Beauty by Brueck

Breath easier - GingerbreadBoy on call.

2014-01-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Ginger has long been known to have powers to settle an upset stomach.

Now, evidence suggests ginger may be good for easing the symptoms of asthma.

Recent studies both in laboratory animals and in human cells that showed that ginger may help to open constricted airways and allow for easier breathing.

It appears ginger blocks the muscles that cause airway obstruction or constriction.

Who knows a gingerbread cookie and a cup of ginger tea may be just what the doctor ordered.

9 Questions to Ask When Considering a Facelift

2013-12-27T09:54:00.001-08:00

From time to time, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) sends out informative articles about cosmetic surgery. Here's an abstract of one I recently received as a board certified plastic surgeon member

What to think about when you want a facelift

Despite the growing use of Botox and injectable fillers, the facelift, continues to be a popular choice for longer-lasting results. The ASAPS reports in 2012, 119,006 facelifts were performed, a 2.5 percent increase vs 116,066 facelifts in 2011

Here are 9 things to think about when considering facial rejuvenation:

1. Am I a good candidate for a facelift? Ask your plastic surgeon. He or she will advise you, considering your age, skin type and goals.

2. What kind of facelift should I get? Finding the right surgeon is more important than deciding on the right surgical technique. Look at the surgeon's facelift results. If you like them, trust the surgeon's advice to get the results you want.

3. How long does the surgery take, and what is the recovery time? A mini-facelift takes less than two hours. A standard facelift usually takes three to four hours and may take up to six when combined with other things like eyelid or brow surgery. Recovery times differ but, generally, noticeable swelling goes down in 10 to 14 days.

4. How will I look different? A good facelift should make you look younger, more rested and relaxed.

5. What should I look for in a plastic surgeon? Carefully inspect the before-and-after photos on the surgeon's website. You may also ask to see additional photos during your initial consultation. Make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

6. What are the risks? As with any surgery, a facelift procedure carries risks. Infection is rare, but possible. Bleeding after a procedure may result in hematomas. Healing is usually uneventful (unless you are a smoker) and nerve damage is usually temporary. The risks are closely related to your surgeon's skills, but there are risks even in the best surgeon's operating room.

7. Should I wait to lose weight before having a facelift? If it is just a few pounds it won't make much of a difference. If it is more, hold off until you feel comfortable with your weight.

8. How long will the effects of a facelift last compared with fillers? Unlike the temporary results from fillers, which may require follow up treatments in a few months, results of a facelift will last for years. How long, of course, depends on skin quality, significant weight changes and environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure.

9. Should I undergo other procedures together with my facelift? A procedure commonly done in conjunction with facelifts is a blepharoplasty or eyelid lift. These procedures are frequently performed together, as indicated by need.

If you choose me as your surgeon, these questions and any others you may have will be discussed to your satisfaction during your consultation with me, for which I charge nothing.

Do you have "moobs"? Don't use marijuana.

2013-12-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

Moobs?

Moobs is a shortened name for “man boobs”, which is a slang term for male breast tissue, also known in medical terminology as gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is far more common than people think. It affects anywhere from 33-41% of men between the ages of 25 and 45. And it affects 55-60% of men over the age of 50.

It also is a matter of considerable distress for men who suffer with it, not withstanding Seinfeld's use of it as a comedic theme in an episode a few years ago. It can be the subject of frequent and humiliating teasing.

Gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance between the male hormone, testosterone, and it’s female counterpart, estrogen. When estrogen dominates, men are prone to develop “moobs”.

Now, we are finding in animal studies, that the active ingredient in marijuana may contribute to the imbalance of estrogen over testosterone. Can this cause “moobs” in pot smokers? Are we going find an increase in the occurrence of gynecomastia? I know as a Fort Myers plastic surgeon, I have seen a great increase in the number of men with gynecomastia. Nationally, the number of men who had surgery for gynecomastia rose 30% from 2011 to 2012.

So you may want to reconsider the “joint” if you have “moobs”.

It helps to be nuts to live longer.

2013-12-18T10:42:00.001-08:00

CALL ME "NUTS"

What's a plastic surgeon doing talking about nuts? As a medical doctor, I am interested in anything that contributes to better and longer life.

A new study shows that eating a handful of nuts may lead to a longer and healthier life. So, when someone says "nuts to you", they may be wishing you good health.

A study of over 119,000 men and women found that those who at 1.5 oz. of nuts every day were 20% less likely to die over the next 30 years!

There was a 29% reduction in death from heart disease and 11% decrease in cancer deaths!

But, let's remember that generally people who eat nuts are less likely to be smokers, more likely to eat fruits/vegetables and be leaner! Interesting!

Maybe next time you are on the treadmill – pop a few nuts!

A Different Kind of Cosmetic Surgery Testimonial

2013-12-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

I frequently get thank you notes from patients, which I post to the “testimonials” page of my website. I am very happy to receive them. In many ways, they are more valuable than the fee I receive for my surgical procedures. It is extremely rewarding to learn from patients of their happiness, satisfaction or how something I have done has changed their lives.

A recent one has a little different character because it refers to the work by another doctor that left the patient unhappy. I am very reluctant to criticise another doctor. I know we all study hard and work hard to serve our patients. Nevertheless, as with any field of endeavor, some people are better at some aspects than others; they have more experience, have more specific training, or are more sensitive to a patient's needs. So there are bound to be differences in performance.

With that as background, here's what JT wrote to me about the results of her cosmetic surgery:

“I had an opthalmologist perform a blepharoplasty of both eyelids – complications followed, and then he did a brow lift on one eye causing a major disfigurement of my facial appearance.

It was time to see a plastic surgeon and I chose Dr. Robert Brueck. His friendly smile, caring personality and reassurances of “I can help you” were comforting and confidence earning. Dr. Brueck did a corneal browlift, repeat blepharoplasty of both eyes and a fat graft injection into a scar.

Dr. Brueck called me the evening after the surgery to see how I was!! One week after surgery, the results are dramatic. I am pleased with the entire office staff and I would highly recommend Dr. Brueck.”

The point I guess is to be certain that your surgeon is trained at the highest level to do what you want done. Be sure he or she understands you, what you want and your expectations. (This one of the major benefits of consultation and why I do them without charge.)

I'll leave it at that except to say in good humor, “Please don't ask me to do your cataract surgery”.

To Tummy Tuck or Not?

2013-12-15T16:24:00.002-08:00

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has recorded a video interview with a patient who decided to have a "tummy tuck." Her explanation should be encouraging for anyone, perhaps you, who also is considering a tummy tuck.

At the least , you will find it genuine and interesting, I'm sure.

If you would like to know more about tummy tucks, please visit my web page on the subject, and sign up to receive notices about new body sculpting techniques when they occur.

Sign for Dr Robert J Brueck updates about cosmetic surgery procedures

Is testosterone a new health risk?

2013-12-15T04:38:00.000-08:00

Many new ads pepper our media marketing testosterone products to men to increase vigor, lean muscle mass, strengthen libido and, well, you name it. Many of these products require a prescription.

A recent study now reveals that older men receiving testosterone supplements may be at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. The study involved 8700 men. Of this group 1 in 7 received testosterone. After 3 years of follow up, the men who took testosterone had a 26% risk of stroke, heart attack or death versus 20% of those who took no testosterone. These men were in their early 60’s in average.

As a plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, which has a large senior population, I encourage all my patients not to rush into any "magic cures". Ask questions of your doctor. Be cautious. And proceed only after you are sure of no bad consequences.

Do birth control pills contribute to glaucoma?

2013-12-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

It always fascinates me, even as a medical doctor and board certified plastic surgeon, how various supplements, nutrients, medicines - basically anything we ingest - can be linked to a disease state.

Now we come to learn that women who took birth control pills (BCP) for more than 3 years had TWICE the risk of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. This may be due to decreased levels of estrogen which has a protective effect on the eye. So you just may need to be checked or screened by an opthalmologist for glaucoma.

Incidentally, if you have elevated pressure within your eyeballs, that can lead to glaucoma, your eye doctor can prescribe eye drops to reduce that pressure.

Dr. Brueck asks: "Are you washing your face the wrong way?"

2013-12-13T17:57:00.003-08:00

Is there a right way to wash your face?

Hey, You’re washing your face wrong

As a board certfied plastic surgeon and member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, I recieve information about beauty from the association's Smart Beauty Guide. This message is based on an original article by C.A. Shenigo

Slapping on and rinsing off your face cleanser is NOT the correct way to wash your face. A lot of women are washing your faces wrong. According to a recent article in Allure Magazine, 70% of women still use soap and water. SOAP and WATER?!

“How and what you wash your skin with sets the tone for the rest of your skin care.” Allure quotes one dermatologist as saying. “Many patients are either using the wrong cleanser or over washing, which leaves skin dried out, or under washing and going to bed with the day’s pollution on their skin.”

It’s safe to say that rule # 1 is wash twice a day — morning and afternoon. Since the skin’s repair process is heightened overnight, washing your face in the morning helps to eliminate the waste products that surface while you sleep. And washing your face prior to bedtime helps to eliminate the free radicals, pollution, and environmental aggressors that your skin has been collecting all day. Imagine all of those disgusting things marinating on your face all night long.

Can we agree that not all skin is created equal. Some faces are oily. Some are on the dry side. Some are prone to acne, some to rosacea, and some are so sensitive that one wrong move could result in stinging redness and itchiness. It all adds up to how and what you wash your face with is as big a deal as the rest of your skincare.

Dry skin requires moisture. The last thing you need is a cleansing product with harsh ingredients that can suck the oils out of your skin. Using a creamy or milky cleanser with ingredients like nicotinic acid and niacinamide, no more than twice a day, can help rebuild the lipid barrier that keeps the moisture in your skin.

Oily skin, on the other hand, warrants foamy face washes that produce large amounts of lather that allows the cleanser to reach maximum surface area. But don't overdo it with harsh formulas or lathering more than three times a day. You want to remove enough oil, without over drying — which will just produce more oil.

Skin that’s both very oily and dry requires a cleanser with a gentle foaming agent and glycerin to both cleanse the oily parts and the dry ones in a one-two punch.

With acne prone skin, you can wash your face up to three times a day, which is nice in the warm summer season— but you can’t do it with foamy cleansers. Dermatologists recommend using cleansing formulas with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid — mild exfoliators that remove the day's buildup of oil and dead skin cells, and clean clogged pores. If you’re really brave, you can even use a trendy oil cleanser, which clings to the oil blocking your pores, so you can rinse both down the drain.

Sensitive skin or skin prone to rosacea are different situation, with the water temperature nearly as important as the cleanserss you use. The serious flushing of rosacea and burning redness of sensitive skin requires a gentle touch that can not be achieved with water that is too warm. Use a cleanser that has been tested on a small area for three days. Use it morning and night, with cool to lukewarm water This will help deter your skin’s vasodilation process, which just makes skin redder. Do not use products that include fragrance if your skin is really sensitive.

2013-12-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Positive reviews are major motivators for plastic surgeons. So I am happy to post these.

A recent review from a patient via RealSelf.com -
"From the first visit Dr. Brueck’s staff was outstanding! The consultation was free too! I never felt uncomfortable at any of my appointments. The doctor answered every question I had and he was very kind, puts you at ease. I had been to other plastic surgeons in the past, but I will continue to see Dr. Brueck because he is the best! In fact I just scheduled another surgery which I will have soon and I can’t wait for it." - 12/8/

2013, (2 months post operative).

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'I am so pleased with the outcome of my tummy tuck and with my breasts. I feel like a new person. Dr. Brueck did an outstanding job. He answered all my questions prior to surgery and followed up afterwards by calling himself at home. Never hass an M. D. done that (for me). His staffwere so friendly and helpful too.” DH 12/9/2013

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“Dr. Brueck was awesome-staff was great-Shy is wonderful. Results far exceeded my expectations and it's only been 3 1/2 weeks! Lipo on stomach, inner/outer thighs, back and buttocks. Compression garment was way too big so just bought one online. Very happy from start to finish.” - MD 12-4-13

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“Great. Dr. and staff are outstanding. Love my new face!! - LO 12-2-2013

There may be more than herbs in herbal supplements

2013-12-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

As a board certified plastic surgeon, I see ads for herbal supplements everywhere.

They have been touted to cure a multitude of diseases and provide a “new lease” on life.

Now buyers of herbal supplements need to be aware that many supplements contain unlisted additives. These dilute the “herbs” and can cause problems for people suffering from allergies.

The bottom line is that quality control is non-existent.

How big is this business? It is a $5 billion dollar business. The FDA requires companies to test their products for safety but there is an “honor” code that the supplements do contain what is printed on the label.

Again, buyer beware.

Should children have plastic surgery?

2013-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

I recently read that a New York plastic surgeon would ask his younger patients (children & teens) to draw a picture of how they see themselves.

This self portrait may be revealing to a child’s self-image – a view into his or her world.

Many times young children will be brought into my Fort Myers plastic surgery practice for ear surgery, ie. their ears protrude too much. In these cases I will ask the parents to leave the room and ask the child how they feel about their ears.

In other words, am I doing the surgery for the child and their self esteem – their image or their parents? It is important to make this distinction. Many times a physical deformity can be damaging to a child’s self esteem.

I remember when I was in high school and had to wear glasses. Wow! What a shock – what an eye opener – no pun intended. I was now 4 eyes. Pretty devastating to one’s ego and self esteem.

A child becomes the brunt of jokes, ridicule or as we like to now call it now, a victim of bullying. In many cases surgery can go a long way to helping correct not only the physical problem but, more important, the child’s psyche or self esteem.

Holidays come early for Dr. Brueck's Cosmetic Surgery patients

2013-11-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

If you are short of cash (more than 70% of people interested in cosmetic procedures need some sort of financing), Dr. Brueck MD now has arranged with Advance Care to provide liberal financing for patients who qualify.

It's safe, easy and terms are so liberal, you may qualify for an interest-free period of 6 months or 14 months. To learn more, and see if you qualify for financing, visit http://advancecarecard.com/ online. Decisions are fast so you can schedule that pre-holiday surgery in quick order.

It smells like..Alzheimers

2013-11-07T13:43:00.001-08:00

It appears that researchers at the University of Florida have picked up the scent of early Alzheimers Disease.
Alzheimer’s is very hard to diagnose in its early stages. Researchers at our very own University of Florida studied 94 patients, 18 of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

They took a teaspoon full of peanut butter and measured how far from each nostril – one at a time – it was before the subject in the test could smell it.

Alzheimer’s patients had a much more difficult time smelling the peanut butter, and more so with their LEFT nostril versus their right.

A decreased sensation of smell is one hallmark of patients with Alzheimer’s and usually the LEFT side of the brain is affected first. Interesting to say the least. More studies are now being done.

Even though our focus at Beauty-by-Brueck is on cosmetic surgery in Southwest Florida, we also have a compelling interest in all things related to health.

Never, ever, allow unlicensed silicone injections

2013-11-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

[Excerpted from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) Smart Beauty)

Florida man arrested for performing non-licensed silicone injections

A Florida man was arrested last week for allegedly injecting people with silicone without a medical license, First Coast News reported. The silicone injections were administered in the buttocks, a common illegal practice used to enhance the body's curves.

Police officials told the news source that the Orlando resident performed an estimated six silicone buttocks injections per day, collecting up to $1,200 for each procedure.

The alleged perpetrator was found in a hotel room in Plantation, Fla. with 15 bottles of silicone liquid, 47 bottles of lidocaine, syringes, gloves and super glue, according to the news source. He also had about $18,000 in cash hidden in a suitcase.

Illegal silicone injections are a prevalent concern as cases continue to increase throughout the U.S. According to a previous report from The Los Angeles Times, there have been more than a dozen investigations into deaths related to illegal buttocks injections. The news source stated that eight people have been convicted of administering these injections without a license.

Buttock augmentation has also become increasingly popular throughout the years. Americans spent more than $26 million on the procedure in 2012, according to the news outlet. When done legally by a licensed physician, the procedure reshapes the buttocks with the patient's own tissue - known as an autologous fat transfer - or with implants. Silicone injections are typically unsafe and performed by non-board-certified plastic surgeons.

If you are considering a butt lift and you are in Southwest Florida, see Dr. Brueck MD in Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Punta Gorda for a consultation and discussion of the procedure and the results you seek. No beauty goal and no bargain price is worth your life.

PS: If cash is a problem, you may qualify for CareCredit.

Cosmetic surgery study raises eyebrows

2013-11-03T05:36:00.000-08:00

Some facial surgeries make you look younger and others make you look more attractive

October 17, 2013

Operations that change the size and shape of your nose, chin, cheeks and jawline can increase your attractiveness, according to Southwest Florida board certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Robert Brueck MD F.A.C.S.

A recent study of plastic surgery patients and their results raised a lot of eyebrows due to some unexpected results. Pre-op and post-op photos of patients (37 women and 12 men) who had facial rejuvenation surgeries such as facelifts, brow lifts and eyelid cosmetic surgery were evaluated by independent reviewers. The study found that plastic surgery made people look about three years younger but did not have a significant effect on how "attractive" they appeared to be.

Michael Yaremchuk, M.D., Chief of Craniofacial Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, discussed the study results with colleagues from the American Society for Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and put the study in context to explain the results. They turn out to less surprising when the facts are considered:

The study, published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, included only one plastic surgeon's surgeries, which may not reflect plastic surgery results in general.
It doesn't include any pictures of the surgical results.
Most patients in the study had eyelid surgery (upper and lower lid blepharoplasty and browlifts), which can make eyes look round and hollow from the removal of too much fat and skin, which can appear to be be aging. In addition, young women actually have low brows, which may elevate with age. So it's no surprise that this surgery did not make people look younger.

Even more significant, according to the Yaremchuk, brow lifts, eye lifts and face lifts are designed to bring ones appearance to where it was years before. If ones face was considered attractive before the "lift," it will, at best, return the face to that appearance. If the face was considered unattractive before, it will return to a younger version of that "unattractive" face.

Attractiveness for a face is a result of the balance of facial features (nose, chin, cheeks and jawline). Cosmetic surgeries that change the size and shape of these features can make ones face more attractive. The primary determinant of facial appearance is the facial skeleton. Procedures with the most significant impact on facial appearance are those that manipulate the skeleton: rhinoplasty (alters the nasal bones) and cheek bone, chin and jaw implants.

So, it makes perfect sense that face lifts, brow lifts and eyelid surgeries can help you appear younger, but you should not expect them to change your level of attractiveness. If you're happy with your underlying facial structure and want to look younger, a face lift can achieve that goal. It's true, however, that "younger" is often perceived as more "attractive".

Delayed aging is a better research investment than that into cancer or heart disease

2013-10-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

At some point, plastic surgery, restoring the look of youth, may play a role for those who live longer. For now, this story about research into actually slowing aging is interesting.

Top scientists at University of Southern California, Harvard, Columbia, University of Illinois at Chicago and other institutions, concludes investing in aging delay could lead to a 1.25 percent reduction in the likelihood of age-related diseases.

Slowing aging would have no initial health returns, but it would have significant benefits over the long term. With even modest gains in our understanding of slowing aging, an additional 5 percent of adults over the age of 65 would be healthy rather than disabled every year from 2030 to 2060

The same study showed lower returns from continuing the current research that seeks to treat fatal diseases as they occur, versus understanding aging, which is the cause of frailty and disability.

A reduction in the incidence of cancer by 25 percent in the next few decades would improve the health of the population only slightly versus doing nothing at all, according to the analysis. The same would be true for the leading cause of death worldwide, heart disease. It appears the number of older adults alive but disabled in 2060 would be the same regardless of continuing to try to find cures for heart disease and cancer as separate diseases. Earlier research suggested that curing cancer completely would increase life expectancy by only about three years.

“Even a marginal success in slowing aging is going to have a huge impact on health and quality of life. This is a fundamentally new approach to public health that would attack the underlying risk factors for all fatal and disabling diseases,” said corresponding author S. Jay Olshansky of the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. “We need to begin the research now. We don’t know which mechanisms are going to work to actually delay aging, and there are probably a variety of ways this could be accomplished, but we need to decide now that this is worth pursuing.”The study showed that major advances in the treatment of cancer or heart disease, would lead to a 51-year-old living about one more year. A small improvement in slowing down aging could double this to two additional years; years that would be much more likely to be in relatively good health.

Penicillin apparently won't do it anymore

2013-10-05T11:34:00.001-07:00

I remember not too long ago if someone was developing early signs of a cold he or she would say, "I’m gonna go to the doctor today and get a shot of penicillin." For many, it worked. But those days should be over.

A recent report from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta said there are over 2,000,000 infections every year from “super” bugs or drug resistant bacteria.

These infections kill over 23,000 people a year! So we need to be very cautious and judicious in our use of antibiotics. Perhaps a simple aspirin and hydration would be better.

If you have a question about infections, please feel free to call my office or visit my website to send me a message via my "Ask the Doctor" form.

QuickLift facelifts presents Paula's "Aha" moment

2013-09-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Below is a copy of a recent email that I sent from my Southwest Florida Plastic Surgery practice. If you would like to sign up for the email list, click on the subscribe button on the lower right-hand sde

Please scroll to the page bottom. Thank you.

Fall 2013 | Send to a Friend

A Facial Rejuvenation Update from Robert J. Brueck, MD, FACS (239) 939-5233

For every set of before and after photos, there’s “a story.” The story often boils down to a single moment that prompted our patient to call for a QuickLift^® consultation. For Paula, this was that moment:

“When I saw this picture, I was mortified. My ‘gobbler’ sagged and hung lower than ever. That was the moment I decided it had to go!

From the very first phone call, I KNEW I made the right decision. And now, I LOVE what I see in the mirror. No more turtle necks for me. Most people are surprised at how natural I look. I don’t have that Hollywood fake look. The QuickLift has given me back my self-confidence — and that’s priceless!”
Read Paula’s story.

Learn more about the QuickLift^® today! If you’d like, we’ll put you in touch with Paula, or another one of our patients who will be happy to share their stories with you.

Robert J. Brueck, MD, FACS
3700 Central Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901
14 Del Prado N., Cape Coral, FL 33909
25097 West Olympia, Suite 301
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(239) 939-5233
www.beauty-by-brueck.com

Please click here if you do not wish to receive future emails.

*Actual patient photos courtesy of Dominic A. Brandy, MD. Results may vary. Recovery time may vary as some patients may elect to have additional facial rejuvenation treatments performed at the same time as the QuickLift^®. May be performed with local anesthesia or twilight sedation.

Pleased to be a Patients' Choice Physician

2013-09-24T09:48:00.003-07:00

The recognition keeps rolling in:

I just received notice that the American Registry has named me as a Patients' Choice Physician.

Here's what they had to say:

"Dear Dr. Brueck,

Congratulations! You have been recognized as a Patients' Choice physician.

The Patients' Choice award is bestowed upon physicians based on your patients' appreciation and praise for the quality of care and service you provide.

Every month, more than 200,000 patients across the U.S. provide online feedback about their doctor experiences. They rate various components of the care they receive, such as bedside manner, doctor-patient face time, follow-up care, ease of appointment setting and courtesy of office staff. They also share their overall opinions.

Over the course of 2013, hundreds of thousands of patient reviews were written and shared. While physicians generally receive positive feedback from their patients, only physicians like you - with near perfect scores - have been voted by their patients for this honor.

In fact, of the nation's 870,000 active physicians, only 5 percent were accorded this honor by their patients in 2013.

You are, indeed, the Patients' Choice: A physician who is not only highly regarded, but also recommended, by their patients.

Congratulations on this outstanding distinction."

Of course, I know any recognition like this, while it has my name on it, can really be attributed to my remarkable staff and my equally remarkable patients. Thank you all.

New Study Shows miraDry Reduces Underarm Sweating

2013-09-24T08:05:00.002-07:00

A new independent study conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found the non-invasive miraDry (http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/miradry.html ) procedure provides a long-term solution to the problem of excessive underarm sweat and a marked improvement in underarm odor .

miraDry non-invasively delivers targeted electromagnetic energy beneath the underarm skin to where the sweat glands reside destroying the sweat glands through thermolysis (decomposition by heat). Results can be seen almost immediately and are lasting because sweat glands do not grow back after treatment. Two procedures spaced three months apart are recommended for optimal results.

The findings of this study were presented by Dr. Cameron K. Rokhsar, MD FAAD FAACS, lead investigator for the study, and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center at the 2013 American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery annual meeting. The study included 13 women and 7 men between the ages of 22 and 56. Participants reported suffering from excessive sweating for an average of 13.6 years. Prior to receiving the miraDry treatment the patients reported an excessive sweating severity of an average of 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most severe).

After one miraDry treatment, patients reported an average reduction of 52% in underarm sweating. After two treatments, patients reported an average reduction of 96.7% in underarm sweating. Among patients who said they had odor problems before treatment, the majority (75%) reported an average of 66% reduction in underarm odor. Side effects included swelling in the underarms after the procedure which lasted from 5 days to 2 months, with an average of 24.8 days. 65% of patients also noticed hair loss in the treated areas.

There is a miraDry physician near you at http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com/Hyperhidrosis-treatment.htm

How many snails do you need for a beautiful complexion?

2013-09-20T08:41:00.001-07:00

The pursuit of beautiful skin has new contender, albeit a slow one.

From Asia comes news to my Fort Myers Cosmetic Surgery practice of snail mucus being used to rejuvenate facial skin.

A special breed of live snails is allowed to slither across a patient's face. Apparently the substance left behind has special powers for healthy, youthful skin.

Word has it there also are salons in Japan that provide a sixty-minute “slither” session for the equivalent of US$250. The owner of a spa in the UK that offers the treatment is quoted as saying, “This isn’t just a gimmick. It really works. My spa promotes health and well-being and alternative treatments and this treatment is truly pioneering.” It's not something we do at Beauty-by-Brueck. But Maybe someday.

For now, I guess at a snail's pace, we can't call it a “breakthrough”. But we could describe it, both figuratively and literally. as "creepy".

New Cancer Link Not a Tall Story

2013-09-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

It always amazes me how, in medicine we link disease to nutrients, genes, exercise, no exercise, weight – supplements, etc.

Now being tall all of a sudden may not be the best thing.

There was recently a new study of 21,000 post menopausal women. It was found that for every 4 inches of increased height, the risk of certain cancers (skin, breast, colon) increased by 13%. Worse yet kidney and blood (leukemia) cancers increased by 29%.

This may be due to genes, ie: tall people “grow” more and cancers are overgrowths or excessive uncontrolled growth of cell lines. There may be a link.

Unfortunately our genetic makeup is something we are born with and can’t change.

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there are many things we can change - and for the better.

Sleep and Obesity - Blood Sugar and Memory

2013-09-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Two recent items have come across my plastic surgery desk in Fort Myers,

First, scientists studying sleep habits found that people who don’t sleep much tend to be overweight. Apparently, they found that when you are deprived of sleep, changes occur in your brain that cause you to crave high calorie foods. Less sleep means those chocolate bars and potato chips look even better. So maybe beauty rest is helpful after all.

Second, if your body has difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels you could have diabetes. We know that long term uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a multitude of problems. Now, we come to find out it can predispose one to dementia. Researchers tracked more than 2,000 older adults for seven years and found that those who had high glucose levels – but not diabetes – were nearly 20% more likely to develop dementia.

Among diabetics, those with the highest glucose levels were 40% more likely to develop Alzheimers. We know high glucose can cause inflammation to the small vessels in the brain. I guess we need to curb out sweet tooth!

Skip breakfast at your own peril

2013-08-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

I have to say I am terrible about eating breakfast.

I’m in about the 1/5 minority who generally skip breakfast. You would think that, as an Fort Myers, FL MD, I would be more diligent about breakfast, especially after the research findings shown below .

Sixteen (16) years of tracking 27,000 older/middle aged men found that those who regularly skipped breakfast had a 30% increased risk of a heart attack or dying from heart disease than those who ate regularly.

Wow! I guess I may have to start eating those Egg McMuffins! Not the best breakfast perhaps, but at least it is breakfast.