Last week Dr. Brantner appeared on News Channel 11’s Daytime Body and Soul segment. He and Amy discussed the popularity of cosmetic surgery, A few highlights from the segment include:
The prevalence of breast reduction procedures (a surgical procedure that reduces back pain and other medical issues caused by large breasts. Breast reductions are typically covered by insurance)
Trauma surgery and skin cancer treatment
Breast reconstruction after breast cancer
The importance of trust and open communication between a patient and physician
If you’re interested in renewing your confidence with a face or body rejuvenation procedure, call Dr. Brantner’s office to book a consultation. We specialize in both major and minor cosmetic procedures, as well as reconstructive surgery.
Plastic surgery tourism is a trend that’s growing more popular every day. Many patients prefer to have work done over the border, where they won’t have to worry about blowing their cosmetic surgery anonymity with a post-op trip to the grocery store. Others view plastic surgery as nothing more than a pricey souvenir to show off after a trip abroad. But the dangers of plastic surgery tourism are real. Cases of botched surgeries, difficult recoveries, and fatal complications make news headlines with startling frequency. If you’ve considered getting a quick nose job on your trip overseas, educate yourself on the dangers of getting surgery outside of the U.S.
Dangers of Plastic Surgery Tourism
Plastic surgery tourism complicates recovery. It may seem like a great idea to heal from a plastic surgery procedure while lounging on a beach abroad. Many vacation activities, however, can cause serious complications to a patient’s recovery. Even relaxing on the beach exposes wounds to countless bacteria, and sun exposure darkens the appearance of scars.
It’s not the bargain it seems. Although getting surgery overseas often has a lower price tag than local procedures, many patients have to shell out for fix-it procedures after returning home. Fixing botched plastic surgery is more costly than getting it done right the first time, and the results aren’t always guaranteed. In some dire cases plastic surgery tourism patients find themselves with life-threatening surgical complications and no medical support.
Plastic surgery tourism patients have limited legal options. If a U.S. surgeon performs a procedure without the proper qualifications, the patient is entitled to legal reparations. When a patient undergoes surgery overseas, it’s nearly impossible to get legal recourse for surgical negligence.
What you see may not be what you get. When you have surgery overseas, it’s difficult to research the qualifications of your physician. The doctor may be under-trained, inexperienced, or certified by a disreputable medical board. When undergoing a procedure as specialized as plastic surgery, patients should always choose a physician certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Are you interested in cosmetic surgery? Contact Dr. Brantner’s office at Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
As a physician, Dr. Brantner promotes informed decisions and continuous education. His board certification dictates that he complete yearly training to stay current on the latest surgical techniques, prescription information, and medical information available. But he strives for more than just personal expertise; Dr. Brantner wants to give everyone the opportunity to educate themselves about healthcare issues that may affect them. He’s achieving that goal with Go To Pills, an interactive website that allows, doctors, patients, and pharmacists to educate themselves about the FDA-approved and common off label uses of drugs.
Off Label Drugs
Most people would be surprised to learn that roughly 60% of doctors prescribe off label drugswithout knowing the drug uses are not FDA approved. The majority of drug information, both published and shared online, is provided by drug companies that are not required to share whether their most common uses are FDA approved. 80% of drugs are frequently prescribed for off-label uses. The lack of unbiased information regarding approved drug uses can obscure potential adverse events, leading to problems for patients and possible legal difficulties for healthcare providers.
GoToPills
GoToPills provides doctors, patients, and pharmacies with quick, reputable information about the approved and off label uses of drugs, as well as any side effects. A simple search provides information on the uses, side effects, adverse event reports, and litigation alerts associated with each drug. Doctors can download an informed consent report that guides them through the process of explaining to patients why an off label drug may be the best treatment for a patient’s condition. Doctors who want to learn more about the side effects of particular medications, ongoing litigation issues, or reactions of off label medications with other prescriptions can follow the information sourced on each page.
Want to learn more about Dr. Brantner’s work on GoToPills? Visit our website, download the smartphone app from the Apple store, or ask his staff about off label drug usage at your next office appointment.
When most people think of body contouring, a tummy tuck is one of the first procedures they consider. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin on the stomach, restores weakened abdominal muscles, and smooths the overall appearance of the abdomen. As we move closer and closer to beach weather, many patients want a firmer, more youthful stomach. Determine whether a tummy tuck is right for you with this helpful guide.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?
Patients who undergo abdominoplasties may walk into our office because of age, heredity, a prior pregnancy, or weight fluctuation, but they all have one thing in common: they’re unhappy with the look and feel of their abdomen, and they’re ready to make a change. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure that restores weak or separated muscles, removes loose or overhanging skin, and smooths the area around the stomach. Good candidates for a tummy tuck:
Are unhappy with the appearance of their abdomen
Have loose skin or excess stomach fat
Have reached a stable weight
Know what results they can realistically expect
Understand that a healthy lifestyle is the only way to maintain their post-tummy tuck body
Do not smoke, or understand that they must quit smoking before their procedure
Committed to a Better Body
A tummy tuck alone does not give patients the body of their dreams. Dr. Brantner advises that all of his patients eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise several times a week to maintain their new, more youthful figure.
As the weather warms many people stop thinking about short-term health goals and begin contemplating life changes. For many that means eating healthier, exercising regularly, and developing better habits. As the world starts thinking about swimsuit season, many people also start considering cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic breast lifts and augmentations are among the most popular cosmetic procedures for women in early spring. If you’re considering a breast rejuvenation procedure, read our 5 best blogs on cosmetic breast enhancement.
Everything You Need to Know about Breast Enhancement
Is a Breast Reduction Right for You? While breast augmentations get more press, innumerable women have improved their self-esteem with breast lift surgery. If you have large, sagging breasts that cause physical or emotional discomfort, breast lift surgery may be the body rejuvenation procedure for you.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Most women who decide to get breast implants learn that choosing a breast size isn’t as simple as it sounds. This guide to choosing a breast implant size offers helpful insights for making the decision.
Breast Implants (It’s All About Choices):Getting the body of your dreams isn’t all about breast size. If you’ve elected to have a breast augmentation you’ll need to decide the position of your scar and whether to place the implants above or beneath the pectoral muscles.
Breast Augmentation Myths: Debunked: In some social circles there’s a stigma attached to breast augmentation surgery. We examine the most pervasive myths about “boob jobs” and explain why they’re false.
Medical Myths About Breast Implants: Are you worried about the correlation between breast implants and cancer? Are you concerned you won’t be able to breastfeed after a breast augmentation? We address the most common medical misconceptions about breast enhancement in this blog.
If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic breast rejuvenation, contact Jim N. Brantner MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
