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CoolSculpting® or Liposuction? Plastic Surgeon Dr. German Newall Weighs in on Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Fat Reduction

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 GMT

While he’s internationally renowned among both patients and colleagues for his liposuction expertise and body contouring artistry, lately CoolSculpting®−a new nonsurgical fat reduction method−is increasingly placing Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall in the media spotlight.

In the past year alone, Newall was interviewed about CoolSculpting® for a Venezuelan newspaper and for the Spanish-language television network Univision morning show Primera Edicion. In addition, a Univision television crew visited the surgeon at his Houston office for a two-part news special which featured the CoolSculpting® experience of Lora Hunsucker, who sought the treatment to reduce a stubborn post-pregnancy tummy bulge.

With its ability to reduce muffin tops, love handles, and saddle bags and other infamous fatty bulges through a simple one-to-two hour treatment that requires no down time, CoolSculpting® has sparked a flurry of media interest that has contributed to its growing popularity. Among others, shows such as Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and Rachel Ray and publications including O! Magazine, Allure, and Men’s Fitness have spotlighted the procedure.

The introduction of the innovative new treatment provides patients with a new fat reducing option to consider, one which leads many to question the difference between CoolSculpting® and liposuction, the nation’s second most popular cosmetic plastic surgical procedure in 2010 according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

In explaining the difference between the two methods, Dr. Newall said, “Both will reduce fatty pockets, but the outcomes are totally different. Liposuction is a more aggressive sculpting technique that alters a person’s body not only by reducing fat but also by creating a more curvaceous body contour. CoolSculpting® is an awesome technique to reduce fat in specific areas, but it’s not a sculpting technique."

Because CoolSculpting® simply reduces fat in treated areas by an average of 20 percent, it may not be the best solution for those who also have loose skin, an aesthetic concern that can be corrected only through surgical removal of the excess skin. For that reason, Dr. Newall frequently combines liposuction with skin excision (removal) to improve the body’s contour lines. And while the surgeon can remove up to 22 pounds of excess fat through liposuction, he uses the surgical technique primarily as a sculpting tool to achieve more attractive curves and proportions.

Though CoolScultping® may not deliver the dramatic contouring results that can be provided by liposuction, it is often a good option for those who are within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal weight who simply desire to see stubborn bulges reduced. For Hunsucker, the procedure met her aesthetic goals, allowing her to fit into her pre-baby form-fitting jeans.

"My jeans and bathing suits are a little looser now. I used to be a medium on top and a large on the bottom, so now I'm more balanced," said Hunsucker.

Based upon technology developed by Harvard scientists, CoolSculpting® uses controlled cooling temperatures to freeze and eliminate fat cells, while leaving the surrounding tissues and skin unharmed. Over the following 8 to 12 weeks, these fat cells are removed through the body’s natural metabolic processes, and the body’s new contours are revealed. An additional fat reduction of 20 percent on average can be obtained through each subsequent treatment session, for those who desire further improvement.

If you are interested in body contouring to improve your body's shape and proportions, call our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall.

29-Nov-11 9:00 AM

Avoiding the Windblown Look: Dr. Patronella's Approach to Creating Natural-Looking Facelift Results

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Facelift Before and After Photos

For this 61-year-old woman who desired a more refreshed facial appearance, Dr. Patronella performed an SMAS facelift, necklift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and a browlift. In facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Patronella often combines surgical and nonsurgical treatments. In this case, he used a hyaluronic acid cosmetic filler to add fullness to her lips and to soften the nasolabial folds that stretch from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

When it comes to facial rejuvenation, Dr. Patronella has found that while most individuals desire to correct the characteristics of facial aging which cause them to appear tired and worn, they often are concerned that cosmetic plastic surgery will alter their unique facial characteristics.

“Most of my patients say, ‘I don’t mind my age. I just want to look good for my age,’” said Dr. Patronella. “Creating a naturally rejuvenated look that preserves the unique personal characteristics of an individual’s face is the most important thing I can do for a patient.”

To create natural-looking facelift results, said Dr. Patronella, there must be an equal distribution of lift applied to each area of the face, as pulling one area excessively leads to an artificial look. In addition, because most people experience a loss of bone and deep tissue both in quality and quantity, restoration of this lost tissue through fat grafting is a key component of restoring a youthful look to the face. This factor, he said, is the likely reason for the much publicized examples of windblown-looking celebrity faces. “They get repeated pulls without restoring the volume.”

Creating natural-looking facelift results requires an attentive eye to a myriad of other details, as well, in order to avoid producing a look that reveals the tell-tale signs of surgery. These include making sure the earlobes are not pulled, ensuring that there is a small concave area in front of the ear, and avoiding pulling up the hairline.

Dr. Patronella is particularly attentive to placing the incisions in such a way that they're hard to detect, angling his incisions in the natural crease of the earlobe and behind the ear. "My goal is to make the incision in such a way that my patients can wear their hair up without feeling self-conscious," he said.

While the late 40s to the early 50s is the most common age range of Dr. Patronella’s facelift patients, the surgeon said he has seen patients in their 30s who need facelifts and those in their 50s who do not. “The aging process can affect people in different ways. We must be flexible in our thinking and not confine our approach based on age alone.”Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, major weight changes, and nutritional habits can all accelerate the aging process, he said.

Though patients often focus on one or two aged features such as jowls or loose neck skin, most will also have other aged facial features such as fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, that, if unaddressed, will lead to an unbalanced look that appears partially rejuvenated and partially aged, said Dr. Patronella. To avoid this, he evaluates each aging facial feature in order to advise patients of the best approach to achieving rejuvenation that appears balanced, thorough, and natural.

If you would like to learn more about facial rejuvenation options to help you achieve a more youthful, refreshed look, call our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Patronella.

29-Nov-11 8:00 AM

Inside Edition CBS Show Spotlights Dr. Mentz’s Abdominal Etching® “Six-Pack” Procedure

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz’s groundbreaking Abdominal Etching procedure, which defines the abdominal muscles to create the look of six-pack abs, recently received national attention when the CBS television show Inside Edition spotlighted the procedure and the progress of the college student who received it.

The show featured 26-year-old Travis Mosher, an MBA student and patient of Dr. Mentz, who chose to have Abdominal Etching® to obtain the washboard abs he was unable to achieve despite his efforts through dieting, working out each day, and eating protein shakes.

To achieve the look, Dr. Mentz first marks the patient’s abdominal structures while the patient is standing with muscles flexed. Then, using a thin hollow cannula tube, the surgeon thins the abdominal fat pad to reveal the muscles beneath. Using the markings as a guide, he then outlines the muscular structures using liposuction to give them greater definition .

Abdominal Etching® takes an hour or less, and the patient can return home the same day. Results are typically long-lasting provided that the patient follows good eating and exercise habits to maintain a reasonable weight. That’s not a problem for Mosher, who says the desire to maintain his new athletic look has led him to supercharge his workout routine.

“All I want to do is work out now because I’m motivated to maintain the results. I’m more likely to do sit-ups and running because I can see results now. Before I would do sit-ups and running, but I was never able to achieve any definition that would shine through.

Mosher is glad to be back to his exercise routine after a recovery that he describes as “not bad at all.” Though the first two days after surgery, he mostly rested, the student was back to classes the following week, and his regular exercise routine within five weeks.

The experience of working with Dr. Mentz and his staff was “first class,” said Mosher. From the postsurgical therapeutic massages to their promptness in answering any questions he had, “they were quick to take care of me.”

Dr. Mentz invented the Abdominal Etching® (Ab Etching®, Ab Etch®) liposuction technique in 1992 to create more visible muscular definition in the male torso. The procedure is designed for individuals who are relatively fit who desire a leaner, chiseled abdominal appearance. Dr. Mentz developed a modified Abdominal Etching® method for those who have higher body fat levels above 20 percent.

Since its introduction, Abdominal Etching® has garnered international acclaim. Dr. Mentz, who is considered a world authority on the procedure, has presented the technique to plastic surgeons around the globe and teaches a popular course on the specialized lipocontouring technique to physicians at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's annual meeting.

If you are interested in Abdominal Etching® to help you achieve a more athletic abdominal appearance, contact our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Mentz.

29-Nov-11 8:00 AM

A Beautiful Curve Duo - Liposuction & the Brazilian Butt Lift

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:00:00 GMT

While the fairy-tale wedding of British royal Prince William and Kate Middleton captured the attention of television viewers across the world, Kate’s lovely maid-of-honor, Pippa Middleton, and her shapely rear view nearly stole the show. Pippa’s derriere has quickly gained a celebrity status of its own, inspiring its very own Facebook page and a growing number of women seeking cosmetic plastic surgery to achieve a similar look.

Though voluptuous celebrities Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian may have helped launch the Brazilian Butt Lift trend, Pippa’s slightly more demure curves are the new trend, say many plastic surgeons. Especially among those with more petite proportions, a Pippa-style butt lift fits the bill for women who desire a profile that’s shapely, yet a little less high-volume.

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella says the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure provides the perfect curve-enhancing combination for many women, allowing them to have fat removed from areas where is is undesired through liposuction and grafted into the buttocks to give them a rounder, more lifted contour.

Dr. Patronella also often performs the procedure for patients who have experienced moderate to large weight loss, which commonly leaves the buttocks with an unattractive flattened appearance. Through fat grafting, he is able to resculpt the buttocks to give them a fuller, more lifted shape.

Similarly to breast augmentation, a procedure for which he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts, Dr. Patronella customizes buttocks enhancement surgery to fit the preferences and unique proportions of each patient.

If you are interested in Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, contact our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Patronella. He will be happy to answer your questions and recommend a plan to help you achieve the contours you desire.

13-Oct-11 4:00 PM

Liposuction for a Better Body and Better Health? New Study Suggests Link

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:00:00 GMT

While liposuction is one of the most effective tools Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Newall uses to enhance the body’s contours, a new study shows it may also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgery annual conference of 2011, the study revealed that liposuction patients experienced a reduction in triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood which the body uses for energy. While triglycerides are needed for good health, excessively high levels of this fat can raise the risk of heart disease.

The study measured the triglyceride and cholesterol levels of 322 patients who were undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. While triglyceride levels remained unchanged for those who had normal levels before surgery, patients who had elevated triglyceride levels (greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl) prior to surgery experienced a 43 percent reduction in triglyceride levels after surgery. This result is approximately twice the effect that is achieved with a drug that is commonly used to improve triglyceride levels.

In addition to a reduction in triglyceride levels, the study found that white blood cells decreased by an average of 11 percent after liposuction. High white blood cell counts have been linked to coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

The study author, plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Swanson, noted that these findings suggest that subcutaneous fat that is found beneath the skin may have more metabolic significance and a stronger link to heart disease and diabetes than was previously thought. The visceral fat that surrounds the organs has long been considered to have the most direct link to these medical conditions.

While the study sheds light on the positive impact liposuction can have on the health, the body contouring procedure should not be considered a substitute for medications that are prescribed to reduce triglyceride levels.

If you are interested in liposuction to enhance your body's contours, call our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall.

13-Oct-11 4:00 PM

New Technology Breast Implant Scores High With Patients and Surgeons

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:00:00 GMT

A research study shows promising initial results for an innovative new saline breast implant that combines the best features of saline and silicone implants. Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz will present the one-year outcomes for the clinical trial of the Ideal saline breast implant at the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2011 annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Mentz and his group at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) in Houston, Texas are one of 35 private practices chosen to participate in the implant’s 10-year U.S. clinical trial, in which 45 plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery took part. Of the 502 women enrolled in the study, 399 were first-time breast augmentation patients, and 103 had surgery to replace existing implants.

Results tabulated from the one-year follow-up visit of 478 patients showed the new implant scored well in both appearance and performance and had a high satisfaction rate among patients and physicians. Consisting of a series of shells of increasing size nested together, the Ideal implant was designed to minimize the most common disadvantages associated with saline implants: wrinkling of the shell and a less soft and natural feel compared to silicone gel-filled implants. The internal structure of the new implant supports its edges to reduce scalloping and control movement of the saline to prevent bouncing. In addition, the implant’s geometry allows it to contour more closely to the chest wall, to produce a more natural-appearing sloped taper compared to the more globular shape of current saline implants.

To demonstrate and compare features such as contouring to the chest wall and wrinkling of breast implants, upright MRI studies were performed on 18 women with various types of saline and silicone implants. Compared to current saline implants, the new implant produced a lower rate of wrinkling and capsular contracture −a condition which occurs when scar tissue that forms around the implant causes the breast to feel firm and, in some cases, develop an unnatural appearance. In addition, the new implant had no failures due to a fold-flaw of the shell, which is typically the cause of saline and silicone gel implant failures.

Patients responded favorably to the new implant; among those who were first-time breast implant recipients, 95 percent were satisfied with the outcome compared to 87.5 percent for those who had breast augmentation to replace existing implants. Surgeons gave the implant high marks as well, reporting a 96.3 percent satisfaction rate with the implant for primary breast augmentation cases and 89.6 percent when the implant was used to replace previous implants.

Dr. Mentz, whose group tracked the results of 39 patients, said, “I think it’s a good implant for patients interested in saline implants, especially if they’re lean patients. The shape is more beneficial, and the wrinkling issue is significantly reduced.

In 2010, breast augmentation was the most popular procedure in the nation, with an estimated 318,000 procedures performed. Of these, 62 percent chose silicone implants, while 38 percent selected saline. Though silicone implants are more popular because of the natural look and feel they produce, many women feel that the benefits of saline implants outweigh those of silicone breast implants.

Saline implant ruptures cause the implant to deflate, making ruptures easy to detect, in contrast to silicone implants. Because silicone implant leaks are typically “silent,” MRI monitoring is recommended to detect any potential leaks. In addition, saline implants require a smaller incision during breast augmentation surgery compared to silicone implants because saline implants are inflated with saline after being inserted into the breast, whereas silicone implants are pre-filled.

Though studies, including a report by the Institute of Medicine, have concluded there is no convincing evidence that silicone breast implants are associated with cancer and connective tissue disease, some women choose saline implants because they feel it is a safer alternative than silicone implants.

If the new technology implant receives approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration, women may be able to have the best of both worlds: saline implants that have the more natural look and feel of silicone implants.

If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation to enhance the shape and size of your breasts, contact us at 713.799.9999 to schedule a consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz.

13-Oct-11 4:00 PM

Study Results: BOTOX® Cosmetic Combined with Skin Care System Packs a Powerful Rejuvenating Punch

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The age-erasing benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic have long made it a favorite of Hollywood stars and non-celebrities alike. And a recent study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal shows that having a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment in conjunction with using a skin care system of tretinoin (Retin-A) and 4% hydroquinone can provide even more powerful rejuvenating benefits.

In the study, 61 patients who had received botulinum toxin type A, better known as BOTOX® Cosmetic, to treat expression lines and wrinkles in the upper face were divided into two groups. One was assigned to use a skin care system comprised of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, while the other group used a hydroquinone system that included a cleanser, toner, 4% hydroquinone, exfoliant, and sunscreen along with a 0.05% tretinoin cream.

In comparing the two groups, those who used the hydroquinone system with tretinoin experienced significantly milder fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (dark areas on the skin compared to the surrounding skin) when the results were measured at 30, 90, and 120 days.

While Retin-A and hydroquinone are considered by many plastic surgeons to be the gold standard when it comes to topical skin care products that work together to improve the skin's tone and texture, these study results highlight a new avenue to maximize their benefits in facial rejuvenation treatments.

Botulinum toxin type A treatments including BOTOX®Cosmetic and Dysport™ were the number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in 2010, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Their popularity is due to their effectiveness at smoothing out lines that form between the brows, across the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes by inhibiting the muscle movement that causes creasing of the skin. The treatments can be performed in a 30-minute office visit, and the line-reducing benefits last an average of three to five months for most people.

Non-surgical treatments to reduce wrinkles and restore youthful facial volume are the focus of Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz's innovative new Mentz Center for Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation. Patients frequently complement cosmetic injectable treatments at the center--all performed by Dr. Mentz's skilled nurse practitioner Renee Arriaga--with skin resurfacing treatments through lasers and chemical peels to improve the skin at Dr. Mentz's Added Touch Medical Spa

If you are interested in learning more about our nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments to restore a more youthful appearance to your face, call our office today at 713.799.9999 to schedule your appointment with Renee Arriaga,

23-Sep-11 9:00 AM

More Brides Choosing Cosmetic Plastic Surgery to Enhance Beauty

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Like most reality shows, E! networks's Bridalplasty features a fascinating mix of unscripted dialogue, dramatic personalities and concocted contests that inspire no shortage of weeping, scheming, and cat fights as contestants vie for the coveted prize: the wedding and plastic surgery procedures of their dreams.

Though the show takes it to sensational extremes, it puts the spotlight on what is becoming an increasingly popular choice for brides-to-be and members of the wedding party: surgical and non-surgical cosmetic plastic surgery procedures to help them look their best.

Every bride wants to look radiant and beautiful on her wedding day. And while a manicure, pedicure, and perfectly coiffed hair are on the beauty checklist for most of them, many are also electing to have procedures to enhance their physical features and give their complexions’ a smooth and even glow.

Liposuction

Since she'll be wearing a form-fitting gown that reveals her every contour, it’s no surprise that liposuction and breast augmentation top the list of most-requested surgical procedures for many a bride-to-be who visits Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella. Though dieting and trips to the gym are part of the routine for most brides in the months leading up to the big day, it’s not uncommon for certain areas of the body to retain stubborn areas of fat. To eliminate these unwanted lumps and bumps, many choose to have liposuction to enhance their shape and proportions. The procedure can be used to improve the contours on almost any area of the body, including the arms, tummy, waist, and thighs.

In conjunction with liposuction, many women opt to have the fat that is removed injected into their buttocksto give them a rounder, lifted contour—better known as a Brazilian Butt Lift. This procedure has become increasingly popular thanks to celebrities Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, who made shapely buttocks a trend-setting feature.

CoolSculpting® Nonsurgical Fat Reduction

For those who would like to reduce fatty bulges without the need for downtime or anesthesia, CoolSculpting® is a safe and simple fat reduction alternative that uses cooling technology to freeze away fat cells from the targeted areas. Patients can read or work on their laptops while the one-to-two hour treatment takes place at Dr. Patronella’s Added Touch Medical Spa and, immediately afterwards, return to their normal activities. A single treatment reduces fat by an average of 20 percent, with the full results visible about 8 to 12 weeks after the treatment session.

Breast Augmentation: Saline or Silicone Implants

Many of the future brides who consult with Dr. Patronella desire to improve the shape and size of their breasts through breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants. The majority of women, said Dr. Patronella, want natural-looking results that give their breasts a shapelier appearance which fits well with their bodies’ proportions. To help them choose an implant size and visualize results, patients have the opportunity to try on breast implants of various sizes during their consultation.

Nonsurgical Procedures to Smooth and Brighten the Skin

Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, and Laser Treatment

To give their skin a fresh and even-looking glow, many brides and members of the bridal party have a series of skin resurfacing treatmentss such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments. These treatments slough away the dead skin cells and debris on the skin's surface which can dull the complexion and clog the pores. The result is brighter skin which has a smoother, more evenly-toned appearance.

An additional laser treatment that is very popular with women is laser hair reduction. A series of these treatments allow you to enjoy silky smooth, stubble-free skin without the daily maintenance and time that a daily shaving routine requires.

Cosmetic Injectables

In 2010, cosmetic injectables such as BOTOX®Cosmetic, Dysport™,and Juvederm™ topped the list of most requested nonsurgical procedures. Their popularity can be attributed to their effectiveness at diminishing fine lines almost instantly in a quick office visit that typically takes less than an hour. And, for women who desire to have a fuller, shapelier pout, injectables can also be used to give the lips a kissably soft, plump look.

While breast augmentation, liposuction, skin resurfacing, and cosmetic injectables are some of the most popular procedures for brides-to-be, many other aesthetic concerns can be addressed, as well, including rhinoplasty (nose job) to improve the appearance of the nose and bring it into harmony with other facial features, tummy tuck surgery to give the tummy a smooth flat look, and facial rejuvenation procedures. If you are interested in cosmetic plastic surgery, it is important to plan the procedure to allow sufficient time for any bruising and swelling to diminish.

If you are interested in cosmetic plastic surgery to enhance your appearance, call our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella. His goal is to help you achieve your appearance goals through an experience that is smooth and rewarding from start to finish.

23-Sep-11 9:00 AM

Mommy Makeover = Hot Mama

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Motherhood and a beautiful body? While pregnancy is a cherished experience for most women, it often leaves behind physical changes that make a woman feel less confident about her body's appearance – typically a tummy that is no longer as smooth and flat and breasts that are less shapely and firm than they were before pregnancy. But thanks to mommy makeover plastic surgery procedures, women can have their bodies restored to look as good, and in many cases, even better than they did before pregnancy.

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall, who performs hundreds of these procedures each year, said, “We have the technology to make dramatic changes that not only affect a woman physically, but psychologically, as well. Although pregnancy is a beautiful thing, many women are quite affected psychologically by the unwanted changes to the body that it leaves behind. Mommy makeover procedures give them a solution to a problem that they couldn’t change.”

The term “mommy makeover” refers to a combination of procedures that are performed together to restore a woman’s body to the way it looked before pregnancy. At a minimum, this usually involves addressing the loose abdominal skin and breast sagging that typically results after pregnancy and breastfeeding, along with liposuction to resculpt the body and remove unwanted fat.

Dr. Newall typically performs a tummy tuck to restore a flat, smooth appearance to the abdomen along with breast augmentation to add volume to the breasts and a breast lift to give sagging breasts a firmer, youthful contour.

Because many women have areas of fat that won’t budge despite diet and exercise, Newall often performs liposuction to reshape more attractive contours and proportions. Many women opt to have the fat that is removed placed in their buttocks to give them a rounded, more lifted appearance—popularly known as Brazilian Butt lift surgery.

Though the exact procedure combination can vary between women, Dr. Newall has the same goal for each one. “You’re aiming for the best possible result for that person’s body.”

If you are interested in mommy makeover procedures, call 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall. He will be happy to answer your questions and make recommendations to help you achieve the look you desire.

23-Sep-11 8:00 AM

Mommy Makeovers On the Rise: More Women Opting for Tummy Tucks, Breast Augmentation to Restore Bodies and Confidence After Having Children

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:00:00 GMT

“One day and three children later, I looked in the mirror and noticed that my breasts were now shrunken, deflated versions of their formerly proud, perky selves. There were a lot of cute tops, dresses, and swimsuits I wanted to wear, but I avoided because I felt self-conscious about my lack of shape on top.

"When I began researching plastic surgeons, I ultimately chose Dr. Patronella because his breast augmentation results looked the shapeliest and most natural to me of all the “before and after“ breast augmentation photos I viewed. And besides being a great surgeon, he had a wonderful personality—he’s very warm and caring, and he listens.”

"I was amazed at the results Dr. Patronella was able to achieve: he took my small, sagging breasts and transformed them into shapely, soft, and natural-looking breasts that looked even better than they did before I had children! It made me feel more beautiful as a woman.

—a patient of Dr. Chris Patronella

Increasingly, women are choosing to have “mommy makeover” plastic surgery procedures to restore the contours of their pre-baby figures. Between 2000 to 2010, the number of tummy tuck surgeries increased by 85 percent, breast augmentations by 39 percent, and breast lifts by 70 percent, according to statistics from the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella, being a participant in the restoration of a woman’s body and her self-image after she’s had children is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss take a toll on a woman’s body, often leaving her with loose abdominal skin, a tummy pooch, and breasts that are smaller and less firm than they once were.

Frequently his patients engage in healthy eating and exercise habits but have not been able to regain their flat tummies. This is typically because pregnancy causes the rectus abdominis muscles that run vertically along each side of the abdomen to weaken and separate due to pressure exerted by the expanding uterus. Because these muscles act as a type of internal compression garment that help to hold the abdomen in, once they have weakened, the tummy often retains a pooch. Surgical correction is the only way to both tighten the muscles and remove loose, sagging skin.

As part of a mommy makeover, Dr. Patronella typically combines tummy tuck surgery to restore a flat, smooth look to the abdomen, with a breast augmentation and/or a breast lift procedure to restore volume and lift to the breasts. Some patients also choose to have liposuction to reshape areas that retain diet and exercise-resistant pockets of fat such as the hips and thighs.

While many of his patients initially feel hesitation or guilt about focusing on their aesthetic concerns, the positive changes they experience both physically and psychologically following surgery cause many to express a wish that they had pursued it even sooner.

“They feel genuinely guilty about pursuing a surgical option to correct what childbirth has created. That is often the most significant obstacle in their decision-making process. It’s hard for them to shift gears and consider their own self-image,” said Dr. Patronella.

One patient of Dr. Patronella, a mother of three who had a combination of a tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast augmentation, said she reminds herself often of a favorite quote to help her maintain perspective and balance between care of herself and others: “It’s the love and care you give yourself that gives you the real strength to love and care for others."

Seeing the amazing results of Dr. Patronella’s work and the happiness of his patients with their new looks inspired her to have surgery to remove the loose skin around her belly button that would not go away despite the fact that she worked out five times a week and participated in marathons, triathlons, and bike races, she said.

"The results I experienced lifted me up—I feel even more confident. Dr. Patronella is an artistic man who has been blessed with a talent for sculpting the human body. He treated me like I was the only person on earth, and I love everything he did for me.”

If you are interested in learning more about mommy makeover procedures and how they may benefit you, call us today at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella.

23-Aug-11 5:00 PM

The Surprisingly Powerful Rejuvenation Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:00:00 GMT

While facelift surgery remains the queen of surgical procedures when it comes to comprehensive facial rejuvenation, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall said a lesser-known option that requires minimal downtime can have a dramatically rejuvenating effect upon the face.

"Fat grafting to the face is a wonderful thing; it provides a beautiful rejuvenating appearance to the face" said Dr. Newall. By strategically injecting stem-cell enriched fat grafts to restore lost facial volume, a person's face often goes from appearing worn-down and aged, to youthful and healthy, he said. Though it has not been proven, it has been speculated that stem cells may rejuvenate aging, thin skin--a topic which is currently being aggressively studied by scientists. To Dr. Newall, this potential benefit, as well as others, make fat grafting a superior alternative to cosmetic injectable fillers.

"The perfect filler is your own fat," said Dr. Newall. "It's a lot more cost effective to use fat than a hyaluronic acid-based filler to achieve a comparable level of volume replenishment. In addition, because it comes from a person's own body, there is little risk of an allergic reaction.

As a person gets older, three main factors cause the face to develop an aged appearance: a loss of volume, thinning of the skin, and a descent of the skin and its tissues due to the effects of gravity. "To truly rejuvenate the face, all three of these factors should be addressed," said Dr. Newall, who often pairs fat grafting with his Quick Recovery Facelift to correct the appearance of facial sagging and jowels. The Quick Recovery Facelift provides the same extensive tightening of lax tissues as a traditional facelift while greatly minimizing bruising and slashing recovery time to just 7-10 days, compared to the two weeks of a standard facelift technique.

For those who don't have time to recover from a lengthier operation, however, stem-cell enriched fat grafting provides a powerful rejuvenating option that produces about three days of swelling, and for most of Dr. Newall's patients, rarely any bruising. In the procedure, Dr. Newall liposuctions fat from areas such as the thighs or abdomen, purifies it, and injects the stem-cell rich portion of the fat into the face to fill in wrinkles and restore volume to areas that have become flattened or hollow with aging. Typically, he layers it in the upper cheeks, temples, chin and in the nasolabial folds--the creases that stretch from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth--and the marionette lines that form near the bottom of the mouth.

While Dr. Newall prefers to do more extensive volume replenishment at his certified private surgical facility, fat grafting to isolated areas such as the nasolabial folds and cheeks can be performed at his office in 30 minutes under local anesthesia.

If you are interested in learning more about fat grafting and how it may benefit you, call our office at 713.799.9999 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Newall.

23-Aug-11 5:00 PM

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz Opens New Center Offering Non-Surgical Treatments to Restore a Youthful Facial Appearance

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz is pleased to announce the opening of an innovative new non-surgical facial rejuvenation center that will offer patients services to restore a more youthful appearance to the face. Dr. Mentz’s nurse practitioner, Renee Arriaga, RN, MSN, FNP, will see patients at the center, which is located within Dr. Mentz’s Houston office, to offer cosmetic injectable and stem-cell enriched fat grafting treatments to diminish facial lines and wrinkles and to restore youthful volume to areas of the face such as the cheeks, lips, and temples. The non-surgical treatments offered at the center will complement the surgical practice of Dr. Mentz, who, as the nation’s first triple board certified plastic surgeon, is recognized and respected worldwide for his invention and refinement of innovative facelift and liposuction techniques.

Because the center has its own private waiting area and check-in desk that is separate from Dr. Mentz’s office, the new facility will minimize patients’ waiting time to see Arriaga while also offering them a warm and intimate setting to receive services.

In offering stem cell-enriched fat grafting as an office treatment performed under local anesthesia, Arriaga will be one of the few nurse practitioners in the nation performing the treatment, one that is becoming an increasingly popular option to restore facial volume to rebuild the facial contours that characterize a youthful face.

As part of the aging process, the face becomes more lean and hollow in its structure, so that the cheeks, temples, and lower lids often become more sunken and flattened in appearance, giving the face an aged appearance. The cause of this can be partially attributed to the erosion of facial fat which takes place around the age of 42, said Dr. Mentz.

"In our 20s, we tend to have rounder faces because of baby fat,” said Dr. Mentz. “Around the ages of 29 through 32, the facial architecture becomes more defined, but the face still retains a softness; it's an elegant youthfulness. A transition takes place in the late 30s to early 40s, and people start to lean out and get more hollow." The goal of the stem cell-enriched fat grafting treatments is to return a supple, youthful look to the face by strategically rebuilding its youthful contours through fat grafts. "It's volume restoration to get you back to that 29-year-old softness."

During the one-to-two hour procedure, fat is liposuctioned from areas such the abdomen and thighs, and a special process is used to concentrate the stem cells to be used in the fat grafts. Though no current research has proven stem cells' rejuvenating value in facial cosmetic surgery, the cells' capacity to regenerate and repair tissue may enable them to improve the skin's tone and texture. Dr. Mentz has been actively working with the nation's leading stem cell researchers to mobilize the powerful characteristics of these unique cells to potentially advance the rejuvenation benefits of facial fat grafting procedures.

During consultations with patients, Arriaga evaluates a patient’s aesthetic goals and facial characteristics in order to determine the treatment option that will provide the most effective results. In addition to fat grafting, she utilizes injectables that include BOTOX®Cosmetic and Dysport™—two popular treatments to reduce lines around the eyes and frown lines between the brows and along the forehead. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Juvederm™, Perlane®, Restylane®, and Radiesse® are used to add volume to the lips and soften wrinkles and fold lines such as the nasolabial folds which stretch from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth and the marionette lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth. Arriaga also offers one of the newest and longer-lasting injectable options to restore facial volume—Sculptra®Aesthetic. While Sculptra®Aesthetic works more gradually to rebuild lost facial volume by stimulating the body’s own natural collagen process, its results can last for up to two years on average.

Cosmetic injectables and fat grafting are effective ways to take years off someone’s face,” said Arriaga. “One patient told me, ‘You made me look 20 years younger!’ When patients see lines and wrinkles erased and a younger-looking reflection in the mirror, they often cry for joy; that is one of the most gratifying aspects of the work that I do.”

In a city that has hundreds of cosmetic injectable providers from which to choose, Arriaga has built a thriving practice with a loyal following of patients who return to Arriaga not only because of the exceptional results she delivers, but for the caring, personalized attention she gives each one.
“One of the most important and the best things I strive to offer is the time I spend with each patient so we can bond and build rapport. This builds a trust and friendship with patients that keeps them coming back.”

For Arriaga, the center allows her to combine her passions: to serve others through her non-surgical facial rejuvenation expertise and her medical mission work to benefit those living in impoverished regions of the world. In her role as an ambassador for the Mentz Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization Dr. Mentz formed with the purpose to provide medical supplies, food, clothing, and other forms of humanitarian support to those less fortunate who reside in low income and poverty-stricken regions of the world, Arriaga has participated on mission trips to countries that include Honduras, Africa, El Salvador, and Viet Nam.

Dr. Mentz has a heartfelt desire to help and give back. He wanted to incorporate my mission statement into my every day work. We do that by allowing my patients to contribute $25 of their fee to the Mentz Foundation for various mission projects.” For patients, it is especially rewarding to know that the money they pay for a rejuvenation treatment is not only adding a touch of beauty to their faces, but is making a beautiful difference in the lives of others.

To learn more about the center’s services, visit Dr. Mentz’s websites at http://www.drmentz.com/houston-facial-skin-treatment.html or www.MyMediSpa.com.

23-Aug-11 5:00 PM

For Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. German Newall, Saline Breast Implants Have the Edge Over Silicone Implants

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

While silicone breast implants are steadily rising in popularity, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall feels that saline implants have several benefits that give them an edge over their silicone counterparts.

Unlike silicone breast implants, which are prefilled to size with silicone gel, saline implants are inflated to size with sterile salt water after they are placed inside of the breasts. This has two advantages, said Dr. Newall.

“Saline implants require a smaller incision because they are deflated when I place them inside of the breast pocket. Because I fill them after they have been placed, I can adjust the volume accordingly to balance out any asymmetries in the breasts.”

In Newall’s experience, saline implants have presented fewer complications such as capsular contracture, a condition caused when scar tissue hardens around the breast implant. Though the length of implant longevity varies between women, a saline implant can stay in the chest as long as the implant is inflated unless deflation or capsular contracture occurs, in contrast to silicone implants, for which replacement is recommended every 15 years, said Newall.

Many patients appreciate the lower price tag of breast augmentation with saline implants, as well, which is approximately $1000 less than breast augmentation with silicone implants in Newall’s practice. When presented with this information, 95 percent of Newall’s patients choose saline implants—a contrast which varies notably from statistics reported by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2010, breast augmentation was the most popular procedure in the nation, with an estimated 318,000 procedures performed. Of these, 62 percent chose silicone implants, while 38 percent selected saline.

While Newall prefers saline implants for the majority of patients, for some patients—particularly those who have a thinner build— Dr. Newall typically recommends silicone implants. In women who lack sufficient breast tissue, silicone implants often look more natural because silicone gel is more similar in feel to breast tissue. In addition, rippling—particularly around the edges of the implant—tends to be less noticeable compared to saline implants.

26-Jul-11 5:00 PM

Transform Your Breasts in a Single Procedure: Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Patronella's Innovative Combination Breast Augmentation / Breast Lift Procedure

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Pregnancy, nursing, gravity, aging, and weight fluctuations are not kind to a woman’s breasts. Changes happen gradually, but at some point many women notice their breasts appear less shapely and are moving south on the chest. This often presents a real blow to a woman’s body image and sense of feminine beauty, making it difficult to wear figure-accentuating tops, dresses, and swimsuits with confidence.

For this reason, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Patronella finds an innovative combination breast augmentation and breast lift technique he developed to be a particularly satisfying procedure to perform. By combining techniques to restore volume and lift to sagging breasts, he is often able to transform the breasts in a single procedure to give them a more shapely, youthful contour—a change which often dramatically improves self-confidence as well.

As a reflection of the difficulty associated with this procedure combination, many surgeons separate breast lifting and breast augmentation into two separate operations. Because of his reputation as one of the nation’s foremost breast enhancement experts, Dr. Patronella has been given the opportunity to be an innovator and leader in addressing the most demanding breast lift / breast augmentation cases. He devised a safer, more predictable technique known as the Delay Implant Fill Technique that greatly improved the success rate of combining the two procedures in a single surgery.

In this procedure, Dr. Patronella restores lift and firmness to breasts and places saline implants, which are left unfilled, in pockets that are made behind the chest muscle. Two weeks later, the implants are filled with sterile saline water to the desired size in a quick office visit that requires the use of local anesthesia only.

Dr. Patronella said, “The delayed filling of the implants allows the breast tissue to adjust to the surgical manipulation that is necessary to achieve both lift and volume and also enhances circulation of the breast tissue before the implant is filled, allowing dramatically improved healing.

The groundbreaking technique brought national recognition to Dr. Patronella, who was invited to present it at the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting and for the Special Breast Surgery Panel at the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's annual meeting.

26-Jul-11 5:00 PM

Mentz Foundation Volunteers Distribute Medical Supplies and Food on Medical Mission Trip to Roatan, Honduras

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

On behalf of the Mentz Foundation, members of Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Mentz’s staff recently traveled to Roatan, Honduras where they distributed medical supplies to the local clinic, Clinica Esperanza, as well as food, clothing, shoes, toys, and linens to families throughout the community. Dr. Mentz created the Mentz Foundation in 2009 as a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to provide medical supplies and other essential items to poverty-stricken and low-income communities throughout the world. A portion of every patient’s cosmetic injectable service fee with Dr. Mentz’s nurse practitioner Renee Arriaga, RN, MSN, FNP, is donated to the foundation and used to support organizations including Clinica Esperanza, a clinic that meets the medical and dental needs of the low-income and underserved population in Roatan, Honduras, an island on which residents earn an average wage of $5 to $7 a day.

Clinica Esperanza founder Peggy Stranges, RN, who is affectionately known to Roatan islanders as "Ms. Peggy," opened the clinic in 2007 with the purpose to offer high-quality health care at a low cost to residents of Honduras’ Bay Islands. Stranges—a clinical nurse from Ohio— began the work from her kitchen table as a service to the poor after moving to the island in 2001 following 14 years of leading groups of medical and dental volunteers to Honduras. As word about the American nurse spread throughout the community, the number of patients who visited her home seeking medical attention grew from two or three a day to 20, and Stranges found it necessary to move the clinic to increasingly larger rental locations to accommodate her growing patient base.
Through the support of donors, Stranges eventually was able to build the clinic and a small staff that includes a family physician, pediatrician, and dentist.

Over time, Stranges has expanded services offered at the clinic to include prenatal classes and dental care. A new birthing center and pediatric inpatient unit on the clinic’s second floor is scheduled to open later this year. And she has plans to build a second building that will have a surgery center, laboratory, and trauma center.

Today Clinica Esperanza doctors see between 45 to 75 patients a day and distribute 1500 prescriptions from the clinic’s pharmacy each month. More than half of the clinic’s patients are children, who receive treatment for conditions such as malnutrition, diarrhea, dehydration, asthma, and malaria.

The generous contributions of donors and volunteers allow Stranges to bridge the gap between the clinic’s monthly operating budget of $16,000 and the low patient fees. No patient is ever turned away for lack of funds.
On an island where the only other affordable health care option for low income residents is the government-funded municipal hospital—a facility which seldom has running water, proper drainage, or an adequate supply of needed medications—Clinica Esperanza, with its sunny yellow exterior and clean, air-conditioned rooms decorated with wall murals of tropical fish and sea turtles, is an oasis of kindness and hope for islanders.

"The clinic is a reflection of God’s goodness, not what I’ve done," said Stranges. "Every single day there are miracles done. We run out of a med, and it shows up. Every time we run out of money, somebody comes along. God knows what I need before I need it."

More than 100 volunteers from around the world—many of whom are medical and dental students—travel to the clinic for short-term stays to assist the clinic’s staff in order to broaden their understanding of healthcare in a third world country.

"If you go to a resource-poor area, it hones a whole new set of skills," said Stranges.

From Stranges’ perspective, her mission is primarily to provide volunteers with opportunities to demonstrate love and kindness to the people of Roatan, an experience which is often life-changing for the volunteers who walk through the clinic’s doors.

Mentz Foundation volunteer Renee Arriaga agreed, "You go out thinking that you are going to bless people, but you end up being the one who is blessed. Even if there is a language barrier, a smile or a hug communicates so much."

With the guidance of Roatan native Nidia Hernandez who leads volunteers to low-income communities which have the most need of volunteer resources, Mentz Foundation volunteers traveled to low-income communities nestled within the island’s hilly terrain. Volunteers visited with children and their parents in these areas, distributing rice and beans, clothing, shoes, toys, sheets, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Because many of these residents lack transportation, volunteers drove those in need of medical attention to Clinica Esperanza for treatment.

Along the way, foundation volunteers had the privilege to view a different way of life—one that lacks many of the familiar comforts of American culture—but is rich in the warmth and kindness of its people, people like Ms. Irene—a gracious Creole woman who lives in a simple home surrounded by the island’s abundant coconut, banana, and mango trees. To express her gratitude to volunteers for taking her to the clinic for medical treatment, she presented them with hugs, freshly baked rolls, and a jar of roasted cashews from her cashew tree. Or Isaac, who, in appreciation for the rice and beans he was given, used his machete to crack open a coconut for each guest, showing to them how to tip back the coconut to drink its sweet milk and enjoy the fresh coconut inside by using the shell as a scoop. What was not said in words was communicated by the shy hugs and smiles of the children and their mothers.

Mentz Foundation volunteer and ACPS office manager Jeremy Hartling said, "The best part of this was having the opportunity to touch the lives of people who we consider to have nothing. But it’s all relative. They have all the things that make life rich and worth living—they have the relationships with the members of their family and the community."

"Up until Roatan, my focus was about achieving—in my life, my job, and my career. This trip gave me the opportunity to do what I knew was the right thing to do. Knowing I’m helping somebody else is much more satisfying than just focusing on myself."

If you would like to learn more about Clinica Esperanza or make a donation, visit the clinic’s website at www.ClinicaEsperanza.com.

26-Jul-11 5:00 PM

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. German Newall Specializes in Large Volume Liposuction to Dramatically Reshape the Body

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. German Newall has developed a special body contouring niche in his practice: high volume liposuction. In the procedure, he removes up to 22 pounds of fat along with excess skin tissue to reduce bulk and transform the body’s shape.

Because of the dramatic results the procedure can achieve, the misconception exists that it requires a long period of time to recover, said Dr. Newall. But in actuality most individuals can be back to their normal routines within 3-10 days depending on the extensiveness of the liposuction. If combined with a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty to flatten and smooth the tummy, the recovery time is lengthier, requiring 10-14 days.

With nearly 20 years of experience performing the procedure, Dr. Newall has developed safety parameters that allow him to successfully perform what is considered an aggressive procedure by many surgeons. The research he has accumulated through experience and research has been published in respected plastic surgery journals including the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The journal awarded him its acclaimed “Best Published Aesthetic Surgery Journal Article of 2008” for his research related to high-risk aesthetic surgery.

The Houston plastic surgeon has lectured extensively on large-volume liposuction and body contouring to national plastic surgeon groups throughout the globe. His emphasis on safety along with his artistic abilities to resculpt the body draws hundreds of new patients each year to his practice, many of whom have been referred by other patients.

Most of these patients, approximately 85 percent, maintain their new shape, said Dr. Newall, who tells patients, “I can change your shape, but you have to maintain it.” The incentive is overwhelming for them to practice healthier lifestyle habits, he said, because they don’t want to go back to their old ways.

20-Jun-11 6:00 PM

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz's Advanced Facelift Techniques Spotlighted in New Plastic Surgery Textbook

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz’s detailed and customized approach to facelift surgery will be spotlighted in a new textbook for plastic surgeons: Advanced Surgical Facial Rejuvenation, which is scheduled for release this fall. In his chapter, “Extent of SMAS Advancement in Facelift with or without Zygomaticus Major Muscle Release,” Dr. Mentz discusses the most effective lifting strategies to correct laxity of the underlying soft tissues of the face.

The award-winning plastic surgeon, who is consistently named one of Houston’s top plastic surgeons in local magazine polls of physicians, details the measurement method he developed to determine the most effective lifting strategies to reposition the soft tissues of the midface. Restoration of the midface poses one of the greatest challenges of facial rejuvenation. While facelifts of the past primarily involved tightening the skin to smooth wrinkles, this approach has two inherent flaws: excessive tension on the skin results in an unnatural “pulled” or “windblown” appearance, and tightening of the skin layer alone does not adequately correct the sagging underlying tissues of the skin because the skin does not function well as a supportive structure.

The incorporation of techniques to lift and tighten the the deeper tissues of the face—referred to as SMAS, or superficial musulo-aponeurotic system—allows surgeons to produce more effective, natural and long-lasting facial rejuvenation results. In the facelift chapter, Dr. Mentz describes the most advantageous SMAS flap designs for a specific set of facial contour abnormalities. By scientifically measuring the laxity of underlying tissues at various anatomical points, Dr. Mentz was able to provide a concrete method to quantify the SMAS design that produces the most effective and substantial tissue lift.

“In plastic surgery, there has been a call to show statistical evidence to see which treatment is most effective. This method allows us to prove, through quantitative measurement, which SMAS flap strategy is most effective for a patient’s particular needs.”

The method allows the surgeon to customize the amount of lift and tension that is needed to correct the laxity and sagging of each layer of the face to achieve the most effective lift while still producing a natural looking youthful appearance--the hallmark of a successful facelift procedure.

“When you see a good facelift, you don’t notice it,” said Dr. Mentz.

Through the years, multiple facelift strategies and techniques have evolved to improve the signs of facial aging such as a sagging midface and jowls. Dr. Mentz set out to develop a quantifiable and scientific method to determine the facelift method that will produce the most effective and natural looking rejuvenation for a patient. In his consultation with patients, the Houston surgeon accurately measures, grades, and records the amount of aging or laxity in each area of the face. Through computer imaging and the consultation process, the various methods which includes the mini facelift, MAC lift, deep layer, multilayer, and SMAS facelift, can be demonstrated on the patient's image to evaluate the best options for a patient. Dr. Mentz has consistently found that three options can be determined for each patient, and, of these, one will most effectively maximize the rejuvenating results that can be achieved. The surgeon, who has achieved consistently successful results with his innovative measurement method since 2007, introduced the technique to the Texas Society of Plastic Surgery in 2008.

20-Jun-11 5:00 PM

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Patronella - A National Breast Augmentation Expert

Sherri Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Although breast augmentation surgery is completed in approximately one hour, its effects are often long-lasting and
transformative to a woman’s sense of feminine beauty and self-confidence. Women of all ages and from all walks of life—including businesswomen, stay-at-home moms, teachers and physicians—come to Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Patronella for the procedure. While some seek breast augmentation because they want to obtain a look that more closely fulfills their aesthetic ideal, others desire to restore volume and shape to breasts that have changed as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. Many women are disappointed to discover that these experiences have left their breasts smaller and deflated as a result of volume fluctuations, weakened skin elasticity, and the effects of gravity.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the procedure, successful breast augmentation surgery requires a combination of technical expertise, artistic skill, and experience that goes far beyond merely placing implants inside the breasts. “There is a certain finesse with breast augmentation surgery that comes with experience and learning how to predict results when subtle anatomical variations or asymmetry are present," said Dr. Patronella.

"I am much more capable today than I was 20 years ago in achieving a natural and elegant breast augmentation result through an improved understanding of how the elasticity of breast tissue and the structure of the rib cage can affect the overall appearance of the breast. Understanding that helps me to plan more effectively a procedure that matches a woman’s unique anatomy or characteristics.”

For Dr. Patronella, breast augmentation surgery encompasses far more than simply adding volume to breasts. Detailed attention to the subtle nuances and characteristics of a woman's unique anatomy allows him to create soft and shapely curves that appear to be a natural part of her body, in contrast to an artificial, bolted on look. "The majority of patients seek a breast shape that appears natural, youthful, and well proportioned with the rest of the body," said Dr. Patronella.

In recognition of his expertise in breast enhancement and and corrective surgery, Dr. Patronella was invited by Allergan Medical, as the only plastic surgeon in the greater Houston area, to become a charter member of the Board of Advisors for NOVO, The National Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics. NOVO is a leading advisory board sponsored by Allergan Medical, a worldwide leader in medical product development and education. This council provides important clinical input and recommendations aimed at improving product and device development in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery.

20-Jun-11 5:00 PM

Nation's First Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Targets the Powerful Potential of Stem Cells to Advance Facial Rejuvenation Technology

Sherri Roberts Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Nation's First Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Targets the Powerful Potential of Stem Cells to Advance Facial Rejuvenation Technology

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz spearheads construction of innovative center that will harness stem cell technology in facial fat grafting procedures.

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Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 12, 2011

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz is spearheading the construction of an innovative new facial rejuvenation center that will harness stem cell technology and its potential benefits. Fat grafting procedures that utilize stem cell rich fat grafts will be the focal point at the surgeon's RESET Center (Rejuvenation through Stem-Cell Enriched Transfers) which is targeted to open in Houston, Texas in 2011.

The award-winning plastic surgeon has been actively working with one of the nation's leading stem cell researchers to mobilize the powerful characteristics of these unique cells to potentially advance the rejuvenation benefits of facial fat grafting procedures. Though no current research has conclusively proven stem cells' rejuvenating value in facial cosmetic surgery, the cells' capacity to regenerate and repair tissue may enable them to improve the skin's tone and texture.

Click to read Nation's First Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Targets the Powerful Potential of Stem Cells to Advance Facial Rejuvenation Technology

1-Apr-11 8:00 AM

Body Contour Trends: A Whirlwind Tour Through History

Sherri Roberts Lopez - noemail@mybeautifulbody.com — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Throughout the centuries, female body contour trends have been cyclical alternating between the thin, straight proportions of runway models and the curvaceous proportions of Marilyn Monroe and modern day screen sirens such as Christina Hendricks and Scarlett Johansson. Some of the greatest shape trends throughout history include:

The Rubenesque Woman

The paintings of 17th-century Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens abound with rosy-cheeked women with voluptuously full figures. Judging by their carefree expressions and lack of clothing, these women were never tortured by the question, "Does my butt look big in this?" A more full-bodied look was en vogue during this era because it was thought to portray good health, wealth, and the ability to bear children.

The Victorian Era: Welcome the Corset

Though corsets had been worn as figure-shaping devices in previous centuries, problems began when whale-bone and metal reinforcements were added to their construction. To achieve the smallest waist size possible, a woman often required the help of a maidservant to pull the corset's laces tight. For many, the ideal waist size was 16 inches, or 20 inches for the less ambitious. While corsets achieved the desired result of creating an hourglass figure, they carried with them a host of unwanted side effects. Lung capacity was reduced, which led to difficulties in breathing and occasional fainting spells, while compression of the internal organs interfered with the ability to digest food properly. Doctors advised women to abandon this fashion practice, but women refused until the 1900s, when less restrictive garments became fashionable.

Flapper Style

The years following World War I were turbulent both politically and socially. A new breed of woman characterized the 1920s: the brash and independent flapper girl. Flappers rebelled against cultural norms by shearing their hair into bobs, shortening their skirts, ande erasing their feminine curves with the help of restrictive undergarments. They accentuated their boyish look by wearing straight dresses with waistlines that fell past their narrowed hips. Flappers further scandalized their Victorian forbearers by dancing to jazz, wearing makeup, and drinking cocktails in defiance of Prohibition laws. The carefree spirit that characterized this age gradually faded away as the sobering days of the Great Depression descended upon the country.

Going to Extremes: From Marilyn to Twiggy

The Cold War raged and television's June Cleaver represented the 1950s-style archetype: she was mild-mannered, perfectly coiffed, and wore a pearl necklace with pumps whether she was basting a roast, gardening, or vacuuming. Then there was Marilyn.

'I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes; I am out of control and at times hard to handle," said she. But for all of her imperfections, Marilyn Monroes's extreme hourglass figure–with a tiny 23-inch waist at the center of her curvaceous proportions–-was considered divine. She and Sophia Loren, the celebrated Italian film star who proclaimed, "Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti," made curvaceousness a coveted symbol of beauty and femininity in the 1950s and 1960s.

This ideal began to shift in the latter half of the 1960's when London fashion model Twiggy ushered in an androgynous trend-setting look. At 95 pounds and 5-feet, 6-inches, Twiggy was known for her thin build, large eyes, long lashes, and short hair. Ironically, the British model disliked the waif-like look that propelled her to stardom, "I wanted a fairy godmother to make me look like Marilyn Monroe. I didn't plan to be a model. I thought the world had gone stark raving mad; I was used to being teased at school for being skinny."

The Comeback of Curves

The skinny is out: curves are back, inspired by a multitude of shapely celebrities, including Christina Hendricks, Beyonce, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, just to name a few. The key to pulling off this look with flair is having definition and contours in all the right places to highlight and balance the curves: a defined waist, flat tummy, and relatively firm skin.

Though diet and exercise provide important health and physical benefits, many individuals find that certain areas of the body are resistant to achieving these ideal proportions. Preganancy typically leaves behind loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles that give the stomach a bulging appearance, two characteristics that can only be corrected surgically through a tummy tuck procedure. For others genetics and aging are the cause of unwanted bulk and stubborn pockets of fat.

Body contouring procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks, arm lifts, and lower body lifts (hips, waist, and thigh contouring provide a surgical solution for those who desire to improve their appearance. The overriding goal of these shape-enhancing procedures is to restore attractive contour lines to the body for both men and women.

31-Mar-11 3:00 PM