Most Popular Plastic Surgeries Of 2008 - Channel NewsAsia
When the economy slows, it seems we get somewhat less superficial. The market downturn caused the first double-digit percentage pullback in plastic surgery procedures since 2002. In a new survey released Monday by the American Society for Aesthetic
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

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"Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently." - Dr Luftman

Belinda Stronach opens up about her breast cancer to raise funds for - Canada East
TORONTO - Belinda Stronach is speaking out about her experience with breast cancer to promote an event aimed at raising funds for a new Toronto centre for treating and researching the disease. The former MP and auto parts executive was diagnosed
Source: www.canadaeast.com

Node transplant may help lymphedema's painful swelling - Detroit Free Press
Two years after her mastectomy, Susan Cochrane spent the day in her Tecumseh yard planting flowers. She got a mild sunburn on her arms, though she had been careful to wear sunscreen and gloves. That night, her left arm looked a little swollen and red
Source: www.freep.com

Axis Three Announces Launch Of Portrait 3D-Breast V.2.0, World's First - Medical News Today
Axis Three, the leader and pioneer of surgical simulation tools for the cosmetic surgery industry, today announced the general availability of the Portrait 3D - Breast, the world's first simulation software based on physics-driven tissue typing. This
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Imaging Diagnostic Systems Achieves Technical Breakthrough with New - PR Inside
Imaging Diagnostic Systems, Inc., (OTCBB:IMDS) a pioneer in laser optical breast cancer imaging systems, announced today that it has enhanced its CT Laser Mammography (CTLM®) system with a reconstruction algorithm that improves visualization of
Source: www.pr-inside.com

Fitness aids in cancer recovery - Montgomery Advertiser
On a recent afternoon at Metro Fitness and Core­Vibes Studio in east Mont­gomery, the mood was peaceful. Gentle sunlight streamed in through the walls of upper windows as a small group of women made the rounds of the upstairs track, talking. As
Source: www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

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"Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently." - Dr Luftman

Surgical Groups Form 'Operation Patient Access: Quality Surgical Care - Earthtimes
WASHINGTON , March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Surgical groups, led by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), along with other key health care stakeholders, today announced the formation of Operation Patient Access: Quality Surgical Care for All
Source: www.earthtimes.org

Palstic Surgeon to the Stars at Palm Desert Library - Mydesert.com
The line between fact and fiction is more than typically blurred in Faces, Souls, and Painted Crows. Written by renowned plastic surgeon Rudi Unterthiner, this novel based on a true story tells of Dr. Paul Reiter. Like the author himself, Dr. Reiter
Source: www.mydesert.com

Super-microsurgical technique brings hope to breast cancer patients - News-Medical.Net
The results from the prospective analysis, presented today at the 88th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, suggest another option for breast cancer patients considering ways to manage lymphedema, a common and debilitating
Source: www.news-medical.net

ModiFace's Virtual Makeover Platform Gets a Major Facelift - CNW Group
>> NEW YORK, March 24 /CNW/ -- ModiFace Inc., developer of the world's most advanced makeover technology enabling life-like beauty simulations performed on user-uploaded photos, today announced technology upgrades to its makeover simulation platform
Source: www.newswire.ca

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"Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently." - Dr Luftman

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty

The Abdominoplasty procedure (Tummy Tuck) was developed by plastic surgeons in order to treat skin looseness and stretch marks that developed with age, after pregnancy, and with weight fluctuation. Typically, the procedure involved removal of loose lower abdominal skin up to and above the level of the umbilicus (belly button) and tightening of the abdominal muscles in the midline. A small surgical incision was created in the upper abdominal skin when it is pulled down to the level of the umbilical stalk. In order to remove the lower abdominal skin to the level of the belly button, surgeons elevated the upper abdominal skin and fat off the muscle fascia up to the level of the lower costal (rib) margins.

Because older abdominoplasty techniques emphasized removing the largest amount of lower abdominal skin in the midline, and removing the skin that surrounded the (umbilicus) belly button, these procedures often produced an unnatural appearing abdomen with scars that were too close to the umbilicus. Insistence on complete removal of the abdominal skin around the umbilicus is often a cosmetic error, which produced unnaturally high abdominal scars.

Older techniques of abdominoplasty also produced wide scars with depressions that resulted because the deep tissue of the surgical incision was closed with absorbable sutures.

The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty was developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Ted Lockwood to create a more natural and aesthetically pleasing abdominal appearance as a result of abdominoplasty surgery. The HLT Abdominoplasty is noted or the following features:

1. Emphasis on lateral lower abdominal skin excess excision and post surgical skin tension

2. Reliance on the strength of the superfascial system for incision closure and optimization of scar.

3. Limited undermining of upper abdominal skin/soft tissue flaps, which preserves abdominal flap blood supply and allows for liposuction of the abdominal region without compromising skin viability.

4. De-emphasis on removing all skin up to, around, and above the umbilicus.

5. Liposuction to treat upper and lateral abdominal and flank fat deposits.
   

Because abdominal skin and tissue laxity are greater on the sides of the abdomen, and away from the midline, treatment of laxity in these regions is paramount to obtaining better results with abdominoplasty. With the HLT Abdominoplasty, lateral tension is emphasized because tissue laxity increases from the midline to the sides of the trunk with age and/or with weight fluctuation Therefore, the emphasis of skin removal and tightening is shifted from the midline to the sides of the lower abdominal skin and soft tissue.

The Superficial Facial System (SFS) is a connective tissue layer interlaced with the subcutaneous fat that lies between the deep dermis and abdominal fascia. Closure of the deep layers of fat with permanent braided nylon sutures integrates the strength of the (SFS) in the resulting abdominoplasty incision. The permanent stitches, which secure the deep layers of fat surrounded by the SFS, create a durable narrow scar and prevent a "ledge" effect that occurs when absorbable stitches are used on the deep fat layers. The muscles of the abdominal wall are sutured to treat muscle laxity and create an internal corset. The belly button position is transposed.

Liposuction is performed with the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty for additional abdominal contour improvement in appropriately selected patients. The combination of liposuction and HLT abdominoplasty gives results that surpass those obtained by either procedure alone. Liposuction of the upper and lateral abdomen improves appearance and often allows the contour of the upper abdomen to show definition where it did not exist before. Not only is the abdomen tightened with this technique, but the anterior thigh is also lifted as well. These features are unique to the High Lateral Tension abdominoplasty technique, and are not as readily achieved (if at all) with traditional abdominoplasty techniques.

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty may be performed with liposuction of the back and flank regions. In these cases, the operation becomes one of Total Truncal Rejuvenation as the contour of the entire torso addressed in one operation.

It is always highly recommended that you consult with a specialist such as Indianapolis, Indiana Plastic Surgeon Dr David Slatton before any surgery procedure. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you understand the procedure fully prior to any surgical procedure.

Two prominent Cosmetic Surgery Websites Add Detailed Information About - 24-7PressRelease.com
Dr. Loftus, the highly acclaimed plastic surgeon who authored The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery, has recently added to her popular websites some important information on breast implants. FORT WRIGHT, KY, February 28, 2009 /24-7PressRelease
Source: www.24-7pressrelease.com

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"Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently." - Dr Luftman

Dr Jain Answers Questions About IVF and The California Octuplets

There has been intense international reaction to the birth of octuplets by a Southern California woman. While the details are not fully available, it appears that several frozen embryos were transferred to the uterus of a 33 year old woman resulting in the birth of 8 infants. Dr. Jain has been interviewed by news agencies from around the globe for his comments and perspective. The following is a summary of the most common questions and excerpts from his interviews:

Who qualifies for in-vitro fertilization?

There are no set qualifications for in-vitro fertilization services. Patients should be assessed for medical, psychological and social well-being. Unique to the specialty of fertility is the health and welfare of the unborn child or children. I try to educate and counsel my patients and make a responsible decision in partnership with the intended parents.

Since this young, single woman lives at home and already has 6 children from in-vitro, is it ethical to help her have more?

It is not my role to dictate how many children a person can have. However, since she represents a situation well outside the norm, I would have recommended psychological evaluation and evaluation of her social situation prior to assisting her with additional pregnancies.

Are fertility services regulated? As a result of this case, will there be more regulations?

There are no specific regulations dictating the practice of infertility. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine has created practice guidelines based on scientific evidence that aid practitioners in the safe and effective provision of fertility services. Most fertility doctors follow these guidelines responsibly. The case presented here is an exception and should not be used as the basis for wide-sweeping rules and regulations. Patients should not be fearful that such rogue behavior is common.

Are there guidelines on how many embryos should be transferred?

In general, for women under the age of 35, no more than 2 high-quality fresh embryos or 3 frozen embryos should be transferred. These guidelines exist to prevent multiple pregnancies which carry with them significant risk for premature birth and life long disability or death. The apparent transfer of at least 6 frozen embryos was well above the standard. I am uncertain why they were not transferred in smaller groups of 2 or 3. As a result, both the mother and the children were put at great risk.

What will happen to the fertility doctor? Will the doctor lose his/her license?

We have Medical Boards for this very purpose. They will no doubt investigate this case, gather all the facts, and determine whether sanctions are warranted. The doctor may be put on probation or have his medical license revoked.

It is important to consult with a specialist like Santa Monica Fertility Specialist Doctor John Jain, MD. Be sure to have all your questions answered and ensure you understand the egg freezing process prior to undergoing Egg Freezing and Fertility treatments.

GENETIC TESTING OF EGGS PRIOR TO FREEZING COULD BE DETRIMENTAL

Eggs are more prone to genetic abnormalities as a woman ages. These abnormalities lead to increased incidences of infertility, miscarriage and birth defects especially in women over 38 years of age. Egg freezing is a method that suspends egg aging. Since the genetic status of an egg cannot be determined solely on appearance, methods to evaluate eggs using genetic probes have developed and recently tested.

The egg discards DNA at two different times during its development, ovulation and fertilization. The reason for this is to reduce the number of chromosomes to 23 in order to match the 23 chromosomes delivered by the sperm. The discarded DNA (in the form of excess chromosomes) is jettisoned outside of the egg as a small, round pocket called the polar body. Removal of the polar body (biopsy) can provide useful information about the genetic status of the egg. For example, if 23 chromosomes are found in the polar body, the presumption is that a normal count of 23 chromosomes remains in the egg. In contrast, if a number other than 23 is found in the polar body, it implies that an abnormal count remains in the egg and suggests that the egg and ensuing embryo will be genetically abnormal.

Testing of the polar body using modern genetic techniques such as Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) or Array-CGH, allows identification of abnormal eggs and can thus help determine the number of genetically normal eggs a woman has to freeze.

However, there are several important limitations to this technology. First, CGH and Array-CGH are still considered experimental, with very little clinical data available. Most clinical data is based on young egg donors and does not reflect the genetic status of eggs from women in their late 30’s.

Second, embryos may be genetically abnormal due to mistakes contributed by the egg at the time of the first polar body formation or the second polar body formation; or mistakes contributed by the sperm at the time of fertilization. Therefore, assessing only the first polar body by no means guarantees that a normal embryo will derive. Third, and perhaps most concerning, is the lack of research regarding the effects of biopsying an egg prior to freezing.

We recently completed a small clinical trial wherein we performed polar body biopsy on eggs prior to freezing. We found a high degree of egg damage. The panel of microscopic pictures above demonstrate these changes: the first picture is a normal egg with an intact first polar body (Photo #1); the next picture is an egg after the polar body was removed (Photo #2); the next two pictures show a biopsied egg after freezing and thawing demonstrating egg contents (Photos #3 & #4) extruding through the biopsy slit. These changes were found on multiple eggs from different patients. These eggs had to be discarded. In addition, many other eggs demonstrated abnormal chromosome segregation after fertilization, and none of the patients achieved a pregnancy.

We vitrified these eggs using a closed container to protect the eggs from viral or fungal contamination. This closed container method, used at the Egg Freezing Center, is currently being tested for FDA approval. Other vitrification methods (open container) expose eggs directly to liquid nitrogen and can lead to contamination. For this reason, the method in use at Egg Freezing Center, and the data presented here is very relevant for patients contemplating fertility preservation and genetic testing.

It is my recommendation that women contemplating egg freezing should not undergo genetic testing of their eggs prior to freezing, but rather use these promising technologies to test eggs in the future once they are fertilized as embryos and have all possible egg-derived and sperm-derived abnormalities present for detection.

It is important to consult with a specialist like Santa Monica Fertility Specialist Doctor John Jain, MD. Be sure to have all your questions answered and ensure you understand the egg freezing process prior to undergoing Egg Freezing and Fertility treatments.