| March 16, 2012 |
| CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF |  |  |
|
 | |
| In the News |  |
| |
 |
- Lifts help hands look more youthful
As people age, the skin on their hands loses volume and elasticity and can become translucent, revealing underlying bones, tendons and veins, says plastic surgeon John Farella. Some plastic surgeons have begun offering hand lifts, consisting of a dermal filler injected under the first layer of skin, often in combination with laser resurfacing to reverse signs of sun damage. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(3/13)      
- Plastic surgeon faces criticism for satirical music video
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons launched an ethics investigation into a member who commissioned a music video that plays on stereotypes. "This is just disturbing that a doctor would play into the frailties of the human condition," said ASPS President Malcolm Roth. But plastic surgeon Michael Salzhauer, who funded the video, said it makes the point that you shouldn't change your appearance to please someone else. ABC News/Good Morning America
(3/14)
 |
|
|
 | “Today’s patients expect clear and accurate communications regarding the results we can achieve. That’s why I rely on VECTRA® 3D aesthetic simulation for my consultations. I’ve tried all the 3D systems on the market to see how they would perform in my practice, and VECTRA is head and shoulders above the rest.”
Michael R. Schwartz, M.D., F.A.C.S., Westlake Village, CA
Read more>> |
|
| |
| Practice Management | |
| |
 |
- Changes in insurance calculations leave patients unable to pay bills
Some health insurers have revised formulas for calculating out-of-network charges and market rates, leaving patients struggling to pay bills after surgery and other procedures. "They’re going to lower the reimbursement to the point where it's unaffordable for most people to go out of network," said Andrew Kleinman, a plastic surgeon and treasurer of the Medical Society of New York. Daily News (New York)
(3/11)
- Researchers suggest caution with opioids after minor surgery
Prescribing opioid painkillers for patients after minor surgery, such as varicose vein stripping, might contribute to abuse and addiction problems, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study of 391,139 people age 66 or older found that those who got a post-surgery opioid prescription were 44 times more likely than those who did not to be identified later as long-term opioid users. A commentary accompanying the study advised doctors to try non-opioid pain relievers first after minor surgery. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog
(3/12)
| Health Quality & Advocacy | |
| |
 |
- Plastic surgeons, patient advocates to celebrate BRAVE Day
March 21 will mark the first Breast Reconstruction Advocacy Victory Event Day, founded by the nonprofit Pink Lemonade Foundation to educate women on their rights to breast reconstruction after mastectomy. "Our goal is to bring attention to the advocacy efforts that are needed to counteract the lack of meaningful legislation targeting breast reconstruction rights," said plastic surgeon Allen Gabriel, co-founder of the Pink Lemonade Foundation. The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)
(3/14)
- U.S. plastic surgeons volunteer to train doctors in Afghanistan
Plastic surgeon Kaveh Alizadeh, president of the board of directors for Mission Restore, and his colleagues are partnering with the TD Foundation and Cure International to establish a burn unit in Afghanistan and teach local doctors to perform skin grafts. "This could set forth a path for hundreds, if not thousands, of people getting proper medical care," said TD Foundation co-founder Thomas Deierlein. The Wall Street Journal
(3/11)
|
|
|
 | Diagnostic Imaging for the Aesthetic Market
As the only diagnostic imaging solution designed specifically for the aesthetic market, the TouchView® System can be used for a wide array of applications, including image-guided fat grafting, breast implant monitoring, sclerotherapy, pre-surgical mapping, post-surgical seroma detection, fat layer imaging and more! Click here for additional information. |
|
| |
| Plastic Surgery Channel Video Spotlight |
|
- FDA approves new scar treatment
The FDA has approved a new topical silicone gel containing a steroid that is now being made available to surgeons. The Plastic Surgery Channel explores how this new product may fit in a scar therapy regimen for patients who have a history of bad scars or discover a new scar is not healing properly. Watch the video.
|
| Research & Technology | |
| |
 |
- Experimental hydrogel acts like molecular-level Velcro
A polymer hydrogel that binds to itself in seconds could be used in medical sutures, wound dressings, targeted drug delivery and other applications, scientists at the University of California, San Diego say. Two pieces of the gel bind together in an acidic environment but separate easily in higher-pH environments. Scientists are working on versions that self-heal at different levels of acidity. Gizmag
(3/7), Deccan Herald (India)
(3/10)
|
|
|
 | Hydrasolve Liposuction: Coming Soon!
A new approach to lipoplasty, Hydrasolve employs a stream of warmed, low pressurized, and pulsed saline inside the cannula to selectively liquefy fat tissue. The need to physically shear the fat is eliminated; so no more rapid thrusting of the cannula. To learn more or to request a product demonstration, click here. |
|
| |
 | If they give you lined paper, write the other way."
--William Carlos Williams,
American poet
|
|
|
SmartBrief delivers need-to-know news in over 100 targeted email newsletters to over 3 million readers.
All our industry briefings are FREE and open to everyone—sign up today!
|
|
|
| Advertise |
|
Account Director:
Aaron Kern 202-407-7866
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Recent Plastic Surgery SmartBrief Issues:
- Friday, March 09, 2012
- Friday, March 02, 2012
- Friday, February 24, 2012
- Friday, February 17, 2012
- Friday, February 10, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Tom Parks
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
