Update: State-of-the-Art 3D Imaging Still Has A Way To Go

by Andrea L. Algar

Dr. Robert Young has always been in the forefront of technologies available to women who want to improve their self-image, their confidence, or their looks with breast enhancement surgery. Dr. Young has performed so many breast augmentation surgeries over the years that he is widely known as the "breast doctor" in San Antonio, Texas, where his office and Outpatient Surgery Center is located. 

Dr. Young recently added a service he thought his patients would like using brand new, state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology. After uploading a few photos, answering a few questions and selecting implant sizes you're interested in, 3D images would be made showing what the implants would look like on your own body. After using the system for several months, however, Dr. Young found that it doesn't quite deliver. The results were disappointing and he decided to discontinue use until the makers could work out the host of problems.

And this isn't the first attempt at utilizing this type of technology. Dr. Young has owned and used imaging software for well over 10 years which "morphs" patient photographs, projecting potential surgery outcomes by manipulating the photo in the office. As Dr. Young describes, "We prefer not to use the morphing techniques because actual outcomes can be quite different than those projected by computer." The computer cannot take into account unique body characteristics that a skilled surgeon knows how to handle and to what extent can or cannot be changed. "Computers cannot deal well with asymmetry or uneven breasts, tubular breasts, wide-spread breasts and other problems we as plastic surgeons are trying to correct for our patients," explains Dr. Young. "I like to rely on what my thirty years of experience have taught me."

The good news is that the methods that Dr. Young been using in his consultations with patients continues to work very well. Since Dr. Young has performed an estimated 8,000 breast augmentations, he has a large collection of before-after photographs which contain a wide variety of body types and breast implant sizes used. This is an excellent way for you to see the quality of his work and how saline or silicone breast implants may look on you.

Dr. Young uses a variety of breast implants including saline and silicone gel implants, in many different sizes, styles and projection heights in order to create the look you desire. There are many different surgical methods available to you as well. Dr. Young is happy to discuss endoscopic, minimal incision methods that leave the smallest scars possible and help you return to your everyday life as quickly as possible. He can address questions about awake surgery, TUBA incisions, adjustable implants, fat injections and many of the more recent trends in breast augmentation surgery.

REFERENCES:
dryoungforever.com - Dr. Robert N. Young, MD, FACS, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
                                
ABOUT DR. YOUNG

Robert N. Young, founder of Aesthetic Enhancement Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years experience. He has been trained and has extensive experience both as a reconstructive plastic surgeon and a cosmetic plastic surgeon. He has become known as the breast doctor of San Antonio. His San Antonio practice includes a fully accredited outpatient Surgery Center staffed with qualified Registered Nurses, Anesthesiologists and surgical technicians. As a leading plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Young is a member of the following professional organizations:

- ABPS Diplomate - Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
- Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
- Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
- Member, Texas Medical Society (TMS)
- Member, San Antonio International Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (SAISPRS)
- Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS)
- Accreditation by the American Association for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF)

Ultra High Profile Implants Growing in Popularity in San Antonio

by Andrea L. Algar

San Antonio's Dr. Robert N. Young receives a lot of requests from women looking for the newer Ultra High Profile implants. He has been using them since they were introduced last summer, and women have been happy with the results they give.


Mentor, makers of the new
Ultra High Profile Silicone Gel Breast Implants



Because they offer more projection than moderate or even high profile implants, you don't have to go as large with the new ultra high profile implants. In fact, according to the manufacturer Mentor, the new silicone gel Ultra High Profile implants offer the "highest projection with the smallest base". Dr. Young explains, "These new silicone implants are particularly good for small framed women who don't have the chest width to accommodate large implants. I've seen that women who want much larger breasts are really liking the new Ultra High Profile implants. These new implants provide more projection and less width so you don't have to get as large an implant in order to achieve good projection. And, the implants are more full of silicone so they wrinkle less."

There are many new options available for women desiring breast enhancement. Breast Augmentation has evolved to include many options in quality breast implants designed for a wide range of body types, including many different shapes, sizes, projections, materials, methods of insertion and more.

REFERENCE / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mentor Corp - Breast Implant Options
LoveYourLook.com - Breast Implant Sizes, Profiles & Textures from Mentor

 

ABOUT DR. YOUNG
Robert N. Young, founder of Aesthetic Enhancement Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years experience. He has been trained and has extensive experience both as a reconstructive plastic surgeon and a cosmetic plastic surgeon. He has become known as the breast doctor of San Antonio. His San Antonio practice includes a fully accredited outpatient Surgery Center staffed with qualified Registered Nurses, Anesthesiologists and surgical technicians. As a leading plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Young is a member of the following professional organizations:

 

- ABPS Diplomate - Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
- Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
- Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
- Member, Texas Medical Society (TMS)
- Member, San Antonio International Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (SAISPRS)
- Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS)
- Accreditation by the American Association for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF)

Can Use Of Aspirin Help Prevent Deadly Melanoma?

by Andrea L. Algar

One of the largest studies of its kind has shown promising findings that regular use of aspirin may lower the risk of developing melanoma. An agressive form of cancer that invades skin cells, many melanomas can turn deadly. Melanoma has been increasing dramatically in prevalence and has become one of the most worrisome cancers because of this. One in 50 will develop melanoma in their lifetime, and the average lifespan for those with advanced melanoma is only one year. It is the fastest growing cancer all around the world.

Melanoma Skin Cancer
Photo Courtesy: Skin Cancer Foundation

Previous studies have not been as large, or as focused. Almost 60,000 caucasian women were studied, primarily because the cancer seems to effect more fair skinned people. According to today's Everyday Health article, "They found that women who took aspirin had a 21 percent lower risk of melanoma compared to those who did not take the drug. And the longer the women used aspirin, the lower their melanoma risk. Those who took aspirin for five or more years had a 30 percent lower chance of developing melanoma than the ones who didn't take it at all. The researchers were able to control for skin cancer risk factors among the women, including variations in skin pigmentation, tanning habits and use of sunscreen."

While this news is promising, daily use of aspirin does carry it's own risks. For many years "baby" doses of aspirin has been recommended for men and women who have cardiovascular disease or are at risk for it. While it cannot be said with certainty that the risk of taking aspirin would outweight the potential benefit, it is an option worth discussing with your physician.

How to Spot Melanoma:

Symptoms of melanoma can vary, and they can develop quickly so it's important to identify them. Not all skin cancers are melanomas. Melanomas are more dangerous because they spread. Melanoma of the skin is called Cutaneous Melanoma and is the most common type. Other types of melanoma can occur in mucous membranes including nose, throat, mouth and are called Mucosal Melanoma. The third type is melanoma of the eye and is called Ocular Melanoma. The Melanoma Research Foundation recommends that you look for the following signs:

 

• A change on the skin. This could be a new spot, or a change in color, shape or size of a current spot.
• A sore that doesn't heal.
• A spot or sore that becomes painful, itchy, tender or bleeds.
• A spot or lump that looks shiny, waxy, smooth or pale.
• A firm red lump that bleeds or appears ulcerated or crusty.
• A flat, red spot that is rough, dry or scaly.

 

As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Young has identified melanomas on patients with increasing frequency. He states, "If you suspect that you may have a melanoma, you should consult with a dermatologist who is trained to identify and treat skin conditions such as melanoma. It is recommended that men and women have yearly whole body exams which include scalp and the bottoms of the feet since melanomas can occur on just about every part of the human body. As in most types of cancer, treatments are more successful when the cancer is caught early."

 

REFERENCE:

Everyday Health: Melanoma Risk Drops 21 Percent In Women Who Take Aspirin

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
American Cancer Society -  Melanoma Skin Cancer
Mayo Clinic - Melanoma Pictures To Help Identify Skin Cancer (Slide Show)
Melanoma Research Foundation:  What Is Melanoma
Skin Cancer Foundation - Melanoma Information

ABOUT DR. YOUNG:
Dr. Robert N. Young is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience. His San Antonio practice includes a AAAASF accredited outpatient Surgery Center staffed with qualified Registered Nurses, Anesthesiologists and surgical technicians.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is a contributing author to Dr. Young's blog dealing with issues on cosmetic plastic surgery. She has been working in the medical community for over 30 years, and authors articles on a variety of health, beauty and leisure topics.

Vampire Facelifts Have Many Curious And Others Scared

by Andrea L. Algar
Contributing Author

Just the term "vampire" used with facelift is a scary thought. News of this new technique is getting quite a lot of attention due to the unique marketing name associated with it. But just what is "vampire facelift"?

"Vampire" to most people
Photo Credit: tumblr.com

To best answer that we need to take a look at the reasons that men and women seek out facelifts in the first place. Most commonly, the reasons are aging, sagging skin that we begin to notice as early as our 40's. The problematic wrinkles, bags and sags seem to multiply at alarming rates from there, causing many to start seeking remedies for what they see as false representations of how many men and women feel when they're in their 40's, 50's and even 60's. Recent polls have, in fact, shown that 70 is now seen as the new "middle age"!

But, wrinkles and sagging skin is often accompanied with a loss of fat under the skin, as well as bone and muscle, causing the face to look more aged. With advent of research into stem cells, it has been discovered that plasma from your own body can be enhanced and reintroduced, providing platelets that are rich and rejuvenating, with human growth factors that can repair and rebuild tissue. They've labeled this PRP (platelet rich plasma), which essentially is blood plasma that has been enriched by platelets.

A "vampire facelift" is a fat transfer procedure that combines your own fat, usually obtained by liposuction, and PRP obtained from your own blood.

We already know from years of successful fat transfers, that fat is rich in stem cells. When fat is transferred, these cells take on the characteristics of the cells around them. Fat transfer has been successful when used in the face for many years, however, with the new ability to introduce the PRP along with the fat, it is said that this process stimulates the stem cells to do what they do best, which is to multiply. Multiplying cells means volume to our face. Some research has shown improvement in blood supply and circulation as well.

Fat transfer alone is helpful for many areas of the face including cheeks, temples, forehead, around the eyes, lips, jowls and almost anywhere that there is significant loss of fat. Replacing the volume with fat injection is often a part of a planned facelift, where the facelift can tighten the skin, the fat replacement provides a more youthful, fresh look. The one-two-three punch of the "vampire facelift" could provide much needed volume from the fat, as well as growth factors from PRP and new cells from the stem cells.

Dr. Robert N. Young of San Antonio cautions, "While more hands-on experience with PRP and fat transfer is needed in order to assess longevity and patient satisfaction, it is a procedure worth watching. As we learn more about stem cells and how they can best be utilized, we will undoubtedly improve on these techniques and the outcomes that can be achieved. As with any new procedure, it is often wise to wait until some of the quirks are worked out." While the volume is instant, not all volume is kept with fat transfers, and it can take several months to a year to see the final effects. This could result in patient disappointment if their expectations are not met. Many callers to Dr. Young's practice have expressed disappointment in thread lifts and other "quick fixes" that don't necessarily give the long-term results desired, which is one reason that traditional facelifts and fat injections have remained very popular.

China's Fire Facial Treatments Claim To Fight Wrinkles (VIDEO)

A treatment has emerged from within China that would seem to be a bit too scary for most here in the United States. "Fire Facials" are gaining in popularity there, and are said to stimulate the skin and improve dullness, sagging and wrinkles. But would you be willing to try it?

Setting one's face on fire is not how most people would envision trying to remedy wrinkles. Torture springs to mind quicker than a smooth face. But, in China, the procedure is gaining momentum as a spa treatment called Huǒ liáo is being used on the face, legs and/or other parts of the body.  The procedure involves placing an alcohol-soaked towel and a special "elixir" on the area, then lighting it on fire for a few seconds.

VIDEO WARNING:
This video may be disturbing to watch.




Theoretically, this procedure can work. By "damaging" the surface of the skin, your body fights to heal the wound. When healed the process leaves you with refreshed new skin. Here in the United States, we accomplish the same thing when we perform laser resurfacing, but it is done with much more precision because we can control the depth the laser affects and the amount of exposure, or laser energy, the skin receives. Chemical peels, such as the ViPeel, work in the same manner, yet are gentler and do not have as much down-time as with a full laser resurfacing.

Dr. Robert Young spent seven years as plastic surgeon at the Burn Unit at Brooke Army Medical Center, and later as Chief of Plastic Surgery there. His experience with burn victims is extensive. He explains, "The risk of igniting your face or your body with flammable liquid seems immense. " Leaving the fire too long could permanently damage the skin, leaving horrible scars that may not ever heal. It would seem a huge risk. What do you think?

REFERENCE / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
HuffPost Style - 'Fire Facial' Treatment, AKA Huǒ liáo, Claims to Fight Wrinkles By Setting Face on Fire 

ABOUT DR. YOUNG
Robert N. Young, founder of Aesthetic Enhancement Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years experience. He has been trained and has extensive experience both as a reconstructive plastic surgeon and a cosmetic plastic surgeon. He has been performing successful Brazilian Butt Lift procedures for several years. His San Antonio practice includes a fully accredited outpatient Surgery Center staffed with qualified Registered Nurses, Anesthesiologists and surgical technicians. As a leading plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Young is a member of the following professional organizations:

• ABPS Diplomate - Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)

• Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
• Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Member, Texas Medical Society (TMS)
• Member, San Antonio International Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (SAISPRS)
• Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS)
• Accreditation by the American Association for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF)