Tennessee Cosmetic Surgery | The Plastic Surgery Group P.C.

Fat injections continue to receive considerable press. Plastic Surgery News October/November reports extensively on fat injections and stem cell research. The applications of the fat injection technique are widening steadily. I have been particularly happy with their results in breast reconstruction. The treatment of radiated sites in the head and neck as well as breast are promising for the correction of significant deformities. The Aesthetic Surgery Journal for September and October also contains a superb article on fat injections of the breast. It discusses an experience of nearly 900 applications in the last ten years.

From the aesthetic end, facial volume restoration and hand rejuvenation are becoming more and more reliable as a main stream treatment. This is all exciting news because it represents a new solution to some very difficult to solve problems.

LIFECELL has informed me that they have introduced their new breast reconstruction website - http://www.breastreconstructionmatters.com/. I have visited it, and think it is great. It contains solid information which is delivered in an organized, thoughtful manner.

One of my favorite patients who happens to be an editor brought me in a article from the October 2009 "marie claire Magazine" entitled "Doctors without borders". This is yet another article about disastrous results from aesthetic surgery performed by unscrupulous practitioners. It relates the stories of Shawn King and Priscilla Presley (two very bright women) and how they were taken in by their "up scale" surgeon. The article goes on to warn about doctors that fly in and out for a week of surgery here and there, bootleg procedures, BOTOX parties. Frankly, it was enough to make a grown plastic surgeon cringe. Read it for yourself before you decide on who is going to be your plastic surgeon.

The holidays are closing in fast. Look your best for your special holiday occasions. The Plastic Surgery Group schedulers are working double time to be sure that our discerning clientele has the opportunity ready themselves for the rigors of the holiday party scene. Even if aesthetic surgery is beyond your budget this year, I'm sure that our spa partner LARIMAR has the trick to help you look great and feel rested this season. I think I'll head over there right now.

Dr. B

Dr. Jason Rehm will be escorting breast cancer survivors at the Breast Cancer Network of Strength 2009 Fashion Show on Sunday, November 8th. This show features 28 local breast cancer survivors as models to benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

Click here to view Dr. Brzezienski's Bizymoms Online Interview. http://bizymoms.com/chattanooga/surgery/chattanooga-reconstructive-surgery.php

Congratulations to the twelve finalists in "Chattanooga's Biggest Loser". After the first week, Joe Green, Larry Joiner, and Noreen Risko are in the lead. Keep up the good work!

Our Plastic Surgery Department received the published copy of our latest academic journal contribution. The research details the results of monitoring reconstructive microsurgical operations with an infrared camera. As the Erlanger Medical Center motto goes: "We practice what we teach".

MENTOR CORP. has introduced its new breast reconstruction website. Its got a lot of great information especially regarding tissue expansion and silicone implant reconstruction. From the aesthetic side, Mentor has introduced the Le Mystiere aesthetic bra. They also have a special for augmentation patients thru December. A Le Mystiere bra will be fitted and provided for all patients undergoing breast augmentation through out the time of the special. Check out their website.

Finally, Wednesday, I met with the Legislative committee for the Tennessee Medical Association. Participating in organized medicine is very important to me. Activist physicians help pave the way for the best in health care reform. The safety of patients and access to care in Tennessee remain our chief concerns.

Dr. B

Troubling news out of Florida. FOXnews.com reports that a 37 year old mother has lost her life after liposuction in a medspa by a Dr. who is not a board certified plastic surgeon. This Dr. had a background in occupational medicine. It is so tragic that this problem continues to repeat itself. Until firmer legislation is passed, any doctor can claim to be anything. The responsibility for choosing the right doctor is yours.

Our practice receives calls or emails from patients who have had disappointing results from procedures performed by health care practitioners outside our practice. These patients feel they have been intentionally misled by marketing maneuvers designed to sell easy solutions, although not inexpensive solutions, for a variety of cosmetic image concerns. As an example, Lipo-Dissolve, Threadlifts, Endermologie, Body Wraps, Thermage are but a few on the current "buzz" list. Patients requesting procedures because they have seen or read a glowing marketing description need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of improperly researching a product or procedure. A consultation with a respected plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is the single most important piece of research that can be accomplished. The discerning plastic surgeon thoroughly investigates any "new" equipment or procedure in the marketplace and assesses its value based on safety and the result that can be achieved from its use. See our recent article titled Astroturfing.

I just returned from the advanced breast reconstruction surgeon's forum sponsored by Life Cell in Chicago. It was a great information gathering session with some of the busiest breast reconstructionists in the U.S. present. I was very happy to see and hear that our practice remains on the cutting edge of technology. The surgeons I spoke with share an enthusiasm for tissue expansion reconstruction using "alloderm"(see the LIFECELL website) as an assist. Results were very much on track with ours. Multiple new techniques were discussed which have similar application in aesthetic breast surgery.

The surgeons also indicated that they were expanding the use of fat injections in their reconstructive population. I have also found the fat injections with exacting technique can improve a wide host of contour problems both in aesthetic and reconstruction patients. All in all, a fantastic educational event.

Last Sunday, I attended the kick off for Chattanooga's Biggest Loser. I have been asked by the Harvey's to serve as their official plastic surgeon. I gave a little talk about aesthetic reconstruction after great weight loss. We discussed the most common surgeries; but, most importantly, how to move through the process safely. I congratulate all those who are about to embark on the journey to better health with the Harvey's. Keep an eye open for media coverage of Chattanooga's Biggest Loser.

I also had an online interview with the Casmina Dole at Bizymoms. Bizymoms.com is the world's largest site both in traffic and pages dedicated to work-at-home moms. I look forward to a continued relationship with this very informative site.

Watch for further "Saturday updates". Email your questions to Kathy and we'll be happy to respond. Dr. B.

-Dr. B