Under the muscle, over the muscle and dual plane? If those terms confuse you, don’t worry you are not alone. PSF have teamed up with the industry leader in dual plane technique, Dr Michael Miroshnik to explain what on earth dual plane actually means. Is it half under and half over the muscle? How does it work and WHY does it matter?

PSF would like to thank Dr. Michael Miroshnik who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Dr Miroshnik talks to PSF about ‘dual plane placement’ appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

With the help of our lovely forum members, we have collated the perfect post breast augmentation checklist.

1. Surgeon or nurse post op contact number
2. Post op instructions from your surgeon
3. Boomerang or U shaped Pillow for sleeping upright
4. Travel pillow for your neck
5. Cushions to build a pillow fort
6. 2 post op bras so you can alternate on washing days
7. Button or zip up blouses, hoodies or onezies if your hibernating at home
8. Dry shampoo so you can avoid washing your hair for as long as possible
9. Frozen peas or ice packs (for all that post op swelling)
10. Micropore tape for your incisions
11. Baby wipes for freshening up
12. A small pillow or cloth to provide a barrier between you and your seatbelt on the way home
13. Pre prepare some frozen meals so you don’t have to cook
14. DVD’s to entertain you whilst your recovering
15. download an app to log and remind you when to take your medication
16. Fibre supplement or stool softener (a side affect of pain medication)
17. Post op pain medication
18. Straws (because you cant underestimate how hard it is to drink out of a bottle post op)

All the best with your op!

The post So you have picked your surgeon, booked a date and now its time to get things organised. appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Wondering if there is a connection between breast implants and breast cancer? Who do you see if you find a breast lump? Can you have a mammogram with implants? Routine breast checks?

PSF sat down with Dr. Craig Rubinstein from Cosmetic Surgery for Women to answer all your questions and alleviate your concerns about breast cancer and breast implants.

PSF would like to thank the ‘Cosmetic Surgery For Women‘ and Dr. Craig Rubinstein who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Craig Rubinstein on breast cancer and implants appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Dr Ellis Choy, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon explains the top three reasons he wont perform elective Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery on a patient who is a smoker.

Health

“As a Plastic Surgeon I am also a doctor” explains Dr Choy, which brings with it the responsibility to promote better health for all patients, regardless of their decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. The dangers of smoking are well known and documented. It can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and can cause cancer. The bottom line here is that smoking is not good for your health. “I like to show my patients the silver lining’ states Dr Choy. The decision to undergo elective cosmetic surgery is usually done to better oneself and can be life changing. There is no reason why patients cant use this as the motivation to make positive changes that will benefit their health and wellbeing.

Premature ageing

Smoking causes premature ageing. Whether in the breast, face or body, tissue becomes more lax, which in turn, creates more sag. Dr Choy says that smoking post elective cosmetic surgery works against the patient getting the best possible outcome, both in the short term recovery period, but also in the long term. Once you have decided to undergo cosmetic surgery, you are investing a lot, both financially and emotionally so the patient should be committed to achieving long lasting, optimal results.

Wound healing

Multiple scientific studies demonstrate that smoking is associated with a significant increase in wound related problems post surgery. This is so because the affect of nicotine on the peripheral blood vessels which can delay our bodies natural healing capacity. It also means that our bodies have less resistance to infection.

Smoking also affects the oxygen levels in our blood which means complications such as necrosis or tissue death are greatly increased. When it comes to particularly complicated procedures such as facelift, breast lift, breast reduction and tummy tuck, the risk is even higher.

At the end of the day, elective surgery is a choice and a patient needs to be confident that the work a surgeon performs on them is going to work in the long term. In this way, a surgical triumph could end up as a failure because of collateral factors such as comprised wound healing caused by smoking. Operating under these circumstances would feel like a disservice to the patient explains Dr Choy and so for this reason, he chooses not to perform elective cosmetic surgery on patients who are smokers.

If you are currently a smoker, you should aim to quit smoking or nicotine replacement therapy no later then 4 weeks prior to surgery and 4 weeks post surgery, but ideally for life.

If you want to quit smoking, the following link may be a helpful resource:

Quit Smoking Resource

PSF would like to thank Dr. Ellis Choy who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this blog post.

The post Smoking and elective surgery appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Under the muscle, over the muscle and dual plane? If those terms confuse you, don’t worry you are not alone. PSF have teamed up with an industry leader in dual plane technique, Dr Michael Miroshnik to explain what on earth dual plane actually means. Is it half under and half over the muscle? How does it work and WHY does it matter?

PSF would like to thank Dr. Michael Miroshnik who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Miroshnik talks to PSF about ‘dual plane placement’ appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

One could be forgiven for not knowing the difference between a ‘Cosmetic Surgeon’ and a ‘Plastic Surgeon’. Things get even more complicated when some plastic surgeons refer to themselves as ‘Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons’. The truth is, the terms are misleading and confusing, perhaps by design.

You see, anyone with a medical degree can call themselves a ‘Cosmetic Surgeon’. That is because ‘Cosmetic Surgeons’ are unregulated. There is no uniform, overarching governing body that provides cosmetic training or competency testing in exchange for the privilege of calling yourself a surgeon. That is not to say that all cosmetic surgeons are not competent and untrained. What it does mean is that there is no way to determine the level and quality of training of a cosmetic surgeon and whether or not that meets the industry standard.

Plastic surgeons on the other hand must undergo extensive training and competency testing before the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) will allow them accreditation. More specifically, specialist plastic surgeons are required to undertake a minimum of 5 years post graduate training that is provided by RACS and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It is only upon successful completion of this highly intensive specialist training that a doctor becomes a ‘Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS). If a surgeon has FRACS next to their name, then you can feel confident that they at least have an accredited specialist training in plastic surgery.

Now this is where things can get tricky. Not all plastic surgeons practice in aesthetic plastic surgery. Within the plastics sphere, there are paediatric plastic surgeons, those who specialise in burns or hand surgery and so forth. Because of this, you will often see some plastic surgeons refer to themselves as Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons. This simply means that they specialise in or focus on the aesthetic side of plastic surgery. As you can see, there are many terms that are thrown around that can make this distinction difficult to navigate.

The key points to take away are:

1. Plastic Surgeons are required to undergo extensive training in all areas of the specialty, not just aesthetic plastic surgery
2. Plastic Surgeons are trained specialists who to become qualified pass difficult competency testing.
3. Plastic Surgeons are governed by an overarching authority that require they undertake a certain level of professional development to keep their skills current
4. Anyone doctor can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon, there are no competency requirements and no standard level of training
5. Not all cosmetic surgeons are untrained and unskilled, but the lack of regulation make it difficult to determine

At the end of the day, this confusion around terms and titles really makes the task of finding a surgeon difficult.

Due to the lack of regulation around cosmetic surgeons, you will only ever find RACS accredited surgeons on our ‘Clinician Directory’. This way we can be sure that we are only connecting people with surgeons who possess the qualifications to perform permanent, body altering surgery. This issue however, does highlight the need to research and discuss your potential surgeons with others online. At PSF, we pride ourselves on providing a free, open and honest platform to engage with past patients so that ‘if you want melons, you don’t end up with lemons’.

The post Cosmetic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons. Do you know the difference? appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

As part of our ‘get to know your surgeon’ series, PSF sat down with Dr Ellis Choy for a Q&A.

Dr Choy is dually qualified plastic and breast surgeon. He performs the full spectrum, from oncological, cosmetic, reconstructive and in recent years, complicated revision breast surgery. For the discerning patient, Dr Choy is definitely equipped with the credentials.

Dr Choy also enjoys a public appointment at Concord hospital where he is assigned to look after the breast related and reconstruction work. Aside from his private practice and his public appointment, Dr Choy has also spent time volunteering abroad with the organisation interplast.

Standing out from the crowd:
Everything at this clinic is thought out and serves a purpose. From the name Zilver lining which has the connotation of the silver lining, to the boutique purpose built facility which has a custom design ceiling to reflect the lollipop scar, you will understand Dr Choy’s eye for detail.

Why did you become a doctor?

I always find Medicine to be a very unique, fascinating discipline where its intrinsic blend of arts and science has a very direct application to the overall wellbeing of humanity. The privilege to help guide the healing process as a doctor is a priceless reward for being an important part of the patient’s recovery journey

Why did you become a Plastic Surgeon?

I enjoy doing Plastic Surgery because of its versatility, creativity, and quality. Plastic Surgery is a very versatile surgical specialty which involves a broad range of highly specialized skill sets. As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, I perform cosmetic, reconstructive and oncological procedures for a wide variety of patients ranging from the most disfigured to the most beautiful, the most geriatric to the most paediatric, and anatomically dealing with tissues from head to toe and from skin to bone. A lot of the medical conditions we treat can present as quite a challenging problem, and I often have to be really creative in maximizing all the limited resources available for crafting the most suitable surgical solution. Ultimately, the quality of my plastic surgical outcomes has always aimed to achieve both a functional value as well as an elegant aesthetic result.

What are the requirements to become a Plastic Surgeon?

You need “Good eyes” to visualize the ideal surgical result; “Good hands” to turn it into reality; and most of all a “Good Heart” to believe the possibility of how it could transform your patient’s life in the most positive way. Of course it takes a lot of discipline, years of sacrifice and dedication in going through the most rigorous selection process and extensive training requirements in becoming a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon, FRACS(Plast.) with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. I believe being a good Plastic Surgeon is about beginning the way you like to end, and also about having the creative mindset to utilize the versatile surgical skills in achieving the most optimal outcome that is right for our patients.

What are the scopes of your plastic surgery practice and why?

At my private practice, Zilver Lining Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, both in Sydney & Coffs Harbour in NSW, we provide a wide range of plastic & cosmetic procedures, with specific focus on the latest rejuvenation and enhancement techniques involving the face, beast, body and skin. For my public service, I have been appointed as a consultant Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Concord Hospital in Sydney with a specific focus in breast reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients. As a dually qualified Specialist Breast & Plastic Surgeon, I provide the full spectrum of breast related plastic surgery service, whether it’s cosmetic, reconstructive or oncological. This is about a true comprehensive approach, with my unique composite surgical experience, in achieving the ultimate complete care for all my patients seeking plastic & cosmetic surgery with an aesthetic style.

What is the right age to have cosmetic surgery?

I think it depends on how you define cosmetic surgery and individual patient’s expectations and desires. In general, any age over 18 years old as a fully grown mature adult with full responsibility in making independent decisions can consider possibility of cosmetic surgery depending on specific circumstances. I think having cosmetic surgery is a very personal decision, and there are often a multitude of physical, psychological, & emotional reasons which precipitate the desire for a surgical enhancement. It’s also difficult to pass unwarranted value judgment on the decision to undertake cosmetic surgery based on age alone.

What are some of the reasons that you feel patients want to have cosmetic surgery?

As mentioned above, there are often a multitude of physical, psychological and emotional reasons for patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Ultimately all my cosmetic surgery patients want to experience a positive life transformation via surgical enhancement. They want to see the brighter side of life by looking and feeling good. For many of my patients, cosmetic surgery is like a surgical “body maneuver” for a positive “mind blowing” experience!

What would you say is your signature style at Zilver Lining?

My signature style at Zilver Lining is about our unique artistic touch, personalized approach and the complete care throughout the surgical journey for all our patients seeking plastic & cosmetic surgery. It all starts with the name: Zilver Lining. I want to reflect the brighter side of life with a Z-plasty. Z–plasty is a traditional plastic surgery procedure which aims to optimize both the appearance and the function of a physical scar. It’s a twist by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. I deal with form and shape defined by lines, like turning a S to a Z. And it is our aim to bring forth the brighter side of life in our team and our patients. It is like turning scars into stars!

What is your understanding of Beauty and how does it relate to your slogan “Artistry in Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery”?

Beauty is not just being pretty. True beauty comes from the inside out. Function determines form. Life is meant to be beautiful. Doing the Surgery is a Craft. Being the Surgeon is an Art. Artistry in Plastic & Cosmetic surgery is about the journey, the process, the experience. Beauty is more than just the aesthetic destination. Beauty is also the artistic journey. At Zilver Lining, you’ll experience a new outlook from a fresh insight. This is not just about how you look. This is about what you see. This is: Fine Craft. Pure Art.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Ellis Choy who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this blog post.

The post Get to know your surgeon: Q&A with Dr Ellis Choy appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

The post Tuberous breast correction with Dr Miroshnik appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Peter, along with his good friend Dr George Marcells (FRACS) ENT, are leading the charge in Rhinoplasty education. Despite ENT and Plastic Surgeons both performing rhinoplasty surgery, there has never been much intermingling between the specialities. For a long time, many have held the view that an ENT surgeon approaches the nose from the inside out with plastics approaching the surgery from the outside in. That is, an ENT surgeon would address the function of the nose then the aesthetics and vice versa.

With differing approaches to rhinoplasty surgery, “collaboration is the fastest road to excellence in rhinoplasty” says Dr Callan. With this collaborative ideal in mind, Dr Peter Callan and Dr George Marcells have brought together the AAFPS (Australiasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery) and the ASPS (Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons) and created the first Annual Conference & Master Symposium, focusing on functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty.

With some of the worlds most recognised leaders in Rhinoplasty in attendance, this progressive event highlights the role of education and ongoing training in surgical techniques and how critical this element is to the ongoing development of skills. Rhinoplasty is recognised as one of the most difficult and technically challenging surgeries that both ENT’s and Plastic Surgeons perform. Both Dr Peter Callan and Dr George Marcells recognise the need to put emphasis on surgeons developing the skills that they already have and to be better at what they are already doing. Nowhere in surgery is that more important than rhinoplasty. Every nose is different, and to achieve consistency of form and results is surgery of nuance, based on a large base of experience and knowledge.

An event like this, can only benefit future patients of Rhinoplasty here in Australia. Here at PSF we are very excited to be a part of this event, so keep an eye out on this blog and social media to keep up to date.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Peter Callan who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Meet Dr Peter Callan – Plastic Surgeon appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

As part of our get to know your surgeon series, PSF Sat down with Dr Tavakoli for a Q&A. A fan favourite here at PSF, Dr Tavakoli shares with us why he become a plastic surgeon and what he loves most about his job.

Why did you become a plastic surgeon?

Towards the end of my medical school/University training I decided to explore the up and coming field of Plastic Surgery. So in December of 1992 I spent a month doing my elective term in Toronto, Canada assigned to a very busy Burns Unit. I was exposed to all aspects of Acute Burns management and secondary reconstruction. Once I started my residency/registrar training I devoted all my time in becoming a plastic surgeon. I even spent 2 years doing a research Masters degree in plastic and reconstructive surgery plus an additional 5 years of plastic surgery training both in Sydney and Melbourne. I started my private and public hospital (trauma) practices in 2004 and have been fortunate to have a large cosmetic surgery practice.

What are your primary plastic surgery interests and why?

To be honest I love everything about the world of Plastic surgery. The problem is that I had to choose between full time cosmetic surgery over reconstructive surgery as I had to dedicate all my time in super-specialising in one area. My main interest became cosmetic surgery of the Breast and Nose. Over a short period of time after entering private practice I managed to have a busy referral practice in Breast Augmentation, Tuberous breast correction and breast lift. I am also interested in fixing crooked noses and ethnic rhinoplasty.

What do you love most about your job as a plastic surgeon?

Creating a new image by for my patients and being part of their journey is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. This applies to all aspects of Plastic Surgery.

What is your signature style?

Cutting edge techniques, Safe environment and Natural results that is custom-made to produce timeless and beautiful outcomes.

What advice do you have when deciding on a surgeon?

Word of mouth research especially from those in the industry. Try and see 2-3 different surgeons and get a perspective of what’s available to you.

Have you ever had to turn patients away due to unrealistic expectations?

Unfortunately poor patient selection can lead to unhappy patients even if surgery has been performed to great accuracy and precision. Aesthetic results are subjective and patient expectations must be established from the outset.  Plastic surgery cannot fix individuals with deep seated unhappiness.

What procedures are becoming more popular and what are decreasing?

Breast Augmentation is always on the rise and unfortunately so is breast revision work. The latter is the result of a big rise in Breast implant cases being performed by inexperienced doctors here and overseas. Buttock augmentation is also gathering popularity and so is Fat injection. On the decrease is Facelift and brow lift as patients use fillers, Botox and laser to avoid the “knife”.

The post Get to know your surgeon: Q&A Dr Tavakoli appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

With a multitude of surgeons out there, it can be hard to determine whether or not you have found a good one. And what does that even mean? On what basis do we evaluate the technical ability of a surgeon and are we as patients, even equipped to make that evaluation?

So what makes a good surgeon anyway?

Qualification and scope of practice

This is your starting point. Make sure your surgeon is qualified to perform that surgery and that they are operating within the scope of their training. For example, a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (FRACS) is not operating within the scope of their training if they were to perform heart surgery. Likewise, an orthopaedic surgeon is not operating within their scope if they were to perform breast augmentation.

The easiest method to determine the qualifications and scope of your surgeon is to look for the FRACS next to their name. Their speciality will also be indicated for example FRACS Plast. or FRACS ENT. Of course, not all doctors who perform cosmetic procedures have completed a fellowship with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) so ascertaining the level of their training can be a difficult exercise, but very essential none the less.

Good diagnosis and technical ability

Now this is a hard one for prospective patients to find out. Most of us don’t have medical degrees and we lack the technical understanding needed to make that assessment. A good indicator of your surgeons ability is how they are viewed by their peers. Are they frequently invited to attend events as guest speakers? Are they involved in training the younger, more inexperienced surgeons? Have they taken on important roles within their governing bodies i.e. ASAPS, ASPS or AAFPS

Caring

Provided your surgeon has the skills to execute the surgery, this is probably the most important factor in deciding whether or not you will be happy as a patient. According to international surgeon Dr Jonathan Sykes, being a good surgeon is more then just the technical skill to perform the surgery. It begins with good diagnosis followed by technical execution of the surgery, but it also means more then that. It means caring for the patient after the surgery and this means being a good listener. So how do you find out if your surgeon cares? Reviews and surgery stories are helpful in this instance, particularly when the outcome was unsatisfactory.

Every surgeon, no matter how technically skilled they are, will have an unfavourable result through no fault of their own. What matters here is how it was dealt with. Did the surgeon listen to the patient? Did they work with them to find a resolution? What was the end result? Was the patient happy?

The post Dr Jonathon Sykes: What makes a good surgeon? appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

We hear a lot about cosmetic plastic surgery as an art, the surgeon the artist and the scalpel, the instrument. But what does this actually mean? For Dr Ellis Choy, “Doing the Surgery is a Craft. Being the Surgeon is an Art. Artistry in Plastic & Cosmetic surgery is about the journey, the process and the experience.“

PSF would like to thank Dr. Ellis Choy who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this blog post.

The post Fine Craft Pure Art: Dr Ellis Choy appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Park Clinic Plastic Suregon Dr Alex Phoon outlines the top 5 things you need to consider when planning your breast augmentation surgery.

Overall look

You need to take into account the look you want to achieve with your breast augmentation surgery. Are you trying to achieve a natural or boosted look? Or are you trying to achieve restoration after children or weight loss? You want to have an end look in mind and not just an end size.

Don’t compare yourself to others

We all come from different starting points, so a surgery or implant size that one person had wont necessarily yield the same results in you.

Body type

You need to take into account your body shape. If you are taller or broader, you may need a bigger implant to achieve the look you want.

Existing breast shape

The existing breast shape and condition will influence what implant shape and size you will need.

Choosing a surgeon

You want to make sure your surgeon is qualified to perform the surgery.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Alex Phoon who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this blog post.

The post Dr Alex Phoon: 5 essential things to consider when planning your breast augmentation appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Renowned Sydney Plastic Surgeon and breast specialist, Dr Michael Miroshnik talks to PSF about the braless cleavage trend. What is it and who is suitable?

PSF would like to thank Dr. Michael Miroshnik who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Dr Michael Miroshnik: Braless Cleavage appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Prominent Sydney Plastic Surgeon and breast expert, Dr Kourosh Tavakoli talks us through the different implant shapes and why they matter.

The post Dr Tavakoli: Implant Shapes appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Dr Alex Phoon from Park Clinic Plastic Surgery talks us through the natural looking breast augmentation and how it is achieved.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Alex Phoon for his input into this blog post.

The post Dr Alex Phoon: Natural breast augmentation appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Sydney Plastic Surgeon and breast expert, Dr Kourosh Tavakoli explains the way different augmentation looks can be achieved through the use of both round and teardrop (anatomical) implants.

The post Dr Kourosh Tavakoli: Augmentation looks appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

If your confused about implant cohesivity and what that all means, then you are not alone.
Renowned Sydney Plastic Surgeon, Dr Michael Miroshnik talks us through the different levels of implant cohesively, when they are used and how it affects the final results.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Michael Miroshnik who specialises in ‘breast surgery’ for his input into this video.

The post Dr Michael Miroshnik: Implant cohesivity appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

Finding the right surgeon is never easy but this is especially true when it comes to rhinoplasty.
Should you choose an ENT or Plastic Surgeon? Who is more qualified when it comes to noses? What sort of things do you need to look for in a rhinoplasty surgeon?

Dr Peter Callan along with Dr George Marcells recently convened the 2015 Rhinoplasty Symposium, bringing down some of the worlds leaders in Rhinoplasty surgeons. Since we attended, PSF stole some time with Dr Peter Callan to give us his best tips on how to find a rhinoplasty surgeon.

PSF would like to thank Dr. Peter Callan specialist Plastic Surgeon, for his input into this video.

The post Dr Peter Callan: Finding a rhinoplasty surgeon appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.

PSF would like to thank Dr Timothy Cooper, specialist Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon for his input into this post.

The post Dr Timothy Cooper: Male breast reduction appeared first on Plastic Surgery Forum - Blog.