The Botox Wars Have Begun!

Botox, botulinum toxin type A, the reigning heavy weight champion and the worldwide leader among neuromuscular blocking agents, it’s about to meet its’ first challenger. Dysport, similar to Botox, was just recently approved by the FDA. Should you get Dysport instead of Botox? Dr. Bruck will give you the answers. They will also show you how to turn back the clock using Dysport, Botox and the newest fillers without surgery. Learn how these can restore lost volume, define facial contours, strengthen the jaw line and create a more youthful, rested appearance. Once wrinkles, folds and volume are addressed, advanced lasers can target your skin correcting laxity, sun damage and wrinkles on both the face and neck. Discover what to expect and how long the treatments last.

Don’t miss the live demonstration and win a free Botox treatment in our raffle. Seating is Limited

Juva Chats
October 13, 2009
6:00 pm until 8:00 pm

Lectures are free, but pre-registration is mandatory.
You can enroll in person or by calling 212-688-JUVA.

A Guide to Otoplasty

Regardless of age, having enlarged or misshaped ears can have a negative effect on an individual’s self-esteem. Typically this procedure can be performed from ages 5 and up, once the ears have reached full maturity.

Otoplasty was first developed by Sushruta, a physician often regarded as the “father of surgery”. He lived in ancient India circa 600 BC, which he first described in his text Susrutha Samhita. He and his later students and disciples used otoplasty to reconstruct ears that were amputated as a punishment for crimes. The techniques of otoplasty he developed form the basis of surgical procedures that are practiced to this day. This knowledge of plastic surgery existed in India up to the late 18th century.

It is important to realize that otoplasty surgery will not affect hearing ability in any way, it is purely an aesthetic procedure. Otoplasty can take many forms, such as bringing the ears closer to the head (often called ear pinning), reducing the size of very big ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other reconstructive procedures deal with the deformed, or abscent-microtic ears. Otoplasty surgery can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding, or removing structural ear elements.

If you would like information on Otoplasty or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

Minorities Continue to Adopt Cosmetic Surgery

The longer that plastic surgery is around, the deeper it becomes embedded in our culture. And one of the fastest growing adopters of cosmetic surgery procedures are ethnic groups. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that in 2004, well over 1 million procedures were performed on minorities in the US, with Hispanics being the leading group, followed by African American’s and Asians.

Also of note, in a survey a year later, in 2005, it was revealed that the majority of of plastic surgery procedures was actually performed on the middle-class income bracket. The full breakdown is below:

• 30% with an income level of $30,000 or less
  
• 41% at $31,000 to $60,000
  
• 16% at $61,000 to $90,000
  
• 13% at $90,000 or more

It’s great to see, with all the changes happening on the social level across the country, that the plastic surgery industry is continually evolving and helping to meet the needs of Americans everywhere!

Protect Yourself: Find a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning consumers against undergoing cosmetic surgery by unlicensed providers.

An article in the May 2nd issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report details the cases of three women in North Carolina who developed kidney failure after they received soft-tissue filler injections in their buttocks of what they were told was liquid silicone. The women received the injections from an unlicensed provider at a single facility.

In December 2007, the North Carolina Division of Public Health was notified of the three kidney (renal) failure cases. All of the injections were administered by an unlicensed provider, whose only medical training was as a radiology or x-ray technician. Investigators were not able to definitively identify the substances injected, but records indicated that the injections contained liquid silicone.

Potentially fatal, acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working, The kidneys are charged with removing waste products and helping to balance water and salt, as well as other minerals known as electrolytes, in the blood. When your kidneys stop working, waste products, fluids and electrolytes build up, causing potentially fatal problems.

According to records, the women all had large volumes of silicone oil and saline injected in their buttocks. Renal failure has not previously been linked to silicone injections, but since the contents of the syringes were not verified, it is unknown whether silicone oil or another substance in the injections caused the problem. All three women recovered. The practitioner was arrested and charged with practicing medicine without a license.

“These findings underscore the risks posed by cosmetic injections administered by unlicensed practitioners,” the researchers write.

The bottom line is that soft-tissue filler injections should be administered only by licensed providers with appropriate medical training, the CDC warns.

Think it can’t happen to you? Think again. Any person can claim to be a plastic surgeon. Safeguard yourself by doing the right research and asking the right questions before you choose a plastic surgeon or procedure.

Sources:

CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 2, 2008; vol 57: pp 453-456.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website. “Credentials: How to Check”

Plastic Surgery Stats for 2008

In 2008 alone, there was over 10 million plastic surgery procedures recorded by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).  Of those procedures the top 5 surgeries performed were:

1. Breast augmentation
2. Liposuction
3. Eyelid surgery
4. Nose job
5. Tummy tuck

Most likely due to the economic recession, the total number of procedures performed decreased from 2007 nearly 12%.  With the economy on the upswing, the number of cosmetic procedures should begin to increase over the next year.

Below are the surgery numbers for the top 5 procedures performed last year:

Breast augmentation – 355,671
Liposuction – 341,144
Eyelid surgery – 195,104
Nose job – 152,464
Tummy tuck – 147,392

Is it Time for a Brow Lift?

In the past decade, the brow lift procedure has dramatically increased in popularity.  In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported hat over 50,000 brow lift procedures were performed in 2005 alone.  Why is it so popular?  The position of the brow affects how others perceive us.  A brow that has fallen can make someone look angry or sad as well as tired looking and old. A brow elevated to the appropriate position “opens-up” the eyes making the patient look youthful and energized with a positive outlook.  A well-positioned brow enhances the beauty of the upper eyelids.  Often times when patients think that they need upper eyelid surgery, what  they really need is a brow lift. Finally, a brow lift can diminish the prominence of forehead line and creases.

In many cases the brow lift is performed in combination with other procedures such as:

• Eyelid surgery
• Fat transfers
• Facelifts
• Facial laser rejuvenation procedures

The most popular age range for this surgery is 40-70, however younger individuals have also taken advantage of the procedure if he or she is experiencing early aging signs.

How it Works
Most brow lifts are performed though several  small  incisions, about an inch long, hidden in the scalp.  This can be done with or without an endoscope. While there are still some patients who require an “open technique” with a long incision in the scalp ,this is not necessary for most patients.  When the degree of elevation required is minimal, the procedure can be performed through a well -concealed incision made in the upper eyelid crease under local anesthesia.

Celebrity Makeovers

From the movies to television, celebrities have not only been at the forefront of plastic surgery innovation, they are also the leading models that patients look to for their own bodies.

In a recent survey at the 2008 meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Chicago revealed that nearly half of their polled surgeons met with patients – wanting to look like their favorite celebrities.

It is helpful for physicians to have photos or images prior to the surgery, however it is important to have realistic expectations of the procedure’s results.  Every individual has a different body makeup, the key for any cosmetic alteration is to fully understand the process, along with the risks and rewards.

Your Beauty Bailout Plan: How Cosmetic Enhancement Can Make You Rich!

Okay, now that I’ve got your attention — let me explain…

What do top ranked tennis pro Maria Sharapova, supermodel Tyra Banks and Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady all have in common — aside from talent? It is estimated that each of them earns over 10 million dollars of additional income from their sponsors simply because they are attractive! In football for instance, it is estimated that good–looking quarterbacks command approximately $300,000 more income than their less attractive counterparts!

But it’s not just celebrities who need to look good to succeed. Studies have shown time and again that physical appearance has a significant impact upon performance reviews and earned income in corporate America too! The ugly truth is, in a competitive market, the deciding factor between people of equal qualifications landing a job or getting a promotion may come down to which of the candidates is better looking. A recent study in the Journal of Economic Psychology concluded that beautiful people earn an average of up to 12% more than those with similar qualifications but who were judged unattractive. Likewise, it has been shown that obese women earn between 9% and 17% less than their svelte counterparts!

The trend to financially compensate people for their beauty crosses all occupational sectors including law, advertising, sports and education. Yale economist Daniel Hammermesh and Jeff Biddle report “People sort into occupations where beauty is likely to be more productive, but the impact of individuals’ looks on their earnings is mostly independent of occupation.” Over the course of a decade, Jeff Biddle studied the correlation
between an attorney’s appearance and income. He concluded “better looking attorneys earned more after five years of practice than their worse looking classmates.” Additional studies reveal that advertising firms display a startling correlation between good looking executives and correspondingly higher revenues and faster growth.

During times of economic downturn, we all need to make the most of what we’ve got — and where necessary, re-invent and re-brand ourselves to maximize our chances for success – both professionally and socially. Why do you think celebrities are such big fans of facelifts, tummy tucks and liposuction? They know that if they don’t look their very best, their livelihood is literally at stake!

So what can you do to maximize your appearance — and potentially, your income?

• Make certain that your hair is cut, colored and styled in the most flattering and
contemporary way. No stray grays!
• Freshen up your look. Take advantage of fashion consultants and personal
shoppers at major department stores and boutiques and incorporate the latest
trends into your wardrobe. Captivate your audience!
• Consider whether plastic surgery and/or certain cosmetic procedures could help to improve your appearance and self-esteem.

Things like pesky saddlebags, sagging skin, excessive wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes and acne scars can be simply and cost-effectively addressed with procedures like SmartLipo, Botox (and other Fillers) and simple laser treatments.

According to Malcom Gladwell, author of Blink, a person’s mind “takes about two seconds to jump to a series of conclusions” about another person. Two seconds of beauty has a big reward: a whopping 15% more earning power!

To find out how you can earn 15% — and look better to boot — please schedule a consultation with me right away. I’d be happy to discuss your questions and concerns about any problem areas you would like to correct — or any plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures you may be contemplating. Let’s think of it as your Beauty Bailout Plan for 2009 and beyond!

Extreme Toddler Makeovers (satire)

Does your baby have a little too much of that pesky baby fat around the middle?
Maybe her thighs are a bit too chubby to fit in her skinny jeans?
Maybe he shows some early signs of developing the dread “man boobs”…

Check out the herculean effort this “very caring” mom is making to get her “physically imperfect”
toddler back to “normal…”

I hope this gave you a good laugh!

(And to think, we plastic surgeons are sometimes accused of taking ourselves too seriously…)