Dr. Bill Kortesis' Plastic Surgery Blog

Friday, May 29, 2009

Plastic surgery is based on a model of medicine that promotes beauty and overall wellness.  As such, plastic surgeons strive to improve patient’s quality of life through both surgical procedures and non-invasive techniques.  We are obligated to provide sound ethical advice to each patient seeking our help.  Our patients should be appropriately informed about their options and their best course of action.  This site will allow our patients to freely ask any and all  questions they have.  We hope to fulfill our obligation to properly inform our plastic surgery patients in a safe and trustworthy fashion.   

posted by Dr Bill Kortesis at 9:42 AM

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Facial surgery may offer migraine cure

A recently published study has demonstrated that patients that suffer from migraine headaches may benefit from the use of botox.  The researchers injected Botox into specific trigger points to temporarily paralyze the muscle which resulted in relief of migraine headaches.  The research continues to state that these same patients could also benefit from a surgical procedure, namely a forehead lift, to produce similar effects.  The surgery removes a portion of the muscle at those same trigger points.  In one year, half of the study participants had complete relief of their migraine headaches. More than 30 million Americans currently suffer from migraine headaches.  These new treatment options may help reduce the number of patients suffering from this ailment.      

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/04/migraine.surgery/

posted by Dr Bill Kortesis at 4:05 PM

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

10 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Predictions For 2009

(press release from American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the leading national organization of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery, offers its predictions for cosmetic surgery in 2009. Predictions are based on interviews with leading plastic surgeons around the country.

- Aesthetic Medicine has seen a dramatic increase in the diversity of the patients treated over the past decade and this trend is expected to continue to grow stronger than ever, with applications that cater to all people. The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the spectrum of our population, as plastic surgeons further tailor treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.

- The growth and popularity of cosmetic fillers (Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.

- As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2009.

- Reloxin (an injectable form of Botulinum Toxin Type A) will gain FDA approval and compete with Botox (the most popular cosmetic procedure for the past 5 years) and other similar products may begin to enter pre-market clinical trials.

- Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about "discount injectables" bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.

- Experimental techniques for non-invasive fat removal (SonoScultpt, UltraShape) as a future alternative or adjunct to liposuction (lipoplasty) surgery, will continue be tested in clinical trials.

- Men will represent a growing segment of the aesthetic surgery market. (According to a February 2008 consumer survey commissioned by ASAPS, 57 percent of men approve of cosmetic surgery, and 20 percent would consider having cosmetic surgery. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of American men surveyed said they would not be embarrassed if people in addition to their family and close friends knew they had undergone cosmetic surgery.)

- As the popularity of non surgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow; surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.

- Cosmetic surgery "vacations" will become less popular as educated consumers understand the safety and risk issues associated with surgical procedures and travel. Surgery performed by board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons, in accredited facilities where follow-up care is available will continue to be the safest option and the best value.

- Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication regarding healthcare choices, board certification of practitioners, and accreditation of surgical facilities will play an even more important role in choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Toll-free referral line: 888.ASAPS.11 (272.7711). Web site: www.surgery.org
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

posted by Dr Bill Kortesis at 2:08 PM

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Reconstructive Surgery

“We restore, rebuild, and make whole those parts which nature hath given but which fortune has taken away not so much that it may delight the eye but that it might buoy up the spirit and help the mind of the afflicted. “

                 --Gaspare Tagliocozzi, “The Father of Plastic Surgery”

The quotation above eloquently summarizes the goal of reconstructive surgery among plastic surgeons today. 

Reconstructive plastic surgery differs slightly from cosmetic surgery because its goal is to restore natural appearance and function to children and adults who have abnormal features caused by trauma, heredity, or disease. Patients come to the Hunstad Center for Plastic Surgery for reconstructive plastic surgery procedures to repair skin cancer damage, restore devastating scarring and loss of function from severe burns, to restore the natural breast after mastectomy, and to revise breast reconstruction procedures. 

The Hunstad Center for Plastic Surgery offers a range of reconstructive procedures. Although not comprehensive, the list below outlines reconstructive surgery issues addressed by our practice. Information regarding these services is included, but for an in-depth consultation for these or any reconstructive or cosmetic surgery options, please our office today.

• Pediatric and Adolescent Plastic Surgery
• Breast Reconstruction
• Breast Reconstruction Revision
• Scar Revision
• Otoplasty/ Ear Surgery
• Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy.

Breast Reduction

Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

Hand Surgery

Hand surgery can treat diseases that cause pain and impair the strength, function and flexibility of your wrist and fingers. Surgery seeks to restore to near normal the function of fingers and hands injured by trauma or to correct abnormalities that were present at birth. Specifically, hand surgery can treat carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Scar Revision

Scar revision surgery is meant to minimize a scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture. Although scar revision can provide a more pleasing cosmetic result or improve a scar that has healed poorly, a scar cannot be completely erased.

Skin Cancer and Your Plastic Surgeon

Understanding that treating your skin cancer may result in scars or disfigurement can be troubling. Your plastic surgeon will guide you through treatment and explain the resulting effect on your health and appearance. Your plastic surgeon can surgically remove cancerous and other skin lesions using specialized techniques to preserve your health and your appearance.

 posted by Dr Bill Kortesis at 10:30 AM