Cosmetic Surgery Consultants : : Happy New YOU Issue

Welcome to Cosmetic Surgery Today (CST). The ONLY, FREE e-zine focusing on quality, safety and more--covering information, news, and resources in the cosmetic/plastic surgery industry.

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COSMETIC SURGERY TODAY (CST)

Creating the Benchmark for Quality and Safety

Helping You Make Informed and Safe Decisions

January 3, 2001
Published by Pat Burgess/Cosmetic Surgery Consultants
© Copyright 2000

www.safecosmeticsurgery.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

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The Table of Contents is bookmarked for your convenience - You don't want no stinkin' scroll fatigue!

Peace-of-mind - Products/Services - Do You Really Know About Your Doctor?
Publishers Desk - Happy New YOU - God Made Plastic Surgeons, Too
Nip 'n Tip of the Week - Are You a Smoker? Think Again About Plastic Surgery
Don't Ya Hate It When...Hey, I've Been Re-Done-Can You Tell?
Horror Stories - Complications & Tell Tale Signs of a Face lift
Online Poll - If You Could Have Only One Procedure-Ever, What Would It Be?
Feature Article - You Can Tell By The Hands
FAQ's - Pat Answers - Informed Consent - Recognize the Limitations
Can We Talk? - Visit Our Message Board

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1. SPECIAL DEALS FOR YOUR PEACE-OF-MIND!

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION…Can I Trust My Doctor / How Can I Check My Doctor's Credentials?
Now you can have peace of mind! Let us check your doctor and find out whether he has any disciplinary actions, or other license sanctions. $69.00 per doctor to access databases that the public DOES NOT have access to. Click here to learn more..... http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/medcheck.htm

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Is your plastic surgeon a "QUESTIONABLE DOCTOR"?
We'll look that up for you. Only $19.95 for a directory lookup this up for you! Click here to find out more...
http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/question_drs.htm

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THE BOOK, Cosmetic Surgery Without Fear, has launched thousands of beautiful new faces and bodies! Pat Burgess, the nations' leading cosmetic surgery consumer advocate and her book, have been featured on over 250 radio/TV shows, print stories and internet chats. This is the "must-have" guide for helping you through your cosmetic surgery process. Available in paperback or as an e-book. Order your copy today for $18.95 at:
http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/book/bookdes.htm

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NO SCALPEL PREVIEW OF THE NEW YOU!
Let us sculpt your face or body with a computer rendition of the new you. Click here to experience fun, fast and painless computer surgery! $49.00 is the best and cheapest cyber-surgery you'll find!
http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/before_after.htm

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PERSONALIZED TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
Have a confidential consultation with a CSC consultant. Ask questions, get answers, and maximize your chances of a successful surgical result! $175 for a full hour with a trained consultant, plus FREE book, Cosmetic Surgery Without Fear. Get the details here... http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/consult.htm

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2. PUBLISHERS DESK - God Made Plastic Surgeons, Too!
Pat Burgess

All thoughts, suggestions, personal experiences, content contributions can be sent to: .Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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Beginning this new year is a perfect opportunity to give thanks for so many of the riches our world has to offer--regardless of your personal situation. I never thought I would be giving thanks to a branch of medicine usually touted as shallow and surface. This industry's criticism often comes from those who have never experienced cosmetic surgery or nay-sayers just aching for controversy.

I'm sure it's for the ratings, but often a radio ot TV show host will challenge me by asking whether all this body morphing is what the good lord would have planned for us, or are we taking this to the limit. Like cloning--are we messing with something we shouldn't? One of my answers always is "God made plastic surgeons, too! I, for one, am sure glad s/he did.

It is so interesting that as a society, we are steeped in presentation--from how we dress to the car we drive, to the perfect wallpaper for our homes. We adorn ourselves with jewelry, yet many of us feel that a body enhancement somehow steps over the line. Is there anything more insane than the roller coaster of weight gain and loss in order to feel good about ourselves? Yet somehow that is more easily supported.

I'm here to personally tell you that there is true "zen" in cosmetic surgery. Some might fear that I ascribe too much mystical importance to a nose job, but what that did for me, was no less than magical. It didn't change my personality, but it brought a sense of ease, an opening and a transformation that no number of baubles would have delivered. The feeling never goes away--it is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

So, I would personally like to thank the surgeons who operate with an artists eye and use flesh as their medium. I'm glad they will continue to provide transformations for those seeking refinement or enhancement. Surely, we must develop an inner relationship that supports and nurtures us, AND that does not have to be in conflict with the relationship we have with our bodies. When we feel great about ourselves--inside and out, anything is possible!

Happy New You,
Pat

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3. NIP 'n TIP OF THE WEEK - Are You A Smoker? Think Again About Plastic Surgery

If you have a tip you'd like to share, please e-mail us at .Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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As you well know, smoking is detrimental to your health. The same may be true for secondary smoke. Smoking is even more detrimental to your recovery after any type of surgical procedure.

The nicotine in cigarettes or cigars causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the flow of blood. When blood flow is compromised, oxygen to the skin is decreased, and optimal healing may not take place. In extreme cases, the effect is abnormal or exaggerated scarring, or the skin can die and slough off, a condition known as skin necrosis or skin death.

The current recommendation by most surgeons is to discontinue smoking a minimum of two weeks pre- and post-surgery. There are some physicians who choose not to perform aesthetic surgeries on smokers.

If you know that you will have some difficulty quitting smoking (even for the minimum four-week period), consult with your family physician and ask for a physician recommended smoking-cessation program.

TIP: Please do yourself a favor —QUIT! And don't cheat without making sure your doctor knows. Smokers, because of the addiction, can be a sneaky lot (I know because I was one of them). If you cheat and don't tell, you run the risk of disfigurement or worse.

If you have a tip you'd like to share, please e-mail us at . Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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4. DON'T YA HATE IT WHEN........... - Hey, I've Been Re-done-- Can You Tell?

DYHIW......people don't even notice that you've had plastic surgery?

One of our readers wrote that when her surgery wasn't noticed, she felt that it minimized what she went through--the money, the recovery, etc. She also made the point that you might not have to worry about telling people that you've had something done, because it is likely that they won't notice all but the most drastic changes.

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My approach was to wait and see what others did or didn't notice about my surgery. When I got comments like-- "new hairdo, lost weight?", I gleefully told them the truth, just to watch their amazement. It's true, people are caught up in their own lives, have a certain perception of how you "should" look, and may not notice your very expensive changes. Hopefully, these changes were really just for you and not for anyone else--otherwise you could be set-up for some huge disappointments.

If you have a gripe, concern, observation or vent, please e-mail us at . Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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5. HORROR STORIES (and How to Avoid Them)
Tale Tell Signs of a Face Lift

To share your horror story or cosmetic surgery concerns, please e-mail us at . Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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Many of us think we can spot a bad facelift by the "deer in the headlights" look or that windblown expression. Thankfully, modern medical techniques have reduced the number of scary outcomes. There are, however, a few tell tale signs of a facelift that can occur, even when the overall result is positive. That is the case with me. I have some scarring behind my left ear. At times I notice it, but for the most part it is easily covered by my hair. I'm still pleased with my decision, but it is not worth addressing, until my next procedure, where I will have it revised at the same time.

Here are some potential complications, and tell tale signs of a facelift.

Complications:

Scarring - can occur on incision lines. Report any healing difficulties immediately. Some scarring can be treated if caught early.

Hematoma - a collection of blood or fluid that forms under the skin. If it is small, it can usually be drained with a needle or compression. If large, it could mean a return to the operating room .

Skin Death - can occur in front of or behind the ear. The outer layer of skin dies and sloughs off. This complication is most likely seen in smokers. Skin death can result in a large wound that takes weeks to heal and can leave an irregular and visible scar.

Facial weakness and paralysis - can be temporary or permanent. This condition is usually a result of the facial nerves being stretched during the procedure. Permanent paralysis is highly unlikely and occurs at a rate of about one percent. If a nerve is cut, there will be permanent paralysis.

Infection - occurs in less than one percent of patients. Since there is abundant circulation to the face, infection is rare. If it does occur, it can be very disturbing as it may leave permanent scarring

Tell-Tale Signs:

Stretched face - too much skin is removed, or can happen after too many facelifts

Repositioning or loss of sideburns - as the skin is being tightened, the sideburns may be repositioned higher or lost altogether. This does not usually occur on the first facelift. There are some surgical modifications that can be employed to preserve sideburns.

Widened or open ear canal - this occurs when too much tension is placed on the skin of the cartilage that is in front of the ear canal

Visible scar - the incisions in front of the ear should heal to fine, white hairline scars. The scars behind the ear can become widened and thick, only concealed by hairstyle.

To share your horror story or cosmetic surgery concern, please e-mail us at . Please let us know whether we may use your first and/or last name. You may also request complete confidentiality.

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6. ONLINE POLL
What is the first thing you notice about someone when you meet them--tell us here: http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/poll_010201.html

Last weeks poll revealed that the one procedure most of you would have, if you could have nothing else is... you guessed it - Liposuction

If you have a topic you'd like to see polled, contact us at

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7. FEATURE ARTICLE - You Can Tell By The Hands...

That's what my date said to me shortly after my divorce: "You can tell by the hands." I was horrified. I knew he was referring to how old I was. I thought, but didn't say, that he could have used a few more hair follicles on his head. I decided instead that that would be our last date. I was only 34 years old. But even then I could see the ravages that age, sun, occasional dermatitis, and a stint in the housecleaning business had begun to manifest on my hands.

What can you do about hands? Until recently, nothing. Our hands are constantly on display and may divulge our real age if we are not taking care of them. It's true that advances for facial and body procedures far outpace solutions for the hands. However, a host of new options exist. Physicians disagree as to what works well, marginally, or at all on the problems of wrinkles, loose skin, age spots and large veins.

Laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, or a topical approach can address finer wrinkling and age spots. Lasers are more invasive and expensive than the alternatives, but results can be obtained more quickly with relatively little downtime, if any. Laser procedures have been managed safely in physicians' offices under local anesthesia. Lasers may cause the skin to remain red for a week to 10 days, and any leftover pinkness will subside in approximately a month.

Chemical peels, also handled safely in a physician's office, may produce a tingling or prickly sensation. Peeling or flaking of the hands can occur, depending upon the depth of the peel. Microdermabrasion is a middle-of-the-road option between creams and laser/chemical peels.

Microdermabrasion, usually performed on the face and neck, has been referred to as the "Power Peel" or "Diamond Peel." These are trade names for the fine crystals that are sprayed across the skin to polish the skin surface by removing dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion appears safe for all skin types, textures, and colors, making it a worthy option to pursue for your hands.

You can also try a variety of creams that are commonly used on the face. Bleaching creams would be a good choice for age spots and discolorations. Alpha-hydroxy, Aqua-glycolic, vitamin C and Retin-A creams are valuable for improving skin texture and reducing fine wrinkling. Many of these creams are available over the counter, but a visit with a dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic rejuvenation of the skin would be well advised.

As we age, we lose fat where we need it and gain it where we don't. Consider a "fat transfer." Fat taken from other areas of the body and injected into the hands is a relatively simple procedure. Fat can be taken from the hips, buttocks, or other areas. A surgeon must take measures to evenly distribute the fat injections so as to accomplish a smooth, not lumpy, appearance. Mild bruising or swelling can appear at the injection sites but usually subsides in a few days. Hands can look plump, rejuvenated, and youthful. But a fat transfer may not last forever. Fat can migrate or be absorbed by the body, and the procedure may need to be repeated.

In more advanced and severe cases of aging hands, surgical interventions may be required. Extremely large veins can make hands appear gnarled and unsightly. These veins can be removed through small incisions in the natural folds or creases in the back of the wrist area. Care must be taken to leave enough veins for proper drainage of blood or the swelling may be prolonged and uncomfortable. Should other wrinkle-reducing measures not produce results, the skin of the hands may be tightened through incisions placed at the natural lines in the wrist. A major risk in this procedure may be a thick scar.

If you have your wish list for body and facial renewal completed, you now have an additional area to think about--your hands. As you consider the many options for rejuvenating your hands, remember that sunscreen is a must for hands every day. We generally cover our faces with foundation or sunscreen but rarely remember our hands. No wonder they look that way--exposed to the sun every day since birth. For some of us, that's been a lot of days.

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8. PAT ANSWERS - FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
Informed Consent - Recognize the Limitations

Question. I was told by the staff at my doctors office that I needed to sign consent forms to show that I am informed and to allow surgery to proceed. I understand the legal reasoning for this, but I'm not sure if I really am informed about everything I should know. What concerns are there about this?

Answer. Keep in mind that true informed consent is always difficult for numerous reasons. For example:

Doctors attempt to, but can’t always, convey all matters involved with the surgery decision. Whether because of time or the sheer volume of material that could be discussed, not all information gets relayed.
Patients often have selective hearing. They may ignore what they don’t want to hear.
Statistically, few doctors have experienced cosmetic surgery themselves.
The doctors’ perception, generally, is that upon completion of the surgery, the greatest percentage of their work is concluded; whereas the patients’ perception is that care continues after surgery
Doctors tend to focus on the clinical or technical aspects of care and less on the emotional/psychological aspects. Aesthetic surgery patients (unlike those with reconstructive or functional problems) are almost always motivated by emotional concerns.
Patients aren’t always interested in hearing about risks or complications for fear it might steer them away from a decision that may have been difficult in the fist place.

Have a question? Please e-mail us at

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9. CAN WE TALK? Visit our message board at:

http://www.safecosmeticsurgery.com/wwwboard/board.htm

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This is an unmoderated board. Messages are posted in full immediately. Share your ideas and information with others who could benefit. Please be respectful with your posts. Feel free to discuss your experiences. We ask that you refrain from naming doctors directly, whether for a positive or negative experience. Without all the facts from all parties, we feel that this would be unfair and disrespectful.

Should you have a concern or praise about a doctor, please let us know. That will help us in our credentialing efforts. We may also be able to assist you in finding additional information not readily accessible to the general public.

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This newsletter and resulting community is creating the "Benchmark for Quality". Please help us with that process. Tell us what you want, you interests, thoughts, suggestions or comments. Please e-mail us at

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