Jan
30
In addition to its adverse effects on general health, smoking tobacco increases the chance’s of a plastic surgery patient having complications and can negatively affect her results.
Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz of the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery would like to advise prospective patients of the dangers of smoking as they relate to plastic surgery.
A good plastic surgery result relies on good blood flow. The nicotine, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide in the blood of smokers inhibits their blood’s ability to deliver sufficient oxygen to their healing tissues. Thus, patients who smoke are at greater risk of complications and poor wound healing.
A long history of medical studies have shown revealed the risks patients take when they smoke. A 1984 study, which followed 1,100 face lift patients, “found that a smoker was 12.46 times more likely to suffer skin loss than a patient who did not smoke.”
A more recent study in 2003 reviewed 132 abdominoplasty patients. The study “showed wound healing problems in 47.9% of smokers versus 14.8% of non-smokers.”
Whether a plastic surgery candidate smokes or not is a big factor in whether a surgeon will perform surgery on that person or not. At the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, patients will be asked about their smoking habits, if any, which will be factored into the doctor’s decisions in her/his case.
Source: Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons
Jan
18
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends counseling to children and young adults (ages 10-24) with fair skin on the effects and dangers of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter of the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery would like to make their blog readers aware of this new recommendation, which is an update to USPSTF’s 2003 guidelines for physicians on counseling skin cancer patients.
Since 2003, the USPSTF has found evidence that counseling for children and young adults on the risks of UV light exposure is beneficial.
From the USPSTF:
Convincing evidence relates UV radiation exposure during childhood and youth to a moderately increased risk of skin cancer later in life; for adults, adequate evidence links UV radiation exposure to a small increase in the subsequent risk of skin cancer [...] Individuals with a fair skin type are at greatly increased risk of skin malignancy.
Counseling encourages people to engage in behaviors that mitigate their UV exposure such as wearing effective sunscreen, reducing midday outdoor activities, wearing hats or UV-protective clothing, and avoiding the use of tanning beds.
Dr. Larry Nichter would like readers and patients to note that although questions remain as to the direct relationship between sun exposure to an increased skin cancer risk, the risk of premature skin aging (laxity, wrinkles, and an eventual leathery appearance) seems to be directly related to cumulative sun exposure without protection for all ages.
Prospective patients who are concerned about UV-induced skin aging should take a look at the skin rejuvenation treatments available at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.
Related internal links:
Source: Medscape Medical News
Jan
16
Like us on Facebook and receive 50% off one skin care product! Click here for Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter for updates and events! Click here for Twitter!
Watch our videos for interviews with the doctors and instructions on post-op care! Watch on Youtube!
Dec
29
Plasticos Foundation’s fundraiser was mentioned in the current issue of Riviera Magazine.
Dr. Jed H. Horowitz and Dr. Larry S. Ncihter hosted a fundraiser at the ever popular Zov’s Bistro. The afternoon was filled with great food, music and silent auction items to benefit the Plasticos Foundation. Plasticos Foundation is a volunteer organization dedicated to provided live-changing reconstructive plastic surgery for children correcting birth defects, congenital malformations and traumatic disfigurements of those at home and around the world unable to afford these services. The Foundation is nonprofit, nonpolitical, and nonreligious.
Dec
26
Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery would like to make prospective facelift patients aware of new research.
Patients under 50 years old have a consistently higher rate of satisfaction with their facelift results than patients over 50, a new study from California Pacific Medical Center has found. This study was conducted by Dr. Tom Liu and Dr. John Owsley, who compared short- and long-term satisfaction ratings of patients in under-50, 50–60, and over-50 age groups. The doctors also factored in expert analysis of patient photographs for a more objective analysis of surgical results.
The findings are consistent with previous research as well as the experience of most surgeons.
The study concluded: “Younger patients (younger than 50 years) with mild or early signs of facial aging have the highest and most consistent satisfaction and the most natural long-term results.”
The study also concluded that younger patients are ideal candidates for what is called a maintenance lift or maintenance facelift. The reason is that patients under 50, essentially because their skin is younger, will have a better result that will last longer than it will if they choose to have surgery later. Furthermore, their results will look better in the long-term.
If you’re under 50 and would like to find out if a maintenance lift would be the ideal option for you, call our office at (714) 902-1100 to book a consultation.
Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz would like to assure patients over 50 that they can still get dramatic and highly satisfying facelift results. The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery has numerous video testimonials from patients over 50 about their LiteLift™ surgery.
Source: Aesthetic Surgery Institute, California Pacific Medical Center
