ACCURATE PATHOLOGY IS CRITICAL

Dermatopathologists highly accurate in classifying pigmented skin lesions

Board-certified or fellowship-trained dermatopathologists are less likely than general pathologists to misclassify biopsies of melanocytic skin lesions, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. "Our results show having a second opinion by an expert with subspecialty training provides value in improving the accuracy of the diagnosis, which is imperative to help guide patients to the most effective treatments," said study co-leader Joann Elmore.

BE EDUCATED - ANY DOCTOR CAN CLAIM TO BE A COSMETIC SURGEON

A new RealSelf survey conducted online by The Harris Poll reveals that 59% of women in the US do not know there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Furthermore, more than eight in 10 women (84%) in the US are unaware that medical professionals do not have to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation.

The report also reveals that a growing number of women are seeking cosmetic treatments for the first time. More than one in four women in the US (26%) are currently considering a cosmetic procedure, and nearly three-fourths of those women (73%) have never had one in the past. Interest is higher among young adults, with females ages 18-34 nearly two times more likely than those 35 and older to be considering a cosmetic procedure (37% vs. 21%).

STAY CALM, DON'T PANIC

Plastic surgeons warn not to overreact to breast implant recall

Textured breast implants like those recalled by Allergan are still considered safe medical devices and the FDA has emphasized that if you have textured implants, you  do not need to have them removed in the absence of symptoms of implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (late swelling or a palpable nodule). The risk for BIA-ALCL is low, and women should be alert for symptoms but should not be afraid.

 

Allergan textured implants have a 6 times higher risk of developing Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Mentor and Siltex texturing is different and runs a very small risk of this problem.

 

We are also receiving calls about implant associated health issues.  We went through this same issue in the early 1990's and the FDA after a very intense clinical study of over 50,0000 patients came to the conclusion that breast implants are as safe as any medical device and there is not an increased risk of health problems such as auto-immune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, etc. in patients that have breast implants.

 

My advice to patients - if you think your implants are causing health issues, take them out.  If it makes you feel better after removal, that is great.

 

There is too much hysteria and inaccurate information (especially on these internet web sites) about this problem - I saw a news report recently with a patient testimonial - she was having all sorts of health problems and after taking her implants out, she felt better the next day.  Really???  If the patient had a true disease related to her breast implants, this is not going to reverse itself 24 hours after taking the breast implants out.

 

Stay Calm, Don't Panic

NICOTINE CREATES PROBLEMS

Smoking may increase risk of skin cancer surgery complications, study indicates

Reuters (7/19, Rapaport) reported researchers found that “complications after skin cancer surgery may be more common in smokers and former smokers.” The findings were published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD

Another US patient dies after plastic surgery in Dominican Republic A New York woman who went to the Dominican Republic for liposuction after US doctors told her she should lose weight before getting body contouring died during the procedure, reportedly from a fatty tissue embolism. Plastic surgeon Henry Spinelli said safe options exist in Europe and South America, and "to indiscriminately choose some place on the basis of finances is a grave mistake."

Truth in Advertising

Health Quality & Advocacy

Va. plastic surgeons push for "truth in advertising" resolution Physicians in Virginia and elsewhere in the US who are not board certified in plastic or aesthetic surgery can take short courses to learn how to perform body contouring procedures, which may put patients at risk, says plastic surgeon Neil Zemmel. The Virginia Society of Plastic Surgery is urging state legislators to approve a resolution requiring physicians to inform patients about which board certifications they hold.   In Oklahoma, I  have been pushing for the same type of legislation to better inform the public.  Although the bill has been written and has been in the hands of the legislators for the last couple of years, they have failed to push this bill through the proper channels so it can be brought before the House and Senate for approval.

VYLEESI

FDA approves new medication intended to enhance sexual desire in women

The Washington Post (6/21, Cha, McGinley) reported that on Friday, the FDA “approved sales of a new drug intended to enhance sexual desire in women.” The Post added, “Marketed as Vyleesi, also known as bremelanotide, the medication is a shot that comes in a push pen device that can be self-administered as needed for premenopausal women who experience marked distress as a result of low sexual desire.”

The AP (6/21, Perrone) reported that “the approval was based on women’s responses to questionnaires that showed increases in sexual desire and decreases in stress related to sex,” although “the women didn’t report having more sex, the original goal for the drug.”