Dr. Hung William Song - Omni Aesthetics in Oakland, New Jersey

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Oakland, New Jersey Cosmetic Physician Dr. Hung William

Name: Hung William Song, MD
Clinic: Omni Aesthetics
Location: Oakland, NJ
Website: omniaesthetics.com

Can you tell us a little bit of your background and how did you get to where you are now? 

I am board certified in internal medicine I practiced internal medicine for 15 years but switched to a 100% cosmetic practice in 2008. I had about a two year transition period when I did both, but eventually turned over all my medical patients to a colleague and started concentrating full time on my cosmetic practice.

Do you have any procedures that you like better than others? Have you dropped any treatments? If so, why?

My favorite treatments are dermal fillers and fat transfers. I stopped marketing acne treatment because acne is more of a medical problem rather than cosmetic, I now refer these clients to a dermatologist.

You offer treatments with fat transfer. Where have you seen the most success with this treatment? What have you learned about getting the most benefit from this? Do you have any special techniques or 'tricks' that you use? 

I offer a full face fat transfer. I like to fill the whole face starting from the hair line and temples to cheeks, nasal labial folds and pre-jowel sulcus. I use the Viafill system and mix platelet rich plasma with the fat for better viability.

Can you share your experience with fat transfer? How would you describe the efficacy and results? Where have been the most successful improvements in keeping the fat alive after transfer?

By using a disposable coated cannula to harvest and inject the fat and mixing the fat with PRP, I have been able to get good uniform fat retention. The fat is centrifuged using the Viafill system.

What are your thoughts about the technologies you’re using now such as Smart Lipo and Ulthera? 

Smartlipo is a good system because it is a very recognized name, but the machine is very expensive with high disposable costs. If I was to do it again, I would have bought the Vaser for half the price.

Ulthera was a moneymaker for me the first two years but now, I am having a difficult time with competition undercutting me on price. Everyone seems to have one these days including the gym across the street. The consumable cost on the Ulthera is also very very high.

I recently purchased the THermiRF system. This one was a home run because the price of the device is very reasonable and the consumable cost is very low. I use this device for stand alone skin tightening and in conjunction with doing liposuction on small areas like face, neck and arms. It is a very versatile machine but it does require some minor surgical skills which his good for me because I don’t think they will be offering this at the gym across the street.

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Dr. Daniela Dadurian - MD BeautyLabs Medical Spa In West Palm Beach Florida

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Dr. Daniela Dadurian, MD Beauty Labs Medical Spa, West Palm Beach Florida

Daniela Dadurian, M.D. specializes in Anti-Aging medicine, Laser treatment and Cosmetic Medicine. At MD Beauty Labs, Dadurian practices a whole-body approach. She evaluates everything from anti-aging to preventative, nutritional and emotional wellbeing.

Name: Daniela Dadurian, M.D.
Clinic: MD BeautyLabs Medical Spa
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida        
Website: mdbeautylabs.com

What's your training and experience like and how did you get to where you are? 

I started my practice specializing in internal medicine. My patients started asking me why I don’t offer Botox in my practice and if I did they would prefer to come to me. So I started educating myself on Botox injections and it all started from there. I then brought in lasers and microdermabrasion and over the years the practice has evolved into a full service medical spa.

What has certainly been your inspiration to start a medspa? What was the greatest obstacle you encountered?

My driving force to open a medical spa was to combine wellness and aesthetic medicine and focus more on preventative medicine rather than fixing problems that are already there

My biggest road block was the overwhelming doubt from other physicians that I wasn’t a real physician anymore. Patients trust their doctors opinion when choosing procedures and many of the times the same colleagues that referred to me for years, now discredited my ability because I was changing my direction to aesthetics. 

MD BeautyLabs Medical Spa, Dr. Daniela Dadurian, West Palm Beach. Florida

What treatments/services do you offer?

I offer a number of different services, however the treatment that consistently generates the most revenue are fillers. I have dropped services in the past. I have dropped services because the market had decreased their value (example Groupon, Living Social), and I have also dropped service because I found a new technology that I feel is superior.

Have you ever had any encounters with technologies that you felt were oversold, either to the physician or to the patient? Are there any specific technologies that you would endorse to physicians to be wary of, either for medical or business reasons? 

I feel like cold lasers have very unpredictable treatment outcomes usually ending with dissastified patients. There is nothing specific that I would say to stay away from, my only advice is to focus on being good at a few things not everything unless you are properly staffed.

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Dr. Janet Turkle, (Turkle & Associates) Phases Skin Care & Laser Center In Indianapolis, Indiana

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Some problems are better handled with less invasive treatment and there are products and treatments that can delay the need for surgery or prolong and protect one’s investment in surgical procedures.

Indiana Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Janet Turkle

Name: Dr. Janet K. Turkle
Clinic: Turkle & Associates
           Phases Skin Care and Laser Center
Location: Indianapolis (Carmel), Indiana
Website: turklemd.com  phasesskincare.com

That's interesting: Dr. Janet K. Turkle was involved in the clinical trials for the silicone gel implants and provided extensive data to the researchers.

Please tell us briefly about your qualifications and how did you get to where you are?

I have been in Indiana as a plastic surgeon since I completed my residency at Indiana University Medical Center in 1993 and entered private practice.

Are you convinced that being female creates opportunities in attracting prospective clients?

I think it has advantages and disadvantages. As a female, I can relate to my female patients but I hopefully relate to my male patients as well. Some women may feel more comfortable telling you things or showing you things that they would not if you possessed the Y chromosome but it doesn't always work that way.

If you weren't a medical professional, is there anything you'd rather be spending time on?

I truly cannot think of what that would be. I am doing exactly what I want to do.

Janet Turkle MD, Indiana Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

Aside from a plastic surgery practice, you also have a Skin care and Laser Center. What difficulties did you tackle when you began your practice? 

When we started then skin care portion of the practice it was fairly rare to combine that with a plastic surgery practice. I think that the biggest challenges have been to make people aware of how important lasers and skin care can be in terms of their total improvement. When we do surgery, we can make improvements in structure but we cannot improve things like texture and discoloration. A combined effort of laser treatments, products and other therapies will improve the outcome, regardless of the type of surgery.

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Dr. Richard Moore - The Lifestyle Center In St. Louis Missouri

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Name: Richard Moore, M.D.
Clinic: The Lifestyle Center
Location: St Louis, MO
Website: TheLifestyleCenter.com

Can you tell us your background and exactly how did you get to where you are now?

I have always had a strong interest in business with an entrepreneurial spirit. Prior to medical school, I obtained a masters of international management and worked in the petrochemical industry in Houston, TX. Following several years as a Hospitalist physician and director of a hospitalist program, I decided to switch my focus and concentrate on health and wellness. A natural evolution of this was my involvement in aesthetic medicine.

How is your clinic structured? What is your work day like? What commitments do you have?

My center takes a team approach starting with the front desk or reception area, moving to my nurse sales consultant and then my team of nurses and estheticians. All employees are incentivized to contribute to the success of the center. My personal involvement is a daily presence in which I step in on several consults a day, perform office based liposuction, and for clients who prefer a physician injector I am available.

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Dr. Rick Balharry - Canmore MediSpa & Laser Centre in Alberta, Canada

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Technology has allowed this Canadian MD form Alberta to leave Obstetrics and the ER to focus on cosmetic medicine.Dr. Rick Balharry - Canmore MediSpa & Laser Centre in Alberta, Canada

Name: Dr. Rick Balharry=
Clinic: Canmore MediSpa & Laser Centre
Location: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Website: canmoremedispa.com

Can you give us a picture on how you manage your medispa and laser center?

I have now backed out of Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics and focused on my office apart from my surgical days. This has allowed me to structure visits accurately so there is rarely anyone waiting. I do the invasive procedures and the injections and my technician does IPL, laser hair removal, dermal infusion, peels and skin care advice.

I also have a large vein practice and perform ultrasound examinations, US guided injections and regular sclerotherapy in the office and the surgery if needed at the Hospital. To add to this I have a large rehab practice as I do prolotherapy injections and PRP injections for the treatment of soft tissue injuries. These also are often ultrasound guided procedures. So, my days are...

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Michael M. Dao MD, Founder of Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics

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Dr. Michael M. Dao, Founder of Leur Lab

In Newport Beach, Leur Lab’s sleek hardwood floors, modern fireplaces and shimmering chandeliers feel more like a metropolitan hotel lobby than a traditional cosmetic clinic.

Leur Labs Medical SpaName: Dr. Michael Dao
Clinic: Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Website: LeurLab.com

Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics is designed to discover the aesthetic concerns of each individual client, in order to create a custom tailored treatment program that specifically targets the client’s concerns. Leur Lab also seeks to educate each patient on the importance of preventative maintenance which is instrumental in helping slow the aging process.

You’re using a number of laser and aesthetic devices in your clinic. How did you decide on these technologies and what did you compare it with? 

Our team specializes in leading-edge procedures such as the Vampire Facelift along with other designer treatments and combination therapies. I am constantly researching and vetting the latest, innovative laser and aesthetic device technologies to determine whether or not they are a fit for the Leur Lab practice. Our goal is to provide patients with the most advanced, non-surgical treatments available along with unprecedented access to the latest innovative technologies such as the Tri-Beam Laser.

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Dr. Alex Kaplan, Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center In LA

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Dr. Alex Kaplan Los Angeles, CA Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Alex Kaplan has targeted a niche market...celebrities.

Name: Alex Kaplan MD
Clinic: Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: CelebrityLaserSpa.com

That's interesting: The Kaplans are big proponents of the "Made in the USA" movement, purchasing Made in the USA office supplies and products whenever possible. When you come to Celebrity Laser Spa, know that you are supporting a small business, real people and all things Made in the USA too!

Can you share your career path as a cosmetic surgeon?

I attended residency in combined general and plastic surgery at University of Chicago.  After attending 5 years there. During residency at UCLA, I volunteered to provide laser tattoo removal at a gang intervention program in East Los Angeles. This gave me the idea to start a cosmetic laser practice specializing in laser tattoo removal. My medical spa was one of the first to specialize in laser tattoo removal. We started making a name for ourselves, growing over the years and adding a variety of other services to the practice, and we are now well-known in Los Angeles as Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center.

Los Angeles, California Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Alex Kaplan MDHow is your practice organized? What types of medical technologies do you have and how did you select them?

From the beginning I have taken care to use technologies that offer a proven value to patients. I strive to offer procedures that offer a unique advantage over other techniques, If I don’t think a product works well, or the science behind it doesn’t make sense, I wont offer it at my practice. I am one of the first providers for new technologies, such as Tickle Lipo, Dermapen and Picosure.

I am the sole owner of CLS and work with several mid-level providers and

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Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Ready for Prime Time?

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The future looks promising for stem cell therapies in aesthetic medicine.

The arguments for and against the use of stem cells for research and medical therapeutic applications have existed for decades and will no doubt increase in volume and intensity for some time to come. Vast amounts of public and private money are currently pouring into the research for these polarizing fields and a Google search on these topics will populate dozens of new articles not only domestically but also globally on a daily basis. The hopes of uncountable patients and their family and friends are intricately entwined on unlocking possible therapeutic applications to cure a myriad of maladies from spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and heart failure to rare genetic disorders that claim the lives of children daily. In short, stem cell research and regenerative medicine are in the early explosion phase of discovery, application, and no doubt ongoing controversy.

Initial shockwaves of fear and objection arose partly from the need for using embryonic stem cells for this research.  Fortunately, it is looking more promising that we can use easily obtainable cells from existing and abundant adult tissues and engineer highly selected cells from these tissues to become culturable and guidable stem cells. Ideally, this would negate the use of embryonic stem cells and eliminate at least this one-of-many passionately debated aspects of controversy (there are many!). To date, cells from bone marrow, skin, and adipose amongst others are being used to isolate adult stem cells, and from these it is hoped that we can “reverse engineer” them into pluripotent cells that can be used to generate selected tissue types for clinical use. How many of us don’t have an extra area or two of excess fat that could potentially be used to save our life at some point in the future?  While we don’t have proven reliable human applications as yet, the future does look promising. I am seeing more and more presentations at our plastic surgery meetings on stem cell research and regenerative medicine and the buzz and excitement are palpable. It is important to note that all involved seem to share a sense of cautious optimism and emphasize the need for careful control over the research and applications.  The FDA is very involved with all aspects of clinical use of stem cells as the field evolves and becomes more complex.

The future is exciting for stem cells and regenerative medicine. I fully agree with careful oversight and deliberate planning and control as research progresses. I follow the fields closely and am hopeful that in the near future we can offer hope to those patients with difficult illnesses and medical conditions that are currently not largely treatable. And all the better if we can obtain easily available and harvestable tissues to affect the research and clinical applications. Now I invite a lively and constructive discussion from the readers!

Dr. Barry L. Eppley, Indianapolis Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Dr. Barry Eppley Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Eppley is both a licensed physician and dentist. He's board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Name: Barry L. Eppley, M.D., D.M.D.
Clinic: Eppley Plastic Surgery
Medical Spa: Ology Spa 
Location: Carmel, IN 
Website: eppleyplasticsurgery.com, ologyspa.com

You're using SmartLipo technology. What do you think of SmartLipo's efficacy?

It is important to recognize that Smartlipo, like any technology, is a tool and has no magical properties. It is only as good as the skill and experience of the physician holding it. When used properly and judiciously, my experience has been that it can lead to better outcomes and less bruising. One of Smartlipo's biggest claims to fame has not been particularly useful for me...being able to do most of the procedures under local anesthesia. But this may be reflective that many of my patients are looking for treatment of multiple body areas with bigger volume reductions and it is often combined with other procedures which need to be done under general anesthesia anyways. Its biggest disadvantage is that it is a very costly device and requires extra time to pre-treat the areas before suction evacuation. Thus it requires a motivated user and one who believes that the cost and extra time to do it are worth it to their practice.

How do you evaluate and make your technology comparisons and decisions based on efficacy and cost? 

I view technologies and devices as either comparative or innovative. This means does it offer similar treatments as other technologies or devices on the market (with some claimed minor advantage) or is it the only one that can produce its aethetic effects. Most cosmetic technologies are comparative and thus must be judged primarily from a business perspective on its return on investment. Every technology costs a lot more than the price tag when you factor in labor, disposables (if they exist) and marketing. One must look very carefully at the cosmetic market and have realistic projections about what it can really generate. Very few technologies fall in line with ‘buy it and they will come’. Most sales are driven and do not magically fall off the street and through the door. This understanding allows me to apply a basic capital purchase philosophy... if it can not generate in gross sales what it cost to buy in one year or less, it is not a good business decision.

Innovative technologies, uncommon as they are, are different. Because they have less competition and offer something new, being an early adopter is less of a business risk. When the market cap is undefined, it is sometimes easier to take the risk.

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Italian Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Egidio Riggio's "Zenith System" For Breast Augmentation

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Dr. Egidio Riggio focuses on innovation and research related to plastic surgery, both aesthetic and reconstructive. 

Name: Egidio Riggio, M.D.
Location: Milan, Italy
Website: chirurgiaplastica.mi.it/it/home/

That's interesting: Dr. Egidio Riggio is the creator of an innovative philosophy and aesthetics of an original surgical approach to breast augmentation he calls the "Zenith System" which he claims lead to more natural breast augmentation results. He has performed mor than 100 cases and published this proceedure in the international journal of cosmetic surgery most authoritative, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery August 2012.

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Dr. An Po Chung, Plastic Surgeon Performing Fat Transfer In Taiwan

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Dr. An Po Chung Taiwan Plastic Surgeon

Name: An Po Chung M.D., MSC
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Website: 4flower.com.tw

Dr. An Po Chung is a professional member of Taiwan Surgical Society of Specialist, Taiwan Plastic Surgery Medical Association, Physicians Cosmetic Surgery in Taiwan Medical Association specialist Deputy Secretary-General of facial plastic surgery Medical Association and International Cosmetic Surgery Medical Association.

Can you tell us what is it like practicing cosmetic surgery in Taiwan in comparison with what you see in other countries?

From my experience of attending several international conferences, I noticed that cosmetic surgery in Taiwan is not so different from the other countries. However, the patients in Taiwan prefer minimal invasive cosmetic surgery. Some of them have unrealistic high expectations of non-invasive treatment such as filler and Botox.

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Nick Carr MD, FRCSC, Canadian Plastic Surgeon & Educator

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Dr. Nick Carr shares his thoughts on the medical education system in Canada as a plastic surgeon and eductor.

Name: Dr. Nick Carr 
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Website: skinworks.ca

That's interesting: Dr. Nick Carr is a Royal College Examiner in Plastic Surgery.

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Dr. Alexander E. Handschin, Plastic Surgeon In Germany

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Dr. Alexander E. Handschin

With several specializations in surgery, Dr. Alexander E. Handschin shares his practice style changes in Germany.

Name: Dr. Alexander E. Handschin
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Website: drguth.de

That's interesting: Dr. Handschin belongs to the following professional organizations: the Board of General Surgery in Switzerland and Germany, Board of General Surgery in Switzerland and Germany, and Specialisation Board of Hand Surgery. He is also a fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS).

With the advent of Botox therapy and hyaluronic acid fillers, non-surgical options have certainly increased over the past years. I believe that these tools are adding to the possibilities of a plastic surgeon, since their indications do not necessarily interfere with surgical options.

The use of autologous fat-transplants has certainly seen a significant rise, and I believe that additional knowledge will emerge from this technique. Also, the use of stem cells, such as adipose-derived stem cells poses a great potential for plastic surgeons.

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Stem Cells & The Vampire Facelift

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If you attend medical conferences, or read the trade journals, you’ve no doubt heard about stem cells and their incredible potential in the healthcare industry. These cells have the ability to repair or replace damaged cells, reduce inflammation, and possibly even have a role in disease prevention and cure.

Lately, these cells have been the target of much interest in the cosmetic field. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the portion of the blood that remains after centrifugation has separated out the red cells. This fraction is unusually rich in growth factors and stem cells, that have the ability to repair damaged skin, and act as a long-lasting filler to volumize the face. The PRP is activated using calcium, and then is immediately injected into the donor’s face.

At Canyon Lake MedSpa, we have been using the patented “Vampire Facelift” technique (Regen Labs) in conjunction with standard HA or CHA fillers. We inject the filler using standard technique and then layer the PRP on top. Although still very new to this technique, we believe we are seeing the early effects including improved skin tone and color. Research has documented significant prolongation of filler effect, but we have not been doing this procedure long enough to attest to that yet.

Since we are only minimally manipulating the blood (centrifuging and decanting off the PRP) in a completely closed system, and re-injecting it into the same patient, there is virtually no risk.

In our next article we will discuss, in greater detail, tips on collecting and injecting PRP, how to educate patients and the outcome of our patients’ results.

There has been tremendous interest in the very-well marketed “Vampire Face Lift” and we have experienced an increase in our Med Spa new-patient visits as a result of this interest.

Interview With Serbian Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gorana Kuka.

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Gorana Kuka MD, Board Certified Serbian physician

Dr. Gorana Kuka works in private plastic surgery practice at the Colic Hospital with patients coming from around Europe.

Name: Gorana Kuka, MD
Clinic: Colic Hospital
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Website: dr-colic.com

That's interesting: Dr. Gorana Kuka is board certified by Serbian Medical Society.
She is a member of ISHRS (International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery), IPRAS (International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and a women for women organization that aims to supply help by female surgeons to patients.

Your website is translated in eight different languages including English, German, French, Russian and Italian. Where do your patients come from? Are you seeing 'medical tourism'?

Since around 60% of our patients are coming from abroad, we had to translate our webpage into different languages. Most of our patients come from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Some of them are of Serbian origin and some of them are foreigners. They have found about us either from their Serbian friends living abroad, or looking through internet for aesthetic surgery of best quality and lower fees.

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