The survey, which was different than any previous study by the AACS, posted higher numbers  than ever seen before.  To gather data for the survey, the Academy polled its own members as well as random physicians across the United States.

The past two years have brought an 8 percent increase in cosmetic procedures for AACS members, despite the economic recession.

Procedures that increased markedly include eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, chemical peels and wrinkle fillers.

“As the economy recovers slowly but surely, we are seeing patients come back and feel better about doing some things for themselves that maybe they’d been putting off for a while,” said Mark Berman MD, president of the AACS.

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.

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.

I have heard many people say cosmetic surgery is unnecessary and that you should just be happy with the way you look.  Although cosmetic surgery is not necessary, I have to say that I have seen it make dramatic changes in many patients lives.  Today was an amazing example.  I had the privilege of seeing a patient from Missouri, that I first operated on almost a year ago.  She was kind enough to share her story and I thought you may find this interesting.

“From the time my chest started to develop, I had a very noticeable difference in the size of my breasts.  My right breast just never seemed to grow.  I was always very self-conscious about it and never had any self esteem.  After having kids the difference just got worse.  The shape and position of my breasts was so awful and embarrassing.  I was very uncomfortable with myself in and out of my clothes.  I could never wear cute “girly” clothes.  I finally met a wonderful man who made me feel beautiful inside and out.  He made me comfortable with myself but I still wasn’t happy.  He knew how unhappy I was with my chest and he wanted happiness for me.  He wanted me to feel beautiful like he always said I was.  I had the surgery before we got married.  Dr. Koehler helped me to have my fairy tale ending.  I never knew I could feel so beautiful on my wedding day and every other day of my life” -KT

This nice lady had significant asymmetry and droop to her breasts.  The surgery involved two stages.  The first stage was to do a lift on the right breast and correct the tubular shape to the breast and to do a breast lift and breast reduction on the left breast.  After waiting three months I was able to take her back to surgery and place breast implants.  She is now almost a year out from surgery and the smile on her face will brighten any room.  Although this wasn’t necessary surgery I think you would agree that it was life changing.

SLACK Incorporated Announces Editorial Board for its Newest Publication, Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine

The newspaper will bridge the gap among the specialties of dermatology, plastic, cosmetic and dermatologic surgery

THOROFARE, N.J., Dex. 23, 200800SLACK Incorporated is pleased to announce the editorial board of its newest publication, Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine. Launching February 2009, Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine will be a monthly newspaper that will explore the art and science of aesthetic surgery through the scope of various specialties. Led by Chief Medical Editor, Ronald L. Moy, MD, the editorial board is composed of the following members:

Richard L. Anderson, MD
Lawrence S. Bass, MD, FACS
Brian Biesman, MD
Jean D. A. Carruthers, MD, FRCSC(Ophth)
Donn R. Chatham, MD
Edwin A. Cortez, MD
Angelo Cuzalina, MD, DDS
Lara Devgan, MD, MPH
Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC
Kay Durairaj, MD, FACS
Jeffrey E. Epstein, MD
Edgar F. Fincher, MD, PhD
David J. Goldberg, MD, JD
Robert Goldberg, MD
Derek H. Jones, MD
Corey S. Maas, MD
Alan Matarasso, MD
Seth Matarasso, MD
Patrick McMenamin, MD
Harry Mittelman, MD
Rhoda S. Narins, MD
Jeffrey A. Nerad, MD
Joseph Niamtu III, DMD
Gordon H. Sasaki, MD
Stuart R. Seiff, MD, FACS
Robert A. Shumway, MD, FACS
S. Randolph Waldman, MD
Woffles Wu, MD

This group of experienced medical leaders will play a vital role in the development of the publication by researching content, reviewing articles, providing their expert perspective on relevant topics and representing all of the aesthetic specialties. Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine will reach more than 21,000 U.S. physicians with an interdisciplinary platform designed to serve as a primary information source for busy aesthetic medicine physicians and surgeons. Articles will focus on clinical skills, the art and science of aesthetic medicine, cosmeceuticals and other products that complement aesthetic medicine, and practical information physicians can use to run a more efficient practice.

With a reporting style designed to develop a deeper connection with readers, Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine will engage readers’ interest while presenting the news in a time-saving format. An integrated daily Web site, AestheticSurgeryandMedicine.com, will offer interactive forums, blogs, podcasts and breaking news to further satisfy the informational needs of physicians. John C. Carter, SLACK Incorporated’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “Each issue of Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine will present original reporting and the expert analysis of our highly specialized editorial board,putting the news in perspective for the reader’s practice.”

They lectured along with the internationally recognized plastic surgeon Dr. Oscar Ramirez (in both pictures).

At this meeting, Dr. Cuzalina was elected by the Board of Trustees as the next Treasurer for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.  Dr. Koehler was named as Chairman for the Fellowship Training Committee.  Both our doctors are actively involved in the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Overall, the meeting was a great opportunity for doctors from around the world to share their experiences and learn about the latest advances in the field of cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Koehler and Cuzalina stayed for several days after the meeting to give review lectures to surgeons preparing for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery examination.

Oklahoma Magazine

Dr. Cuzalina & Dr. Koehler

Welcome to our blog page at Tulsa Surgical Arts. We are proud to announce that we were voted as Best of the Best in the category of Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery in the July 2007 Oklahoma Magazine.

It is our hope this blog will provide you with current and accurate information regarding cosmetic surgery. For more information please call us at 918-392-7900.