July 22nd, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, News, Opinion, Quackery Exposed, Research
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I first saw mention of the “vampire facelift” two weeks ago as a news article listed in the July 9th issue of the Plastic Surgery SmartBrief: “Vampire facelift” uses patient’s platelets and fibrin in dermal filler.”
The article begins:
Instead of a traditional facelift, patients are being offered another option to get rid of wrinkles. It’s called Selphyl or the “vampire facelift,” and it uses a person’s own blood to sculpt the face.
Selphyl, according to the company’s website:
The patented SELPHYL® System enables the safe and rapid preparation of an activated Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM). A small volume of the patient’s blood is collected and the platelets and fibrin are concentrated during a simple centrifuge process. The resulting product (liquid, gel or membrane) can be applied to a treatment area of the face or body to stimulate natural, new tissue growth. SELPHYL® prepared PRFM has been shown to increase skin volume and rejuvenation.
SELPHYL® ensures a preparation of fibrin and platelets, with virtually no red or white blood cells. Studies have shown these platelets to be viable and intact. Platelets will release proteins, which have been reported to trigger cell migration, proliferation and differentiation over time.
With over 45,000 procedures performed world-wide, this technology has been extensively used for soft tissue regeneration in plastic surgery, orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery.
So how does Sephyl create any face-lifting effect? Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
July 7th, 2010 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, News, Opinion, True Stories
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I must say I think Dr. Kimberly Henry, cosmetic surgeon, has made a big professional mistake. She has filed a lawsuit to stop online reviewers from badmouthing her on the Internet. She is seeking injunctions against at least 12 reviewers from sites such as Yelp.com and DoctorScorecard.com. Dr. Henry claims libel and defamation, invasion of privacy and interference with prospective economic advantage and is seeking $1million in general damages and $1million in special damages, etc.
Now I don’t know Dr. Henry nor do I know of her plastic surgery technique. I don’t know who the disgruntled patients are or if they are unfairly targeting her. What I do know is that the Internet is here to stay and there’s no place to hide if you don’t provide excellent customer service. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
June 19th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Humor, True Stories
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I finished a post-abdominoplasty check, with drains and sutures removed. I then began to tell the patient how to slowly increase her activities and exercise.
She smiled and said: “I have to tell you. I got back on the Wii just to walk yesterday. It told me I had lost weight too quickly and that I need to slow down.”
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 12th, 2010 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Opinion, Quackery Exposed
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Here’s a gimmick “As Seen On TV,” on which you should save your hard-earned money.
The neckline slimmer claims to reverse the effects of aging without cosmetic surgery. Simply hold this gadget to the chin area and it will exercise your neck muscles to reduce those jowls or sagging fat under your chin. Just two minutes a day should do the trick, according to the commercial.
Unfortunately the effects of aging and loose skin cannot be reversed by jiggling the head or pressing the fat upward. Weight loss can slim the face, but sagging jowls probably need cosmetic surgery.
Personally, I prefer candlelight and light dimmers.
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
June 2nd, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Interviews, Opinion
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There’s a nice article in the May issue of Plastic Surgery Practice that discusses how to deal with unhappy or difficult patients. No matter the area of medicine or surgery, you’re bound to have one or two of these patients over the years. It never hurts to learn or review tips in dealing with them.
In the article, Rima Bedevian interviews Julie Ann Woodward, M.D., chief of the oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery service at Duke University:
…how to successfully deal with them -– with compassion and humanity without allowing them to “run you over” or manipulate a difficult situation into a potentially litigious one.
Dr. Woodward provides a helpful checklist for doctors. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
