Archive for March, 2011

Maryland Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tattelbaum on Facebook, Twitter and Social Media:

Monday, March 21st, 2011

I was an early adopter of AOL when my wife and I Lived in Boston and she had to telecommute with her office in New York. Maryland, D.C., and Virginia became exponentially better when high speed cable came to my home and now FIOS—which I love.

I was an early adopter of the web page to promote my practice and educate prospective patients. Now plastic surgery sites are a dime a dozen. I still like to write my own content because I hope that a personal perspective is more interesting than the canned lingo I see so often. The internet has become a dangerous place when it comes to medical especially plastic surgery information. I like to help people sort it out.

What has me baffled still, and I guess I’m showing my age, is the Facebook/Twitter revolution. Yes, I have a page, Dr. Tattelbaum – DC, Virginia, Maryland Cosmetic Surgeon on Facebook, (recently) and yes, I know how important it is. I’m still not sure how to really utilize it. I haven’t tweeted yet either. At present my page on Facebook is like a blog with promotions, but in truth I like to keep the blogs which I consider more personal here on my website, http://www.atcosmetics.com, dedicated to cosmetic plastic surgery.

Here’s is what this blog is hoping for some help. For you reading this, a prospective fan I hope, I would ask and encourage you to join my page of Facebook. Tell me what you are looking for and what you would like to hear and learn about. I look forward to your comments and suggestions. Become a fan today by clicking: Dr. Tattelbaum – DC, Virginia, Maryland Cosmetic Surgeon on Facebook.

If you have any questions you would like to discuss privately, regarding cosmetic plastic surgery, please feel free to contact my office to schedule a consultation with me at my office in Rockville, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland; or McLean, Virginia.

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Brazilian Butt Lift

Monday, March 14th, 2011

The Brazilian butt lift became all the rage a number of years ago when the show Extreme Makeover became popular. I’ve always been a little bit dismayed by that show because they tend to show their postoperative results even just a few weeks after surgery. In the field of cosmetic surgery the most important results come at least a year if not more after the surgery. The operation is just a small part of the entire recovery.

If we inject fat in a buttocks it is sure to look full and round about six weeks after plastic surgery, not just because of the fat, but because of the swelling as well. We know from experience that about 50- 60 % of the fat will be reabsorbed by the body over time. That is also why this operation can require further treatments or touch ups—something they don’t talk about on extreme makeover. I think it is very important to have the liposuction as the primary goal. In areas that the fat is removed the results are long lasting. In areas that the fat is injected, the amount that stays will be known in 6-12 months.

So do I perform the Brazilian butt lift? I certainly do on, in Virginia and Maryland, but very selectively. It’s an operation that needs a place to take fat from (harvest) and it needs a place to put it. I have to choose my patients carefully. I had a patient recently that would have been a great candidate except that she had no body fat for me to harvest (I should be so lucky). Another patient I saw recently was told elsewhere to gain 50 lbs so that she could then have enough fat to suction and put in her buttocks. This is really bad advice- always be healthy first.

The ideal candidate is one who is moderately slender but not too slender. Love handles, the lower abdomen and outer thighs are great places to harvest the fat if the skin tone is good. If the skin tone is loose and we’re performing a tummy tuck I can harvest the fat from that area.

To learn if you are a candidate, please contact my office for a consultation and I’d be happy to give you my opinion. I have offices in McLean, Virginia; Rockville, Maryland and Annapolis, Maryland.

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Botox or Dysport…. a Year Later:

Monday, March 7th, 2011

So a little over a year ago Dysport® came on the market as a competitor for Botox®. We have now had vast experience with both. So which one is better? My opinion… both and neither. If you ask each manufacturer they will certainly tell you why theirs is better. While there may be subtle differences in onset and longevity both do the job and do it well. They both have made my patients very happy in Maryland and Virginia.

I think that the greatest advantage is to the patient, because there is now competition. While we really haven’t seen any decrease in the cost of Botox (as we had hoped) it hasn’t gone up in price either. Before the introduction of Dysport there was a consistent yearly elevation in the cost of a vial of Botox. Recently the price has remained relatively stable. Competition is good.

Many of my patients have tried both and while some may like one over the other most are happy with either. At this point in time I think most physicians are comfortable with both.

Just a few words of caution:

First, I think it is important to go to the office of a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to have this done. These physicians and their staff are specifically trained to use these products.

Secondly, Botox and Dysport are used to soften or smooth small wrinkles. I have seen a trend recommending Botox to younger and younger patients (even 20 something) “to prevent the onset of wrinkles”. As of this writing I don’t believe there is any proof to support this theory and I have a hard time with the Idea of injecting a 20 year old.

Lastly, I see ads and flyers all over the place for Botox “deals”. The price is only relevant if you actually know how much product you are getting. A “site” could get 25 units or 50 depending upon the dilution of the product. Always ask your doctor how many units you will be getting. For more on this you can see my older post “The Best Botox®”.

If you are interested in injectables or a non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedure, contact my office to schedule an appointment at one of my three locations in Maryland or Virginia.

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