You may have heard that it’s important to do your research and insure that your surgeon is qualified before undergoing a plastic surgery procedure. While that’s sound advice, it can sometimes be challenging to sift through the information you’re getting to insure that you’re doing your homework properly. Here are five areas where not asking the right questions can result in answers that could be confusing.

Ask your surgeon if he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Follow up by asking if they are a member of ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), which requires its members be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

The one can be tricky. Anyone with an M.D. can claim they are a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That means a pediatrician, family doctor or a gynecologist. They often can also claim board-certification, because they are board-certified in their specialty. If these the two statements are made in conjunction with one another, it can sound like they are saying they are “certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.” Also, there is an American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which is not the same as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Your surgeon should be able to state that he or she is “certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery” and a “member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons” and he or she should be able to show you their certification.

Ask how many of the procedures they have performed.

This will help ferret out surgeons that have recently gotten into plastic surgery as a way to offset decreasing insurance payouts. Because plastic surgery is often paid for directly by patients, many doctors from other specialties have recently gotten into the “plastic surgery business.” Make sure to not only ask about plastic surgery procedures in general, but to ask about the specific procedure you are considering.

Does your surgeon have hospital privileges?

This means the surgeon has the right to do surgery at a hospital. Because hospitals vet surgeons carefully, this is another assurance that your doctor has the proper credentials to perform plastic surgery. If your doctor says “yes,” ask which hospital(s) and contact the hospital to verify.

Is your surgical facility accredited by a national or state accrediting agency?

Some surgeons perform certain procedures in their office or a private clinic. Remember that plastic surgery, while becoming increasingly common, is still major surgery. If these facilities are accredited, it means they have the necessary equipment and staff to handle an emergency in the rare event that something goes wrong.

Do you have patients that I can talk with and before and after photos that I can look at?

Just as with any professional, your doctor should be able to provide references and show results of his or her work. Don’t hesitate to ask for this information while you’re doing your research.

Remember, plastic surgery is a very personal decision, and it is important that you be completely comfortable with your physician. After all, you are putting your physical aesthetic, and possibly your life, in their hands. You may find a doctor that meets all the qualifications, but with whom you are simply not comfortable. Keep looking. The relationship between patient and doctor is a close and personal one, and you need to be comfortable.

To view a recent PSA announcement from the ASPS by clicking here.

Recent media concerning actress Angelina Jolie and her decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy after discovering a BRCA gene mutation has a lot of women wondering: What is the BRCA gene? What does a BRCA gene test reveal?

BRCA1 is a human caretaker gene that produces a protein called breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein. BRCA1 can be found in the cells of the breast and other tissues, where they help repair damaged DNA and destroy the cells in which DNA cannot be repaired. However, if BRCA1 itself is damaged this increases one’s risk for various cancers, because it cannot help repair damaged DNA.

 

BRCA2 (breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein) is also a protein found in cells, although this protein belongs to the gene family that help suppress tumors through the repair of chromosomal damage. Similar to BRCA1, if this protein is damaged itself and not helping to support repair, one’s risks for various cancers are increased.

Several different types of BRCA gene tests are available. Some are tests that look for a known mutation that has already been identified in another family member, while others can check for all possible mutations in both genes. A blood or saliva sample is needed to provide the laboratory with DNA for the mutation testing. Upon arriving at the lab it is analyzed and you are then provided with the results/findings.

In Angelina Jolie’s case, she decided to undergo the test, and tested positive for BRCA gene mutations. She made an individual decision about how to manage her diagnosis. But, a celebrity speaking out on their own choice and diagnosis does not make it the right option for everyone. Every woman is different, and any woman considering a BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene test should consult with their primary caretaker.

We’ve all heard of someone undergoing a breast augmentation (implants) procedure. But did you know that breast reduction surgery is among one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery? In fact, according to the Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank statistics, more than 100,000 women had like-surgeries in 2012.

But why?

Large or oversized breasts can cause a number of mental and physical strains including but not limited to:

• Poor posture
• Decreased range of motion
• The inability to enjoy physical activity or exercise
• Shoulder pain
• Painful indentations on the shoulders from bra straps
• Rashes along the breast folds
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Wardrobe selection trouble
• The need for special (and expensive) undergarments

Breast reduction is a procedure that can eliminate the above-mentioned symptoms, and is most often achieved through a combination of liposuction and surgery. Once excess tissue, fat and skin has been removed to decrease the size of the breast, the breasts are meticulously contoured. The areola can also be reduced in size at this time and is repositioned along with the nipple to adhere to the new shape of the breast.

Because breast reduction provides patients with such positive life-altering results, and because many insurance companies will cover this procedure (assuming certain requirements are met), we’ve seen a tremendous increase in popularity across the U.S., and right here in Bloomfield Hills at Amae Plastic Surgery Center.

If you are currently considering this procedure, or are just interested in collecting more information at this time, please contact us. Although having too large of breasts is often a problem from an early age, it is most often recommended to wait until breasts are fully developed to undergo a breast reduction surgery.

As a reminder, online research should never serve as a substitute for a professional consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon!

Mentor Worldwide, maker of high quality implants for breast augmentation announced it has received FDA approval on a new implant. The MemoryShape is an anatomically-shaped cohesive silicone gel implant designed to be used in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction.

The silicone gel in the MemoryShape breast implant contains more cross-linking compared to the silicone gel used in Mentor’s previously approved implant. This increased cross-linking results in a silicone gel that is firmer.

Research shows that patient satisfaction with breast augmentation is 98 percent, and continued advancements such as this will only serve to maintain and improve this number. Women now have more choices than ever to achieve a natural result, and plastic surgeons have another safe alternative to offer.

As with all FDA approvals, Mentor is required to conduct a series of post-approval studies to assess long-term safety and effectiveness.

This approval makes the Mentor MemoryShape implant the fifth FDA-approved silicone gel-filled breast implant available in the United States.