Dr. Michael J. Brown, Plastic Surgeon In Virginia & Maryland

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Dr. Michael Brown's practice includes three offices across Virginia and Maryland.

Name: Michael J. Brown MD
Clinic: The Loudoun Center for Plastic Surgery
Locations: Ashburn & Richmond VA, Bethesda MD
Website: rejuven8u.com

About: Dr. Michael J. Brown has been voted a Top Plastic Surgeon in Virginia and Top Doctors in Virginia by Northern Virginia Magazine and Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine in 2012. Dr. Brown has also served on the editorial board of a cosmetic surgery magazine. He is an active committee member for the The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

As a clinic that is primarily focused on plastic surgery but offers nonsurgical treatments, how is your clinic organized?

The Center is organized with 4 components. There is the medical office that's devoted to plastic surgery. The Center has a nurse who is trained and provides assistance with injectable treatments like Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Dysport

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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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Michael A. Persky, MD, FACS In Encino, CA

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Dr. Persky considers his work to be as much an art form rather as a medical procedure.

Name: Dr. Michael A. Persky
Clinic: Persky Sunder Facial Plastic Surgery
Location: Encino, CA
Website: drpersky.com

What IPL or laser technologies are you using? What technologies do you like? Which do you dislike and why?

We have used the complete line of Fraxel lasers since their inception. Initially, many colleagues were skeptical about the results we were seeing, now Fraxel lasers have become the gold standard for laser skin rejuvenation and resurfacing. We do not use IPL in our practice, but feel that our Fraxel Dual laser treats brown spots like “an IPL on steroids”.  We currently are using Ulthera to non-invasively lift and tighten the face, neck, and eyebrows as well as treating fine lines around the mouth and eyes. We find that when combined with Sculptra and other facial fillers, results are quite satisfying for both patient and physician.

Technology companies may tell the physician anything to sell them the item. Physicians must do their “due diligence”, and not believe everything that they are told. Technologies such as Thermage have not lived up to their hype, and others like Zerona are just plain “snake oil”. The latest technology that we are most excited about is Cellulaze, a minimally invasive one time treatment that effectively treats cellulite.

What treatments have you observed to be the most profitable? Have you dropped any treatments?

Surgical treatments are most profitable. Next come non-invasive treatments such as Ulthera, Fraxel, and CoolSculpting. Injectables are profitable as well, including Sculptra, Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. The use of cannulas for injection has revolutionized our use of Radiesse for “quick” facial volumization. We have dropped laser hair removal and radiofrequency skin tightening treatments.

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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. Edward Owen Terino, Pioneer Of The "Somme Lift"

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Dr. Edward Owen Terino California Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonDr. Edward Owen Terino shares his visions and innovation with the 'Somme Lift', an upper and midface suspension technique.

Name: Edward Owen Terino, M.D.
Location: Agoura Hills, CA
Website: terinomd.com

That's interesting: Dr. Terino is not only world renowned for his accomplishments as a plastic surgery practitioner, but also as an innovator in the specialized new techniques of three-dimensional facial contouring. He is one of the few pioneers to develop the latest upper and midface vertical lifting and suspension technology, which he calls Somme Lift. He also is the designer of natural looking cheek and chin implants which provide solutions for flat cheeks, small jaw lines, and weak facial contours. 

Can you share your career path as a plastic surgeon?

My private practice has always been that of general plastic surgery including reconstructive surgery. During the first 20 years, we took care of the accidents and injuries around the Conejo Valley of California in a radius of 60 miles. I also attracted patients by referral all the way from San Diego, Palms Springs, and North of Santa Barbara.

I embraced the latest medical plastic surgery technologies as they were developed including liposuction, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, and up-to-date skin care management. Because of my experience at the Fort Sam Houston Burn Unit during the Vietnam conflict, I had

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Steven J. Pearlman MD, FACS, Facial Plastic Surgery In Manhattan

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Dr. Steven J. Pearlman is a plastic surgeon practicing in the heart of Manhattan.

Name: Dr. Steven J. Pearlman
Location: New York, NY
Website: MDFace.com

That's interesting: Dr. Pearlman is the Founding President of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society — a society founded in 1993 to promote advanced education for Facial Plastic Surgeons in the New York Metropolitan area. It provides a forum for accomplished, practicing physicians to exchange ideas, new techniques and procedures on a continuing basis.

How did you end up as a plastic surgeon in Manhattan?

I did my Otolaryngology training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Our clinical training was heavily weighted in head and neck oncology and facial plastic surgery. Mount Sinai ENT department has been running courses in facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty and browlift since

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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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Georgios Hristopoulos MD: Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery In Germany

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Georgios Hristopoulos M.D., Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Germany

Cosmetic medical technologies offered in Germany are attracting medical tourists. 

Name: Dr. Georgios Hristopoulos
Clinic: Pantheon Aesthetic Center
Location: Cologne, Germany
Website: pantheon-aesthetic-center.de, beethoven-klinik-koeln.de

That's interesting: Dr. Georgios Hristopoulos is employed as Head of the Department of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of the Beethoven Klinik in Cologne, Germany and at the same time runs his private office, named Pantheon Aesthetic Center. His surgical focus is the Breast Surgery and specifically the complete sub muscular Breast Augmentation (inner Bra) as well as the Dermolipectomies on trunk and extremities.

He speaks German, Greek, English and Spanish. 

How does your surgical practice function? How is it organized? 

I am the Chief of the Department of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of a small private clinic in Cologne / Germany called Beethoven-Klinik. The clinic is one of the oldest and biggest private Clinics of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery with government concession in the North Rhine Region and maybe in whole Germany. We have an interdisciplinary occupation with Orthopaedists, Trauma-Surgeons and a Dermatologist.

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Interview With Dr. Bryan B. Fuller, CEO of DermaMedics In Oklahoma

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Dr. Bryan B. Fuller, CEO of DermaMedicsThe innovation of natural ingredients in skin care with Dr. Bryan Fuller, founder of DermaMedics.

Name: Bryan B. Fuller Ph.D.
Company: DermaMedics Professional
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Website: dermamedics.com

One area that is “over-hyped” is the development of skin care products that contain “growth factors”. It is well-known that growth factors are extremely unstable to room temperature and aqueous environments, and in fact, growth factors in water are only stable for 7 days at refrigeration temperatures. Thus, products that are sitting on a shelf at room temperature that are reported to contain growth factors almost certainly contain degraded, inactive growth factors. Further, there is no scientific evidence that growth factors can penetrate the stratum corneum and get to the dermis to produce “anti-aging benefits”. In fact, there is a lot of scientific evidence that no molecule larger in size than 500 mw can penetrate into the skin (see (Bos JD, Meinardi MMHM. The 500 Dalton rule for the skin penetration of chemical compounds and drugs. Exp Dermatol. 2000; 9:165–169.).
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Dr. Herbert Hooi, Cosmetic Physician In Sydney, Australia

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Australian Cosmetic Physician Herbert Hooi MBBS (Syd) LLB (Hons) (UWA) FACEM Dr. Hooi takes center stage as he discusses the prevailing structure of cosmetic medicine in Sydney, Australia.

Name: Herbert Hooi MBBS (Syd) LLB (Hons) (UWA) FACEM
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Website: drhooi.com.au

That's interesting: Dr. Hooi completed an Honours Law degree at the University of Western Australia and obtained further real-world legal experience with a top tier Australian law firm. Dr. Hooi has been admitted to practice as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Although he is no longer practising law, Dr. Hooi maintains a keen interest in legal medicine.

Dr. Hooi is a member of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Hooi’s training and experience led to his award as a Foundation Fellow of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine in 2009.

In 2010, Dr. Hooi was selected to become the national trainer in Australia for the Fibropen System, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and Radiesse.  

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Marguerite Barnett MD FACS PA - Sarasota Institute Of Plastic Surgery & Mandala Medical Spa In Florida

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Marguerite Barnett, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.A. Board Certified Florida Cosmetic SurgeonDr. Barnett has integrated her cosmetic and reconstructive techniques with the wisdom of ancient Eastern healing arts to create a new healing vision.

Name: Dr. Marguerite Barnett
Clinic: Mandala Medical Spa
Location: Sarasota, FL
Website: drmbarnett.com, mandalamedspa.com

That's interesting: Dr. Barnett is a double board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, licensed in both Hawaii and Florida.

Giving back to the community is an integral part of Dr. Barnett’s philosophy and commitment to health and wellness. She actively participates in local charitable events year-round with the Wellness Community of Southwest Florida; United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota; and The Women’s Resource Center. One of the most popular ways Dr. Barnett supports charitable events is through her expression of Indonesian and Balinese dance.

Can you give us a picture of how your clinic is organized and runs? 

My clinic for business accounting purposes is split into two sides. The doctor’s practice and the medical spa. The concept was to have the high-tech, scientific “western” doctor’s side balanced by the luxurious ancient rituals of the eastern spa side. Of course there’s an overlap and that’s exactly how I wanted it. If the massage therapist spots a weird mole on their client’s back, the client can run next door to have me look at it. If I encounter a patient who needs skin care for best results, I can shoot herover to the medical aesthetician. Post-op patients benefit from acupuncture to lessen pain and my employees and patients benefit from stress-reducing yoga and meditation. The overall design which has an Asian flavor is comforting and inviting to all. I was nervous at first because it was not the typical doctor’s office but on the day of moving in, I lost my fear completely when one of the movers, a Bronx native judging by his accent, dropped his box and said “Whoa! This place feels healing! You the Doc? What kinda Doc are you?” He got it! 

Hawaii Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marguerite Barnett

You're double board certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon licensed in both Hawaii and Florida. How do the different states that you practice in differ in terms of medical operations? 

Well, I haven’t lived in Hawaii for almost 30 years but what my friends in the state communicate, Hawaii seems to be ahead of Florida in many aspects. They have a much lower rate of uninsured population and a more cohesive public health initiative, important when you’re dealing with an international, multi-cultural population with extreme disparities in wealth and education.

Florida has these issues as well but we’re not handling them as well as Hawaii. Maybe the fact that Hawaii consists of several small islands sharpens the sense that these issues must be addressed or the lifeboat will sink. It’s harder to ignore these problems on an island. Also they do not have a governor that turns down billions of dollars in federal aid.

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Dr. Sufan Wu, Plastic Surgeon In China

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Chinese Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Sufan Wu, M.D., Ph.DPlastic surgery is gaining momentum in China, but in different ways than in the West.

Name: Sufan Wu, M.D., Ph.D
Location: Zhejiang, China
Website: prschina.com

Dr. Sufan Wu is the Chief of Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, China. Chairman of the Association of Plastic Surgery of Zhejiang Province. Committee members of Chinese national Association of Plastic Surgery, Association of Aesthetic Medicine. Active member and faculty member of ISAPS.

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

Compared with the other countries – the US and Europe in particular – cosmetic medicine in China has the following differences:

1. The history of cosmetic surgery in China is

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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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Interview: Dr. Mark Mofid, A Plastic Surgeon In San Diego, California

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San Diego Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Mark MofidDr. Mark Mofid's plastic surgery practice includes the La Jolla, Del Mar, and Chula Vista areas of San Diego.

Name: Mark Mofid, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Location: La Jolla, CA
Website: drmofid.com

Dr. Mark Mofid is a board-certified San Diego and La Jolla area plastic surgeon, certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Can you tell us how your clinic's set up?

Our office is centrally located in La Jolla/UTC within San Diego County. We have a full time dermatologist (my wife) and plastic surgeon (me) and a nurse. We have a AAAASF/Medicare accredited surgery center attached to the clinic and also provide laser services. The practice has several thousand patient visits per year and we offer medical and cosmetic dermatologic services as well as cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

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