Dr. Soto on Fox 35's Good Day Orlando (video)

Choosing the right plastic surgeon: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Dr. Armando Soto on Fox's Good Day Orlando!

I wanted to recap for readers the essentials of my discussion with Michelle of Fox 35 Orlando this morning, as well as elaborate on the important things to know and ask before allowing anyone to do any kind of elective plastic surgery procedure on you.

This discussion was of course brought about by the recent events in the Phoenix area, where a local ER doctor was accused, indicted, and then convicted of second degree murder and manslaughter after 3 of his patients died while undergoing (or shortly thereafter) liposuction.

The case is noteworthy not just because of the fact that 3 human beings unfortunately lost their lives during procedures that should have been very safe for healthy people like them, but because the doctor was found guilty of MURDER, and not just of malpractice.

To review, the prosecutors successfully argued that as Dr. Peter Normann was intelligent enough to complete medical school and training in Emergency Medicine, he should also have been intelligent enough to understand that his complete lack of legitimate training in plastic surgery and liposuction (he took a weekend course) constituted an untoward risk for his patients. In other words, Duh! You're an ER doctor- probably shouldn't be doing liposuction on people.

Furthermore, they reasoned that he should also have had the wherewithal to know that his advertising a level of expertise in these procedures that he clearly did not have, along with his lack of training, and the fact that he performed the procedures in a facility without appropriate accreditation was fundamentally wrong...

Therefore, they concluded that he clearly showed more regard for his income than for his patient's safety, and displayed what they (the prosecutors) called an "extreme indifference" to human life, which met the guidelines for murder in the second degree.

Scary.

So- what should we all take away from this?

Well first of all, as a plastic surgeon, clearly it would be wrong for me to offer to do heart surgery on a patient- as cool as it would be to be able to say I do heart surgery AND plastic surgery, I know it would be wrong.

The amazing thing is that it would NOT be illegal.... At least not if I could talk someone into letting me do it on them in my office under local anesthesia.

And that's a big part of how so many unfortunate patients wind up injured or dead after cosmetic surgery.

Historically, what kept doctors "honest" and prevented them from trying to do procedures on people that they were incompetent to perform, was the hospital credentialing system.

We'll use myself as an example... If I (as a trained Plastic Surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery) wanted to obtain privileges at a hospital for the performance of liposuction, I would need to submit a great deal of paperwork to the hospital's Credentialing Committee proving that I had received legitimate, ACGME approved training in plastic surgery and liposuction.

The ACGME, or Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, is the body that judges whether residency training a doctor receives is adequate and appropriate before letting them say they are trained in the discipline. From their website:
    

• The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is a private, nonprofit council that evaluates and accredits medical residency programs in the United States.
  


• The ACGME was established in 1981 from a consensus in the academic medical community for an independent accrediting organization. Its forerunner was the Liaison Committee for Graduate Medical Education, established in 1972.
  


• The mission of the ACGME is to improve health care by assessing and advancing the quality of resident physicians’ education through exemplary accreditation. 

If I, on the other hand, asked for privileges performing heart surgery in the same hospital, my request would be quickly denied (and I would probably even be denied privileges in procedures I can prove competence in- just for asking to do something so far outside my area of training) because I would be unable to provide proof of ACGME accredited training in this discipline.

But here's the thing.... What if I could convince people to let me try doing heart surgery on them in my office under local anesthesia? 

By avoiding the hospital, I've also avoided the Credentialing Committee. 

And there is no law to stop me from doing whatever I want to patients in my office, as long as I have their (the patient's) permission to do it. 

It's true- if you were dumb enough to let me charm you into having heart surgery under local anesthesia in my office, I could legally do it. The outcome may not be so good, but I could do it.

And that's why I always tell people that if you could only ask your provider one question, the most important one would be, "Do you have privileges to perform the operation you are proposing for me in a hospital?" (but don't take their word for it- call the hospital and check).

Now heart surgery in an office setting is so obviously ridiculous that there are probably very few people alive who would consent to it (although someone probably would).

But what about if we were talking about liposuction? How hard would it be to distract you from the fact that I might not have the proper training in the procedure and fool you into letting me do it on you?

What if I were able to convince you that the machine I use in my office makes it so easy that you're not really having surgery at all, but rather a "minimally invasive" fat removal? 

What if I convinced you that I'm the only one in town who knows how to do it- by giving my procedure a cute name? 

What if I (fraudulently) advertised that my procedure was fundamentally different and better than liposuction, and that there was minimal or no downtime? 

What if I (falsely) told you that having it done under local anesthesia was "safer" because you don't need general anesthesia? 

Now it's not so hard to understand how otherwise intelligent people might put their happiness and safety in the wrong hands, is it?

And believe it or not, there are ER doctors, gynecologists, and an eye doctor here in Central Florida making all of these claims.

So let's all realize the following:

1. All liposuction is surgery. It doesn't matter what machine is being used, or how you're anesthetized. If someone is removing fat from your body through an incision, however small, you're having surgery.


2. All surgery has risks (just ask the families of the 3 patients who died in Dr. Normann's OR)


3. You can minimize your risks by choosing the right surgeon, the right facility, and the right anesthesia provider- and all 3 are important.


4. Conversely, your risks of a bad outcome are much greater if you let yourself be fooled into having plastic surgery performed by someone who does not have legitimate, ACGME training in plastic surgery.

And with regard to the last point- make no mistake about it, Dr. Normann was not an isolated numbskull. Every large community in America now has ER doctors, gynecologists, family doctors, and even an eye doctor (here in Orlando) calling themselves liposuction experts, despite a lack of ACGME accredited training in the procedure.

How do you protect yourself and those you love? 

• Do as much research as you can


• Research the surgeon


• What was his training in?


• Is he Board Certified- and just as important- by WHICH BOARD?


• Where was his training?


• Research the facility in which the procedure is to be performed


• Is it accredited? Ask to see the certificate


• By whom? Make sure the facility is accredited by The AAAASF or JCAHO


• Research the anesthesia provider


• Who is taking care of you while you are having surgery is just as important as who is doing the surgery!


• Is it an anesthesiologist (a doctor of anesthesia)?  PREFERRED


• A certified nurse anesthetist? LESS IDEAL


• The surgeon himself or a nurse??  BE VERY CONCERNED

Finally, where can you look for these important answers?  Here you go...

1. Check the website for the State Medical Board in the state in which you live. You can learn about the doctor's training (or lack thereof) and much more. For Florida, the link is:  http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/IRM00profiling/searchform.asp


2. You can also check reputable doctor review sites. The word reputable is critical here... more on that later. The very best is www.RealSelf.com


1. What makes it the best? Quite simply:


2. It is complete- there is a wealth of information about doctors, their training, and their outcomes


3. It is fair- Realself balances doctor's legitimate concerns against patient's in the most fair fashion of the sites out there right now. As I will write about in the near future, there is no perfect site, but this is as good as there is at the present time.


4. Realself requires doctors market honestly, and only in the specialty in which they actually are trained. Critical.

And finally, if you are still uncertain about a doctor you have seen, email me and I can help you figure out what their training was all about- 

And for those cynics out there-- this is not about me feeling competitive. As long as you are in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, I'm good. 

It's the damage done to the reputation of ALL plastic surgeons and plastic surgery itself by injuries and deaths caused by non-plastic surgeons that I'm trying to prevent here.

Plastic Surgery by a Non-Plastic Surgeon?

Reprinted from The Arizona Republic:



Liposuction deaths: Phoenix area doctor convicted of murder, manslaughter


by Michael Kiefer - Jul. 15, 2011 10:28 PM
The Arizona Republic


An Anthem physician who had three patients die during plastic-surgery procedures in his clinic was found guilty of murder and manslaughter Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court.


Dr. Peter Normann was pronounced guilty of second-degree murder in the deaths of Ralph Gonzalez, 33, of Scottsdale, and Leslie Ann Ray, 53, of California, and of manslaughter for the death of Alicia Santizo Blanco, 41, of Gilbert.


Throughout the trial, which began June 10, Normann's attorneys, John Johnsonand Vikki Liles, maintained that the deaths were accidental, the result of known risks of plastic surgery, and claimed that if Normann, 50, were found guilty, it would mean that all doctors would be liable for procedures gone wrong.




Autopsy findings had listed the deaths as accidental.


But in her closing arguments earlier this week, Deputy County Attorney Jeannette Gallagher said the "combination of incompetence and arrogance in trying to cover up his (Normann's) incompetence led to their deaths."


Gallagher claimed that two of the deaths constituted second-degree murder because of Normann's "extreme indifference to human life," and the third death was manslaughter because of Normann's "conscious disregard of substantial and unjustified risk of death."


After a day and a half of deliberation, the jury came back supporting Gallagher's side of the story.


Normann's friends and family were surprised at the verdict.


"He is not the monster he's been painted to be," said his friend Cindy Jones. "He's a pure, sweet man."


Liles said she and Johnson plan to file a motion for a new trial, claiming that Gallagher had committed perjury in insisting that Normann did not have inventory of a drug that could have saved the lives of one or more of the patients.


Normann had been an emergency-room physician, certified as an internist, and had never done a residency in plastic surgery or anesthesiology.


Gallagher maintained he had undergone six days of training in liposuction and had done some "hands-on training" in liposuction and breast augmentation. He had never done training in fat augmentation, Gallagher said.


Furthermore, she said, his operating room lacked proper oxygen and monitoring equipment, and he worked without anesthesiologists or nurses, relying on a massage therapist and a former restaurant worker with little or no training as medical technicians.


The massage therapist, who assisted in surgery, has already pleaded guilty to eight counts of unlawful practice of medicine and was sentenced last year to five years in prison.


Gonzalez stopped breathing during liposuction in December 2006, due to what Gallagher called a lethal dose of lidocaine, which is used in the procedure. Then, she claimed, Normann mistakenly inserted a breathing tube into Gonzalez's esophagus instead of his trachea, depriving him of oxygen.


When paramedics arrived, they noted that Gonzalez's belly was distended because of the oxygen being pumped into his stomach instead of into his lungs, and they maintained that they tussled with Normann, who insisted on riding in the ambulance and refused to let the EMTs reinsert the tube correctly.


David Duarte, one of the paramedics, told The Republic after the verdict, "He physically was holding onto it, from the get-go."


Duarte threatened to break Normann's arm and then tricked him into letting go of the tube so he could pull it out. Normann insisted on reinserting another.


Duarte said he filed complaints against Normann with the hospital and the state medical board.


Santizo died in April 2007 during multiple procedures, including repositioning a badly placed breast implant, liposuction and an attempt to inject fat into her buttocks to enhance its shape.


During the fat augmentation, Gallagher said, Normann injected the fat directly into a vein, which carried it to her lungs and killed her.


As had occurred during Normann's attempts to resuscitate Gonzalez, Normann was unable to properly insert a breathing tube.


Duarte, coincidentally, was in the hospital when Santizo was brought in, and he filed another complaint.


After the second death, Normann agreed to a voluntary suspension of his medical license and he hired a homeopathic physician, Gary Page, to do liposuction. Gallagher maintained that as a homeopath, Page was not qualified or licensed to perform such procedures.


Ray had traveled from her home in Blythe, Calif., for the surgery in July 2007, which Page performed with no assistance, serving as surgeon, anesthesiologist and monitor.


After the surgery, Page left the clinic, and Ray was left in a recovery room, where later that night, Normann discovered her in respiratory distress because of a reaction to the combination of drugs she had been given. Normann was again unable to insert a breathing tube when she stopped breathing.


Page was charged with manslaughter in Ray's death, but on Friday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser felony charge of endangerment.


Normann will be sentenced Aug. 19 by Judge Paul McMurdie.

Over the past few years, several things have become clear to me about this significant patient safety issue:

1. There are some people who will always knowingly and willingly put themselves at risk if doing so will allow them to save a few dollars... These patients probably cannot be helped.
2. Some physicians are inherently more ethical and moral than others... in other words, and as I have stated many times in the past, the days when it was safe to assume that all doctors were honest professionals with high levels of moral character and integrity are unfortunately over
3. Doctors with questionable ethics, morals, and training are capable of amazing acts of deceit (if not fraud) in order to attract patients and convince them to have surgery.
• The eye doctor here in Orlando who advertises heavily as an expert in liposuction even gives procedures long established in the legitimate plastic surgery community cute, trendy sounding names ("Naturalfill") to make it seem to patients that he is the only one knowledgeable in the technique, and that he has somehow captured magic in a bottle. This violates the code of ethics of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons- but because he is an eye doctor and not a plastic surgeon, he does not have to comply with this important ethical code.
• The same eye doctor advertises himself as "Board Certified", without saying in what or by whom. I believe this is actually a violation of Florida law- but again, no one will do anything about it until and unless there are complaints.
4. The tragic truth (at least so far) has been that when patients are injured or deformed as a result of surgery performed on them by an ER doctor, Eye Doctor (or anyone else without plastic surgery residency training) they almost never complain to the appropriate authorities.
5. Many Central Florida women don't realize that this problem is prevalent in their backyard. In Orlando alone, there are ER doctors, a urologist, and the eye doctor I describe (!) all claiming to be liposuction experts.

These last 2 facts are what I hope to contribute to changing.

I have found that for patients who have experienced the trauma of misplacing trust for their safety and happiness in someone other than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, the only thing that they believe could make their situation worse is to have to talk about how they ended up making the poor decisions that lead to their terrible outcome.

I've seen it over and over again in patients who come to see me for correction of problems resulting from surgery performed by local ER doctors and especially the local eye doctor... They want to have their problems corrected, but usually cringe at the notion of having to re-hash the experience as they would have to do if they complained to the authorities with the power to stop these untrained practitioners from practicing plastic surgery. I believe they behave very much like victims of sexual abuse...

Because there is a perceived stigma associated with being "duped" into compromising your safety and appearance, most of these patients won't complain...

But here's the problem... Unless and until patients injured and disfigured complain to authorities, the only way to stop untrained non-plastic surgeons from harming (or indeed killing) more patients is to wait for someone to die- this is the only circumstance that would require the state to investigate without a complaint. 

So unless someone dies, without people affected complaining, these doctors can go on performing procedures they are ill-trained to perform on unsuspecting patients- injuring more of them over time.

Please don't let yourself or someone you love be the victim of doctors practicing outside their training. And if you are, please contact the Florida Board of Medicine.

A New Kind of Plastic For Plastic Surgery

Do you cringe every time you look in the mirror because you’ve always wanted to fill out a pair of jeans like Kim Kardashian or JLo? Good news - you no longer have to save up the pennies in your piggy bank for years on end to splurge for plastic surgery procedures. Care Credit offers an instant solution with payment plans specifically for many cosmetic procedures such as: Mommy Makeovers, Brazilian Butt Lifts, Breast Enhancement procedures and even dermal fillers.

You know that dream home you’ve always wanted and will end up paying for it over the next 30 years? Well, this is kind of the same idea BUT with a shorter payoff time, a higher approval rate…AND you’ll feel like a million bucks as you flaunt your new “assets” everywhere you go (not just when you have company over)!

Whether you need breast reconstructive surgery, a new svelte shape or just a little tweak here and there, we offer a full spectrum of aesthetic services here at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery with Care Credit as a payment option. The boost in confidence and overall sense of happiness that comes from being satisfied with your self-image is without a doubt priceless, so why wait?

Call today to meet our Board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Armando Soto.  He’s an expert in making women feel beautiful everyday and would love to see how he can help you. 407.218.4550.

Celebrity Plastic Surgery - Hot or Not?

Here are some celebrity plastic surgery stories with happy endings!  They knew what to fix and when to quit...resulting in a much more natural outcome!  The moral of this story: find a plastic surgeon who can enhance your beauty, not totally change it!

Maybe it’s her newly wed glow, but Megan Fox is looking more stunning than ever.  Tabloids are making speculations of her going under the knife for multiple facial procedures and a breast augmentation.  Either way, she looks great!  Now, if we can just work on that attitude problem…

It’s hard to tell if our “Friend”, Jennifer Aniston has had plastic surgery and that’s when you know it is done right!  We do know one thing though, she has had a nose job!  She told People "I had (a deviated septum) fixed - best thing I ever did. I slept like a baby for the first time in years."  ... And just so happened to make her look even more beautiful!  Jennifer is also rumored to have had a modest breast augmentation and maybe even more facial procedures, but she won’t let us in on the truth!

Kate Hudson finally gave in... she bought herself new breasts for her 31st birthday!  It appears she has small implants which fit the rest of her body nicely.  Another lovely example of how less can be more.

Ashlee Simpson underwent rhinoplasty to straighten her crooked nose.  Ashlee’s new nose makes her whole face look softer and less edgy.  She insists that there is nothing wrong with going under the knife to enhance your looks, but people should take it seriously.  It’s not like shopping for a new pair of shoes.  Ashlee said, “If people want to get surgery, it's a personal thing. But it's not something anyone should rush into. Once it's done, it's done.”

The infamous mommy of eight, Kate Gosselin, looks great after her tummy tuck!  A popular procedure for mom’s to get their pre-baby body back, the tummy tuck made a world of difference for Kate.  Though it appears she may have had more work done because of her fantastic body, she denies any other type of cosmetic surgery.  Kate says she stays fit by keeping up with her handful of little ones!  

Baby Boomers Keep Plastic Surgery Booming

Every woman wants to look youthful and vibrant, regardless of the age on her driver’s license.  While plastic surgery demands in the 18-40 population remains steady, it is no surprise that there has been a jump in women over the age of fifty getting a little nip here and a tweak there.

 

Many are starting off with non-invasive options such as dermal fillers, laser treatments and Botox. While others are heading straight for the options that will give them the most dramatic results – such as tummy tucks, breast and face lifts!

This increase in middle-aged women having surgery can be attributed to dear, sweet Mother Nature. As a woman ages her skin begins to lose its ability produce collagen and elastin, which in turn leads to drier, thinner skin. Let’s be honest, who wants that? Fillers and volumizers, such as Restylane and Sculptra are great for helping to restore fuller, fresher looking skin while softening the lines of aging. According to The Harvey Medical Group, a UK based medical group,   these types of procedures have increased by more than 70 per cent over the past year.

According to the ASAPS, patients between the ages of 51 and 64 account for nearly 25 percent of all cosmetic surgeries performed. Eyelid surgery, liposuction, and breast enhancement surgery are a few of the top procedures among the more distinguished group of ladies.

Another reason that women in their 50’s may be able to undergo more procedures, may have something to do with the fact that they have a higher level of disposable income and sometimes a more flexible schedule than their younger counterparts.

Here are our Orlando Plastic Surgery and Skincare center we have patients of many different backgrounds that come in for numerous different reasons – whether it be to get a tighter tummy or a flawless face. If you have a trouble area that is bothering you, call now to set up a consultation with Dr. Armando Soto! 

Slimming Solution for Summer

In the past few months, CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is popping up in health and beauty magazines around the world as the slimming solution for the summer!   This fairly new, FDA-approved body sculpting technique is the latest buzz in non-invasive fat reduction for small pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.  

Pick up the latest issue of SHAPE magazine and read up on CoolSculpting as it is featured in an article titled “Sculpt your best bikini body ever!” for the summer season ahead.  CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is becoming more and more popular thanks to it’s safe and simple application with zero downtime and minimal discomfort.

Visit CoolSculptingOrlando.com for more information on this fat freezing technology and to view before and after photos.  Call Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery today to schedule your complimentary consultation or sign up for a next “Cool Day Out Seminar” on July 20th! 

New Bras Tailored Just for Augmented Breasts

Along with your two new perky assets comes the desire to feel sexy in what lies beneath your everyday clothes. After a well, planned surgery, and recovery period, the last step for many women becomes a hunt for the perfect bra that will not only showcase but also support a newly enhanced figure.

After a breast surgery, many women find it difficult to find a bra that is not only supportive but also sexy at the same time.  A supportive bra is “a must” for women with implants! Unfortunately, the more supportive the bra, the less attractive the bra usually tends to be – featuring larger straps and a less revealing neckline. 

The search for the perfect bra can be a frustrating process for many patients post surgery. Take a look at the article below on RealSelf.com to find out what Orlando’s Breast Surgery Expert, Dr. Armando Soto has to say about which bras are best for women to wear after breast augmentation:

http://www.realself.com/blog/breast-implant-Alexis-Smith-bras

To view a line created specifically for patients with breast implants, visit: http://www.alexissmith.eu/collections

Plastic Surgery on the Wedding "To-Do" List

With Summer flowers in full bloom, we also welcome the beginning of Wedding Season! A time when thousands of brides-to-be, regardless of ethnicity, religion and social background are all preparing for their perfect day.

On today’s modern bridal checklist, preparing for “the big day” includes working out, dieting and plastic surgery among many other “to-dos”.  The increase in popularity in plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, Botox and laser treatments have skyrocketed across the globe for many ready to walk down the aisle. 

Now, don’t think that brides are the only ones primping for the big day! Many "grooms-to-be" also are increasingly undergoing plastic surgeries for fat reduction and gynecomastia to get in shape for their weddings as well.

If you are getting married this year and are thinking about having plastic surgery, it is best to keep in mind the amount of time needed to make a full recovery. Some patients choose to have several surgeries that cannot be combined such as a Brazilian Butt lift and a breast augmentation and must factor in additional time to heal.

If you are interested in having a procedure prior to your nuptials call us at 407-218-4550 to set up a complimentary consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Armando Soto.  We would love to help you achieve the look you’ve always desired in time for your big day.

New Findings on Propecia...

Gentlemen, if worrying about hair loss is something that you have been losing sleep (and hair) over, you may want to think twice about seeing your doctor for a prescription to cure it. The Journal of Sexual Medicine recently conducted a study to examine the correlation between the prescription hair-growth drug Finasteride (commonly known as Propecia) and shall we say… problems in the bedroom. 

The drug targets the production of testosterone to stop its conversion to dihydrotestosterone, which is associated with hair loss. With this dip in testosterone, romantic desires and performance also tend to take a plunge. While doctors used to believe that problem was temporary, research is finding that the average side effects last up to 40 months - with some up to 6 years!

For Propecia to continue to be effective, a patient must continue to take the medication indefinitely. For most men, this might not be a tradeoff that they are willing to commit to.

Here at our Orlando Plastic Surgery, Skin Care and Hair Restoration Center we offer the latest practice in hair restoration with the Neograft, a revolutionary hair transplantation system. In the hands of our highly trained staff, the Neograft allows for the transfer of hair, follicle by follicle, achieving a more natural look. No need to worry about your secret slipping out, unlike the traditional strip method, the NeoGraft provides permanent and natural looking results without scarring or downtime. 

Call today to set up a complimentary consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Armando Soto, to help regain a natural, full head of hair – 407.218.4550 

Summer Fashion-Forward: Accessorize

Summer Fashion-Forward: Accessorize

The bigger, the better this season when it comes to accessorizing your fabulous Summer attire.  Watch out for these fashion trends or better yet get a head start on your spring shopping with these must have add-ons before they’re all sold out!

Obi Belts

Inspired by the traditional Japanese style, these wrap around belts will make your outfit whether it be a pencil skirt for work or a dress for a night out.  You can go with a classic, decorative version, or opt for an edgier style with a big leather wrap around belt.  Either way it’s sure to be a hit!  Check out some of these affordable and chic Obi styles...

Hot Find: ASOS Leather Obi Belt $29.00

ASOS Black Leather Belt $29.00

Big Bangles

So long dainty and delicate, big chunky bangles are back!  Feel free to pile ‘em on your wrist, the more the better.  Wooden, gold and fabric bangles are a hot commodity this spring and are an inexpensive way to add spunk to any wardrobe.

Hot Find: Aldo Errolys $15

Day Birger Set of 3 $110

70’s Shades

Move over classic Ray Bans, big funky shades are what’s hot this Summer.  You’ll want to have a pair of these fun, trendy sunnies to accessorize your eyes on the beach, by the pool or cruising down the highway!  Check out these 70’s shades we found at a reasonable price that’s hard to turn down...

Hot Find: Forever 21 70’s Chic Glasses $5.80

Marc Jacobs Retro Aviators $100

The Link Between Obesity and Breast Cancer

To a woman, no two words bring more fear and uncertainty than Breast Cancer. According to the American Cancer Society there were about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in 2010. They estimate the chance of a woman getting breast cancer sometime in her life is around 1 in 8 and death rate is around 1 in 35.

Some people think that those risks sound low and that could never happen to them. While others go out of their way to avoid any risks that could increase the chances of breast cancer. Regardless of which category you may fall into, there is some news that everyone might want to hear - especially if you (or someone you care about) needs motivation to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI). Researchers have now found a link between obesity and the increased risk of triple-negative breast cancer. While that type of breast cancer is rare, it is often more deadly because it is difficult to treat.

The study conducted on patients in the Women’s Health Initiative found that women with the highest BMI had a 35 percent increased risk of the triple-negative breast cancers. These women were also found to have a 39 percent increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

While these findings may sound scary, the good news is that there is still something you can do about it! Start working your way towards a healthier you today - Don’t become just another one of these statistics! Here at Aesthetic Enhancements, our goal is to help you look and feel your very best.  We recommend two personal trainers, Sage Hansen and Amie Russell, that can help you reach your fitness goals, call 407.218.4550 for more information.

Join Us For a CoolSculpting Event!

Wish you could lose some of that extra jiggle before Summer arrives without the garments and post-operative care that is required after surgery?  If you are close to your ideal body weight and have small pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, CoolSculpting may be just the answer to your prayers! 

Join us at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery for our next CoolSculpting by Zeltiq seminar where you will learn how CoolSculpting works to target and eliminate extra fat around the waist, hips, back, and arms.  Not only will you have all your questions answered by a CoolSculpting expert, you will also have the chance for a personal complimentary consultation and receive 15% off your procedure if booked the during the event.

Watch as we demonstrate just how safe and effective CoolSculpting can be.  The CoolSculpting device acts as a vacuum, sucking up the skin and extra fat in between two cooling plates.  The area is then cooled to a fat freezing temperature without harming surrounding tissues or skin.  Within just an hour, you will have approximately 20-25% fat reduction (permanently!) in the treated area without needles, anesthesia, or downtime! 


Learn more at www.CoolsculptingOrlando.com

Call Today to Reserve Your Seat for June 8th!

Two sessions available: 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm - 407.218.4550

How To Properly Care for Your Sunburn

With Spring’s sunshine in full swing and Summer just around the corner, it is time to let the outdoor activities and sunburns commence!  If you are among the many who dread the oily application of sunscreen, you may be all too familiar with lobster-like remnants of the sun’s harmful rays.  Luckily, there are a few steps that can be taken to help keep you comfortable and minimize your healing time after a scorching sunburn.

TO SOOTHE

Step 1: Aloe.

Especially when taken directly from an aloe plant,  aloe’s soothing properties will cool your skin and ease the sting of even the worst sunburn. 

Step 2: Shea Butter. 

Following your aloe application, use a moisturizer containing shea butter to quench your skin’s thirst for hydration.  Shea butter is one of the most nourishing skincare ingredients and known to be a highly effective skin healer.

If you have oily or acne prone skin, shea butter may be just a little too rich for your skin type and could lead to breakouts, so watch for any untoward reaction after your first application. 

TO REPAIR

Once the dreadful redness and peeling have subsided, it is time to repair the damage that has been done.  Give your skin the touch of TLC it desires with antioxidants that will increase thickness, improve elasticity, scavenge free radicals and restore skin structure. 

Vitamin C, Coffeeberry, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Grape Seed Extract are highly effective antioxidants and can be easily found in many skin care products.  At our Orlando, Florida Plastic Surgery and Skincare Center we have a variety of medical grade skincare products such as Revale, Neocutis and Sesha containing all of the vital nutrients needed to repair and replenish your complexion.  Our skin care consultations are free and we love helping people look their best- come see us soon, or look us up at www.DrArmandoSoto.com.

Amanda Chapman, Paramedical Aesthetician    

Say Goodbye to Under-Eye Bags

Your eyes are said to be the windows to your soul- so why wouldn’t you want them to look as young and vibrant as you feel? 

Under-eye bags are one of the most common and frustrating signs of aging, and may occur at various ages in different individuals.  There are certain measures you can take, both non-invasive and surgical, to turn back the hands of time giving you fresh, younger looking eyes. 

Why Do We Get Under-Eye Bags?

There is no doubt that the aging process takes a toll on the delicate tissues surrounding the eye area.  As we age, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around our eyes become weak, causing the fat to shift out of place and leaving unsightly bulges beneath the eyes.  Though these effects are typically minor, unfortunately, these little guys can add years onto your age!

How Do We Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags?

There are many questionable topical treatments available for those concerned with just puffiness and dark circles.  If you are thinking about taking the next step to plump up the troughs around this delicate area, injectable filler treatments are an excellent minimally invasive option that can prove to be a very beneficial solution.

Here, at Aesthetic Enhancements, we offer 3 different types of dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane & Radiesse), that may be just what you need to address any hollowness and fine lines that have developed under or around your eyes.

Though filler treatments are not permanent, nor do they permanently remove sagging skin, they can camouflage this problem area and allow for a fresher, more youthful look without surgery or downtime. 

When choosing your place of aesthetic care, it is important to choose a highly trained and experienced provider. Keep in mind that not just anyone holds the skill level to provide a flawless finish when it comes to your face. Choosing someone who understands the anatomy of the face and who will keep your safety at the top of his or her priority list is key when selecting your injector. Here at Aesthetic Enhancements, our Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, Michelle Boone, has over 13 years of experience and would love to meet with you for a complimentary consultation.

Say “Good Bye!” to your unwanted bags for good with a more permanent option, Blepharoplasty. This procedure, also known as eyelid surgery, is another option offered by Orlando Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Armando Soto here at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery that can reshape and rejuvenate your eyes permanently.  With lower lid blepharoplasty, the skin and fat under the eye are repositioned while your muscles are tightened resulting in a firmer, more youthful appearance. 

Seeing is Believing:

Visit Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery for a complimentary consultation and to view before & after pictures of some of our patient's results. 407.218.4550

Florida Named the Butt Capital of the United States!

When it comes to flaunting a more curvaceous figure, Floridians know just the secret – The Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure! A recent study conducted by RealSelf.com, a patient driven plastic surgery educational site, reported 3 out of the top 5 cities with the highest interest in the Brazilian Butt Lift are located in Florida! With a plethora of bikinis along its warm sandy beaches year round, it is no surprise to us that The Sunshine State has earned the title of “The Butt Capital of the US”.  Miami steals the scene in the #1 spot, followed by West Palm Beach at #4 and Orlando at #5.

http://www.realself.com/blog/round-full-butts-florida

The Brazilian Butt Lift procedure is an incredible plastic surgery procedure that helps patients achieve a fuller, rounder backside by utilizing unwanted fat from certain areas of the body and reshaping it into the bottom. If having a more, shapely silhouette is something that you’ve always longed for, this procedure may be just what you’ve been looking for.   

The Brazlian Butt Lift is a trending surgical procedure that has gained popularity in recent years, however, there are only a handful of properly trained and experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in the world who can deliver such desirable outcomes.

When considering any plastic surgery procedure, the importance of choosing your plastic surgeon carefully cannot be stressed enough.  Many unscrupulous and untrained providers strive to lure in patients with similar procedures that may put the patient’s safety at risk. You can be sure to be in safe hands when you select only a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as Dr. Armando Soto, who is held to a strict code of ethics when it comes to patient safety and quality of aesthetic care. 

Dr. Soto is a Brazilian Butt Lift expert (in fact, he is quoted in the RealSelf article above!) and would love to meet with you to talk about your goals. Visit the Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery photo gallery to see some of his patient’s results for yourself! Call today to set up your complimentary consult – 407.218.4550 or visit www.drarmandosoto.com to learn more!

Legitimate Plastic Surgeons Fight for Their Name

This month, the monthly newsletter for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons published on their front page, an important article describing the problem I have been decrying for some time; a problem that seems to be getting worse, and is damaging the reputation of all of plastic surgery, and the safety and happiness of every prospective or real patient.

I speak of the problem of physicians without legitimate, ACGME accredited training in Plastic Surgery calling themselves plastic surgeons, or otherwise marketing themselves in such a deceptive manner as to allow an otherwise reasonable person to believe they were plastic surgeons.

The reason the article was written was because a patient in  Los Angeles recently died during a tummy tuck and liposuction procedure. The California Board of Medicine is likely to take his license. The headlines read, "Plastic Surgeon could lose license..."

Only the doctor was NOT a plastic surgeon. He had been offering plastic surgery procedures, and indeed marketed himself in a way that only an experienced and savvy physician would be able to tell that he was not a legitimately trained plastic surgeon, but in fact, he was an Ob/Gyn.

Close examination of the circumstances very quickly shows that this doctor had a very poor understanding of safe and appropriate care in these procedures, and it is clear that the death could have been prevented had the patient been in the hands of a surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

The most shocking part of the story, however, is how little interest there was in the media in making a written correction and bringing the fact that the doctor was not a plastic surgeon to the public's attention. And this is part of why these deaths and injuries continue to mount.

The good news is that many state governments are now pursuing legislature mandating that all healthcare providers be honest and forthcoming in describing and marketing their educations and training to patients.
We'll have to keep a close eye on this....

Think this couldn't happen to you? Here in Central Florida, Dr. Roger Bassin calls his practice "Bassin Plastic Surgery" and his advertisements make it seem as though he is not only a plastic surgeon, but an innovative one in a position of leadership in the field. His training? Ophthalmology. He's an eye doctor.

Be careful out there.

The Fight Against Cellulite

With Summer right around the corner, many women are scrambling to look their best in their swimsuits this season.  For 90% of those women, a panic attack may be in order because of something you may or may not be familiar with….CELLULITE!

Unfortunately, no one is immune – not even beauties such as Uma Thurman, Kim Cattrall or Kim Kardashian. While men can have cellulite too, women are much more likely to become victims simply due to the distribution of fat, muscle and connective tissue in the skin.

Although the cause of cellulite cannot be pinpointed to any one factor, most attribute it to a combination of things, such as:  genetics, diet, hormones, skin elasticity and lifestyle.

Unfortunately, a permanent cure for cellulite is still to be found, however, there are a few different ways we can  camouflage it:

·       Use a self tanner to even out skin tone and blend in the tiny imperfections. Check out this post on our very own recommendations for the best self-tanners.  (insert link to last year’s blog)

·       Endermologie, a machine assisted deep tissue lipomassage, helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. Sessions should be done at least 1-2 times per week for a total of 10-14 treatments to see optimal results. We have many patients here at Aesthetic Enhancements that have been extremely pleased with their results. Call today to set up an appointment to speak to Amanda, our paramedical aesthetician about how endermologie can help you treat your areas of concern!

·       A confident attitude! Everything looks better when you hold your head high with a big smile on your face. 

Nip/Tucks Tailored to Ethnicity

While most women long for a flatter tummy, toned legs and slimmer arms, some ethnic groups share features that make particular plastic surgery procedures more popular among them. Michael Jackson and Sammy Sosa not withstanding, when handled by a responsible, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon like Orlando’s Dr. Armando Soto, these changes can be very natural and attractive.

Plastic Surgery to “Fit In”.

It’s a big adjustment for people coming from all over the world to fit in the American lifestyle.  Language, culture, beliefs, and clothing are just a few of the differences that may contribute to a person’s feeling just outside the inclusion circle of their adopted home. Whether to create a more rounded eye with a sharp upper lid fold, a more western, Caucasian appearing nose, or other changes, these procedures are now very common. 

The number of ethnic minorities, particularly Asian Americans, undergoing plastic surgery has dramatically increased over the past few years.  For example, Phillipino pop star, Charice Pempengo underwent Botox injections to make her naturally round face appear narrow for a more American look before her big premier on Fox TV’s “Glee”.  Botox along with invasive surgeries, such as blepharoplasty and rhinoplasties, are becoming more popular among Asian Americans as well. 

Enhancing Cultural Beauty.

While some are going under the knife to look “more American”, many long for curves that are associated with women of certain ethnicities. The Brazilian Butt Lift is a trending cosmetic procedure that can allow for a more curvaceous shape, while enhancing a woman’s natural silhouette.

Regardless of your reason for wanting plastic surgery, it’s important to have realistic expectations and to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can safely and effectively provide you with the results you are hoping for!  Call today for your complimentary consultation with Dr. Armando Soto, our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and body-contouring expert here at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery.