Body Language - Denver Cosmetic Surgery Blog

You’ve read about it in the news, now you can try it in the office of Dr. Ben Lee.

Dr. Lee has invested in the new Isolaz™, a revolutionary acne laser treatment using Photopneumatics™.

Debbie Brinkman, CMA and Clinical Coordinator, performs the Isolaz treatments and is a trainer for area doctors and nurses on the Isolaz laser.

Newspapers worldwide reported on the new treatment and the speed with which the FDA allowed the new technology to come to market. Approved in a record 45 days, Isolaz has already made a difference in the lives of patients who have suffered endlessly from acne.

The 10-minute treatment (a series of 5 – 7 treatments is recommended depending on the severity of acne) produces immediate results that show up within 24 – 48 hours. The Isolaz uses a simultaneous vacuum and laser application that draws blackheads and impurities to the surface of the skin while exposing them to the painless pulsed laser light.

The Isolaz treats pustular and comedonal acne as well as mild to moderate and acne vulgaris. Patients experience 30 – 50% reduction in redness, drying and flattening of blemishes after the first treatment and 85% of patients suffering from acne who were treated using Isolaz showed improvement.

Besides managing acne, Isolaz treatments result in a visible reduction in pore size improved skin texture and complexion.

This breakthrough photopneumatic therapy suctions the skin and then beams the skin with an intense pulsed light—eliminating the deposits of oils and dirt and then beaming the skin with the IPL, a therapy that deactivates hyperactive oil glands and kills the bacteria they nourish.

Reports in U.S. News & World Report and Reuters tell of patients who have responded to Isolaz treatments. Some patients who saw immediate results reported that they’d nearly given up on controlling and eliminating their acne having spent years and thousands of dollars seeking remedies in prescription treatments and over-the-counter remedies. The best part, these patients report uniformly, is the speed with the Isolaz works, causing an immediate beneficial reaction, unlike prescription treatments that take up to months to have an effect.

The cost of treatment starts at $100 per session and requires periodic maintenance sessions, generally once a quarter, explains Debbie Brinkman, CNA and Clinical Coordinator for Dr. Lee. Brinkman is trained extensively to instruct physicians and nurses state-wide on the use of the Isolaz laser.

Rated as one of the 3 hottest products at the 2007 American Academy of Dermatology conference, Isolaz is the top-rated choice for acne treatment and has also been used to treat sun-damaged skin, removing brown spots and tiny broken capillaries associated with rosacea, plus it is also FDA cleared to perform permanent hair reduction.

Hair removal on the back and legs can take 20 minutes while treatments on the face take 10 minutes. Another benefit is that Isolaz does not cause sensitivity to light. The treatment can be used on all skin types and there is no downtime following treatment.

Depending on the particular patient’s needs, some will require continued use of topical treatments while undergoing the series of Isolaz treatments, says Dr. Lee. Patients who only get a breakout occasionally can also benefit from Isolaz because the vacuum action removes dirt and oil, leaving the skin radiant.

For information on Isolaz, contact Dr. Ben Lee at 303-783-9997 or info@drbenlee.com.

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When CNN News reported the tragic death of an 18-year-old Florida girl during breast surgery earlier this month, it underscored the seriousness with which any surgical procedure should be viewed, says Dr. Ben Lee, double-board certified plastic surgeon. In this particular news story, the surgery was performed by a doctor in West Boca Raton, Florida to correct the young lady’s breast asymmetry when she went into malignant hyperthermia and died.

The condition called malignant hyperthermia is rare and the vast majority of plastic surgeries performed on healthy people do not result in complications or even death, Dr. Lee explains.

Still, any elective medical decision is just that—a decision—and should be taken seriously and entered into thoughtfully.

Dr. Lee spends extensive time with his patients prior to treatment reviewing their concerns, goals and overall reasons for desiring surgery in the first place. “It’s important that a patient wants surgery for themselves, not at the behest of a partner, boyfriend or husband,” says Dr. Lee. “I counsel with the patient to ascertain if their goals regarding any surgery are realistic before scheduling the procedure.”

To ensure that a patient is making a wise, informed and realistic choice in surgery—especially breast augmentation—Dr. Lee recommends the patient be over 18.

Additionally a full evaluation of a patient’s health is important when any surgical procedure is performed, Dr. Lee says. Adherence to recovery instructions after the surgery is very important, explains the Doctor, as the procedures he and his staff recommend a patient follow after surgery are designed to streamline recovery, net optimum results and ensure that the patient is comfortable.

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Last year, Americans spent $13.2 billion on cosmetic surgery nationwide. That amount was the cost paid for 11.7 million surgical cosmetic procedures. Non-surgical treatments like BOTOX injections counted for another 2.8 million procedures done in 2007, according to a survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery that included responses from 12,000 surgeons, dermatologists and otolaryngologists.

Dr. Ben Lee saw a rise in numbers of his patients interested in pursuing breast enhancement surgery due to FDA approval of silicone implants. Until the FDA gave the go-ahead for silicone, a number of patients were “on the fence” about enhancement surgery, says Dr. Lee. These patients were not willing to proceed with the surgery when only saline implants were approved because of the advantages of silicone over saline.

Silicone implants require less recovery time as the implant is placed over the muscle tissue, unlike saline implants that are inserted under the muscle which results in a longer recovery period.

“Time is precious to people,” says Dr. Lee. “Patients are increasingly desirous of keeping their youthful looks and even improving their natural looks, but they have to fit that into their active lifestyles, careers and obligations when scheduling their elective surgery.”

The top five cosmetic surgeries performed in 2007 were:

• Liposuction
• Breast augmentation
• Eyelid surgery
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Breast reduction

Cosmetic surgery has gained speed since the 1990s. Since 1997, surgical procedures have increased by 114 percent while noninvasive cosmetic treatments have risen 754 percent.

Besides breast enhancement (augmentation and reduction), Dr. Lee performs liposuction, the most popular cosmetic treatment of all in the 2007 report. Half a million liposuction surgeries were performed by doctors nationwide in 2007. The types of liposuction he performs are Lipoplasty, traditional liposuction and tumescent liposuction, depending on the area treated and the patient’s unique needs.

Dr. Lee also performs eyelid surgery and tummy tucks, procedures he says patients seek to look more youthful, giving them back the eyelids they had as a young person that don’t droop over the eyes and eliminating the bags under the eyes. The same goes for tummy tucks, he says. Patients are opting for tummy tucks to restore a sleek abdominal area, often after childbirth.

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I’m a repeat patient of Dr. Ben Lee and he’s performed several successful treatments on me that are non-invasive and require no downtime. He’s used injectables like Restylane to define my lip line and Juvederm to smooth out the smile lines around my mouth.

Dr. Ben Lee told me that the newest injectable Artefill is ideal to treat my smile lines because it’s permanent, meaning that I won’t have to get new injections twice a year as I have in the past few years. I’m looking forward to more of these permanent “fixes” that are non-invasive and require no downtime in the future. With all the medical advances available, it should be soon and I’ll be making an appointment for a consultation!—MarySue, 42, mother, wife, and caretaker to my aging parents.

Dr. Ben Lee introduced Artefill to his plastic surgery practice in 2007 after it was approved by the FDA as the only permanent filler on the market. The ingredient in Artefill that makes the filler permanent is a synthetic polymer that stimulates a cell that’s already in the human body called a fibroblast. It naturally produces new collagen, the very thing that the body produces less of as we age.

Collagen is the basis of a number of new treatments available at Dr. Lee’s office. Another is the SkinTyte Laser which is also non-invasive and is used to treat skin laxity in the face, hands, upper chest, abdomen and arms. The laser treatments—a series is usually recommended—take less than an hour and are so much more comfortable than any predecessor laser because of the cooling system that’s built into this laser. Made by Sciton, the SkinTyte Appliance focuses on specific areas to promote generation of new collagen which effectively tightens the skin, returning it to its former firmness.

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Too small, too big, too…? Like it or not, your breasts here to stay. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with what have if you don’t like ‘em. Not if you know Dr. Ben Lee of Englewood, CO, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has done hundreds of breast enhancement procedures.

Studies show that most women feel that their breasts are their most important feature when it comes to attractiveness. And you don’t need a survey to tell you they’re pretty high on a man’s list of what he notices in a woman. That’s why esthetic breast enhancement is the most sought-after procedure in Dr. Lee’s cosmetic surgery practice today.

Age and childbearing take a toll on breasts. Even taking better care of yourself can have a negative effect on your breasts. Many women who come to Dr. Ben Lee for breast enhancement do so after losing weight. The nice resilient breast tissue of their youth is no longer there and after shedding those pounds, they’re left with a bad case of droopy chest.

“After about age 40, the fibrous breast tissue called stroma starts to be replaced with fatty tissue and the skin begins to lose its elasticity,” Dr. Lee says. “The combination of these factors is the principal cause of sagging breasts.”

While there is little to be done about the loss of stroma (although according to Dr. Lee there may be some encouraging news coming out of stem-cell research), there are some common surgical procedures that have given positive results for thousands of women over the years. They fall into four general categories: reconstruction, augmentation (enlargement and/or reshaping), reduction, and lifts.

Nature has blessed women with an incredible variety of breast shapes and sizes. But sometimes the size or shape is not what an individual wants. Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Ben Lee are there to help. “Sometimes a woman’s breasts are too large and uncomfortable, some are smaller than she wants, or sometimes they just aren’t the right size or shape for the rest of her body,” Dr. Lee comments. “And there are also times when breast reconstruction is needed, like after injury or breast cancer surgery.”

Breast enhancement isn’t just about vanity. Self-image and self-esteem are often the motivation. “Many women tell me that after breast enhancement, they feel ‘normal’ again,” Dr. Lee says.

Dr. Ben Lee is widely respected when it comes to breast enhancement, whether it’s major reconstructive surgery or the latest in surgical implants. If you and Dr. Lee agree that an implant is right for you, the next step is choosing the type.

Silicone implants were removed from the cosmetic surgery market in 1992 after several complaints about leakage, not because they were dangerous, but because they were unable to be proven safe under some very strict FDA guidelines. They were still allowed for reconstructive procedures and in some closely monitored investigational studies.

“There are some definite advantages to silicone implants and the manufacturers were able to convince the FDA that a need existed,” Dr. Lee explains. “They continued to be used in other countries without any unusual problems, so in late 2006, the FDA approved their use again in women 22 years old or older.”

Each type of implant has its pros and cons. Experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Lee use both, each in its own best way. Dr. Lee will discuss this with you in detail during your consultation.

Saline implants have the advantage that if they should leak they will collapse and the solution will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Their disadvantage is that due to their lower density (water vs. gel), they may show some rippling if placed near the skin’s surface. Some women also say saline doesn’t feel as natural to the touch as does silicone.

Since silicone is an elastic gel, it feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. A leaking silicone implant may not collapse like saline does. “Although the silicone implants we use today are safe from a medical point of view, I do like to see my silicone patients regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly,” Dr. Lee says.

Dr. Lee will also discuss the different implant techniques with you and will help you choose the one that best accomplishes the outcome you want from your breast enhancement.

Breast implants are not necessarily a life-long solution to your appearance. Weight loss, pregnancy, aging and menopause may all have affects. If that should be the case, further surgery may be an option. On the other hand, some women do not experience those affects or, even if they do, are still comfortable with the natural changes.

“There’s no reason a woman today should be unhappy with such a major appearance factor as her breasts,” Dr. Lee says. “I would encourage any woman who feels that her breasts are causing her physical or emotional problems to come in for a consultation.”

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Q: I’d like to smooth out the loose skin on my neck and under my chin.  Is there a way you can do that without surgery or injections?

A: SkinTyte™ laser skin tightening at the office of Dr. Ben Lee is a great new solution for treating minor skin looseness on the neck and chin as well as any other large areas such as the thighs, arms, stomach and buttocks.

Q: How does SkinTyte™ work?
A: Doctor Lee uses a new laser process that works on your collagen (the substance that gives your skin fullness and firmness) to stimulate your body’s own natural rebuilding processes, resulting in tighter, healthier-looking skin.

Q: Do SkinTyte™treatments take a long time to show an effect?
A: Most of Dr. Lee’s patients feel and see an immediate smoothing, firming and tightening of the skin. Then, over time, the SkinTyte treatments cause your body’s natural processes to build and renew collagen, further smoothing your skin and renewing its natural contours.

Q: How long do SkinTyte™ treatments last?
A: The collagen renewal process continues for about six months, but the effects can last for years.

Q: How long do SkinTyte™ treatments take and how much recovery time is there?
A: SkinTyte™ treatments are done right here in Dr. Lee’s office and only take 30-45 minutes for a typical procedure.  Most patients don’t require any anesthetic and can reapply makeup and resume normal activities immediately after treatment.  There may some slight swelling, but it usually disappears in a day or so.

Q: Is SkinTyte™ treatment expensive?
A: SkinTyte treatment by Dr. Lee for the lower face and neck costs only about $400.  Similar treatments can cost $1,500 or more at other clinics and they may use different, more painful, systems.

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Permanent cosmetics have been around since before the days of Cleopatra. Ancient Egyptians used dyes and pigments to dress up their appearance on a regular basis. Modern women (and more than a couple of men) have rediscovered that having their daily makeup routine simplified or eliminated entirely is a very neat thing, indeed. Here are some questions about today’s micropigmentation techniques that we’ve heard from our clients, followed by answers from one of the newest members of our team, Permanent Makeup Artist Kathleen Kassel.

Q: I’ve heard that there are ways to get eyeliner and other types of makeup applied permanently. Is it like getting tattoos or something?

A: Yes and no. While the techniques used in applying permanent cosmetics (micropigmentation is the technical term for it) are similar to tattooing, the materials and tools can be somewhat different. And the skills and training are quite different. Picasso may have been a great artist, but I wouldn’t want him putting on my makeup!

Q: Who are candidates for “Permanent Makeup”?

A: Anyone who would like to be relieved of the bother of applying cosmetics every day would find permanent cosmetics a huge benefit. Wouldn’t you like to look as good when you wake up as you did the night before?

But some of the biggest benefits are seen by athletically active women, older women with failing eyesight or unsteady hands, handicapped people, people with allergies to cosmetics and some people who use micropigmentation to camouflage scars and other loss of pigment. Alopecia and vitiligo (leukoderma) sufferers find that permanent cosmetics can do wonders to improve their appearance, as do breast surgery and chemotherapy patients.

Q: Can permanent makeup be done after plastic or reconstructive surgery?

A: Not only can it usually be done, it’s often the finishing touch! Skin color can be restored and enhanced, eyebrows can be filled in, and careful cosmetic micropigmentation can add even more shape to surgical enhancement. Scars can be minimized and the pigmentation process itself can even break down scar tissue in some cases. Breast surgery patients can have pigment loss remediated, as well.

Q: What if I change my mind and want a different color?

A: Like the name implies, the pigmentation is permanent, so short of drastic procedures, you will not be able to remove it. Most women choose a natural-looking palette of enhancements that can be supplemented with traditional makeup when the occasion calls for it. Having said that, it is often possible to modify existing colors and shades with additional procedures if that’s what you want.

Discuss it carefully with your technician and be sure you’re completely satisfied with the answers you get.

Q: Why should I have my permanent makeup done by a skin care professional?

A: The guys and gals at the “tat” parlor are very creative artists, but they are used to a whole different clientele with a whole different set of needs. Your selection of a Permanent Cosmetics Technician should be a careful process.

Meet with them at their office and get to know some things about them before making your choice. What’s their background and training? Do they keep abreast of changes in techniques and trends? Do they seem to hear and understand what you want and what your concerns are?

Ask to see photos of work they’ve done. Discuss different styles with them and listen to their advice, but also listen to how they communicate. Do you understand them? And most importantly, do they understand you?

And don’t overlook the environment they work in. Is it professional looking? Is it clean?

Q: How are permanent cosmetics applied?

A: They are generally applied with an instrument that injects the pigments under the skin’s surface in the dermal layer. At Dr. Lee’s office I use a specialized instrument developed by Dr. Linda Dixon, a Hawaii-based M.D. who is one of the pioneers in micropigmentation. It can also be done with a traditional or specialized tattoo or coil machine, or a pen or rotary machine. Or they can be applied non-mechanically using techniques similar to those of the ancient Egyptians.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: Different people have different levels of sensitivity, but there can be some discomfort involved. If you and your technician feel it’s appropriate, a topical anesthetic can also be used. The better trained and more experienced your technician is, the more likely that the discomfort will be minimal.

Q: Is there a recovery period after a procedure?

A: There may be some reddening or swelling after a procedure, but it is generally minor and goes away in a few hours. You may be advised to apply ice for brief periods during the first few hours and you may be advised to wear sunglasses for a while after any work around your eyes because they may be temporarily sensitive to light. Lip coloring often involves temporary swelling and if you have a history of fever blisters, you may be prescribed some medication for them.

Q: Are there any health risks to consider before having permanent cosmetics done?

A: When the procedures are performed properly with attention paid to maintaining a sterile environment there is very little chance of infection or transmitting a communicable disease. According to the records of the Centers for Disease Control, there have been no incidences of HIV infection attributable to cosmetic micropigmentation, nor has there been any evidence of increases in the transmission of other diseases. Even allergic reactions are extremely rare, occurring less than .1% of the time.

Q: I’ve heard that permanent makeup can cause problems with MRIs. Is that true?

A: Studies by leading experts in MRI scanning safety have found only rare minor problems around the eyes and no problems at all in the brow or lip areas. They are limited to very mild redness or swelling around the eyes and did not cause any permanent damage. Testing has shown that the metallic particles in pigments are too small to react like larger metal objects and are actually quite similar in reaction to other metals that exist naturally in the body.

Q: Are the procedures expensive?

A: Permanent cosmetics are actually quite affordable. They can be less expensive than a few months’ worth of fine cosmetics. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss pricing for any of our procedures.

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Q: I’ve heard about a process called permanent makeup. Is this just like getting a tattoo?

A: No it’s not the same. The difference is best described as tattoos are unnatural and meant to make a “statement” of sorts. Permanent makeup, on the other hand, is a procedure that highlights your best natural features and restores the youthful color and definition to your features in a wholly natural way.

Q. Does it work on every skin type?

A: Skin types differ in their response to pigment, so it’s important that the makeup artist you seek out for treatment is one who is trained in the variables of pigment and their application.

Q: I’ve heard of people’s lips turning black when they’ve gotten permanent makeup. Is that a rumor?

A: Early techniques and poor quality pigments caused rare individual’s lips to darken. If you seek permanent makeup on your lips today, the advances in pigment and selecting a makeup artist who uses the highest quality pigments is important.

Q: I have thinning brows, actually, nearly no eyebrows left and it looks like I’ve been treated with radiation. What can I do?

A: Permanent makeup can restore the look of eyebrows using a number of different techniques, including brow strokes that resemble the brow hairs that have been lost with time.

Q: I’ve seen brows done that look like Ronald McDonald brows “arches”. How do I avoid that?

A: Permanent makeup can be used to design a brow that actually “lifts” the face, by positioning the permanent makeup in an arch that is at once natural and higher than the drooping brow that so many of us get in a lifetime.

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Q. I am the mother of three children and I’m done with “birthin’ babies,” but I’ve never been able to shake off the extra weight since my last child’s birth. I don’t know why that is because I’m on the go more than ever before. What can I do about it?

A. A tummy tuck could be your solution. In 2006, 164,800 women had tummy tucks nationwide. Often their reason for desiring a tummy tuck is because their tummy area is stretched and flabby years after giving birth. A tummy tuck removes excess folds of skin and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a lean, flat stomach and sometimes diminishing stretch marks caused by pregnancy.

Q. What do I have to do to get ready for a tummy tuck?

A. If you’ve lost substantial weight recently, you’ll want to keep that new trim figure of yours for up to 6 months before having a tummy tuck. If you intend to have more children, you will want to wait until you’re done with the child-bearing phase of your life before choosing a tummy tuck. The reasons for that are obvious: your tummy area will stretch again and if you’ve already had a tuck, you’ll be disappointed that your firm tummy is once again compromised. Plus the vertical muscles that are tightened during a tummy tuck procedure can separate during pregnancy. If you’re past child-bearing and in good shape, but still can’t lose that baby fat, you are an ideal candidate.

Q. Are you a candidate for a tummy tuck?

A. If you are at your ideal body weight and have maintained that weight for 6 months, don’t smoke, and have realistic expectations, talk to your doctor about this surgery.

Q. Where is the incision made for a tummy tuck?

A. There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. In some instances, it may be possible to avoid an incision around the navel. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and the excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial, or “mini” abdominoplasty.

During a traditional abdominoplasty, a long incision is made from hipbone to hipbone and a second incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding tissue. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are pulled close together and tightened and then stitched into their new position providing a firmer abdomen wall and a narrower waist. The skin is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed, a new bellybutton is created and the incisions are stitched shut.

Sometimes, a tube is inserted to drain excess fluid from the incision.For optimal results, liposuction may be used or in conjunction with abdominoplasty, to remove abdominal fat. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and may be useful when patients have only a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity.

Q. What are the risks?

A. Risks associated with a tummy tuck are:

• Aesthesia reaction
• Belly button death
• Bleeding
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Keloid
• Puckered skin
• Seroma
• Skin irregularities
• Skin necrosis or skin death (more common in smokers)
• Suture Rupture
• Swelling.

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Q. What are the most popular plastic surgeries women are having today?

A. According to the FDA, the top five cosmetic surgeries for women in 2006 were:

• Breast augmentation = 383,885
• Liposuction = 350,420
• Eyelid surgery = 182,397
• Tummy tuck = 164,800
• Breast reduction = 145,822

Q. How do I know if I’m a candidate for a particular surgery?

A. As with all surgery, says Dr. Lee, one must be realistic about expectations and outcomes. “No cosmetic surgery will change your life, but patients regularly report back that their self image is improved after plastic surgery. That translates to their outlook on life and they feel better about how they look in clothing. We want our patients to seek surgery for the right reasons: not at the urging of a partner or spouse, but rather because the patient has tried all else—exercise and eating right—and has yet been unable to restore their physique to that of their younger years.”

Some surgeries just go with the territory of aging. Eyelids begin to look puffy and eyelids that get too droopy can impede vision. Tummies that aren’t toned get flabby and particularly after childbirth, the tummy can be extended and never again return to its original tautness. Dr. Lee recommends that patients do a couple of things prior to electing cosmetic surgery:

• Quit smoking as it increases the chance for blood clotting
• Exercise to firm up muscles that have gone “soft” without adequate workouts
• Diet to lose the extra weight and maintain that ideal weight for 6 months prior to surgery.

By doing these three things, a person can expect the best results from the surgery they opt for and they will also improve their overall lifestyle, important after the surgery so that the surgical results can be maintained indefinitely.

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