When performing rhinoplasty and other surgical procedures at The Encino Outpatient Surgery Center, our anesthesiologists inject Diprivan (Propofol) into the IV line to "put the patient to sleep" for the surgery. When monitored by an anesthetist in an operating room, Diprivan is a very safe and effective medication to let patients be asleep, not feel anything, not remember anything, and yet when dosed properly patients are able to continue to breathe on their own without the need for ventilator support. Most importantly, patients awake from the anesthesia quickly and without side effects the great majority of the time. Michael Jackson had been suffering from insomnia and faced with an upcoming London tour, was desperate for help in sleeping. I am saddened to hear that Diprivan was reportedly found in Michael Jackson's Bel Air home after his recent death. Unfortunately for Mr. Jackson, he again found a way to bend medical standards, and apparently "professionals" who could not say no to the allure of his fame and money. Ironically, the same drug used safely many times each day in the surgery center located just two blocks away from a home where one of the world's most famous people once lived, may have contributed to his death in combination with other drugs.

At the recent Facial Cosmetic Surgery 2009 in Las Vegas, both Woffles Wu, M.D., Singapore, while presenting "Innovative Uses of Neurotoxins (read Botox) and Fillers (Restylane and Juvederm) in My Practice" and Timothy Marten, M.D., San Francisco while presenting "Refining Our Aesthetic Goals for Age Appropriate Brow and Forehead Rejuvenation" emphasized the importance of brow shape. It has been shown that the shape or configuration of the brow contributes much more to beauty than the height of the brow. In other words, no matter if the brow is too high or too low, it is most attractive when the proper shape of the brow is maintained. That shape can be attained by judicious use of Botox injections to control the muscles of the forehead to shape the brow. Dr. Marten not only creates beautiful brows, but his results using his facelift technique combined with fat transfer were beautiful. He truly has the "eye" for beauty. Choose your Botox injector carefully.

Dr. Persky quoted in OC Register article "Sad ruins of Michael Jackson: Doctors share the blame" http://inyourface.freedomblogging.com/2009/06/26/sad-ruins-of-michael-jackson-doctors-share-the-blame/7211/ The article describes the sequence of surgical misadventures that Michael Jackson suffered through. There is a link to pictures that depict the sad progression of his rhinoplasty procedures (http://www.ocregister.com/photos/michael-jacksonplasticsurgeryslideshow-2340047/pid2340059). Dr. Persky did not treat Michael Jackson. RIP, King of Pop.

If you are reading this, you are among the many patients who use the Internet as a source of information, particularily medical/surgical information. As we all know, the Internet is an amazing reference source, but can also be a source of misinformation. Frequently patients ask about the "horror" stories that they read about Fraxel re:pair on the Internet. I have decided to copy an email answer here for my patients and prospective patients regarding these concerns: "Dr. Persky, thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply. I need to bother you once more. I have read horror stories about people ending up with oozing sores, slackened facial muscles, damaged facial tissue and other terrible after effects even years after Fraxel re:pair. I am deeply concerned. What gives?" Fractionated CO2 lasers are very powerful tools to rejuvenate patients in ways that we have not been able to in the past. The treatment is not a commodity, but rather a medical-surgical procedure that needs to be tailored to the individual patient by an experienced, skilled, and caring physician. Even with all of that, there will always be the possibility of complications. Anyone who gives 100% guarantee of results with 0% chance of adverse events is not truthful. Before the treatment, all patients are given an informed consent regarding the possible risks and complications of the procedure, just like with any surgery. There have been and there will be complications with fractionated CO2 lasers. I can only be responsible for my own patients and their well being. Should an adverse event arise, the difference between a good physician and a great physician is how they take care of their complications. I will continue to do my best to insure that my patients have safe and effective results with their Fraxel re:pair treatments. Be well.

Growing up, my Mother kept alive the "old wife's tale" that well known people usually die in groups of three. We have lost three extraordinarily talented "stars" in the past three days, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. Johnny Carson has his side-kick back, there is a "new" Angel, and Michael is doing his moon-walk again. I wish the friends and family of these three pop icons my deepest condolences. May their souls be bound to eternal life.

Veteran Los Angeles television journalist Ms. Marta Waller had her second Fraxel re:pair treatment one week ago. The treatment was "streamed" live over the internet on Livestream with simultaneous live Twitter questions and answers (it was not as exciting as Carnie Wilson's lap band internet surgery) . Additionally, Ms. Waller has documented her 2'nd recovery process as well on Livestream. To watch either her full treatment or her recovery updates go to Livestream http://www.livestream.com/martavision Be well.

I will be performing a Fraxel re:pair laser skin rejuvenation treatment of the face, neck and chest live tomorrow at 10:30 am PST. It will be on http://www.livestream.com/martavision. There will be a live Twitter feed as well so that questions and comments will be answered during the treatment. See you tomorrow. Dr. P

The movie "Hangover" about a Las Vegas bachelor party opened this weekend and looks to be very funny. The real life facial cosmetic surgery conference "hangover" from 5 intense days of sharing knowledge and presentations is what I am dealing with on this Sunday night upon returning to Los Angeles from Facial Cosmetic Surgery 2009 at the accommodating Bellagio in Las Vegas. Doctors Randy Walden and Ed Cortez once again created an excellent educational opportunity for those in attendance from multi-disciplinary cosmetic specialties (Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and ENT). There are many new exciting innovations in both surgical and non-invasive treatments for the aging face, neck, and skin. Once I am seeing straight again after the barrage of seminars, slides, videos, live surgery demonstrations from an international assembly of some of the world's finest, most experienced, and skilled surgeons, I will update my patients and friends about "what happened in Vegas", I promise you it won't stay in Vegas. Until then, think of David Bowie's song, "Changes". "....Time may change you, but I can change time..." Oh, and not to worry, Fraxel re:pair continues to be the Bentley of the ever more popular fractionated CO2 laser skin rejuvenators. Call the office or email if you just can't wait to hear about the exciting new, effective treatments soon available in our office. Be well.

According to the Orange County Register, Laguna Niguel resident Yvonne Jean Pampellonne, 30, the alleged "Big Bust Bandit" faces up to 3 years and 8 months in prison (will it be a "padded" cell?) if convicted for obtaining her voluptuous new breasts with an identity theft (that works out to 22 months per breast). At her recent arraignment, she did not offer a plea, but it does look like she is having difficulty hiding the mounds of evidence stacked against her.

Michael Persky, MD will be presenting two lectures at Facial Cosmetic Surgery 2009 at The Bellagio this week. Dr. Persky will present "Fractional Resurfacing is the Current Buzzword! Do the 6- Month Results Really Live Up to the Hype?" focusing on his results with Fraxel re:pair over the past year on 100 patients. Dr. Persky's second presentation will be "Cervicoplasty (removal of "turkey gobble" deformity) in Men...Revisited in the Age of Viagra". More and more men are seeking improvement of the excess skin of their neck under their chin. Dr. Persky corrects the deformity with a direct excision under the chin. The meeting runs from June 3 to June 7, 2009 and is usually attended by about 1000 physicians from around the world.

The "Today Show" featured the Berns triplets who sadly suffered serious burns as infants. They underwent laser treatments for their burn scars
Continue reading "MIRACLE TREATMENT FOR BURN SCARS AS SEEN ON TODAY SHOW WILL ALSO BE FEATURED ON THE INSIDER TONIGHT"

A recent study stated that the highly advertised "Thread Lift" produces only short-lived improvement in appearance, and should no longer be used given its risks, poor results and discomfort for patients, conclude the authors of a long-term study of patients who underwent the procedure

http://www.plasticsurgerypractice.com/eReport/2009-05-25_02.asp

I never adopted the thread lift in my practice after becoming aware of it when it first came out years ago. After seeing the procedure presented by Steven Dayan, MD at a Newport Beach conference, I waited a year and then asked the very honest and forthright Dr. Dayan about his experience with the procedure. He shared that he no longer performed the thread lift because of the same reasons cited in the current study. Sorry if you have had the thread lift, but good news for those contemplating the procedure, save your time and money. Be well. Dr. P

The FDA has approved Ellman International's Pelleve radiofrequency technology for skin tightening.

I saw the technology demonstrated one year ago at Facial Cosmetic Surgery 2008 in Las Vegas. As with all new technologies, it is prudent to give them some time before "jumping on the bandwagon" as many times within a year they are found to be ineffective.
I will be attending Facial Cosmetic Surgery 2009 next week, and will be taking a very close look at Ellman's promising facial tightening product. To read more about Pelleve go to
http://www.plasticsurgerypractice.com/eReport/2009-05-25_03.asp

Adam Lambert of American Idol has incredible talent and we will be seeing him very much for years to come.

Patients have commented to me about the texture of Adam's skin. It appears that Adam has the residual of acne scarring.

His acne scarring would respond well to a series of Fraxel re:pair treatments. His only problem would be finding the 10 to 14 days to recover with his busy schedule (but not being adverse to wearing make up, he would only need about 7 days to get back to work).

Congratulations to Adam on his American Idol season and his very promising future career.

Here is the Good Day LA segment that aired 5/11 and 5/12 on FOX with the most lovely Jillian Barbarie

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/style_file/Style_File_Fraxel_Repair_20090511

The before and after photos are patients who have had a "full" Fraxel repair treatment. The patient treated on the video is having a Fraxel re:pair "Lite" treatment. The price quoted was for a "Lite" treatment. The before and after pictures are of "single" full re:pair treatments and are more costly.