March 2008
Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss
Body contouring surgery following major weight loss can improve body image by removing excess sagging skin and fat, resulting in a more normal body appearance, with smoother contours.
Good candidates for body contouring are:
- Adults of any age whose weight loss has stabilized
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body contouring can accomplish
- Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness
In this podcast, ASPS Member Surgeon Peter Rubin, MD, discusses the plastic surgery options available to people who have experienced massive weight loss.
Also, his patient, Sue, describes her experiences going from a size 58 to a size 18 through bariatric surgery, and then to a size 8 via a series of procedures known as body contouring.
February 2008
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia—a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men—often causes emotional discomfort and can impair self-confidence. Some men even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.
Advances in plastic surgery techniques allow for correction of gynecomastia through a procedure that reduces breast size and flattens and enhances the chest contours. Nearly 20,000 male breast reduction procedures were performed in 2006.
This procedure is a good option for patients who:
- Are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
- Have realistic expectations
- Are not experiencing further breast development
- Are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
In this podcast, listeners will hear ASPS Member Surgeon Michael Olding discussing the causes of gynecomastia and courses of treatment, as well as his patient, Matthew, describing how he coped with his condition before surgery and his post-surgical outlook on life.
This podcast contains musical excerpts from The Matthew Show.
January 2008
Beauty for Life
People are living longer, exercising more, watching what they eat, taking better care of themselves. And, of course, it’s only natural to want to look as good as you feel.
In recent years, the scope of cosmetic medical procedures available to patients has increased dramatically, opening the door to a whole new spectrum of cosmetic medical care. Cosmetic medicine today ranges from spa beauty treatments to sophisticated surgical procedures, with an array of options in between.
- How did these trends come about?
- How do they impact patient safety and outcomes?
- And, what do they mean for the future of plastic surgery?
In this podcast, listeners will hear ASPS President Richard D’Amico, MD, discuss the emerging trend of Beauty for Life - caring for our looks incrementally as we age - and how plastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to support this trend through age appropriate procedures.
December 2007
Patient of Courage: Scott Rigsby
In 1986, 18-year-old Scott Rigsby was thrown from the back of a pickup truck and dragged over 300 feet under a flat bed trailer, suffering severe damage to both legs. His right leg was amputated that day.
Over the next dozen years, he underwent 26 reconstructive plastic surgery procedures on his left leg, but ultimately he elected to have his left leg amputated. From that moment, Scott has never looked back.
Listeners will hear this courageous story from Scott himself, as well as ASPS Member Surgeon Farzad Nahai, MD, one of the surgeons who cared for Scott over the years.
On October 13, 2007, Scott became the first below-the-knee double amputee to complete an Ironman competition (2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike; 26.2 mile run) at the Hawaiian Ironman. ASPS salutes this Patient of Courage for his accomplishments and inspiration to others.
October 2007
Breast Reconstruction
In 2006, more than 200,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 56,000 women underwent breast reconstruction procedures.
Listeners will hear about all phases of breast reconstruction, from diagnosis through recovery, including:
- Personal recollections from a 46-year-old breast cancer survivor and breast reconstruction patient and her ASPS Member Surgeon
- How to find a plastic surgeon
- The reconstruction options available and the benefits of each
- What to expect when undergoing the procedure
- Recovery issues for some types of procedures
- Insurance considerations
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Welcome to Today in Plastic Surgery (T.I.P.S)—the consumer podcast of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—featuring candid discussions about plastic surgery.