Nose Reshaping: Small Corrections a New Trend

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A recent article featured in the Plastic Surgery News talks about the reasons for rhinoplasty (nose reshaping). Most people who have their nose reshaped are not going for a “classic” look or a “celebrity” look. They’re simply people who feel that their nose doesn’t fit their face or is compromising their looks. In fact, may people elect to improve an issue that, often times, other people don’t really notice. But, they see it, and it bothers them.

Many nose surgeries correct slight issues; misalignments, curvatures, etc. Often times people have just the bridge worked on, or just the tip of the nose modified. And, the result enables them to look in the mirror every day without seeing that “flaw.”

Often, when we think of someone having their nose reshaped we envision a drastic change; perhaps something that makes them look like a different person. However, that’s simply not the case. Small corrections can improve a person’s confidence while changing their appearance only enough for friends to say “You look different…did you do something with your hair?”

If you have a nose or other facial imperfection, realize that cosmetic surgery is often the perfect solution for those small things that “bug you.” For a consultation with Dr. Ali, contact us today.

Plastic Surgery: Not Just Cosmetic

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Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery seem to be fairly synonymous in our vernacular. When most people think of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery comes to mind. Typically it’s thought that someone undergoes plastic surgery solely to make themselves look better. But, beyond cosmetics, plastic surgery has a number of health and wellness benefits.

Donna McLean, a London mother of three, turned to an eye-lift procedure when aging caused her naturally hooded eyelids to begin interfering with her vision. After a minimally-invasive procedure her vision improved and she experienced the added benefit of looking younger.

Studies have shown that cosmetic surgery can help improve self-image and that this improvement leads to an increase in happiness and a decrease in depression. The benefits of cosmetic surgery include not only improved physical appearance, but also psychological well-being.

And don’t discount the physical health benefits from many cosmetic procedures, including breast reduction, which can help decrease back and neck pain, a tummy tuck that improves posture and decreases back pain, and breast reconstruction for cancer survivors.

The reality is that people undergo cosmetic procedures for a variety of reasons, not just “vanity.” Self-esteem is linked to body image, and self-esteem is important to our overall health and well-being. If you’re experiencing physical challenges that you think could be addressed through plastic surgery, contact Dr. Ali today for a consultation.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Facial Procedures

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Anti-Aging Options

Botox…microdermabrasion…filler. What are all of these seemingly endless cosmetic procedures, and what can they do for you? View this slideshow from WebMD to learn about the various options available. This informative slideshow includes before and after photos of popular cosmetic procedures, many of which are used for anti-aging skincare.

Non-surgical Cosmetic Skin Care Slideshow

Sculptra Aesthetic Anti-Aging Offers

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Amae Plastic Surgery has a couple of great offers on Sculptra Aesthetic, but you need to act fast!

Sculptra Aesthetic Offer One

This special introductory offer is for new patients. Purchase your first vial of Sculptra Aesthetic and get your second vial free. Must receive treatment before 12/31/11. ONLY ONE OFFER LEFT, so stop by or call (855) 335-7200 right away to purchase.

Sculptra Aesthetic Offer Two

Existing Sculptra Aesthetic patients can save up to $150. Simply purchase up to three vials of Sculptra Aesthetic by December 31, 2011 for a $50 per vial rebate (up to $150 total rebate) and have until Dec 31, 2012 to complete the treatment. Call (855) 335-7200 for details.

Call (855) 335-7200 today or stop by the office to take advantage of these great offers.

Thanks for Your Generosity

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Thank you everyone who participated in our fundraiser for the Baldwin Center. We received a number of toys and over $400 in gift cards. These items will go a long way toward giving those less fortunate a happy holiday. At Amae Plastic Surgery we know that our patients are generous and thoughtful, and we thank all of you for your kindness!

Dr. Ali Receives Patient’s Choice Award from Vitals.com

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Michigan Plastic Surgeon in the Top 5% of Physicians

Bloomfield Hills, MI—Michigan plastic surgeon M. Azhar Ali has been recognized as a Patient’s Choice physician by Vitals.com. Vitals.com is one of the top destinations on the web for doctor information and patient ratings. Its Patient’s Choice designation is awarded to doctors who consistently receive high ratings and positive reviews from their patients.

Every month more than 200,000 patients provide feedback about their doctor experiences, and over the course of 2011, hundreds of thousands of patient reviews were written at Vitals.com. While physicians often receive positive feedback, only a select few consistently receive ongoing positive reviews. In fact of the nation’s 720,000 active physicians, only five percent were accorded this honor by their patients.

“This is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Ali. “It reinforces what I have always believed. As plastic surgeons we are entrusted with our patients’ self-image. There must be collaboration, and we must build relationships so that patients know we only want what is best for them.”

Dr. Ali’s practice philosophy revolves around insuring that patients are extremely comfortable with their procedure and decisions prior to moving forward. He will take as much time as a patient needs to insure that all questions have been answered and concerns put to rest. Dr. Ali uses a four-part system of discovery, consultation, procedure and follow up to insure patient safely and satisfaction. In fact, Dr. Ali is truly a surgeon’s surgeon; in 2009 he was named a Top Doctor by Hour Detroit, and in 2010 Dr. Ali was named to the Detroit Super Doctors list.

About Dr. Ali

Dr. M. Azhar Ali is a board-certified Michigan plastic surgeon and director of Amae Plastic Surgery Center. Dr. Ali is extensively trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has performed numerous breast augmentations in Michigan. Additionally, Dr. Ali performs facelifts, tummy tucks, liposuction and most other cosmetic surgical procedures. Amae Plastic Surgery also offers skin care procedures and product lines.

Since graduating from medical school in 1986 Dr. Ali has received extensive specialized training, including a Fellowship in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, a Fellowship in Microsurgery and Trauma at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and a Fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Toronto for Pediatric Surgery.

Dr. Ali is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Society the Michigan State Medical Society and the Oakland County Medical Society. He has written and presented and published a number of research articles. Dr. Ali regularly attends the annual convention of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and continues to stay at the forefront of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

About Vitals

Vitals.com is a top web destination for consumers seeking information about doctors. Vitals is committed to providing the most thorough information available on doctors so that consumers will have the information they need to make the best possible healthcare choices. Vitals strives to list all U.S. doctors, and it obtains information and data from a wide variety of sources both public and private, including medical boards from all 50 states, federal websites, hospitals, doctors, surveys, business alliances, third party affiliates and patient feedback.

Media Contact:
Jeff Stanislow
jeff@motorcityinteractive.com

Help Brighten Someone’s Holidays

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There is nothing like the feeling of helping out those in need, especially during the holiday season.

Stop in between Monday, November 28 and Monday, December 12, 2011 and donate a $20 pre-paid grocery store gift card (Kroger, Meijer etc …), which will then be donated to the Baldwin Center in Pontiac, and receive a complimentary Microdermabrasion.

Want to spread more CHEER to those in need, especially kids? In addition to donating a $20 grocery gift card, include a unwrapped gift and also receive $25 off one area of Botox (including a $50 mail-in rebate), that’s $75 off total your single area of Botox.

For information on the Baldwin Center and examples of what kind of toys are requested by the children, please download the Baldwin Center Wish List.

If you would like to donate directly to the Baldwin Center contact Alex Plum at aplum@baldwincenter.org or (248) 332-6101

How to “Qualify” Your Plastic Surgeon

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Patients and potential patients are continually cautioned to “do your due diligence,” to insure a plastic or cosmetic surgeon is qualified to perform the procedure you are considering. One thing to keep in mind is that, although the terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference between a cosmetic procedure and plastic surgery. The term plastic surgery encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Additionally, there are many cosmetic procedures that do not involve surgery (i.e. injectibles, fillers, etc).

Whatever procedure you are considering, make sure that the doctor(s) you are evaluating are:

  • Board certified
  • Qualified and experienced in the procedure you are considering
  • A good fit with your personality

Board Certification

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the primary certification organization for plastic and cosmetic surgeons. Surgeons who are “board certified” by the ASPS must:

  • Have a minimum of six years of surgical training in plastic surgery
  • Complete extensive oral and written examinations
  • Pursue 50 hours a year of continuing education
  • Operate only in an accredited facility (like a hospital)
  • Adhere to a strict code of ethics

Remember, plastic surgery is major surgery. Liposuction, face lifts, tummy tucks and breast augmentation require incisions and healing, and while side effects are not common, they can and do occur. Make sure the surgeon you are working with knows what to watch for, and what to do. This is also why your doctor will stress follow up examinations.

Even common procedures such as peels, injectables and fillers must be administered by an experienced individual. While they are not “surgery,” some of them are aggressive procedures that require the oversight of a doctor in the unlikely event of a complication.

Qualified and Experienced

Make sure that the plastic surgeon you are considering has experience. In addition to the number of similar surgeries performed, a good indication of experience is whether your surgeon has undergone a Fellowship or Fellowships in the surgery. For example, Dr. Ali has completed Fellowships in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery, trauma and micro surgery and pediatric plastic surgery. Additionally, he has completed a residency in plastic surgery and an internship in general surgery.

Just Ask

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for references. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions. And keep asking until you are satisfied that the surgeon is a good fit with your personality. While this is a less concrete consideration, you need to feel comfortable with your doctor. You are putting your well-being and, really, your sense of self into his or her hands, and you need to feel like their vision is similar to yours and that they are truly looking out for your best interests.

Couples Cosmetic Surgery: A New Trend?

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An interesting trend in cosmetic surgery is couples having surgery done together. It used to be that wives or husbands would come in and say they didn’t want their significant other to know they were having “work” done. But recently there’s been an uptick in husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends going through the process together.

It makes sense that you might want to “grow younger” with your partner. Dr Nancy Synderman, medical editor for NBC, thinks this trend may be part of what is driving the increase in cosmetic surgery for men.

Popular couple procedures include liposuction, facelift, Botox, Sculptra Aesthetic and dermal fillers. Who knows, maybe we’ll begin to seem more tummy tucks and brow lifts.

Blog Ping

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Urges: Do Your Homework

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The recent spate of issues and even deaths that have recently been reported has prompted to American Society of Plastic Surgeon to launch a patient safety campaign to inform the public of the dangers of having cosmetic procedures performed by unqualified or under-qualified doctors.

What is a Plastic Surgeon?

Of particular concern to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is a problem they have dubbed “white coat deception.” Just because a doctor has a medical license does not mean he or she is trained and qualified to perform plastic surgery. Only four states (California, Florida, Louisiana and Texas) have laws requiring that physicians disclose the specifics of their medical training and background. In all other states any doctor, for instance a pediatrician or OB/GYN, can claim to be qualified in plastic surgery. In fact, these doctors may not have ever performed any type of surgery and, because they are performing procedures in an outpatient facility, there is no hospital oversight.

Unfortunately, doctors can undergo a few hours or days of training in a procedure, then begin offering cosmetic surgery services. However, this lack of training and experience leaves them unprepared to deal with complications that an experienced plastic surgeon is well aware of and watching for. There have been a number of stories recently in the press about deaths associated with liposuction—a common and safe procedure when performed correctly—when the doctor performing the procedure was not qualified to handle complications. Other stories abound of disfigurement due to botched operations. And, in many cases the ability to repair the damage is compromised by mistakes made during surgery by doctors not experience in sound surgical techniques.

The Dangers of “Pumping”

Another major concern to the ASPS is the issue of “pumping,” which is the illegal injection of silicone to enhance areas of the body, typically the breast, buttocks or lips. These injections are administered by individuals who pose as medical but are not licensed physicians. They often promise that they are using medical grade silicon when in fact they are using industrial grade silicon mixed with baby oil or Crisco. Often times a group of people will pool their money and have a “pumping party,” typically in a hotel room or at a private residence.

Not only is the practice illegal, but it is highly unsafe. There have been recent reports of deaths associated with the practice. And, several “patients” are reporting serious health complications, diseases and disfigurements emerging years later. One patient is unable to sit for long periods of time or to sleep due to her inability to remain still for any length of time.

When considering any cosmetic surgery procedure make sure to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Many recipients of these silicone injections may not even be aware that it is illegal and that the individual administering the injections is not even a licensed medical professional.

What is ASPS Certification

In order to become a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a doctor must have a minimum of six years of surgical training in plastic surgery. They also must complete oral and written examinations, and continue to pursue 50 hours a year of continuing education with an important emphasis on patient safety. Additionally, ASPS members do not operate in a facility unless it is accredited, insuring the optimum in patient safety for the rare occasion when there is a problem. And, finally ASPS members adhere to a strict code of ethics.

To help you understand what to look for in a plastic surgeon, see our plastic surgery questions.