparisons or criticisms. “Diminishing us by continually measuring women based on how we look. Or dont look. Creating comparisons instead of connections Say no 2 that!” she added.

The lady doth protest too much, methink.

Photo credit: prphotos.com
Story credit: Access Hollywood

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