The Fat Thermostat

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The Fat Thermostat

What if you could just reduce fat and lose weight by dialing up or down a simple "fat thermostat"? Turns out that we actually can, although it is not as easy as turning a dial, there actually is such a thing as a fat thermostat. We all have one, and it controls the placement and amount of fat in our bodies. Recent studies indicate that liposuction in some way may affect the fat distribution in the body by interfering with the action of the fat thermostat. Think of reducing the ability for the body to store a certain amount of fat. If you are programmed to a certain percentage body fat for a given caloric intake, level of activity and hormone balance, your body will always try to re-establish a given amount of  fat in your system. This would lead to very rapid weight gain after even the most strict diets if the basic underlying balance of hormones, diet and exercise are not changed. The good news, is, you can actually change your fat thermostat!  More to follow....   By:  Mario Diana … [Read more...]

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Bone Density May Affect Rejuvenation Efforts

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Skin tightening may minimize wrinkles, but it won't compensate for underlying structural changes. Read the Full Story FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY This information supports the concept that Plastic Surgeons have supported for years. In most aging situations, volume changes in the face are just as important as skin laxity. It is not enough to pull or tighten skin to achieve rejuvenation; we have to address each individual patient's needs, and in some case that means increasing volume in the cheeks or replacing lost fat around the eyes. … [Read more...]

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The promise of youth

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Want to look younger? Of course you do! Facelifts helped more than 100,000 people do exactly that in 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Now a new study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that people who undergo facelifts rate themselves as looking an average of 12 years younger afterward. http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2011/02000/Outcome_Analysis_in_93_Facial_Rejuvenation.40.aspx Most of the patients in the study had other procedures, such as a forehead lift and/or eyelid surgery, at the same time. Forty percent of the patients rated the results as better than expected, and nearly all said the results met their expectations. Slightly more than one-third of patients experienced a complication, although most were temporary (such as dry eyes). Only two percent were unhappy with their scars. What about recovery? For the patients in the study, pain lasted an average of 10 days, and they had to take prescription medications for six days. They took about three weeks off from work, and they said it was about a month before they felt comfortable in public and two and a half months before they felt back to normal. My take on this? It’s important to define your goal in getting a facelift. Keep in mind, the procedure is strictly limited to the facial tissue—the cheeks, jaw line and to some extent the upper neck. It does not include rejuvenation of the eyes (called a blepharoplasty), lips (cheiloplasty), chin … [Read more...]

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Safer breast shaping

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Good news about lipomodeling,  a new approach to breast augmentation: it doesn’t appear to interfere with mammograms, according to a new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2011/03000/Radiographic_Findings_after_Breast_Augmentation_by.32.aspx The procedure, also known as lipotransfer, involves removing moderate amounts of fat from one area of the body (such as the hips or thighs) and transferring it to the breasts. Researchers found it wasn’t more difficult to perform and interpret mammograms in women who had the procedure. Also, there were no major changes in breast density, although some women had small calcifications or cysts. In the study, 20 women had mammogram results reviewed before and after they underwent lipomodeling. There were no significant differences, and there was no increase in abnormal results.  Still, the researchers suggest that women who undergo the procedure have a breast evaluation (including a mammogram) beforehand. That way, you can be reassured that any new abnormalities are probably due to the procedure and not breast cancer. In my practice, we routinely perform mammograms or breast ultrasounds prior to any breast procedure. … [Read more...]

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The lowdown on cellulite

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Last week I promised I’d talk more in depth about cellulite—you know, the dimpled skin you might see on your thighs, hips, buttocks and/or abdomen. Here’s how it develops: Changes in estrogen and other hormones cause fat cells located beneath the skin to swell. The cells push up against the skin, while the fibrous cords that separate them pull down, creating an uneven, cottage cheese-like appearance. Cellulite is directly related to female hormone levels. In fact, very few men have cellulite. Although it's not pretty, it’s not a sign of poor health; lots of exercise fanatics and personal trainers have cellulite. It can even be seen in girls as young as two. Cellulite has evolved to protect girls and women from infertility, since a certain amount of fat is necessary for normal hormone function.  Of course, most women would gladly be rid of the stuff. While it can’t be entirely eliminated, it can be improved. Next week I’ll discuss the latest treatments. Stay tuned!   By:  Mario Diana … [Read more...]

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Will plastic surgery change your life?

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Before you book a cosmetic procedure, consider how it might make you feel afterward. It’s possible that you already feel good about yourself, but you’d like to change something about your appearance and will feel even better afterward. Or you may want to change something about your looks that has hurt your self-esteem. It may take time to feel better about yourself, but you will over time. Keep in mind, cosmetic surgery can’t change how others feel about you. Your friends and family may love your new look, but you can’t expect them to. Remember, you’re not changing your appearance for them (and if you are, you may want to reconsider). Sometimes it’s best to get counseling before having a procedure done. Here are the circumstances in which this may be the best approach: you’re coping with a divorce, job loss or death of a loved one; you need to feel young again; or you believe that if a minor defect is fixed, your life will be perfect. Know your goal—and tell your cosmetic surgeon what it is before having a procedure. If what you’re trying to accomplish is not reasonable, you won’t be happy with the outcome. But if you have clear and reasonable goals, cosmetic surgery can be an exciting and life-changing experience. … [Read more...]

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Dr. Diana listed among “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons”.

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Consumers' Research Council of America, a Washington, D.C. based research organization, provides consumers' information guis for professional services throughout America. It is their purpose to help educate and assist consumers in obtaining the finest professional services. Their guides are easy to read and contain a wealth of information and tips for the consumer. How Plastic Surgeons Were Selected Consumers' Research Council of America has compiled a list of Top Plastic Surgeons throughout the United States by utilizing a point value system. This method uses a point value for criteria that we deemed valuable in determining Top Plastic Surgeons. The criteria that was used and assessed a point value is as follows: Experience: Each year the Plastic Surgeon has been in practice Training: Education and Continuing Education Professional Associations: Member of Professional Medical Association Board Certification: Completing an approved residency program and passing a rigid examination on that specialty Simply put, Plastic Surgeons that have accumulated a certain amount of points qualified for the list. This does not mean that Surgeons that did not accumulate enough points are not good health care professionals; they merely did not qualify for this list because of the points needed for qualification. Similar studies have been done with other professions using a survey system. This type of study would ask fellow professionals on who they would recommend. We found this … [Read more...]

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LipoTransfer uses unwanted fat to make you look younger

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Procedure shifts cells to improve age-ravaged areas By Mario Diana, MD Plastic surgeons commonly use cosmetic tissue fillers, collagen, and implants to help patients restore their skin to its youthful glow. These methods work for a while, but the effects wear off after 6 to 9 months and patients must return for follow-up treatment. In contrast with these temporary procedures, we now exclusively offer LipoTransfer, also known as  fat transfer procedure. This groundbreaking method can provide a lasting, youthful appearance to your face, hands, breasts and elsewhere—simply by shifting the fat cells in your body.   Why patients request “fillers” As we age, the tissues beneath the skin thin and lose their elasticity. This can add years to your physical appearance in several ways: • Lines and wrinkles can develop on your face, and your cheeks can become hollowed or sunken. • Veins and tendons in the hands can become more prominent due to loss of skin volume. • Breasts can become less contoured, decrease in size or sag.   How LipoTransfer works With LipoTransfer/NaturalFill, the surgeon uses a water-jet device to flush fat cells from any area of your body that has unwanted fat. This fat tissue is then gently processed and carefully transferred to any part of your body you want to resculpt. Different LipoTransfer procedures are aimed at: • making the patient’s face appear more youthful • restoring youthful contour to the … [Read more...]

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A glimpse into the ‘future’ for breast implant patients

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Portrait 3D system simulates post-surgical appearance By Mario Diana, MD One of the first questions patients ask when considering breast enhancement surgery is: What will I look like? Thanks to advanced computer technology, that question can be answered more thoroughly and clearly than ever. The Portrait 3D Surgical Simulation Platform, a standard part of my initial consultations, shows patients what they probably will look like after breast surgery. How it Works The Portrait 3D system uses an actual image of the patient relayed onto a computer. The technology allows me to simulate the likely outcome of breast augmentation, giving patients a visual image of the surgical result before the procedure happens. The simulated results can be viewed from all angles, and specific sizes of breast implants can be entered into the computer so the patient can see results based on different implants. Portrait 3D offers a precise screen capture of the surface anatomy, displaying linear and volumetric measurements on both the “before” and “after” images so patients can make the most detailed comparison possible. The technology can help patients establish realistic expectations and communicate what they want the breast surgery to accomplish. Click here to view a demo of the Portrait 3D system. … [Read more...]

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New liposuction method reaches the mainstream

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Water-jet tightens skin, makes fat removal less painful By Mario Diana, MD, FACS You’re sick of those annoying fat deposits on your stomach, breasts, legs, knees, arms or neck. Your know liposuction can rejuvenate these areas, but you keep putting it off because you dread the pain, bruising and swelling that often follow fat removal, or you fear missing weeks of work after surgery. But now that a cutting-edge fat removal method is reaching the mainstream, your arguments against surgery no longer hold water. Water-jet liposuction (Body Jet, HumanMed) uses a thin water jet to remove fat without altering the underlying tissue infrastructure. Patients feel less pain, recover more rapidly, and are less likely to develop post-surgical complications than with traditional liposuction. Because trauma is confined to the underlying fiber structure, water-jet liposuction also helps tighten skin in the treated area. By contrast, traditional liposuction can leave sagging, lax skin.   Water jet vs. traditional liposuction In traditional liposuction, fat cells are suctioned from tissue with a cannula. Surgeons typically move the cannula forcefully back and forth to purge the fat, disrupting the tissue. This causes swelling, bruising or pain and often leads to a slow recovery. But with water-jet liposuction, a thin wand delivers a high-pressure stream that loosens fat cells from tissue. The cells are gently removed with little or no bleeding or bruising, allowing the tissue … [Read more...]

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Breast oversize: No laughing matter

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Physical, emotional distress signal need for reduction By Mario Diana, MD, FACS Do you suffer from headaches, tingling in the arms, or back, shoulder, neck or breast pain? In large-breasted women, these and other symptoms could signal breast oversize. Disproportionately large breasts can cause severe physical and emotional discomfort. Breasts can over-enlarge at puberty or during pregnancy, and sudden-onset breast enlargement occurs in rare cases. How large is too large? A well-formed breast is proportioned to the woman’s body type. A woman with a mesomorphic body (curvy, equally proportioned from limbs to trunk) can tolerate a C-sized breast, but a woman with an ectomorphic body (slender, limbs longer than trunk) cannot tolerate breasts larger than size B. Also, a woman might feel comfortable with larger breasts through her 30s and 40s, but less comfortable as she ages. Physical, emotional effects of oversized breasts Breasts are considered oversized when they cause: • Back, shoulder, or breast pain • Tingling in arms because of nerve pressure • Shoulder grooving from bra strap pressure • Rashes in the breast folds • Poor posture • Headaches • Spinal column shape change • Restrictions of daily living, such as inability to exercise or lost mobility in the workplace • Skin ulcerations These symptoms are most common in women with size D breasts or larger, but active women with size C+ breasts may encounter these problems, as … [Read more...]

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Do you really need a classic face-lift?

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2 streamlined, small-incision procedures can address minor signs of aging By Mario Diana, MD, FACS The person in the mirror looks a little older. You notice some loose skin on the neck, or a small jowl has developed behind the jaw. These subtle signs of aging distress you. You’re thinking about booking a face-lift with a plastic surgeon. You want to rid yourself of these wrinkles, but you ask yourself: How much work will I miss? Will I look and feel OK after surgery? Will there be visible surgical scars on my face? If a little loose flesh on the cheeks, neck, or jaw lines is the only problem, you don’t need a classic face-lift. Two procedures I routinely perform—the "S" lift and weekend lift—are shorter, minimal-incision operations that greatly reduce recovery time and risk of complications. Compared with the classic face-lift, the “S” lift and weekend lift: • require smaller incisions to reposition and remove facial tissue. Because “S” and weekend lifts are not extensive rejuvenations, the incision for either procedure is roughly one-third the length of a classic face-lift incision. • take less time. Small-incision face-lifts can be performed in 90 minutes, compared with 3 to 4 hours for a classic face-lift. A shortened procedure also reduces the risk of post-surgical infection. The “S” lift By permanently suspending and tightening muscles in the lower face, cheeks, and neck, the “S” lift (also called mid face-lift) eliminates loose … [Read more...]

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