The Toronto-based study collected “before” and “after” pictures of a total of 53 patients who had undergone rhinoplasty procedures at a private clinic. 50 research volunteers were then recruited to independently estimate the patient ages, which ranged from 15 to 61.

The study was designed so that half of the research subjects were shown the “before” pictures first, while the other half were shown the “after” pictures first. A month later the volunteers were brought back in to rate the corresponding other half of the pictures.

On average, patients appeared to be 1.5 years younger following surgery. The results also suggested that the older a patient was prior to surgery, the young they appeared post-surgery. However, researchers did point out that the difference between age groups was not statistically significant.

Additionally, the degree of rhinoplasty also seemed to have an impact on age estimates. Patients who received a reduction in their dorsal hump (the convex shape to the bridge of the nose) and patients with a greater degree of nasal tip rotation appeared younger in their after pictures than other patients.

While the overall impact nose surgery may have on creating a youthful appearance may not be as dramatic as a face lift of neck lift, it does appear to be a surprising additional advantage to rhinoplasty.

“This is the first study to demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in apparent age after rhinoplasty,” the doctors concluded. “This decrease in apparent age is an extra positive benefit of rhinoplasty, in addition to an increase in the harmony of facial features and the improvement of overall facial aesthetics.”

Learn more about nose surgery in South Florida.

Source: LA Times

South Florida’s “Ultimate Makeover Project” inaugural season has come to a close. The project that kicked off in early May 2011, enlisted the help of a choice 10-member team of South Florida physicians and professionals sharing a common goal: to provide pro-bono makeovers to the less fortunate, and to raise awareness and money for select charities in the community.

Three women were selected for the project: Madai Parra, a mother of three who has wanted a tummy tuck for nearly 10 years; Tanya Jones, who has been wearing glasses and contacts since she was eight, and Diana Liu, a brain and lung cancer survivor who’s teeth were ruined during radiation and chemotherapy.

Fast forward five months and all three women are thrilled with the results. Parra, previously a size 12, is now a size 8 through surgery and dieting. Jones no longer has to wear glasses or contacts and is now able to drive at night with the help of Lasik surgery. And finally, Liu has a brand new smile after receiving full cosmetic surgery.

The selected candidates were nominated by local charities and were either uninsured or underinsured, and fell below the 200% Federal Poverty Level. Participation in this project was voluntary and all chosen candidates were extensively screened, counseled and evaluated by health care professionals before being selected for their cosmetic procedure.

The project, which focuses on deserving South Floridian women, will continue to select yearly candidates for cosmetic surgery at no cost.

Members of the Ultimate Makeover Team include: Dr. David Levens, Plastic Surgeon; Dr. Charles Nottingham, Cosmetic Dentist; Dr. Randy Burks, LASIK and Eye Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon; Dr. Jay Singer, Orthodontist; Dr. Nicholas DeTure, Periodontist; Dr. Mark Scheinberg, Cosmetic Gynecologist; Rob Samson, Personal Trainer; Alex Nottingham, J.D., M.B.A., Consultant & Coach and Dr. Amber Stirlen and Licensed Psychologist.

For more information, call Dr. Levens at 954-752-1020 or visit ultimatemakeovers.org.

Bride by For_Anise, on Flickr

Getting ready for the big day can be a very stressful planning process for many brides-to-be. While most brides are scrutinizing over invitations, bridesmaid dresses and last minute workouts, other brides are adding liposuction or rhinoplasty to their pre-wedding to-do list. According to a recent story which aired on Good Morning America, bridalplasty is the newest trend to hit the bridal circuit.

According to Dr. Tenley Lawton, a board-certified plastic surgeon in California, brides-to-be are frequent customers at her clinic. While some are just seeking Botox injections, others are spending up to $15,000 on cosmetic procedures.

“It’s a whole lot of money… We want to make sure the patient is doing this for the right reasons. They’re doing this for themselves, not just for their fiancés or any other motive,”Dr. Lawton recently said on GMA.

Linsey Ray, a prior patient of Dr. Lawton’s sought out plastic surgery to improve her looks before saying ‘I do’ at her wedding. Ray, who had a long history of struggling with her weight, was able to shed pounds prior to her wedding through a healthy diet and exercise plan, but was self-conscious about the excess skin that was left behind.

“I know it sounds crazy but… it is the worst thing in the world to literally wear three tank tops to hold all your suction in, everything and so it’s worth it for me,” she said.

Ray said the pain after surgery was very uncomfortable, but she has no regrets. “I feel like everything just fits the inside now. The inside matches the outside package… I just want my day to be like… That was my special day and I got to get to feel like a princess,” she told GMA.

If you’re considering rhinoplasty, Botox injections or other cosmetic procedures to be picture-perfect on your wedding day, make sure to plan ahead. As rule, it’s best to schedule your consultation 2-3 months prior to your ideal scheduled surgery. You’ll also want to plan for your recovery period. Some procedures require almost no down time, while others like a tummy tuck, may take a couple of weeks.

Learn more about rhinoplasty and other cosmetic procedures.

Sources: ABC News

First and foremost, avoid taking hot showers during the winter months. According to Dr. Neil Sadick, clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, hot showers can stimulate further dehydration of your skin. Winter air already contains less moisture than other seasons, so it’s important to protect your skin’s natural oils. Also, avoid body soaps that contain detergents because these can also diminish protective skin oils.

In addition to changing your daily shower routine, you may want to reassess your daily skin care regimen. Not all products are necessarily made to be used year round. Cleansers and exfoliators for example, should be milder in the winter than in the summer, while moisturizer should be a richer to protect your skin during winter weather. Also, don’t forget that daily sunblock application is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

Hydration is important to the health of your skin year round, but don’t assume drinking liquids in excess will help your dry skin, according to Dr. Alicia Zalka, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale. If your skin is already very dry, these extra liquids may just evaporate instead of retaining moisture within the skin. It’s essential that you moisturize the outer layer of your skin so that you can retain moisture underneath the skin’s outer layer.

Finally, try your best to avoid consuming liquids that are known to dehydrate the skin.  Alcoholic drinks as well as caffeinated beverages are especially damaging during dry winter months.  These beverages should be consumed in moderation or eliminated altogether in order to reduce dry skin.

Learn more about skin care treatments in Coral Springs.

Source: USA Today

Allergan breast implant devices have been successfully on the market for almost 50 years. The products are available in over 60 countries and are subjected to rigorous national and international quality control standards and practices.

Among the many products manufactured by Allergan every year, silicone gel-filled breast implants are by far the most favored among both patients and surgeons. The gel-filled implants have been placed in more than 1 million women worldwide.

As a result of hundreds of thousands of clinical trials, peer-reviewed journals and published reports, silicone gel-filled breast implants have become one the most studied devices in the world. Allergan’s gel-filled implants specifically, have set themselves apart from various competitors due to their more cohesive silicone gel and their stronger outer shells.

A recent report published by the U.S. FDA has again confirmed the safety and effectiveness of silicone breast implants when used as intended, however, it is important for patients to recognize that breast implants are not made for lifelong use. Patients at some point in their lives may require a removal and replacement. Breast implants should be monitored regularly by a physician.

Allergan is committed to excellence and continues to set the industry standard for breast implant manufacturing with their strong adherence to the most stringent of safety and quality standards.

Learn more about gel-filled breast implants in Coral Springs.

Source: News-Medical.net

“The removal of a breast has implications for the psychological, social and sexual well-being of the patient, establishing the need that reconstruction should be offered,” says Marissa Howard-McNatt, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at Wake Forest Baptist. “However, little is known about rates of reconstruction in elderly women after breast cancer.”

Breast cancer rates continue to rise and 48 percent of all cases affect women over the age of 65. This population, however, is much less inclined to elect breast reconstruction after mastectomy when compared to their younger counterparts. As a result, less has been known regarding the safety of this procedure in older women.

Research lead by Howard-McNatt and colleges sought to establish the safety and tolerability of breast reconstruction in older patients. The team of researchers compiled data from 89 cases of women over the age of 60 who elected breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

The results were positive, showing that breast reconstruction in older women was a safe and well tolerated option, even if older women are less likely to elect surgery than younger age groups.

According to Howard-McNatt, breast reconstruction can significantly increase life expectancy in these patients. “Generally, breast cancer in the elderly is less aggressive than in younger patients. Life expectancy can still be substantial – 16 years for a 70-year-old and greater than six years for an otherwise healthy 80-year-old.”

The number of women over the age of 65 is expected to double over the next 40 years and the rates of breast reconstruction after mastectomy is anticipated to increase as average life expectancies do.

Find out more about breast reconstruction in South Florida.

Source: Health Day News

According to the most recent issue of

Breast reduction surgery also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure utilized to eliminate excess fat, tissue and skin in the breast area. It is recognized in the plastic surgery industry as one of the most commonly performed procedures in women of all ages. The most common reasons for breast reduction surgery range from cosmetic to pain management.

Often women choose to undergo breast reduction as a means of alleviating uncomfortable symptoms related to having a large chest such as shoulder, back or neck pain, poor posture and bra strap compression.

New research lead by surgeon Michele A. Shermack and colleges at the John Hopkins Medical Intuitions, Baltimore, suggests that the changes in hormone levels of women over the age of 50 may be responsible for increased surgical complications after breast reduction.

The team of researchers compiled data from 1,192 women undergoing breast reduction over the past 10 years. The patient data was then categorized into three different age groups: under 40, 40 to 50 and over 50.

According to the results, women 50 years of age and older had a higher risk of complications, especially infections, after undergoing breast reduction surgery. In comparison to women under the age of 40, the over 50 age group was 2.7 times more likely to develop an infection.

Results also suggested that the 50 and older group was most susceptible to wound healing problems, which in turn lead to higher rates of repeat surgeries in order to remove additional dead skin. While interesting, this trend was not statistically significant.

Reduced Hormone Levels May Contribute to Higher Infection Risk After Breast Reduction Surgery

Dr. Shermack and colleagues also noticed a trend towards increased infection in the 40 to 50 age group which lead them to speculate that increased rates of infection after breast reduction surgery may be the result of declining hormone levels in women over the age of 50.

In addition, women who were using hormone-replacement therapy appeared to have a decreased risk of infection, while women who previously had undergone a hysterectomy or oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries) appeared to have higher risk.

The results of this study suggest that it is important for plastic surgeons to factor in age when assessing the overall surgical risk of complication following breast reduction surgery. According to Dr. Shermack, it also suggests that “”hormone replacement therapy may be worth considering in this group of patients.”

Learn more about breast reduction surgery in Coral Springs.

Like botulinum toxin (Botox) and other fillers, chemical peels remain one of the most popular wrinkle reduction tools because they are inexpensive, easy to perform and achieve significant results, according to Marina Landau, M.D., Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Herzliya Pituach, Israel.

But unlike other popular procedures, chemical peels not only reduce wrinkles, they can also significantly improve other facial imperfections including uneven skin pigmentation, textural skin changes and deeply embedded wrinkles. Chemical peels are also better at treating all over facial wrinkles than Botox and other fillers because they require less upkeep and the results can last for several years  says Dr. Landau.

The types of chemical peels differ based on how deeply the chemical penetrates and what type of chemical solution is used. Phenol-based peels in particular, are the most powerful of chemical peels. They often yield drastic results, but if performed incorrectly, can result in severe burning.

“You have to be able to recognize and critically observe the real-time changes seen on the surface of the skin during the peeling procedure, such as blanching, edema and erythema, as these are crucial in determining how deep the peel went,” says Jean-Luc Vigneron, M.D., director of Villabianca Dermatologie Esthétique, Saint Paul de Vence, France.

While deeper phenol-based peels offer more dramatic results, they also present more significant consequences such as substantial pain, and prolonged healing time. Phenol peels typically require 10 days of healing and the skin may retain a red appearance for up to three months.

Trichloroacetic acid, glycolic and salicylic peels present less risk and work to treat various cosmetic problems such as acne, acne scarring and scar tissue. A combination of peels is often recommended to achieve ideal results for specific indications.

The cosmetic benefits of chemical peels can often outweigh the risks, but it is important to discuss your expectations with a plastic surgeon to achieve optimal results. Learn more about chemical peels in Coral Springs.

Sources: Modern Medicine

Redundant skin is a common problem for people who lose weight in a short amount of time. Loose skin causes irritation, issues with the fit of clothing and cosmetic concerns.

Olivia Ward lost 129 pounds on the program, and turned to Dr. Jennifer Walden for body contouring with a tummy tuck and breast lift.

In this KXAN news segment, Dr. Walden talks about the procedures and how they worked to address the problems faced by the contestant.

She says she performed a tummy tuck and breast lift to complete Ward’s transformation, removing the redundant skin and soft tissue. During the tummy tuck, the doctor lifts up the abdominal skin, removes the apron of extra skin and then tightens the stretched abdominal muscles. To address deflation and loose skin in the breasts, she performed a breast lift.

Body contouring after weight loss is “a reconstructive surgery” Dr. Walden explains.

Read more about body contouring in Coral Springs.

The increased complication rate in older women likely reflects age-related changes in hormone levels, according to the new research by ASPS Member Surgeon Michele A. Shermak, MD, and colleagues of The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.

The authors evaluated 1,192 cases of women undergoing breast reduction surgery during a ten-year period (1999 to 2009).

They assessed rates and types of complications in three different age groups:

• Under 40
• 40 to 50
• over 50

Breast reduction, one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures, is highly effective in relieving symptoms related to overlarge breasts, such as back, shoulder and neck pain, posture problems and bra strap compression.

The results suggest that women over 50 are at higher risk of developing an infection after breast reduction surgery. On analysis controlling for other medical conditions, the infection rate was 2.7 times higher for women over 50, compared to the under-40 group.

Women over 50 also tended to have a higher rate of wound healing problems, leading to a higher rate of repeat surgery to remove areas of dead skin, called debridement. These trends were not statistically significant, however.

Women ages 40 to 50 also showed a non-significant trend toward an increased risk of infection. Other important types of complications were unaffected by age.

Risks Could Be Related to Declining Hormone Levels
Previous studies have identified several breast reduction risk factors, including obesity, extensive breast reduction and smoking. However, the new study is the first to focus specifically on age.

The results suggest an increased rate of infections-and possibly other complications-after breast reduction surgery in women over 50. The increased risk is likely related to age-related declines in hormone levels, Dr. Shermak and colleagues believe. This is borne out by the trend toward increased infections among women in their forties, when hormone levels start to decline.

In addition, infections tended to be less common in women who were using hormone replacement therapy. Meanwhile, the infection rate appeared higher in women who had undergone hysterectomy or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), which lead to sharp drops in hormone levels.

The new results suggest that age may act as a “confounding factor” in assessing the risk of complications after breast reduction surgery-especially in women over 50. Hormonal status may warrant special attention, Dr. Shermak and coauthors believe.

The researchers suggest that plastic surgeons should ask women considering breast reduction about any factors potentially related to hormonal deficiency, including a history of hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy. They also suggest that “hormone replacement therapy may be worth considering in this group of patients.”