I recently ran across this article published a few years ago in the Long Beach Hillel.

"A 24-year-old woman today was saved from death by a rocket in the most peculiar fashion. No, not by a handsome Israeli soldier-man sweeping her off her feet (although I’m sure that she, along with many other women, wouldn’t mind), but another matter of the heart.

According to a hospital in Netanya, this woman had rocket shrapnel in her chest, which was inches from her heart. However, they were caught… in her breast implants.

Yes, breast implants.

I don’t know if this goes into support of the plastic surgery that tends to run rampant in the Jewish community. But who would have thought breast implants could produce miracles? According to the doctors at the hospital, if she didn’t have them, she would have never survived.

Well, um… ookay. All right, carry on!"
Say what you will about breast implants, but they were a life saver for this woman. Be well.

British comedian and 2010 Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais was entertaining and funny at the awards show last night. He even commented on plastic surgery in his opening monolog: "Seriously folks, as I look at all of the faces and stars in the room tonight I am reminded of the great body of work that has been produced this year by.......plastic surgeons."

Botox and fillers will become more popular and the cost of cosmetic surgery will continue to rise, according to a group of industry experts, who recently released their forecast for the top ten plastic surgery trends of 2010 according to the editors of Consumers Guide to Plastic Surgery.

Here are the top ten trends in Plastic Surgery for 2010 (sorry not as exciting or funny as David Letterman's Top 10 List):

1. There will be a 5% tax on elective cosmetic procedures (recently voted down by the Senate in the Health Bill, thankfully).

2. A larger variety of fillers to go with Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. Novabel and other new fillers will hit the market.

3. A continuing rise in non-invasive, non-surgical procedures. (Dr. Persky agrees. Procedures such as Sculptra, Fraxel repair, and Fraxel's newest laser, Dual, as well as in office blepharoplasty under local anesthesia have become very popular)

4. An increase in fat grafting for breast augmentation.

5. FDA approval of cohesive gel "gummy bear" breast implants.

6. Fat freezing liposuction, the recently FDA approved Zeltiq is the first to hit the market.

7. An increase in non-surgical fat injection liposuction "mesotherapy", which melts fat with injected chemicals (Dr. Persky does not agree with this unless there are major respected scientific studies that show that it is safe and effective. The past 5 years have seen many mesotherapy "spas' closed down and out of business).

8. Improved body contouring for bariatric (obesity surgery) patients.

9. Non-invasive tummy tucks.

10. An increase in face implants (again Dr. Persky disagrees as face implants not only look unnatural, they require a surgical procedure. Sculptra will be the preferred biologic facial volume filler of the immediate future).

I believe that we will continue to see more non-invasive facial procedures, as well as the non-surgical management of fat and cellulite.

Happy, healthy, and prosperous 2010!

The Los Angeles Valley News reported today that the final Helath Care bill okayed by the Senate this morning has had the proposed 5% cosmetic surgery/treatment tax (Botax) removed. Thanks to everyone who supported the removal of this discriminatory tax. In not so good news for tanning salons and actor George Hamilton, an extra 10% tanning tax has been included into the bill.

The recent violence suffered by recording artist Rhianna, and this past Thanksgiving's 2:30 am "accident" suffered by golf star Tiger Woods has brought the subject of domestic violence (confirmed and rumored, respectively) to the forefront.

The National Domestic Violence Project offers individuals who have been affected by domestic violence the hope of wholeness by treating the facial injuries.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Foundation is the first surgical group to take a firm stand and become involved in assisting individuals of domestic violence break the cycle of violence, enhance their self-esteem and rebuild their lives. Many victims of domestic violence receive facial injuries and are not financially able to have these injuries adequately repaired. AAFPRS offers consultation and surgery, pro-bono, to eligible individuals through FACE TO FACE: The National Domestic Violence Project.

The AAFPRS has developed a partnership with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), which is the umbrella group for the majority of shelters in this country. In addition, the American Medial Association has enthusiastically endorsed the program.

The AAFPRS is a leader in the medical field by helping empower individuals who have been physically abused. The problem of domestic violence is vast. Everyday, the AAFPRS works hand-in-hand with the shelters making sure that the individual is helped emotionally then physically hopefully eliminating the painful memories of the abuse.

We realize that the facial plastic surgery that our doctors perform will not alleviate the emotional scars that these individuals carry at all times. That is why we have partnered with shelters across the country. Healing must occur within before the surgery erases the physical scars.

For further information go to http://www.facetofacesurgery.org/domestic/index.html

(image courtesy of www.tera.cl)
Solange Magnano, 38, a model who won the Miss Argentina title in 1994, died Sunday from complications caused by surgery to reshape her buttocks.

The London-based Times Online reported that the doctor who operated on her at a cosmetic surgery center in Buenos Aires might not have been “a real professional,” according to a former president of an Argentinian association of plastic surgeons.

Buenos Aires is one of many foreign destinations for patients seeking relatively inexpensive plastic surgery.

Magnano was a familiar figure in Argentina, though she is little known in the United States. Comments from grieving fans flooded her Facebook fan group, which was renamed “We Miss You, Solange Magnano.”

Last Thursday, she underwent a buttocks augmentation, which usually involves buttocks implants. On Friday, she was hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism, in which a blood clot or other substance blocks the main artery in the lungs.

Fashion designer Roberto Piazza, whose clothes Magnano often modeled, said the buttocks augmentation involved injection of a liquid that unexpectedly “went to her lungs and brain.”

Referring to Magnano, he said, “A woman who had everything lost her life to have a slightly firmer behind.”

Another fashion-world friend said, “She only underwent the procedure because she thought it was no big deal.”

Magnano is survived by her husband and eight-year-old twins.

In the United States, buttocks operations are relatively rare, with only 3,600 performed last year. About 100 times more breast augmentations are done, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The current Health Care Bill lead authored by Sen. Henry Reed ( D,Nev) that is before the Senate for approval has added a 5% tax on "elective cosmetic surgical procedures" which includes Botox and fillers. A $350 Botox treatment will be $367.50, that $10,000 facelift will be $10,500. Hopefully plastic surgery spokeswoman Ms. Joan Rivers will be able to convince the lawmakers to defeat the bill based on the same arguements that our country's founding father's used in Boston, "Taxation without representation!". Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) will have saved a fortune in taxes by having her work done prior to passing the bill, but will be a major contributor to the tax in the future. For those of you who are contemplating elective cosmetic procedures, now is the time to book to save at least 5%. Be well.

U.S servicemen and women who suffer facial injuries in combat may be eligible for free reconstructive medical care through a national group of plastic surgeons that includes Michael A. Persky, MD, FACS.

Dr. Persky is among about 170 doctors with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery who is participating in the new Faces of Honor program that was launched in October at the AAFPRS Meeting in San Diego.

The program compliments the academy's Face to Face program, which began in 1992 and provides free medical care to victims of domestic violence and children overseas who suffer facial deformities. Faces of Honor was the brainchild of academy past-president Donn Chatham. Chatham said the idea for the program grew from his belief that Vietnam vets were not treated well by America in general and his concern that U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are also fighting an unpopular war.

"Last year, a National Guard unit from my community was deployed to Iraq. Within a few weeks, one of the men was killed, leaving a young wife and young baby," he said. "I began trying to figure out a way that either I or other colleagues might be able to somehow show our appreciation to what these men, women and families were going through."

Noting that about one-fifth of the survivable injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan involve the face, head and neck, Chatham said, "This seemed like a possible service we could offer them. It's a public thank you to all the brave men and women who have done what most of us were not asked to do. And, if we can help improve the quality of life for just a handful of veterans, it will be a good thing."

The program is meant to supplement care already provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"The VA medical system has many fine and well-trained (physicians), and I believe most veterans with injuries receive excellent care," Chatham said. "The idea with Faces of Honor was to offer an additional level of reconstructive care to those veterans who may have returned to their homes and may possibly not be living anywhere near a VA facility."

For more information about Faces of Honor, visit the program's Web site at www.facesofhonor.org.

Just returned from San Diego American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Fall 2009 meeting. Here is what is new: Sculptra (Sanofi-Aventis) will be the volume facial filler of the future as Danny Vlleggar, MD (Geneva), Todd Matthews, MD (Houston), and Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD (Los Angeles) wowed the audience of core cosmetic surgeons with their amazing rejuvenating results using the recently FDA approved for cosmetic use product. Many surgeons will be performing a little less surgery and a lot more filling.

Daniel Alam, MD (Cleveland) shared his experience as the facial plastic surgeon who performed the first American face transplant on the woman shot gun victim. At the completion of his lecture, Dr. Alam deservedly received two long standing ovations from about 1000 of his peers in the packed lecture hall.

Keynote speaker Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent, shared his incredible story about his serious injury sustained in Iraq and his even more amazing story of recovery.

Tori McClure inspired surgeons with her adventures as the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and to ski overland to the South Pole. Both keynote speakers have shared their experiences in book form as well.

Dean Toriumi, MD (Chicago) shared his meticulous and excellent work on rhinoplasty, as did Robert Simons (Miami), Norman Pastorek (NYC), and Leslie Bernstein (Sacramento). Gary Burgett (Chicago) and others shared their total nasal reconstruction methods and pearls.

Jay Burnett, MD (NYC) gave a most impressive presentation on the use of micro-droplet Silicon-1000 use for the treatment of scars and facial rejuvenation.

Acculift (Lutronic), a new laser assisted liposuction technique was presented by David Holcomb, MD (Sarasota). The hour procedure removes unwanted fat from the jowls and face.

The uses of various laser modalities were also emphasized.

Out going President of AAFPRS, Donn Chatham, MD (Louisville) initiated "FACES OF HONOR", a voluntary program where members can treat Iraq veterans with facial plastic and reconstructive surgery problems at no cost. I am very proud to be a member of the AAFPRS family. Next year in Boston!

Wednesday October 7, 2009 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm PST, Michael A. Persky, MD will be available live to answer your questions about facial plastic surgery. The program can be joined by simply going to www.drpersky.com and clicking on the "Livestream" icon in the upper right corner of the page.

You can Twitter your questions to "michaelperskymd". Dr. Persky looks forward to an exciting and informative hour interaction with you.

Don't bat your long, thick eye lashes, but The Associated Press today reported on Forbes.com that the Food and Drug Administration has warned Allergan Inc. that the Web site for its eyelash thickener Latisse is misleading because it avoids or downplays risks associated with the product.

In a letter dated Sept. 10 and posted to the FDA Web site Wednesday, the agency said the Latisse site either doesn't mention potential side effects including bacterial eye infection, allergic reactions, excess hair growth outside the intended treatment area, and permanent changes in iris and eyelid pigmentation, or presents them in small text that is much less prominent than statements about the product's effectiveness.

The drug is approved to make eyelashes thicker, fuller and darker. The FDA approved it for that use in December. Latisse, or bimatoprost, was already on the market as a treatment for glaucoma.

In some cases, pages on the Web site leaves out information that is included in Latisse packaging.

"These promotional materials are misleading because they omit and minimize risks associated with Latisse," the agency wrote. Allergan ( AGN - news - people ) was asked to immediately stop distributing the misleading material and send a written response to the FDA by Sept. 24.

In the letter, the Irvine, Calif.-based company is supposed to state whether it will comply with the FDA request, list all Latisse promotional materials, identify those that violate FDA rules, and explain its plan to stop using those materials.

Latisse is very popular and effective at increasing eyelash length, thickness, and darkness. All patients in our practice are given instructions on how to use Latisse, as well as the rare possible adverse events related to the product.

Every time that I think that "now I have seen everything that could be disturbing in plastic surgery!”-Wham! Along comes something else.

Tonight I watched my first episode of Oxygen Channel's ADDICTED TO BEAUTY. I need not say anymore as the show speaks for itself, but if you are a youngish 40 year old woman who wants to look younger without the following surgery that was performed on the episode "Facelift, Neck lift, Four Lid Blepharoplasty, Fat Injections to the upper lids, tear troughs, lips, nasolabial folds, and temples", under hours of general anesthesia in an operating room, then please consider having Fraxel repair laser treatment instead.

The woman on the show was a perfect candidate for non-surgical Fraxel repair laser treatment which achieves the minimal tightening of lax skin of the neck and face that she requested, as well as improvement of the eye lids, increased fullness of the mid-face, and additionally improvement of skin color, texture, and tone. The natural rejuvenated repair result is without the scars and trauma of surgery at a fraction of the cost.

Be well.

Mitch McCabe's HBO film documentary, "Youth Knows No Pain" explores the obsession with anti – aging procedures and the pursuit of eternal youth. Mitch McCabe is the daughter of late Michigan plastic surgeon W. Peter McCabe, M.D. She has long been intrigued by the extreme measures that people take to maintain the appearance of youth.

Ms. McCabe spent two years traveling the country to visit doctors, experts and anti-aging enthusiasts, interviewing hundreds of men and women ranging in age from 18 to 93. As a facial plastic surgeon, watching "Youth Knows No Pain" was "painful". It certainly does not paint a pretty picture of the plastic surgery profession, with internet solicited Botox parties organized by a cheesy NYC anesthesiologist who corrals clients looking to save a buck to a "dental" office for "expert" (read "week-end instruction Botox injection course" graduate). After all, he "has student loan bills to pay back"; to world famous dermatologist Fredrick Brandt, M.D. proclaiming himself "The Baron and King of Botox" while admitting to his self injections that appear to be anything but natural looking.

In striking in contrast to this buffoonery and loss of professionalism is the old time professional values portrayed by the film-maker's father. Dr. McCabe was an orthopedic surgeon in a Viet Nam MASH unit, dealing with life and death 24/7 for years. The photos of a solider getting a tracheotomy, another being repaired after losing both legs and most of his pelvis, amputated fingers, shattered shrapnel legs, and Dr. McCabe's reconstruction of pediatric cleft palates, bring the viewer back to reality, back to the reasons that most of us went into medicine.

Mitch explains that after the war her father pursued a career in plastic surgery because he was tired of dealing with life and death situations on a daily basis (something that he could not control), and wanted to do something that made people happy, now (within his control). It is evident from the footage of Dr. McCabe that he was a most loved physician and surgeon who possessed the old fashion values of Trust, Love, and Understanding.

The documentary underlines the importance of finding those character values when choosing a cosmetic physician. By the end of her travels, Mitch McCabe found that physician in Rebecca Fitzgerald M.D., the physician who injected her face with fillers. Unfortunately, Ms. McCabe and the medical profession lost a great man and physician too soon, while there seems to be an increasing abundance of those in the anti-aging field who lack class as well as Trust, Love, and Understanding.

Be well and choose your cosmetic physician carefully.

Football Hall of Fame (to be) quarterback Brett Favre has been in the news with his second "un-retirement" with the Minnesota Vikings. One of the big questions about the 39 year old Favre is whether he is too old (by football standards) to withstand the rigors of the NFL season.

The media footage of Favre with his teammates is striking in how comparitively old Brett looks. Fortunately for Mr. Favre, his employment is not dependent on how he looks. Unfortunately for many men looking for employment in today's competitive business climate, appearance does influence hiring decisions, and studies have shown that even their salaries are affected.

Higher percentages of males are now opting for hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane and/or Botox to look younger and rested. The treatments are quick, easy, and should not be "obvious" if performed correctly. As for the prematurely grey Brett Favre, shaving that grey beard stubble off will make him look years younger. Enjoy the 2010 football season! To view a recent Favre photo go to http://media.photobucket.com/image/brett%20favre/Viking_fan1/Favre.jpg?o=14