In the news
Brazilian butt lifts up, plastic surgery down …. overall.
Mar 10th
Scottsdale – The recession has affected plastic surgeons all over the country. One procedure that has beat the trend is the Brazilian butt lift or buttock augmentation! Unlike other plastic surgery operations it turns out that buttock enhancement is more popular this year. See the video from Market Watch below for more information.
Buttock Enhancement Resources
Brazilian Butt Lift Information
Brazilian Butt Lift Before and After Photos
Don’t forget high SPF at higher altitudes…
Mar 8th
Scottsdale – As if living in the desert was not enough… apparently, going to higher ground increases sun damage to your skin. Reuters news story shows higher SPF 70+ formulation was very effective in protecting skin from sunburns under extreme ultraviolet light and sporting conditions. In the study, 43 golfers playing for an average of 4.5 hours each applied the sunscreen themselves. Twenty-one golfers applied the SPF 70+ sport sunscreen over the entire face before they went out to play golf. The sunscreen was reapplied again about half way through their golf game.
Dr. Darrell Rigel from New York University Medical Center presented his findings at the 68th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“You have to be extra careful at protecting yourself at high altitudes,” Rigel told Reuters Health. “People don’t realize how much additional sun you get at higher altitudes. It’s anywhere from an 8 percent to a 10 percent increase for every thousand feet of elevation. In the summertime, you can get anywhere from 40 percent to 50 percent greater sun intensity than at sea level.”
Dr. Rigel reported that golfers who started out with the SPF 70+ sunscreen on their entire face and then reapplied it to half the face two hours later had no skin reddening at the end of the 4.5 hours, and none of the golfers who used the SPF 70 formulation complained of sunburn. In comparison, 7 of 22 golfers who applied SPF 15 to half the face had noticeable skin reddening on that side.
In a study published last month in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Rigel and his colleagues reported similar results with ski instructors in Vail, who applied two different sunscreens – one with an SPF of 50 and the other with an SPF of 85 – to different sides of their face. The SPF 50 sunscreen was not enough to protect them from sunburn.
“They put the sunscreen on in the morning, before they went out and skied an average of 5 hours a day and when we evaluated them the next morning, the ones who used the SPF 50 formulation were burned,” he said.
The moral of the study here is that higher SPF formulations tend to protect you better at higher elevations, lasts longer and is more effective at preventing sunburns.
A cleft palate for King Tut?
Feb 17th
King Tut's mummified head.
Scottsdale – New findings, from the most extensive study ever carried out on Egypt’s King Tutankhamun, show he suffered from a cleft palate and that he died from complications of a broken leg exacerbated by malaria. The findings were from two years of DNA testing and CT scans on 16 mummies, including those of Tutankhamun and his family (Source: Fox News).
The team that carried out the study established the clearest yet family tree for Tut. The researchers said Tut’s father was most likely Akhenaten, the pharaoh who tried to revolutionize ancient Egyptian religion to worship one god. Tut, who became pharaoh at the age of 10 in 1333 B.C., ruled for just nine years at a pivotal time in Egypt’s history. In 1922, the discovery of his tomb filled with stunning artifacts, including the famed golden funeral mask, made him known the world over.
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. There are many causes of cleft lip and palate. A cleft lip and palate can affect the appearance of the face, and may lead to problems with feeding, speech, and ear infections. Signs may range from a small notch in the lip to a complete groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose.
Cleft genes are passed down from one or both parents. Drugs, viruses, and other toxins can cause such birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects. These features may occur separately or together. Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defects. The chances of having cleft lip or palate are about 1 out of 2,500.
Today, cleft lip and palate can be repaired using plastic surgery techniques. For those who are interested in King Tut’s study, the full article will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A word of thanks….
Feb 14th
Thanks facebook fans!
Scottsdale – We made it! We now have reached 300 fans on our AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center Facebook fan page. It took a lot of hard work on our part, that is true. However, it is the fans that deserve all the credit for sticking with us. It seems not so long ago that we started our Facebook fan page.
We promise to periodically update our Facebook fan page and continue to provide interesting and thought provoking blogs on plastic surgery related topics… And, don’t forget that we appreciate all your comments!
Thanks,
Dr. Guerra.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona.
FDA approves new drug for Dupuytren’s.
Feb 8th
Scottsdale – On February 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) as the first drug to treat a progressive hand disease known as Dupuytren’s contracture.
Dupuytren’s contracture can affect a person’s ability to straighten and properly use their fingers. The disease process affects the connective tissue beneath the skin of the palm of the hand. When too much collagen builds up, it forms thick cords of tissue that prevent the fingers relaxing and straightening normally.
Xiaflex is a biologic drug made from the protein product of a living organism, a bacteria. The enzyme collagenase is derived from this organism. The medication works by breaking down the excessive buildup of collagen in the hand. Xiaflex is injected directly into the collagen cords and should be administered only by a health care professional experienced with injections of the hand.
Common adverse reactions included swelling, bleeding, and pain in the injected area. No serious allergic reactions have been observed, such a response would not be unexpected because this foreign protein could prompt an immune system reaction. (Source: FDA)
The Big Day. Colts versus Saints.
Feb 7th
Geaux Saints.
Scottsdale – Even plastic surgeons will be watching today. It should be no secret that we are pulling for the New Orleans Saints. They are not the favorite team, however. The Indianapolis Colts are a very good team and are favored to win.
I believe the Saints have an excellent opportunity to win and at the very least will give the Colts a run for their money.
The Colts have won the Superbowl before and the team has players with experience in the big game.
The Saints, on the other hand, have had an outstanding year. They are also severe underdogs. Importantly, the emotions behind the team and the City of New Orleans could propel them to new heights.
This game will likely be the best we’ve seen over the last few years, and with two high powered offenses, should be very entertaining.
We want to wish the best of luck to all the fans and I hope everyone enjoys the game.
Bigger is better according to V Magazine!
Jan 8th
Big and Beautiful Models Rise!
Scottsdale – Making headlines everywhere in the world is V magazine’s plus size model edition. According to msnbc.com, the Today show, and the NY Daily News, big is beautiful.
V magazine, known for pushing the envelope on fashion journalism, is making headlines in the fashion industry with the release of its “Size” issue this week. The issue feature models whose dress sizes hit double digits sporting skimpy bathing suits, hip-hugging jeans and nudity.
V magazine’s participation has moved the magazine into the forefront of the debate of size-equals-beauty. The Size Issue includes high-fashion photo shoots with models proud to show off their thicker thighs, fuller tummies, large breasts and voluptuous love handles.
The models are shown in well known brands such as Guess jeans, Dolce & Gabbana lingerie, Gucci swimsuits and fire engine red lipstick. The biggie size models are on the rise and this may be one of the best things that happens to women in America. only the future will tell.
I really enjoyed the piece and I recommend you look at the photos yourself.
One interesting point about TMZ
Jan 5th
Scottsdale – I am not into the celebrity sites. The one that I do look at, occasionally, is TMZ.
There is one aspect of of the site that really intrigues me. It is the segment they call, Good Genes or Good Docs?
If you have not seen this part of the site, I recommend you check it out.
It is interesting to see how the stars we all grew up with have changed over the year. I like to speculate, is it good genes? Is it good docs?
Congratulations TMZ… you really have my attention with your beauty segments.
Top 10: AB Guerra Center Activities for 2009.
Dec 30th
Top 10 in 2009.
1. In February, we opened our new state-of-the-art Plastic Surgery office the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
2.In March, we updated our plastic surgery website, www.MyFaceAndBody.com, with new photos.
3. In April, launched the website www.JoniRoney.com, focusing on fillers, Botox, and non-surgical treatments.
3. In July, we started our plastic surgery blog at www.scottsdaleplasticsurgeon.org.
4. In August, took some time off to recharge and started the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center FAN page on facebook.
5. In August, updated the before and after breast augmentation photos on our breast surgery website, www.BellaBreast.com.
6. September, went to Nicaragua to restart volunteer plastic surgery for the impoverished.
7. In October, restarted our community plastic surgery educational seminars in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Interested in attending a plastic surgery seminar on breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, body lift, thigh lift, arm tucks or plastic surgery after major weight loss in Arizona? Check out our news and events section on our website for more information on the upcoming plastic surgery seminars in Arizona.
8. In November, updated the plastic surgery after major weight loss section on our website.
9. December, attended Mentor Corporation’s Scientific Summit on breast implants.
10. Worked hard to make patients aware of the 5% Cosmetic TAX, until Congress dropped it from the bill.
and now… We are looking forward to a fruitful 2010. Happy New Year, everyone….
More Problems with Taxes on Plastic Surgery.
Nov 29th
Scottsdale – Can you imagine a government that says they want to reduce the costs of health care and then goes on to create a series of new taxes to pay for it all? Well, which is it? Raise or lower costs?
That is exactly what the U.S. Senate Democrats have done. They want to raise your taxes to fund a less expensive form of health care? Does that even make sense? It looks like the government is saying “pay us a bunch of money now (via taxes), and you’ll feel great later, because you won’t pay so much for your health care”. By the way, this is literal! Pay NOW, get benefits in 2013.
The current plan raises taxes on small businesses 8%, adds a new value-added-tax of 5% on the sale of all new products, taxes over-the-counter medications, taxes medical devices, and taxes drugs companies. The plan also calls for an increase in Medicaid benefits and will require individual states to raise taxes to pay for these medical benefits. California alone will have to generate 10 billion dollars to pay for this Medicaid expansion.
To top it all off, the Senate bill slapped the faces of all American middle class women by adding a 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgery procedures. I already mentioned (on the blog) that this is an unfair and sexist tax against women that make up 86% of the plastic surgery population. These types of taxes have already failed in some states, like New Jersey.
NJ is the only state to adopt a tax on elective medical procedures. A 6% tax on elective medical procedures was enacted in 2004. The NJ Department of Taxation experienced a 59% shortfall on projected revenue estimates. New Jersey Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the sponsor of the 2004 bill, is now leading efforts to repeal the tax. This experience shows that these types of taxes are not going to work!
The big problem with this type of tax is that it is arbitrary and difficult to administer. Evidence in NJ, demonstrates that the line between “cosmetic” and “reconstructive” surgery is not always clear and leaves the determination of medical necessity up to state tax auditors. Can you imagine it now – a bunch of government cronies – telling you that your surgery is cosmetic and taxable as opposed to reconstructive? This is a completely inappropriate proposition for any government to hold over those they represent.
The part I hate the most about this bill is that it makes physicians tax collectors. Not only does that bill place physicians in the role of tax collector, it also holds physicians liable should an individual fail or refuse to pay the tax. Arguing about taxes and money with patients? What effects will that have on the doctor-patient relationship, I wonder?
The bill, if passed, will start taxing Americans on January 1, 2010. Remember their motto: “pay NOW, Benefits 2013″. This type of tax will place an incredible burden on physician offices, at a time when the economic recovery is very weak.
I believe that taxes on physicians and patients, in any form, will have deleterious effects on health care costs and limit access to quality patient care. I believe all Americans should oppose any legislation that increases costs and taxes and makes access to quality health care worse. Stay tuned to the blog to find out what you can do to Stop the Cosmetic Tax.
