Do Your Research Before Deciding on ANY Cosmetic Procedure

Posted on April 19th, 2018
Posted by administrator

According to the ASPS, breast implants are expected to take the #1 spot in 2018.

How is the best implant selected for a patient?

Dr. Samuels is a recognized expert in the specialty of breast augmentation, breast lift and breast revision surgery, having participated in all of the studies which led to the currently FDA-approved devices. As a result, she uses a very unique bio-dimensional approach to the selection of the perfect breast implant style and size for a patient. She listens to the desires of each patient and then artfully selects the perfectly sized round or shaped device, carefully selecting the appropriate implant position for the best long-lasting result. Many surgeons only use one type of implant and make a final selection based upon office examination only, where intra-operative findings aren’t taken into account, and this doesn’t always lead to the most natural result. Dr. Samuels frequently uses intra-operative sizing to select the best size device from a pre-selected range, and this process also reduces the chances of post-operative asymmetries…a frequent cause for revision surgery. Surgeons have options, therefore, the patient has choices!  The best choice is as individual as each patient is unique.

What kind of recovery time can be expected?

Dr. Samuels has popularized the “Quick Recovery Technique” of breast augmentation which enhances patient comfort after the surgery (shortening it to mere days), but this technique also reduces post-operative need for revision surgery to less than 2% among her patients. Due to the volume of cases she performs, Dr. Samuels is able to pass implant cost savings on to her patients in her comfortable, state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center. Many breast revisionpatients seek Dr. Samuels’ 23 year expertise to correct previous breast implant problems and to gain a fresh start on their breast health. Dr. Samuels believes that the best way to a happy outcome is to carefully educate each patient on their options and to make them a true partner in guiding their decision-making process.

Introducing PRP to Our Practice!!

Posted on February 26th, 2018
Posted by administrator

I am pleased to announce that we have recently added the use of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) to our long list of cutting-edge cosmetic facial and total body aesthetic procedures! What is the advantage of PRP and where is it used is a question I hear often.

Platelet rich plasma is obtained from each patient in a simple blood draw in our office. We then spin the blood to separate out the red blood cells from the plasma that contains the platelets. I chose the PureSpinÔ system for this important step, because how the platelets are harvested and prepared for use is very important in determining how well they will ultimately work to augment our cosmetic procedures. Physicians who use less costly and inferior systems can’t guarantee as pure of a separation of the platelets, and are then basically using blood that may be too contaminated with residual red blood cells to offer the many advantages of a pure platelet spin in the multitude of cosmetic procedures that are now available. You may by now have heard about the use of PRP in orthopedic joint procedures and other surgical procedures, so here is a quick summary of the uses in cosmetic plastic surgery…

• O-Shot®
• P-Shot®
• Vampire or PRP Facial
• Vampire PRP Facelift
• Vampire or PRP Breast lift
• Hair thinning or baldness

The function of platelets in blood are important in blood clotting but are also very linked to growth factors and stem cells. Stem cells in the body are called “pluripotent” cells, which means that when transplanted to a new tissue area, they can stimulate the growth and function of cells in the recipient area.

The “O-Shot” is a quick 15 minute procedure in which the PRP is injected into the tissue between the anterior vaginal wall and the urethra as well as near the clitoris in a woman. The results are improved sexual function and orgasmic potential, improvement in vaginal canal elasticity and lubrication, correction of urinary leakage, and treatment of lichen sclerosus (a chronic, progressive inflammatory dermatologic condition of the skin which affects the external opening of the vagina and the clitoris). There is no recovery time or activity restriction after an O-Shot, and it is nearly painless. The O-Shot is frequently combined with many of our unique-to-this area vaginal rejuvenation treatments such as Votiva FormaV and FractoraV, CO²RE Intima laser, and UltraFemme360, and these combinations deliver even more nonsurgical benefit when used in conjunction for overall female wellness than each used alone.

The “P-Shot” is a similarly popular injection for the guys (Priapus Shot), and its benefits are to improve circulation as a treatment for male ED or Peyronie’s disease (ie, make the male organ straighter, longer and stronger). Many men who struggle after prostate surgery may also find the P-Shot very helpful.

When PRP is used as a topical application after one of our microneedling or facial laser procedures, we call it a PRP Facial (or “Vampire Facial”). Patients experience quicker healing of the skin’s surface as well as improved collagen and elastin content so that the skin looks smoother, tighter and younger after laser (Sciton and CO²RE) or microneedling (Profound and Fractora), and an improved result in the treatment of wrinkles, acne scars and hyperpigmentation is seen.

A PRP Facelift is performed when we layer the filler we are using with the PRP on top of it. This can improve the longevity of the filler and also increase the amount of collagen and elastin crated by the filler. PRP can be used with Juvederm, Restylane, Bellafill, Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, Radiesse and Sculptra, to name a few!

A “Vampire Breast Lift” is performed with PRP under the nipple areolar complex in a breast lift, breast augmentation or breast reduction to firm skin or to restore nipple or skin sensation lost as a result of one of these procedures.

And finally, PRP can be used to restore hair growth in patients with thinning hair or even baldness.

The cost of the PRP portion of these procedures varies with the amount of PRP that needs to be harvested and the amount of time taken to inject the various areas.   Typical price ranges are as follows:

• PRP Facial and Facelift: add $500 to the cost of the primary procedure or the filler with which the PRP is layered
• O-Shot or P-Shot: $1200
• Hair loss: $1500 and up
• PRP Breast Lift: $1500
• Combination “PRP Trifecta” (Scalp, face and breast or O-Shot): $5000

If you haven’t been in to see us for awhile, you also need to ask us about our other new procedures introduced to the Louisville area last summer:

• EMSELLA for Urinary Incontinence
• Votiva FormaV and FractoraV for vaginal tightening, improved vaginal lubrication, elasticity and urinary leakage
• CO²RE Intima laser for vaginal rejuvenation and urinary incontinence
• UltraFemme 360 for vaginal rejuvenation and urinary incontinence
• Exilis Full Body Skin Tightening
• BodyTite and FaceTite Body Contouring (skin tightening with or without liposuction)
• Fractora facial microneedling

Come see us and we can give more detail on all of the above!

Julene

Cheat Time!

Posted on July 6th, 2017
Posted by Julene

What are the biggest misconceptions about anti-aging treatments?

Most patients undervalue starting early with an anti-aging program and think they need to wait until the signs of the aging process are more significant. However, there are many age-appropriate noninvasive steps a woman can take that make a great difference if practiced regularly, even starting in a woman’s 20’s and 30’s.  

Doing small but meaningful things daily can help women avoid premature aging and can definitely help women put off the age at which they may require more aggressive intervention in order to see meaningful results.  The face ages 3 ways:  

1) Skin surface textural change

2) Volume loss (due to loss of collagen and fat atrophy)

3) Laxity due to gravity (loss of elastin)

Therefore, the most important thing in a proactive anti-aging program is a well-thought out anti-aging plan that addresses all 3 areas of facial aging.  This usually includes some or all of the following age-appropriate skin care treatments:

• daily prescription skin care (so the correct ingredients at the correct concentrations are incorporated)
• appropriate skin surface corrective treatments (lasers, chemical peels, resurfacing tools, micro needling)
• injectables where appropriate to treat volume loss
• surgical or nonsurgical treatment of skin laxity
  
  The other thing patients don’t always appreciate, is the fact that the best anti-aging plan does mean that “some maintenance will be required”!
  

What’s the smallest step that can make the biggest difference in how youthful you look?

A healthy lifestyle including a proper diet, exercise, rest, hydration, and avoidance of as many harmful environmental influences as possible (unprotected sun exposure, smoking), and daily therapeutic (prescription) skin care.

Go ahead, cheat time,

Julene