Have A Cosmetic Surgery Question For Dr. Robert Young?

We've got a new interactive feature on our blog where you can ask Dr. Young a question. We'll select one question a week and answer it here. Subscribe to our RSS feed and you'll be able to see what others like you are asking about!

Webmaster

You may have seen some of Dr. Robert N. Young's answers on RealSelf.com, as he is very active on that site in helping those with questions about plastic surgery, and in particular those with questions about his specialty - breast augmentation surgery in San Antonio. Send your questions to me, Dr. Young's webmaster, and we'll select one question each week for our blog.

We want to respond to questions for Dr. Young right here from our blog because we realize that more and more patients turn to the Internet to get information about procedures. We want to make sure that he information you get is accurate, timely and most important, beneficial to you.

Perhaps you've heard of a new cosmetic surgery procedure that you have questions about, or are curious about the recovery for a particular surgery, or you might even want to send in a review of your experience having surgery with Dr. Young. Drop me a line at webrequest@dr-youngforever.com.

* Please do not send questions needing an immediate response or reply. This is NOT monitored "live", and it may take several days for questions to be reviewed. If you are in need of medical attention, call our offices at 210-496-2639 or dial 911 for emergencies or after-hour problems.

Cosmetic Surgeries Increased in 2012 Despite Poor Economy

by Andrea L. Algar

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that 14.6 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in the US in 2012 which is a 5% increase from the previous year. All this despite a weak national economy and people watching their purse strings a bit more than usual.

The most popular surgical procedures were breast augmentation and rhinoplasty (nose job). In addition, over 6 million wrinkle relaxer treatments such as Botox and Dysport were performed. Other treatments that are gaining in popularity include facial fillers such as Perlane, Restylane and Juvederm.

Dr. Robert Young has been performing cosmetic surgeries since he began his San Antonio private practice in 1990. To him, these trends are not new. "I've performed more breast augmentation surgeries than any other procedure, and they have been growing in popularity even more than ever over the past five to ten years," he states.

A pioneer in minimally invasive techniques in San Antonio, Dr. Young has helped thousands of women wanting to enhance their natural bustline by offering a wide range of choices in saline and silicone breast implants. He explains, "We offer choices in incision site, over or under the muscle, and in the shape and size of breast implants as well. These choices allow women to select the look they prefer, whether it is natural or intentionally enhanced, big or small or anything in-between."


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. A native of San Antonio, Dr. Young graduated from the esteemed U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his medical training from Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Young retired from the military in 1990 after having served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center. He has extensive experience both as a reconstructive plastic surgeon and a cosmetic plastic surgeon, and over the past twenty years has become known as the breast doctor of San Antonio. His 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)

Man Arrested For Injecting Dangerous Silicone Into People's Buttocks For Buttock Enhancement

by Andrea White

Fat injections to the buttocks has become very popular over the past several years. There are basically two different ways to achieve fuller buttocks - buttock implants or a procedure called the Brazilian Butt Lift. For the Brazilian Butt Lift, fat is removed from unwanted areas by liposuction. After the fat is filtered it is injected into the buttocks, adding contour, shape and the fullness desired. There are also unscrupulous impostors offering unsafe silicone injections.

Today, a story has surfaced about the latest con who has used this method to perform "enhancement" procedures on unsuspecting victims. The story comes out of Palm Beach, Florida where two victims, a male and a female, brought light to the illegal injections being performed by an unlicensed man.

The injections were being performed by the arrested suspect injecting silicone into the buttocks and closing the incisions with Krazy Glue. He was reportedly charging $200 per injection of a silicone substance not approved for use in the body and one that can cause serious harm. Both victims became known following their being admitted to the hospital for "severe infection, pain, bleeding, oozing wounds, and disfigurement," according to WPTV-TV.

If you're looking for buttocks enhancement, we urge you to make sure that legal procedures are being performed by licensed and trained professionals who have experience with either the Brazilian Butt Lift or Buttock Implants. Dr. Robert N. Young encourages patients to take the time to check the credentials of anyone you're considering for cosmetic surgery procedures. The two major societies, the ASAPS and ASPS are good resources for more information about plastic surgery and Board Certified Plastic Surgeons around the country.

REFERENCE / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
huffingtonpost.com - Calvin Butler Accused Of Illegally Injecting Silicone Into Other People's Buttocks
DrYoungForever - Should My Plastic Surgeon Be Board Certified?
Herald Tribune - Plastic Surgeons Warn of Trade's Dark Side
Locate A Doc - Cosmetic Surgeon Imposter Jailed for Practicing Without a License
The Baltimore Sun - Health Officials Alarmed Over Silicone Injections For Fuller Buttocks
The Smoking Gun - Silicone Sister Busted For Butt, Hip Injections
USA Today - Lack Of Training Can Be Deadly In Cosmetic Surgery

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)

Should My Plastic Surgeon Be Board Certified?

There's good reason to check whether your plastic surgeon is Board Certified. Too often, news emerges with stories of patients who elect to go to providers who may not have the qualifications to perform cosmetic procedures or surgeries. With the popularity of cosmetic plastic surgery, it can attract unqualified (and sometimes unscrupulous) people who are lured by what they see as quick profit.

In some cases, the service provider may not even be a legitimate doctor. There have been several stories this past year about people posing as doctors and performing non-surgical procedures as well as actual surgeries in hotel rooms or back offices. There have been cases of people being injected with non-medical ingredients such as cement or silicone directly into the breasts, buttocks and even the face. These are highly toxic and can be extremely caustic, causing burns, infection, serious wounds and even disfigurement. Botox® and facial fillers are being used by people who have no training in facial nerve structure or the underlying muscles of the face, and mis-use of these products can result in droopy eyes, temporary paralysis, and even nerve damage.

In other cases, it may be a doctor who does not have sufficient training in this specialized field. They may be a generalist, gynecologist or other physician who has no formal training or experience in plastic surgery. They may have simply taken a weekend course in breast augmentation or liposuction and may have little experience with surgery. Generally people undergoing any type of surgery want someone with specialized training and competence.

Some are turning to the trend in "awake" surgeries. Procedures performed while the patient is "awake" can be risky if they do not have the equipment necessary to monitor a patient, do not have emergency equipment necessary to resuscitate a patient should there be a complication or if a licensed anesthesiologist is not in attendance during the surgical procedure. Even though the patient may be "awake", it does not decrease the risk associated with the sedation medications that patients are given. It is still surgery!

Tourist or vacation plastic surgery is also seeing an increase as those who want cosmetic surgery but don't want to or cannot pay the going rate seek alternatives. We've seen women who have flown to a foreign country such as Mexico, Asia or South America to receive a $2,000 tummy tuck and now have complications such as severe infection or a poor outcome that could cost many more thousands to try to correct. It is rare to receive appropriate pre-operative and post-operative care at foreign facilities, with patients eager to get on with the vacation end of their trip, or in getting back home, putting themselves at even greater risk of complications. It is usually recommended that you do not fly for at least 2 weeks or more following any type of surgery, and cosmetic plastic surgery is no exception.

So what is the difference between an internist and a plastic surgeon?

Obtaining a medical license to diagnose and treat patients means a physician meets a minimum level of competency requirements to become a doctor, but it is not specific to any one specialty. Board Certification demonstrates a level of expertise in a specialty and is considered the "Gold Standard". Board Certification by the ABPS ensures that the surgeon has had at least six years of surgical training, years of surgical experience, has passed both oral and written exams and has had surgical cases reviewed by the Board in order to demonstrate proficiency within the field of plastic surgery. They certify that they only operate in accredited medical facilities such as hospitals and accredited outpatient surgery centers. They are licensed physicians who have made a choice to make plastic surgery their primary focus as a medical professional.

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. As a leading breast augmentation specialist 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)

Dr. Robert N. Young encourages patients to take the time to check the credentials of anyone you're considering for cosmetic surgery procedures. The two major societies, the ASAPS and ASPS are good resources for more information about plastic surgery and Board Certified Plastic Surgeons around the country.

REFERENCES / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Herald Tribune - Plastic Surgeons Warn of Trade's Dark Side
Locate A Doc - Cosmetic Surgeon Imposter Jailed for Practicing Without a License
The Baltimore Sun - Health Officials Alarmed Over Silicone Injections For Fuller Buttocks
The Smoking Gun - Silicone Sister Busted For Butt, Hip Injections
USA Today - Lack Of Training Can Be Deadly In Cosmetic Surgery

Patient's Touching Surgical Story

It's rare when someone reveals themselves openly and honestly. Even more so when it's done publicly. Yet, this is exactly what one of Dr. Young's patients decided to do when she shared her story on an Internet site designed to give helpful information to those interested in breast implants.

"Anonymous" has been making news with her detailed account of why she decided to get breast implants at 49 years of age, and what her experiences were in selecting a surgeon, having the surgery, and her recovery experience. 

We're asked all the time, "What should I expect?", and it's a great question. Women wanting breast augmentation, whether they're 25 or 55 need answers that will help them make an informed decision that they will be happy with. It's something we strive to deliver to patients when they come to see Dr. Young for a consultation visit. Decisions go beyond selecting the right size, what recovery is like or when you can return to work, and some, in fact, wrestle with whether the procedure is "okay" to have at all.

I think "Anonymous" explains it well, and can serve as a good resource to anyone considering a breast augmentation or other cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. "Anonymous" gave an incredibly candid and frank account of her very personal and moving story of her decision to pursue Breast Augmentation following a battle with lymphoma. Her message is inspiring, and we thank her for sharing her heart-felt story with others.

Read the entire story of Dr. Young's patient at ImplantInfo.com.

ABOUT DR. YOUNG:
Dr. Robert N. Young is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon whose specialty is Breast Augmentation surgery. Dr. Young has been performing breast surgeries for over 30 years, and was a pioneer in utilizing minimally invasive techniques for his breast implant patients. He offers saline implants, adjustable implants, and silicone gel implants, in a variety of shapes and sizes designed to give options for women of all ages, body types, and personal preferences. Dr. Young performs surgeries in his own AAAASF certified outpatient surgery center located in San Antonio, Texas. He can be reached at his practice, Aesthetic Enhancement Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, which he founded in 1990.

Ultra High Breast Implants Now Available from Dr. Young!



Mentor Ultra High Profile
Silicone Breast Implants



We are pleased to announce the availability of the new Ultra High Profile Mentor Silicone breast implant. 

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.

These implants are ideal for the smaller framed individuals who don't want the implant fullness laterally. Make a free consultation with Dr. Young and come by to see these new implants.

New 5th Generation Breast Implants Available in San Antonio

Now there is a new silicone breast implant from Sientra. This implant was recently approved by the FDA. The silicone inside of the implant is more cohesive than the current silicone gel implants on the market. This further decreases the risk of leakage of the silicone if it breaks. The implant also maintains its form better (either round or teardrop shaped) since the silicone is more solid. Another benefit is that the implant wrinkles less so for those patients who have wrinkling this new implant may be a solution.

We are pleased to offer these new implants in all sizes so that now you the patient have more options available to you when selecting your breast implants. All of these implants can be inserted through an armpit incision therefore avoiding any scarring on your breast.

Sientra Textured - Shaped Breast Implants

Call for a complimentary consult with Dr. Robert N. Young to see these implants and try on different sizes to determing the right look for you.

Followup on PIP Breast Implants

On 12-16-11, we ran a story about the breast implants used in France.  The latest news is that the head of the company and at least one of his executives have been arrested.  The company, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) has since ceased operations, but this has not stopped authorities from seeking manslaughter charges against those reponsible for using substandard silicone in breast implants which were distributed mainly in Europe and South America.

As we previously reported, the USA manufacturers Dr. Young obtains his silicone breast implants from are medically sterilized and safe, and are made from a medical grade silicone. The majority of breast implants we use are Mentor's MemoryGel silicone cohesive gel-filled implants which are made here in the United States under strict FDA guidelines and inspections. The FDA has a consistent and welcome presence in Mentor's manufacturing facility. This, and Mentor's ongoing commitment to quality and safety, helps to ensure the safety of their breast implants for breast augmentation.
Silicone breast implants continue to be the desired choice by most women around the country and are popular at Dr. Young's fully accredited Surgery Center due to the more natural feel they offer. With the latest advances to cohesive gel implants, the risks from rupture have been minimized because the gelatin-like substance retains its shape and does not seep like a liquid. If you have questions or concerns about silicone implants, consult with your surgeon.

Rhinoplasty Gets Complicated when Septum is Deviated

Rhinoplasty ("nose job") is a cosmetic surgery procedure which can be complicated, and not surprisingly, many plastic surgeons do not enjoy doing them. No two noses are the same, and there can be limitations on what can be done with the nose.  Not everyone can end up with, nor would necessarily want to end up with, a cute, perky little nose with a slight scoop in it. With the nose being in the center of the face, it tends to be put under the microscope by patients when judging results.  And, when presented with common complaints of breathing problems, or a "deviated septum", the task of correcting the exterior shape of the nose can be greatly complicated by the internal issues causing the deviation.

Dr. Robert N. Young is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has been performing Rhinoplasty surgeries for over 20 years, and he has achieved good results when dealing with cosmetic corrections.  When a patient has septal issues however, he and many other qualified plastic surgeons prefer that patients consult with an experienced Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) physician/surgeon who can assess the internal issues involved. An ENT can diagnose the cause of breathing difficulties, rule out other medical conditions, and prescribe the best course of action for you. In some cases, bone grafts may be needed to correct the problem surgically. The good news is that the treatments are lasting, and outcomes can be very good. 

The golden rule for Rhinoplasty: seek treatment from the professional best suited to help you, depending on if you need cosmetic correction, or correction of a breathing difficulty.