Plastic Surgery Practice

In this episode, Dr Elisabeth Potter, who specializes in DIEP flap breast procedures, on how the recent CMS decision ensures patients have options and why there is still more work to be done to ensure equitable access. 

In this episode, Max Stock, founder and CEO fo Epicutis Skincare, joins the podcast to talk about the company's products, how they were developed, why they're ideal for plastic surgery patients post procedure, and how Epicutis works with plastic surgery practice to build better patient relationships. 

In this podcast episode, Dr Alex Zuriarrain is back to talk about the surgical and non-surgical neck lift options, who’s a good candidate for what, and setting realistic expectations with your patients. 

In this episode, Leah Garcia and Dr Felipe Jimenez of Nulastin, the hair care brand focused on elastin replenishment, on why hair care products should be part of a plastic surgery practice’s retail offerings and its line of products featuring its patented Elastaplex technology. 

In this podcast, we look at facial paralysis, facial reconstruction, and the role of the plastic surgeon, Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS, a double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, specializing in the field. In this episode:

• Founder and director of The Facial Paralysis Institute and associate clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Azizzadeh shares how it was a family friend’s experience with facial paralysis while he was doing his residency that sparked his passion for this subspecialty.
• Most of the time, Azizzadeh explains, we don’t think about the 17 muscles on either side of our face—the ones that allow us to express ourselves and control how our mouth for eating and speaking and opening and closing our eyes. The brain and the facial nerve work together seamlessly. But when there is an injury, virus, inflammation, infection, or tumor that interrupts that nerve, the face can stop working normally—and that is when facial paralysis can set in.
• Azizzadeh explains the role of the facial plastic surgeon in managing facial paralysis. He talks about how most plastic surgery is about creating some improvement in symmetry or static procedures, like face lifts. Facial paralysis, on the other hand, requires more dynamic reconstructive efforts to allow the patient to, for example, “smile more naturally, emotionally, and more instinctually, according to Azizzadeh.
• In his breakdown of the procedures in his armamentarium, Azizzadeh explains that no two patients present the same. Facial paralysis, however, can be broken down into two categories which come down to zero activity and some activity. He explains how length of paralysis affects surgical choices and how muscles from other parts of the body can be used introduced where facial muscles have atrophied.
• For patients experiencing facial paralysis caused by Bell’s Palsy, Azizzadeh explains how he is using Botox and physiotherapy to improve patient’s facial movement.
• And then, Azizzadeh talks about his own pioneering work in the field, including his surgery called selective neurolysis to help patients regain the ability to produce natural facial expressions. PSP

In our latest podcast episode, hosts Alison Werner & Keri Stephens speak with Dr. Constance M. Chen from New York, is a leader in microsurgical breast reconstruction. They discuss the nuances of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, a topic clouded with misconceptions, especially regarding slimmer patients.

Dr. Chen addresses the common belief that thin individuals aren't suitable candidates, pointing to alternative grafting methods. With growing concerns around breast implant illnesses, she highlights the advantages of the DIEP flap method, outlining its recovery process in comparison to implants.

The conversation also touches upon who might not be the best candidate for this procedure, with insights from Dr. Chen on natural tissue breast reconstruction. Join us for a comprehensive and insightful discussion.

In this podcast, Plastic Surgery Practice Co-Chief Editors Alison Werner and Keri Stephens interview James Beckman, MD, founder and CEO of Therapon Skin Health. They talk about the company’s Theraderm Clinical Skin Care line, its proprietary peptides, and how Theraderm grew out of Beckman’s works to develop a product to improve the skin of burn victims with skin-grafted hands. They also talk to him about where skin care is headed.

Beckman, who spent 20 years in private practice as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and has a degree in biochemistry, shares his journey to creating a commercial product with active peptides for skin showing the signs of aging. The product grew out of his work with patients who had suffered burns or lost skin that resulted in skin grafts to close the wound and with patients who were just experiencing extremely dry skin as a result of their working conditions.

Working with a local pharmacist, he created his first product: Beckman’s Dry Skin Therapy. The product caught on with fellow plastic surgeons and he soon had his first company. From there, he sought to develop a product that restored elasticity and collagen of aging skin.

Today, the Theraderm Clinical Skin Care line has three product systems—an anti-aging, a skin renewal, and a revision clear skin system. As Beckman puts it, “Those three systems developed out of one system, and that one system developed out of one product that restored the oil depletion in dry hands.”

When looking to the future for the skin care company and its products lines, Beckman shares his philosophy on product development overall—and it centers on helping the consumer actually solve a problem. “I think the key for skin care product manufacturers is to—with any product—go out and see what the consumers are suffering with and try to find an answer that solves that problem rather than an advertising campaign that sells more of your product.”

In this interview, Beckman takes the listener through his career journey as a plastic surgeon in rural Arkansas and shares how word-of-mouth marketing is so much more valuable than having a huge advertising budget. After all, that’s how he found success with Beckman’s Dry Skin Therapy, and that pattern continues today with Theraderm's skin care product lines. PSP

Join PSP co-chief editor Keri Stephens as she sits down with Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Miami-based Zuri Plastic Surgery, to delve into all things rhinoplasty.

The conversation kicks off with the impact of the so-called “Zoom Boom” on the popularity of rhinoplasty. As people spend more time on video calls, they find themselves scrutinizing their own appearances, leading to a surge in interest for nasal corrections. Zuriarrain explains how the advent of remote work has contributed to this phenomenon, with individuals seeking rhinoplasty to address nasal deformities and enhance their facial features.

Zuriarrain then discusses the evolution of rhinoplasty techniques and outcomes over the past few decades. From traditional methods involving chisels and hammers to modern innovations like ultrasonic rhinoplasty, the field has seen remarkable advancements, Zuriarrain explains. The use of sophisticated technologies, such as 3D imaging and computer-assisted surgery, has also made a significant impact. However, Zuriarrain cautions against relying solely on 3D imaging due to potential discrepancies between the generated images and the actual surgical results.

The podcast moves on to discuss patient selection, emphasizing the importance of identifying individuals who are genuinely good candidates for rhinoplasty. Zuriarrain shares his selective approach, highlighting specific patient populations, such as those exhibiting body dysmorphia or unrealistic expectations, who may not be suitable candidates. He further emphasizes the importance of ethnic considerations, as different geographic backgrounds have unique nasal anatomies that require specialized approaches.

Complications associated with rhinoplasty are also addressed in the podcast. Zuriarrain explains that swelling is a common concern, with patients often underestimating the recovery time needed for optimal results. He discusses potential complications, including “whistleblower” deformities, collapse of the tip, and issues with the nostril base, highlighting the need for skilled surgical techniques and patient education to minimize risks.

The episode concludes with a discussion on how surgeons balance patient desires for specific nose shapes with overall facial features and aesthetic goals.

Medical tourism has been on the rise in recent years as people seek cheaper cosmetic surgery options in foreign countries. However, this trend has been associated with a range of risks and complications, as discussed by Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Miami-based Zuri Plastic Surgery, in this podcast with PSP co-chief editor Keri Stephens. 

According to Zuriarrain, patients seeking affordable cosmetic surgeries often consider traveling to the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, or Mexico, where the costs are significantly lower than in the United States. However, there are a number of concerns associated with medical tourism, including the potential for patient exploitation, the risk of complications arising from long flights, and the difficulty of diagnosing and treating complications without in-person consultations. 

One of the major worries associated with medical tourism is the potential for patient exploitation. Patients who seek cosmetic surgery in foreign countries may be unaware of the quality of care they will receive or may not have access to adequate post-operative care. This can lead to a range of complications, including infections, necrosis, and blood clots, which can be difficult to diagnose and treat remotely. 

Another risk of medical tourism is the financial cost associated with undergoing cosmetic surgery abroad. Patients may believe that they are getting a better deal by traveling to a foreign country for surgery, but they may not consider the additional costs associated with follow-up care and complications. These costs can quickly add up, making the overall cost of surgery much higher than expected. 

Overall, Zuriarrain advises patients to mull the risks and benefits of medical tourism before deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery abroad. Patients should be aware of the potential for patient exploitation, the risks associated with long flights, and the difficulty of diagnosing and treating complications remotely. Instead, patients should consider seeking surgery from U.S.-based board-certified plastic surgeons, who can provide them with high-quality care and adequate follow-up care at a reasonable cost.

Plastic surgeons today face a unique set of challenges, from changing patient demographics to increased competition in the marketplace. In this podcast episode, Plastic Surgery Practice Editors Keri Stephens and Alison Werner talk to Nicole Chiaramonte, CEO of Advanced MedAesthetic Partners (AMP). Chiaramonte joins them to discuss how AMP can help plastic surgeons overcome these challenges and grow their practices. What’s more, she explains why AMP is an alternative to the private equity consolidation model sweeping the industry. 

AMP works as a management service organization, coming in, as Chiaramonte describes it, as a consulting firm of sorts to take care of the business side of running a medical practices—specifically those aspects doctors often don’t want to deal with or don’t feel they have the knowledge to handle effectively and efficiently. According to Chiaramonte, AMP takes care of HR, IT, marketing, and overall day-to-day management, including inventory systems and data management for its partner practices. As she explains, AMP allows “physicians to do what they love without the headache of the business side of medicine.” 

In this episode, Chiaramonte talks about how private equity is changing the playing field, and how she wanted to create a model that protects private plastic surgery practices. As she explains it, Advanced MedAesthetic Partners partner practices retain their public-facing identity. AMP’s goal is optimize the business side, investing heavily in marketing and training, while allowing the plastic surgeon to focus in on what he/she knows best: clinical treatment. 

As Chiaramonte explains it in this podcast, for plastic surgery practices looking to partner with Advanced MedAesthetic Partners, the key characteristics include a commitment to patient satisfaction, a willingness to adapt to changing market conditions, and a desire to grow and scale their business over the long term. She also explains how this model can be just as attractive to mid-career plastic surgeons as those at the beginning and end of their careers. 

From there, Chiaramonte shares how AMP has helped partner practices scale up their business. That has included adding additional surgeons to fully book out the practice to building out a practice’s non-surgical recurring revenue opportunities. Chiaramonte also shares how AMP can help practices struggling with staffing—a problem affecting all of healthcare. 

To close out the episode, Chiaramonte and PSP’s editors talk about trends and how the industry is evolving. And Chiaramonte explains the role she sees Advanced MedAesthetic Partners playing in the future.