Who's Getting Breast Implants? And the Portrait 3D by Axis Three

Last night I was featured in a segment on the local NBC affiliate Channel 4 WDIV in a segment titled Who's Getting Breast Implants? In the segment we meet a patient of mine and you can even see how we've been using the Portrait 3D by Axis Three to help the patients decide what size breast implant to use. To view the streaming video, click here.

Thanks to Sarah Mayberry and Dr. Frank McGeorge for a great segment.

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

Who's Getting Breast Implants? And the Portrait 3D by Axis Three

Last night I was featured in a segment on the local NBC affiliate Channel 4 WDIV in a segment titled Who's Getting Breast Implants? In the segment we meet a patient of mine and you can even see how we've been using the Portrait 3D by Axis Three to help the patients decide what size breast implant to use. To view the streaming video, click here.

Thanks to Sarah Mayberry and Dr. Frank McGeorge for a great segment.

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

Beauty Junkies:

I've been reading this very interesting book by Alex Kuczynski, called Beauty Junkies: Inside our $15 Billion Obsession with Cosmetic Surgery. I'm about halfway through, and have really enjoyed it so far. The writer is a 30-something woman who explores the past, present, and future of cosmetic plastic surgery. So far she has followed a woman on a surgical safari in Africa, chronicled the history of plastic surgery from World War I to today, explored the boom in non-plastic surgeons performing plastic surgery with its sometimes terrifying results, and detailed how the definition of beauty may (or may not) have changed over hundreds of years.

It's a fascinating read for anyone interested in plastic surgery and beauty in general. And no, I'm not one of the many esteemed plastic surgeons quoted in the book.

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

Beauty Junkies:

I've been reading this very interesting book by Alex Kuczynski, called Beauty Junkies: Inside our $15 Billion Obsession with Cosmetic Surgery. I'm about halfway through, and have really enjoyed it so far. The writer is a 30-something woman who explores the past, present, and future of cosmetic plastic surgery. So far she has followed a woman on a surgical safari in Africa, chronicled the history of plastic surgery from World War I to today, explored the boom in non-plastic surgeons performing plastic surgery with its sometimes terrifying results, and detailed how the definition of beauty may (or may not) have changed over hundreds of years.

It's a fascinating read for anyone interested in plastic surgery and beauty in general. And no, I'm not one of the many esteemed plastic surgeons quoted in the book.

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

Botox Gel and Internal Bras? The Future of Plastic Surgery

For all of you who are wondering what the future of plastic surgery has in store, there is a very interesting article on Aol.com written by Lan Nguyen which addresses it. Be on the lookout for Botox gel, nonsurgical fat reduction with ultrasound waves, injecting your own platelet-rich fibrin into your face, and a bra implanted inside your breast. These four products/procedures could dramatically change the field of plastic surgery if proven effective. There are several big-name plastic surgeons quoted in the article, along with little old me.

One big thing that should be added to this article: Stem cells. The future of both medicine and plastic surgery.

Check out the article here.

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

Botox Gel and Internal Bras? The Future of Plastic Surgery

For all of you who are wondering what the future of plastic surgery has in store, there is a very interesting article on Aol.com written by Lan Nguyen which addresses it. Be on the lookout for Botox gel, nonsurgical fat reduction with ultrasound waves, injecting your own platelet-rich fibrin into your face, and a bra implanted inside your breast. These four products/procedures could dramatically change the field of plastic surgery if proven effective. There are several big-name plastic surgeons quoted in the article, along with little old me.

One big thing that should be added to this article: Stem cells. The future of both medicine and plastic surgery.

Check out the article here.

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

Go Gators! An interesting use of "sovereign immunity" in Florida's medical malpractice reform

It's been an awful week or two for medical malpractice reform with state supreme courts in Georgia and Illinois striking down award caps on the vague category of "pain and suffering". (Missouri's supreme court reaffirmed that state's caps this same week ~ Rob)Such caps have been one of the most effective ways of discouraging frivolous or borderline lawsuits as it disincentives such proceedings unless the cases are truly egregious.

Florida has a bill being considered in it's legislature that would extend the concept of "sovereign immunity" to providers in the Emergency Room. Such status makes providers de facto ``agents of the state'', and consequently immune from medical malpractice lawsuits. In that setting the state would administer any successful claim, which would be subject to the sovereign immunity cap of $200,000. To recover more, victims would need to file a claims bill in the Florida Legislature. This turns the malpractice system into more of a no-fault worker's comp type of arrangement.

You can't help but think that would be a more efficient and fair way to administer such claims. Of course, trial lawyers are screaming bloody murder, but keeping them happy is low on society's to-do list (unless you are a Democrat politician accepting their bribes err... campaign contributions). If physicians are going to be involuntarily obligated by hospital credential committees or federal and state licensing issues to provide emergency services, they should at least enjoy some protection from these high risk (for malpractice exposure) duties. Kudos to Florida for experimenting with some real world solutions to tort reform!

Read more at the Miami Herald about this interesting idea.


Rob

Three Stars At 35... How Do They Look?

AOL's Styleline recently included my comments in an article about how three stars look at age 35. Who do you think is aging most gracefully? Kate? Fergie? Eva? See my comments, and the comments of a personal trainer and an image expert here.

Personally, I think Eva looks the best, no question. Her skin is pristine, and she shows almost no typical aging signs that most people exhibit in their third decade of life (crow's feet, facial volume loss, sun damage). It's probably because she hasn't birthed eight children, married a tool like Jon Gosselin, experimented with Meth, or peed her pants on stage.

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

Three Stars At 35... How Do They Look?

AOL's Styleline recently included my comments in an article about how three stars look at age 35. Who do you think is aging most gracefully? Kate? Fergie? Eva? See my comments, and the comments of a personal trainer and an image expert here.

Personally, I think Eva looks the best, no question. Her skin is pristine, and she shows almost no typical aging signs that most people exhibit in their third decade of life (crow's feet, facial volume loss, sun damage). It's probably because she hasn't birthed eight children, married a tool like Jon Gosselin, experimented with Meth, or peed her pants on stage.

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

New conflict of interest (COI) rules could decimate academic plastic surgery

The potential of conflicts (COI) for physicians who accept stipends or consulting fees has led some medical schools to formally prohibit their clinical faculty from accepting such compensation. This movement led to the resignation of a number of distinguished doctors who participate in industry sponsored research, consulting arrangements, and educational events. While not universal among medical schools at this point, this trend is likely to keep some of the best and brightest out of academics. Some consultants and speaks make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to supplement their clinical practice. As academic overhead tends to run high, this opportunity to make alternative income allowed some people to stay in academic surgery who might otherwise leave for pure private practice setups.

Stanford University has now (read here) taken the dramatic step of restricting even volunteer clinical or "adjunct" faculty from this as well. This type of restriction could have a potentially devastating effect on Plastic Surgery training as a number of the most prominent programs in plastic surgery (NYU, University of Texas-Southwestern, Emory, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Michigan, etc...) feature many active and adjunct surgeons whom recieve industry support or give educational seminars. The loss of access to these surgeons for training for real (or imagined) COI would be a big blow to the field. In January, the issue was highlighted in a when Boston doctor and well known Allergist-Immunologist, Dr. Lawrence DuBuske, resigned his Harvard medical school position rather than give up his speaking engagements. DuBuske got almost $99,000 from pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline in three months last year, more than any other doctor in the country.

While most speakers don't score that much in fees, it can add up to a substantial supplement to someone's clinical practice. COI have been managed in recent years by more stringent required disclosures by speakers at meetings and in our medical journals. The FDA has made efforts to remove panel members from hearings with any potential COI from drug and medical device hearings, including the hearings over silicone gel breast implants earlier this decade. The loggerheads with that idea is that many of the experts in these specialized fields inevitably have some COI from funding, speaking fees, stock holdings, or even intellectual property (shared or owned patents). Scott Spears (chief of plastic surgery at Georgetown University) is one of the world's experts on breast implants, but his testimony before the FDA during the hearings on silicone breast implants was attacked by activists trying to prevent the reintroduction of those devices by any means necessary because he is involved with dozens of companies in R&D, educational endeavours, and speaking sessions.

IMO, as long as clear disclosure by physicians is made these COI issues are manageable as long we always maintain some skepticism about what we are told and review data critically.

Rob

Mackenzie Phillips - $50K of injectables and laser treatments

Mackenzie Phillips has recently admitted to undergoing $50,000 of facial fillers, Botox, laser treatments, hair extensions, and dental work. As you can see by the photos, she does look better and not too plastic. But, does she look $50,000 better?

Although I believe Botox is a very good bang for the buck, she may have been better off spending at least some of that $50,000 on actual surgery IF she was looking for a more dramatic result. A nice lower facelift would look great on her, and cost anywhere between $7000-10,000. However, for those people who don't want surgery, then this is about what you can get: A nice, but temporary improvement.

Story/photo credit: huffingtonpost.com

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

Mackenzie Phillips - $50K of injectables and laser treatments

Mackenzie Phillips has recently admitted to undergoing $50,000 of facial fillers, Botox, laser treatments, hair extensions, and dental work. As you can see by the photos, she does look better and not too plastic. But, does she look $50,000 better?

Although I believe Botox is a very good bang for the buck, she may have been better off spending at least some of that $50,000 on actual surgery IF she was looking for a more dramatic result. A nice lower facelift would look great on her, and cost anywhere between $7000-10,000. However, for those people who don't want surgery, then this is about what you can get: A nice, but temporary improvement.

Story/photo credit: huffingtonpost.com

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

Plastic Surgery 101's "Mythbusters" on the health care debate

As a physician, I have a vested interest in following the debate on reinventing the American health care system. Listening to these discussions, I find there is a distinct lack of candor about where the costs are in the system and little insight into where true potential savings are.

• MYTH: Electronic medical records (EMR) will save money

FACT: No one can plausibly explain how any money will be saved. EMR does offer portablility of records, but does nothing to control cost in and of itself. The costs for physicans and hospitals to purchase equipment and pay ongoing subscription and IT costs will be a HUGE burden.
WINNERS: EMR vendors, IT companies, database miners and researchers
LOSERS: productivity of an office
OFF THE RECORD: Why should I be expected to subsidize a national EMR system through my office overhead when it's uncompensated and will surely be used down the road to squeeze providers?

• MYTH: Primary Care Providers (PCP) are the sacred cow in reform and hold the key to holding costs down

FACT: The PCP workforce is under and ill-equiped to treat a mass influx of patients into the system. It will take years to retool the training infrastructure to handle the volume of patients. Massachusetts experiment in universal care for it's citizens has been crippled by an insufficent number of participating PCP MD's.
WINNERS: PCP will be getting a small increase in fees for routine office visits per the federal government at the expense of some specialists (Cardiologists, Radioloists, & GI docs mostly)
LOSERS: specialists physicians
OFF THE RECORD: Medical students will continue to avoid primary care because they percieve it tedious and they realize that nurse practictioners can do 85%+ of what they do for 50 cents on the dollar. It's also intuitive that specialists who work more and have trained 2-3x as long would be expected to earn a good deal more then PCP's.

• MYTH: It's hard to find savings in healthcare!

FACT: There are some big savings in proceduras that could clearly be achieved with little affect on quality of care. Rigidly restricting (thru evidence based indications) the use of knee/shoulder arthroscopy and joint replacement surgery by orthopedists, upper/lower endoscopy by Gastroentreologists, coronary catheterization and stents by Cardiologists, lumbar spine surgery by Neurosurgeons, and the overuse of CT/MRI scans by all of us are the low hanging fruit in cost containment.
WINNERS: whoever's paying the bill (the feds or insurers)
LOSERS: whichever doctor's procedures are restricted and the idea (endorsed by my mother, wife, and many non-thoughtful doctors) that procedure or study "x" should be done "Just to be safe."
OFF THE RECORD: There's no way to make the numbers work without doing these kinds of restrictions. BTW I would not want to be a radiologist who expects to make big bucks in the next few years as they're about to get scalped.

One thing that makes me shake my head is the disconnect in the popular press when they talk about how individual doctor's practices are coping or planning to cope with whatever's coming. My favorite is the young PCP who is featured just out of residency boldly proclaiming things about how they're going to reinvent the doctor patient relationship by their use of technology.


http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_27/b4138034173005.htm


rob

Cynosure Smart Lipo

I went to a fascinating preceptorship/educational course on Cynosure Smart Lipo today, taught by my former residency program director Dr. Steven Ringler. There were 20 other plastic surgeons in attendance from all parts of Southeastern Michigan. Dr. Ringler performed laser-assisted liposuction with the Smart Lipo MPX machine on two patients, and it went very well.

The hottest thing in liposuction surgery right now is laser liposuction. It seems every laser company is coming out with their own laser liposuction machine. The big question is: Are there real benefits of laser liposuction over traditional tumescent liposuction? Proponents will claim that laser liposuction results in less downtime and more skin retraction (tightening). Is that really true? Also, is it safe?

With the recent publicized laser liposuction disaster by an ER doc just a few miles from me, I've been very focused on the safety of laser liposuction. The threat of burns from the laser should be foremost in every plastic surgeon's mind. One thing that I'm really impressed with is the safety mechanism that Cynosure has built into its newest Smart Lipo devices. It would be extremely difficult to burn patients with this machine, and the disaster I mentioned above was with laser liposuction by a different company's device.

One thing is for sure: laser liposuction is hot right now, and will be around for at least the foreseeable future.


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

Cynosure Smart Lipo

I went to a fascinating preceptorship/educational course on Cynosure Smart Lipo today, taught by my former residency program director Dr. Steven Ringler. There were 20 other plastic surgeons in attendance from all parts of Southeastern Michigan. Dr. Ringler performed laser-assisted liposuction with the Smart Lipo MPX machine on two patients, and it went very well.

The hottest thing in liposuction surgery right now is laser liposuction. It seems every laser company is coming out with their own laser liposuction machine. The big question is: Are there real benefits of laser liposuction over traditional tumescent liposuction? Proponents will claim that laser liposuction results in less downtime and more skin retraction (tightening). Is that really true? Also, is it safe?

With the recent publicized laser liposuction disaster by an ER doc just a few miles from me, I've been very focused on the safety of laser liposuction. The threat of burns from the laser should be foremost in every plastic surgeon's mind. One thing that I'm really impressed with is the safety mechanism that Cynosure has built into its newest Smart Lipo devices. It would be extremely difficult to burn patients with this machine, and the disaster I mentioned above was with laser liposuction by a different company's device.

One thing is for sure: laser liposuction is hot right now, and will be around for at least the foreseeable future.


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

10 Stars Under 40 Who've Had Way Too Much Plastic Surgery

The Frisky has a post on 10 stars under 40 who've had way too much plastic surgery. #1 is, you guessed it, that annoying frozen faced Heidi Montag. She really does look pretty freaky. I don't agree with everyone on the list, such as Megan Fox (gorgeous!) or Ashlee Simpson (does anyone think she looked better before her nose job?).

Is there anyone you would add to the list?

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

10 Stars Under 40 Who've Had Way Too Much Plastic Surgery

The Frisky has a post on 10 stars under 40 who've had way too much plastic surgery. #1 is, you guessed it, that annoying frozen faced Heidi Montag. She really does look pretty freaky. I don't agree with everyone on the list, such as Megan Fox (gorgeous!) or Ashlee Simpson (does anyone think she looked better before her nose job?).

Is there anyone you would add to the list?

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

Do You Want to Be on TV?

A national television program has asked me to help them locate someone who may fit any of the following criteria:
- Have you had plastic surgery to look like a particular celebrity?
- Have you had botched buttock implant surgery?
- Have you had botched chin or cheek implant surgery?

- Have you had too much plastic surgery and are interested in a make-Under?

If you fit any of the above criteria and would like to appear on national TV to tell your story, feel free to email me at miplasticsurgeon@yahoo.com.


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

Do You Want to Be on TV?

A national television program has asked me to help them locate someone who may fit any of the following criteria:
- Have you had plastic surgery to look like a particular celebrity?
- Have you had botched buttock implant surgery?
- Have you had botched chin or cheek implant surgery?

- Have you had too much plastic surgery and are interested in a make-Under?

If you fit any of the above criteria and would like to appear on national TV to tell your story, feel free to email me at miplasticsurgeon@yahoo.com.


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

VH1 News Presents: Plastic Surgery Obsession

Premiering this Sunday, March 21st at 10pm ET/PT on VH1 is a new one hour special called Plastic Surgery Obsession. From their website:

VH1 NEWS provides an in-depth look at the new "face" of plastic surgery - featuring fresh interviews with doctors, celebs and pop culture experts.
Some highlights:
Cutting Edge: What are the some of the ever evolving industry's newest procedures and secrets?
Younger Faces: The increase in teen plastic surgery: How young is too young?
The Dark Side: Body Dismorphia, depression, and sometimes even death are just a few of the horrifying dangers involved in looking "amazing."
Plastic Surgery Disasters: Some of Tinseltown's most infamous cosmetic surgery calamities

The VH1 crew was kind enough to include me as one of their doctors (or should I be categorized as a pop culture expert... or both?). Should be a fun show! Set your DVRs!
For more information, click here.

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

VH1 News Presents: Plastic Surgery Obsession

Premiering this Sunday, March 21st at 10pm ET/PT on VH1 is a new one hour special called Plastic Surgery Obsession. From their website:

VH1 NEWS provides an in-depth look at the new "face" of plastic surgery - featuring fresh interviews with doctors, celebs and pop culture experts.
Some highlights:
Cutting Edge: What are the some of the ever evolving industry's newest procedures and secrets?
Younger Faces: The increase in teen plastic surgery: How young is too young?
The Dark Side: Body Dismorphia, depression, and sometimes even death are just a few of the horrifying dangers involved in looking "amazing."
Plastic Surgery Disasters: Some of Tinseltown's most infamous cosmetic surgery calamities

The VH1 crew was kind enough to include me as one of their doctors (or should I be categorized as a pop culture expert... or both?). Should be a fun show! Set your DVRs!
For more information, click here.

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

Julie Bowen - Breast Implants?

Has Modern Family's Julie Bowen had a breast augmentation? By the look of this photo, it appears definitely possible. I remember once reading a magazine article that mentioned her as one of the relatively few Hollywood starlets with smallish breasts. They don't look so small here. If she has implants, they do fit her body well and are not excessively large.

I really like Julie Bowen. I thought she was amazing in Ed. In fact, Ed is probably my favorite show of all time. I was really bummed out when that fine show went off the air a few years ago. There just aren't many funny, feel-good shows like that still around. I miss Ed. I hate hate hate detective dramas!

My favorite TV shows of all time:
1. Ed
2. Seinfeld
3. Lost
4. Survivor
5. The Rachael Ray Show and Dr. 90210 (for obvious reasons)

To view streaming video of a local NBC segment I did on 3D breast augmentation imaging, click here.

Photo credit: hollywoodtuna.com

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

Share |

Julie Bowen - Breast Implants?

Has Modern Family's Julie Bowen had a breast augmentation? By the look of this photo, it appears definitely possible. I remember once reading a magazine article that mentioned her as one of the relatively few Hollywood starlets with smallish breasts. They don't look so small here. If she has implants, they do fit her body well and are not excessively large.

I really like Julie Bowen. I thought she was amazing in Ed. In fact, Ed is probably my favorite show of all time. I was really bummed out when that fine show went off the air a few years ago. There just aren't many funny, feel-good shows like that still around. I miss Ed. I hate hate hate detective dramas!

My favorite TV shows of all time:
1. Ed
2. Seinfeld
3. Lost
4. Survivor
5. The Rachael Ray Show and Dr. 90210 (for obvious reasons)

To view streaming video of a local NBC segment I did on 3D breast augmentation imaging, click here.

Photo credit: hollywoodtuna.com

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

Share |

Dr. Richard Hainer - Rochester, Michigan Plastic Surgeon

Every so often I post on a plastic surgeon whom I know and can vouch for. In the past, I've posted on such surgeons as Dr. Terry Higgins and Dr. Steven Svehlak, both great friends of mine and fantastic plastic surgeons. Dr. Richard Hainer is also a part of that group.

When I arrived back to Michigan from L.A., Dr. Hainer was one of the only plastic surgeons who welcomed me to the area. Even with the competitive cosmetic surgery climate he took it upon himself to offer me whatever assistance he could provide. I have come to know him as a fine surgeon and a good friend. In fact, we often exchange information on the latest techniques in plastic surgery and how we can improve our surgical results. One surgery which he described to me is the Hybrid Breast Lift/Reduction, which combines traditional U.S. techniques with European techniques for a nicer breast shape. I've found that this technique has significantly improved my own breast lift results. Unlike myself, he also performs reconstructive breast surgery, labiaplasty, and hand surgery, all with an eye for detail and achieving optimal results. I don't vouch for a lot of surgeons, but Dr. Hainer is one I do vouch for. His office is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, just a handful of miles from mine.

For his website click here, for his blog click here.

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

Dr. Richard Hainer - Rochester, Michigan Plastic Surgeon

Every so often I post on a plastic surgeon whom I know and can vouch for. In the past, I've posted on such surgeons as Dr. Terry Higgins and Dr. Steven Svehlak, both great friends of mine and fantastic plastic surgeons. Dr. Richard Hainer is also a part of that group.

When I arrived back to Michigan from L.A., Dr. Hainer was one of the only plastic surgeons who welcomed me to the area. Even with the competitive cosmetic surgery climate he took it upon himself to offer me whatever assistance he could provide. I have come to know him as a fine surgeon and a good friend. In fact, we often exchange information on the latest techniques in plastic surgery and how we can improve our surgical results. One surgery which he described to me is the Hybrid Breast Lift/Reduction, which combines traditional U.S. techniques with European techniques for a nicer breast shape. I've found that this technique has significantly improved my own breast lift results. Unlike myself, he also performs reconstructive breast surgery, labiaplasty, and hand surgery, all with an eye for detail and achieving optimal results. I don't vouch for a lot of surgeons, but Dr. Hainer is one I do vouch for. His office is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, just a handful of miles from mine.

For his website click here, for his blog click here.

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

Plastic Surgical Procedures Down 17% in 2009 Due to Recession

According to a survey released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, plastic surgery operations were down 17% last year due to the recession. Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, like Botox, increased by 0.6%, with a total of 10 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed last year. For the third year in a row, breast augmentation was the most common plastic surgery performed, with over 300,000 pairs of breasts enhanced last year. Botox injections were the most common nonsurgical procedure, with over 2.5 million Botox treatments performed last year.

These numbers are not surprising to me. Last year was definitely a tough one on plastic surgeons' wallets (although no one should cry for us!!), as most plastic surgeons saw a considerable decline in their practice revenues. This was most apparent in areas like my part of the country, where the crashing U.S. auto industry sent shock waves through the region with hundreds of thousands of auto-related jobs lost. This year has begun much better than last, however, so I bet this downward trend will be reversed next year. I'm pleasantly surprised at how many people still want plastic surgery in this economy!

For more ASAPS stats, click here.




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

Plastic Surgical Procedures Down 17% in 2009 Due to Recession

According to a survey released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, plastic surgery operations were down 17% last year due to the recession. Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, like Botox, increased by 0.6%, with a total of 10 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed last year. For the third year in a row, breast augmentation was the most common plastic surgery performed, with over 300,000 pairs of breasts enhanced last year. Botox injections were the most common nonsurgical procedure, with over 2.5 million Botox treatments performed last year.

These numbers are not surprising to me. Last year was definitely a tough one on plastic surgeons' wallets (although no one should cry for us!!), as most plastic surgeons saw a considerable decline in their practice revenues. This was most apparent in areas like my part of the country, where the crashing U.S. auto industry sent shock waves through the region with hundreds of thousands of auto-related jobs lost. This year has begun much better than last, however, so I bet this downward trend will be reversed next year. I'm pleasantly surprised at how many people still want plastic surgery in this economy!

For more ASAPS stats, click here.




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

"Caulk" Butt Enhancements Hospitalize Six in New Jersey

According to an article on CBS News.com, six New Jersey women were recently hospitalized after receiving buttock injections with silicone used to caulk bathtubs. These treatments were apparently performed by "unlicensed providers."

Seriously?!?!?!?!

A tip for anyone considering injections into your buttocks: Do not allow anyone to inject anything except your own fat into your behind. Anything else is likely to either not work or cause some major problems (think of turning your buttocks into a big vat of cottage cheese). If you do have someone inject fat into your buttocks, make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Photo credit: CBS News

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

"Caulk" Butt Enhancements Hospitalize Six in New Jersey

According to an article on CBS News.com, six New Jersey women were recently hospitalized after receiving buttock injections with silicone used to caulk bathtubs. These treatments were apparently performed by "unlicensed providers."

Seriously?!?!?!?!

A tip for anyone considering injections into your buttocks: Do not allow anyone to inject anything except your own fat into your behind. Anything else is likely to either not work or cause some major problems (think of turning your buttocks into a big vat of cottage cheese). If you do have someone inject fat into your buttocks, make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Photo credit: CBS News

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

Sandra Bullock - Congrats!

I enjoyed watching the Oscars last night. Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock looked great. I thought her performance in The Blind Side was excellent. Great movie. Great acceptance speech too.

My brother was once an extra on one of her early movies While You Were Sleeping. He had the pleasure of briefly meeting her and said she was very friendly and down-to-earth. It's great to see such a nice person win.

I don't think Sandra's had any plastic surgery.

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

Sandra Bullock - Congrats!

I enjoyed watching the Oscars last night. Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock looked great. I thought her performance in The Blind Side was excellent. Great movie. Great acceptance speech too.

My brother was once an extra on one of her early movies While You Were Sleeping. He had the pleasure of briefly meeting her and said she was very friendly and down-to-earth. It's great to see such a nice person win.

I don't think Sandra's had any plastic surgery.

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

Instant Dimples - The Newest Fad Surgery?

There is an interesting article on MSNBC.com that focuses on a fringe plastic surgery procedure: dimple creation. Yes, there is a surgery to create dimples, and it works pretty well. Contrary to popular belief, it's not a new procedure, as plastic surgeons have been performing it for years. According to the article, the procedure costs between $2000-$5000. A quote from a doctor I know well:

Dr. Ellenbogen, who says he’s been performing dimple-plasties for 30 years, says it’s not a particularly common request.
“I get maybe four requests a year and three of the four I talk out if it because they’re doing it for the wrong reason,” he says.

The procedure basically entails making an incision through the inside of the cheek (in the mouth) and using a suture to connect the skin with a deep muscle in the cheek. This creates scar tissue which will cause the skin to indent when smiling, hence creating a dimple. I've had a few requests for this procedure over the years, but it really is pretty darn uncommon.

I was never really big into dimples until my daughter was born with one.

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

Instant Dimples - The Newest Fad Surgery?

There is an interesting article on MSNBC.com that focuses on a fringe plastic surgery procedure: dimple creation. Yes, there is a surgery to create dimples, and it works pretty well. Contrary to popular belief, it's not a new procedure, as plastic surgeons have been performing it for years. According to the article, the procedure costs between $2000-$5000. A quote from a doctor I know well:

Dr. Ellenbogen, who says he’s been performing dimple-plasties for 30 years, says it’s not a particularly common request.
“I get maybe four requests a year and three of the four I talk out if it because they’re doing it for the wrong reason,” he says.

The procedure basically entails making an incision through the inside of the cheek (in the mouth) and using a suture to connect the skin with a deep muscle in the cheek. This creates scar tissue which will cause the skin to indent when smiling, hence creating a dimple. I've had a few requests for this procedure over the years, but it really is pretty darn uncommon.

I was never really big into dimples until my daughter was born with one.

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

An Internal Bra for Breast Lifts?

Physicians overseas have begun using various types of internal bras to help with breast lift surgery. One of the most frustrating things about performing a breast lift is that no matter how high a surgeon may lift a breast, gravity always takes hold and eventually causes that breast to droop once again. Because the only thing that keeps a lifted breast from drooping is the quality of the skin and breast tissue, it's inevitable that every lifted breast will gradually sag with time, especially if implants are involved.

Knowing this, plastic surgeons in Europe and South Africa are working on implantable internal bras to help prevent breasts from sagging after breast lifts. The devices are similar to the mesh used to prevent hernias from recurring, and basically act as a hammock for the breast. These products do have some merit, in my opinion, but unfortunately it's going to be quite some time before we see them in the States.

For more information, check out the following article from the NY Daily News.

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

An Internal Bra for Breast Lifts?

Physicians overseas have begun using various types of internal bras to help with breast lift surgery. One of the most frustrating things about performing a breast lift is that no matter how high a surgeon may lift a breast, gravity always takes hold and eventually causes that breast to droop once again. Because the only thing that keeps a lifted breast from drooping is the quality of the skin and breast tissue, it's inevitable that every lifted breast will gradually sag with time, especially if implants are involved.

Knowing this, plastic surgeons in Europe and South Africa are working on implantable internal bras to help prevent breasts from sagging after breast lifts. The devices are similar to the mesh used to prevent hernias from recurring, and basically act as a hammock for the breast. These products do have some merit, in my opinion, but unfortunately it's going to be quite some time before we see them in the States.

For more information, check out the following article from the NY Daily News.

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

Dr. Youn on Fox 2 Detroit This Morning

I had the pleasure of doing The Doctor Is In segment on the local Detroit Fox affiliate this morning. It was a fun experience, and definitely different from all my other television segments. During the hour I spent in the studio I answered many email questions from viewers, stopping several times to do on-air interviews. I must admit that at times I wasn't sure whether to look at the camera or go back to answering email questions! Above is the long segment interview at the end of the program. Take a peek at the before-and-after of my patient and her unfortunate story...

Thanks to Deena Centofanti and everyone at Fox 2 Detroit for their hospitality.

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

Dr. Youn on Fox 2 Detroit This Morning

I had the pleasure of doing The Doctor Is In segment on the local Detroit Fox affiliate this morning. It was a fun experience, and definitely different from all my other television segments. During the hour I spent in the studio I answered many email questions from viewers, stopping several times to do on-air interviews. I must admit that at times I wasn't sure whether to look at the camera or go back to answering email questions! Above is the long segment interview at the end of the program. Take a peek at the before-and-after of my patient and her unfortunate story...

Thanks to Deena Centofanti and everyone at Fox 2 Detroit for their hospitality.

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

Megan Fox - Nose Job?

Has Megan Fox had plastic surgery? We'd like to think that beauty like hers is so amazing that it must be at least somewhat artificial! The photos above are of Megan Fox today and from high school (courtesy of Gather.com). Some allege that she's had a nose job. I'd have to agree. Her nose appears to now be a bit thinner, likely from a very well-performed rhinoplasty.

One thing I realized during my time as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is that more actors and actresses than we realize have had a rhinoplasty. Julia Roberts? Michelle Pfeiffer? Ryan Seacrest? Yup. Think so.

Rhinoplasty or not, Megan Fox is stunning.

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

Share |

Megan Fox - Nose Job?

Has Megan Fox had plastic surgery? We'd like to think that beauty like hers is so amazing that it must be at least somewhat artificial! The photos above are of Megan Fox today and from high school (courtesy of Gather.com). Some allege that she's had a nose job. I'd have to agree. Her nose appears to now be a bit thinner, likely from a very well-performed rhinoplasty.

One thing I realized during my time as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is that more actors and actresses than we realize have had a rhinoplasty. Julia Roberts? Michelle Pfeiffer? Ryan Seacrest? Yup. Think so.

Rhinoplasty or not, Megan Fox is stunning.

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

Share |

Breast Implant bombs - Can you weaponize an implant? Unfortunately yes.

I saw a story today which touched on something I'd been thinking about for years. Apparently Islamic terrorists have been working on a way of turning a breast implant into a way to smuggle explosive liquids onto airliners. While that may sound like a joke headline from The Onion, it's really a scarry idea.

From relatively simple and innocuous ingredients, a highly explosive liquid can be produced.

This link to a BBC story demonstrates the devastating effect on a plane fuselage that such a liquid explosive could have:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7536167.stm

I'm not exactly sure how you would trigger it, but presumable you could stab into the implant with a wire or pin and wire it to a celphone or battery (this type of liquid material can be ingnited with an electic charge)