Blog

Secondary Facelift Achieves Good Results, According to New Study

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Facial Surgeon

Performed an average of a decade after initial facelift surgery, a "secondary" facelift can achieve similarly lasting results with a low complication rate, according to a paper in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Rod J. Rohrich and colleagues of University of Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, report their 20-year experience with secondary facelift surgery, or "rhytidectomy." The researchers conclude that, with attention to some key surgical principles, "Secondary rhytidectomy is a safe and effective procedure for continued surgical facial rejuvenation in the aging patient."
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Long-Term Weight Loss after Tummy Tuck

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Body Contouring Surgeon , Procedures

Undergoing abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") may lead to significant and lasting weight loss for many patients-especially those who were overweight or obese before surgery, reports a pilot study in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Long-term weight loss after abdominoplasty may be related to increased satiety-feeling full after eating-according to the study by ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Rex Edward Moulton-Barrett of Alameda Hospital and colleagues. The researchers discuss possible "neuroendocrine mechanisms" that may promote weight loss after abdominoplasty.
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A New Breast Implant Sizing System

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Breast Surgeon , Decisions

Deciding on the correct size of breast implants used to be a very difficult process.  Now there is a great solution.  Previously, we would take measurements of your breasts, get a rough idea of what you are looking for, and then have you select from a few test implants.  The sizes were widely spaced and fine tuning was difficult.  I have had patients who, despite careful planning, have chosen to have a second surgery to change the size.  So we found an alternative.
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Welcome to Our Plastic Surgery Blog

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Community

Thanks for visiting our new blog. Here you will be able to find information on plastic surgery news, recent trends, special offers, and the latest events happening at our office. We want to stay in touch with our local community and present news that will be relevant to our patients. Are you interested in health, beauty and cosmetic surgery? Do you write a blog or participate in online discussion forums? Leave us a comment and we’ll add you to our links. Make sure to subscribe to our RSS feed and email list to stay in touch.
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Surgical Cure for Migraines

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Procedures

To say that surgery can cure migraines is a bold statement.  Recent studies from Case Western Reserve University, Georgetown University, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have pointed out a mechanical reason for migraines and have shown that surgery can indeed provide a cure for the majority of migraine patients.  I want to take a few moments of your time and discuss the evolution and rational for these treatments.
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A Primer in Skin Care

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Products

I knew next to nothing about skin care. I know, I'm a plastic surgeon.  I should have had a lot of exposure to skin treatments.  But besides some simple customary bits of knowledge (like Retin A is good), I'm just a guy.  This stuff baffles me.  So it was time to really do some reading. I have spend the last couple of weeks reading both the plastic surgery literature as well as a ton of marketing material about skin care and skin treatments.  Wow.  So let me divulge a few things I learned.  First, I have to give a few definitions since these have always thrown me:
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The "Laser"

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Procedures

I chuckle to myself when I think about lasers.  I expect Austin Powers to put air quotes around the word when I say it.  I find that many people use the term as if it was a magical device that can do anything - including make a scarless incision.  It can't.  Lasers are just a way to apply energy to a spot.  All you can change is the size of the spot, the length of time the laser is on, and the color (and thereby the energy) of the laser.  That's pretty much it.  (Physicists have a term called fluence that measures the amount of energy delivered per unit area.  Higher fluence = more energy.  Don't remember that or people will think you are a geek.)
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How much does it cost?

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Decisions

It's usually the last question.  Patients come in for the free consultation.  Who wouldn't, its FREE!  We talk for a while about what they want, what they don't like about themselves, what they want to change.  I examine them - usually with a little self consciousness on the patients part (I can never put someone totally at ease.  I guess if I could, they wouldn't want to change anything).  I take some photographs to document their appearance.  No, you won't see any patient photos here.
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So I started to blog...

     Al Rosenthal, MD     Random musings

And then I started to blog.  I have a plastic surgery practice - with the utilitarian name of 'Plastic Surgery of Gwinnett, PC'.  It isn't very fanciful but I think the name does a fine job of conveying what I do and where I am.
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