9 Questions to Ask When Considering a Facelift

From time to time, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) sends out informative articles about cosmetic surgery. Here's an abstract of one I recently received as a board certified plastic surgeon member

What to think about when you want a facelift

Despite the growing use of Botox and injectable fillers, the facelift, continues to be a popular choice for longer-lasting results. The ASAPS reports in 2012, 119,006 facelifts were performed, a 2.5 percent increase vs 116,066 facelifts in 2011

Here are 9 things to think about when considering facial rejuvenation:

1. Am I a good candidate for a facelift? Ask your plastic surgeon. He or she will advise you, considering your age, skin type and goals.

2. What kind of facelift should I get? Finding the right surgeon is more important than deciding on the right surgical technique. Look at the surgeon's facelift results. If you like them, trust the surgeon's advice to get the results you want.

3. How long does the surgery take, and what is the recovery time? A mini-facelift takes less than two hours. A standard facelift usually takes three to four hours and may take up to six when combined with other things like eyelid or brow surgery. Recovery times differ but, generally, noticeable swelling goes down in 10 to 14 days.

4. How will I look different? A good facelift should make you look younger, more rested and relaxed.

5. What should I look for in a plastic surgeon? Carefully inspect the before-and-after photos on the surgeon's website. You may also ask to see additional photos during your initial consultation. Make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

6. What are the risks? As with any surgery, a facelift procedure carries risks. Infection is rare, but possible. Bleeding after a procedure may result in hematomas. Healing is usually uneventful (unless you are a smoker) and nerve damage is usually temporary. The risks are closely related to your surgeon's skills, but there are risks even in the best surgeon's operating room.

7. Should I wait to lose weight before having a  facelift? If it is just a few pounds it won't make much of a difference. If it is more, hold off until you feel comfortable with your weight.

8. How long will the effects of a facelift last compared with fillers? Unlike the temporary results from fillers, which may require follow up treatments in a few months, results of a facelift will last for years. How long, of course, depends on skin quality, significant weight changes and environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure.

9. Should I undergo other procedures together with my facelift? A procedure commonly done in conjunction with facelifts is a blepharoplasty or eyelid lift. These procedures are frequently performed together, as indicated by need.

If you choose me as your surgeon, these questions and any others you may have will be discussed to your satisfaction during your consultation with me, for which I charge nothing.

MIRACLE DRUG!

Dr. Robert Brueck MD, who practices plastic surgery in Fort Myers, Florida, likes to share good news with his blog readers.

This is good news. A drug many of us take everyday may be a key drug to prevent cancer and keep it in check.

A series of new studies shows that common everyday aspirin just may be the key to ward off cancer. Oxford University studies done to test aspirin’s effects on the heart, showed that not only were these people less likely to have a heart attack but also 23% less likely to develop cancer over a 3 year period versus those who took NO aspirin.

Over a 5 year period they had a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer.

They also conducted a study in people with cancer and found that those who took an aspirin a day had a lower rate of metastasis. Study author Peter Rothwell said “no drug has been shown before to prevent distant metastasis.”

THE “NEW” PAP SMEAR

We are all familiar with the pap smear – millions of American women get them every year.

As a Fort Myers plastic surgeon who deals with women who may be, or have been, afflicted by breast cancer, I'm pleased to report that there may be a new “pap” smear to detect breast cancer.

A new partnership between the University of North Dakota and a company called Neomatrix LLC may soon license a new technology to detect early forms of breast cancer from nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).

The HALO test may detect breast cancer cells in the NAF. Researchers at the university identified a set of bio markers in the NAF that led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

If you would like more information go to www.neomatrix.com. The test is a simple non invasive 5 minute test. This HALO Breast Pap test is FDA approved for the collection of nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).

BEST TIME OF DAY FOR SURGERY?

As a plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, FL, I am often asked this question.

I am a morning person – to the gym at 3:00 am – ready to go to the Operating Room by 7:00 – 7:30 am. Often times, patients will comment “I hope you are ready to go! Somehow my telling them my routine, they have a quiet reassurance. They want me to be fresh.

But does the time of day a procedure is performed really matter – morning vs. afternoon?

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic studied 32,001 elective procedures over a 5 year span. The results revealed there is NO difference whether you have your surgery in the A.M. or P.M.

So rest assured. If you like to sleep-in and want your surgery “later” in the day, I say go for it.

THE CRAZY WORLD OF DIETS

As a Fort Myers Florida Cosmetic Surgeon, I am keenly aware of Thomas Edison, a local winter resident when he was living*, and one of the greatest inventors of all time. http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/files/header_200/839_20080120a.jpg.It would be of interest to study his archives to see what “diet or diets” he may have invented. Dieting is universal – in fact, most of us, I included, have been on more than one diet.

One thing has always dumbfounded me – if evolution is so, why haven’t our bodies' metabolism “evolved” to burn up more calories? Our bodies have been bombarded with caloric overload – pizza, ice cream, beer, snack foods, fried foods – the list goes on and on. Oh well, just a thought.

There are truly some unique diets out there – some are way out there. One is the HCG or human growth hormone diet. To be effective you need to inject HCG and limit your calories to 500 or so per day. This is NOT an FDA approved use of HCG. HCG is approved for treating dwarfism where young people fail to grow properly due a deficiency of growth hormones.

Now if you are into housekeeping, try the new – maybe it’s not so new – “MASTER CLEANSE”. This one really got my taste buds salivating. This is a 4-14 day cleansing process. What is in the cleanser? You take 6 or more servings of a drink containing lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. This has been around since the 1950’s and you can lose 4-20 pounds depending on how long you “cleanse”. Somehow ipecac sounds better. This diet is popular among Hollywood elite.

Lets not forget the “baby food” diet. Remember to use a bib if you want it to be really effective. This diet consists of eating 14 jars of baby food per day. Supposedly this a controlled portion diet. Somehow as a kid baby food was ok, but not too appealing as an adult.

There you have it – just in time for the holidays, when diets tend to be disregarded, and New Year's when they are resolved to be reinstated.

Merry Christmas to one and all, and the richest of God’s blessings in the New Year.

* The Edison Ford Winter Estates are well worth a visit when you are in or near Fort Myers, FL

NEW FILLER ON THE BLOCK

The FDA recently approved a new soft tissue filler.

The name of the new kid on the block is Belotero. It is a hyaluronic acid cohesive gel filler.

The injection is done in the dermis to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles.

Yet another tough choice to make. If you would like some advice, check out my Fort Myers plastic surgeon website pages concerning fillers.

A GROWING BODY OF EVIDENCE - NEW AGE HAS BEGUN

Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers Aesthetic Plastic surgeon, reports ona study by the Aesthetic Society of Cosmetic Surgeons.

Recent statistics released by the Aesthetic Society of Cosmetic Surgeons reveal that demand for cosmetic surgery procedures is driven by a new age group.

Baby boomers (51-64 years of age) accounted for only 28% of cosmetic procedures.

Generation X (31-45 years of age) accounted for 43% of procedures.

Logic tells us this will lead to a shift from facial cosmetic surgery, a primary concern for aging "boomers", to more body contouring procedures, ie: tummy tucks, liposuction etc., that are more important to a younger cohort for whom the shape and tone of one's body is major concern.

Does estrogen make you "smarter"?

Another curious finding from the media research of Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers Cosmetic Surgeon, who blogs here regularly

Apparently, women who have gone through menopause show an increase in gray matter as a result of estrogen therapy.

24 women were studied at Vanderbilt University and the University of Vermont – half got estrogen and half got a placebo (nothing).

Using MRI screening, the women receiving estrogen showed an increased volume of gray matter. Many previous studies confirmed that decreasing levels of estrogen affect visual and verbal memory function.

Think about it.

THE WAR ON BRAIN TUMOR

Another bit of health related information from Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers Florida cosmetic surgeon.

More than 13,000 people die every year from a brain tumor known as glioblastoma.

According to a recent article in the journal, Molecular Therapy, scientists in Ohio utilized a herpes simplex virus type 2 and converted it into a “killer” virus. The virus was engineered to replicate in cells with high levels of restin which is found in malignant glioblastoma cells.

Mice treated with the “killer virus” were tumor free at 80 days while control mice died in about 20-53 days.

More studies are needed but so far – so good.

Discounts vs. promotions? Or just plain competence?

Regular readers know that Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD. Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon, periodically blogs here about matters relating to plastic surgery and health. Why not set up an RSS feed of this blog so you miss any of them?

Our British counterparts – The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons – recently did a comparison of marketing tools/techniques by their members vs. their counterparts here in America.

They found that clinics were 2 times more likely to offer financial incentives such as prize drawings, multi-procedure discounts, or special rewards for booking surgery such as studio photo shoots.

I think this speaks to the tough economic times we all face – here – Europe – anywhere. Like their counterparts here in America they have seen an alarming increase in non-plastic surgeons cashing in on the new cosmetic industry.

These difficult times certainly warrant prospective patients to be more cautious and diligent in their search for a cosmetic surgeon.

Coupons are great but experience matters more.

A NEW DIET - Let's not throw cold water on it.

Here's another blog of interest from Dr. Robert Brueck, Fort Myers cosmetic surgeon. You can read more about Dr. Brueck at Beauty-by-Brueck.com

I guess one has to ask themselves, "when was the last time or day a 'new' diet wasn’t discovered?" Diets fill all kinds of bookshelves at Barnes and Noble and Books a Million.

Now – lets hear the drum roll – there is a “NEW” diet. It is the new “ICE WATER DIET’.

Researchers have found that by drinking cold water you burn more calories. A study revealed that drinking cold water was thermogenic and increased resting energy expenditures, ie: you burn more calories.

So I guess the ice machine will have to work overtime! Glad I don’t live in the tundra.

China? The New South Beach?

Another blog message from Dr. Robert Brueck MD, who writes here about aspects of health and plastic surgery. He practices as a Board Certified cosmetic surgeon in Fort Myers, FL

It seems we can hardly pick up the paper and not read about China - the new emerging economic and military power. As they have embraced free market initiatives, their middle class has really blossomed.

According to China’s Health Ministry, cosmetic-plastic surgery now ranks as the 4^th, that’s right, 4^th, most popular way to spend discretionary income.

The first three are home buying, cars and travel, in that order. The “big three” in cosmetic surgery are the United States., Brazil and now, China. Not only are they third but according to their health minister their numbers are doubling every year.

So what are the three most popular procedures?

1. Eyelid surgery to westernize their eyes.

2. Nasal surgery to elevate their nasal bridge

3. Procedures to narrow and elongate their jaws.

These patients are not elderly. Maybe 40% are in their 20’s. Medical tourism may soon flourish to the far East, if not already.

More plastic surgery patient comments - Dr. Brueck, Fort Myers

From time to time we receive comments from our plastic surgery patients in Fort Myers. We are happy to share them with you and other readers of this blog and Dr. Brueck's website.

Here are two from April.

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“Pam was excellent! My anesthesia person (Judy) was awesome! I adore Dr. Brueck. Everybody was so helpful. I felt like I was the only person in the world to them at that very moment and that's a great feeling.”

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“My experience there was absolutely fabulous! Your staff are the most wonderful, nicest, caring people. Dr. Brueck is superb! You're (sic) staff really cares about your people in the way they talk and act – it's just wonderful! I will recommend you to everyone.”

Another testimonial for Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Robert Brueck MD

Practicing plastic surgery in Fort Myers, FL brings me many satisfactions. From time to time, a patient heightens that satisfaction by writing me a thank you note. This one struck me as particularly heartfelt because of the patient's background. I hope you agree. (The original printed letter has been transcribed here as written.)

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"Dear Dr. Brueck and Staff:

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had a mastectomy in 2009 and was very adamant about not getting reconstructed and using a prosthetic. I did that for a year and a half and was getting tired of not having myself back. I did some soul searching and decided to interview a few Plastic Surgeons. I went on line and did a search and found Dr. Brueck. My husband and I had a consultation with him and immediately knew he was the one. From the minute we walked in his office from his staff to Dr. Brueck couldn't have made my decision any easier. I had reconstruction and a nipple done on my left side and an augmentation done on my right side do to a lumpectomy I had eleven years ago. I feel WONDERFUL and the reconstruction/augmentation looks BEAUTIFUL. Dr. Brueck is blessed with magic hands and a great personality.

Dr. Brueck and his staff made a very difficult sensitive situation easier tio handle. THANK-YOU!" - TC

Dr. Brueck in TV Syndication

Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS regularly blogs at this place on the internet about subjects related to health, skin, medicine and cosmetic surgery. He also covers these subjects on his web site at Beauty-by-Brueck.com

If you have been following my blog messages about American Health Journal you may have noticed that the show was scheduled to go into syndication. This means it is being shown in other markets.

Here's the schedule for this week (January 10) and next week (January 24).

San Diego, CA - My Network 13 -Sunday at 11 AM
Houston, TX - KHOU - M-Th at 7 to 8 AM
Beaumont, TX - CBS 6 - Sunday at 11:05 PM
Salt Lake City, UT - CBS - Sunday at 7:00 AM
Knoxville, TN - 10 News 2 - Saturday at 4:30 PM
Gainesville, FL - WNBW/NBC - Saturday at Noon
Gainesville, FL - My Network - Sunday at 9 AM
Palm Springs, CA - CBS 2 - Saturday at 3:30 PM & Sunday at 5:30 AM
Lafayette, LA - ThisTV- Saturday at 9 AM & Sunday at 9 AM
Alexandria, LA - CW5 - Sunday at 9 AM

For the remainder of this week, the subject will be Lip Implants.

For the week of January 24, I'll be talking about "Mommy Makeovers".

If you are in any of these locations or have friends there, make sure they know to tune in for Dr. Brueck's American Health Journal appearances.

Thank you.

Dr. Brueck, Ft Myers plastic surgeon describes his Lunchtime Lift (c)

Dr. Robert J. Brueck, Board Certified aesthetic surgeon practicing in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida, regularly blogs here on subjects of health, medicine and plastic surgery. His work also is displayed at Beauty-by-Brueck.com

Because not everyone has the need, time or money for a full face lift, I created a shorter procedure, taking about three hours to complete, or about as long as a leisurely luncheon.

I call this my Lunchtime Lift (c).

During a recent appearance on the American Health Journal TV show, I was asked to describe what is involved with a Lunchtime Lift.

The following is a video recording of that appearance. While reasonably complete, it is constrained by the amount broadcast time available. If you would like to know more, you can visit my web site or call me at 239-939-5233. I or my staff will be happy to answer additional questions.



The Lunchtime Lift (c) has become so popular that another plastic surgeon in the area has been referring to it in his advertising. You learn about the real thing from Dr. Brueck, however.

PS: It occurs to me that the start of a new year is a suitable time to look at making a new you. Whether it is facial rejuvenation or body contouring with various lifts, implants, liposuction or tummy tucks, putting yourself in the hands of a Board Certified plastic surgeon can take years off your appearance and add substantially to your self-confidence.

May your 2011 be filled with joy and prosperity.

NEW ASTHMA RX

Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS, a Fort Myers Board Certified plastic surgeon, uses this blog to provide information and news about skin health, plastic surgery and other health matters.

Asthma is something we all know about.

More than 22 million Americans suffer from it.

It usually is treated with medications. Now there is a SURGICAL procedure developed to treat asthma. It is called bronchial thermoplasty.

The procedure uses radio frequency waves to shrink the smooth muscle cells that cause the airways to narrow and create a "suffocating" feeling. This procedure is offered in 30 centers around the country. The procedure consists of 3 separate treatments.

Dr. Brueck MD, Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon, talks about liposuction

On October 17, at 11 AM on WINK-TV, Channel 5 in Fort Myers, Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS was interviewed on the subject of liposuction. This was Dr. Brueck's second appearance on the American Health Journal TV show. Additional appearances are scheduled for coming Sundays. If you miss them, however, they will be up loaded to this blog and to Dr. Brueck's FaceBook page.
Dr. Brueck also is on the web at Beauty-by-Brueck.com. You are welcome to visit and learn more about plastic cosmetic surgery.



If you find this interesting and would like to learn more about liposuction, call Dr. Brueck at 239-939-5233 to arrange a free, confidential and private consultation.

Life is good. How to get more of it - from Dr. Brueck, Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

[This is one in a series of postings by Dr. Robert J Brueck concerning items of interest in health care. Other aspects of health, related specifically to cosmetic and plastic surgery, are discussed on Dr. Brueck's Web site.]

Now that we’ve learned that coffee can be good for your health, the more and more studies are showing other things are good as well.

We’ve learned in the past that omega 3 fatty acids from fish are great for your heart but new research shows they may also be good for longevity.

Heart patients that take omega3 fatty acids have longer telomeres -these are parts of the DNA molecules - and longer telomeres mean longer life expectancy.

Shorter telomeres are a key part of cellular aging.

I guess the lesson learned is that we should all go out and lengthen our telomeres.

Of course in order to verify this a double blind study would be necessary but it provides food for thought and hope for the future, enjoy.

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Plastic surgery - We are all a-twitter

Well, what the heck, this is the 21st Century and social media are hotter than an August day in Florida. So we have stepped forward to be part of the communications revolution.

We are now on twitter.com under the name "rjbrueckMD" . As time goes forward we will occasionally be posting a tweet (that's what messages on twitter are called).

If you also are a twitterer, look us up and add us to your friends list.

A visit to my Web site at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com will give you some ideas to tweet to me.

Is this a fascinating time to be alive, or what?