Beauty by Brueck

Very Small Plastic Surgery News - from Dr. Brueck, MD

2009-10-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

“A MILLIONTH OF A MM”

WOW, that’s impressive and small to say the least.

I don’t think I would want to be that small. But that is the degree to which the skin is now being studied and researched.

Scientist at the UK-based University of Leeds are using sophisticated scientific equipment to study the age old question of why our skin feels soft and good.

To determine this, they are going to the tiny building blocks known as molecules. The researcher heading this up is Professor Peter Olmsted of the School of Physics and Atomic Force Microscopy. Now that is a title, whatever it means.

Also on the team is a Dr. Massimo Noro from Unilever, a consumer products company. They are applying the molecular techniques to get a better understanding of the skin.

They want to understand the molecular structure of skin that gives it its strength and elasticity. This molecular data, it is hoped will lead to better skincare products for all of us.

It is truly amazing how science and research are improving our lives all over the world every day as we “sleep.”

This food for thought is brought to you by Dr. Rober J. Brueck, MD FACS, Board Certified plastic surgeaon practicing Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Southwest Florida.

Visit Dr. Brueck's web site at Beauty-by-Brueck for more compreshensive discussion of various cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.

Does a Pepper a Day keep the Doctor away?

2009-10-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Robert Brueck, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, who reports here on developments in the world of health and medicine, sometimes with a touch of humor. Dr. Brueck's web site can be read by clicking this link.

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Some of us like our food bland, not so spicy. Others like it hot, the hotter the better.

We are often asked how do we want our chicken wings: mild, medium or super hot. Just how hot is hot is open to debate.

On a recent Delta Airlines flight I was reading a small clip in the Sky Miles Magazine about an open air market in L.A. that has thousands of different peppers for sale. I am sure you can buy ones there that will bring tears to your eyes if not washed down with a firehose.

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal that said hot chili peppers may limit damage in heart attacks.

The key ingredient is Capsaicin.

A recent study in the Medical Journal Circulation reported on a study in which researchers placed patches of Capsaicin on the abdominal skin of mice before cutting off the blood supply to the coronary arteries for approximately 45 minutes. In essence this was more or less simulating a heart attack. 24 hours later those mice that had the Capsaicin had only lost 15% as many heart cells as mice that had a placebo placed.

Researchers think that there may be some stimulatory effect to the nerves connected to the spinal cord which in turn activates survival oriented nerves in the heart muscle.

It’s kind of an interesting study; however, the researchers have not yet done any studies with human beings.

So it may be that someday we may all be putting hot chili peppers on our abdomen, especially if we have a history of “coronary artery disease”.

Or, the doctor may say, "Take two tacos and call me in the morning."

Science advances and research is done each and every day to make our lives healthier and longer.

To stay up to date on subjects related to health and well being, set up an RSS feed of this blog by clicking on one of the feed icons to the right and selecting a feed notice whenever the blog is up dated.

For information about all aspects of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, visit Dr. Brueck's web site at http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com.

This could save your life - Advice from Dr. Robert Brueck, Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

2009-09-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

This blog message is brought to you by Dr. Robert J. Brueck, Board Certified plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, who also has a web site at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com .

THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Now that I have your attention let me give all of you, my wonderful friends and patients, a few words of warning that conceivably could save your life.

Realize that supplements are not as closely scrutinized as drugs in America. A senate judiciary committee recently sat down to plan a hearing this month focusing on dietary supplements and their safety.

There are countless stories of individuals taking dietary supplements and developing liver problems, bleeding problems, mood changes or alterations and the like.

I remember a short time ago I did a face lift on a lady who was taking Omega-3 fish oils. She bled profusely and developed a hematoma which is a collection of blood under the skin. This had to be drained. In the end she was fine. What was surprising to me was that nearly 67% of adults take dietary supplements. That’s a lot of people. It’s important to understand the concerns that may exist concerning certain supplements.

In a 2007 survey of weight loss and athletic supplements the British labs analyzing these substances found trace amounts of steroids in 25% of the samples that they tested.

Since December, 2008 the FDA has issued warnings about more than 70 weight loss supplements. Now we all know why so many athletes are banned for steroid use or is this really the case? I know I have all of my surgical patients get off ALL dietary supplements two weeks before surgery.

Some helpful websites include the National Libraries of Medicines Medlineplus.gov under the heading drugs and supplements.

Also try NCCAM.NIH.gov and dietarysupplements.info.nih.gov.

You can also go to www.FDA.gov to see if supplements that you are currently taking are included under the warnings label. I guess it’s true that sometimes simple is better.

All the very best and I hope this proves beneficial to you.

Can you trust Plastic Surgery directories? Here's what Dr. Brueck thinks.

2009-09-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. I try regularly to offer news and opinions about beauty and cosmetic surgery that I find interesting and helpful.

To learn how to subscribe, click on the RSS button in the side bar of this article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This issue's subject is plastic surgery directories and thoughts on how they, and some probing questions, can help you find the right cosmetic surgeon for you.

Used to be there were two, maybe three directories in our lives. The White Pages, the Yellow Pages and, at one time, City Directories.

With the onslaught of the Internet and the Web, there are now more directories than weeds in an untended lawn. All manner of entrepreneurs have discovered they can create a directory and sell companies a place in it.

Some of these directories have no subject discipline. If you have a few bucks, you can have your web site listed in a directory. Others, have requirements that a company or individual be in a certain business.

Plastic surgery directories are like that. You must be a qualified plastic surgeon to be included in the directory. There are a few of them and they all require medical/surgical qualification at some level.

The general idea is that someone looking for a plastic surgeon will enter an appropriate search term, such as breast augmentation, in one of the Web Search Engines. Among the results they receive will be a few Directories of Plastic Surgeons.

The directory can be sorted by geographic location or other criteria. If you are looking for a plastic surgeon in "Anyplace Town", the directory will deliver a list of plastic surgeons in or around "Anyplace Town".

It will also include a profile of the doctor, an email address, a telephone number and, occasionally a web site address, for each doctor. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, for someone seeking information and access to a local plastic surgeon, a directory can be very helpful, just as the Yellow Pages can be. (Of course, the internet is usually more responsive, more comprehensive and more current than a printed directory.)

The Yellow Pages can be an instructive analogy, though. Doctors run paid advertisements in the Yellow Pages. Similarly, doctors are required to pay to be included in online directories. This doesn’t make any doctor who pays to be included a bad doctor. He or she would not be listed without meeting what are quite demanding qualifications.

The problem is that an extremely well qualified plastic surgeon may not be willing to pay the directory publisher to be included. That doctor could be the finest surgeon in town, board certified in his or her practice, recognized by his or her peers as the best. If, however, he or she chose not to pay to be in the directory, you as a searcher wouldn’t know it, and you wouldn't learn about that doctor in this otherwise very helpful list. It’s not that you get false information. It’s just that you don’t get all the information.

What can you do about it? Use the directories, by all means. Look in more than one. A surgeon may have paid to be in one directory but not another. When you have zeroed in on the surgeon or surgeons that you want to advise you, go to the consultation with a list of questions.

1. Are you, doctor, board certified in the procedure I am interested in? May I see your certification?

2. How many other patients you performed this procedure for? Can you give me a short list that would be willing to comment on your work?

3. Can you show me before and after photographs of your work?

4. Am I a good candidate for this procedure? What are the chances of complications?

5. What can I expect after the procedure has been completed? What will recovery be like?

6. If you were unavailable to perform this surgery, who would you recommend in your place?

7. Can you give me the name of a patient who was not happy with your performance?

Question #7 is a real test. No surgeon is perfect. Each of them has had at least one patient that he or she did not completely satisfy. If the surgeon can’t answer that question, it should set off an alarm in your head.

Does it mean the surgeon thinks he or she is “perfect”?

Does it mean the surgeon has not paid enough attention to patients to know when one is not 100% satisfied?

Does it mean the surgeon has something to hide?

Incidentally, whether you contact the person the surgeon names or not is less important than asking the question and paying attention to he answer.

So, can you trust plastic surgery directories? More so than not.

In the words of a past President of the

United States

, however, “Trust but verify.”

Now they want to tax how you look.

2009-09-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

Thoughts from Dr. Brueck, Fort Myers plastic surgeon, on the latest government threats to tax cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures.

When will it ever end?

It seems every time I pick up the newspaper I read about healthcare. The amount of material is staggering.

It seems that the opinions of the party in control change like the wind. The cost of government healthcare is projected to cost 1 to 1.6 trillion dollars over the next 10 years. But, alas, it will be budget neutral.

Sure, we can all believe that - we only need to look at Medicare with its $30 to $60 trillion in unfunded liabilities; Medicaid which is bankrupting many states (look up Tenncare) and last, but not least, Veterans Care. We all have read about the horrible conditions at Walter Reed Hospital and the care that our war heroes get.

To my count, that is three strikes and in America, three strikes and you are out. To maintain “budget neutrality” the powers-that-be are proposing a 10% tax on ALL cosmetic procedures.

When will this never-ending litany of new taxes end? This administration is already spending our country into the brink of bankruptcy. If they spent as much time on our deficit and decreasing it as they do on dreaming up new taxes our country would certainly be far better off.

I recently resigned from the AMA, the FMA and the American College of Surgeons. It was done with much thought. It was a very difficult decision to make. But these organizations “support government health care” and all of this with no tort reform.

I recently wrote to the chairman of the AMA and a similar letter was sent to the head of the American College of Surgeons. I think it says it all. Something to ponder in a spare moment.

July 29, 2009
James Rohack, M.D.
American Medical Association
515 North State StreetChicago, IL 60654

Dear Dr. Rohack:

Recently I resigned from the AMA and recent events have solidified the purpose of my decision. I am utterly shocked, appalled, and disheartened by the AMA elite endorsement of Obama Care. The AMA “elite” have sold our patients, our physicians and the greatest healthcare system in the world down the river.

There is no question our system has flaws but remains the preeminent healthcare system in the world. Why do so many presidents and foreign dignitaries come to America to receive lifesaving medical care? The free medical marketplace breeds innovation and new technology, life saving pharmaceuticals, etc. There isn’t one socialized system that can compete with ours.

We hear about the “great Canadian system” yet thousands of Canadians cross the border every year to receive their care here in America. In 2005 the Canadian Supreme Court opened the doors to private medicine and healthcare in their country. Why, because the socialized system was broken and was not serving the Canadian people.

Over 15,000 people died in France in 2003 because of a heat wave. When was the last time that happened in America?

Look at the list of Nobel Prize winners in medicine over the last 20 or 30 years and the case is quite clear and obvious. 8 out of 10 of the last major medical advances such as MRI’s and CT scans were developed here in America. If you suffered from an MI in the 80’s and made it to the ER the survival rate was about 60%, today it’s over 90%. Stroke survival rates today are twice as great as they were 25 to 30 years ago.

Look at the longevity table today versus 20 or 30 years ago. Yet we still have that bastion of healthcare that is so vital, so precious to doctor patient relationship and now you want the government to intrude and destroy and destroy they will.

Mark my word. They are like an insidious cancer growing and advancing not to be stopped. We need less government control in medicine and in our lives in general. Healthcare is 20% of our gross developmental products. I do not want the government to control anymore of lives than they already do.

Look at the government medicine we now have, Medicare is going broke, Medicaid is breaking every state budget in the union and then let’s not forget the great government controlled Veteran’s healthcare system which is a shamble and a disgrace to our proud men and women serving in our Armed Forces.

To put 20% of our gross developmental product in the hands of our totally irresponsible government is abhorrent. A short time ago the house passed a cap and trade bill and in large NO ONE ever read the bill and now they are trying to rush through and ramrod a healthcare bill down our throats that NO ONE once again has read. I wonder what they want to hide!

Of course they want to rush it through for the sake of not having it read, discussed and digested so that they can have more control of our lives. Just like the takeover of the banks, the insurance companies and the car companies. When and where will government control of our lives and our country end.

The government’s reasoning is that we have 50 million uninsured. It’s interesting how that number has grown from 35 to 50 million. If we look at that numbers it’s really not all that significant. Of that number 10 to 12 million are illegal aliens and should not be entitled to healthcare. It’s also estimated that 14 million of these uninsured qualify right now for SCHIPS/Medicaid. Several million of these uninsured can afford insurance but elect not to have it.

The census figures also show that 18.3 million of the uninsured were under 34-years-old. Many have elected not to have coverage because they feel healthy and secure in their present situation. Many millions are uninsured for short periods because they are between jobs.

When all is said and done a Blue Cross Blue Shield study in 2003 found that there were approximately 8.2 million Americans without coverage for long periods of time. We also hear of the tremendous costs of uncompensated care and the shifting of expense from the non-payer to the payers.

A Kaiser Family Foundation study in 2008 said that the TOTAL uncompensated care was 56 billion dollars. So we are going to turn our healthcare system over to the government with a projected cost of 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars over 10 years.

We all know about government efficiency. I am sure their numbers are accurate. Look at the VA healthcare system. This has been in place for decades and it’s government run and look how it’s in shambles. We all recently saw pictures flashed across the screen about the poor conditions of our Veteran’s healthcare facilities.

We are also told that we need a government option to create competition. With over 1500 healthcare plans in America today this is nothing more than a ploy to get the government’s foot in the door and gain total control of our lives. Even if the government plan loses money don’t worry we have the taxpayers to fall back on.

Look at the postal system which now is projecting a deficit of 10 billion dollars and of course who is going to pay for it, the taxpayers. We will just throw another 10 or 15 billion here to subsidize another losing government proposition. Maybe we will give the government’s plan some free government subsidies.

What government program over the last 10, 20 or 30 years has run efficiently and under budget? The answer is none. Do we subsidize Amtrak, the postal system, you name it. The list goes on and on and to think that this is going to be budget neutral is foolhardy.

We also always read about Medicaid fraud, Medicare fraud, durable medical good mills and so forth. When was the last time that we read about a Blue Cross Blue Shield or Human fraud? It doesn’t exist because the private sector is far more efficient in delivering healthcare. It is also possible that the private sector might be better keepers and stewards of our hard earned dollars.

To pay for this we are told that we can “squeeze” $500 billion in savings from Medicare. Yet the enrollees in Medicare is set to grow by over 30% as the baby boomers are set to retire over the next several years. Now you tell me how you cannot take away from the quality of healthcare for our senior citizens by squeezing a half a trillion dollars from their budget and yet have their enrollment increase 30 to 40%.

They must have some Houdini pulling the levers at the Medicare center. Past history has always shown us that we can’t trust the wisdom and brilliance of bureaucrats in Washington.

Our president talks about the out of control spiraling healthcare costs but recent trends seem to refute his claim. Here are some facts:

1970 – 10.5%
1980 – 13.0%
1990 – 10.9%
2000 – 6.6%|
2003 – 8.6%
2004 – 6.9%
2005 – 6.5%
2006 – 6.7%
2007 – 6.1%

This really is a promising trend.

As a loyal American I want free market capitalism to be given a chance ahead of a huge government bureaucracy filled with corruption and waste. Free market capitalism is what has made our country the richest, the strongest, most prosperous nation in the world.

Repeat Webster’s definition of tyranny “repressive government control”. I question what direction our country is going. I am certainly appalled at your decision to support Obama Care and I certainly have no plans in the future to ever again become a member of the AMA and will actively campaign to have other friends of mine who are active members to renounce their membership as well.

With Warmest Regards,

Robert J. Brueck, M.D.

A New Filler - Fort Myers plastic surgeon Dr. Brueck comments

2009-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

NEW FILLER - OBSERVATIONS FROM

DR. BRUECK

It seems every time I get up from bed there is a new filler/a new toy to tempt us to answer the needs of our patients.

The newest kid on the block is Hydrell/recently approved by the FDA.

It’s the newest Hyaluronic acid filler with anesthesia already in it.

The drug is manufactured by Anika Therapeutics and will be distributed in the U.S. by Coapt Systems. It is designed to fill in mid to deep dermis facial wrinkles and folds. It requires about 50% of the typical injection volume, meaning fewer injections to fill in those ugly, nasty facial wrinkles.

So far no word about when it will be released but I am sure there will soon be a new “knock on my door”.

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NO SCAR/NO SUTURES

2009-08-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

NO SCAR/NO SUTURES

One of the biggest reasons patients come to a plastic surgeon is, “I know there won’t be a scar.”

Sorry to say, there is ALWAYS a scar. But medical science keeps plodding along with new ideas, new products, and new innovations.

The next thing on the horizon are “nano sheets” that are ultra thin and may replace conventional sutures. This research comes out of Waseda University in Japan (I wonder how their football team is? just wondering).

By applying this thin sheet of poly/L/Lactid (PLLA) to incisions in mouse stomachs the tiny “miracle sheets” healed the incision with NO SCAR. These nano sheets could replace conventional sutures someday.

But hold on. They said it will be several years before this material is developed enough for clinical trials.

It’s like those so-called big, ugly, nasty, rich pharmaceutical companies who have been vilified for “excessive” profits. They can spend hundreds of millions of dollars developing a new drug and then after clinical trials. Oooops. Sorry. It doesn’t work.

Development of new drugs, new products is not cheap. But look how far we have come in the last 20 or 30 years.

Changes are constantly happening in medicine, including plastic cosmetic surgery. We try to stay up with them. Stay up with us by a) setting up an RSS feed of this blog, b) subscribing to our email alerts and c) regularly visiting http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com. Thank you.

Facial Cleansing - What's the latest view from cosmetic surgery

2009-08-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

If you were to ask the man or woman “on the street” to get their take on a facial cleansing, you might get an overly simplistic answer.

They might respond, take a bar of soap, any soap, lather it up and wash your face, rinse, towel dry, whoosh, facial cleansing.

But, we all know in today’s world of high tech gadgetry that just won’t do. There has to be a better mousetrap, surely and particularly for facial cleansing.

Finally, there is. Sonic technology.

One of the newer, methods to cleanse the skin relies on sonic technology. This has been shown to be very effective in removing sebum and environmental dirt from the face.

The Clarisonic is a patented sonic oscillating skin cleansing brush developed by Pacific Bioscience Laboratories. By using ultrasonic technology the brush works to unclog pores, loosening sebum, dirt and oil.

By properly cleansing your skin, any skincare products or regimen you use, such as Obagi or NIA24 will be more affective. It will enhance the overall effectiveness of lasering and light based therapies to your face.

Consider putting the soap and washcloth away and “Sonicing” your way to cleaner healthier skin.

To stay up to date on what's happening in all subjects beautiful, check in here regularly - with an RSS feed - visit our website at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

The Breast Reconstruction Information Void: Dr. Brueck comments

2009-08-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

According to sources in the field, almost 70% of patients who may be eligible for breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery are not informed of its availability. Tens of thousands of women undergo breast reconstruction each year. Yet, many women who might want to choose reconstructive surgery are not counseled about the options available.

It becomes important that any woman undergoing cancer-related breast surgery consult with a Board Certified plastic surgeon before undergoing the initial surgery. The plastic surgeon's pre-op input may help the patient and the patient's general surgeon make the best decisions about how to proceed.

I can't overstate the importance of the plastic surgeon being Board Certified for plastic surgery. The depth of training and experience involved in Board Certification in the specialty is key in assuring the best outcome.

I offer free consultations to all my patients before recommending an appropriate next step. If you, or someone you know is facing breast cancer surgery, please contact me at 239-939-5233. This will be a confidential consultation and will incur no charge or obligation on the patient's part.

If you can't call, visit my website at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

You can't have too much information when it comes to breast surgery.

The Future of Plastic Surgery - Dr Robert Brueck

2009-08-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE?

Unfortunately we don’t have a crystal ball, but a new report released by Industry Analysts Inc. in San Jose, California, paints a somewhat rosy picture for the future in the cosmetic surgery products and surgical procedures industry.

The cosmetic surgery products market is expected to grow to 3.07 billion dollars by 2012 while the cosmetic surgery procedures market is projected to reach 15.3 billion dollars by 2012.

Compared to our growing national debt this is like finding a penny in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven. My, how things can change in just a short period of time.

New products and services are coming out almost daily.

As baby boomers mature and gain discretionary dollars, cosmetic procedures will see a nice, steady, healthy growth. The greatest growth will be with injectables because of lower cost and minimal downtime. We now have an alternative to Botox, i.e. Dysport. As the competition heats up over the months and years ahead the prices will certainly fall and become more affordable.

The lure of injectables and things such as Botox is the fact that they can be done on a Friday and a person can go right back to work.

If you are dedicated to doing something to delay the appearance of aging, you will have plenty of affordable options in the future.

Stay up with the changing market by making this blog an RSS feed, and check out my web site, http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

Fat? Chillout. - Plastic Surgery News

2009-08-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

“IT’S SUMMERTIME, BE COOL”

Just like I said, every time I put my head on the pillow/sleep/wake-up, vavoom! there is a new toy, laser, whatever on the market.

One of the latest toys or gadgets is to “chill” your fat cells. Sounds cool, no pun intended and with the hot summer heat maybe it’s a good way to really cool down.

The machine cools the fat cells to a temperature just above freezing which triggers apoptosis.

Apoptosis, now that is a great word for scrabble.

Basically it is a programmed cell death that occurs slowly over 3 to 4 months. Hence, there is no instant gratification.

The cooling causes the lipids and the fat cells to gradually cool, crystallize and eventually lead to the death of the fat cells. The treatment requires no anesthesia and no downtime.

This new “cryolipolysis” is new and yet not available to patients. More studies are currently being done as we speak.

It’s important to know that fat reduction isn’t tremendous so it will not replace traditional liposuction. Oh well, good thought, something easy, quick and fast. Sort of like drive through fast food.

Maybe it’s just a novel way to “cool down” for the summer and maybe lose a few fat cells on the way. Have a great summer.

To keep up with the changing world of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical techniques, create an RSS feed to receive updates of Dr. Brueck's blog and visit Dr. Brueck's website at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

The Stem Cell Facelift - Plastic Surgery

2009-08-12T09:40:00.001-07:00

Stem Cells. Two words that can start heated conversations and end friendships. It is certainly a hot political as well as religious topic but it need not be. Here, however, we are talking about adult stem cells and their use in “stem cell” face lifts.

What are stem cells?

Basically a stem cell is a cell with multiple options. A stem cell may become a bone cell or "osteocyte" or a "collagen cell", or other types of cell within the body. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate down different cell lines. These cells can help “replenish” old tired out cells in our face.

As adults we have many adult stem cells in our fatty tissue.

These stem cells are harvested through liposuction, spun down and then re-injected into the patient’s face. So in essence you are both the donor and the recipient, which is good because there are no problems with tissue compatibility.

The physician who pioneered this procedure is Dr. Richard Ellenbogen in California.

Interestingly, the highest concentration of stem cells is found in the back fat. Think about it. You not only eliminate "love handles", you transfer them to a "lovelier" face. I knew love handles were good for something. Now we know they are a source of stem cells.

Over the years I have been injecting fat into the face with good results.

I usually use abdominal fat. Now we are considering trying the love handle fat to make sure that I have a higher concentration of stem cells. I think this is a good procedure to use but to say a stem cell face lift is the fountain of youth is a bit premature. To date we have had no double blind studies where we inject stem cells on one side of the face and leave them out on the other side. Perhaps that is in the not too distant future.

It's not just a face lift.

In any event, harvesting stem cells from the flank area and re-injecting them into the face is something I have done. I think it is appropriate because one of the early signs of aging is loss of soft tissue. Maybe we should reiterate that these are not just face lifts but "stem cell face lifts".

Stay tuned. Maybe the term "fat chance" will take on a new, positive meaning.

And check the web site at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com regularly for updates on these and other plastic and cosmetic surgery updates.

Plastic Surgery- DYSPORT/THE NEWEST MIRACLE DRUG

2009-08-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

At long last, a competitor to the ever-long-lasting monopolistic Botox has FDA approval.

The company that will distribute Dysport (the new kid on the block) is Medicis, the same people who distribute Restylane. Their initial studies involved 2900 patients nationwide.

Dysport has been used in the

United Kingdom

since 1991 with an outstanding track record. Yet, to get approval here in the US, many more millions of dollars needed to be spent so that we could have a “safer drug” and certainly a more expensive drug. Somehow, I believe that 17 years of safe use in the

United Kingdom

, which included tens of thousands of patients, would be sufficient enough to allow the FDA to go ahead and approve this drug sooner.

How is Dysport different than Botox?

There have not been to date any cross comparison studies between Dysport and Botox. What has come out of the study so far is that Dysport works FASTER and some feel the effects last LONGER i.e. 5 to 6 months versus 4 months for Botox. We are currently in talks with the representatives from Medicis to find out the how’s, why’s and wherefore’s of Dysport.

Keep tuned for more to come. And check in regularly at www.BeautybyBrueck.com for updates about all things plastic surgery. Thank you.

Reflections of a Patient - Dr Brueck Plastic Surgeon

2009-07-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

For years I have been the doctor and have given advice, opinions and operations to thousands of patients over my last 30 years in practice. But recently there was a role reversal.

I now was the patient and had to undergo surgery and follow-up and hopefully the role of being a good patient. Back in the fall of 2008 I noticed an aching and pain in my lower legs.

For a long time my diagnosis was “getting old” and exercising maybe a tad too much. It would wax and wane over many months before I finally said enough is enough and sought the advice of a good friend and colleague and well respected orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ron Gardner. I got x-rays and exam and some lower back exercises were prescribed to me to perform which I did diligently almost every day in the gym.

My back pain went away but the pain in my legs and thighs continued. I said that maybe the problem was not my muscles but my spinal canal. So when things did not progress to my satisfaction I went off to get the magical new MRI and it truly is a remarkable machine, part of American medical ingenuity. It revealed that I had severe arthritic changes in my left ankle but some significant pathology was also found in my lower back in the L3 to L5 area including a small tumor. I was found to have spinal canal stenosis and stenosis of the foramena or the openings where the nerves exit the spinal cord.

I was then off to see the neurosurgeon Dr. Eskioglu. He was fantastic and the good Lord let me there. I had the narrowing as mentioned which was causing some problems in my thighs with numbness and weakness in my muscles and pain that was almost constant.

Going up and down the stairs is something that we all take for granted and certainly I was at the top of the list but as I began to experience this pain in my legs it progressively got worse. Just walking and going up and down the stairs became more of chore than ever before. He mentioned that perhaps I could get a series of blocks but how long it would last and effective it would be would be unknown.

So the more I thought about it, I felt that the most appropriate thing would be bite the bullet, get the surgery, forgo the blocks and move on to what I know eventually was going to be my fate.

So, on July 15^th I underwent a 3+ hours operation. I am happy to report “all is well”. My pain is gone but I now have to be a good compliant patient. What that translates into is no excessive walking, no exercising, no driving, no showering or hot tubs or anything of that sort for awhile. As the day of reckoning approached I started thinking more about my choice and possible outcomes.

Normally, composed and in control of my emotions I noticed a small wave of anxiety coming on the horizon. I couldn't back out now, and as the day approached and came closer, my anxiety grew as well. I held off telling my kids until I had the resolve to say what could well have been my last goodbye to them. As I thought about this tears began to well up in my eyes. Linda was by my side and as always giving me hope and support. All at once the uncertainties of life were staring me in the face.

The night before my surgery I went to bed early (what else is new?) because I had to be at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. I pity those people, including my patients, who are not early birds. I got there at 5:30 and my close friend Vic was there to greet us.

We waited a short time before I was taken away upstairs to the main operating holding area. Up there they “prepped me”, got me in my hospital gown, so fashionable, (I think they are wonderful) and my little paper booties as well.

Connie, my admitting nurse came in and we hit it off. She started my I.V. and gave me some medication and we had a special conversation. She left to attend other patients so in my quiet alone moment I said a silent prayer. The anxiety relief was instant.

As I opened my eyes, in came a familiar face from the past, Wayne Levy. I worked with Wayne 12 or so years ago to get the homeless center started with the Salvation Army. We chatted and we reminisced and as he was getting ready to leave he said “do you want to pray?” So we did.

Shortly thereafter I was in the OR and all I remember was that they asked me to take some slow deep breaths in and out and after 3 breaths it was all over.

Hours later I woke up in a deep London fog machine blowing humidity up my face. The mister and humidifier created a blurred vision to me as I did not have my glasses. All my toes were working and I heard the reassuring words from the recovery room nurse saying that "your operation is over, all went well."

I share this with you because I now can understand perhaps from a patient’s perspective a little better what you may experience in terms of anxiety before going under the knife. My empathy has grown, my understanding has grown. I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination to have the greatest job or calling in the world and part of what makes that calling so special are “you my patients”.

Editor's Note: When Dr. Brueck shared this with me, I decide it shoiuld be shared with you. If you would like to more about Dr. Brueck, visit his website at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

Reuters reports Plastic Surgery still popular

2009-07-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Reuters news service reports that most women under 50 continue to be interested in cosmetic beauty enhancement, ie. plastic surgery and cosmetic non-surgical procedures, despite economic conditions.

Of one thousand women in a poll conducted this month by E-Poll Market Research, 63% in the 18-34 group and 73% in the 35-49 group continue think positively about age-defying procedures that will make then look younger - or at least, hold off the appearance of aging.

44% of the younger group considered Botox-like injections for wrinkle mitigation to be a "routine" procedure for them. Similar numbers from the American Societyof Plastic Surgeons support these findings.

So, how about you? Are you holding back because of some unknown fear of what "might" happen with the economy? If you have the personal income now to devote to how you look, why let someone else steal a march on you simply because they have more confidence?

This a great time to invest in your future through a simple procedure that will keep you looking more youthful. Think of it as job insurance - or simply as an affordable boost to your confidence. By the way, we also have financing, with no interest, available for those who qualify.

Pick up the phone. Call 239-939-5233 and ask for Judy. She will set up a no-obligation appointment for you to speak with me about your options, from procedures to how to pay for them.

We'll start off right by making the consultation free. It costs you nothing, whether you go ahead or decide not to. The number again is 239-939-5233 Thank you. Dr. Brueck

Jane Iredale Cosmetics at plastic surgeon, Dr. Brueck's practice

2009-07-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

They are new cosmetics to us but not really new on the market.

We are pleased to announce that we have a complete line of Jane Iredale skincare make-up available to all of our patients. These are outstanding products and patients really enjoy the affects that they have had on their skin.

It’s not just a refinement of normal make-up it’s a whole new technology. The products include Pure Pressed Base SPF 18. It’s a quick simple affective way to apply base. You will apply a foundation of powder, concealer and sunscreen in one stroke.

Apply with Jane Iredale handy brush on clean skin after moisturizer has been absorbed. Brush on a thin layer extending with downward strokes. Apply sparingly and layer it. You can always add more.

The second is Amazing Base with an SPF of 20. All the benefits of pressed powder with more glow. Lightly dip the Chisel powder brush into the powder, tap off any excess and use the lid to work the minerals into the brush. The more evenly distributed it is on the brush the more evenly it will go onto your skin.

There is also a product called Circle/Delete an under eye concealer and conditioner. You can mix the perfect shade from three duo’s; yellow, peach and dark gold/brown. This is applied with the camouflage brush. It contains vitamin K and natural lightener. Apply under or over the minerals. It can be used to help cover bruising, hyperpigmentation and light scars.

The fourth is enlightening concealer, Enlighten. This is specifically designed to help cover hyperpigmentation. Its peach orange color will counteract the tendency for an ashy bleed through. It contains Arbutin, a state of the art natural lightener that inhibits the formation of melanin pigment by inhibiting tyrosine ACE activity. This is what gives people those unsightly brown spots.

The last one is Disappear. It is a heavily pigmented formula that will even cover black tattoos. Use it to cover skin conditions such as acne, port wine stains, scars, etc. This Liposome-based formula contains green tea extracts to help clear blemishes. It also contains other botanicals that are beneficial to the skin. The patented applicator allows you to apply this with or without a brush.

So if you are interested, feel free to give our girls in the office a call, either Judy or Eileen (239-939-5233). They can discuss this more with you and show you the product line. The comments and reaction to it have been outstanding.

Plastic surgery news - luscious lips surgery now done here

2009-06-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, we blogged about a new implant material, PermaLip, that has the consistency of a "gummy bear". It is flexible silicone elastomer that can be trimmed to size and implanted in the upper or lower lip in a procedure that takes about a half-hour. Normal activity may be resumed the next day.

Up until now, however, it was something in the future for local residents.

Now, the PermaLip procedure is available with Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD right here in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida. He recently performed a PermaLip implant with a local patient who is ecstatic with the results.

Here are some before and after photographs.

Please note how much more full, plump and youthful-looking the new lips are.

One of the benefits of this procedure is its persistence. Once the implant has been made it does not need to be redone the way painful filler injections do.

At the same time, if you are dissatisfied, removal is easy and quick in short reversal procedure in my office.

If you are interested in this procedure for your lips, or any other cosmetic surgery, call me, Dr. Brueck, at 239-939-5233.

Or visit my web site at Beauty-by-Brueck.com to read about my credentials and lots of background information on all the surgical and non-surgical procedures I specialize in.

Thank you.

Is this the cure for (skin) cancer? Ask Dr. Brueck

2009-06-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

REPORT ON NEW SKIN THERAPY RX FROM DR. ROBERT BRUECK, MD, FORT MYERS, FL COSMETIC SURGEON.

Researchers continue to unlock the magic key to find “the cure.” Humans are plagued with many cancers. One that is very resistant to treatment in later stages is melanoma, one of three varieties of skin cancer.

An early small clinical trial in the treatment of advanced melanoma is using an attack on the melanoma cells using their own genetic characteristics. 9 of 16 patients with advanced melanoma responded to a drug known as PLX4032. These tumors that responded had a mutation or abnormality in a gene for the protein BRAF which plays a crucial role in melanomas growth and spread.

The broader picture here is that scientists now can examine the genetic make-up of certain cancers and develop therapies to combat the cancer based on the cancers genetic design.

BRAF is essential to the growth of certain cancers. So developing drugs to inhibit or shut off this gene will lead to less tumor growth.

How long will the effects of these new genetic drugs last?

Many questions remain but new hope lies on the horizon.

Cosmetic Surgery - To Tell or Not to Tell

2009-06-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Frequently patients will ask me, “Dr. Brueck, when can I go out in public and be presentable?”

I guess only you can answer that.

It depends on whether you want anyone to know if your lack of apparent aging is due to the crafty art and skill of your plastic surgeon or the fact that you are blessed with “good genes.”

But when apparent lack of aging is due to non-surgical procedures most Americans are willing to offer a confession. A recent survey from the Aesthetic Surgery Education Research Foundation (ASERF) found that nearly 9 out of 10 or 87% of respondents openly discussed their use of Botox and dermal fillers. These non-surgical treatments are now mainstream.

Just who are these women who openly confess their use of Botox and fillers?

They usually are married, working mothers, age 41-55, with a household income under $100,000. These women are health conscious and philanthropic in their views and many volunteer for charitable organizations. The reason for doing this is “to look more relaxed, less stressed-out”.

So there you have it. A new interactive conversation, open, honest, and why not?

Plastic Surgery and Weight Control - The YoYo Effect

2009-06-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Thoughts from Fort Myers plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Brueck - We occasionally encounter patients who are considering liposuction or other body contouring as a "substitute" for actual weight loss.

We discourage it strongly. It is not the right solution for people struggling with obesity. It does lead us, however, to give thought to successful weight loss regimens. And those that are not successful.

We are all familiar with the “yo-yo”. As a young boy growing up in the streets of Chicago I spent many hours playing with a yo-yo. It would go up and it would go down, it would go up and it would go down. It seems weight gain and loss is a yo-yo phenomenon for many people. You gain 20 pounds, you lose 20 pounds and you regain it. The cycle goes on and on. Along with this come anxiety, depression, and frustration. All are often futile attempts to get the “perfect” body shape.

The National Institutes of Health has defined weight maintenance as maintaining a 10% loss of weight for a time period exceeding 1 year, which I found quite interesting.

A national registry called the “National Weight Control Registry” ,commonly referred to as the NWCR, was created in 1994 to track the weight of people who lost over 30 pounds for a period greater than 1 year. What they found is interesting and may prove beneficial to you as you try to get off the yo-yo treadmill.

The following observations were made.

Number one – greater than 90% exercised regularly for about an hour a day. Exercise is critical to maintaining weight loss.

Number two – eat breakfast daily. Over 78% of registry participants ate breakfast regularly. Skipping breakfast produces a long fasting state which leads to increased calorie consumption as the day wears on. Now that doesn’t mean we go out and eat a dozen eggs and 3 pounds of sausage every morning.

Number three – self monitor your weight. They found that 75% of registry participants weighed themselves at least once a week.

Number four – avoid sedentary activities i.e. don’t sit down and watch television for 4 – 6 hours a day. Walk up the stairs instead of taking an elevator unless your office is on the top floor of a 110 story office building. But then again, that might not be so bad after all. You just need to get up an hour earlier to begin the journey. LOL

I hope these points prove beneficial to you as you go on to maintain a healthier more productive lifestyle.

If after serious, sustained weight loss you find body fat just won't go away, you may be a candidate for body sculpting. For more information, visit Dr. Brueck's web site at http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com. or call us at 239-939-5233.

Say Goodbye to Thread Lift Plastic Surgery

2009-06-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

A short time ago there was a new cosmetic surgery procedure on the block. It was called a “thread lift”.

It received national media attention and was the cat’s meow for a long while.

I did the training and did several patients but quickly abandoned the procedure because the results were fleeting. It was expensive, not very difficult to do, but the expected results were lacking so I stopped offering it to my patients. Since then, I have seen several patients who have had thread lifts by other physicians who came in with exposed knots, dimpling of the skin, and the like.

It did receive FDA approval but that since has been rescinded.

There was a recent study done to compare results with three categories of patients.

The first category was patients who had thread lift only. The second category was patients who had thread lifts plus other procedures such as a blepharoplasty, chin implant and the like. The third category was conventional cosmetic surgery patients. They had a conventional facelift, blepharoplasty and the like.

The satisfaction with the thread lift patients was fleeting and the patients felt very dissatisfied with the longevity of their procedures.

The patients in group three had the greatest satisfaction level of all the groups. It was something that I saw a long time ago and lead me to abandon the procedure.

I guess it points to experience as a great teacher. My 30 years of experience has taught me a lot and the font of skill and knowledge continues to this day.

For more information about me, my experience and my practice, visit my web site at http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com

The Real Truth About Cosmetic Surgery - Part II

2009-06-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

Dr. Brueck discusses facial rejuvenation with Mid-Cape meeting participants.

If you missed the first of Dr. Brueck's two sessions on "The Truth About Cosmetic Surgery", or even if you were there, here's your second chance to get "The Truth" and to ask Dr. Brueck questions.

Date : Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Place: Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club
1300 Ceitus Terrace,
Cape Coral, 33991

Subject: Body Contouring, Tummy Tucks, Breast Enhancement.

Mid-Cape participants display their enthusiastic smiles

Admission is free but reservations are requested and may be arranged by calling Bob Lynch at Mid-Cape R&H, 239-573-3210.

There will be a drawing for free baskets of skin care products.

Dr. Robert J. Brueck is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with practice offices in Fort Myers and Cape coral and almost 30 years of experience in the specialty of cosmetic surgery. For more information about Dr. Brueck, his practice and his experience, visit http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com

New techniques in cosmetic surgery for luscious lips

2009-06-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

NEW RICHER FULLER LIPS

There are many challenges in cosmetic surgery today.

One has to do with creating fuller, more youthful looking lips (lip augmentation.)

The procedure of choice has been injecting dermal fillers. Fine, as far as they go. But injections can be painful and only temporary. They often require multiple injections over time to maintain that fullness.

We now have a new “gummy bear lip”. A new “PermaLip” implant is now available. It's made from silastic polymer with the consistency of a soft gummy bear. It has tapered ends simulating the normal lip line.

The implant is soft and has a natural feeling.

Implanting can be done in a simple outpatient procedure with light sedation which translates into no pain. Because there is no tissue ingrowth to the implant it is very easy to remove or reposition if necessary.

The before and after photos I think speak for themselves.

Photos are provided by PermaLip (c) and do not represent Dr. Brueck's work.

Recently a paper was written by Drs. Harris and Raphael of Plano, Texas, discussing their experience with 412 patients utilizing the PermaLip implant. Complications were minimal; 17 out of 412 patients required some repositioning of the implant and no patients lost their implant due to infection.

Satisfaction was almost universal, even after several months. Only two of the 412 patients expressed dissatisfaction and two requested removal due to family pressure.

It now has received FDA approval. No longer do you have to endure repeated injections to have full youthful lips. To schedule a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for PermaLip please call our office at (239) 939-5233.

A chuckler testimonial for Dr. Brueck's plastic surgery

2009-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

We get lots of compliments from our patients.

Many testimonials about our plastic surgery work come to us in email.

Usually, they come from the patient.

Very rarely do we get one from the spouse or companion of the patient.

This one made us chuckle.

I guess whether or not you take this as complimentary depends on what you think of Picasso's work. LOL

I choose to take it as positive.

What do you think?

Can Plastic Surgery give a lift to your job security

2009-05-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

From North America to the

, cosmetic plastic surgery is becoming an important part of the employee’s resume tool box.

Reuters news service reports that plastic surgeons are seeing increased interest from people seeking surgery to look younger and more employable. A male music producer in Los Angeles claims to have invested $17,000 in a face lift. His goal? To look younger and feel more confident. That’s right, a male.

Despite perceptions that cosmetic surgery is only for women, the Yorkshire (UK) Post reports that men also are having more cosmetic surgery these days. Cosmetic procedures for men have increased 25% in England in the last year. Patients range from accountants and attorneys to government employees, with the most popular procedure, according to the Post, being male breast reductions. Mini-face lifts to remove jowls also are popular.

Meanwhile, back in the US, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has completed a study in which they found more American women were thinking of plastic cosmetic surgery as a way to get a competitive edge at work. 756 women between 18 and 64 were surveyed.

Around 73% felt that a youthful appearance plays a role in getting employment, getting promoted and getting new clients. 13% said they would consider a cosmetic procedure to improve their chances of landing a good job. They cited the difficult economic times as contributing to the importance of looking young and energetic.

As a Board Certified plastic surgeon practicing in Southwest Florida I have observed that, as the job market gets tighter, more people are looking to get an ‘edge’ in the jobs competition. Many times this means ‘looking’ younger. Patients tell me they need to look younger because job interviewers seem more concerned about “appearances” than qualifications.

I am seeing people in their 40s and 50s, who must compete with people who may be 10 to 15 years younger. They are investigating cosmetic procedures to make them more competitive in the marketplace.”

If you are in a field that is populated by a large number of young people, looking young may help you succeed.

One woman, who asked not to be named, says she attends networking gatherings where she has noticed she is amongst women who are much younger-looking. “It’s difficult to be confident in that setting”, she observed. “I know some of these women have gone through facial rejuvenation and, darn it, they look younger than me. How do you compete with that?”

I recently worked with a 30-ish woman who came to me for facial rejuvenation. She was convinced that making her aging face look younger would help her land and keep the job she wanted.

In another case, a middle-aged woman came in recently and said she needed to look younger to be more competitive in this market. The procedure I recommended was an eyelid lift. I think it makes a big, big difference to get rid of that overhanging skin that makes your eyes look tired and old. After all, the eyes are one of the first places an interviewer looks. There’s a reason they call it ‘eye contact’.

An eyelid lift is simple, safe and recovery time is minimal. You can shampoo your hair the next day and have stitches out in 3 or 4 days.

But it’s not only facial procedures. Another young, working mother who was experiencing sagging breasts from nursing after childbirth, decided that a breast lift would put more bounce in her step, give her more confidence in her interactions with others and enhance her job security.

People who elect to have plastic surgery in today’s economy consider these procedures to be investments in their future earning power. Those who are short of ready cash for a procedure are finding financing opportunities. We accept financing through CareCredit . (see our (http://www.beauty-by-brueck.com/Links.htm ) CareCredit offers credit plans for medical care, some of which are even interest-free

The procedures can range from relatively inexpensive, non-surgical procedures such as Botox or other filler injections to eliminate age-betraying wrinkles to more extensive surgeries such as eyelid lifts, chin lifts, mommy makeovers (tummy tucks) and breast enhancements.

A male sales rep in New Jersey talks about being passed over for jobs he was qualified to fill. Once he chose to have wrinkles and other signs of aging around his face and neck rejuvenated, he found employers were more receptive. “Maybe I just came off as more confident and energetic, not necessarily “younger-looking”. So what? If it helped me get a job I might otherwise not have been considered for, that’s what matters.”

A web site devoted to members of the legal profession conducted a poll in which 58% of respondents said that implants could only help a woman’s career. It seems that a woman attorney who uses breast implants to improve her physique is apt to receive a positive reaction from her employers. But it is not surgically enhanced breasts that makes the difference. It is a more confident and forthcoming attitude as a result of a more youthful profile that may make a woman appear more qualified.

In reality, it is almost required that the enhancement not be noticeable. The kind of modest attire women in professions wear is designed to leave more to the imagination than to the eye. Therefore, breast enhancement for these women seldom exceeds one size. The result is a woman who feels better about herself and her appearance. More than one size can call more attention to the change than to the person.

For whatever reason, with competition for jobs, promotions and assignments on the uptick, anything you can do to look more confident, more energetic and, yes, even more attractive, may make the difference you need in your career development.

It would be wonderful if we all were judged solely on our inner beauty and professional qualifications. But in the real world how you look appears to influence how others see you and how you feel about yourself.

There is no escaping the fact that surgical enhancement may make a difference in getting employed more quickly and justifying a salary that supports your lifestyle.

If you are looking for ways to invest in your future and plastic surgery is a possibility, the first thing to do is talk to at least one Board Certified plastic surgeon about the available options. (You can arrange for a personal, private confidential consultation with me, simply by calling my office at 239-939-5233.)

Ask every question that comes into your mind, including how you will pay for it and if the doctor has any special deals. You may be surprised at how affordable this investment is. We are offering some deep discounts coming into the summer. Just ask.

For more information, click here to visit my website Beauty-by-Brueck.com

Thank you.