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

Thanks for reading.
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.

Thanks for reading.
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?

Thanks for reading.
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.:

Demi Moore Denies Having Plastic Surgery

In a recent interview, actress Demi Moore addressed rumors that she's had a ton of plastic surgery to look as good as she does. She denies everything.

"[The plastic surgery rumors are] completely false," Demi tells Marie Claire France. "I've never had it done. I don't like the idea of having an operation to hold up the aging process. The scalpel won't make you happy."

Hmmm.... Very interesting. Demi, I think your nose is growing... and it's not from a rhinoplasty.

It's funny that she would feel comfortable to admit using leeches to suck and "detoxify" her blood but would be all denials with plastic surgery. (Link)

Click here for my previous post on the rumors she's had $3 million of plastic surgery.

Story credit: examiner
Photo credit: prphotos.com

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

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Family Doctor or Plastic Surgeon?

Terrible story coming out of Las Vegas. A woman won a free breast augmentation by the doctor of a medspa, the Skin Body Institute. She had the surgery performed under local anesthesia, but then sufferred horrible complications. Some details from ABC 13:

- She was awake for the whole procedure, and was crying the entire time. The doctor reprimanded her for complaining during the painful procedure.
- Just weeks later the implant became infected and was exposed through the skin.
- She subsequently underwent 10 hours of surgery under local anesthetic to try to fix the problem.
- Two weeks later she presented to the ER with ruptured and exposed implants.
- The doctor had made ten centimeter incisions (mine are typically 3 cm for saline, 4 cm for silicone).
- The doctor's website had stated he was board-certified.
- He was not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but by the Family Practice board.
- Still, his website listed him as an associate member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Liposuction Surgery, and the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.
-His license has been suspended.

This is another terrible incident where the patient didn't do her homework and was the victim of a phony plastic surgeon. This unfortunately happens more often than most people realize. Always choose a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As you can see above, a doctor in a bunch of other societies isn't the same.

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

The Gretchen Project

Gretchen Rossi, a star of the Real Housewives of Orange County, has started what she calls the Gretchen Project. From her website:

The Gretchen Project hosted by Gretchen Rossi follows her through her pursuit of beauty. Gretchen will find the new, now and next in beauty from leading medical and beauty experts from around the world with the ultimate goal to pass along the pearls of wisdom to the modern day woman.

She starts this pursuit of beauty by going to the Five Continent Congress for Lasers and Aesthetic Medicine in Nice, France. Not a bad vacation destination, I must say. Although the only time I went there I was still a college student carrying a backpack, a Eurail pass, and about two hundred bucks in American Express travelers checks!

To view Gretchen explaining The Gretchen Project, click here.

p.s. I hear rumors that she might be using Syneron's new, innovative eMatrix device for skin tightening...

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

Plastic Surgery (and Dr. Youn) on Canada's eTalk

eTalk, Canada's number one entertainment news show ran a week of plastic surgery segments last week. Click to view some of their segments:

Nip Tuck
Botch Jobs

Thanks to the folks at eTalk for including me in their program!

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

Reality Show Murderer, Breast Implants, and Serial Numbers

You may be following the terribly tragic story of the model, Jasmine Fiore, who was recently murdered by the reality TV star Ryan Alexander Jenkins. For those who haven't heard, Jenkins is accused of murdering the former swimsuit model and stuffing her body into a suitcase. She was later found with her teeth pulled out and her fingers cut off, apparently as an attempt to conceal her identity. She was later identified by the serial numbers on her breast implants. Jenkins is currently on-the-run, likely somewhere in British Columbia. He is a former contestant on Megan Wants a Millionaire and on the likely-to-be-unaired I Love Money 3.

What a sad and scary story. It reminds me of the murder that happened a couple years ago just a few miles from my home. A husband murdered his wife, dismembered her, and scattered her body parts in a local park. He later retrieved her torso and hid it in his garage, where detectives later found it.

There are so many sick people in this world, it's scary.

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

Has Courtney Thorne-Smith Had Plastic Surgery?

Sorry for the lack of updates... I've been moving my practice!

Has actress Courtney Thorne-Smith had plastic surgery? She looks great lately. A post by Make Me Heal shows drastic before-and-after photos, but unfortunately with different facial expressions. This is a recent photo of the Melrose Place actress. I think it is definitely possible that she's had an upper eyelid lift (upper blepharoplasty) as well as some Botox in her forehead.

Whatever she has (or hasn't) had, she looks great.

As an aside, I am also offering a free link for any blogger/webmaster who donates at least $25 to the Swaziland Mission Trip in the below post.

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

Jimmy Buffett - Best Friends with a Plastic Surgeon

Yes, I am a Parrothead. I've been a huge Jimmy Buffett fan for 15 years and have been to over a dozen of his concerts. For the past couple years I've been bringing my in-laws to his shows at Pine Knob, the last one being this past Thursday. I was even in a Jimmy Buffett-like band called Migration for four years during my residency training.

Has Jimmy had any plastic surgery? Now that he is 62 he should be showing considerable signs of age, sun damage, and hard living. Yet he looks pretty darn good! I can't spot any actual surgery, but since one of his best friends is a plastic surgeon (not me) I bet he's had a little help with some good skin products and maybe even a laser treatment or two. As a shrewd business man, he knows that he needs to look youthful to continue selling out shows every summer.

Jimmy's the man. He's one guy I'd like to meet someday.

"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead." -JB

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

Heidi Montag Wants Bigger Breasts? No!!!

In a recent interview, Heidi Montag (Pratt) says that she wants larger breast implants:

“The Hills” star opened up to Playboy, in an interview conducted by her husband Spencer Pratt, about her newfound desire. While she has had breast augmentation and a nose job, she has plans to “get a few more upgrades.” “I think I want to go bigger on my boobs for [Spencer],” Montag said.
The wannabe pop singer also said she turned to the famous mens mag when deciding what kind of fake breasts would be best for her. "When I was shopping for my boobs, I wanted the best, so I sat down and flipped through a bunch of Playboys … I’m sure as I get older I’ll need some touch-ups”

I think she's got a fantastic figure. Her breasts fit her frame nicely. It'd be a shame if she has larger implants put in, as then she would become disproportionate.

It's too bad she's such a tart and married to an annoying nitwit.

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

Youth Knows No Pain at the Arclight in L.A. Wed August 19th!

For anyone in the L.A. area, the plastic surgery-themed documentary Youth Knows No Pain will screen at the ArcLight Cinemas on Wednesday August 19th! Chris Kattan will emcee the post-screening Q & A with director Mitch McCabe, cast members, and the audience. You can buy your tickets in advance here.

Check out what is sure to be the most influential, interesting plastic surgery-themed documentary in years!


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

Has Chef Gordon Ramsay Had Botox... To His Chin?

There are rumors circulating over the internet that Hell's Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsay has had Botox injections to his chin. According to the Plastic Surgery Channel:

The grouchy celeb was inspired by another cranky British import to American TV: Simon Cowell.
Simon, whose famous frown doesn’t wrinkle his own forehead due to Botox injections, reportedly told Chef Ramsay that he “had to do something about that” chin.
And after a makeup artist and a few friends also made disparaging remarks, Ramsay was off to get a smoother looking chin. From Botox. Which is a little confusing, because that miracle wrinkle eraser is intended more for eyes and foreheads, where muscle movement creates furrows.

If I take a look at that mug, the last place that I'd think about injecting Botox is his chin. What about smoothing out those deep forehead and crow's feet wrinkles? If he came to my office then... Bam! I'd hit him with the Botox in the forehead and crow's feet. (Apologies to Emeril) Plus, a little Restylane would go a long way in those nasolabial creases.

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

An example of good fillers

Check out Good Plastic Surgery.com for an example of what appears to be good fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, or Sculptra) in the Real Housewives Bethenny Frankel. Click here to see.

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

Has Ashlee Simpson had a Chin Augmentation?

Surprisingly, it appears that she may have had a chin implant placed! These photos from Awful Plastic Surgery (there are more on their site) show what appear to be plumped up lips and a new silicone chin implant. I usually place these through a small incision inside the mouth... but only on people who will actually benefit from it.

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

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New Plastic Surgery Show - Addicted to Beauty

There is a new plastic surgery reality program debuting tonight at 11/10C on Oxygen called Addicted to Beauty. It follows a real-life plastic surgery practice in La Jolla, California. Now that Dr. 90210 is no longer making new episodes, Addicted to Beauty has arrived to satisfy your over-the-top plastic surgery reality show cravings. Take a look at their sneak peak here.

The office looks like it's all drama, all the time. I would argue that some of the employees are not necessarily good role models for great plastic surgery, too. Personally, I prefer Dr. 90210. Nevertheless, my TiVo is ready to record...

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

The BoTax - Taxing Plastic Surgery by 10%?

According to which accounts you read, the U.S. Senate may be considering a 10% tax on plastic surgery to help pay for the massive costs of an expanded government health care plan. Most sources report that it's a likely no-go, especially given the fact that the amount of money it would raise would be neglible compared to the estimated costs of expanding government-provided health care.

Should plastic surgery be considered for a "sin tax," like cigarettes and alcohol? I don't think so. Unlike cigarettes and alcohol, plastic surgery does not worsen people's health and create a burden on the health care system. In fact, the vast majority of people who have plastic surgery are healthy and stay that way. If the government wants to tax companies that contribute to poor health, then they should consider taxing fast food, vending machines, soda pop companies, potato chip manufacturers, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, and all-you-can-eat buffets. These contribute more to obesity and poor health than a pair of fake breasts!

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