A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale
Posts tagged plastic surgery
Update II. The 25th Breast Surgery and Body Contouring Symposium
1 year ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Body Plastic Surgery
Santa Fe, NM – Yesterday (Friday) was indeed another great day the 25th Annual Breast Surgery and Body Contouring Symposium. Saturday’s discussion and instructional plastic surgery courses were far better. I can easily say the meeting is a 10 out of 10.
I really came to this meeting to find any and many updates on the latest plastic surgery techniques. The topics for the day?
It all started with tummy tuck, lipo, and tummy tuck and liposuction. In the middle, we heard about bodylift after major weight loss, arm lift, and thigh lift. Then we finished the day with buttock augmentation and buttock lifting.
I have to tell all, this meeting was truly eye-opening. I saw wonderful results from techniques similar to those I use, but will likely begin fine-tuning my own cases to continue to achieve better and safer results with body contouring and cosmetic surgery.
Based on what I have learned, what am I going to add?
I am going to add a 5 mm liposuction cannula for my future plastic surgery cases. This size of cannula adds a little more fat for fat harvest and fat injection, especially when it come to buttock augmentation. I plan to use this in zone 4 of the back when I perform Brazillian Butt Lift. I have always been a strong advocate of small lipo cannulas, the biggest I routinely use is a 4 mm, because these improved the results. In fat grafting surgery, I clearly saw the advantage of having a 5 mm exploded basket tip cannula for fat harvest.
What else? I was impressed about incision location options for the lower body lift. I currently use an incision which is low. I prefer that because plastic surgery clients in Scottsdale, Arizona also prefer a lower incision which is easier to hide. The advantage of the higher incision relates to the contour which is achieved. A higher incision allows the patients to have more of an hour-glass contour, which is quite attractive.
It was another good day for the basic science and technique of fat harvest and fat injections. The discussion Saturday focused on the various techniques employed by different surgeons for fat grafting. It is easy to note that no one seems to use the same technique and everyone discussed was slightly different from the next.
The day in the main lecture area was wrapped up with buttock augmentation via fat grafting. The symposium was sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Tips on Post-Opertive Nausea Reduction.
01 year ago
Nausea and Vomiting Prevention
Scottsdale – Developing an affective approach to the problem of Post Surgery Nausea and Vomiting after plastic surgery of the body and facial plastic surgery begins with a proper risk assessment. A number of published studies have detailed the development of risk assessment scoring systems which your doctor can use to manage your care and make the anesthesia experience better for you. Most anesthesia providers can classify patients into low, moderate or high risk for after surgery nausea without the use of scoring systems. Certain obvious patient characteristics are associated with a higher risk of Post-Op Nausea and Vomiting, including:
- younger age
- female gender
- large body mass index
Tell your anesthesia doctor about these key factors below that may also increase the risks of anesthesia-related nausea and vomiting:
- if you have a history of Post Operative Nausea and Vomiting with a previous surgery
- if you have history you have a history of motion sickness
- If you are anxious or have anxiety about your cosmetic surgery procedure
If you are having a plastic surgery operation on the anatomic areas below, you may be predisposed to a higher risk of Post-Op Nausea and Vomiting:
- head and neck procedures, including facelift and eyelid lift
- abdominal surgery, possibly including tummy tuck and bodylift operations
- laparoscopic surgery
- gynecologic procedures
Certain types of medications used with anesthesia are known to increase the incidence of nausea after surgery:
- opioids
- reversal agents for neuromuscular blockade
It would be ideal not to use aggressive methods of nausea prevention for low risk patients. For patients at moderate risk, some prophylaxis followed by aggressive treatment if nausea and vomiting develops is warranted.
For those patients at high risk, aggressive prophylaxis and treatment may seem costly, but becomes cost-effective when the issues of patients satisfaction and avoidance of unplanned admission are considered.
iPad in a Plastic Surgery office in Scottsdale
01 year ago
Apple's new iPad tablet device.
Scottsdale – Apple has a new tablet computer called iPad and it was released this Saturday. The jury is still out whether it will change the way medicine is done in America but iPad has a lot of potential.
I have been waiting for an advanced tablet product for many years. It is possible that an efficient, light platform like iPad could simplify my daily routine at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center.
Our plastic surgery office will be testing out iPad in the next few months and we’ll report back to see how susscessful it can be in a clinical setting. Technology moves quickly and our practice specializing in plastic surgery in Scottsdale wants to be at the forefornt in medicine by using the latest technology available to help efficiency and quality of care.
Plastic Surgery after Major Weight Loss Seminar tomorrow! 3/17
01 year ago
Plastic Surgery after Major Weight Loss Seminar
Scottsdale – OK everyone, our much anticipated plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar is happening tomorrow!
The last seminar was really great with an excellent turnout! I like to keep the groups small so that everyone feels comfortable and has plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
The seminar tomorrow will focus on body contouring after major weight loss including body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, arm tuck or brachioplasty, breast lift, extended tummy tuck, and face lift surgery. I will spend time going over each plastic surgery procedure and actual patient before and after photos.
Dr. Guerra and the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center enjoy educating the public about cosmetic surgery procedures so they can make an informed decision.
Type 4 Mommy Makeover: On the Cutting Edge.
01 year ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Buttock Enhancement
Mommy Makeover 4: Tummy Tuck and Brazilian Butt Lift.
Brazilian Butt Lift in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale – The Brazilians have been doing this for a while. In the U.S., the combined plastic surgery mommy makeover procedure tummy tuck and Brazilian butt lift is just starting to become popular. America is the land of the makeover and I have no doubt that soon enough this mommy makeover combination of procedures will be performed all over the country.
I have a fair amount of experience with these operations and I find these to be very safe, as long as they are performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, in an accredited facility, and with proper anesthesia. I perform a Scottsdale mommy makeover with the Brazilian butt lift as an option for patients.
The procedure begins with liposuction Scottsdale to obtain the fat for buttock injection. The best places to harvest fat are always the tummy and inner thighs. All the tummy liposuction is performed and then the tummy tuck is completed. The patient is turned on the plastic surgery operating table with the buttock up and the fat is injected.
The fat injection volume, I have placed have varied from 400 cc to 1400 cc. The limiting factor is always the volume of fat the patient can donate. I have asked many patients to gain weight before their surgery in order to make sure they have enough fat to accomplish their desired results.
3 Plastic Surgery New Year's Resolutions….
02 years ago
1. Consumer plastic surgery book review: There are many good plastic surgery books created for consumers. Which are the good ones? Well, we plan to review the lot of consumer plastic surgery books. We will write our reviews on the blog as the year progresses.
2. Introduction of the Video Blogs: We are working hard to bring video to the blog. Stay tuned to hear about new ideas in all aspects of plastic surgery.
3. More information: Based on our experience, we find that consumers still are not getting the information they need. Many new ideas have crossed my desk. All of the ideas being considered are designed to educate the public on plastic surgery and all the options available. Our resolution is to bring these ideas to fruition.
What is Poland's Syndrome?
02 years ago
Scottsdale – I brought this topic for consideration on the blog, because Poland’s Syndrome is common in the plastic surgeon’s practice. In my office for instance, the condition usually involves women seeking breast augmentation and/or reconstruction.
Poland’s Syndrome is a condition in which there is malformation of the chest causing the pectoralis major, on one side of the body, to be absent or underdeveloped. An underdeveloped breast can accompany the condition. Poland’s is not life threatening, but can make restoration of normal breast shape and symmetry challenging. In Poland’s, one can also see unilateral shortening of the index, long, and ring fingers, and hypoplasia of the hand. Other muscles may be lacking such as the latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles depending on the severity of the condition.
Restoration of a normal appearing breast requires individualized and focused treatment. The hypoplastic breast may require muscular flap and/or silicone gel implant placement, tissue expansion for a future flap and/or implant reconstruction and, in mild cases, implants alone can be use on the affected side. Nipple reconstruction is some times required.
For the best symmetry, I discussed surgery on the non-affected side with all patients. Breast reduction and breast lift with or without silicone breast implants should be used.
Breaking News: YOU can STOP the Cosmetic Tax!
02 years ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Health Policy
Big Tax Burden on the Middle Class.
Scottsdale – We can all do something to Stop the Cosmetic Tax. The U. S. Senate has added a provision that would add a five percent tax to “cosmetic surgery and medical procedures” to help cover the $849 billion price tag for health care reform.
The tax would cover any medical procedure deemed “not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease.”
Because of this language, the tax could apply to a wide-range of treatments and surgeries designed to help enhance a patient’s self-confidence and create self-improvement. The tax will likely include charges to treatments with botulinum toxin, dermal filler injections, laser hair removal, breast implants, lipo, dental caps and implants, teeth whitening, etcetera..
Taxes on self-improvement should be opposed because:
- The tax is punitive and places an additional burden on the middle class (60% of patients make less than 90 thousand/year).
- The tax discriminates predominantly against women (86 to 91% of patients).
- The tax does not result in significant health reform.
- The tax mistakenly and unfairly categorizes cosmetic medical procedures in the same level as unhealthy habits (cigarettes and alcohol).
- The tax will be impossible to administer, converting physicians into tax collectors.
- The tax discourages scientific innovation and promotes dangerous and unregulated alternatives to safe, FDA-approved techniques.
This tax will impact Americans who are:
- Patients who are having or considering any procedure that might be taxed;
- Physicians who perform and administer those treatments and procedures;
- Employees of companies who manufacture cosmetic medical treatments;
- Americans opposed to additional taxes on individuals and small businesses to cover the costs of health reform.
YOU CAN HELP!
By calling your senators and telling them to stop this proposed tax on cosmetic medical procedures which will predominantly affect women. Your support matters, so please take a moment to partake in this effort. Look below to see what else you can do to STOP THE COSMETIC TAX!
- Contact your Senators to be linked at the top of this page and send a message to Congress that you oppose the self-improvement tax.
- Join the Cosmetic Tax Opposition Movement to protect your rights and stop Washington from adding these arbitrary and discriminatory new taxes.
- Sign the Petition to STOP the Cosmetic Tax.
- Tell a your Friends about this unfair and discriminatory taxation.
- You can also go directly to www.stopcosmetictax.org and get more information on this important issue.
Cosmetic Surgery Checklist: 5 Things to do.
22 years ago
Scottsdale – Plastic surgery is not a perfect science. However, to assist prospective patients in achieving optimal results and limit the risks and complications, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has recommended the following safety tips to anyone considering cosmetic surgery:
- Do Your Homework: Spend time researching the procedure, the benefits, and risks. For the latest information on plastic surgery procedures, turn to our website at www.myfaceandbody.com.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Ask your plastic surgeon questions about what the surgery is likely to accomplish for you. You should also ask about what will not be accomplished. Identify expectations, understand side effects and recovery time.
- Be Informed: Talk to patients who have had the procedures you are seeking. Ask them about what you should expect.
- Obtain a Medical Evaluation: Consult with your plastic surgeon for an evaluation and discuss your medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment. A full medical evaluation with an independent physician may be required as part of the preparation for surgery.
- Choose an ASPS Member Surgeon: ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are qualified, trained, and experienced in your procedure. ASPS members only operate in accredited facilities. For more information go to www.plasticsurgery.org
Announcements: Website Update & Thanks.
12 years ago
by Dr. Aldo
in In the news
Hello Fans of our Blog,
Just some quick announcements for this week:
1. A word of thanks to all our Facebook fans. We reached 200 fans at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center page two weeks ago . Our goal now is to get to 300 by year’s end.
2. We have updated several plastic surgery sections on our website at www.MyFaceAndBody.com. These include the tummy tuck, plastic surgery after weight loss, body lift, thigh lift and arm tuck (brachioplasty) pages. Please feel free to explore our new pages and stay tuned for more exciting additions in the near future.
Thanks,
AB Guerra MD
