The Three Myths of Liposuction

How To Know You’re Getting a Good Deal and Superior Care

I want to look like THAT!

We’ve all seen the billboards and the ads, and that’s what they are designed to make you say. The key to getting there, however, is making sure that you choose wisely where you get your procedure done.

Now, of course, we’d love for you to visit us, but that’s not the point of this blog. No matter where you go, you have the right to a safe and quality procedure. The question is, however, how do you know that’s what you’re going to get?

That’s why I’ve put together a few thoughts on how to distinguish between a good deal and a not-so-good one.

●     Low Prices and Specials -- We’re the nation that created the drive-through, so naturally we’re drawn to procedures that have a dramatic impact on our looks for a low price that we can act on right now. The problem is, low prices are a myth. When I see an ad that claims any kind of lipo procedure for $199, I roll my eyes, because I know that’s a bait and switch price. A good lipo experience begins with a medical evaluation from a medical doctor, not a clerk in scrubs. Not everyone is a candidate for lipo, because some health issues may cause complications. An initial consult with a physician -- which may actually involve a test or two -- is essential to a good outcome. Next, the procedure is scheduled (with the SAME physician -- some centers use subcontractors that rotate, so the person who evaluated you may not be the one who performs the procedure) and then a follow up visit is required to ensure a good outcome. No one can do that for $199. That ad is designed to get you in the door, where some centers reveal their true specialty -- not plastic surgery, but rather, the art of the upsell. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

●     Is There a Doctor in the House? -- One way to detect quality care at a medpsa or surgery center is to find out if it is owned and operated by a medical doctor. Many are not. Instead, they employ doctors as subcontractors and rotate their schedules. In some cases, they may not even have a doctor on the premises at all times. Liposuction is a medical procedure, not a mechanical one. You only have one body, so you shouldn’t trust it to people who aren’t medical doctors.

●     Options -- Invariably, there are many ways to achieve a particular cosmetic outcome. In many cases, a good medical evaluation will reveal that there may be different options to achieve your body image goal. Some people are overweight because of drastic hormone imbalances, which can be treated non-invasively with a hormone replacement regimen and a reasonable diet. In other cases, lipo might be the best choice for an optimum result. If you walk into a center and declare you want lipo, and they sign you up without offering options based on a comprehensive medical evaluation, walk out. This is a medical procedure, not an oil change. A good solution for your body image is about choosing the course of action that is the safest, healthiest and customized to your needs to ensure a good patient outcome. Centers that focus on that experience will always be a better bet than ones who simply deliver a service.

Good care is based on personalized, individual attention from a caring medical professional. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a much better chance of receiving the kind of care we all deserve.

It’s Hot At the Beach, So Why Are You Wearing a T-Shirt?

Two Reasons Why Now Is The Time for Laser Hair Removal

The desire to get rid of unwanted hair can lead people to some very interesting, and painful, stupid human tricks.

Not long ago, a friend told me about a guy who was so desperate to get rid of the hair on his back, he took a long-handled loofah sponge and drenched it in Nair. He then rubbed it all over his back, exfoliating the skin at the same time he exposed it to the chemicals in Nair that are designed to literally burn the hair off.

The procedure effectively removed the hair from his back, along with a few layers of skin, leaving in its place a series of low level burns. His back was lobster-red and burned for days. Finally, he couldn’t take anymore and wound up in the emergency room, where he was treated for the burns. I am sure the ER techs got a good laugh out of his story.

The irony is that laser hair removal is faster, more comfortable and easier than ever before. In fact, at Bella, we offer individual treatments with no contract needed. Further, our rates are more than competitive, designed to beat everyone in the business, so we’ve eliminated all the reasons for people not to try laser hair removal.

What’s more is that we use two of the best lasers in the business for our procedures. Our first tool is known as the Mediostar XT, and it uses a high power 810nm diode laser which allows us to target larger spot sizes and ensure effective treatment down to the deepest follicles. This means we can get better results faster. The laser also has a special contact cooling piece to further protect the skin and make the treatment more comfortable. The integrated skin cooling is constantly monitored by an independent system, as well. Yeah, it sounds a bit techy, but wouldn’t you rather we know this stuff before treating you?

We also offer the Prowave 770 a state-of-the-art laser from Cutera that is capable of treating all skin types.

The advantages of laser hair removal with Cutera ProWave include:

●     In most cases, 3-5 treatments of every area should remove most types of body hair, depending on the individual patient, thickness of hair, colour of skin etc.

●     A one-time expense, leading to freedom from waxing, shaving etc.

●     Uses infrared, which are recognized as the most versatile wavelengths for removing hair.

●     Fast treatments - the average sized back can be treated by laser in around 20 minutes and both legs in about 15 minutes.

While laser hair removal has been around for a while, the innovations in the technology continue to move forward by leaps and bounds. That’s why we stay on top of those innovations, and when there is a new technology that can enhance our patients’ experiences, we grab it. So, put down the Nair and the loofah. If you want a solution that is comfortable, permanent and affordable, maybe it’s time to really think about laser hair removal as your next option. It won’t only make it possible for you to put away the razors for good -- it might also save you a trip to the ER.

Yours in Health,

Yvette

Summertime Doesn't Have to Mean Sun Damage

How to Protect Your Skin in the Sunshine State

For the Beatles, the song Here Comes the Sun was an upbeat message of hope. In Florida, however, it’s a warning, and one that should be heeded.

At Bella, we see more than our share of patients walking through the door with skin damage from the Florida sun. While we have a variety of options for treating that damage, it still makes us a little sad to see, because most of that damage is preventable.

That’s why, in addition to offering chemical peels and other procedures to address sun damaged skin, we offer the line of Obagi © Nu-Derm skin products to help prevent the damage from ever happening.

So, here are some tips, from the medical professionals at Obagi © on how to prevent sun damage over the long days of the summer months:

●     Say no to tanning beds. Don’t believe the hype—just because tanning indoors is a controlled dose of ultraviolet radiation does not make it okay. Believe it or not, indoor tanners are typically less safe than the rays of the sun, as new high-pressure sunlamps can deliver as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose as natural exposure.

●     Don’t feel confident just because you’re young. While the average age of those diagnosed with skin cancer lies somewhere between 45 and 55, it turns out a quarter of all cases occur in people under the age of 40. So regardless of age, make sure you protect yourself — always use sunscreen and wear cover up with clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses when you go outdoors.

●     Be vigilant with sunscreen—even if you’re not light-skinned. While it’s true that those with darker skin are less likely to develop the disease than those with lighter, fairer skin, the risk still exists for everyone. This is why it’s important for everyone to protect themselves. So lather up and protect all exposed areas with a broad-spectrum sunscreen before venturing outside. Use a sunscreen every day with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, not just on the really hot and sunny ones.

●     Check non-exposed parts of the body for signs of the disease. Believe it or not, melanoma can be diagnosed anywhere from the soles of one’s feet to beneath the fingernails.

●     Don’t Be Stingy -- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen all over your body 30 minutes before going outside; reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.

●     See Your Doctor -- Every year, see your physician for a complete skin exam to ensure you are safe. It’s important to regularly see your dermatologist and continually check your moles for signs of any changes.

Summer vacation should mean summer fun, and that includes going to the beach or enjoying your swimming pool -- that’s why you got it. But it doesn’t have to mean suffering skin damage. If you follow the above tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the summer and keep your skin healthy, too.

And we’ll even put our money where our beach towels are by offering you a chance to pamper yourself with the best sunscreen on the market for less. come to Bella to pick up any OBAGI or Skin Medica Sunscreen and we’ll give you 20 percent off for the entire month of June.

Two of our favorites include The Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 and Obagi’s Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50. The SPF 35 formula is a sunscreen with 9 percent micronized zinc oxide and 7.5 percent octinoxate that helps to protect newly transformed, younger-looking skin. The Sun Shield SPF 50 is a sunscreen that combines high UVB absorption and dynamic UVA blockage in an elegant, matte finish with 10.5 percent zinc oxide and 7.5 percent octinoxate. It’s non-whitening, PABA-free, and fragrance-free for all skin types.

Enjoy your summer!

ENJOY 20% OFF your MEDICAL GRADE SUNSCREEN!

Expires: June 30,2012

                                   

Feeling Just a Bit Off? It Could Be Your Hormones

We get the question every day, and we don't really think twice about it when we answer.

How are you doing? And we almost always answer, “Fine,” even when we truly don't. Sometimes we feel a little run-down or listless. There isn't a specific symptom we complain about -- mainly just a lot of little things -- but we just know something isn't right. Most of us just press forward and try not to think about it.

But maybe we should. Sometimes those kinds of non-specific symptoms are associated with mild to severe hormone imbalances, many of which can be easily corrected. Just to give you an idea, here is a list of the different problems a simple, natural shift in your hormone balance can cause:

• ● Weight gain
• ● Loss of lean muscle mass
• ● Bone deterioration
• ● Loss of hair
• ● Wrinkling and drying of the skin
• ● Fatigue
• ● Decreased libido
• ● Hot flashes or Night sweats
• ● Aches and pains
• ● Poor sleep quality or insomnia
• ● Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
• ● Memory lapses
• ● Depression
• ● Reduced motivation
• ● Headaches
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• But it doesn't have to be that way. Today, many of those issues can be treated through the use of Bio-identical Hormone therapy. Bio-identical Hormones have the same chemical structure as our own body's natural production. By using hormone replacements, you can relieve the symptoms above that might be associated with menopause, age or changes in lifestyle and reduce hormone imbalances. The hormone therapy can also reduce your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and memory loss.
•  
• Some of the benefits of a proper therapy regimen of bio-identical hormones include:
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• ● Increased muscle strength 
• ● Increased lean body mass
• ● Increased quality of life
• ● Improved sleep quality