Cosmetic Surgery Associates

As everyone knows, the economy, at least in the U.S., has been slowing down over the last 6 or more months due to the real estate bubble and our infatuation with debt. This has led to people being more cautious about how they spend their discretionary income. Since cosmetic surgery is a luxury item for most people, we have seen a slowdown in patient traffic in all of our offices (Bethesda, McLean and Reston). What is a plastic surgeon to do in times like these?

I, personally, have decided to recommit myself to personalized patient care and to spend the extra time I have improving my skills. One of my favorite operations, and truly one of the most difficult plastic surgery procedures, is rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose). I have been practicing for 20 years and although certainly experienced, I feel there is always more to learn. It is the endless advancement of understanding and technique that makes our specialty so interesting.

I had the good fortune to spend a few days last week with one of the giants in the field of rhinoplasty, Dr. Ron Gruber of Oakland California. He is remarkable for his anatomical approach to nasal surgery, his simple solutions to difficult problems (the kind where you think “that is so simple why didin’t I think of that?”) and for his ability to relate this information in a clear and concise manner in both written and oral presentations. My approach to rhinoplasty has been a synthesis of many techniques over the years, using the best of each approach. When I found Dr. Gruber’s writings I was amazed how much sense he made and how well his approach to nasal problems worked. I have been an enthusiastic adherent to his surgical philosophy ever since. I learned a few new “tricks” last week that will benefit my patients and make the results I obtain even more predictable. These techniques preserve the tissue in the nose leading to a more functional, natural appearing result. I look forward to applying these techniques to my next cases.

All the best,

Dr. Jabs

Lights, camera….ACTION! It was like a Hollywood movie set in our Bethesda office this past Monday when our internet masterminds arrived from the west coast with a camera crew and all the equipment needed for a day of video production. In addition to new videos of your favorite plastic surgeons (don’t get too excited—they are much better surgeons than they are actors thank goodness) we were honored to have two of our patients come in to give testimonials about their surgical experience with Dr. Richards, Dr. Jabs and our staff. We certainly appreciated their time and candor, and know they are going to look fabulous in their film debuts! Please stay tuned to the website as the new videos will be playing soon….

M. Carr

Good news for our Virginia patients who live just a little farther out…we have opened a satellite office in Reston! The address is 1860 Town Center Drive, Suite 340, and it is in the Reston Hospital Center campus, just a short walk across the street from the hospital itself. We are there on Monday afternoons, scheduling consultation appointments beginning at noon, with the exception of Mondays when Dr. Richards and Dr. Jabs are in surgery. If you are not familiar with the location of Reston Hospital Center, it is just about a mile off of exit 11 (off the Dulles toll road) which is VA-7100N/Fairfax County Parkway/John F (Jack) Herrity Parkway exit. A right turn onto New Dominion Parkway, a left turn onto Town Center Drive and you end at 1860. Parking is surface or garage and there is no charge. To make an appointment please call 703-506-0683. Remember, warmer weather is on its way, the time to look and feel your best as you shed your coats and sweaters for shorts and swim suits. Take a look at the exceptional gallery of pre and postop photos on our website—talk about inspiration!! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

M. Carr

Practice Manager

I was recently invited by the Sulgrave Club, an historic women’s club in the heart of Washington, DC, www.sulgrave.org, to give a lecture on facial rejuvenation. The club is celebrating it’s 75th year of existence. It was graciously organized by Carter Brown and was given during a beautiful lunch prepared by the Club’s chef. The lecture was given in one of the main dining rooms in the old mansion.

On behalf of our doctors and staff, I want to take a moment to thank our patients for all their referrals of family and friends. Your confidence in our practice means everything to us—it is the greatest compliment you can give and is appreciated beyond words.

For those of you who have not yet referred anyone, but know people who are interested, please let me know if you need some of your doctor’s cards, or would like me to speak to your family member or friend by phone prior to their scheduling an appointment. I would be happy to discuss their procedure of interest and allay any fears or anxiety they may have about taking the first step and consulting with Dr. Richards or Dr. Jabs. We want to make their experience with us as pleasurable as yours.

Thank you so much again, and we look forward to more patients just like you!

M.C.
Practice Manager

Where to begin? So many exciting things are happening in plastic suregery right now.

Everything that I now do as a plastic surgeon has changed since my residency in New York 20 years ago. I’ll give you a few examples and then over the next few blog entries go in to more detail.

Let’s start at the top, so to speak.

Browlifts:Before, a big incision across the top of the scalp.Now, limited incisions and the use of the endoscope allow us to preserve sensation and achieve excellent results.

Eyelids: Before, we took OUT most of the fat in the upper and lower lids. Now, we preserve fat and tighten and reposition the tissue that holds the lower lid to the globe.

Facelifts. We are doing less and achieving a look that is more. The S-lift, or mini-lift, is suitable for most people, addresses the neck and loose skin of the cheeks and allows you to be back at work faster with less pain.

LiposuctionBefore. Big cannulas and lots of blood in the extacted fat. Now. Small cannulas and with the use of tumescent fluid we can take more safely with a lot less bleeding, plus we get the added benefit of local anesthesia.

Breast augmentationBefore. Silicone gel implants that had a shell that allowed the silicone to come in to contact with the breast tissue leading to scarring or capsules. Now. New Memory Gel Silicone implants have a thicker shell and the silicone is a gummy bear consistency. Place under the muscle they are providing fantastic results. Saline implants are still the standard bearer and offer an alternative to those that want the smallest possible incision with the least chance of capsule formation.

Breast Reduction Before. More incisions with less “sculpting” of the breast tissue Now. No incisions along the undersurface of the breast, and therefore less scars, and shaping of the breast tissue to allow a better chance of long term shapliness.

Next time: The results of our recent study on decreasing pain after breast augmentation.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs

Dr. Jabs in on vacation this week, but cannot seem to pull himself away from the office as he has been calling me everyday! Actually he and Dr. Richards, and Dr. Richards’ son Bryson (a third year medical student at Cornell in NYC) , are putting the finishing touches on a research paper on the use of tumescent infiltration with breast augmentation to reduce post operative pain, and are hoping to be able to present it at the ASPS meetings in New York City this April. We will probably be posting it on the website for all to read when it is completed.

We are also adding more pre and post operative photos to our Breast Augmentation photo gallery and are tweeking the process to make it most informative, with the highest ease of use for our current and potential patients. Please take a look if you haven’t already–I think you will be quite impressed. Remember, spring and summer are almost here and that means bathing suit weather. Call us now if you are considering a procedure to improve your “warm weather look.” We look forward to hearing from you!

Last, but never least, Juvederm is making a big hit with our doctors and patients…..less reaction and redness with injection, and it lasts longer too.  If you are a Restylane patient and it is time for a touch up, or have never had a facial filler, but are ready to try, call us today and schedule an appointment  for Juvederm, the new hyaluronic filler from Allergan, the same great people who brought us Botox.   And, if you are due for your Botox, you can schedule that at the same time you have your Juvederm treatment.  We are waiting for your call!

Dr. Richards and Dr. Jabs are in full swing again and want you to watch for some very exciting additions to our practice, including laser hair removal, photo facials, laser for leg veins and more! Changes and additions at Cosmetic Surgery Associates bring benefits with convenience for all of our patients, former, current and new. Stay tuned to this site for the latest updates, and feel free to call us at the office during regular business hours.

Dr. Jabs is covering for Dr. Richards this week while he attends a medical meeting out of the country.  Please call the office during regular business hours if you need anything and stay tuned for “news” when Dr. Richards returns.

Juvederm, the new, smooth gel lip and wrinkle filler from Allergan (the same people that brought us Botox), has arrived at Cosmetic Surgery Associates.   While we have many happy Restylane patients, Juvederm is the next generation of smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid–a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration–and is said to “ease into your skin so naturally that everyone will notice but no one will know.”  Please call our office to schedule your next appointment!