More Plastic Surgeons Using Social Media to Connect with Patients

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Dr. Anu Bajaj

Social sites like Facebook and Twitter have become useful tools for the modern plastic surgery practice, according to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

To find out more about the ways in which plastic surgeons use social media, doctors at UCLA sent anonymous surveys to over 5,000 plastic surgeons. The survey inquired about their personal use of social media, the platforms they used, and the perceived impact these activities had on their plastic surgery practice.

About half of the surgeons who responded said they were using social media in their professional practice.

Benefits of Connecting with a Doctor Through Social Media

Social media is not only a good networking and marketing tool for plastic surgeons, it can also be a good patient education platform. But when you’re a busy professional, staying current with your Facebook and Twitter accounts can be challenging. To handle the ongoing communication, 54 percent of the respondents said they depend on a staff member to manage their social media accounts.

These benefits don’t come without some level of risk. Maintaining a social media presence means being open to negative comments and online attacks. Some doctors also cited concerns about patient privacy.

With so many plastic surgeons using social media, the field is taking a progressive approach that may set an example for doctors in other specialties. “Because of our current level of engagement with existing social media services, plastic surgeons are uniquely poised to become leaders in developing the future of social media architecture to the maximal benefit of practitioners and patients alike,” the authors conclude.

Photo by West McGowan

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Angelina Jolie Writes About Recent Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Dr. Anu Bajaj

angelina“I hope that other women can benefit from my experience” writes Angelina Jolie in a candid New York Times column published today.

The actress and director revealed that she recently chose to have a double mastectomy after doctors told her she had the breast cancer gene BRCA1, meaning Jolie has an (estimated) 87 percent risk of getting the disease.

She decided to be “proactive” and undergo a preventive double mastectomy, followed by breast reconstruction with implants. The procedures were completed just last month.

About her reconstruction, she writes:

“Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.”

Photo by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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Thumbs Up for Juvederm Non-Surgical Cheek Augmentation

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Dr. Anu Bajaj

Juvederm could be FDA approved for cheek augmentation later this year.

Girl in bushesA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recently recommended that the agency approve Juvéderm Voluma XC for cheek augmentation.

If approval takes place – and the FDA generally follows advisory committee recommendations — Juvederm would be the first filler with this indication, which could happen later this year.

A gel composed of hyaluronic acid suspended in phosphate buffered saline with 0.3 percent Lidocaine, Juvéderm Voluma helps restore deep volume loss and smooths the mid-face, rejuvenating sunken areas around the cheeks, re-creating youthful contour and fullness in the chin. The results are instant, natural looking and can last up to 18 months. There’s little if any downtime – most people resume normal activities immediately.

Based on the clinical trial data presented, the FDA’s General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel agreed that the product is effective and safe and the benefits outweigh the risks. The most frequent common treatment site responses (CTRs) reported in the trial were tenderness, swelling, and firmness.

FDA reviewers noted that the incidence of CTRs decreased for subjects receiving touch-up and repeat treatments. More than half (52.8 percent) of subjects received the optional retreatment at the end of the extended follow-up period “suggesting these subjects perceived an acceptable benefit/risk profile for [its] continued use,” the reviewers said.

An additional consensus was that Juvéderm Voluma XC fills more than cheeks, meeting the needs of what people want in plastic surgery. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), in 2012 nearly 2 million people had soft tissue filler augmentation, representing a 205 percent increase since 2000.

Photo by Alaskan Dude on Flickr

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After Mastectomy: What to Know

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Dr. Anu Bajaj

What Happens During Recovery?

After mastectomy, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical and emotional ramifications of diagnosis, surgery and breast reconstruction.what happens during recovery from mastectomy checklist With hospital stays averaging three days or less, it’s important to know what to expect. Here are some brief checklists that may help guide your expectations through the process.

Before leaving the hospital, you’ll receive instructions on:

  • Taking pain medication
  • Caring for the bandage over your incision and, if still inserted, a surgical drain
  • Managing stitches and staples (most stitches dissolve, while staples are removed later during an office visit)
  • Recognizing signs of infection and lymphedema, the swelling of the soft tissues caused by fluid buildup
  • Wearing a prosthesis or a bra (often depends on type of surgery and time needed to heal).

When you get home:

  • Recovery times vary, depending upon the type of surgery.
  • Get plenty of rest. It’s normal to experience fatigue for several weeks after mastectomy.
  • Take pain medication only as needed
  • Take sponge baths until your doctor removes drains and/or sutures
  • Ask for help — have friends and family pitch in around the house

In the months following mastectomy:

  • As nerves regrow, you may experience phantom sensations or pain in the area around the mastectomy. Analgesics such as such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can usually take care of this.
  • Expect some fatigue, although if it persists and remains constant, consult your physician.
  • Throughout your recovery, it’s important to start exercising soon after surgery. Along with preventing arm and shoulder stiffness, exercise will keep the area limber and help initiate healing.

Your healthcare team should provide written, illustrated instructions for a routine tailored to your needs. Follow all post-operative instructions from your provider. The above checklist is for discussion only and should not replace your provider’s specific instructions for recovery after mastectomy.

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