Wrong, Mick. You can get satisfaction

Recent surveys show some interesting findings.  

Over all, cosmetic surgery consumers are more satisfied with their result than not.  Breast augmentation is THE most popular operation currently and patients who go to a board certified plastic surgeon had a satisfaction rate of 94% versus women who went to a NON board certified surgeon and their satisfaction rate was only 88%.  This is really, really important because more and more doctors are touting they are “cosmetic surgeons” when in fact they lack formal training.  

Interestingly enough this was also true for other cosmetic procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, eyelid surgery and the like.

TEA LOVERS UNITE

  Addiction to coffee and soda abound.  

I remember reading a short while back about a woman in England who was in her 30’s and her death was partially attributed to her addiction to cola drinks.  She drank several GALLONS a day.  

But addiction to green tea may be good.  The main reason is the high levels of antioxidants found in green tea.  This is due to the way green tea is made.  

It is made from unfermented tea leaves.  These antioxidants are called polyphenols.  These antioxidants fight off damaging particles called free radicals.  This removal of free radicals protects our cells and our cells DNA.  

Green tea may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  It  may lower the risk of developing cancer and may also help control sugar levels in diabetics.

Salt and your Health

We hear all the time about the evils of too much salt in our diet.  Salt makes most things taste better but now there's a NEW worry.  It may be that salt may affect our immune system in such a way as to create autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

People who go to the infamous “fast food” restaurants had higher levels of cells that cause inflammation.  These cells are called TH17.  

In an auto immune disease, these cells over-multiply and attack our own bodies normal cells.  When mice were exposed to increased  levels of salt, their bodies produced more TH17 cells.  In mice that were fed increased salt, their bodies developed increased rates of MS, probably due to an increase in TH17 production!  Hmm!  

I guess when I go to the movies no salt on my popcorn or maybe only some Twizzlers!  Oh well!

New Trends in Breast Augmentation

If you see a slender, youngish lady with large and perky breasts, you may wonder if they are implants. 

"Real 'C' cups start sagging by the time you're 30," says a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon.  As a result, some women are now seeking a subtler way to increase breast size. The January 2013 issue of Marie Claire discusses these latest trends:

Fat Transfer or Injection

If you don't want the alleged stigma of implants, you can increase your breast size with your own fat. Assuming you have extra fat to spare from love handles or saddle bags, it can be removed through liposuction and injected into your breasts.

The advantages? You will have no scars, your breasts may feel more
natural, and no one will know that you have had any work done. Further, if you gain weight,  the weight will go straight to your chest, according to a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon.

But there also are disadvantages. This process requires extensive recovery time because of soreness from  the liposuction. Furthermore, it costs more for less volume. Only about half of the fat, equal to about a half to a full cup size, remains after six months. The remainder is metabolized by the body. The procedure can take up to six times as long as the standard 30-minute implant surgery.

Other innovations

Some doctors now have Vectra 3-D Imaging Devices, which can inflate your chest photographically, so you can see what you will look like. Or, if you wonder what will be the most flattering proportion for you, there is an app for a computerized program that uses chest dimensions and nipple spacing to calculate your perfect cup size and most perfect silhouette. A graceful slope to the upper part of the breast looks natural compared with an upper bulge, which looks fake.

You can look ahead to more anatomically-shaped teardrop implants with gummy-bear like silicone filling that help prevent that bulging look on top.

For the most reliable information about for breast augmentation for you, contact a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Brueck named "Most Compassionate Doctor" by patients

Patients Recognize Dr. Robert Brueck MD for His Compassionate Treatment

Dr. Robert Brueck MD FACS  of Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, has been ranked among the top physicians in the nation based on patient reviews.

Patients' Choice, an organization that provides in depth information on doctors who have been recognized and awarded for outstanding patient care and expertise. has announced that Dr. Robert Brueck MD was one of a select few physicians honored with the prestigious 2012 Compassionate Doctor Certification.

Each year, nearly 100 million patients across the U.S. access websites like Vitals, UCompareHealthCare, and Patients' Choice to provide feedback about experiences with their physicians. Only those physicians with near perfect overall and bedside manner scores, as voted by their patients, are selected for the Compassionate Doctor recognition. Of the nation's 870,000 active physicians, only 3% were accorded this honor in 2012.

"This is an important honor for me. Treating patients in ways that make them feel comfortable, cared for, informed and in control is a standard I strive for. I am very pleased to have been selected and grateful to my patients who went out of their way to rate me and give me positive reviews."

As you know in following this blog, my practice as a board certified cosmetic surgeon means everything to me.  I have been practicing for 36 years, over which time I have served countless patients. Whether it is a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, reconstructive surgery, nose surgery and eyelid surgery, patient praise is extremely gratifying.

For more information on this Compassionate Doctor, please visit Dr. Robert Brueck's profile on Vitals.com. or call
Dr. Robert Brueck, in Southwest Florida at 239-939-5233. 

The Compassionate Doctor certification is the honor role of physicians who have received the highest overall and bedside manner ratings by their patients. 

Two-fers in Breast Surgery

Many women who desire better breast shape require restoration of volume and also elevation due to excessive sagging or what we call ptosis.

This can be a very challenging situation for a plastic surgeon and, believe me, experience DOES matter.  

A recent article discussed doing both operations together.  The overall re-operation rate is 23.2%- this was 20% for primary cases and 30.9% for secondary cases.  The most common complication was hard encapsulation, then poor scarring and recurrent ptosis.   

The re-operation rate of 23.2% is higher than either procedure performed independently.  Again careful patient selection and the experience of the plastic surgeon can go along way to making the combined-one stage procedure safe and effective.

Sweat No More

Today, I find as a Florida plastic surgeon that much of the “newer” technology has two things in common.  

First, they are all very expensive.

Second, the majority do not deliver on what they say they will do.  

One though really does deliver and that is the MiraDry system to block excessive sweating.  

At a recent dermatology meeting, 12-18 month follow up results on 31 patients were reviewed.  100% of the patients saw a significant decrease in sweating – the average reduction was a whopping 82% - also patient satisfaction after 18 months was 94%.  

Great technology to solve a horrific problem and social embarrassment!

What's drying out your eyes?

As a Florida plastic surgeon,  one of my favorite operations is an upper eyelid Blepharoplasty or eyelid lift.

Before and after photos of a blepharoplasty

The most common complication following a Blepharoplasty is dry eyes.   

There are several herbal products associated with dry eyes.  One is Niacin or vitamin B3.  Others include Echinacea, kava and anti-cholinergic alkaloids.  I have requested all my patients to stop ALL herbal supplements.  

Keeping things simple is the best.

Another look at stem cells

About a week ago I began my “own” little journey to see if I could grow my hair through PRP injections.  PRP stands for platelet rich plasma.  I have used PRP along with a patient's own fat to augment various parts of a patient's aging face.  The PRP comes from the patients own blood.  It is a great concept – no foreign objects – no foreign materials.

I realize everyone’s experience is different.  I remember as a young man making inquiries into hair transplants.  Mind you, I was in my late teens or early 20’s.  Hair loss to a shy, introverted young man was devastating.  After my consult I realized it would never become reality – the cost was prohibitive even back then. 

Now, fast forward 40 years and we enter the world of PRP.  Granted, I’ve lost a few more strands over those 40 years – actually more than a few and they even have changed color.  I guess change can be a good thing.  I have experienced first hand how devastated a young man can be as he starts losing his hair.  For many it is part of their masculine identity, like breasts for a women.

As a Florida cosmetic surgeon, I have seen some truly remarkable re-growth of hair through injections of PRP into the scalp.  I decided to investigate.  

Apparently hair follicles in male pattern baldness may be dormant and really haven’t vanished.  They just need a “boost” – PRP can provide that boost – besides it is your own tissue.  Some men and even women have had excellent hair re-growth by having injections of PRP plus protein matrix into their scalp.  

So easy – so straight-forward - so I asked, "Why not try it out.  See if is really works" So off I went to see Dr. Joe Greco in Sarasota, who actually is a PhD and has done a lot of work with PRP and hair transplant/plugs.  So Linda and I headed north to Sarasota….

Stay with me. There is more to come.

l

Would you have cosmetic surgery if it was free?

Wow!  I read this and knew right away it was not Florida or Beverly Hills.  

In England they surveyed Brits' opinions about “growing old gracefully”

Of 750 women surveyed, only 44% would opt to have cosmetic surgery even it was FREE!

Also, younger individuals were more likely to opt for cosmetic surgery than their older counterparts.  

So think, in America, if only 44% of women would opt for free cosmetic surgery.  

That makes plastic surgery a career filled with good feelings about helping people. But not likely to be very remunerative.

Good thing I practice here and not the U.K.!

Herbal Products and Hypertension

Obviously, elevated blood pressure is not a patient's or plastic surgeon's best friend.  High blood pressure can lead to excessive bleeding, resulting in a hematoma or collection of blood and excessive bruising.

This could necessitate an unplanned trip back to the operating room. 

Several herbal supplements are associated with elevation of blood pressure.  Here is a partial list:  arnica, bitter orange, blue cohosh, ephedra, ginkgo, ginsing, guarana, licorice, pennyroyal oil, scotch broom, senna, southern bayberry, St. Johns wart, and last but not least, yohimbine. 

The herbal supplement business is a 6 billion dollar a year business. 

As a plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, I guess the word of the day is primum non nocere! (First, do no harm) Perhaps that should also apply to patients. And suggests it is critical for a patient to advise the physician or surgeon that such herbal substances have been ingested.

How does a Dr decide who should be his surgeon?

Ever wonder what a doctor does when he or she chooses a surgeon? In this case, a dentist tells us what he did.
Even as a board certified plastic surgeon in Southwest Florida, I find this bit of video both informative and interesting. Hope you did too.