Is Bigger Better?

New Study Says Most Women Think So

Apparently size does matter, but not in the way that you might think.

A researcher at the University of Florida recently revealed findings that women who undergo breast enlargement surgery report an increase in self-esteem and positive feelings about their sexuality. Now, on the one hand, that might sound like a no-brainer, but the results of the study delve a little deeper than that.

Cynthia Figeroa-Haas, the clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida's College of Nursing who performed the study, believes that health-care practitioners should understand the psychological benefits of cosmetic surgery. The findings appear in the current issue of Plastic Surgery Nursing.

According to the University of Florida news release on the study, Figueroa-Haas studied 84 women who were 21 to 57 years old, assessing their perceptions of self-esteem and sexuality before and after cosmetic breast augmentation. Study participants had been previously scheduled for breast augmentation and were undergoing the procedure solely for cosmetic purposes. Eligible candidates were mailed a consent form, a demographic questionnaire and pre-tests asking them to rate their self-esteem and sexuality. They were then mailed a similar post-test two to three months after the surgery.

“Many individuals, including health-care providers, have preconceived negative ideas about those who elect to have plastic surgery, without fully understanding the benefits that may occur from these procedures,” said Figueroa-Haas, who conducted the study for her doctoral thesis at Barry University in Miami Shores before joining the UF faculty. “This study provides the impetus for future studies related to self-esteem, human sexuality and cosmetic surgery.”

The news release on the study further stated:

In 2005, 2.1 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. That figure is expected to grow. Consider that the number of breast augmentation procedures alone increased a staggering 476 percent since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. More than 2 million women in the United States have breast implants, and this year more than 360,000 American women will undergo breast augmentation.

Improvements in the women’s self-esteem and sexual satisfaction were directly correlated with having undergone breast augmentation. Figueroa-Haas used two widely accepted scientific scales to measure self-esteem and sexuality, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index, which assesses domains of sexual function, such as sexual arousal, satisfaction, experience and attitudes.

According to the results of the study, participants noted a strong increase in their self-esteem score on the Rosenberg scale, charting average increases from 20.7 to 24.9 on the 30-point scale. Moreover, their female sexual function scores increased on the average from 27.2 to 31.4 on the 36-point index.

The participants also reported that after their enlargement procedures, their sexual desire went through the roof. These scores included:

●     Sexual desire was up 78.6 percent

●     Arousal was up 81 percent

●     Satisfaction was up 57 percent increase

Now, Figueroa-Haas did admit that a small number of participants showed no change in their levels of self-esteem or sexuality after surgery, but findings like these always have some participants who experience no change. The magnitude of the increases reported, however, are way above the typical range for research of this nature.

Of course, Figeroa-Haas had a final word in the release.

“So much attention is directed to men’s sexuality issues; we have all seen countless commercials on drugs and therapy devoted to improving men’s sexuality. Unfortunately, very little is discussed regarding women’s sexuality issues,” Figueroa-Haas said. “I strongly believe that my research shows that interventions such as cosmetic plastic surgery can address these sorts of issues for some women. For example, those women who may have breast changes due to nursing or from the inevitable natural aging process. These women may not feel as attractive, which could ultimately negatively impact their levels of self-esteem and sexuality.”

While cosmetic surgery is not a cure for deep-rooted self-esteem issues, good outcomes from cosmetic surgery can include a boost in an individual's self-image that can give them an edge in overcoming other more intrinsic issues. In the meantime, millions of women are discovering for themselves how these procedures can improve their lives. If you think you are someone who could similarly benefit, give me a call. I'd be happy to explain what we can do for you.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Yvette Suarez

Just What is a Chemical Peel, Anyway?

Results Look Much Better Than the Name Implies

Sometimes, I wish they’d bring in the marketing guys before they’d name a medical procedure.

The chemical peel, which is an accurate description of a body treatment that is used to improve the texture of facial skin, just doesn’t sound terribly appealing. But if you were to talk to the thousands of people who have received chemical peels at Bella, you’d be like me and want to rename the procedure something like “Skin Refresher.” Okay, maybe not that, but something like it. I’m a doctor, not an advertising copywriter.

Basically, the treatment uses a chemical solution that causes dead skin to literally peel off your body, revealing a layer of regenerated skin that is typically smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

It can help a person look and feel younger and leaves their skin with a healthy and radiant glow. At Bella, we offer a wide variety of chemical peels based on the newest technologies and with an emphasis on better patient outcomes. That’s medical language that means we use the best treatments available, and we perform them in a comfortable environment. Here is a sampling of the treatments we offer.

Illuminize Peel™

This non-invasive very superficial chemical peel utilizes a novel approach to chemical peeling with a newer generation of agents to maximize skin rejuvenating effects with low irritation.

The benefits include:

●    Increase skin glow and radiance

●    Tightens the skin and restores a more youthful appearance

●    Improves clarity, color and skin texture

●    Enhancement of skin appearance with minimal downtime and discomfort

●    Appropriate for first-time patients or patients looking for a gentle, very superficial peel

●    May be performed on a variety of skin types

●    Little or no visible peeling

Vitalize Peel®

Vitalize Peel helps fight the effects of time, sun damage, and environmental assaults. This powerful yet non-damaging peel can take years off aging skin.

●    Addresses various skin conditions, such as pigmentation abnormalities, melasma, and photodamage

●    Effective (achieves visible improvement after one treatment, significant results after a series of treatments)

●    Can be customized for the treatment of each specific condition

●    May be performed on a variety of skin types

●    Little or no down time

Rejuvenize Peel™

Rejuvenize Peel is an advanced formulation of peeling agents, with a built-in anti-irritant and penetration enhancer that provides controlled exfoliation of the uppermost damaged layers of the skin to reveal fresher and healthier skin. Provides predictable results with minimal down time.

●    Effective for use on skin with sun damage, melasma, pigmentary changes and acne scarring

●    Noticeable improvement with just one peel

●    Recommended for a wide variety of skin types

●    Well tolerated with minimal “down time”

●    Reduced skin irritation, but maximum results

Obagi Blue Radiance Peel

Instant, Glowing Results for Most Skin Types

Obagi Blue Peel RADIANCE is an easy-to-apply peel that provides instant results for most skin types.

●    Addresses a range of skin concerns and procedures, including photodamage, skin resurfacing, and overall improvement in texture and tone

○    Peels may be beneficial for darker-skinned patients with pigmentary changes

○    Superficial exfoliation, with little to no downtime

●    Provides instant radiance - tighter, smoother, brighter-looking skin after just 1 use

●    A series of 4 to 6 peels provides best overall results

●    Easy to perform in the office in a matter of minutes

SkinMedica Peels

Chemical peels are divided into several categories based on their degree of intensity. The stronger the acids used in a peel, the more injury to the skin occurs. Though they are capable of producing the most skin rejuvenation, deep peels necessitate longer recovery periods and carry a greater risk of complications.

Most superficial peels require several treatments to achieve noticeable results. In fact, a regular series of superficial peels can produce cumulative benefits with little risk. These kinds of peels use one of two specific kinds of agents:

·         Lactic Acid -- Derived from milk, milder than glycolic acid, and typically better for working on hyperpigmentation problems.  Our formulation contains licorice extract, an effective skin lightening additive.  Appropriate for dry skin or oily skin.  An alpha hydroxy, this peel penetrates the epidermis-only.  A great "first peel" for oily, dry, normal and sensitive skin types.  The inherent properties of this peel make it ideal for clients with uneven skin tones and general hyperpigmentation. 

·         Glycolic Acid -- A bit more aggressive than lactic acids, this is also an alpha hydroxy peel and will penetrate the epidermis. Glycolic acid is a natural constituent of sugar cane juice and lactic acid and it is found in sour milk and tomato juice. This is the mildest of the peel formulas and produces light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Alpha hydroxy acids can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin's texture.Glycolic acid is a good all-around acid for normal-oily skin types to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin, as well as addressing the issues of acne, acne scarring, wrinkles and fine lines.

Minimally invasive peels include:

SkinMedica® Vitalize Peel® and Rejuvenize Peel™ -- These peels give the skin an improved appearance with more uniform color and smoother texture, and have a short healing period of just a few days.

SkinMedica Illuminize Peel® -- Although it produces minimal skin exfoliation, a very superficial chemical peel like this one instantly enhances the skin’s appearance and delivers a refreshed, healthy and more youthful look with no downtime.

When you come in, we’ll provide a consultation to help match you and your skin type with the chemical pe -- er -- Skin Refresher treatment that’s right for you (Maybe if I start using that term, it will catch on!). So, don’t let the name fool you. If you want to look and feel younger, call us and make an appointment. We’ll make you glad you did.

Enjoy Our Special Peel Offer during the Month of August

Glycolic or lactic acid peel $49

Sincerely,

Dr. Yvette Suarez, MD

Are You a Good Candidate for Lipo?

What Everyone Should Know Before They Decide

As the technology of the media grows, I find that I am growing a little cynical.

My particular gripe is with fashion magazines and the way the editors sometimes like to manipulate images. It seems like every month, there is another model or actress who comes forward to complain about their images being manipulated in ads or magazine covers to make them look more attractive -- as if being 100 pounds soaking wet isn’t trim enough to be on a magazine cover.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Love Hewitt and even Britney Spears have all come out recently to expose the rampant photoshopping of their images in magazines and ads, and as a physician who specializes in helping people reshape and re-sculpt their bodies, it’s quite annoying. You see, the technology in my field has improved over the years as well, but because of the extreme body images being driven by magazines, some people will come into my office wanting more and more extreme results.

So, let me say this -- liposuction is not like photoshop. Liposuction is the most popular procedure in my business, and for good reason. It’s low-risk and high reward, with the vast majority of the patients who make use of the procedure being very happy with their results. However, it is not a magic wand. It is useful, but it is not magic.

As a doctor, my ideal candidate for a lipo procedure is someone who is about 20 percent overweight, who has pockets of fat that have stubbornly remained, even in the face of a sensible diet and reasonable exercise. In most cases, there are usually genetic reasons why these fat pockets remain and that makes lipo a good, high percentage procedure for these patients.

Lipo, however, is not a solution for the clinically obese or for people who have been more than 20 percent overweight for a number of years. It is unreasonable to think that you can solve years of unhealthy eating and poor exercise habits with a lipo procedure. For people in this category, a broader-based solution is recommended. We usually consult with people in this category by recommending first a medical weight loss program and perhaps even refer them to a bariatric physician for treatment. After some weight loss has been achieved, we’ll typically engage that patient with a tummy tuck or similar procedure and sometimes even combine that with some targeted lipo to help them achieve their desired results.

As a woman, I am also concerned about a person’s self-esteem and body image, because the whole reason people want these procedures isn’t just because they want to look better -- they also want and need to feel better about themselves. The outer transformation of their bodies can many times spark an inner transformation of their spirits. To engage one task without any attention to the other is not going to result in happiness, and that’s the main result I always want to achieve for the people who walk in my door. I don’t see myself as just a labcoat -- I’m a person who has taken an actual oath to use my skills to help people. Now, how many jobs do you know of that require you to take that kind of an oath. It’s an oath I take very seriously, as I do my responsibility to my patients.

So, if you are thinking about making a change in your life, I would urge you to consider all these factors before you decide which course you might chart for yourself. And most importantly, see a doctor before you get your heart set on any course of action.

Every day when I put on my labcoat I think of my oath and remember that goal of helping you.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Yvette Suarez

ps -- If you want more information on Lipo, check out my recent appearance on Studio 10 with my Bella colleague Dr. Wayne Lee by clicking here (http://www.studio10.tv/day/tuesday/segment.aspx/254266/Bella_MedSpa).

The Three Myths of Liposuction

How To Know You’re Getting a Good Deal and Superior Care

I want to look like THAT!

We’ve all seen the billboards and the ads, and that’s what they are designed to make you say. The key to getting there, however, is making sure that you choose wisely where you get your procedure done.

Now, of course, we’d love for you to visit us, but that’s not the point of this blog. No matter where you go, you have the right to a safe and quality procedure. The question is, however, how do you know that’s what you’re going to get?

That’s why I’ve put together a few thoughts on how to distinguish between a good deal and a not-so-good one.

●     Low Prices and Specials -- We’re the nation that created the drive-through, so naturally we’re drawn to procedures that have a dramatic impact on our looks for a low price that we can act on right now. The problem is, low prices are a myth. When I see an ad that claims any kind of lipo procedure for $199, I roll my eyes, because I know that’s a bait and switch price. A good lipo experience begins with a medical evaluation from a medical doctor, not a clerk in scrubs. Not everyone is a candidate for lipo, because some health issues may cause complications. An initial consult with a physician -- which may actually involve a test or two -- is essential to a good outcome. Next, the procedure is scheduled (with the SAME physician -- some centers use subcontractors that rotate, so the person who evaluated you may not be the one who performs the procedure) and then a follow up visit is required to ensure a good outcome. No one can do that for $199. That ad is designed to get you in the door, where some centers reveal their true specialty -- not plastic surgery, but rather, the art of the upsell. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

●     Is There a Doctor in the House? -- One way to detect quality care at a medpsa or surgery center is to find out if it is owned and operated by a medical doctor. Many are not. Instead, they employ doctors as subcontractors and rotate their schedules. In some cases, they may not even have a doctor on the premises at all times. Liposuction is a medical procedure, not a mechanical one. You only have one body, so you shouldn’t trust it to people who aren’t medical doctors.

●     Options -- Invariably, there are many ways to achieve a particular cosmetic outcome. In many cases, a good medical evaluation will reveal that there may be different options to achieve your body image goal. Some people are overweight because of drastic hormone imbalances, which can be treated non-invasively with a hormone replacement regimen and a reasonable diet. In other cases, lipo might be the best choice for an optimum result. If you walk into a center and declare you want lipo, and they sign you up without offering options based on a comprehensive medical evaluation, walk out. This is a medical procedure, not an oil change. A good solution for your body image is about choosing the course of action that is the safest, healthiest and customized to your needs to ensure a good patient outcome. Centers that focus on that experience will always be a better bet than ones who simply deliver a service.

Good care is based on personalized, individual attention from a caring medical professional. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a much better chance of receiving the kind of care we all deserve.

It’s Hot At the Beach, So Why Are You Wearing a T-Shirt?

Two Reasons Why Now Is The Time for Laser Hair Removal

The desire to get rid of unwanted hair can lead people to some very interesting, and painful, stupid human tricks.

Not long ago, a friend told me about a guy who was so desperate to get rid of the hair on his back, he took a long-handled loofah sponge and drenched it in Nair. He then rubbed it all over his back, exfoliating the skin at the same time he exposed it to the chemicals in Nair that are designed to literally burn the hair off.

The procedure effectively removed the hair from his back, along with a few layers of skin, leaving in its place a series of low level burns. His back was lobster-red and burned for days. Finally, he couldn’t take anymore and wound up in the emergency room, where he was treated for the burns. I am sure the ER techs got a good laugh out of his story.

The irony is that laser hair removal is faster, more comfortable and easier than ever before. In fact, at Bella, we offer individual treatments with no contract needed. Further, our rates are more than competitive, designed to beat everyone in the business, so we’ve eliminated all the reasons for people not to try laser hair removal.

What’s more is that we use two of the best lasers in the business for our procedures. Our first tool is known as the Mediostar XT, and it uses a high power 810nm diode laser which allows us to target larger spot sizes and ensure effective treatment down to the deepest follicles. This means we can get better results faster. The laser also has a special contact cooling piece to further protect the skin and make the treatment more comfortable. The integrated skin cooling is constantly monitored by an independent system, as well. Yeah, it sounds a bit techy, but wouldn’t you rather we know this stuff before treating you?

We also offer the Prowave 770 a state-of-the-art laser from Cutera that is capable of treating all skin types.

The advantages of laser hair removal with Cutera ProWave include:

●     In most cases, 3-5 treatments of every area should remove most types of body hair, depending on the individual patient, thickness of hair, colour of skin etc.

●     A one-time expense, leading to freedom from waxing, shaving etc.

●     Uses infrared, which are recognized as the most versatile wavelengths for removing hair.

●     Fast treatments - the average sized back can be treated by laser in around 20 minutes and both legs in about 15 minutes.

While laser hair removal has been around for a while, the innovations in the technology continue to move forward by leaps and bounds. That’s why we stay on top of those innovations, and when there is a new technology that can enhance our patients’ experiences, we grab it. So, put down the Nair and the loofah. If you want a solution that is comfortable, permanent and affordable, maybe it’s time to really think about laser hair removal as your next option. It won’t only make it possible for you to put away the razors for good -- it might also save you a trip to the ER.

Yours in Health,

Yvette

Summertime Doesn't Have to Mean Sun Damage

How to Protect Your Skin in the Sunshine State

For the Beatles, the song Here Comes the Sun was an upbeat message of hope. In Florida, however, it’s a warning, and one that should be heeded.

At Bella, we see more than our share of patients walking through the door with skin damage from the Florida sun. While we have a variety of options for treating that damage, it still makes us a little sad to see, because most of that damage is preventable.

That’s why, in addition to offering chemical peels and other procedures to address sun damaged skin, we offer the line of Obagi © Nu-Derm skin products to help prevent the damage from ever happening.

So, here are some tips, from the medical professionals at Obagi © on how to prevent sun damage over the long days of the summer months:

●     Say no to tanning beds. Don’t believe the hype—just because tanning indoors is a controlled dose of ultraviolet radiation does not make it okay. Believe it or not, indoor tanners are typically less safe than the rays of the sun, as new high-pressure sunlamps can deliver as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose as natural exposure.

●     Don’t feel confident just because you’re young. While the average age of those diagnosed with skin cancer lies somewhere between 45 and 55, it turns out a quarter of all cases occur in people under the age of 40. So regardless of age, make sure you protect yourself — always use sunscreen and wear cover up with clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses when you go outdoors.

●     Be vigilant with sunscreen—even if you’re not light-skinned. While it’s true that those with darker skin are less likely to develop the disease than those with lighter, fairer skin, the risk still exists for everyone. This is why it’s important for everyone to protect themselves. So lather up and protect all exposed areas with a broad-spectrum sunscreen before venturing outside. Use a sunscreen every day with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, not just on the really hot and sunny ones.

●     Check non-exposed parts of the body for signs of the disease. Believe it or not, melanoma can be diagnosed anywhere from the soles of one’s feet to beneath the fingernails.

●     Don’t Be Stingy -- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen all over your body 30 minutes before going outside; reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.

●     See Your Doctor -- Every year, see your physician for a complete skin exam to ensure you are safe. It’s important to regularly see your dermatologist and continually check your moles for signs of any changes.

Summer vacation should mean summer fun, and that includes going to the beach or enjoying your swimming pool -- that’s why you got it. But it doesn’t have to mean suffering skin damage. If you follow the above tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the summer and keep your skin healthy, too.

And we’ll even put our money where our beach towels are by offering you a chance to pamper yourself with the best sunscreen on the market for less. come to Bella to pick up any OBAGI or Skin Medica Sunscreen and we’ll give you 20 percent off for the entire month of June.

Two of our favorites include The Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 and Obagi’s Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50. The SPF 35 formula is a sunscreen with 9 percent micronized zinc oxide and 7.5 percent octinoxate that helps to protect newly transformed, younger-looking skin. The Sun Shield SPF 50 is a sunscreen that combines high UVB absorption and dynamic UVA blockage in an elegant, matte finish with 10.5 percent zinc oxide and 7.5 percent octinoxate. It’s non-whitening, PABA-free, and fragrance-free for all skin types.

Enjoy your summer!

ENJOY 20% OFF your MEDICAL GRADE SUNSCREEN!

Expires: June 30,2012

                                   

Feeling Just a Bit Off? It Could Be Your Hormones

We get the question every day, and we don't really think twice about it when we answer.

How are you doing? And we almost always answer, “Fine,” even when we truly don't. Sometimes we feel a little run-down or listless. There isn't a specific symptom we complain about -- mainly just a lot of little things -- but we just know something isn't right. Most of us just press forward and try not to think about it.

But maybe we should. Sometimes those kinds of non-specific symptoms are associated with mild to severe hormone imbalances, many of which can be easily corrected. Just to give you an idea, here is a list of the different problems a simple, natural shift in your hormone balance can cause:

• ● Weight gain
• ● Loss of lean muscle mass
• ● Bone deterioration
• ● Loss of hair
• ● Wrinkling and drying of the skin
• ● Fatigue
• ● Decreased libido
• ● Hot flashes or Night sweats
• ● Aches and pains
• ● Poor sleep quality or insomnia
• ● Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
• ● Memory lapses
• ● Depression
• ● Reduced motivation
• ● Headaches
•  
• But it doesn't have to be that way. Today, many of those issues can be treated through the use of Bio-identical Hormone therapy. Bio-identical Hormones have the same chemical structure as our own body's natural production. By using hormone replacements, you can relieve the symptoms above that might be associated with menopause, age or changes in lifestyle and reduce hormone imbalances. The hormone therapy can also reduce your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and memory loss.
•  
• Some of the benefits of a proper therapy regimen of bio-identical hormones include:
•  

• ● Increased muscle strength 
• ● Increased lean body mass
• ● Increased quality of life
• ● Improved sleep quality