Sea Coral Used for Plastic Surgery Implants

Surrounding tissue can grow into the scaffolding provided by the coral, making it a living part of the facial skeleton for cosmetic surgery patients.

Although medical science has produced a remarkable number of breakthroughs in cosmetic surgery, it has yet to improve on nature’s own design. Renowned Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Harvey M. Rosen, M.D., D.M.D., agrees and has pioneered the use of a naturally occurring material called block hydroxyapatite to enhance a number of cosmetic and reconstructive applications.

This versatile material is derived from coral deposits from exotic locales in the South Pacific, and it is highly valued for being one of the few materials in the world that can attain adequate compressive strength and for its ability to be contoured enough to conform to different shapes and sizes.

Furthermore, it is naturally porous, which means the surrounding tissue can grow into the scaffolding provided by the coral, making it a living part of the facial skeleton. In older implant surgeries using plastic materials there is always a small risk of infection cause by scar tissue deposits around the implant. Because the body embraces the new coral material as part of itself, it virtually eliminates the potential for infection or rejection.

During the simple procedure Dr. Rosen inserts the implants through discrete incisions inside the mouth, which reduces the appearance of visible scars and promotes rapid healing. There may be occasional swelling and tenderness in the implant area, but patients usually return to normal activities within a week.

“This procedure enables the surgeon to change facial shape in any direction. By doing so, one enhances facial balance and proportion,” reports Dr. Rosen. “ For instance, as we age, all of our faces shorten. By adding about 4 – 5 mm to the height of the lower face, a patient can look 10 – 20 years younger.”

Dr. Harvey Rosen has performed over 500 procedures with block hydroxyapatite material, and has appeared on CNN as well as local news throughout the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. A nationally recognized leader in advanced facial plastic surgery, he serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Rosen is currently a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the Plastic Surgery Research Foundation. He also is repeatedly cited in the Best Doctors of America, a referral resource for fellow physicians.

For more information see http://r4md.com/pr/cosmetic_surgery/pennsylvania/philadelphia.html

Recovery Mask is the New 'Cool Thing' in Facial Plastic Surgery

Breakthrough in post-operative healing is providing substantial benefits for facial cosmetic surgery patients.

A breakthrough in post-operative healing is providing substantial benefits for patients looking for a drug-free and low cost way to shorten their recovery periods after plastic surgery. This safe, natural alternative for alleviating pain and discomfort after cosmetic surgery procedures has now become more affordable and more convenient than ever before.

Distinguished Sacramento plastic surgeon, Dr. David Kaufman is proud to offer the AqueCool™ Therapy System -- a new advance in patient care and healing technology. Dr. Kaufman is one of the few physicians in the country offering this revolutionary facial surgical recovery device and has witnessed firsthand the benefits to his patients.

The AqueCool™ by Aqueduct Medical, Inc. is an ergonomic, custom-formable cool therapy system that provides comfortable, uniform cooling across the complex surfaces of a post-operative patient’s face. The custom-fit, semi-rigid structure of the mask ensures complete coverage on all critical areas and applies gentle, uniform compression on the face, helping to alleviate swelling and potentially reducing bruising and the formation of hematomas.

The AqueCool™ was developed with input from some of the most recognized plastic surgeons in the country, including Dr. Kaufman, and is designed to provide the highest standard of care and recovery for plastic surgery patients.

In essence, the technologically advanced product naturally relieves the pain and discomfort of surgery, reduces swelling and bruising, and shortens long term recovery time by allowing the body to begin healing sooner. The unique therapy is already providing significantly improved recoveries for Dr. Kaufman’s facial plastic surgery patients.

“Virtually all cosmetic surgery patients seek optimal results with minimal downtime. I do everything in my power to make the experience as easy as possible, pre-operatively, during surgery, and throughout recovery,” he reports. “The AqueCool™ cooling mask reduces bruising, minimizes swelling, and decreases pain -- all key elements in the recovery process -- and my patients swear by it!”

Dr. David Kaufman is a leader in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery procedures and has enjoyed a distinguished career in both arenas. He attended Harvard Medical School after proudly serving as an officer in the elite Navy SEAL program, which included duty in Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Kaufman completed a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford Medical Center, where he was Chief Resident.

A consummate humanitarian as well as an accomplished surgeon, Dr. Kaufman has participated in over 20 surgical overseas missions that provide plastic and reconstructive surgery to needy children and adults in the developing world. He is proud to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For more information see http://r4md.com/pr/cosmetic_surgery/california/sacramento.html

New Techniques Greatly Reduce Capsular Contracture in Breast Augmentation Patients

Study shows new methods greatly reduce capsular contracture in breast augmentation patients. Dallas plastic surgeon publishes data to make breast implant procedures safer for patients worldwide.

When it comes to plsatic surgery, patients deserve nothing less than perfection. Although breast augmentations and other implant related procedures are highly popular and rewarding, a condition known as “capsular contracture” can prevent optimal results and distinguished Dallas plastic surgeon William P. Adams Jr. is publishing a landmark study in the January 2006 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that provides data to make breast implant procedures safer for patients worldwide.

Capsular contraction is the most common side effect/ risk of cosmetic and reconstructive breast implant procedures. A capsular contracture occurs when the normal fibrous capsule around the implant tightens and/ or thickens resulting in breast firmness, shape distortion and pain (in advanced states). This results in the need for further surgery and re-operations for the patient.

Current data demonstrates that 15-20% of all patients who undergo cosmetic breast implant procedures and > 20% of reconstructive and revision patients experience capsular contracture. Dr. Adams has previously published recommendation to minimize capsular contracture using combination breast pocket irrigation based on in vitro studies. Over the past six years, he has studied outcomes of these recommended breast pocket irrigations clinically in over 300 patients...

“This study culminates the past 8 years of work we have done on capsular contracture and how we can make breast augmentation and breast implant procedures safer and better for patients,” he reports.

Dr. Adams completed his undergraduate work at Princeton University and went on to graduate in the top 10% of his class at Vanderbilt Medical School, where he received the prestigious award for best graduating clinician. He has then received his training in plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical center, and has been in practice in Dallas for the last decade.

In addition to his years of experience, Dr. Adams is a board certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Dallas County Medical Society (DCMS), Texas Society of Plastic Surgery, the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the breast implant task force.

For more information see http://r4md.com/pr/cosmetic_surgery/texas/dallas.html

Radiofrequency Energy is the New “Magic Wand” in Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial cosmetic surgery procedure can capture a youthful complexion with a simple and quick procedure.

Freedom from the telltale signs of aging is easier than ever before for Americans held prisoner to the fine lines and wrinkles that used to be unavoidable marks of time. Respected Seattle plastic surgeon Braden Stridde, M.D. is excited to offer his patients the revolutionary skin tightening procedure Thermage. This non-surgical treatment allows people of a wide variety of ages, and skin types to recapture their youthful complexion through a simple, quick procedure with virtually no downtime.

Skin ages because over time it loses a vital protein called collagen. Collagen gives skin its elasticity and youthful appearance, but the human body produces less and less of it as we age. The Thermage procedure uses radiofrequency energy to initially tighten collagen, and then stimulate additional collagen production.

The radiofrequency energy is produced by a device called a ThermaTip™ wand. This carefully controlled energy passes through the surface of the skin, and evenly heats the deeper layers of collagen. The uniform heating action causes collagen contraction, producing a smoother and more youthful skin tone. Over time, this heating action stimulates the deeper structures of your skin to produce additional collagen, resulting in further tightening and lifting of the treated areas.

“Thermage is far less invasive than traditional age-defying techniques,” reports Dr. Stridde, “because there is no surgery, no anesthesia, no prolonged recovery time, and patients can see some immediate results. And over the next three to six months the results continue to improve.”

Only specially licensed and trained medical professionals like Dr. Stridde can offer the Thermage procedure. Even though it is not a surgical procedure and does not require anesthesia, this certification ensures that a patient receives the highest level of quality care and optimal results.

Braden C. Stridde, MD has extensive experience in treating patients of all ages and skin types. A progressive and thoughtful board certified plastic surgeon, he combines his eye for aesthetic proportion with technologically advanced surgical techniques and extensive surgical experience to achieve consistently superior results. Dr. Stridde is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons, and is a member and officer of the Washington Society of Plastic surgeons.

For more information see http://www.r4md.com/pr/cosmetic_surgery/washington/seattle.html