An interesting new study indicates liposuction may have health benefits beyond trimming fat. Liposuction patients may experience a reduction in triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, possibly decreasing their risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

A new study measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. Most of the patients, 71 percent, had liposuction only. Triglyceride levels in patients with normal preoperative levels were unchanged. However, patients with at-risk levels, defined as greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl, experienced an average postsurgery reduction of 43 percent — about twice the effect achieved with a commonly prescribed drug.

The study also found that white blood cell counts decrease an average of 11 percent after the procedure.

According to  the author, “it has been assumed that ‘visceral fat’ surrounding the internal organs has greater metabolic importance and is more directly linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than ‘subcutaneous fat’ that lies under the skin. These new findings support recent studies suggesting subcutaneous fat, which can be reduced by liposuction, is just as metabolically important.”

The study’s findings do not mean liposuction can replace medications in patients with very high triglyceride levels  and further  studies are needed  to determine whether these favorable changes in triglyceride and white blood cell levels translate to reduced health risk.

 After days of discussion, health officials with the FDA’s Center for Disease have decided silicone implants are safe and continued their approval for augmentation in women over the age of 22 and for reconstruction in women of any age. While the  FDA still recommends that MRI’s should be done three years after getting the implants, and then every two years it is possible that these guidelines that help detect implant rupture will be relaxed. The FDA qualified the use of  silicone implants with the caution that problems with these type of breast implants include hardening of the area around the implant, rupturing, infection, and asymmetry which may require re-operation. 

The benefit of saline implants are its sterile water, the same fluid you use to clean your contact lenses. If an implant ruptures, there are no health consequences, because the body harmlessly absorbs saline.  Make sure to have an a good open line of communication with your surgeon when considering breast implants and discuss risks and benefits of implant selection.

Here’s a review of Change Your Looks, Change Your Life that appeared in Dan’s Papers a few years ago. If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, this book remains an essential guide to the options available from minor to major. “Who said beauty is only skin-deep? Certainly not anyone who has broken off a promising relationship, or suffered a plunge in self confidence, thanks to crow’s feet, saddlebags, or a scowl embedded in your forehead. Appearance, in fact, has an enormous impact on emotional well being and quality of life, for people of all ages and for men as well as women.

An accomplished and renowned plastic surgeon and Bridgehampton resident, Dr. Michelle Copeland, shows how easy it can be for just about anyone to improve his or her appearance—and transform their entire outlook. It’s all in her informative uplifting book, Change Your Looks, Change Your Life. The book, packed with quick fixes and cosmetic surgery solutions, is worth every penny and most enjoyable reading, shows you how Dr. Copeland is a firm believer in cosmetic wellness—making physical changes for the emotional and health benefits. Dr. Copeland presents a comprehensive, detailed and realistic guide to the many cosmetic options available, with an emphasis on the least invasive and most effective, safe and affordable procedures.”

Summer Fridays are getaway days and it’s best when you travel light. We  have several kits to make keeping up with skin care easy. They are perfect for travel or for keeping on hand wherever you may go this summer – beach house, country house, camping. Our travel kit comes in FDA-approved sizes and has the basics: Daily Cleanser, Daily Moisturizer with SPF-30, Daily Toner, AHA Face Cream and Skin Hydrating Mist. We’ve also put the Basic Regimen into a kit to make life easier.

The Today Show featured teens who have undergone plastic surgery surgery, and questioned whether such procedures are appropriate. I’ve had to make those evaluations myself as I have had a marked increase in the number of teens who come to my office seeking cosmetic procedures.  I don’t have a problem with a 14 year old who wants to have laser hair removal. If the parents are willing to shell out for it, that’s fine with me; not having to deal with razors and creams is more convenient for her. Moreover, if a teenager has what would be considered a physical deformity – a terribly oversized nose, ears that stick way out, or double-D breasts – then why should she have to go through puberty ashamed of her appearance or, in the case of very large breasts, physically hampered? I counsel young people the same way I would older patients:  I review the most appropriate procedure for them, and make sure that they have realistic expectations and an understanding of their own role in – and commitment to – the healing process.

What happens when a 14 year old comes in for liposuction or breast implants? While I may initially be skeptical, I consider each patient on a case-by-case basis. Some teens are still developing physically, some are not mature emotionally. I do turn away inappropriate patients, or at least suggest reasonable alternatives to surgery.

Not many of us can say we haven’t aged in eight years, but a patient I recently  saw can make the claim. Looking at the before and after pictures (the after is 8 years after!) you can see that her cheeks, jowls and jaw area are still smooth and tight. By repositioning the skin and tightening the lower half of her face, I was able to counter the effects of aging. Good skin care and a healthy diet in the eight years since her facelift have helped my patient maintain her improved looks. We focus so often on quick fixes that it is great to see the long term benefits of a facelift.

62 year old patient 8 years after facelift

Online Consultations the Future of Plastic Surgery? Some Doctors Say Yes, Others Worry

AOL Stylist asked me about plastic surgery consultations conducted online. I cover many of the questions you should ask about plastic surgery on my site, and then encourage patients to bring their questions in when they schedule a consultation.

Here is a recent success story I’d like to share with you. A 52 year old patient came in with some sagging skin around her face that really aged her and made her feel less confident about her looks.  We decided to use Threadlift, a minimally invasive “non-surgical facelift” to address the signs of aging in the face, including droopiness of the skin of the brow, cheeks, jowls, and neck. Threads are inserted painlessly under the skin to lift and contour the tissues, providing an immediate tightening with no incisions or scars. The procedure can be performed using local anesthesia, and most patients can return to normal activities the next day. Although I see great results from Threadlift all the time, I am always impressed when I see photos like these that show such a dramatic result after only six days. My patient couldn’t be more pleased with her refreshed and revitalized face.

It is now possible for you to enlarge your breasts without resorting to implants!  Specially prepared fat taken from another part of the body, such as the stomach or hips, is placed under the breast tissue to provide increased breast size without the need for artificial implants. The technique is called autologous fat transfers and autologous simply means “your own.” And who doesn’t have a little fat to spare? The procedure can be performed as an out-patient without the need for general anesthesia.

Amy Winhouse’s breasts look bigger! Star Magazine asked me if I thought she had undergone a breast augmentation. Here is the article:

The singer’s all-around life makeover since ditching drugs included substantial breast implants.

“There is a fullness that did not exist before, and the round shape is consistent with getting implants,” NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Michelle Copeland tells Star.

But Dr. Copeland thinks Amy, 26, should’ve just said no, no, no.

“The size and shape of the breasts is too much for her thin frame,” Dr. Copeland says.

Still, Amy’s dad, Mitch, is a fan. He told a British TV show she’s been doing “Fantastic, fantastic. Her boobs are great as well!”