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Patients present to us in greater numbers for consultation, for breast augmentation, breast revision, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck and lipocontouring.  With respect to your breast augmentation or breast revision consultation, it is important that the patient first of all seek a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, whenever considering breast surgery.  There are no substitutes for a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon for any form of breast cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.  Furthermore, a specialist who operates on the breast ever week may be obtained in order to aid you towards your reconstructive or primary augmentation needs. 

 During consultation, it is important that the patient fully evaluated by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and not a consultant.  It is vital that the patient be comfortable with the doctor as well as with the doctor’s ability to take care of her plastic surgical needs and if a complication should arise the doctor should be able to correct problem.  As a result, your plastic surgeon should have tending privileges at a well respected hospital within five miles of his or surgery center.  During your consultation, bring a note pad and questions already set to ask the doctor so that you will not forget them during the consultation.  At the beginning of the consultation the doctor should get a quick medical history which should include age, number of pregnancies, family history of breast cancer, smoking history, past medical history, allergy to medication history as well as past surgery or medical conditions.  Preoperative mammogram should be evaluated if necessary.  After this, the doctor should ask subjective questions to the patient as to what her goals are in terms of size, shape, volume, etc.  A formal evaluation will now be performed in the examination room, evaluating the patient’s breasts, inframammary fold distances, as well as discrepancy of the chest wall, including abnormalities and deformities, including pectus excavatum, carinatum or other sternal deformities.  Asymmetries should be noted and marked as well.  Thickness of the muscle, amount of body fat versus glandular tissue will be identified. 

Next, the patient should look at many before and after pictures with the plastic surgeon showing what she likes and what she does not like.  The implants can then be looked at, silicone versus saline, looking at the profiles of low moderate, moderate plus, high profiles or extra high profile gels versus the saline high profile Allergan implants.  Pros and cons of each type of implant should be discussed and at this time a size determinant of the implant and silicone versus saline should be made.  Finally, risks and complications should be discussed, including, infection, scar tissue and rupture and deflation of implants.  The need for MRIs should also be discussed every two to three years with silicone implants. 

Any further questions from the patient can now be given and then the patients will be sat down with a consultant for scheduling and price issues.  It is vital that the patient ask questions regarding the surgery center and its certification as well as the anesthesiologist being Board Certified.  During our consultations we have streamlined them to allow patients to go through this process in approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

Patients are presenting for cosmetic dentistry with Dr. Kevin Sands, a world recognized leader in cosmetic dentistry, including all forms of dental bonding, veneer and perfect smile dental work.  He has a multitude of celebrity clientele who have undergone his masterful artistry in perfect dental reconstruction and cosmetic perfection.  Patients are also presenting for facial rejuvenation surgery, including eyelids, rhinoplasty and dermal fillers. 

Dr. Robert Kotler is a facial cosmetic surgery specialist who performs absolute remarkable beautification and rejuvenation, creating a youthful appearance to the face through his eyelid surgery, brow lift and facelift procedures.  He is a world recognized leader in rhinoplasty and nasal surgery, creating the absolute perfection of proportionality of the nose to the specific woman’s facial structure.  Robert Kotler is considered a truly greater facial plastic surgeon with well over 35 years of experience and celebrity clientele from every major Hollywood studio. 

In a similar fashion, patients present for body sculpting, including breast enhancement, breast revision, breast reduction, breast lifting, tummy tucks and total body lipo-contouring, to us, Dr. Linder, Beverly Hills Body Sculptor.  The name Linder with the Dr. Linder Bra has become a “figure in the community,” consistency with body sculpting from patients of every walk of lift, from celebrities and patients of international travelers worldwide. 

The Beverly Hills Extreme Makeover includes complete body and facial transformations from worldwide leaders and experts, including cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Kevin Sands; facial plastic surgery and rejuvenation with Dr. Robert Kotler and total body mommy makeovers and extreme body sculpting, lipo-contouring with Dr. Stuart Linder.

In order to become a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, the physician must first graduate from an accredited medical school, complete at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon with a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  Therefore, it includes five years of residency training in all areas of surgery, two years devoted specifically to plastic and reconstructive surgery.  To be certified subsequently the doctor must specifically past both written and oral examinations after finishing a licensed plastic surgery fellowship.  To be a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a distinct honor.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of 24 medical specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  It covers the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including head, neck, trunk and extremities.  Becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery signifies that certification has been met through requirements outlined.  The specific mission of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is to promote ethical, efficacious safe plastic surgery to the public, maintaining the highest of standards, including certification, education, examination and maintenance of certification.  A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon once again will have completed study in a medical degree in a recognized school and completed the training and an accredited residency program.  Each candidate will them pass written examinations subsequently and oral board examinations.  There are time limits of 10-year periods of which recertification will be required.

It is vital that patients do as much due diligence on finding their plastic surgeon as possible.  When considering body sculpting procedures, it is vital that patients find a physician who is Board Certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  This doctor should be a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and may also be a member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  There is a circle logo that can be designated on the doctor’s card.  This will also be identifiable by the Diploma by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons as well as on the Worldwide Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, also referred to as the “White Journal.”  Look for that logo of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons when considering body sculpting procedures. 

To become a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon requires many years of experience and many years of training.  There are no substitutes and there are no quick weekend courses.  The physician first must graduate from an accredited medical school in the United States of America, then proceed to a residency and surgical training a minimum of three years.  These residencies often include general surgery training from three to seven years.  Subsequently, fellowships in plastic and reconstructive surgery, either two or three years, can be obtained.  Once those fellowships are finished, the surgeon will then sit for Board Certification.  First, written boards, which the exam must be passed and finally oral board certification in which the surgeon will meet with several examiners to determine that they are qualified to perform the many scopes of plastic and reconstructive surgery.  These scopes include hand surgery, facial reconstruction, cranial reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, body reconstruction, micro vascular surgery and hand surgery.  Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons are qualified, experienced and have the judgment to understand problems that may arise from surgical procedures, as well as the blood supply and the anatomy that is vital in performing surgeries safely and reducing risk to the patients.

1. Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  There are no substitutes!  The doctor must be Board Certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  He or she may also be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have the years of experience, judgment and qualifications to perform cosmetic surgery of the body in a safe and proper manner.

2. Specialization.  The plastic surgeon that you desire should specialize in the procedure that you desire to have.  If the patient desires breast augmentation, the doctor should perform augmentation mammoplasties (both saline and silicone) every week in his or her practice.  If the doctor does not specialize in the procedure that you want, run.

3. Photographs.  It is very important that the patient see before and after photographs of the procedure that he or she desires to undergo.  These must be photographs of before and after results taken by the surgeon who will be performing the surgery.  Make sure that the photos are authentic.  There should also be hundreds, if not thousands, of before and after photos of the procedure that you desire, as well as specialty photos of variations of procedures.  For example, on drlinder.com, we have well over 2000 sets of photographs on body sculpting procedures with well over 1000 sets of breast augmentation before and after photos.  Specialty photos can include congenital deformities including tubular breasts, breast asymmetry, and breast aplasia. Hundreds of these photographs are available for our patients to review so that it may instill confidence in their upcoming surgical procedure. 

4. Ambulatory Center and Anesthesiologist.  Make sure your center is certified appropriately and that the anesthesia is performed by a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesia. 

Following the above rules will greatly aid the patient in enhancing his or her chances of having a successful outcome with realistic expectations.

1. Must be a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  In other words, is Board Certified with the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
2. Should be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  This is the most prestigious society in the world for Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.
3. Should be a member of the Fellow of American College of Surgeons or FACS.  FACS doctors are those who are Board Certified in their specific surgical fields.
4. Specialist.  Dr. Linder is a specialist in body sculpting procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast revision, breast reduction, abdominoplasty and total body liposculpture.
5. Experience and judgment.  This can only come with years and years of experience, having done thousands of the specific procedure that you desire to undertake.  It is imperative that the patient be able to look at hundreds, if not thousands, of photographs of before and after pictures.  This will allow the patient to see great variations of this specific surgical procedure.  For example, on breast augmentation patients we have moderate, moderate plus and high profile implants, both saline and silicone.  Patients should have the ability to see the different implants within the body and different sizes of women in order to help them determine which profile implant they desire. 
As money and finances are tighter than ever, it is important that the patient do her homework in order to fine the most qualified Board Certified Plastic Surgeon when undergoing cosmetic surgery of the breast or body, in order to allow for the highest probability of a successful outcome.

Dr. Linder has had the opportunity to attend the 2010 Aesthetic Society Meeting for the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.  Interesting course topics included Breast Revision Surgery, Surgery using Acellular Dermal Matrix or ADM as well as Neo Pocket Formation for Severe Breast Deformities, including Symmastia and Malposition of Implants.

Interesting courses also included Safer Sedation and Analgesia for Office Based Surgery, Optimizing Outcomes in Breast Augmentation as well as Revision of Breast Augmentation Mastopexy and Augmentation Mastopexy.

Dr. Linder also had the opportunity with his family to tour the White House, Capitol Hill as well as many of the fascinating monuments throughout the Washington, D.C. area.  This was an excellent informative, educational and entertaining meeting.

Contributing editor, James Tager, does a fantastic job in describing Hollywood’s affect on consumer interest worldwide on plastic surgery procedures.  The lengthy article describes the affect of celebrities in Hollywood on cosmetic surgery throughout the world. 

I appreciate the opportunity to have been included in the writing of this article for the Aesthetic Guide Magazine.  In simple form, Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, is not only filled with exceptional plastic surgeons, but is the home site for tens and tens of paparazzi day in and day out, enduring hours of waiting to capture photographs of the celebrities who wander down our block.  A day does not go by in which the cameras flash around our building and up and down Bedford Drive.  The appearance of celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to today’s super models and celebs has not changed all that much.  The intrigue and appetite of the consumer has only increased through the years.  Without a doubt, Beverly Hills and Hollywood drives women throughout the world to endure countless cosmetic surgical procedures, including Botox injections to total mommy makeovers.
 
The article is included here by PDF for your perusal.  I hope you find it entertaining, educational and enjoying.