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Archive for November, 2009

5 Reasons to Drop Cosmetic Tax From Healthcare Reform Bill

Friday, November 20th, 2009

A new “elective cosmetic medical tax” was unveiled Wednesday as part of the recent health care reform bill that Dr. Cuzalina says will be “devastating” for cosmetic surgery practices in the United States.  “You’d be surprised how price sensitive people are to this.  It’s a tax against women and the baby boomer generation having these procedures” comments Dr. Cuzalina.

Cosmetic and plastic surgeons have spoken publicly against the addition of this tax and shared many arguments against it.  Here are 5 of those arguments.

  • Discriminatory: Women purchase 86 percent of all cosmetic medical procedures in the United States.
  • Targets middle class America: In a 2005 ASPS survey of people planning cosmetic surgery, 60 percent of the respondents reported incomes of $30,000 to $90,000 a year.
  • Historically ineffective: New Jersey implemented a similar tax in 2004 and it fell drastically short (59 percent) of its projected revenue.
  • Line between reconstructive and cosmetic isn’t always clear: the tax imposes the burden of making clear distinctions between procedures that are medically necessary and simply elective.  Who will make these distinctions?
  • Could promote medical tourism: Patient safety is a major priority; keeping costs down will discourage Americans from seeking risky cosmetic surgeries abroad.

2 Ways to Prepare for a Consultation at Tulsa Surgical Arts

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

TulsaAfter a consultation at Tulsa Cosmetic Surgery, you should have answers to your most important questions and feel more confident about how to proceed – whether that involves a procedure or not.

To get the most out of your office visit, follow these two easy steps:

1. Come prepared

Make a list of questions that you think are 1) important or 2) difficult to understand.  Depending on the procedure you are interested in, it might be somewhat difficult to get straight answers, and you might find conflicting information.  Fortunately, the consultation offers a perfect opportunity to get straight answers from a professional.

It also helps to define the general goals you have for cosmetic surgery.  Some patients have been considering a procedure for years and know exactly what they want; others are just starting their search.  While a consultation can be useful in either case, you’ll get more from the experience if you have at least a vague idea of your goals.

2. Come with an open mind

It’s important that you communicate well with the doc; that means disclosure of your medical history, past procedures, and reasons for surgery.  This part of the process carries through all the way to your recovery and results, and it will help our surgeons serve you better.

If it seems difficult to communicate your goals, use cosmetic surgery before and after pictures or other visual aids.  You can view our photos or bring examples that you think are appealing.

Five Questions to Ask Before Breast Augmentation

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Many practitioners are doing breast augmentations these days, but not every one 5_Fivewill give you the results you want. If you want great results and a positive experience, you need to do a little investigative work prior to surgery.

Here’s a basic rundown of questions you may want to ask:

1. Does your cosmetic surgeon have training specific for breast augmentation and does he/she have the versatility required to offer you multiple options?

Skills among practitioners often overlap, so many different surgeons might be able to perform common cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty. On the other hand, only plastic and cosmetic surgeons receive training for breast augmentation as a primary part of their residency.

2. Who is providing anesthesia for your breast augmentation?

The task of administering anesthesia is a very important aspect of surgery. You’ll want an individual who is well trained, prepared for unexpected problems, and focused on safety.

3. Who will be present before, during, and after the operation?

The supporting staff of a cosmetic surgeon is vital to both the success of the operation and to the overall experience.  Meet the talented supporting staff of Tulsa Surgical Arts.

4. Does your surgeon have hospital privileges?

To obtain hospital privileges, your surgeon must be able to prove and/or demonstrate a record of training for the procedures he or she intends to perform there.

5. Is the surgical facility certified and safe?

Breast augmentation can be performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center, but certain standards must be met in order to receive accreditation for an operating facility. Read more about our AAAHC accredited facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Burned Triplets Get Free Lumenis Laser Treatment

Friday, November 6th, 2009

berns-triplets4A cosmetic surgeon in Florida was in the news about her laser treatment of three sisters who suffered severe burns at an early age.  Dr. Jill Waibel has been treating Trae, Jordan, and Chandra Berns with the Lumenis Ultrapulse laser and apparently, the results are very good.

On the TODAY show they told Matte Lauer, “our skin has gotten smoother. Our scars have gotten a lot smoother.” The triplets weren’t even two years old when they escaped a house fire that claimed the life of their mother.  After living with scars for many years, they finally decided to investigate a laser treatment.

The sisters are receiving 6 treatments with the Ultrapulse fractional ablative laser, courtesy of Lumenis and Dr. Waibel.

See more about the Berns Triplets on 20/20 here and see their website, the “Three for Hope Foundation” here.