The articles this month look excellent, especially the piece by Dr. Mark Berman and the fitness article about posture by Maria Mercedes.

One section of the site titled Inspired features several patient profiles in which men and women of different ages discuss the impact a cosmetic surgery procedure made on their lives.

Another area of the site is about “Achieving the Look” with cosmetic procedures. Featured articles discuss arm lift surgery, laser treatments, vein treatment, the tummy tuck, and the Brazilian butt lift.

According to the magazine media kit, the website is supposed to include an area where readers can upload a photo and use software to visualize results of a basic procedure, but that feature must still be under development.

Visit the new New You website.

www.okmag.com

Click on the red Tulsa icon, go down the list to Services and enter us under the “Cosmetic or Plastic Surgeon” category.

Rules stated on the website:

You must vote in at least 50 categories to validate the ballot. Complete our online ballot by March 31, 2010, to be included in a drawing for a prize package of gift certificates from Oklahoma’s best restaurants. You may vote once per day. Must be 18 or older to win. The 2010 Best of the Best will be announced in the July issue of Oklahoma Magazine.

A story published on LATimes.com says Lydia Carranza’s breast implant deflated when she was shot in the chest last year, in an incident that claimed the life of her co-worker and left her with disfiguring scars.  When a man opened fire in her office, Lydia was shot twice: “The bullet fragments were millimeters from her heart and her vital organs,” said Dr. Ashkan Ghavami to the LA Times.

According to a firearms expert, the deciding factor between life and death for Lydia may have been the presence of her saline breast implant.  Of course, “don’t go getting breast enhancements as a means to deflect a possible incoming bullet,” he adds.

• Read it on the Los Angeles Times

Quick facts about XC from Juvederm.com

• Composed of colorless hyaluronic acid – a hydrator and cushioning agent
• Results last about 9 -12 months
• Those allergic to lidocaine or Gram-positive bacterial proteins should not use Juvederm XC
• Traditional pain control methods can still be used to further minimize discomfort

Is the addition of lidocaine a big change?

Prevelle Silk, the first wrinkle filler of this kind approved in the U.S., received a slightly lukewarm response from surgeons when it entered the market in ‘08. “The issue with a hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine is that it doesn’t work until you actually start injecting patients, and these injections are so quick, by the time the lidocaine takes effect, you’re almost finished” said Dr. Joe Niamtu to Cosmetic Surgery Times.

The numbing effects of Juvederm XC are said to act quickly, but don’t expect the existing methods of pain control — which are quite effective — to be abandoned by cosmetic surgeons using the new formula.

The Tulsa Animal Rescue foundation posted about it on their blog, ArfTulsa, saying that without the help of Dr. Koehler and Dr. Huckaby from Bent Arrow Vet, the dog’s chances of survival were “slim.”

Dr. Huckaby from Bent Arrow Vet. and Tulsa Plastic Surgeon Dr. Koehler from Tulsa Surgical Arts joined forces. They donated their services and plated his hip. Darren Swiggett from Stryker-Leibinger donated the plates and screws!

They say Koehler is now getting a second chance at life and already putting some weight on his hip. Let’s hope he finds a good home!

Is this the ideal implant substance for rhinoplasty? That’s a question some surgeons have sought to answer recently.

A study published late last year in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery discussed the long-term results of this procedure and compared it to other common grafts used during nose surgery.

According to the authors, the ideal graft uses material meeting the following conditions:

• Readily available in large quantities
• Resists infection
• Resists absorption
• Completely integrated into host tissues
• Causes little patient morbidity

Based on their research, rib cartilage taken from human donors appears to be a viable option for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. Analysis of long-term results indicated that patients who used these grafts experienced a low complication rate and high satisfaction (94.2 percent of the 357 patients said they were satisfied with the results).

Read more about this study at ScienceDaily.com or access the full article through Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

The mag is said to include visually stunning images and cutting-edge information about proven cosmetic procedures, brought to you by the best physicians in the business.

Each issue of New You will offer tips and features like these:

• How the latest cosmetic surgery procedures can enhance your appearance
• How to avoid negative results and stay safe
• How to choose a trustworthy surgeon
• Real patient stories
• Before & after photos
• Interviews with top cosmetic surgeons

Where can I find New You?

The primary distribution of New You will be in the waiting rooms of 2500 practicing cosmetic surgeons. An additional 50,000 copies will be distributed to newsstands and other medical professionals.

For more information, visit newyoumag.com

A: There is no best method because each platform has particular benefits.  For example, water-assisted liposuction is said to be effective for removing a large volume of fat, while laser liposuction is great for precise body contouring.  Remember, the operator is the most important factor.

Q: Why do I keep hearing about new liposuction methods?

A: Plastic and cosmetic surgeons are trying to set themselves apart with more advanced liposuction techniques. You will often hear about “reduced downtime” or “reduced trauma to surrounding tissues” in the marketing for all of these procedures; just know that any proven liposuction technique will utilize the same basic tools as the standard tumescent liposuction procedure.

Q: Can I get liposuction anywhere on my body? What is the most common area to treat?

A: Many people are surprised to learn that liposuction can be performed on so many areas of the body. The abdomen and thighs are probably most common, but you can also get liposuction below your chin or even on your ankles.

Q: What type of doctor is most qualified to perform liposuction?

A: See a board-certified cosmetic surgeon for your liposuction.

Q: Is liposuction “minimally-invasive” like some of the advertising says?

A: The techniques have improved over time, making recovery quicker and incisions smaller, but liposuction is still cosmetic surgery. It’s not like getting a quick Botox injection.

• Learn more about SmartLipo at Tulsa Surgical Arts
• Learn more about Liposuction in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Just as representatives from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery spoke out against the elective cosmetic tax, people from the Indoor Tanning Association (surely a colorful bunch) are publicly opposing this new tax. Executive director John Overstreet says their industry, which consists mostly of small businesses, has been “thrown under the bus.”

What do you think? Is this a better proposal or just as flawed as the proposed elective cosmetic tax?