Cosmetic Surgery Safe for Elderly Patients June 21, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Did you know that over 84,000 patients over 65 years of age sought cosmetic surgery in 2012? Although many of these procedures were eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasty), which of course have a sound medical basis to help vision, many were also facelifts, breast reductions and even the occasional breast augmentation. One such example is the 80 year old Phyllis Porter, whom Good Morning America reported on. She had a facelift, an eyelift, lip augmentation, and breast implants, as well as a chemical peel! You just do not expect that of an 80 year old woman, and while Ms. Porter is probably...
Spider Vein Blues June 19, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Have you begun to notice strange, new patterns and lines appearing on your legs? As we age our veins can become more visible in the form of varicose veins and spider veins. Varicose veins are puffy, enlarged veins that swell and become raised above the skin surface. Varicose veins are caused by venous insufficiency. The one way valves that prevent blood from flowing back to our feet have become weak or damaged. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins but much smaller. These are capillaries that form red or bluish networks of "spider web" looking lines on the...
New Competitor for Botox? June 17, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD The Allergan Company's BOTOX® may soon have a new competitor. Johnson & Johnson is introducing a similar product next year. Since BOTOX® was approved by the FDA in 2002 for cosmetic use, smaller drug companies have not been able to compete with Allergan's amount of sales. Allergan is a name known and trusted by many, and of course, people are reluctant to switch from a product they are familiar with. Even Dysport® took a while to be picked up on the market, because patients preferred the brand name of BOTOX®. The company that produces Dysport®, another favored comparable product, had...
Mommy Makeovers Popular Among Younger Women June 14, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Did you know Mommy Makeovers were on the rise? Here are the statistics: women had nearly 112,000 tummy tucks in 2010, up 85% since 2000; 90,000 breast lifts, up 70% since 2000; and 296,000 breast augmentations, up 39% since 2000. What does this mean? This varies regionally too it seems. 34% of women in the South Central part of the United States, our area right here around Arkansas, say they would undergo a Mommy Makeover. Women in the North East, however are not so hot on the idea. And younger women are more prone to elect Mommy Makeovers it turns...
Off Label June 12, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Most of you are familiar with BOTOX® as a cosmetic drug to reduce wrinkles. Small injections of BOTOX® reduce muscle activity by blocking nerve impulses that cause excessive muscle contractions. BOTOX® also blocks nerve impulses causing hyperactive glandular activity, which is why BOTOX® can be used for excessive perspiration. The FDA approved the use of BOTOX® for cosmetic use to reduce wrinkles of the forehead in 2002. Before that BOTOX® had been approved for treatment of strabismus (eye muscle problems) and blepharospasm (spasms of the eyelids) back in 1989. Finally, in 2010, BOTOX® was FDA approved for preventing migraine headaches...
Ugly Dish From Beverly Hills June 10, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Do any of you watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? You may remember back in 2010 that Charlotte Markey of Rutgers University reported her study, which revealed that reality television shows gave women a more favorable view of cosmetic surgery. That study focused on shows like Extreme Makeover. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills show is about the lives of women rich enough to constantly travel, have cosmetic surgery, and throw huge parties, focusing on appearances and social class achievements. Oddly, none of them actually live in Beverly Hills, but other areas around Los Angeles. From Brandi Glanville's, recent...
Treating Gynecomastia at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center June 7, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD Gynecomastia is enlargement of the male breast. It can be emotionally devastating. Men, particularly adolescents often experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation. There are many reasons men may develop gynecomastia; however, in most cases the cause is unknown or related to obesity. For some patients requiring surgery, liposuction works well if there is little or no ptosis (drooping or hanging). However, those who do not respond to liposuction and have an excess of glandular tissues in their breasts surgical excision is required. The goal in the management of gynecomastia is to obtain the correct diagnosis, control the patient’s symptoms...
Why Men are Getting Botox June 5, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD For years women have been using BOTOX® to reduce wrinkles and therefore the signs of aging. As it turns out more men are now seeking BOTOX® as well. Most men, however, are very practical and accept cosmetic surgery for different reasons . . . but not always. Men are now looking for ways to boost their self esteem and confidence in new ways. Whereas previously men looked toward material objects as signs of success, many now see cosmetic surgery as a sign of privilege and affluence. At least 225,000 BOTOX® treatments were performed for men in 2012. BOTOX® has been...
Male Breast Reduction at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center June 4, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD June is for men at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. In honor of Father's Day, Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center offers male breast reduction specials. Why on earth would men need breast reduction surgery? If you are one of the men suffering from gynecomastia you know why. Gynecomastia is the growth of abnormally large breasts in males. True gynecomastia is caused by excess growth of breast tissue, not excess fat tissue. This condition effects up to 60% of men at some time during their lives. 25% of gynecomastia is unresolved from puberty. About 30% of the adolescent boys who develop...
The Botox Revolution is in June! May 31, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD by Guest Blogger Circe Santaniello Brotox. Men have joined the anti-wrinkle revolution. Yes, men are beginning to use BOTOX®, even here in Little Rock, on a regular basis. These brave trailblazers have taken it upon themselves to "masculinize" BOTOX®. No longer are the good drugs just for women. A movement of men seeking equality in cosmetic surgery have renamed the popular product to reflect their solidarity. Skeet Upton, a local movement activist, was quoted in an interview, reiterating the sentiments of this men's movement, "Why should we have wrinkles? Why should the women have all the youth serums? What happened...