Plastikos

Megan Vallance, a Certified Nurse Practitioners at The Park Clinic, takes over the Plastikos microphone to talk with Dr. Elizabeth Park and Danielle Rebowe, the amazing plastic surgery wives of Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe. This Plastikos Wives Club shares their individual stories of how they met their husbands, the life-work balance with the rigors of a medical and surgeon family, and the team approach to being an extension of their plastic surgeon spouses.

Behind the success of The Park Clinic, Dr. Park, and Dr. Rebowe, there is a long list of contributors, especially the three outstanding and dedicated ladies featured on this special episode of Plastikos captured LIVE at The Park Clinic Jingle and Mingle Annual Event.

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This is the first-ever Plastikos PODCAST LIVE! recorded in front of a lively audience at The Park Clinic's Jingle and Mingle Annual event. Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe share some of the most popular plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures they see over the Christmas Holidays. Plus, the docs talk with breast cancer warrior and breast reconstruction patient, Shannon Reeves.

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Meet Shannon Reeves
Shannon has expanded her involvement with The Park Clinic by being an active recipient of MedSpa services and cosmetic procedures, involving face and body. Shannon has, unfortunately, required medical assistance for several accidents as well. She is a loyal and happy patient of the clinic and the MedSpa, who has found help moving beyond cancer with the services of Dr. Park and what his staff has to offer.

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If we see a patient that honestly feels like they have something related to an implant, we're happy to listen, and we're happy to take that implant out. - Dr. Park

I think it takes going to a plastic surgeon, especially one who has seen some of these issues before to know what to do and what the best way is to move forward. - Dr. Rebowe

On this episode, Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe discuss breast implant safety, concerns about silicone implant ruptures, cancer fears, and illness claims associated with this common procedure. Breast implants are one of the most studied medical devices in human history, and Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe want to share some medical facts about the history, safety, and personal experiences surrounding breast implant options and surgery.

Need a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?
Click here or call 251.445.8888

Key Takeaways:

There's overwhelming medical and anecdotal evidence to support the safety of breast implants.

Breast implants can last for a very long time; the average lifespan is quoted for around ten years, but this is based on old data, and modern day implants can last a lot longer.

Breast Implant Illness Syndrome symptoms share symptoms with common medical issues and conditions.

Studies show that an overwhelming majority of women have absolutely no issues with their breast implants.

If you think you are experiencing illness or discomfort from a new or existing breast implant, consult a qualified plastic surgeon for an examination.

To rupture a modern silicone breast implant would take an extreme amount of force and major trauma.

First and foremost, plastic surgeons are doctors first, and your safety is the number one priority for any practice.

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The Park Clinic in Mobile, Alabama 

The Docs Said:

If we see a patient that honestly feels like they have something related to an implant, we're happy to listen, and we're happy to take that implant out. - Dr. Park

If you just took a breast implant, put it on the table and cut it in half, the silicone wouldn't run out of the breast implant capsule like a liquid. Dr. Rebowe

The best way to diagnose an implant rupture is actually with an MRI, but we usually start with an exam and ultrasound. - Dr. Rebowe

Inability to sleep, poor appetite or excessive appetite, hair lose, and a whole laundry list of symptoms are among those that some people are attributing a condition something called Breast Implant Illness Syndrome. - Dr. Park

We do not have any studies, absolutely a hundred percent proving that the symptoms of Breast Implant Illness Syndrome are attributable to breast implants. - Dr. Rebowe

There are case reports in the literature to suggest that removing breast implants can help Breast Implant Illness Syndrome symptoms, although it does not always do that. - Dr. Rebowe

Some types of budgetary plastic surgery where you travel may not even be a real plastic surgeon. - Dr. Park

Patients should see a plastic surgeon every year for a breast implant check-up. - Dr. Park

If you have cosmetic implants, routine implant rupture screening with an ultrasound or an MRI will not be covered by health insurance. - Dr. Rebowe

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in this episode, Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe wanted to discuss breast reconstruction and all of the options available to their patients. Dr. Park lays out the five general categories for breast reconstruction. Dr. Rebowe explains microsurgical options and why both doctors are excited about this procedure. And lastly, Kim Anderson asks about insurance coverage for breast reconstruction and who is the best candidates for this common procedure.

Need a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?
Click here or call 251.445.8888

Key Takeaways

There are many options for breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis, surgery, and treatment.

Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe are focused on doing breast reconstruction and all other cancer reconstruction procedures.

If there is something that's bothering you, after being treated for breast cancer, no matter what it is about the way you look or feel. Breast reconstruction can help your confidence, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

There are five general categories for breast reconstruction options.

Ask your Plastic Surgeon about Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction as it may be an option for you.

Sponsor

The Park Clinic in Mobile, Alabama 

The Docs Said:

Dr. Park and I are expanding the gulf coast reconstruction focus a bit more on microsurgical reconstruction, especially of the breast. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Dr. Park and I both love doing reconstructive surgery of all kinds. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

We both focus on cancer reconstruction, especially breast cancer, but we love doing all kinds of reconstruction. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Abdominally based breast reconstruction takes tissue from their abdomen and transfer it to their chest and make them a new breast out of their abdominal tissue. It's the tissue that we would typically throw away during a tummy tuck. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction has an easier recovery for the patient because we're using the microsurgery to disconnect and reconnect the tissue. We do not have to disrupt the muscle. - Dr. Chris Park

There are two basic ways to reconstruct breasts, and one is with a tissue expander and implant the others is with your tissue or what we call autologous tissue. In terms of microsurgical breast reconstruction, you can take fat from a lot of different areas. - Dr. Chris Park

The fat from your abdomen matches the feel of a breast a lot better than your buttock tissue. Buttock tissue is very hard and almost brick-like in some women. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Some women are candidates for breast implants after breast-conserving therapy. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

It's easier to get coverage after a mastectomy for both breasts. It is more difficult and not a guarantee that insurance will cover it after a partial breast procedure. It can be done, but it's not automatic. - Dr. Chris Park

Dr. Rebowe and I both spent six-plus years at Wake Forest learning to think the same way. We're not butting heads. Naturally, we feel the same way think the same way. I feel like we've just doubled me with a great surgeon, a great decision-maker, and a smart brain. Now we can do all the things that we need to do, do them better, more efficiently, and can be more available to our patients. - Dr. Park

Dr. Park and I are an absolute team. We help each other out on surgeries. It's not just better for us in terms of getting things done, but it's better for patients. People are getting two brains in an operation and decreased surgery time. Overall, it's a better experience for the patients. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

In this episode, you will meet Dr. Ryan Rebowe, the newest face and Plastic Surgeon at The Park Clinic. Dr. Park has wanted to grow his practice, and Dr. Rebowe's addition has increased the options, availability, efficiency, and skills for the patients of The Park Clinic and Medspa at the park. Learn about Dr. Rebowe's medical journey, his passion for Plastic Surgery, and how Dr. Park and he seamlessly work together.

Need a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?
Click here or call 251.445.8888

Key Takeaways:

- Dr. Ryan Rebowe is now available for appointments and consultations at The Park Clinic.

- Dr. Rebowe and Dr. Park make a great Plastic Surgery team. Two brains are better than one for all the patients at The Park Clinic.

- Dr. Rebowe and Dr. Park are dedicated to helping with any cosmetic issues, trauma, cancer, and any procedure to reach the intended outcomes for their patients.

- There are no minor issues. If something physically is bothering you, schedule a consultation with a well-trained Plastic Surgeon and have a discussion to see the many surgical and non-invasive options that we offer.

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The Park Clinic in Mobile, Alabama

Quotable & Notable

 
Plastic Surgery is not really about changing the way you look; it's about changing the way the world looks at you. Dr. Ryan Rebowe

The average time that anyone thinks about having a cosmetic procedure before walking into our office is two years. That's two years that you could have been living your best life. Those are two years that you could have had this thing that holds you back. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Even on the cosmetic side of plastic surgery, we are changing lives. We are making people happier. Statistics show that people are happier, healthier, and more successful in their business after cosmetic surgery. - Dr. Park

People carry themselves differently when they're more self-confident, and it makes you more successful. It makes you more powerful in a meeting, and people are just happier, more successful in life, marriage, and work. - Dr. Park

Plastic Surgeons help out with trauma, cancer, and cosmetic procedures. We operate head to toe on everything from three week olds to 100-year-olds. It's why I chose plastic surgery. - Dr. Park

Even if you're not a good candidate for surgery, whether or not it's other medical problems, or maybe you're just not quite ready for surgery there are other things that we can do to temporarily make it better, or give a new outlook on life, providing a better way to carry yourself. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

There are so many things in terms of non-surgical options between injectables, lasers, equipment, or even a good skin regimen to really change the way a person looks and feels. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

I've got some breaking news; you're not going to figure out what Plastic Surgery you need on Dr. Google. - Dr. Park

Hand rejuvenation, it's a new frontier in plastic surgery. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

The benefit of having two surgeons is that we frequently bounce things off each other. It's not infrequent that one of us will mention something the other one didn't think about. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

It's nice to have two brains thinking about what we can do and what we can offer our patients. - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

Patients at The Park Clinic are considered family, and they will spend a lot of time interacting with Dr. Park's staff and cosmetic coordinators. So on this episode, we wanted to share the patient experience from the perspective of Cosmetic Coordinator Sydney Schmidt. Sydney details how she and other coordinators schedule your appointment and procedures. Plus, she'll discuss insurance, estimating costs, and guides you on what to expect with your first appointment with Dr. Park or The Med Spa.

Need a consultation with Dr. Park?
Click here or call 251.445.8888

 
Takeaways:

Dr. Park wants to get the best outcome for the patient so that the first appointment can be lengthy.

Dr. Park likes to take his time with each patient so he can customize the surgery and procedures to each patient.

Cosmetic coordinators are always happy to give a range of cost. But to get an exact estimate, it's best to schedule a consultation with Dr. Park.

Dr. Park is a very friendly and compassionate doctor, and you will not feel uncomfortable in our office whatsoever.

The Park Clinic offers CareCredit, an easy way to pay for elective surgery with a credit card.

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The Park Clinic in Mobile, Alabama

Notable and Quotable

After an examination, Dr. Park will share his ideas of what can be done to reach the desired outcome. Your input in this conversation is imperative and highly encouraged. - Sydney Schmidt

The MedSpa can be a relaxing day which a lot of people don't realize. - Sydney Schmidt

In your consultation or appointment, it's always good to have questions. We're always happy to answer any of them. - Sydney Schmidt

Dr. Park is a very realistic and conservative doctor. He's not going to make you look crazy or fake. - Sydney Schmidt

Another big thing that we see is after somebody who's lost a lot of weight, and they need that excess skin treated. - Sydney Schmidt

We can help with the costs of plastic surgery. We do have care credit, which is basically like a credit card. You can apply for it, and it's only accepted at medical facilities. - Sydney Schmidt

In this episode, Kym and Dr. Park discuss the big and small details, and the dos and don'ts when preparing for your plastic surgery operation. Plus, Dr. Park stresses the need to relax, avoid unnecessary anxiety, get rest, and sleep well leading up to your surgery. It's a very safe time in medicine to have elective surgery. Trust the surgical process, and know that he and his staff are going to take good care of you.

Click here to learn more about Infusion IV Therapy before and after your surgery?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Christopher Park

Key Takeaways:

1. Drink lots of water, eat protein, take vitamins, and rest before your surgery.
2. Don't eat within at least eight hours of surgery. 
3. Get new bedding, buy gauze, and pick up your prescriptions for your recovery at home before your surgery.
4. Dr. Parks will walk you thru the procedure before the surgery with a pre-operation appointment.
5. If the surgery risk outweighs the reward, we're not going to operate.
6. Once Dr. Park evaluates that you are a reasonable candidate for surgery, please trust the process, and be confident that you're going to have a very comfortable experience.

Sponsor


The Park Clinic in Mobile, Alabama

Dr. Park Says:

I am a physician first and a plastic surgeon second. I'm a father and a husband after that. I'm a businessman way down on the low end of the spectrum. This is not about generating revenues. It's about taking care of people. - Dr. Park

If you have medical issues, we want those as well controlled as possible. If you have diabetes, obviously it can be treated, we need to make sure you're treated well. - Dr. Park

We will see each other several times before surgery, and we're going to have a consultation or at least a pre-op appointment. - Dr. Park

It's very important to rest before surgery and sleep well. And then it's also vital to get things ready at home. - Dr. Park

There's no reason to stop exercising even till the day of surgery. - Dr. Park

We do like you to take your important medicines like blood pressure medicines, thyroid medicines, the day of surgery. - Dr. Park

We're going to explain everything we're going to do, and then you'll go back to the operating room. It's a very comfortable experience. The next thing you'll remember will probably be an hour after the surgery. - Dr. Park

It's a very safe time in our lives in medicine to proceed with elective surgery. - Dr. Park

Infusion therapy preoperatively and post-operatively will give you that bolus of vitamins that will help you heal. - Dr. Park

I like to give my patients their prescriptions in the office at their pre-op appointment several days before surgery. - Dr. Park

We don't want you ill at the time of this operation, especially if it's bacterial. - Dr. Park

If somebody has a history of cardiac disease or stents or anything, then we like to have them see their cardiologist. - Dr. Park

In this episode, Kym and Dr. Park talk more about lasers and all the resurfacing and cosmetic non-surgical procedures available to his plastic surgery patients. Lasers can be used to tighten skin, treat wrinkles, hair removal, tattoo removal, and varicose vein treatment. Dr. Park explains how the newer lasers are more precise, less painful, faster, and easier to use than the older lasers. Plus, you will learn why tattoo removal can be tricky and about a new treatment option at The Med Spa at The Park called micro-needling.

The Med Spa At The Park
Click here or call 251.445.8888 to book your appointment.

Need A Consultation or Appointment with Dr. Park? 
To set up an appointment with The Park Clinic staff call 251.445.8888 or click here >>> 

Key Takeaways:

1. The newer lasers are a vast improvement over the lasers of the past.
2. Lasers are used by aestheticians and physicians alike for a variety of non-surgical skin, hair removal, and cosmetic procedures.
3. Tattoo removal is very common, but the treatment and results vary from patient to patient.
4. Micro-needling is a skin tightening option which does not cause burning or thermal trauma.
   

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Dr. Park Says:

The new lasers are night and day compared to the old lasers. - Dr. Christopher Park

Resurfacing lasers are designed to do what chemical peels do, but instead of depending on a chemical you use a precise energy targeting device. - Dr. Christopher Park

We have deep resurfacing lasers and superficial resurfacing. They are and completely adjustable. It's not one size fits all approach. - Dr. Christopher Park

We can adjust every feature of a laser and go in different depths. We usually go stronger around the thicker skin, which is around the nose and the mouth. - Dr. Christopher Park

Laser hair removal can hurt, but the newer lasers are less painful, and the procedure is a lot faster. - Dr. Christopher Park

It's called hair reduction rather than hair removal because you can only damage the hairs that are actively growing. - Dr. Christopher Park

The advantage of superficial lasers is that you can heal a lot faster, and you can have the procedure more often. - Dr. Christopher Park

With many of the lasers, an aesthetician can perform the procedures, so you don't have to wait on a physician. So, scheduling is easier with us, and we can work around your schedule. - Dr. Christopher Park

You cannot have a tattoo when you join the military. So I've had patients who are gung ho about joining the military and cannot get in. So sometimes we have to remove them for that purpose. - Dr. Christopher Park

Every brand of tattoo ink matters. Tattoo colors matter. Depth of the ink in the skin matters. Think of the tattoo removal as a fading process, but you don't know the removal results until you start treating the patient. - Dr. Christopher Park

Another exciting technology is micro-needling. So the same way we talked about using lasers in different size beams we can use needles to have the same results without any burn or thermal injury. - Dr. Christopher Park

The Med Spa takes walk-ins but opportunity or availability to see me or an aesthetician may not be present so absolutely make an appointment.
- Dr. Christopher Park

In this episode, Dr. Park talks about all the non-surgical aesthetic services and cosmetic procedures available at The Med Spa At The Park. The Med Spa was created to compliment Dr. Park's plastic surgery practice and to address aesthetic skincare using technology as well as hands-on treatments like injectables, peels, laser treatments, facials, hydrafacials, waxing, spray tans, and IPL.

The Med Spa At The Park
Click here or call 251.445.8888 to book your appointment.

What You Will Learn:

1. There are many non-surgical aesthetic services for skin rejuvenation and treatments.
2. Botox is it such an amazing drug.
3. Neurotoxins sound scary, but they are safe and effective.
4. The most common procedures at Med Spa.
5. The difference between chemical peels and laser treatments when making your skin look younger?
6. Facial fillers and volumizers have replaced the more traditional collagen injections.
7. Medspa is a convenient and easy way to get professional non-surgical aesthetic and cosmetic procedures.
8. How to book your appointment at Med Spa At The Park.

Need A Consultation or Appointment with Dr. Park? 
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Dr. Park Says:

Botox is botulinum toxin. It's the toxin that causes botulism, but it's like one-millionth of the dose. It's safe and an amazing little drug.

Superficial peels aren't going to do as much change, but we'll use those more superficial peels when you don't need as much or if you're younger.

With a peel you're treating the whole surface and skipping a segments. You're not going deeper in the skin. With the laser, you can adjust every pulse from weaker or stronger and you can also target the little beams of light so you can go deeper in the skin than a peel.

If somebody just wants healthier skin and not have any downtime we are going to recommend something like a hydrafacial.

More aggressive chemical peels it can take a week or so to recover. You still may be red at that point, but you can cover it with makeup once it's healed. 

Collagen injections are what we did at first. But now we use a variety of fillers. The most common fillers are hyaluronic acid, and it can be manufactured so that there's minimal risk of a true allergic reaction.  

There's a variety of fillers that plastic surgeons use for whatever we think we need it for. It's like giving me multiple size brushes to paint with instead of having one brush.

Your natural body fat can work for facial fat grafting and volume restoration, but you can get some unpredictability. The newer manufactured fillers and volumizer injectibles are very predictable.

In this episode, Kym and Dr. Christopher Park discuss facelifts, facial rejuvenation, neck lifts, and maintaining healthy facial skin. While the facelift has been considered the linchpin to everything plastic surgeons use, there are now many surgical and non-invasive procedures to lift, enhance, and tighten the face and neck. So, what is facial rejuvenation? Facial rejuvenation is a harmonious approach to looking at and enhancing the whole patient aesthetic from the hairline to the collarbone and then using 1 or a combination of procedures for an intended plastic surgery outcome. Dr. Park details many of the medical options that are available to plastic surgery, cosmetic, and reconstructive patients, plus the ins and outs and benefits of these choices.

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Key Takeaways

1. A facelift and facial rejuvenation are not the same things.
2. A facelift is a procedure that addresses the lower half to 2/3 of the face.
4. Facial rejuvenation is a term to mean Dr. Park is looking at the whole aesthetic from the hairline to the collarbone
4. Facial rejuvenation is not altering your looks but enhancing your looks.
5. Recovery time from a facelift or facial rejuvenation surgery will be 10-14 days.
6. Patients must be nicotine-free for weeks before plastic surgery.
7. Nicotine rapidly ages the skin by causing blood vessels to spasm.
8. Dr. Park wants a natural look result from a facelift or facial rejuvenation not a pulled tight or windswept look.
9. The Mid 50's is a great age to consider your first facial rejuvenation.
10. Facial rejuvenation can include surgical and non-surgical options like lasers, fillers, injectables, and chemical peels.

3 Most Common Skin Destroyers

1. Life and days living
2. The Sun
3. Smoking and nicotine

Need A Consultation or Appointment with Dr. Park? 
To set up an appointment with The Park Clinic staff call 251.445.8888 or click here >>> 

 

Dr. Park Says:

A facelift is one procedure and addresses the lower half to two-thirds of the face. - Dr. Christopher Park

Facial rejuvenation is many procedures from the hairline down to the collarbone. - Dr. Christopher Park

I'm going to evaluate the face and neck usually together a facelift almost always includes a neck lift unless it's a mini facelift. - Dr. Christopher Park

These are not Hollywood facelifts. We won't make you look different like you're now in the Witness Protection Program. I'm just improving things. - Dr. Christopher Park

It's not changing your look; it's enhancing your look. - Kym Anderson

My goal is always natural facial rejuvenation essentially on average trying to take ten years off of your age. Not to make you look like a different person. - Dr. Christopher Park

Traditionally people used to wait too long in my opinion late 60s early 70s and come in and they had a very dramatic change which was great except it was so dramatic everyone notices. - Dr. Christopher Park

I think 55 is an excellent age to consider your first facial rejuvenation. - Dr. Christopher Park

As we age our skin on the nose tends to thicken especially patients with rosacea. - Dr. Christopher Park

I'm not trying to convince people to do more than they want to do, but people have no idea all these little things we can do. - Dr. Christopher Park

The more sun damage you get, the more you damage the elastin and the collagen in your skin.

Elastin is a protein that makes things tighten up, and it is damaged by the sun.

Smoking magnifies skin issues all that I just said about the sun-times 100.

We can help prevent damage; then you can help rebuild the skin with a good skincare regimen.

Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy, It's a big word but what that means is - "cervico" means neck and then face. A face and neck together and rhytidectomy is essentially wrinkle removal.

Gone are the days where a facelift is just removing some skin. We are going to do a deeper support system.

Our goal is for you to hardly remember that we did anything with your face. We want you to look good, younger, rested, and better, and not anything weird.

I require people to be completely nicotine free for six weeks before surgery and the longer, the better. And so that's nicotine-free. So even vaping, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches are bad.