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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Want To Know How You Can Freeze Your Fat Away?

You have probably heard a bit of buzz surrounding the latest non-invasive fat freezing procedure known as CoolSculpting by Zeltiq, but are you dying to know more?

Here at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery, Skin Care and Hair Restoration Center, we are extremely pleased with the results of CoolSculpting! A large part of the success comes from the proven science behind the procedure, as well as selecting the ideal candidate.

Dr. Armando Soto takes a great amount of time and care in helping his patients decide if CoolSculpting can help achieve their goals. The ideal CoolSculpting candidate is someone that is generally healthy and has small pockets of stubborn fat that just won't budge with diligent diet & exercise.

Take a look at the video below showing a few of our employees at Aesthetic Enhancements who received excellent results from this FDA approved procedure!

The best way to know if CoolSculpting is the best option for you, would be to set up a complimentary consultation with the only Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the Central Florida area offering CoolSculpting – Dr. Soto. Call today at 407-218-4550 to have your questions answered by an expert!

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

The $6 Haircut

Some time ago, there was a television commercial for one of the larger office supply chains in which the proprietor of a small barbershop experiences what he perceives to be a threat to his business while sweeping the sidewalk outside his shop...

A large, national chain opens across the street to much fanfare and with a large banner that reads something like, "Home of the $6 Haircut"

The narrator explains that with the money he saves by purchasing office supplies at GigantoOffice, he is able to address the threat- and the spot shows him hanging his own banner- that reads, "We Fix $6 Haircuts"

(BTW, I agree it is a bit funny that the ad was for a large, national chain of discount office supply stores...)

Soon, the large chain store is closing and he is victorious....

Cute- but what if the damage done by the discounter of services was not to your hair (which, of course grows back), but to another part of your body- and what if that damage required another operation to fix... or worse, couldn't be fixed. What if your visit to the discount provider of services resulted in your death?

The unfortunate reality is that there are at present a very large number of "providers" of aesthetic surgery who (in my humble opinion) have placed their financial well-being above the oaths they (and all doctors) took to protect patients and "First Do No Harm".

Among them are gynecologists, ER doctors, and even eye doctors- all advertising themselves as expert cosmetic surgeons- despite their full understanding of their lack of ACGME (American Council on Graduate Medical Education- the body that certifies training programs for specialities in medicine) training in the surgical discipline they are engaging in. Indeed, in most cases, their "training" consisted of a few hours, days, or at best weeks of watching someone from the company selling the equipment to them do the procedure.

Whether you were aware of it at the time or not, you've been exposed to them... They are the ones telling you that having liposuction in their office under local anesthesia is the safer way to go. That general anesthesia (as the plastic surgeon you saw recommended) is much more dangerous... That if they are capable of doing delicate eye surgery, they should be more than capable of liposuction.

Imagine me telling patients that because I am trained to do delicate plastic surgery, I should be more than able to do their heart surgery.... Hard to imagine? It's happening all around you in the field of aesthetic surgery.

But the fundamental truth is that these doctors are not appropriately trained to do these procedures- fully explaining the deaths we all are reading about.

Previously healthy young women dying during procedures that should not have much risk of death. Dying because they chose poorly and prioritized their financial outlay higher than their safety or happiness. Dying because they fell victim to aggressive marketing campaigns designed to confuse you into thinking the eye doctor in the ad is a plastic surgeon. Dying because they believed the marketing pitch that local anesthesia is "much safer"- when the truth is that for procedures involving larger areas of the body local anesthesia is much LESS safe.

I see a great many women who have been injured and disfigured by these providers of discount or just poor quality services (indeed, an eye doctor in town actually charges MORE than any of the reputable and well trained plastic surgeons I know for liposuction). In some cases, I find myself telling them I can fix their "$6 haircut"- through another operation and at added expense to them of course. In others, I can only mitigate the damage.

And some, like the sister of Michelle Boone, my nurse practitioner, are never able to get this education about the providers of aesthetic surgery without adequate training. Because one of them took her life.

Be careful.

Plastic surgery can be a beautiful thing- restoring an appearance you thought was lost forever or not possible for you. But we should all insist that it also be as safe as possible and that the experience be positive. Be your own best advocate. Do your homework and place your safety and happiness only in the hands of a surgeon Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery with a track record of safety, success, and integrity.

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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Surgery Under Local Anesthesia – The Safety Myth

When considering elective plastic surgery, most patients spend a great deal of time researching their surgical procedure. A slightly smaller percentage of patients will also carefully research their plastic surgeon. But an unfortunately small number of patients actually look into the two other variables that will determine the safety and success of any elective procedure- the anesthesia provider/technique, and the facility in which the procedure will be performed.

Quite often, because patients are nervous about having surgery under general anesthesia, they seek other options they believe will be safe and less intimidating. One procedure that might pique the interest of many is known as the “Awake” breast augmentation.

Right now, there are more than 100 doctors nationwide busy doing breast augmentations only under local anesthesia. These advocates believe that having the patient awake during the procedure will allow for a more satisfactory outcome because the surgeon can communicate with the patient during surgery and receive feedback from the patient regarding the desired breast size.

Because the surgery is done while “awake”, patients falsely believe that it must be safer than undergoing general anesthesia- Unfortunately, this couldn’t be more wrong.

The truth is that the majority of “providers” performing cosmetic surgery under local anesthesia (and telling their patients that it is “safer” than general anesthesia) are doing so because they simply are not able to offer other options legally.

In order to perform surgery under sedation or general anesthesia in most states, you must have a licensed anesthesia provider and be performing the surgery in an accredited facility. In order to satisfy the requirements of most state medical boards, surgery centers, and reputable anesthesia providers, you must also be able to prove that you have privileges to perform the same procedure in a hospital and that you have completed residency training in the procedure in question.

If you do not have, and cannot get, the credentials necessary to perform cosmetic surgery in an accredited facility under a safe level of anesthesia, but you (and your accountant) really want to do breast augmentation (or liposuction), your only chance is to offer to do the surgery in your office under local anesthesia. But you need to convince your patients that it is safer to do so…

Lawrence S. Reed, president of the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, is concerned that some doctors are using local anesthesia to get around having to be an accredited facility.

If your surgeon were a board certified plastic surgeon wouldn’t they want everyone to know that they were operating in an accredited surgical suite and not a makeshift operating room that also doubles as the office lunch room?

Overmedicating is also a great safety concern when doing major surgeries under local. Indeed, multiple women across the country have lost their lives over the past few years after experiencing local anesthesia toxicity- a problem for which there is no cure, and which occurs only many hours after the patient has left the doctor’s office.

Breast Augmentations are not the only surgery offered as “awake” procedures. Tummy tucks and liposuction are also being performed- and reported to be just as safe as when under the care of a licensed anesthesia provider- when in fact the opposite is most likely true.

At the end of the day, your goal should be to have a procedure that would make you look and feel better, but not at the expense of your safety. Choose only surgeons Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Liposuction vs. CoolSculpting...What's the Difference?

Here at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery, we offer a variety of cosmetic procedures to enhance your beauty. With all the different methods of getting rid of unwanted fat, it can be hard to determine which is best for you.

Two procedures Board Certified Plastic Surgeon - Dr. Armando Soto performs that are designed to remove excess fat and provide you with a slimmer figure are Liposuction and CoolSculpting by Zeltiq. Both of these procedures eliminate fat cells, but will provide two very different outcomes.

Researching the many different types of fat reduction procedures can be quite overwhelming and confusing for many patients. To ultimately determine which procedure is best for you, visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals to determine which is right for you.

In the meantime, we’ve put together this simple guide to help give you a better idea on which procedure may be able to give you the experience and outcome you are looking for!

	Liposuction	CoolSculpting
How it works:	Liposuction is a surgical procedure that vacuums excess fat deposits from under the skin, slimming and reshaping specific areas of the body.	CoolSculpting is FDA approved for fat reduction using a non-invasive cooling technique called Cryolipolysis to target and freeze localized fat.
Who makes a good candidate:	Someone in good health with disproportionate contours due to fat deposits that won’t respond to diet and exercise.	Someone close to their ideal body weight who has small areas of stubborn fat pockets such as belly bulges, love handles or back fat that won’t budge with diet and exercise.
Benefits:	Dramatically improves body contour and shape.	Non-invasive procedure with minimum discomfort, no anesthesia, needles or downtime.
Risks:	Liposuction is a surgical procedure, therefore, there are possible risks involved.	You may not get the outcome you are looking for, and could need another treatment or an alternative treatment.
Recovery:	Swelling and some bruising is expected after surgery. A compression garment is usually worn following the procedure to control swelling. The recovery time depends on the extent of your surgery.	No downtime! Get back to work or go for a run after treatment. The treated area may be numb or sensitive to touch directly after procedure.
Results:	Dramatic improvement in body shape and contour. It may take a several months before the swelling subsides to notice the final outcome. The results from Liposuction will last as long as you continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle.	CoolSculpting will eliminate 20-25% of the fat cells in the treated areas permanently. Noticeable, natural results of fat reduction in just 6 to 8 weeks.
What it won’t do:	Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, nor will it take place of proper diet and exercise. It also will not treat cellulite or loose, saggy skin.	CoolSculpting will not tighten skin or improve body contour, it simply freezes fat cells!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Zeltiq Diaries: The CoolSculpting by Zeltiq Results!

Do you have small areas of extra fat you'd like to eliminate - permanently? CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is the cool, new way to freeze fat away - without surgery, anesthesia or downtime!

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon - Dr. Armando Soto updates us on the results of Central Florida's first CoolSculpting by Zeltiq patients. Using his education and training, Dr. Soto explains how he utilizes science and modern technology to remove small areas of fat.

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Monday, August 9, 2010

What You Should Know About Liposuction

It seems everywhere I look lately, I see aggressive advertisements for one liposuction clinic or another... most often touting the machine the clinic prefers (Vaser Liposelection, Smart Lipo, Aqua Lipo, Pro Lipo, Body Jet and Liposculpture). Interestingly, the ads never mention the quality of the plastic surgery training the doctor in the ad has had.

It's all a bit bizarre to me... I mean- if I went to consult with an attorney and they spent all of my time and their energy explaining that they are the best attorney for me because of the fancy computer they use, I would probably be worried... I mean-- right??

The truth is that most often (at least here in the Central Florida area) "providers" who spend a great deal of time and energy explaining why the machine they use is so good do so because they would like the potential patient to be distracted from the fact that their training was in ophthalmology (making them eye doctors), urology, gynecology, or even emergency medicine (no kidding- a well placed source tells me this ER doctor recently punctured a poor woman's lungs trying to do "Aqualipo" on her)- and NOT in plastic surgery.

In today's video, I explain what you should be thinking about in your search for a surgeon who can give you the body contour you want- safely.

For more on the topic of how to choose a plastic surgeon, I refer you to a previous post entitled "Choosing a Plastic Surgeon, Part 2".

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Everything You Need To Know About Butt Enhancement Procedures

There are many important factors to consider when deciding to have any surgical procedure. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon – Dr. Armando Soto sheds some light the different types of Butt Enhancement procedures, things to consider prior to surgery and the three questions that could potentially save your life! Call Aesthetic Enhancements today for your complimentary consultation with Central Florida's Butt Enhancement Expert - Dr. Armando Soto! 407.218.4550.

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Monday, August 2, 2010

The Zeltiq Diaries: What to Expect During the CoolSculpting Procedure

A Look Inside Sarah’s CoolSculpting Experience:

Doesn’t it always seem that no matter how much you diet and exercise, there are ALWAYS a few stubborn pockets of fat that you just can’t seem to get rid of? Now there is a permanent solution - Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq! Cool Sculpting is the latest breakthrough in science and technology that has proven to freeze fat cells – eliminating those unwanted fat bulges…permanently! Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery is now the ONLY provider in Central Florida to perform this amazing procedure!

Today, I sat down with Sarah, the first patient in Central Florida to have the Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq procedure. Sarah gave us the scoop on what to expect when undergoing Cool Sculpting treatments!

Amy: “Most of us have areas on our body that could use a little improvement, what made you seek out Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq?”

Sarah: “I had been working out and dieting for about a year and no matter what I did, my love handles just would not go away! When I heard that Cool Sculpting was an alternative, non-invasive way to get rid of fat, I had to find out more about it!”

Amy: “How did you know that you would be a good candidate for Zeltiq?”

Sarah: “After booking a complimentary consultation with Dr. Soto, he performed an examination on my areas of concern and told me that I would be a great fit for this procedure.

He explained to me that the ideal candidate would be someone who is fit, but has stubborn areas that are hard to eliminate despite rigorous dieting and exercise. The procedure would be great for treating love handles, back fat, or a little tummy pooch. This would NOT be a good solution for someone who may be overweight - a tummy tuck or liposuction would be a better procedure to obtain more dramatic results or to tighten the skin.”

Amy: “Did you need any pain medication during the treatment?”

Sarah: “No, there wasn’t a need for ANY medication. It was a non-invasive, pain-free procedure – this was the main reason I was so interested in Zeltiq!

Amy: “What did you experience during the procedure?”

Sarah: “The initial suction was a little uncomfortable, but painless. I felt my skin gradually turn colder, but it was very tolerable. After approximately 7 minutes, the treatment area was numb, I couldn’t feel much in that area for the rest of the treatment.”

Amy: “Having any kind of procedure can be a little stressful, did you experience any nervousness prior to the treatment?”

Sarah: “Yes, I was slightly nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, and this procedure is also fairly new. I felt much better after consulting with Dr. Soto - a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. He reassured me that Cool Sculpting was very safe and there were zero complications among the 10,000 patients involved in the clinical studies that were performed. I also knew that if for some reason, I was unhappy with my results, Dr. Soto would be able to fix it, because he is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.”

Amy: “Most cosmetic procedures consume your whole day, how long did your treatment take?”

Sarah: “My procedure lasted ONLY two hours. One hour for each beloved handle! The length of the procedure depends the number of areas being treated. After consulting with Dr. Soto, he advised which areas would benefit the most from Cool Sculpting."

Amy: “How were you positioned and what did you do during the treatment?

Sarah: “I was lying down on my side, making sure to hold still so that the applicator stayed in place. It was so comfortable that I could’ve read a book, watched a movie or even listened to my I-pod!

Amy: “How did you feel and what did your skin look like after the applicator was removed?

Sarah: “After the Cool Sculpting applicator was removed, Dr. Soto massaged the treated area for a few minutes. This felt slightly uncomfortable because the skin was still sensitive. The treated area was red and raised, it looked like a stick of butter, but the redness and swelling resolved after about 45 minutes.”

Amy: “The great thing about Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq is that there is zero downtime after the treatment, was this true in your case?”

Sarah: “Yes, absolutely! Initially the treatment area was numb and tender, within an hour my skin felt back to normal again. I went home, cooked dinner, and could’ve even worked out if I wanted to!”

Amy: “What kind of maintenance is required to keep your results? Will you need to have any follow up treatments?”

Sarah: "I will continue my normal diet and exercise regime, but 20-25% of the fat cells in the treated area were frozen away and will be gone forever! In 4-6 weeks, I will start to see my results and will consult with Dr. Soto to see if any additional cycles will be needed.”

Amy: “Today is the second day after your treatment, are you experiencing any soreness?”

Sarah: “Both of my sides feel just as they did before I had the Cool Sculpting procedure.“

Amy: “When can you expect to notice results? Can you tell a difference now?”

Sarah: “Well remember, it has only been a few days since my treatment, so I can’t see the results just yet! I should start noticing a difference in my shape within 4-6 weeks. That is how long it takes for the body to get rid of the dead fat cells - I know it’ll be worth the wait! Bye, bye love handles!”

Amy: “Well, I’m very excited to see your final outcome within the next few months! Be sure to keep us updated with your progress!

If you are interested in learning more about how Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq can freeze away your unwanted fat, call our Orlando, Florida Plastic Surgery, Skin Care and Hair Restoration Center to schedule your complimentary Zeltiq consultation today!

Follow The Zeltiq Diaries for updates on our patients’ first hand experiences, and to see the her results!

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