Gary Busey - What a Mess...

How would you like to meet Gary Busey in a dark alley? Make Me Heal has a nice post giving many plastic surgeons' opinions on his possible plastic surgery, dental veneers, and brain injury. Take a look at it here.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Pete Burns Wins Settlement in Plastic Surgery Lawsuit

Former 1980's Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns has won a settlement for botched lip surgery, according to The Plastic Surgery Channel. He won the equivalent of about $900,000 from a doctor who injected a product, Outline Original, known to create bad side effects. Eventually Burns was left so disfigured that he could only drink through a straw and became a recluse, even contemplating suicide. Burns has said that he needed to undergo 100 additional operations to fix the problem.

I've never heard of Outline Original, and because of the high risk of side effects am choosy with what I inject into the lips (only fat, Restylane, Juvederm, and Prevelle). Hopefully the money Burns won in the settlement will help him get "right round."

Photo credit: awful plastic surgery

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Does the Zerona Fat Removal Laser Really Work?

You may have seen my segment on the Rachael Ray Show Friday where I discussed the new Zerona laser. Does it really work to reduce inches without pain, downtime, needles, or surgery? The answer is yes.

In my experience, the majority of patients who have Zerona treatments achieve inch loss. The studies appear to show an average of 3-4 inches after 2 weeks of 40 minute treatments every-other-day. This is consistent with what I've seen in my office when measuring four areas: hips, waist, and each thigh. So yes, it does work when the protocol is followed. It is the only machine that I know of that can do this.

That being said, there are people who do not get 3-4 inches of loss. For this reason I've instituted a policy where the patient receives a $1000 credit towards the procedure of their choice if they do not achieve at least 3 inches of total loss from the four areas. Why not refund the whole fee? The company that makes the machine leases it on a "per use" basis. That means that every time I use the machine I pay them a fee which I cannot get refunded.

So overall, the Zerona appears to be a safe, effective way to reduce inches without pain or downtime. It's not a valid substitute for liposuction, though, since the results are not nearly as dramatic as surgery. As time goes on, I expect that we'll find ways to improve the technology and protocols to get even more impressive results. Until then, it's not a bad deal at all!

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Dr. Youn on the Rachael Ray Show Friday Sept 25th!

Set your TiVo's folks, I'm making my return to the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow (Friday Sept 25th). I'll talk about four of the newest plastic surgery "breakthroughs." It's at the beginning of the show, so don't tune in too late! Also, you can learn the secret of her Sloppy Dawgs!

Link to a teaser for my episode: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/839/

Link to local showtimes: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/showtimes/

Thank you to everyone at the Rachael Ray Show for their hospitality!

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Jessica Lange - What Has Happened to Her Face?

Why did Jessica Lange look so strange at the Emmys? Could it be too much plastic surgery?

Here is a list of what I think she's done: Browlift, Upper and lower blepharoplasty, Canthopexy, Facelift, Cheek Implants, and Botox. She look a whole lot better if she would lay off the Botox a bit. Although Botox is a fantastic treatment to smooth wrinkles, too much can be a bad thing.

I like how Jaclyn Smith is aging.

For a previous post on Jessica Lange and plastic surgery, click here.

photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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FDA Issues a Warning Letter Regarding Latisse

The FDA has issued a warning letter to Allergan, makers of Latisse, claiming that the company has omitted certain risks of the popular eyelash lengthening medication in their advertising. Specifically, the FDA focuses on possible complications including iris pigmentation, hair growth outside the desired area, bacterial eye infection, and allergic reactions. You can find the actual FDA letter to Allergan here. An MSNBC.com article about it is here.

We've been using Latisse in my office since it arrived on the shelves several months ago and have not seen any complications yet. So far it appears to be both well-tolerated and effective. The vast majority of patients we've treated have been very happy.

As far as the complications above, allergic reactions can result from anything applied to the skin, from Latisse to moisturizer to soap. Bacterial eye infections can occur when anything not completely sterile touches the eye, most commonly contact lenses. Iris pigmentation is a complication associated with the other form of bimatoprost (Lumigan) when it is applied directly to the eye. To my knowledge it has not been found when applied to the upper eyelids.

But, as with anything in life, you must take a slight risk to achieve the nice benefit.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Megan Fox - Plastic Surgery?

It seems that everywhere I turn I see photos of Megan Fox. Her new movie, Jennifer's Body, is coming out soon, so the media blitz is in full gear. She is undoubtedly a classic Hollywood beauty, but has she had plastic surgery to help her look the way she does?

There are two surgeries that people have focused on: Rhinoplasty and Breast Augmentation. If I would have to guess, I'd say that she's benefited from both. Check out my previous post with photos of her possible rhinoplasty here. I have heard rumors of who her plastic surgeon is, and I know this surgeon very well. Wish I could reveal it! (unfortunately not me)

While Megan Fox does look great, she has not impressed me in her interviews. She comes across as a bit arrogant. She seems to know how attractive she is, and even though she has only acted in big-budget robot movies, she fancies herself some type of thespian. A bit of humility would make her even more attractive.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Sly Stallone - Open Browlift?

Interesting photos on Dlisted.com show what appears to be open browlift scars on Sylvester Stallone. In this close-up picture you can see the scar extending along the hairline, very consistent with what you might find with an open hairline browlift. Plus, his eyebrows are over-arched in the photos, a possible consequence of Botox (or Dysport).

I haven't performed an open browlift in over five years. Although many fantastic surgeons use this procedure, I have never seen a hairline browlift scar I liked. For this reason, I perform almost exclusively the Endotine Endoscopic Browlift. Scars are much shorter with less risk of numbness and chronic pain. The results may be less permanent and predictable than with an open browlift, however.

Sly better watch out. He's starting to resemble Burt Reynolds...

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Plastic Surgery for Cankles?

An interesting article from the Daily Mail describes some recent techniques in treating the "cankles:"

You can have Botox injections in the balls of your feet so you can wear high-heels for longer without pain; operations to shorten toes so they look dainty in Louboutins - and now you can have France's hottest export: cankle removal.
While most women are fortunate to have a narrowing where the lower calf and ankle meet, giving a shapely contour, some have little or no discernible difference in shape - which is known as cankles. Age and status is not a factor, and nor is whether you have long or short legs, are slim or overweight. Cankles are inherited, just as you may have inherited your mother's apple or pear body shape.

The article goes on to describe liposuction treatments for cankles, with and without laser-assistance. Traditionally this area has been a tough one to treat because of the risk of contour deformities and fluid collections. I have treated one set of cankles in five years, but was happy with the result.

It does appear that there is hope for all those who suffer from a case of the cankles!

Article link: dailymail

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Hydrelle - New Hyaluronic Acid Filler with Lidocaine

Coapt Systems, makers of the Endotine device which I use for browlifts, has recently announced FDA approval for their hyaluronic acid filler Hydrelle. What makes Hydrelle significant is that it is one of the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers that contains lidocaine, an anesthetic. Therefore, Hydrelle may be less painful to inject.

According to the company's press release:

Hydrelle represents an attractive value for patients seeking a safe and cost-effective filler option, since patients only require approximately 50% of typical injection volumes, thus requiring fewer syringes to fully correct facial wrinkles. Hydrelle also represents a significant opportunity for aesthetic professionals to expand their respective practices by offering patients an advanced, long-lasting dermal filler with an affordable price, particularly during volatile economic times.

It seems there is a new hyaluronic acid filler on the market every month. Currently in my practice we utilize Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Prevelle Silk. In the past I've also used Hylaform and Hylaform Plus. In my opinion, adding lidocaine to the injection isn't that big a deal. Prevelle Silk has lidocaine in it as well.

Overall, I've been very happy with the selection of fillers I utilize. My only complaint is the price. If a company can make a long-lasting (one year or so) filler at half the cost of current fillers then they'd have a huge fan in myself. I'm not a proponent of permanent fillers.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Dumb Advertising

I saw this ad on a post at Plasmetic.com and thought it was funny. What happens after the special runs out? Do you only get a unaboob?

There is also a bargain-basement cosmetic center in my area which is advertising "Buy one surgery, get one free" as well. But, according to the ad you need to be one of the first fifty or so people to call in order to qualify for the special promotion. Fortunately, the ad has been playing for months, so either there is no one calling or they've decided to extend it to any poor victim who calls.

By the way, the doctor in the above billboard advertises as a "board-certified surgeon." I wonder why he left out that he's a board-certified general surgeon and not a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Addicted to Beauty - My Thoughts

I had a little extra time over the holiday weekend to catch up with some programs on my TiVo. Addicted to Beauty is a reality program on Oxygen that follows the employees at Changes Plastic Surgery and Medspa in La Holla.

I've actually found the show to be quite entertaining. Although some of their employees wouldn't last a week in my office (Hello, Gary the drama queen!), it's fun to see how other people deal with such infighting and personality issues. I don't know how Dr. Gilbert Lee puts up with all of them. He seems like a level-headed guy. The only ones I would consider hiring are Natasha (the administrative assistant who is a knockout AND a hard-working team player) and Melanie (the no nonsense office manager).

This is a show that is worth checking out if you are into the plastic surgery and medspa world. Also be sure to catch Youth Knows No Pain, the plastic surgery-related documentary on HBO and its sister channels. You can see its schedule here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Holly Madison on Her Plastic Surgery

The newest issue of Life and Style Weekly has a big article on Holly Madison and her plastic surgery. In the article she admits to undergoing a rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, both of which are pretty obvious when looking at her. There are a few surprising revelations, however. According to the New York Daily News:

Former Playboy model Holly Madison says that beneath her Barbie-doll measurements beats the heart of an insecure woman who used plastic surgery as a way to build her self-esteem.
And she blames ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner for that lack of confidence.
"Living with Hef brought down my self-esteem a lot," Madison told Life & Style. "I was comparing myself to the other girls ... You have to look a certain way at the mansion."

"Plastic surgery made it easier for me to get things I wanted in my career," she said. "Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. My nose photographed really big in front of my face. If I wanted to do anything in the entertainment industry, I needed to get it fixed."

I think she's a knockout. Not only is she blessed with good genes, but her plastic surgeon did a nice job as well. I never understood the interest in Kendra, though, whom I find to be quite annoying.

Some of my viewpoints of cellulite and its treatments are also highlighted in the magazine.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Demi Moore Responds to Articles Like the One Below

Apparently Demi Moore is not happy with people questioning her claim that she's not had any plastic surgery. Her quote in Marie Claire France magazine prompted many websites, such as this one, to question the truthfulness of her claims. This caused her to respond via Twitter:

“All this garbage that came out today about me is nothing more than an effort to diminish not just me but all women,” Demi Tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Demi advised other women to live their life free of body comparisons or criticisms. “Diminishing us by continually measuring women based on how we look. Or dont look. Creating comparisons instead of connections Say no 2 that!” she added.

The lady doth protest too much, methink.

Photo credit: prphotos.com
Story credit: Access Hollywood

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: