Liposuction Linked to Lower Triglycerides

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Denver — Liposuction patients may experience a reduction in triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, possibly decreasing their risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, Globe Newswire reports.

A new study, results of which were presented here last week at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual conference, measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. Most of the patients, 71 percent, had liposuction only. Triglyceride levels in patients with normal preoperative levels were unchanged. However, patients with at-risk levels, defined as greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl, experienced an average postsurgery reduction of 43 percent — about twice the effect achieved with a commonly prescribed drug.

The study also found that white blood cell counts decrease an average of 11 percent after the procedure.

Globe Newswire quotes Eric Swanson, M.D., ASPS Member Surgeon and study author, as saying, “For years, it has been assumed that ‘visceral fat’ surrounding the internal organs has greater metabolic importance and is more directly linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than ‘subcutaneous fat’ that lies under the skin. These new findings support recent studies suggesting subcutaneous fat, which can be reduced by liposuction, is just as metabolically important.”

Dr. Swanson noted that the study’s findings do not mean liposuction can replace medications in patients with very high triglyceride levels. The study emphasizes the need for further research to determine whether these favorable changes in triglyceride and white blood cell levels translate to reduced health risk. 

By: Bill Gillette 

Botulinum Toxin Gel May Ease Crow's Feet

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New York — A new botulinum toxin-based gel has the potential to help smooth crow’s feet without the need for needles, HealthDay News reports. 

In part of a new phase 2 trial, 90 patients with moderate-to-severe crow’s feet were randomly assigned to be treated either with a placebo gel or the botulinum toxin gel. Almost 90 percent of the latter had a clinically meaningful reduction in wrinkles, compared with 28 percent of those receiving placebo. 

In a second study involving 180 adults with crow’s feet, about 40 percent of those treated with the botulinum toxin gel responded favorably, researchers said.

The new research is encouraging because it demonstrated that the gel “noticeably softened crow’s feet,” said lead author Michael Kane, M.D., a plastic surgeon at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. Dr. Kane has served as an investigator and consultant for Revance Therapeutics, Mountain View, Calif., which has been trying to develop an alternative to Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) for several years. 

Effects of the gel last for about four months, comparable to the duration of Botox injections, investigators said.

With phase 3 studies yet to be done, still to be determined are whether the gel would work better than injected toxin, how much treatments would cost and when the gel might be available, Dr. Kane said. 

The study’s findings were released last week at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual conference in Denver. 

By: Bill Gillette

Illinois Woman Dies After Injecting Beef Fat into Face

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Chicago — An Illinois woman died of a bacterial infection after injecting her face with hot beef fat in an apparent attempt to self-treat wrinkles, although the cause of death appeared unrelated, ABC News reports.

According to ABC News Chicago affiliate WLS-TV, Janet Hardt, 63, of Homewood, Ill., boiled beef, extracted the fat and injected it into her face earlier this month. Shortly thereafter she went to the hospital complaining that her face felt as though it were burning.

The woman had infections and scarring in her mouth and on her lips, but an autopsy attributed her death to peritonitis, according to the report.

“There are a lot people out there doing self-injections for wrinkles, but I don’t know of any medical associations that would recommend this,” American Society of Plastic Surgeons President Phillip Haeck, M.D., was quoted as saying. “It’s not worth taking a chance with your face to try to save money when it could ultimately cost you a lot more money.”

Ms. Hardt reportedly had injected her face with the beef fat several times and also had undergone several legitimate plastic surgery procedures. Because she injected herself multiple times with the animal fat, she was at risk of developing an allergic reaction, ABC News quotes Dr. Haeck as saying.

“One of the injections could cause the skin to erode or ulcerate,” he said. “We know that injections of animal proteins do not cause systemwide failure, but it tends to cause local reactions. A lot of people who have allergic reactions to animal proteins will say that their face is burning, like this woman did. That’s probably what was going on here.” 

By: Bill Gillette

Faster Eating Leads to Weight Gain

Dr. Z is sharing this article from: Healthy Aging Review

Do you scarf down a meal like you just spent 40 days in the Sahara Desert without food? Or do you savor every flavor? Beware speed-eaters. If you eat in record time, you are more likely to gain weight.

A study from New Zealand has found that women who inhaled their food were heavier than women that slowly chewed their food completely. Approximately 1,600 women between 40 and 50 years old were asked to rate how quickly they ate and provide their height, weight, and other lifestyle factors. About 32% of women were fast eaters, while 15% considered themselves slow eaters. Those that ate the slowest had the lowest body mass index. Researchers suggest that speed-eating can influence how many calories are taken in before you feel full.

Eating behaviors can become habitual, which makes speed-eating a hard habit to break. To develop healthier eating habits, focus on eating. Don’t be preoccupied by watching television or rushing to eat before your next appointment. Instead of standing in the kitchen with a box of cereal in one hand and chocolate bar in the other, sit down at a kitchen table with a good nutrient-dense meal to stay more focused on the eating task at hand.

By: Alan Muir

Reference:

Leong SL, Madden C, Gray A, Waters D, Horwarth C. Faster self-reported speed of eating is related to higher body mass index in a nationwide survey of middle-aged women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011 Aug;111(8):1192-1197.

Biggest Skincare Myths Exposed

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(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Dr. Sandra Lee is a board certified Southern California dermatologist who empathizes with her female patients who feel they are doing everything ‘right’ and still remain unsatisfied with the appearance of their skin. What’s more, she often sees patients who feel they are doomed to bad skin based on myths that “you get the genes your parents have.” She seeks to set the record straight on what really does sabotage the skin and dispels the most common myths mothers or the media have passed on to their daughters.

Trying to scrub away acne: Acne is not a hygiene problem; it's a hormonal issue. Excessively cleaning your face won't get rid of acne. Instead of attempting to scrub your pimple-prone skin into submission, wash it gently with a foaming face wash that's designed to lift off dirt without irritating skin. And if you do feel compelled to enlist a scrub, use it no more than once a week, choosing a product that has even-sized, round beads, not rough particles

Sunscreen: The big mistake women make is trusting the sunscreen label that reads 'all day protection. The truth is that no sunscreen lasts more than four hours; you're kidding yourself if you think you can put it on once and forget about it. Regular sunscreen use is even more important if you are treating your face with Retin-A or alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, or getting peels or microdermabrasion -- all of which can leave skin more sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Alcohol: Consider alternating drinks with water. Drinking alcohol causes dehydration and dilated blood vessels both of which make skin look tired and unhealthy. Try to drink one glass of water per alcoholic drink consumed -- this will help skin stay hydrated.

Stress: Stress causes your body to go into survival mode by pumping adrenaline to heighten the senses. While this is healthy if you are in danger, prolonged periods of stress can take a toll on your skin. When the body is in survival mode, the most vital organs like the heart, lungs and brain work overtime. The skin, a less vital organ, becomes deprived of nutrients which eventually affects its appearance. Combat stress by incorporating relaxation techniques into your routine like yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

Not hydrating your skin enough: Because you think you don't need it. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and applying a moisturizing cream to your face regularly can save you the headache of dealing with a cracked and sensitive skin.

Sleeping with make up on will leave your skin's pores clogged and prevent it from breathing. No matter how tired you feel clean your face before going to bed.

Using harsh cleansers to clean your skin will strip away the natural oils that protect it from dirt, pollution and other factors that can easily damage your skin. Do your skin a favor and use mild cleaners, they're much gentler and still effective.

Applying your usual facial moisturizer to your "under-eye" area is really harsh. This area is the most delicate area in your face and it's where fine lines will appear first, so having a specialized eye cream is a must after the age 25.


Lack of sleep can effect how your skin looks dramatically, leading to dark circles, and dull looking skin. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night and you'll wake up to a much more fresh looking skin.

Thinking that "More is better". When it comes to your skin, more is actually worse, too much washing, too much cream, too much scrub can totally damage your skin.

Washing your face at the wrong time: Always wash your face after you rinse out your hair products and conditioner in the shower, never before. Many conditioners contain pore-clogging isopropyl myristate and other hair products often contain coconut oil -- both are common acne-causing ingredients that you don't want to leave on your skin.

Thinking that what you eat will only affect your body weight, not your skin, in fact what you eat shows directly on your face. Eating too much sweets and fatty food will leave your skin looking unhealthy, a healthy diet is very important for a healthy younger looking face.

Not using a retinoid: Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the only topical ingredient proven not only to prevent lines and wrinkles but to minimize the ones you already have. Past the age of 30. Dr. Lee recommends seeing a dermatologist for a higher-concentration prescription retinoid (like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac, for example), but there are also many great over-the-counter creams that contain lower concentrations of retinol.

Myth #1: Your skin will age just like your mom's.
The reality: Sure, genetics play a role in how your skin looks, from the size of your pores to its texture and color. But banking on aging like your mom or grandmother is a big mistake. Habits make more of a difference than genetics. The biggest culprit in aging is sun exposure, and your drinking, smoking, stress, and sleep habits play a role, too. Skipping sunscreen, imbibing too often, coping ineffectively with stress, and sleeping on your side or stomach can all exacerbate and create wrinkles, adult acne, and texture changes.

Myth #2: The SPF number tells you how much protection you're getting from the sun.
The reality: There are two types of damaging sun rays: UVA, which are responsible for aging the skin; and UVB, which are responsible for burning it. The SPF number on a bottle of sunscreen only gives a guide for how much UVB protection the product offers. It doesn't tell you whether or not the product protects from UVA rays (which are also responsible for melanoma). All sunscreens protect from UVB rays. To fully protect yourself, however, look for a product that contains UVA-blocking ingredients, too, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone (Parsol 1789), and reapply often.

Myth #3: You need a separate sunscreen and moisturizer.
The reality: Sunscreens already add moisture to your skin because of their ingredients. So if you have oily skin, you may want to skip the separate moisturizer. For those who prefer to wear both products, apply the moisturizer first; allow to dry, then apply the sunscreen. Either way, be sure to wear sunscreen daily: Every day is a sun day, even if it's cloudy or overcast.

Myth #4: Most of the sun damage you incur happens before age 18.
The reality: Recent studies have shown that by age 18, you've only accumulated 18 to 23 percent of the sun damage you'll incur over a lifetime. That means that there's still time to protect your skin from the sun and put off sun-induced aging. Do this by using sunscreen and products with sun-damage reversing ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol.

Myth #5: Cosmetic creams can turn back time for your skin.
The reality: There's no such thing as a miracle in a bottle. As you age, your facial bones shrink, you lose fat under the skin, and your skin begins to become loose. Rubbing on a cream isn't going to address these things. What's more, cosmetic skincare products cannot, by FDA law, include medications, which are the only things that truly change the structure of the skin. What cosmetic creams can do: Temporarily plump up and hydrate your skin. For the best chance at turning back time, see your dermatologist for medications or procedures.


Sandra Lee, M.D. is a board certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for MOHS Surgery. She was raised in Upland, and after completing undergraduate school at UCLA, traveled to the east coast to attend medical school at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Her internship was completed at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, and she completed her dermatology residency training at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, IL. Additionally, Dr. Lee had fellowship training in laser, dermatologic, and cosmetic surgery with the internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist, Dr. Richard E. Fitzpatrick of Dermatology Associates of San Diego.

She now practices in Upland, California where she divides her office time among general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. She has special interests in Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery, tumescent neck and body liposuction, eyelifts, and laser resurfacing. She also has been extensively involved in clinical studies, is published in multiple journals and medical textbooks, and lectures at a national level to fellow dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. For more information, visit: www.skinps.com

 By Dr. Sandra Lee

Breast fat grafting gets thumbs up!

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San Diego — Officials of Cytori Therapeutics, based here, say British surgeons have successfully used the company’s adipose-derived regenerative cell (ADRC) fat grafting procedure — which the company calls RESTORE — in reconstructive breast surgery, Medical News Today reports. 

The company says clinical outcomes were reported at the Association of Breast Surgery Conference in Manchester, England, earlier this month. The procedure was separately investigated in Cytori's own RESTORE 2 trial, according to Medical News Today. 

The British surgeons’ report results from an independent, prospective study of 23 patients who received ADRC-enhanced fat grafting for the correction of breast-contour defects following cancer treatment or benign conditions including implant complications, using Cytori’s Celution System. Patients were treated between September 2008 and November 2010 with follow-up between three months and two years. The results showed that 19 of the patients, or 82 percent, reported good to excellent results, with a mean satisfaction score of 5.1 (1 being worst, 6 being best). 

The results further showed a high level of investigator satisfaction, with a mean satisfaction score of 4.3. Study findings demonstrated a low complication rate. 

Overall, the company says, the study results suggest the RESTORE procedure is a viable breast reconstruction option.

By: Bill Gillette
Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News

Botox-Maker Allergan Tests Eyelash Lengthener for Baldness

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Allergan Inc. has moved its eyelash treatment into the second clinical stage of testing as a therapy for baldness and expects to see data by the middle of next year, Chief Executive Officer David Pyott said. 

The product, Latisse, was approved in 2008 to aid in eyelash growth, and generated $82 million last year for the Irvine, California-based company. Allergan is currently testing Latisse for men and women against placebo. U.S. regulators generally require three stages of trials before approval. 

The tests follow a business model Allergan successfully implemented with Botox, its top-selling product with $1.42 billion in revenue last year. Initially approved for therapeutic uses in 1989, Botox’s wrinkle-smoothing properties were identified as a side effect. The product was then cleared in 2002 as an injection to smooth frown lines between the brows. Latisse is a version of Allergan’s glaucoma drug Lumigan, which was found to stimulate lash growth as a side effect of therapeutic treatment. 

“The docs used to start laughing, because there are patients luckily that only have glaucoma in one eye and so they’d come in and say, ‘Doc I’ve got these beautiful eyelashes over here, what should I do?’” Pyott said today during an interview in New York. Now, for baldness, “We know anecdotally it works. The question is, how well does it work?” 

Allergan declined 39 cents, or less than 1 percent, to $78.18 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have gained 14 percent this year.

Added Sales

Latisse may gain up to an additional $200 million to $500 million in annual sales by 2020 if it’s proven to spur hair growth, estimated Ronny Gal, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York. The product is designed to work similarly to other hair-loss therapies such as Johnson & Johnson’s Rogaine, said Gal, who recommends buying Allergan shares. 

“It will grow hair from the existing follicle, and help you maintain the hair you’ve got,” Gal said in a telephone interview today. “It’s clear it works in principle, because we know it grows eyebrows and we know it grows lashes.” 

Allergan won approval last month for the use of Botox as a therapy for urinary incontinence, and in October as a treatment for chronic migraine headaches. The company estimates the product will produce $1.55 billion to $1.59 billion in revenue this year, and foresees about $100 million in sales from Latisse.

Fewer Botox Treatments Still Effective

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Portland, Ore. — New research suggests that patients getting Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) treatments can reduce wrinkles with half as many sessions after 20 months, Medical News Today reports.

The research, conducted at Oregon Health & Science University’s Casey Eye Institute, sought to determine whether less frequent Botox treatments could provide longer-lasting reduction of glabellar rhytids. The study included 50 women ages 30 to 50 who received regular Botox injections for two years. 

Medical News Today quotes Roger Dailey, M.D., who led the study, as saying, “We found that after a patient receives Botox Cosmetic injections every four months for two years, the frequency of treatments can be changed to six months with comparable wrinkle-reducing results and high patient satisfaction. Patients who are unwilling to undergo Botox treatments every three months indefinitely because of cost, convenience or other concerns may reconsider if they could achieve similar results with two to three treatments per year.” 

While a treatment schedule of every three months is likely to achieve the best results in the least amount of time, the study concluded that other schedules offer similar results at less cost. 

The study also shows the injections have a prophylactic effect. Dr. Dailey, head of the Casey Aesthetic Facial Surgery Center, says patients who begin getting Botox treatments between their 30s and 50s are able to prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming and eliminate existing wrinkles. “Observations during our subjects’ final visits also suggest that further wrinkle prevention could be achieved with continued treatment beyond two years,” Dr. Dailey tells Medical News Today. 

By: Bill Gillette
Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News

Procedure Freezes Fat Cells To Flush Fat!

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EL PASO- Most of us have that annoying area of fat we can't seem to get rid of no matter how much we diet or exercise. While liposuction is an expensive and sometimes painful solution, a new technique has helped dozens of people in the Borderland at a fraction of the price and in an hour's time. It's called "cool sculpting" and the way it works is by freezing your fat cells.

“I'm going to Hawaii in June, so that's why I started kind of early to fit into that bikini for Hawaii,” says Alicia Revelez.

Even though she diets and works out, Revelez said she could not get rid of some bulgy areas like her love handles and stomach. The mother of two didn't want to get liposuction because of the down time and recovery involved, but then she heard of a new procedure.

“This machine is the Zeltiq apparatus. It performs a procedure called cool sculpting,” says Dr. Lyle Weeks.

Dr. Weeks, with Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in West El Paso says the procedure has become increasingly popular since his office first started doing "cool sculpting" in December.

“The technology is based on the fact that fat freezes at a higher level than water. This enables us to freeze fat, without freezing the skin where there's a lot of water,” says Weeks.

The frozen fat cells are broken up in the body and flushed out. “Fat is then disposed of by the body, just like a normal fat cell that's outlived its usefulness in the body. It's absorbed and carried away,” says Weeks.

The procedure takes about an hour. First, patients are weighed, marked and photographed. Then, a gel to protect the skin is placed on the area to be treated. The technician then places the Zeltiq applicator, which is about the size of a shoe over the area to be treated.

“It's a little suction. Like you know, the vacuum cleaner, like when it gets you,” says Revelez after the Zeltiq applicator was placed around her abdomen.

So how cold is it? “Cool, not cold cold, just cool,” says Revelez.

After an hour, the patient gets a vigorous massage to help the fat cells break up. Dr. Weeks asks patients to lose one pound over the next three months. “That seems to, for some reason, greatly enhance the results of the treatment,” says Weeks.

Dr. Weeks say there are many advantages to cool sculpting over liposuction. “The advantage of this is, it's extremely effective for small areas. It's very safe. It's essentially painless for most people and it's cost-effective.”

It does take one to two months to see the results following treatment. Reveles had her love handles treated in March and says her friends have taken notice.

“They've noticed a difference and they ask me if I’m on a diet and I’m like, "No.” And I told them about this procedure,” says Revelez. “My pants fit different. My clothes fit totally different.”

Reveles says she loved the results so much she came back to do her stomach.

“It's amazing. It's great. You won't see immediate results but you'll start seeing results in about a month and you drop the fat. You won't see the little bulges anymore.”

The procedure is not effective with obese patients. The ideal candidate is someone who is 20 lbs. or less overweight.

By Oralia Ortega - Main Anchor

Two Topicals Boost Botox Treatment

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Omaha, Neb. — Botox users looking to enhance their skin appearance may want to try a new combination of two topical skin treatments, Medical News Today reports. 

A new study, co-authored by Omaha dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D., suggests that a specifically designed 4 percent hydroquinone skincare system in combination with tretinoin (Retin-A) further enhances improvements in skin appearance attained with onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan). Applying the hydroquinone system plus tretinoin may offer multiple clinical benefits over standard skincare, including significantly milder fine lines/wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, according to the research. 

In the multicenter, randomized study, 61 patients who had received upper facial Botox treatment were randomly assigned to use either the hydroquinone system (cleanser, toner, proprietary 4 percent hydroquinone, exfoliant and sunscreen) plus 0.05 percent tretinoin cream, or a standard regimen (cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen) for 120 days. Outcomes were assessed by investigators and through a patient questionnaire. 

Compared with standard skincare, the hydroquinone system plus tretinoin resulted in significantly milder fine lines/wrinkles and hyperpigmentation at days 30, 90 and 120 and in significantly superior overall ratings for each of nine patient assessments at days 90 and 120. More than 85 percent of the patients in the hydroquinone system plus tretinoin group said their treatment had further enhanced Botox-attained improvements, as compared with 8 percent of the standard skincare group. Both regimens were generally well tolerated. 

Medical News Today quotes Dr. Schlessinger as saying, “The new hydroquinone system is not only effective, it is also easy for patients to use, increasing the likelihood that they will be able to get maximum benefits. Most importantly, using the system in combination with tretinoin significantly improved how patients perceived themselves, which is the ultimate goal of any aesthetic treatment.” 

By: Bill Gillette

Appeals Court Voids Lower-Court Ruling Against Individual Mandate

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September 8, 2011 — Citing technical grounds, a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, today tossed out a lower-court decision that declared the healthcare reform requirement to obtain insurance coverage unconstitutional.

Today's decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth District in Richmond vacated a ruling by US District Court Judge Henry Hudson, also in Richmond, who said that the individual mandate "would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers." In a unanimous decision by a 3-judge panel, the appeals court stated that the state of Virginia, which was the plaintiff in the case, lacked legal standing to bring its suit. The appeals court did not rule on whether the individual mandate was constitutional or not.

The appellate judges today also rendered a split decision on another lower-court decision involving the embattled Affordable Care Act. In November 2010, US District Judge Norman Moon in Lynchburg, Virginia, declared that the individual mandate lies within the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce under the Constitution's Commerce clause. The requirement, Moon stated, is a proper corrective to the healthcare marketplace problem of cost-shifting caused by the uninsured.

Writing a majority opinion, 2 of the 3 appellate judges vacated Moon's ruling on the grounds that the suit brought against the Affordable Care Act by Liberty University should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

The appellate decision follows a ruling on August 12 by an US appeals court in Atlanta, Georgia, that declared the individual mandate unconstitutional. The opposite conclusion was reached by an appeals court in Cincinnati, Ohio, in June.

There is plenty of legal ball left to play on the controversy. More rulings on the provision's constitutionality are forthcoming from the US appeals court in the District of Columbia, as well as a number of US district courts. Legal experts and lower-court judges alike predict the US Supreme Court will eventually take up the case to settle conflicting decisions at the appellate and district levels.

By: Robert Lowes

Study: Under-Eye Fat Transfer Lasts a Few Years

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Fat transferred under the eyes to create a younger-looking face can last for at least three years, suggests a new study of people who had the surgery. 

The procedure involves liposuction from the abdominal area or thighs and then injection of the fat below the lower eyelid, to puff up an area that surgeons say generally begins to lose its shape by the time people are in their 30s. 

Doctors say it's more "natural" and lasts longer than injecting commercially-made wrinkle fillers, but there's also a risk of complications and a higher price tag that comes along with the fat-transfer surgery.

"It's becoming a very common procedure and a way to naturally rejuvenate especially the lower eyelid area," said study author Dr. Cory Yeh, a plastic surgeon from Laguna Woods, California. 

"The vast majority of patients are seeing results up to three years," Dr. Yeh told Reuters Health. "The question is always, are we going to be seeing results past that point?"

Surgeons said the procedure typically takes an hour or more, and costs $3,500 to $4,000. 

For the new study, published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, online July 18, Dr. Yeh and Dr. Edwin Williams, from the Albany Medical Center in New York, tracked photos of 99 people who had the fat-transfer surgery between 2004 and 2008. 

Patients were between 35 and 71 years old, and almost all were women.

Those patients came back to the office for photos of their eye area every few months for up to four years following the surgery. Without knowing when the photos were taken, other members of the study team rated how much improvement, if any, they saw in patients' faces from their original, pre-surgery photos.

In pictures taken a year or less after the surgery, 5% of patients showed no improvement, 51% had mild improvement, and 44% had marked improvement.

By two to three years post-surgery, 14% of patients had no improvement from their original photos, 68% had mild improvement and 18% had marked improvement -- but the researchers only had data on 22 patients that far out. 

The most common complication of the surgery was swelling lasting more than a couple of weeks. Some patients also had bruising under the eyes or minor asymmetries. Patients can also get small lumps under their eyes post-surgery, researchers said.

Dr. Yeh said the findings "matched our expectations" in terms of how long the results would hold up after surgery.

"We know that the person's going to continue to age, and that they're going to continue to lose volume" under the eyes, he said. "I would have been shocked if we'd said, 'No, everybody remains perfect.'"

Dr. Jason Meier, a plastic surgeon from Jacksonville, Florida, said the procedure is a few times more expensive than typical commercial injections, but that those injections need to be repeated about every year. 

The current study didn't look at any results from patients who got those injections. 

"Fat transfer is an excellent, permanent option for patients who want a natural, rejuvenated look in the under-eye area," Dr. Meier, who wasn't involved in the new research, told Reuters Health. 

"Some things don't end up perfectly precise," but that can be corrected with follow-up procedures, he added. "Uniformly, everyone is very satisfied."

Dr. Yeh said the extra volume may not last as long in elderly patients, or those that smoke or exercise a lot.

But he said the fat-transfer procedure is becoming more common, and that it's "appealing to many patients because this is a natural way of using their own body fat."

By Genevra Pittman

Stem Cells - Revolutionizing Cosmetic Surgery!

Dr. Z wants to share this article from PRNewswire, Vienna!

 

 

Experts Meet at ICAS Conference in Istanbul

Esthetic therapies with stem cells from autologous fat are revolutionizing cosmetic surgery: Ever more women prefer breast augmentations with autologous stem cells over silicone implants. The world's leading experts recently met at the ICAS (International Cell Assisted Surgery) Conference in Istanbul to discuss the therapeutic potential of stem cells from fat tissue.

"Stem cell-enriched autologous fat is a safe and sustainable bioimplant ideally suited for local anesthesia natural, scarless breast augmentation and body shaping," says Viennese esthetic and regenerative stem cell therapy expert DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, Europe's first doctor offering this therapy. At Clinic DDr. Heinrich® he helps women from all around the world gain larger breasts, harmonious body contours, and a more youthful face with stem cell-enriched autologous fat.

Along with presentations by researchers on the latest findings on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and their esthetic applications, the conference provided experts with ample opportunities for professional interaction. Thus DDr. Heinrich discussed his experiences with adipose-derived stem cells and potential future applications with Japan's Prof. Dr. Yoshimura, Prof. Dr. Illouz, and Dr. Berman.

Doctors all agreed that stem cell enrichment substantially improves long-term sustainability of tissue implanted in autologous fat transfers. Also discussed was the greater safety of esthetic therapies with autologous stem cells over procedures under general anesthesia thanks to gentle local anesthesia.

In addition to stem cell-assisted breast augmentation, stem cells obtained from autologous fat deposits form the foundation for other future-oriented esthetic treatments. For instance, Dr. Heinrich also uses stem cell-enriched autologous fat for sustainable body shaping (e.g., buttocks augmentation), correcting tissue defects, skin rejuvenation over the whole body, and stem-cell facelifts.

NFL Player Injuries Linked to Low Vitamin D

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Berkeley Heights, N.J. — Vitamin D deficiency may be unusually high among American football players, with black players and those with muscle injuries showing significantly lower levels, Medscape Today reports. 

Berkeley Heights orthopedic surgeon Michael K. Shindle, M.D., led a research team that tested the vitamin D levels of 89 players from the National Football League’s New York Giants in the spring of 2010. 

Investigators found that 27 players — about 30 percent — had deficient total 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels (below 20 ng/mL) and as many as 45 players — just over half — had levels consistent with vitamin D insufficiency (between 20 and 31.9 ng/mL). 

Meanwhile, only 17 players — about 19 percent — had vitamin D levels that were within normal limits.

The percentage of players with abnormal vitamin D levels was “alarming,” according to Dr. Shindle.

Researchers also found that all players who had suffered injuries that caused them to miss at least one practice or game had vitamin D levels significantly lower than players with no muscle injury. 

Of the players tested, 31 were white and 58 black. Noting that blacks generally tend to have lower vitamin D levels than whites, Medscape Today quotes Dr. Shindle as saying, “Up to 93 percent of African-American players had abnormal vitamin D levels, compared with 31 percent of white players.” 

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, held recently in San Diego.

This article can also be viewed at: http://bit.ly/nfWCvt

By: Bill Gillette
Dermatology Times E-News

FDA OKs Study of ReCell for Scars

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Northridge, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Avita Medical’s investigational device exemption feasibility study for the use of ReCell Spray-On-Skin in the treatment of hypertrophic dyspigmented scars.

The FDA protocol permits Avita to treat 20 patients with pre-existing scars at as many as four U.S. study sites. The treated scars will be assessed for healing and pain on a weekly basis during the initial four weeks post-treatment, and at weeks 12 and 24 the treatment site will be assessed for healing and aesthetic outcomes by both the patient and the surgeon.

In a company news release, Avita CEO William Dolphin, M.D., said, “We believe that ReCell offers the potential to deliver significant benefits over currently available options in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds and skin defects. This study will allow us to demonstrate the use of ReCell in the corrective treatment of existing scars with application to the very large cosmetic markets.”

The study is designed to assess the effectiveness of using ReCell for the treatment of existing scars in a single treatment session, compared to the current standard of care, which involves dermabrasion and often requires multiple sessions.

Data obtained from this feasibility study will be used to design a larger clinical investigation. Once the 12-week follow-up with the 20th patient is completed, Avita will submit the feasibility data to the FDA and will seek approval for the pivotal trial protocol.

Avita Medical is currently conducting an FDA-approved study for the use of ReCell in the treatment of acute burn wounds.

By Bill Gillette, Staff Correspondent