A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale
Posts tagged plastic surgery Arizona
A Successful Plastic Surgery After Major Weight Loss Seminar in Arizona.
02 years ago
Plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Guerra starting the plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar.
Dr. Guerra completed a successful plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona. The seminar focused on body contouring after major weight loss including body lift, thigh lift, arm tuck or brachioplasty, breast lift, extended tummy tuck, and face lift cosmetic surgery. Dr. Guerra spent time going over each plastic surgery procedure and went over some actual patient before and after photos.
Dr. Guerra and the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center enjoy educating the public in cosmetic surgery procedures so they can make an informed decision. Dr. Guerra is a big believer in education and through the seminars, community service and this blog he is able to highlight and discuss plastic surgery in more detail.
Dr. Guerra discussing the arm tuck procedure.
Interested in attending a plastic surgery seminar in Arizona?
Check out the news and events schedule for more information on the next plastic surgery events in Arizona. If you are interested in learning more about cosmetic surgery procedure in Arizona please contact our office today. These educational seminars are very informative and patients appreciate the group environment in discussing these popular plastic surgery procedures.
Viridiana Sanchez, Executive Director of Clinical Services at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, making introductory announcements at the seminar.
Interested in attending a plastic surgery seminar in the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona area? Please call (480) 970-2580 or use our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Reducing post-op infections with better antiseptics.
02 years ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Medical Technology
Surgical skin preps can reduce infection.
Scottsdale – The Associated Press has highlighted newly published results on techniques to curb infection after surgery. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine this past week, compares the use of povidone-iodine (the established method) against a new preoperative skin cleansing solution, chlorhexidine-alcohol. The theory behind this clinical trial is derived from information that points to the patient’s skin as a major source of bacteria. These bacteria are implicated as a cause of surgical-site infection. This research compares the two bacterial killing skin solutions to see if one is better than the other.
The study was carried out at hospitals associated with the Baylor College of Medicine, Boston University Medical School, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. For the study, the patients were randomized at six hospitals to preoperative skin preparation with either chlorhexidine–alcohol scrub or povidone–iodine scrub and paint. The primary outcome was any surgical-site infection within 30 days after surgery. A total of 849 subjects were enrolled. There were 409 in the chlorhexidine–alcohol group and 440 in the povidone–iodine group.
The results demonstrated an overall rate of surgical-site infection significantly lower in the chlorhexidine–alcohol group than in the povidone–iodine group (9.5% vs. 16.1%). This difference is significant between the two groups. In other words, the chlorhexidine-alcohol group performed better and had less infections. Chlorhexidine–alcohol was also significantly more protective than povidone–iodine against both superficial incisional infections (4.2% vs. 8.6%) and deep incisional infections (1% vs. 3%). Against organ-space infections (4.4% vs. 4.5%) both skin preps performed well.
The researchers concluded that preoperative cleansing of the patient’s skin with chlorhexidine–alcohol is superior to cleansing with povidone–iodine for preventing surgical-site infection after clean-contaminated surgery. Tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and other plastic surgery procedures would be categorized under superficial and deep incisional surgery.
I switched to the new chlorhexidine–alcohol last year, in my practice. It is very effective and continues to work 48 to 72 hours after surgery. This is just one of those advancements, that as a patient, you almost never hear about.
Yogurt as a simple way to reduce antibiotic related diarrhea?
02 years ago
Yogurt is your friend.
Scottsdale – Patients undergoing elective plastic surgery have to use antibiotics for prophylaxis against infection. One well-known side effect of all antibiotics includes antibiotic induced diarrhea. In fact, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is the most common adverse effect of antibiotic therapy. It would be nice to have a means to avoid this uncomfortable and potentially dangerous complication.
Well, some research has demonstrated that eating yogurt before, during and after the episode of antibiotic use could reduce and/or minimize the length of symptoms. A study published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences, included 200 hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics which were randomized to receive or not receive a commercial dietary yogurt supplement, and followed for 8 days.
The research was performed through the Department of Medicine, at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Roudebush VA Medical Center. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a dietary supplement of yogurt for prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea. In the research, the mean age of patients was 70 years and 43% were male. The compliance with the 8-day regiment was 85% and the with the study follow-up, 91%, respectively.
The results demonstrate that patients receiving yogurt reported less frequent diarrhea (12% vs 24%), which is a significant difference. Patients receiving yogurt also demonstrated significantly less total diarrhea] days (23 vs 60). The conclusion of the research demonstrated that dietary supplementation with yogurt is a simple, effective, and safe treatment that decreases the incidence and duration of AAD.
Not everyone agrees with these results, however. Similar research from the UK, demonstrated that probiotic yogurt did not make a difference in reducing diarrhea-related side effects. This research was from a single center and included 369 total patients.
To end the debate, we looked at another study from the Imperial College (Medicine) , London, using a probiotic containing drink. This research was published in the British Medical Journal, and showed that probiotics are effective in reducing the symptoms of antibiotic associated diarrhea. The researchers concluded that consumption of a probiotic drink containing L. casei, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus can reduce the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhea and C difficile (the biggest culprit) associated diarrhea. The studies warn that if patients are immunocompromised, then probiotics may not be beneficial and could be dangerous.
Based on this review, it is my opinion that yogurt consumption, in healthy patients, receiving prophylactic antibiotics for elective plastic surgery, is safe and appropriate. We recommend patients begin yogurt 1 week before surgery and complete a 14-day, three yogurts per day regiment to minimize the risks of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Most yogurt brands will work, but we recommend Dannon’s Activia. For more information of probiotics in this yogurt go to www.dannonprobioticscenter.com.
Top 10: AB Guerra Center Activities for 2009.
02 years ago
by Dr. Aldo
in In the news
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….
Plastic Surgery for the Holidays.
02 years ago
Plastic Surgery for the Holidays.
Scottsdale – Plastic surgery for the Holidays? Believe it or not, the popularity of plastic surgery around the holidays is extremely high. For most people, it all starts about 3 weeks before Thanksgiving. The number of consultations doubles around this time, in preparation for the season.
By the time Thanksgiving rolls in, 80 to 90% of the weekly schedule is spent performing plastic surgery. Then there’s another peak for the last 2 weeks of the year in which a high percentage of my schedule is spent in surgery. This time is popular because patients appreciate the extra time to recover. It is easier for them to keep the highest privacy and go unnoticed from work and friends as they recuperate. After recovery, they can return to their normal routine following the holidays with a refreshed appearance.
In the middle of all this, there are lots of patients that are coming in “rushing” to get plastic surgery. We are so busy, that we cannot always accommodate these folks. The holidays are traditionally our busiest time of the year. I would like for prospective patients to know this well ahead, so they can plan and not “rush” to get plastic surgery Arizona.
Some procedures are easier to accommodate on our plastic surgery schedule than others. Performing Scottsdale breast augmentation and liposuction in Phoenix takes less time and preparation for most cases. Other procedures such as facelift, tummy tuck, breast lift, thigh lift and body lift take quite a bit more time and preparation.
At the very least, prospective patients should be certain to have a support group available, such as, friends or family, to help them during their recovery. They should discuss with us their plans for their follow-up clinic visits. They should have plenty of time to discuss plastic surgery with their regular doctor and be sure they are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. We may also recommend they obtain some routine labs before surgery.
Our goal is to make your holiday plastic surgery experience as pleasant as possible. We recommend you give us, and yourself, plenty of notice so that we don’t have to “rush” your experience. We recommend you have a consultation with us 6 to 8 weeks before your planned surgery date.
Know your Options: Body Contouring.
02 years ago
Scottsdale – The plastic surgery procedures known to improve the shape and size of the body are known as: Body Contouring. These surgeries can include well-known procedures such as tummy tuck, liposuction, body lift and many others.
When are you a candidate for any of these procedures? The answer is not simple, unfortunately. However, three basic tips can help most individuals answer when and which of these plastic surgery procedures will serve their interests best.
Tip 1. When you have unwanted isolated fat pockets with good to excellent skin tone and you want to have a better body shape, then liposuction is likely the best procedure for you. Look at the area that bothers you and look at the skin. If you have stretchmarks, loose and flabby skin, then lipo will not work the best.
Tip 2. When you find yourself with fat pockets, flabbiness, loose skin, and strechmarks in any area of the body, then a procedure which can remove the unwanted fat and skin is going to give you the best results. If the excess is in the arms, then an arm tuck is best compared to lipo. If the excess is in the thighs, then a thigh lift is better than lipo. If the same occurs in the tummy, then a tummy tuck is a better operation, especially if you have had children.
Tip 3. If you find that you have lost a lot of weight with or without bariatric surgery and developed tremendous amounts of excess skin then a procedure like a body lift may be better for you. The only way to remove all that excess skin is by having a comprehensive body contouring procedure designed for patients after major weight loss.
I hope these three simple tips are helpful. The best way to find out which procedure best fits your needs, is to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. For more information on our plastic surgery center, facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation Arizona, and body contouring plastic surgery, please go to www.myfaceandbody.com
Age 50: 5 recommendations for your face.
02 years ago
Top 5 for 50 Facial Plastic Surgery procedures recommended.
Scottsdale – The AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center recommends that patients in their 50′s take a look at our suggestions list. We see hundreds of patients interested in plastic surgery every year. These are the recommended facial plastic surgery procedures can help you to feel and look younger.
The top 5 procedures for 50, in the face include:
The eyes: The eyes can easily give you away! Heavy eyelids can make you looked tired, aged and uninterested. In some cases, the upper eyelids can become so heavy at 50, they may actually block your vision. In contrast, after eyelid rejuvenation surgery, you can look youthful, bright and beautiful.
The face: The face is the centerpiece of all facial plastic surgery rejuvenation. Aging of the face at 50 results in deep laugh lines, sagging skin and jowls. A facelift offers all patients, men and women, the opportunity to turn back the clock on aging. Face lift can be performed as a mini, which treats only the face and has shorter incisions, or a full facelift, incorporating part of a neck lift, as well.
The forehead: Aging lines and wrinkles in your forehead and frown area are typical in persons younger than 50. Deep frown lines, in particular, evoke feelings of anger or unhappiness to your face. By the time 50 rolls around, most persons are tired of those age lines to the point of doing something about it. The forehead lift, is an operation that can smooth out the forehead and the frown lines in one procedure and make you look younger, well-rested and happy.
The neck: Loose and elastic skin of the neck can make you very self-conscious. In addition, the neck is sometimes difficult to hide in Arizona. A neck lift is a great procedure that can be done by itself or with a face lift and can rejuvenate your neck area by reducing loose and wrinkly neck skin. The incision is easily hidden behind your ear. Liposuction can sometimes be used alone or in combination with a lift in neck rejuvenation. An examination by Dr. Guerra can help you decide which procedure is best for you.
The wrinkles: Exposure to sun, wind and the elements can increase the number of lines and wrinkles on you face. Lasers, chemical peels and a sensible skin care regiment will help to reduce the number of wrinkles and reverse some of the changes that occur with aging.
For more information on plastic surgery in Arizona or to make a consultation with Dr. Guerra call (480) 970-2580, schedule an appointment online. You may also want to review the facial surgery section on The AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Blog for more information on facial plastic surgery.
Ironing out forehead wrinkles with forehead lift surgery.
02 years ago
Ironing out forehead wrinkles with forehead lift surgery.
Scottsdale – A forehead lift can be performed using various techniques. The procedure has changed over the years from an open technique to more sophisticated short incisions and even endoscopic techniques, utilizing a camera to visualize the surgery steps.
A forehead lift usually involves incisions in the scalp. Incisions may also be performed in the forehead and the upper eyelids. Once incisions are made, undermining (lifting) of the skin is performed, and the deeper layers of the forehead are lifted.
Importantly, muscles that depress the eyebrows and create wrinkles in the frown area can be treated. The surgery can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin, and lift your eyebrows to a more pleasing level.
The results of forehead lift are a reversal of the effects of gravity and aging. Tightening of soft tissues of the forehead to restore a more youthful appearance to the upper face is an additional benefit (model used in illustration).
TUB: 7 years later – still a good technique.
02 years ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Eyelid Surgery
Scottsdale – Some seven years ago, when I was faculty in the plastic surgery section at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, I published an article on cosmetic eyelid surgery in the Annals of Plastic Surgery. We called the surgery the TUB technique. The article featured a transconjunctival approach for the removal of excess fat in upper eyelid rejuvenation. I continue to use this technique even after all this time with good success.
The transconjunctival upper blepharoplasty was a relatively new technique at the time. It is still used today by the authors of the article, including myself. I reserve the procedure who have had blepharoplasty and still retain some fat tissue in the upper eyelid. Many of these patients do not want their surgeon to open up the healed eyelid incision. This operation offers a pathway to the fat pad from the inside – via the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid, avoiding re-operation on the external scar. It is a safe and reliable technique.
A gentle laser or chemical peel can be performed to tighten the skin during the TUB technique. This procedure continues to be an effective method of removing medial upper eyelid fat with minimal risks.
Perma Lip Implant: Report of Initial Experience.
02 years ago
Lip augmentation alternatives.
Scottsdale – An interesting permanent silicone implant for lip augmentation was recently approved by the FDA. It is called, the Perma Lip implant and its use has been recently reported in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The implant is manufactured by SurgiSil in Plano, TX. The silicone implants are designed and approved for lip augmentation and are available in three thickness levels at 3, 4, and 5 mm and variable lengths of 55, 60, and 65 mm to fit any adult lip.
The authors point out that the upper lip is longer, so longer implants are typically used in this location. When planning the augmentation, the authors suggest that the lower lip should be twice as full as the upper lip and it can be altered with thicker implants. The key in the design with this implant occurs at the ends. The ends are tapered to match the thinner ends of your lips. This makes the results appear very natural.
The implants were placed at the time of face lift and were done under twilight sleep using ketamine and valium plus local anesthesia. After nerve blocks were applied, additional local anesthesia is introduced into the lips, along the course of the moist and dry lip. The implants were then easily threaded in the correct position. The surgeon can confirm proper position before closing incisions. The authors placed nearly 100 implants in this study with a follow-up of six months. Patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment.
I think this is an interesting method that could be useful in some patients. Patients should be aware that a lot of swelling and bruising has been seen in using this technique. This is the first published article on this subject. The FDA-approved, Perma Lip implant is available at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center.
