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Plastic Surgery News and Events
Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Improve Quality of Life, Reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Study is first of its kind to assess patient-reported outcomes of procedures to reduce abdominal fatFor Immediate Release: 03/29/2012
Arlington Heights, Ill.- Patients undergoing cosmetic liposuction and/or abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") procedures report significant improvements in self-esteem and quality of life, according to a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Outcomes are especially good with liposuction
plus "tummy tuck," although they include somewhat higher pain scores
and longer recovery times, reports the new study by ASPS Member Surgeon
Dr. Eric Swanson, MD, a plastic surgeon in private practice in Leawood,
Kan.
Study Shows Improved Quality of Life and Other Benefits
Dr.
Swanson formally evaluated quality of life and other outcomes in 360
patients undergoing liposuction and/or abdominoplasty to remove excess
abdominal fat. About 60 percent of patients underwent liposuction alone,
while 35 percent underwent a combination of liposuction and
abdominoplasty. The rest underwent abdominoplasty alone.
The patients' average age was 42 years; 85 percent were women. Thirty percent of patients underwent other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures (such as face lift or breast augmentation) at the same time. Outcomes were assessed an average of four months after surgery.
Patients undergoing liposuction alone had shorter recovery times: average time off work was about six days, compared to 16 days with abdominoplasty (with or without liposuction). The liposuction-only patients also had less discomfort: average pain score 6 out of 10, compared to 7.5 for those undergoing abdominoplasty.
Combined Procedure Yields Best Results
Patients
undergoing abdominoplasty rated their cosmetic outcomes higher than
others: average score 9 out of 10, compared to 8 out of 10 with
liposuction only. Liposuction plus abdominoplasty produced the highest
patient satisfaction rate-over 99 percent-with no increase in pain
compared to abdominoplasty alone.
Ninety-eight percent of patients undergoing liposuction plus abdominoplasty said they would undergo the procedure again and 99 percent that they would recommend it to others.
Overall, 86 percent of patients reported an improved sense of self-esteem after surgery. About 70 percent reported improved quality of life, more commonly after liposuction plus abdominoplasty.
Quality of life is an increasingly important focus measure of effectiveness for all types of medical and surgical treatments. Even though liposuction and abdominoplasty are among the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures, few studies have formally evaluated their impact on quality of life and other patient-reported outcomes.
"Liposuction and abdominoplasty, individually and in combination, produce high rates of patient satisfaction and reliably improve self-esteem," Dr. Swanson writes. By formally assessing these important outcomes in a large number of patients, he hopes his study will provide a clearer picture of the expected results and recovery times associated with these widely performed cosmetic surgery procedures.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Experience Shows Immediate Reconstruction Is Safe, Doesn't Delay Treatment ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer, immediate breast reconstruction has a low risk of complications - including serious complications related to radiation therapy - and does not cause undue delays in cancer treatment, reports a study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
The results alleviate concerns that immediate reconstruction leads to increased complications and other problems after mastectomy. "These findings make a strong argument for immediate reconstruction regardless of cancer stage," according to the study by ASPS Member Christopher A. Crisera, MD of UCLA Medical Center and colleagues.
Benefits of Immediate Reconstruction Are Achieved with Low Complication Rates
The researchers evaluated a significant number of women with advanced breast cancer who underwent breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy. Over a ten-year period, immediate reconstruction was performed on 170 women, including reconstruction of both breasts in 13 patients. The reconstructions were mainly done using tissues from the abdominal area (TRAM flaps).
The outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction were analyzed, focusing on complication rates, timing of other cancer treatments and cosmetic results. The goal was to determine whether the proven benefits of immediate reconstruction were justified in terms of the risks and possible adverse effects.
There were 15 major complications: a rate of 8.8 percent. The complications led to delays in further cancer treatments (chemotherapy and/or radiation) in only eight patients, with a maximum delay of three weeks. Fifteen women had recurrent breast cancer during follow-up; immediate reconstruction did not cause any delays in recognizing these recurrences.
An important goal of the study was to determine whether immediate reconstruction contributed to any complications of radiation therapy for breast cancer. Long-term follow-up of 69 women undergoing radiation therapy found a 30 percent rate of relatively minor flap shrinkage. However, only about 10 percent of women had severe breast distortion. "Importantly, the overall cosmetic outcome in patients who received postoperative radiation was comparable to those who did not," Dr. Crisera and colleagues write.
For women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer, immediate breast reconstruction offers several advantages over delayed reconstruction, including improved cosmetic outcomes, shorter recovery time, and decreased costs. Immediate reconstruction is also an important coping mechanism associated with improved quality of life and a reduced risk of depression. Yet there's continued debate over its use, with some surgeons fearing immediate reconstruction will increase the risk of complications or delay further cancer treatments.
The new study of immediate breast reconstruction is one of the largest to date. The results suggest that immediate reconstruction is safe and well tolerated by patients, and does not lead to an increased risk of complications. Delays in further treatment appear comparable to those of women undergoing mastectomy alone. The study also suggests that a "vast majority" of women experience no or only minor complications related to radiation therapy.
The authors hope their results will reassure women with breast cancer - and their surgeons - that immediate breast reconstruction is a safe and beneficial alternative to waiting weeks or even months for reconstruction. Dr. Crisera and c-oauthors believe that the proven benefits of immediate breast reconstruction should not be denied for fear of complications or other safety problems.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Breast reconstruction can be performed using an expander/implant placement, TRAM, Free TRAM, DIEP flap or Latissimus flap. Trained in Microsurgery, Dr. Conrad Tirre is able to bring to Denver the reconstructive microsurgical options to keep patients at home during their reconstruction process. Dr. Tirre works closely with breast cancer specialists at several local hospitals educating patients on their many options available. Additionally, Dr. Tirre is one of a few board certified plastic surgeons in Denver offering the DIEP flap for patients.
Dr. Conrad Tirre states, "I hope one day my breast reconstruction services will no longer be needed because we have found the cure for breast cancer. Until that day, I feel it is important to stay up to date on the techniques and options available to help my patients navigate through their reconstruction options."
Patients can arrange for a consultation with Dr. Conrad Tirre by calling 303.832.3965.
Plastic Surgeons/Breast Surgeons Urge Team Approach
Breast cancer survivors, Physicians, Advocacy groups, Medical societies, Manufacturers, Press cite vastly improved quality of life for patients. Read more on this article.New Survey Shows Interest in Cosmetic Surgery is Up - Body Contouring and Anti-Aging Procedures Top the List
Moms would opt for a body "makeover", Baby boomers want to fight aging with Fillers and Facelifts....Read more from the ASPS.
BOTOX COSMETIC NEWS - UPDATED April 2012
Dr. Tirre personally performs your Botox Cosmetic injection. Trusting your Botox Cosmetic treatment to a plastic surgeon is important given all the recent press questioning the safety of Botox.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued a press release stating that more than 1 million patients have received Botox Cosmetic. Complications and adverse effects from Botox Cosmetic treatments are rare.
Cosmetic Highlight: Liposuction
Summer is around the corner, and it's time to think about the bathing suits, shorts, and sun dresses. If the season's clothing has you thinking about trimming your figure, and you're close to your ideal body weight, liposuction may be a great choice for you. Diet and exercise can't always reshape the areas you'd like to change. Cosmetic liposuction is a safe, effective and affordable way to contour those parts of the body that tend to retain stubborn fatty deposits, such as the outer thighs (saddle bags), inner thighs, hips, back and bra rolls.
One of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure, and recovery time is minimal. Typically most normal activities can be resumed within one to two weeks. Because the incisions used in liposuction are so small (1/4 inch or less), the procedure leaves very little noticeable scarring. Pain medication can be prescribed to alleviate discomfort after surgery, and a compression garment is worn for several weeks to reduce swelling.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) recently celebrated the 20 year birthday of liposuction as an aesthetic procedure. Over the years, advances in technology have lead to increased safety and patient satisfaction with liposuction. However, the ASAPS points out that with the number of liposuction practitioners growing, it's more important than ever to choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to attain the best results. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 15 years experience in performing body contouring procedures, Dr. Tirre has extensive knowledge of the aesthetic and medical aspects of liposuction. Whether tumescent, smart liposuction, power assisted, or ultrasonic, he can advise you whether liposuction is right for you. Call us at 303.832.3965 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Tirre to discuss liposuction or other body-contouring procedures.
PRESS RELEASE FROM GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA
Great Plains Regional Medical Center is pleased to welcome plastic surgeon Conrad Tirre, MD, to its staff. Based in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Tirre consults with patients at the GPRMC Outpatient Clinic and performs day surgeries on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
With over fifteen years in private practice, Dr. Tirre is a highly experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. A Level II-accredited workman’s compensation doctor, he works regularly with patients who have sustained injuries on the job. He welcomes patients with a wide variety of plastic or reconstructive surgery concerns. Among the many concerns he addresses in his practice are breast reduction, breast reconstruction, hand surgery, chronic and acute wounds, burn treatment, scar revision and skin lesion removal.
Dr. Tirre also performs cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentations and tummy tucks, as well as facial cosmetic surgery, at surgery centers in Denver. Dr. Tirre offers minimally invasive cosmetic procedures right the GPRMC Outpatient Clinic, including the latest injectable aesthetic products available on the market. Injectable products like Juvederm, Botox, and Prevelle can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and tiny lines or fill out and soften areas of the face, creating a softer, more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. Call Dr. Tirre’s Denver office at 303.832.3965 for more detailed information on these products or a price quote on cosmetic procedures or aesthetic injections. Dr. Tirre also offers free consultations to patients considering cosmetic surgery.
At his practice in Denver, he is actively involved with the Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk, a nonprofit organization that benefits patients who are at risk for losing a limb due to trauma or disease. He has participated with out-of-state outreach clinics for many years, caring for plastic/reconstructive and hand patients in Kansas and Nebraska. In his free time, Dr. Tirre enjoys golfing, fly fishing, skiing and biking.
Call the GPRMC Outpatient Clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tirre, or feel free to contact his Denver office for more information.
Breast Cancer Risk and Surgical Intervention: Plastic Surgeons Offer High Risk Patients a Myriad of Choices
An article appearing in the January/February 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggests that assessment of breast cancer risk prior to elective breast surgery can ultimately improve results for patients. The piece offers guidelines for plastic surgeons to help women gauge their breast cancer risk, and offer the best options for surgical intervention and reconstruction. Read more...
New Study Shows Surgical Treatment on Breast Asymmetry Improves Quality of Life
Breast asymmetry is not uncommon in women; in fact, few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts. Findings from a study released in the November/December 2007issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggests that surgical treatment for breast asymmetry (disproportionate breast size) provides an improvement in the quality of life and self-esteem of patients. Read more...
ASPS statistics show a sizable increase in Facelifts for Men and Women over 40.
Dr. Tirre completed a course on the latest advances in Facial Rejuvenation and Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery. Read more on this press release and schedule your consultation to "turn back the clock" on aging with Dr. Tirre.
Conrad J. Tirre, MD, FACS is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgeryoffering plastic surgery procedures such as Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Body Lift, Tummy Tuck and Liposuction, reconstructive surgery procedures such as Breast Reconstruction, Free Flap surgery, and hand surgery procedures such as Carpal Tunnel Surgery, and Trigger Finger all in Denver, Colorado and our monthly clinics in North Platte, Nebraska and Colby, Kansas.