Octomom's Lips - Another Reason to Avoid Permanent Lip Implants

This terrible photo is of the Octomom on her way to the taping of the View. As you can see, her upper lip looks very strange. In fact, it looks quite a bit like Lisa Rinna's upper lip. Did they do the same thing to their lips?

To me, this is a clear cut case of either silicone injections or permament implants to the lips. When they are injected on either side of the center part of the lip, they can create a look like this, otherwise known as a "whistle deformity." People with cleft lips can also develop a similar appearance.

I hope this is the last time we ever see this woman again, although she does attract attention... in a train wreck type of way.

Photo credit: socialite life

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

Octomom's Lips - Another Reason to Avoid Permanent Lip Implants

This terrible photo is of the Octomom on her way to the taping of the View. As you can see, her upper lip looks very strange. In fact, it looks quite a bit like Lisa Rinna's upper lip. Did they do the same thing to their lips?

To me, this is a clear cut case of either silicone injections or permament implants to the lips. When they are injected on either side of the center part of the lip, they can create a look like this, otherwise known as a "whistle deformity." People with cleft lips can also develop a similar appearance.

I hope this is the last time we ever see this woman again, although she does attract attention... in a train wreck type of way.

Photo credit: socialite life

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

Denied insurance claims- the bane of patients AND doctors

I started this post 2 weeks ago and got inspired by yesterday's goofy "health summit" between President Obama and Congress. Excuse the juxtaposition of the two subjects, but I think in the end they are related.

The issue of health insurance denying authorization for surgery or denying claims for procedures already performed is one of the most frustrating parts of being in practice. The New York Times featured a story on this entitiled , "Fighting Denied Claims Requires Perseverance" as it related to a patient fighting her insurer for coverage of an arthroscopic hip surgery.

To me the article is less about a hip operation, but rather represents the collisions of four forces


1. Insurers trying to control their cost and make money by limiting care
2. The people who pay for employee's health care trying to control their expenses by restricting unlimited utilization
3. Patients who want what they want, when they want it (but are removed from the actual costs of these procedures)
4. Physicians who are interested in advanced techniques and technology for procedures (who are slightly less, but still somewhat removed from the costs of these procedures)

As a society, America has not learned to reconcile our desire for expensive (and often futile) treatments with the fact that someone has to pay for all this. The congressional healthcare "summit" yesterday was a grotesque kabuki theater filled with political spin and lip service to the tough choices that have to be made to make the health care system sustainable. In summary: Democrats reflexively refuse to offend unions and ambulance chasers while afraid to limit or trim entitlement growth, while Republicans offer tepid (but useful) reform at the margins and refuse to budge on likely required tax increases.

The article about some advanced new orthopedic technique parallels the series the Times ran this week on an advanced melanoma treatment which described (what I presume) what was a very expensive palliative treatment which offered no cure and "worked" such that lifespan was extended for short periods of time. This kind of treatment is not sustainable for our health system, and focusing on it adds little value for considering "bending the curve" of costs. Ultimately, we'll have to decide whether we want society to pay for such exotic medical care, or expect patients to finance their own surgeries and treatments that go above and beyond approved evidence-based medicine (EBM) treatments.

Rob

Human Lab - Facelift

The Rachael Ray Show has a very fun and interesting segment airing Friday, Feb 26th called Human Lab: Facelift. In this segment three viewers will test three different products which claim to create a natural facelift. See how these products change (or don't change) their appearance! And check out my expert commentary!

For a teaser streaming online, click here.

Thank you to the Rachael Ray Show for inviting me to be their expert for this segment.

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

Human Lab - Facelift

The Rachael Ray Show has a very fun and interesting segment airing Friday, Feb 26th called Human Lab: Facelift. In this segment three viewers will test three different products which claim to create a natural facelift. See how these products change (or don't change) their appearance! And check out my expert commentary!

For a teaser streaming online, click here.

Thank you to the Rachael Ray Show for inviting me to be their expert for this segment.

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

Awake Tummy Tuck? Scary...

Should you consider having your tummy tuck awake? According to an article by The Plastic Surgery Channel a physician in San Antonio, TX is advertising an awake tummy tuck. No general anesthesia is used, just a light sedation and local anesthetics. In fact, you can make conversation with the doctor while she's cutting open your abdomen! The article mentions that she's not a real plastic surgeon, but trained in Family and Emergency Medicine. Scary!

I perform an average of one tummy tuck a week, and I wouldn't wish an awake tummy tuck on my worst enemy. While local anesthetics can work for smaller procedures, to perform a complete tummy tuck under local anesthetics is crazy. General anesthesia is meant to save people from experiencing the excruciating pain of having your body cut open.

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

Awake Tummy Tuck? Scary...

Should you consider having your tummy tuck awake? According to an article by The Plastic Surgery Channel a physician in San Antonio, TX is advertising an awake tummy tuck. No general anesthesia is used, just a light sedation and local anesthetics. In fact, you can make conversation with the doctor while she's cutting open your abdomen! The article mentions that she's not a real plastic surgeon, but trained in Family and Emergency Medicine. Scary!

I perform an average of one tummy tuck a week, and I wouldn't wish an awake tummy tuck on my worst enemy. While local anesthetics can work for smaller procedures, to perform a complete tummy tuck under local anesthetics is crazy. General anesthesia is meant to save people from experiencing the excruciating pain of having your body cut open.

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

Jane Fonda Admits to Plastic Surgery

Ten years after saying she would not have plastic surgery, Jane Fonda has given in to the aging process and gone under a plastic surgeon's knife. In her blog she admits:

I just had some ‘work’ done on my chin and neck and had the bags taken away from under my eyes so I decided it would be good to get a new hair cut so people will think it’s my new hair.” He thought that was so funny he actually toasted me for doing what he said he’d never heard anyone do before: admit they’d had work done. I was planning on blogging about it anyway so who cares? I’m writing a book about aging so I couldn’t very well NOT talk about it.

It’s been 2 weeks. I was in front of the camera all day yesterday and was photographed at Eve Ensler’s luncheon 9 days after the procedure so, obviously, it went well. I swore in 2000 I’d never have anything done again but this year I got tired of not looking like how I feel and I wanted a more refined chin line like I used to have so I changed my mind. I’m still a little swollen but not much and what pleases me is that I won’t looked pulled or weird…or tired all the time. And my crows feet are still alive and well. I wish I’d been brave enough to not do anything but, instead, I chose to be a somewhat more glamorous grandma.

It sounds like she had a facelift and a lower blepharoplasty. From the looks of the photos on her blog I'd have to say her surgeon did a very nice job. She looks youthful, but not pulled or tight. The right wrinkles are gone, leaving ones that should remain. She deserves kudos for admitting she's had plastic surgery and, unlike some dishonest celebs, not attributing it to just sunblock, good diet, and moisturizers.

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

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Jane Fonda Admits to Plastic Surgery

Ten years after saying she would not have plastic surgery, Jane Fonda has given in to the aging process and gone under a plastic surgeon's knife. In her blog she admits:

I just had some ‘work’ done on my chin and neck and had the bags taken away from under my eyes so I decided it would be good to get a new hair cut so people will think it’s my new hair.” He thought that was so funny he actually toasted me for doing what he said he’d never heard anyone do before: admit they’d had work done. I was planning on blogging about it anyway so who cares? I’m writing a book about aging so I couldn’t very well NOT talk about it.

It’s been 2 weeks. I was in front of the camera all day yesterday and was photographed at Eve Ensler’s luncheon 9 days after the procedure so, obviously, it went well. I swore in 2000 I’d never have anything done again but this year I got tired of not looking like how I feel and I wanted a more refined chin line like I used to have so I changed my mind. I’m still a little swollen but not much and what pleases me is that I won’t looked pulled or weird…or tired all the time. And my crows feet are still alive and well. I wish I’d been brave enough to not do anything but, instead, I chose to be a somewhat more glamorous grandma.

It sounds like she had a facelift and a lower blepharoplasty. From the looks of the photos on her blog I'd have to say her surgeon did a very nice job. She looks youthful, but not pulled or tight. The right wrinkles are gone, leaving ones that should remain. She deserves kudos for admitting she's had plastic surgery and, unlike some dishonest celebs, not attributing it to just sunblock, good diet, and moisturizers.

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

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Angelina Jolie - Strange Wrinkles, Plastic Surgery, or Gills?

We normal people would like to think that Angelina Jolie has SOME type of flaw like the rest of us. Well, it appears that she does. No, she doesn't have big feet, cankles, or even the dreaded Man Hands. It appears, from this photo from Us Magazine, that Angelina has... weird lines on her neck! Are they from plastic surgery, abnormal anatomy, or remnants of our evolutionary amphibian ancestors?

This is a tough one. The only plastic surgery that I believe could create wrinkles like this is a mini-facelift, which I really doubt she's had. There are no muscle bands in that part of the neck that go in that direction. Therefore, I would have to argue that she probably has some type of abnormal anatomy there. Not as interesting as accusing her of a facelift, but the truth is the truth. At least she has some type of flaw, not matter how minor. One of my flaws is that I have a bit of a gummy smile.

Did any of you catch me on the CBS Early Show this morning?

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

Angelina Jolie - Strange Wrinkles, Plastic Surgery, or Gills?

We normal people would like to think that Angelina Jolie has SOME type of flaw like the rest of us. Well, it appears that she does. No, she doesn't have big feet, cankles, or even the dreaded Man Hands. It appears, from this photo from Us Magazine, that Angelina has... weird lines on her neck! Are they from plastic surgery, abnormal anatomy, or remnants of our evolutionary amphibian ancestors?

This is a tough one. The only plastic surgery that I believe could create wrinkles like this is a mini-facelift, which I really doubt she's had. There are no muscle bands in that part of the neck that go in that direction. Therefore, I would have to argue that she probably has some type of abnormal anatomy there. Not as interesting as accusing her of a facelift, but the truth is the truth. At least she has some type of flaw, not matter how minor. One of my flaws is that I have a bit of a gummy smile.

Did any of you catch me on the CBS Early Show this morning?

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

Hayden Panettiere - Breast Implants?

I was recently asked by the National Enquirer to look at some photos of Heroes star Hayden Panettiere. Does she have new breast implants? I think so! Her breasts do appear to have gone from an A to a C. She has also changed her hair color, from blond to dark red. Is the hair color change an attempt to draw attention away from her breasts? Maybe!

I really like her. I've been a loyal fan of Heroes since it began airing (I was a comic geek in middle school). This season, however, stunk. I had no interest in any of the characters, yet somehow I kept watching it. Too bad Lost is in its last season. There's going to be a huge, gaping hole in June.

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

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Hayden Panettiere - Breast Implants?

I was recently asked by the National Enquirer to look at some photos of Heroes star Hayden Panettiere. Does she have new breast implants? I think so! Her breasts do appear to have gone from an A to a C. She has also changed her hair color, from blond to dark red. Is the hair color change an attempt to draw attention away from her breasts? Maybe!

I really like her. I've been a loyal fan of Heroes since it began airing (I was a comic geek in middle school). This season, however, stunk. I had no interest in any of the characters, yet somehow I kept watching it. Too bad Lost is in its last season. There's going to be a huge, gaping hole in June.

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

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Madonna - Chin Implant?

Madonna's recent appearance in Brazil has sparked rumors she may have had a recent chin augmentation. As you can see by the photo her chin does look a bit prominent, and maybe even swollen from recent surgery. Why would she have this procedure done? I never thought her chin was small in the first place!

Chin implants are placed via small incisions either inside the mouth (my preferred technique) or under the chin. When inserted through the mouth there is no visible scar afterwards. I often see people who come in asking for a rhinoplasty to reduce the size of their nose when the real problem is a tiny chin. A small chin can actually make the nose look bigger than it really is. Just a quick lesson on facial harmony...

Photo credit: stuff.co.nz

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

Share |

Madonna - Chin Implant?

Madonna's recent appearance in Brazil has sparked rumors she may have had a recent chin augmentation. As you can see by the photo her chin does look a bit prominent, and maybe even swollen from recent surgery. Why would she have this procedure done? I never thought her chin was small in the first place!

Chin implants are placed via small incisions either inside the mouth (my preferred technique) or under the chin. When inserted through the mouth there is no visible scar afterwards. I often see people who come in asking for a rhinoplasty to reduce the size of their nose when the real problem is a tiny chin. A small chin can actually make the nose look bigger than it really is. Just a quick lesson on facial harmony...

Photo credit: stuff.co.nz

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

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Related letter to the editor on Mayo Clinic model and Medicare

In January, I wrote about the Mayo Clinic's satellite in Arizona dropping Medicare patients claiming it was financially unsustainable. (see "The Mayo Clinic decision signals the health care bill is "One Big Ass Mistake, America"). Besides being embarrassing for the Obama administration as he'd held it up as his model health delivery vehicle, it produced a lot of teeth gnashing. For many people, they always assumed nearly all doctors accepted Medicare, and certainly an institution like the Mayo Clinic would accept Medicare rates (no questions asked).

Mayo exists as a really weird historical quick of American Medicine. It established a reputation for excellence generations ago and managed to make that name a "franchise" for medical care. While Mayo has some fine clinicians, it's kind of well known among most surgeons that a place like Mayo has had a hard time keeping the talent happy in terms of compensation and selling rural Minnesota as a destination to live. It takes a certain kind of personality to accept the trade-offs of that clinic system, but security of such a protected & salaried position is certainly going to become more common.

Exactly how Mayo operates as to your insurance has always been confusing to many people, and the Medicare announcement had a lot of people looking for answers. I found a great letter to the Editor in a Boston Globe article that is the most succinct summary to date

I am a surgeon practicing in Phoenix, Arizona. I also grew up in Rochester, MN where my father was a physician at Mayo for 35+ years. It's time to set the record straight on the misconceptions of the Mayo Clinic as a model for efficiency.

1)Mayo does not take Medicare, as outlined in the article.
2)Mayo does not take Medicare supplements for new patients.
3)Mayo has never emphasized primary care and in fact closed their family practice program here in Phoenix at a time of acute shortage in our state, citing costs. Primary care is labor intensive
4)Mayo refuses to provide care to citizens of Phoenix, the city in which they reside, in need of specialty care in situations where their specialists have availability and where there are acute shortages in the community. Their decisions for taking patients is made by administrators, not doctors, based solely on insurance. Doctor to doctor requests are frequently denied.

5)The Dartmouth Study, touted by many as the proof of efficiency of the Model compared Medicare expenditures county by county, throughout the country. Mayo Rochester resides in a rural farming community, where Medicare usage would be expected to be low. But since Mayo does cares for virtually none of these Medicare patients, extrapolating the cost efficiency of Mayo is simply wrong.
6) Mayo's model is very much a boutique model, catering to the wealthy, those willing to pay extra or out of pocket for their care or those with very good indemnity insurance coverage. Mayo is not in network for virtually every HMO and PPO plan, based simply on the high reimbursements demanded by Mayo. Mayo quotes 2-4 times the cost for surgical procedures that those in the community at large get paid.
7)Mayo relies heavily on the$ 200-300M/year in endowment money each year, to supplement their payrolls, build their buildings, fund research, and fund their pension plan. The cost structure of the Mayo Clinic is prohibitive without this additional funding. In this recession, Mayo is having considerable difficulty because it has been having appealing to those who used to come out of pocket for perceived more individualized care.
7) Community physicians in Jacksonville and Phoenix/Scottsdale assume virtually all the care for those in need, regardless of ability to pay.

I have always been of the belief that Mayo has the perfect right to practice Medicine the way in which they believe. Their doctors are dedicated to their mission and contribute each and everyday to the growth of medical knowledge.

Please, however be honest about what the Mayo model is: exclusive medical care for those with means and those willing to pay considerably more for their services.

Cheers!

Rob

My latest Rachael Ray Segment Streaming Online

The Rachael Ray Show website has uploaded streaming video of a portion of my latest appearance, entitled "Secrets Your Plastic Surgeon Doesn't Want You To Know." In case you missed it, you can find the end of the segment here.

Thank you to Rachael Ray and everyone at the show for all your hospitality.

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

My latest Rachael Ray Segment Streaming Online

The Rachael Ray Show website has uploaded streaming video of a portion of my latest appearance, entitled "Secrets Your Plastic Surgeon Doesn't Want You To Know." In case you missed it, you can find the end of the segment here.

Thank you to Rachael Ray and everyone at the show for all your hospitality.

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

FDA Clears Laser to Treat Stretch Marks

The FDA has recently cleared a fractional laser for treating stretch marks. In clinical studies the Lux1540 produced an average of 51-75% reduction in stretch marks. This is the first fractional laser that I know of which has been cleared to treat stretch marks.

I find it extremely rare to see stretch marks after breast augmentation such as in Kate Beckinsale's photo here. In the past five years I think I've seen maybe three of my patients who've developed stretch marks after breast implants. Surprisingly, all three patients did not have large implants placed. All the implants were around 350cc. In these situations we've utilized a pulse-dye laser with pretty good results. It usually takes several treatments though. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely erase stretch marks without actually cutting them out (and trading them for a scar).

Link to story source: http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/articles/?article=2557

Photo source: celebritysmackblog.com

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

FDA Clears Laser to Treat Stretch Marks

The FDA has recently cleared a fractional laser for treating stretch marks. In clinical studies the Lux1540 produced an average of 51-75% reduction in stretch marks. This is the first fractional laser that I know of which has been cleared to treat stretch marks.

I find it extremely rare to see stretch marks after breast augmentation such as in Kate Beckinsale's photo here. In the past five years I think I've seen maybe three of my patients who've developed stretch marks after breast implants. Surprisingly, all three patients did not have large implants placed. All the implants were around 350cc. In these situations we've utilized a pulse-dye laser with pretty good results. It usually takes several treatments though. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely erase stretch marks without actually cutting them out (and trading them for a scar).

Link to story source: http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/articles/?article=2557

Photo source: celebritysmackblog.com

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

Dr. Youn on the Rachael Ray Show Wednesday, Feb 10th!

For all of you who are snowed in tomorrow I will be a featured guest on the Rachael Ray Show Wednesday, Feb 10th. I'm revealing the "Secrets Your Plastic Surgeon Doesn't Want You to Know." Should be a lot of fun!

Check out the teaser on their website here.

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

Dr. Youn on the Rachael Ray Show Wednesday, Feb 10th!

For all of you who are snowed in tomorrow I will be a featured guest on the Rachael Ray Show Wednesday, Feb 10th. I'm revealing the "Secrets Your Plastic Surgeon Doesn't Want You to Know." Should be a lot of fun!

Check out the teaser on their website here.

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

Shelby Township, Michigan Laser Liposuction Disaster

This is a photo of a patient who underwent laser liposuction by an ER physician just down the street from me. This is from a sad but very interesting article by the Macomb Daily which exposes what happened to this poor woman at a Shelby Township, Michigan med spa. Check out the article here.

From the article:

The 46-year-old Clinton Township woman said the amalgamation of damaged skin tissue that stretches from her waist to the top of her ribcage resulted from a liposuction-gone-bad performed by Dr. C------ M-- at A---- Medical Spa in Shelby Township.

According to his Web site, M--, a D.O., is certified by the American Board of Phlebology (physicians specializing in venous disease), American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine, American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery and American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. In court documents, he says he is also certified in "tumescent liposuction" and "contour thread lift."

I am not a member of any of these groups.

The Macomb Daily also published an article on how independent surgery centers are not regulated by the state. Check it out here.

To view my guide on selecting a plastic surgeon, click here.

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

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Shelby Township, Michigan Laser Liposuction Disaster

This is a photo of a patient who underwent laser liposuction by an ER physician just down the street from me. This is from a sad but very interesting article by the Macomb Daily which exposes what happened to this poor woman at a Shelby Township, Michigan med spa. Check out the article here.

From the article:

The 46-year-old Clinton Township woman said the amalgamation of damaged skin tissue that stretches from her waist to the top of her ribcage resulted from a liposuction-gone-bad performed by Dr. C------ M-- at A---- Medical Spa in Shelby Township.

According to his Web site, M--, a D.O., is certified by the American Board of Phlebology (physicians specializing in venous disease), American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine, American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery and American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. In court documents, he says he is also certified in "tumescent liposuction" and "contour thread lift."

I am not a member of any of these groups.

The Macomb Daily also published an article on how independent surgery centers are not regulated by the state. Check it out here.

To view my guide on selecting a plastic surgeon, click here.

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

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Jenni J-WOWW of Jersey Shore and Plastic Surgery

Jenni J-WOWW from the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore has come forward admitting she's had a breast augmentation. In an interview with Life and Style magazine she admitted to getting breast implants at the age of 21, and is really happy with them. Apparently her costar Snooki is thinking of getting her breasts lifted.

Jenni's breasts look pretty good in this photo. They appear to fit her body well and are not overdone. Her surgeon did a nice job. But what kind of name is J-WOWW??

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

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Jenni J-WOWW of Jersey Shore and Plastic Surgery

Jenni J-WOWW from the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore has come forward admitting she's had a breast augmentation. In an interview with Life and Style magazine she admitted to getting breast implants at the age of 21, and is really happy with them. Apparently her costar Snooki is thinking of getting her breasts lifted.

Jenni's breasts look pretty good in this photo. They appear to fit her body well and are not overdone. Her surgeon did a nice job. But what kind of name is J-WOWW??

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

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Does the Brava Breast Enhancement Device Work?

The Brava system is a nonsurgical breast enlargement device that claims to increase the size of your breasts 1/2 to 2 cups after 10 weeks of use. The wearer is supposed to use the device for a minimum of 10 hours a day and avoid missing even one day's worth of treatment. There has been some support for the effectiveness of this device in scientific studies. It works on the principle of tissue expansion, similar to what we use when reconstructing breast cancer patients, except instead of using an implant inside the breast it uses a vacuum applied to outside of the breasts.

The Rachael Ray Show (my favorite syndicated talk show :) ) has a segment tomorrow called Human Lab : Bigger Breasts. In the episode they will follow the experience of a viewer who tried the Brava system. Check it out if you get a chance! (No, I'm not on this episode) Click here for a link.

As an aside, I once had a patient come to see me after using the Brava and having disappointing results. She ended up giving me her Brava system after her breast implant surgery.

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

Does the Brava Breast Enhancement Device Work?

The Brava system is a nonsurgical breast enlargement device that claims to increase the size of your breasts 1/2 to 2 cups after 10 weeks of use. The wearer is supposed to use the device for a minimum of 10 hours a day and avoid missing even one day's worth of treatment. There has been some support for the effectiveness of this device in scientific studies. It works on the principle of tissue expansion, similar to what we use when reconstructing breast cancer patients, except instead of using an implant inside the breast it uses a vacuum applied to outside of the breasts.

The Rachael Ray Show (my favorite syndicated talk show :) ) has a segment tomorrow called Human Lab : Bigger Breasts. In the episode they will follow the experience of a viewer who tried the Brava system. Check it out if you get a chance! (No, I'm not on this episode) Click here for a link.

As an aside, I once had a patient come to see me after using the Brava and having disappointing results. She ended up giving me her Brava system after her breast implant surgery.

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

Juvederm XC - Less Painful Injectable Filler?

Allergan has just received FDA approval for Juvederm XC, the newest hyaluronic acid injectable filler formulated with lidocaine for greater comfort. In their study they found that 93% of the patients treated with Juvederm XC had less pain than when treated with the non-lidocaine formulation of Juvederm.

That sounds good to me. I'm very fond of using hyaluronic acid fillers due to their versatility and longevity. The only knock on them has been that they are somewhat uncomfortable to have injected. I hope that the new Juvederm XC will make the experience of injectable fillers much more pleasant.

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

Juvederm XC - Less Painful Injectable Filler?

Allergan has just received FDA approval for Juvederm XC, the newest hyaluronic acid injectable filler formulated with lidocaine for greater comfort. In their study they found that 93% of the patients treated with Juvederm XC had less pain than when treated with the non-lidocaine formulation of Juvederm.

That sounds good to me. I'm very fond of using hyaluronic acid fillers due to their versatility and longevity. The only knock on them has been that they are somewhat uncomfortable to have injected. I hope that the new Juvederm XC will make the experience of injectable fillers much more pleasant.

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