kate gosselin hot: June 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Why You Shouldn't Place Much Stock in "Best Plastic Surgeon" Lists...

Today I saw in my office a very nice patient I had performed a Tummy Tuck on a few months ago. She is very happy with her outcome and experience, and in fact said it was the "best thing I ever did!"

Because she is so happy with her outcome and her experience in our Orlando Plastic Surgery Center, she asked why I had not been included in a recent listing of "Orlando's Best Plastic Surgeons" run by a local magazine.

The simple answer is because I was unwilling to pay to be included.

I have, in fact, participated in a few of these lists of "Best Plastic Surgeons in Orlando", but found that as time passed the distaste I had for the practice grew to the point I was no longer willing to pay for someone to illegitimately provide the imprimatur of credibility and integrity I have earned quite legitimately- by keeping my patients safe and providing top notch plastic surgical care with reliably excellent outcomes.

I think that most reasonable people would agree with me that it is at best disingenuous (and at worst fraudulent) for a local or regional publication to publish lists that purport to educate its readership of the "best" their shared community has to offer- if in fact the majority consideration for inclusion in the list is the ability to pay for the listing.

Is it wrong for health care providers to advertise? No, I don't personally believe that it is... especially in my field. I personally advertise as I think appropriate for my practice's benefit and the education of my patients and community. But I make no attempt to hide the fact that I advertise, or to confuse my audience.

Advertising itself, when ethically and professionally practiced, is a fact of life now...

What I do have a very strong objection to is the practice of deliberately confusing the public by disguising advertising as journalism.

I have met with representatives of several local television stations and magazines, explaining that I believe in the long run they are harming their own credibility and reputations by engaging in this practice, and that I think the magazine and the community would be much better served if "best plastic surgeon in Orlando" lists were created by survey of education/training, peers and patients, and OUTCOMES (nationally AND locally).... But have found these concerns are hard to hear when the bottom line screams much louder.

Having said all of that, there are a few lists that truly do rely on voting, but with few controls... and these outcomes tend to be politicized...

I'm still much more comfortable in my own skin not participating- but hate that there are so many people calling themselves journalists who are comfortable with what I believe to be such an unethical practice.

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New! Sculptra Aesthetic

Introducing… Sculptra Aesthetic!

The New Age of Anti-Age

It’s no secret that most women have been searching for the cosmetic fountain of youth for years! The battle against aging is one that most of us encounter on a daily basis. However, with the collaboration of science and modern technology, preserving our physical appearance has become much more manageable for today’s men and women.

Botox and fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse, help soften our wrinkles and bring back a youthful, supple appearance. Lasers are a great remedy for removing brown spots, broken blood vessels and to help tighten and smooth imperfections of the skin. Improving the skin’s color and texture can be just one part of the equation, but how can we eliminate sagging skin caused by the loss of elasticity and collagen?

The answer lies within the latest breakthrough in non-invasive procedures ---Sculptra Aesthetic! Sculptra is an FDA approved treatment for the correction of facial wrinkles and contour deficiencies. This fabulous product works gradually to replace the collagen that is lost during the aging process leaving skin looking years younger!

At the age of 30, the face naturally begins to lose volume caused by the breakdown of collagen fibers. Fine lines, wrinkles and folds start to appear and worsen over time. While injectables fill in these wrinkles, Sculptra Aesthetic is designed to re-volumize the skin. It simply “plumps” the skin back up - giving a more tightened, youthful look. Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid, a safe and effective medical product that has been used for years in absorbable sutures as well as medical implants.

Sculptra is a wonderful alternative for a mini-facelift without having surgery! The maintenance is extremely minimal, with treatments performed once every 4 weeks (with an average of 1-3 sessions). The procedure can take approximately one hour to complete and has virtually no side effects. The results are miraculous and will last a minimum of 2 years!

While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can utilize this wonderful combination of science and technology to help erase the years from our appearance! Call our Orlando, Florida plastic surgery, skin care and hair restoration center today for a complimentary consultation with Michelle to see how Sculptra Aesthetic can help rejuvenate the look of your skin!

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www.MixtoOrlando.com

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Best Selling =/= Best

The current generation's Lil' Kim or someone with real skillz like Jean Grae?

Weezy or Talib Kweli?

A VW Beetle or a Mercielago?

I'd much rather watch Persephone in The Matrix than Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind any day.

Tommy's over Mickey D's any day.

Plain vanilla or your local favorite?

Sure, I'll pick up paint, toiletries and DVD's from Walmart - but never a suit.

Syphilitic

The South seems to have a disproportionate amount of STDs,
http://www.avert.org/std-statistics-america.htm
And of these Southern states - my area of Texas seems to have a high incidence of Syphilis.

One of the elderly blind women I check in on mentioned that many of the women, with whom she'd worked as a cleaning lady at the local university, were now also suffering from a loss of sight.
One of the women's daughters thought that the cleaning chemicals used on their old job was the cause.
This woman's daughter thought that she could bring some type of suit against the university.

But I talk to these ladies.
These ladies tell stories of hardships and struggles which led many to turn to prostitution as a means to earn a little extra money to better provide for their children.
These women never thought that they could get sick from these acts - but many are now blind and/or on the verge of senility.

Besides the chemicals used in cleaning products - what could cause blindness?
Sex + ? = Blindness.
After reviewing the Syphilis infection rates in or area (which are quite high), I thought that these women had been syphilitic for years but had never been treated.
After taking one of these elderly ladies to her doctor to be tested for STDs, I found out that she was indeed positive for Syphilis.
(She's still blind but she no longer tests positive for the disease.)

But the other ladies were/are too ashamed to get tested.
Their daughters, sons and grandchildren are too ashamed to force them to be tested.
In the end -the fear and ignorance of these women may have been the cause of their current conditions.

Aesthetic Enhancements Announces the Arrival of Zeltiq Coolsculpting!

I am extremely excited to announce the pending arrival of our brand new Zeltiq technology.

After proper training, (and with proper patient selection by a surgeon trained to offer safe alternatives to those who are not candidates) Zeltiq allows a reduction of 20-25% of an area's subcutaneous fat without surgery, needles, anesthesia, or downtime!

It's called crylipolysis, and the science behind it is now solid and the outcomes consistently reproducible and positive. The basics are that fat cells die when exposed to cold, and that the temperature at which the fat dies is higher than temperatures dangerous to other tissues (nerves, blood vessels, skin...). Zeltiq allows the fat to be brought to just the right temperature... causing the fat cells to die over the month or so after the procedure (by a process called programmed cell death, or apoptosis), which then leads to the absorption of the fat cells by the body- never to be replaced.

While we ARE very excited, and I DO believe in this technology, there are a few important points to make:

Zeltiq will NEVER replace liposuction or other procedures. If you need liposuction or a tummy tuck, Zeltiq will NOT give the same outcome as surgery.
Because the above is true, it is imperative to see a surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery for your Zeltiq treatments-- if you are not a candidate, you would want to know that alternative options are being described to you by someone well-trained to perform them on you safely.

We should have our device in place and ready for patient treatments early in July- I'll look forward to educating as many of you as possible about this exciting new option.

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Suit Your Shape!

We can hardly wait to book our summer vacations, head to the beach and start lounging by the poolside again. That’s right ladies, it’s that time again and swimsuit season is here! After spending the last six months covering up a pasty body and trying to work off that extra weight from the holiday season, the last thing most women want to do is go swimwear shopping!

Don’t push the panic button just yet! Just by wearing the correct style and fit for your body type, you can camouflage areas that are your least favorite while accentuating your best assets. Use these tips when shopping for your summer wardrobe to help you look your best this season!

Big Bottom Girls
Choosing darker colors to wear on the lower half of your body, as well as opting for a banded bottom can help disguise a fuller bottom. If you are comfortable with your thighs, wear a higher cut in order to elongate the legs and create more balance. If not, choose a square-cut bottom to balance your curves and give more coverage.

Avoid skirted suits and boy shorts! These styles tend to hit at the widest part and contain a lot of fabric creating the illusion that you are larger.

Tummy Troubles

Wearing a tankini can work wonders when trying to conceal the tummy! Tankini’s allow freedom of movement so they are comfortable and yet still hide problem areas. Newer, longer styles with rouching allow for maximum adjustability while still providing a level of fashion. Look for swimwear from brands like Miraclesuit or Spanx that contain shapewear to cut the curviness and fool the eye into making you look slimmer!

One Piece Please

One-piece halter-tops are generally the most universally flattering. Halter-tops are great for large busts because they give you a lift and little bit of cleavage. Smaller busts also look great in this style because they accommodate what you have and maximize it at the same time.

Steer clear of bandeau styles that may mush you all together and give you the “tube effect”.

Cut It Out

The one-piece cutout trend is on fire this season! However, this style is tricky, it is most flattering on someone with a large bust, but your tummy will need to be long and lean. If you are trying to hide any part of the tummy area, this style may not be the best choice for you.

Color & Pattern

Neutral tones such as black, navy and brown are the most slimming, forget the dizzy patterns, these will just pack on the pounds!

Stay away from white and metallics. These colors will show every lump and bump and can make you look heavier than you actually are.

Prep That Body

Be sure to use a good self-tanner to give you that summer glow. Moisturized skin that looks tan can give the appearance of thinner legs and camouflage cellulite.

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