Plastic surgery Archives - Page 22 of 22 - Phase Plastic Surgery

Eat to Heal: What the Evidence Says About Nutrition & Plastic Surgery

When you are a patient planning an upcoming aesthetic surgical procedure, you are likely to have a million questions on your mind. While questions about the procedure itself, risks, and recovery are front and center, an often-overlooked topic by...

Why Subfascial Breast Implant Placement Is Gaining Popularity Again

Subfascial breast implant placement isn’t a new idea, but suddenly everyone is talking about it. Patients were told to think of breast implants going either under or over the pectoral muscle, but in actuality, there are four planes for...

Creatine: A No-Brainer for Fitness and Brain Health

What’s not to like about creatine? It’s a naturally occurring nutrient, your body needs it, and it appears safe for most people when taken as a supplement. Muscles use it as an energy source during exercise and recovery, and...

Are there advantages to newer Botox© alternatives?

Because Botox© and then BotoxCosmetic© were the only brands of injectable wrinkle relaxers available for years, the terms became synonymous with botulinum toxin type A. As more products have entered the market, many patients now ask, “Are there advantages...

How much do GLP-1 Drugs cost?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs are receptor agonists that people commonly use for weight loss and diabetes management. If you have been hearing about GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, you may have many questions. One of the...

Understanding Silicone Implant Ruptures

Breast augmentation with silicone gel implants remains a very popular procedure, and implants continue to improve in quality and design. Surgical techniques are also getting better, and for these reasons, implants will last a very long time for most...

Common Misconceptions About GLP Drugs

If you have recently heard a lot about weight loss shots, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, you are not alone. These medications have become popular over the past year—and, like anything that is in demand, confusion and rumors...

Who Is a Good Candidate for GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications?

You may have heard about medications such as Wegovy or Zepbound and wondered if you are a good candidate for these GLP-1 weight loss medications. These medications are part of a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists and were originally...

Guide to GLP Drugs

Although the flagship GLP-1 brands Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have become household names, new benefits beyond diabetes and weight loss are still being discovered, and there’s a long pipeline of GLP-1 drugs in development. They all work essentially...

How to Get the Most Out of Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Breast augmentation remains a very popular plastic surgery procedure, but having the best result from breast implant surgery requires understanding your options and making the right decisions. It is a highly personal choice and the details should be personalized...

Menopause Makeover

Menopause may be natural and unavoidable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a positive thing for women’s health. Some of the effects are obvious – declining estrogen levels resulting in thinning skin and weaker bones –...

What to Ask Your Surgeon During Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Considering a tummy tuck is significant and can come with many considerations. If you’re contemplating this transformative procedure, you must arm yourself with knowledge and ensure you're fully informed before moving forward. This comprehensive guide will delve into the...

Good News for Breast Implant Patients

At PHASE Plastic Surgery, we aim to stay well-informed regarding the latest news and innovations available to help our patients achieve their aesthetic goals. With that in mind, we have some great news for our breast augmentation surgery patients!The...

What Does a Deep Plane/SMAS Facelift Procedure Include?

A Deep Plane facelift is a variation of the SMAS facelift, which relies on lifting a tissue layer under the skin (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) to avoid a pulled, artificial look. There are a few technical points that differentiate a...

Breast Implant Capsular Contracture: What It Is and How to Treat It

Before After Breast implants remain very popular, and most patients who choose to have them are happy with their decision. But as with all surgical procedures, there are potential problems to be aware of. One of these is a...

Sientra Breast Implant Bankruptcy—What We Know & What It Means for Our Patients

You may have heard about the recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing by Sientra on February 12, 2024. Sientra is one of three breast implant manufacturers with approved implants in the US. If you currently have Sientra implants or...

Gratitudology Part 6: A WISER Approach to Wellbeing Through Gratitude

It is well known that healthcare workers have experienced heightened degrees of stress and burnout in recent years, though they are of course not alone. In this installment of gratitudology, I want to talk about a gratitude-based intervention that...

The Do’s and Don’ts After a Tummy Tuck

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a comprehensive cosmetic procedure that targets the bodily changes that occur after pregnancy,, or dramatic weight loss. These challenges can include excess abdominal skin, fatty tissue, and separatedabdominal muscles. The goal of your...

Facelift vs. Fillers: Which One Is Right For Me?

Aging is a normal part of life, but not everyone enjoys the changes that come along with it. Usually, signs of aging are most apparent on the face in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and lost...

The Internal Bra: What It Is and When to Use It

Richard Baxter, MD - Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon I have been working on the concept of an internal bra for more than 20 years now, and the idea has finally taken hold. But even as it becomes popular, there...

Welcome back to the natural look with plastic surgery and injectables

Who hasn’t cringed at the sight of a celebrity (or a friend) with overdone fillers or obvious plastic surgery? If you believe the hype now circulating online, everyone is lining up to have their fillers dissolved, breast implants removed,...

Why ultrasound is indispensable in plastic surgery

Ultrasound technology has become integral to modern plastic surgery practice. We use it for noninvasive skin lifting (Ultherapy), screening silicone breast implants for silent rupture, and placement of TAP blocks to dramatically reduce discomfort after tummy tucks. Ultrasound is...

How long will my plastic surgery result last?

Patients often ask “How long will my facelift last?” or “How often do my breast implants need to be replaced?” After doing plastic surgery for more than 30 years, I have a much better handle on how to answer...

Meet Daxxify, the long lasting wrinkle relaxer

At long last there is a longer lasting wrinkle relaxer to compete with Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Juveau. With these products, the typical duration of effect is 3 months, but “Daxi” has been shown to last 6 months or...

Understanding breast implant sizes: how to make the right choice

Good news: there are a LOT of options now for breast implants, which makes it easier to choose the size and shape that is best for each individual. The not-so-good news is that having so many variables can make...

Update on Breast Implant Illness: What we know now

Though most women are happy with their breast implants, over the past couple of years we have been seeing more patients requesting removal. For most it is a simple decision based on preference, but some patients are motivated by...

All about the Browlift: Why, When, and How

Browlifts are among the most useful but misunderstood procedures in plastic surgery. Lifting and shaping the brow is often the key to restoring a natural look for the upper face. There are several misconceptions about browlifts (also called forehead...

Botox® by the numbers 2022

Botox® cosmetic, the leading brand of Botulinum toxin type A, is having an anniversary this month. It’s been 20 years since Botox® cosmetic was approved and Allergan wants to celebrate! The official date is April 15, so I guess...

Anti-aging supplements: what works

Do anti-aging supplements work? It’s a simple question with a complicated answer, but there’s increasing evidence that some of them do, and many do not. The problem is measuring the results, especially if you are a stickler about what...

The surprising reason why breast implants might protect against breast cancer

It’s an open secret that having breast implants is associated with a lower risk of developing breast cancer. With all of the recent concern about the connection between textured breast implants and ALCL (a type of lymphoma that can...

2021 Top Ten stories in anti-aging longevity medicine

While headlines in biotech this year were dominated by the seemingly neverending pandemic, it’s also been a big year in anti-aging and longevity science. In no particular order, here is my top ten list of favorites: 1. Plant-derived photo-curable...

Gratitudology part 5: The anti-aging dividend of thankfulness

Gratitudology – my term for the scientific study of the benefits of gratitude – has become, in the immortal words of Ron Burgundy, kind of a big deal. When I first started writing about gratitude in 2014, I had to...

Eight tummy tuck variations: How to know what’s best for you

I’m updating the piece I wrote a while back on seven variations of tummy tucks to include mesh reinforcement of diastasis repair, which we have been doing more of lately. The reason for these variations is to allow the...

Next generation anti-aging skin care is here!

We are thrilled to announce that Emepelle, for post-menopausal skin, and OS-01, scientifically documented to restore aging skin at a molecular level, are here now! Even better, my patients can order them at an exclusive price including free delivery....

Subfascial Breast Implant Placement: Still Fashionable After All These Years

In the ever-evolving landscape of cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation continues to be a top choice for women seeking enhanced aesthetics. Despite the increasing popularity of breast reductions, lifts, and implant removals, as well as the influence of body-shaping trends...

Move over, anti-aging: de-aging” is where it’s at

When did anti-aging become a sensitive subject? “For Skin-Care Brands, It’s Not Anti-Aging Anymore. It’s Pro-Aging” proclaimed a recent article on the beauty business. Apparently the smart companies are pivoting toward the 50+ consumer, just don’t call it anti-aging. Isabella Rossellini,...

Introducing ERAS: A new era in recovery after surgery

ERAS, or Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, is a program to improve recuperation from surgery. ERAS has been proven to significantly decrease post-operative pain, reduce nausea, fatigue, and drowsiness, and to lower opioid use. A lot of the components of ERAS...

Is off-label off base?

Many products in aesthetics and Longevity Medicine fall into the category of “off-label,” which is when a drug or device approved for a specific purpose is used for something else. It’s a common and perfectly legitimate practice, but often...

Ten Things to Know About Breast Implant Revisions

Breast augmentation remains an extremely popular operation, with hundreds of thousands of women having the procedure every year. Surgical techniques continue to improve, implants are better, and patients are increasingly well-informed about their options. But what happens when things...

Breast implants by the numbers

Breast augmentation has held the top spot as the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for several years, with around 300,000 each year. Implant options, manufacturing standards, and surgical techniques have continued to improve. Different degrees of silicone gel cohesiveness...

Will a facelift help you to live longer?

Would you believe that people who have facelifts live longer on average than those who don’t? We’ve long categorized plastic surgery as “anti-aging” but there's some evidence that it actually contributes to longevity. I came across this curious relationship...

A thousand tummy tucks and counting

A thousand tummy tucks and counting“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu It’s not like I put a notch on my belt every time I do a tummy tuck, but it recently occurred to...

Correction of animation deformity by conversion from dual plane to split muscle and Gala internal bra

In this video, Dr. Baxter demonstrates the technique for correction of breast implant animation deformity by converting from dual plane to the split muscle plane, with pectoral muscle reattachment. The patient also had a Galaflex internal bra to support the...

Beyond Informed Consent: Breast Implant Patient Decision Aid

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration announced that patients considering breast implants receive more detailed information about potential complications and rare health risks that can occur. The new breast implant guidelines would require that standardized patient decision materials called...

How’s my webside manner? Tips for effective online consultations

How’s my webside manner? Tips for effective online consultationsThere’s no true substitute for in-person meetings, especially for plastic surgery, but the reality of our circumstances requires that we do online meetings. To be fair, sometimes it is better, especially...

Top Ten advances in Anti-Aging and Longevity Medicine 2020

This month I became one of the first doctors to complete a certificate course in the emerging specialty of Longevity Medicine. As I have been hinting at in several posts over the past year, there is an abundance of...

Is generosity the next beauty trend? Gratitudology part 4.

It’s called the “good-looking giver” effect: Beautiful people are perceived to be good, and goodness is seen as beautiful. In Gratitudology parts 1-3, I talked about scientific evidence that generosity and thankfulness have a measurable impact on physical health and well-being....

Your skin is being attacked by zombies. How to fight back

This is for real: anti-aging research has revealed that as cells in your body get old or accumulate damage, they often fall into a zombie-like state called senescence. These “zombie” cells are bad news: they’re not quite dead and...

Is your skin older than you are? The new Photo Age Clock

One thing I’ve learned about anti-aging in my research is that we all age differently, and all parts of the body often age at different rates. This is especially true for skin; for example, you may be a fitness...

The colors and ages of beauty: What it means for plastic surgery

When you go to a plastic surgeon for facial rejuvenation, you expect him or her to recommend a plan specific to you. It may seem obvious, but standards of beauty and youthfulness are diverse, so it is important for...

From collagen to Covid: Why clinical trials are important

I just finished doing a peer review on a clinical study about breast implants, and I always find this activity enlightening. Clinical research requires this sort of independent double-check (the reviewers’ and the author’s identity are blinded to each...

The eyes have it: Looking your best when a mask hides the rest

It’s been said that the eyes are mirrors of the soul, but nowadays they are even more important in reflecting how we are perceived and how we express ourselves. When many of us spend much of our lives masked...

Update on anti-aging diets

What is the best anti-aging diet? I’ve been studying anti-aging science for a while now, and it seems like there is a new anti-aging diet being touted every month. There is no lack of research on dietary strategies for...

Is the golden ratio the key to beauty?

During the downtime of our office closure I read several books I had been meaning to get to, including Math and the Mona Lisa, about a concept in aesthetics called the “Golden Ratio.” Also called the golden mean or phi (ɸ), the Golden Ratio is...

Advantages of a private plastic surgery facility during Covid

I’m finding a few positives about working in my accredited private surgery facility, but it was hard to envision when the order to cease elective surgeries first hit us here in the Seattle area. After 9 long weeks, we...

Opening up about opening up

We have started to fill up the schedule and resume doing surgeries and injectables, and it’s been rewarding to reconnect with established patients and to meet new ones. As I’ve been listening to my patient’s concerns, it has been...

Comfort amid COVID craziness

How do we show a human touch without touching? How can we help our patients feel comfortable without actual contact? These may sound like Zen kōans or updated lyrics from an old folk song, but we are giving these...

Plastic Surgery post-COVID: The new normal

“It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” – Yogi Berra What will the post-COVID plastic surgery world look like? About the only thing we can safely predict is that it will be different. COVID-19 is going to be...

Ob la di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra-less?*

I have it on good authority that when the bra comes off, it’s a sign that you are staying in, and with everyone sheltering in place right now, bras don’t even leave the drawer some days. I generally advocate...

What we are doing to keep safe during the corona virus epidemic

COVID-19 update March 19 2020 In light of the unprecedented challenges our healthcare system faces with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to postpone non-urgent cases, in line with recommendations by the CDC and Department of...

What’s your real age? The new era of anti-aging

I just received the results of my biological age test, and as many of you suspect I am apparently immature for my age. Seriously though, the science of measuring biological age–as opposed to chronological age–is now a validated concept....

Breast augmentation in athletic women: update

While every woman considering breast implants needs to be fully informed about her options, there are specific issues for athletes, fitness models, trainers, and really any woman into fitness. Athletic women considering breast implants have several specific things to...

Getting Real: What Real Self tells us about trends in plastic surgery

If you haven’t visited RealSelf.com to research cosmetic treatments or plastic surgery, you may be in the minority these days. I’ve been affiliated with the Seattle-based site almost from their inception, and watched the company to grow into possibly...

The future of anti-aging is here and it’s looking good

Just as I finished reading Harvard scientist David Sinclair’s brilliant new book Lifespan: Why we age and why we don’t have to, I turned to see the November 2019 issue of Allure magazine again proclaiming “the end of anti-aging.”...

Plastic surgeons getting behind a ban on the BBL? Not so fast.

It’s neither Brazilian nor a butt lift, but the BBL or Brazilian Butt Lift, more correctly called gluteal fat grafting, has become the most dangerous cosmetic surgery operation in recent years. So much so that regulatory agencies and some plastic surgery...

Will local anesthesia work for my plastic surgery procedure? Understanding your options

We are often asked whether a procedure can be done under local anesthesia where the patient is awake but the surgical site numbed. There are three good reasons to consider local for your plastic surgery operation: You skip the...

Nutrition for optimal healing after plastic surgery

It’s a given that good nutrition is a basic requirement for healing after surgery, but plastic surgery patients often have unique needs. Being more body-conscious, they are more likely to diet, may already have had significant weight loss, and...

Top 5 myths in plastic surgery

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble. It’s what you know that just ain’t so.” - Mark Twain Is there any topic more fraught with misinformation than plastic surgery? How is the smart consumer supposed...

Bra fitting after breast implants

In many ways, bra fitting for women with implants is the same as without, but there are a few important differences, and a fair amount of confusing advice. Having placed thousands of implants over the years, it’s a subject...

Smart, smarter, smartest lipo: Update on liposuction and body contouring

What is the smartest approach to liposuction and body contouring? The answer is it depends on who you ask and what your specific situation is. There is a multitude of options to choose from now, including noninvasive fat freezing...

Pop stars get real about plastic surgery

Speculation about celebrities having plastic surgery is nothing new, but some stars are going public. I think it can be a healthy thing, and even helpful to others. Australian singer and model Iggy Azalea explained her decision to have...

New issues with breast implants: Should you be concerned?

Breast implants are in the news again, with the US Food and Drug Administration having issued warning letters to two manufacturers, and hearings on renewed safety concerns are set. But before getting too caught up in the controversies of...

Mind the gap: The Cleavage Conundrum

With so many options available for breast implants, and so much information available, patients are becoming increasingly particular about their desired results. This is especially true for the cleavage area. It may be that because this is more likely...

Botox Options: What’s in a brand?

Allergan’s Botox® brand of the wrinkle relaxer botulinum toxin type A remains the world leader with something on the order of a billion dollars in annual sales, but alternative brands are vying for a share. Dysport® appeared a few...

Plastic surgery trends 2018-19

Here in Seattle and the Northwest, trends in plastic surgery reflect our appreciation of all that is natural. At the same time, our regional economy is based on tech and innovation, so our patients are progressive thinkers. Here is...

Gratitudology Part 3

It’s been 3 years since I last looked at the science of gratitude, but I am happy to see that it is still a subject of escalating attention. For some time it’s been known that expressing gratitude measurably benefits...

Top 20 advances in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in the past 20 years Part 4

16. Increased emphasis on safety There was shift to outpatient facilities in the 1990’s for many types of surgery but especially cosmetic surgery. Because these facilities were often connected to individual practices rather than a hospital, this created a situation where...

Top 20 advances in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in the past 20 years Part 3

11. The MediSpa movement It seems that nowadays there is a medispa on every corner, but the idea was revolutionary not all that long ago. The only place to get cosmetic medical treatments was in a doctor’s office, usually a dermatologist...

Top 20 advances in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in the past 20 years Part 2

6. New materials for internal bra to maintain breast shape after reduction/lift When a breast needs to be lifted, it is because the skin envelope and the internal ligaments have weakened, yet surgeons have always had to rely on them for...

Top 20 advances in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in the past 20 years Part 1

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the world’s first live plastic surgery webcast in 1998, we are counting down 20 advances in plastic surgery over the past 20 years. They are in no particular order, and the list is personal,...

Mind the gap: How to treat post-pregnancy abdominal muscle separation (diastasis)

Pop singer Ciara has reportedly been working hard at the gym to correct her abdominal muscle separation, called a diastasis, after the birth of her second child. And she says its working, giving motivation to a dedicated following of...

Do collagen supplements work for healthy skin?

If you are a regular reader you know that I am always interested in the newest things, but skeptical about products and procedures making claims that aren’t proven with hard evidence from clinical trials. Collagen supplements are becoming increasingly...

When what you want is not what you need: How to have an honest discussion with your plastic surgeon

I am pretty sure that Mick Jagger didn’t have plastic surgery in mind when the Rolling Stones recorded the song “You can’t always get what you want” but like many things in life, it reflects an essential aspect of...

Clinical trial shows long term benefits of Galaflex internal bra

Read the PDF here.

Artistry in plastic surgery not just paint by numbers

I have been thinking more lately about the relationship of art and plastic surgery. Sometimes this happens when I am drawing a model, and noticing there is something not typical in the proportions. Often though what sets me onto...

The modern mommy makeover: Can you have it all?

Like motherhood, the modern mommy makeover has changed, and recognizing the importance of individualization is at the heart of both. Not every mom is the same, and the mommy makeover should not be a cookie cutter operation. True, there are things...

Cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery: Who is most qualified?

A couple of weeks ago I did an Instagram takeover for a day for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and it got me thinking about how I would explain what “aesthetic surgery” means. Is there a...

Double bubble troubles: Understanding a common breast implant problem

What causes the dreaded double bubble with breast implant surgery? It is a common cause of concern for patients, and rightly so; a groove across the bottom of the breast is unnatural and unsightly. There are two causes of...

Does the media create unrealistic standards of beauty – or vice-versa?

Humans have been adorning and modifying their bodies since the dawn of time. But with the rise of mass media, a global beauty product industry, and increasing popularity of plastic surgery, some are questioning whether unrealistic standards of beauty...

Does “Facial Yoga” Really Make You Look Younger?

Facial exercises have been promoted for years as an anti-aging alternative to surgery or injections, but a new study has given the subject renewed interest. I have been a critic of the notion because the logic behind it is...

Solutions for breast implant rippling

We do a lot of revision breast surgery here, and breast implant rippling is a common concern of patients seeking revision. There are two factors that contribute to this: thin tissue coverage and the characteristics of the implants. Correction...

Cosmetic surgery or nonsurgical treatments: How to make the right decision

Why do nonsurgical treatments such as Ultherapy work so well on some and seemingly not at all on others? I have been scanning the “worth it” ratings on Real Self, in particular, the negative reviews for nonsurgical treatments. I...

Bogus Botox crackdown: How to know you are getting the real thing

Anything as popular and expensive as Botox® is bound to have fakes and imitators. We may or may not take umbrage at counterfeit Cartier or ersatz Armani, but we expect the real thing when it comes to medical products....

Botox for forehead wrinkles gains FDA approval

An open secret for several years is that use of Botox for the forehead was “off-label,” meaning that although it was common practice, it was not specifically approved by the FDA for that purpose – until now. This now...

Is the term anti-aging over the hill? Allure’s fresh take

Allure magazine announced last month that they are officially dropping the term “anti-aging.” Does a beauty publication truly mean to embrace aging, wrinkles and all, or is there something more calculated underlying the move? It’s an important topic. I do...

Preparing for surgery: Do’s and Don’ts

The Internal Bra Defined

Over the past 17 years I have been working on the idea of an internal bra, and now that the idea is taking hold there seems to be some confusion about what it actually is. The purpose of a...

Is a muscle repair with tummy tuck always necessary?

I was surprised to find out on a review of my recent tummy tuck cases that I was only doing a muscle separation repair in about half of them. The reason this was a surprise is that abdominal muscle...

Waterfall ptosis and bottoming out: opposite problems with a similar solution

Lately we have been seeing more of a type of breast sagging that occurs after augmentation with implants, called waterfall ptosis (ptosis being the medical word for sagging; the “p” is silent.) It can happen years later, or sometimes...

A Mommy Makeover for Mothers of Multiples

Returning to Your Post-Pregnancy Shape After the birth of a child, a mother’s body is left to deal with a whole host of physical changes such as stretch marks, loose skin and deflated breasts. Ask any mom and she will tell...

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

What the Savvy Patient Needs to Know Liposuction costs anywhere from about $2,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on several things: how many areas are being done, what type of anesthesia is used, the facility where the operation is...

Exparel Long-Acting Local Anesthetic: Still a Hot Topic

A major advance in pain relief Exparel, the long-acting numbing agent that provides pain reduction for up to 3 days with many types of surgery, is still making the news. I came across it in 2011 and immediately recognized...

When to Use Form-Stable (Anatomic) Implants

Determining the Right Body Type and Breast Shape Most breast augmentation patients will get a nice result from round, smooth surface implants, but there are specific cases where a shaped implant works better. These implants go by many names...

What you need to know about breast implant related ALCL

This week the US Food & Drug Administration issued updated information on a very rare form of cancer called BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). As of February 1, 2017, the FDA identified more than 350 possible cases,...

Top 5 Misleading Terms in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine

Few things are fraught with more confusing and misleading marketing hype than plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine. Just add “lift” at the end and you have a new and improved procedure! Here are my top 5 offenders: Liquid Facelift...

Fillers Unfiltered

More Natural Looking, Longer Lasting Injectables Like it or loathe it, the selfie trend is here to stay, and with it an increase in facial cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Juvederm, and even surgery. Who hasn’t had a day...

Correction of asymmetry in breast surgery

Correction of Asymmetry in Breast Surgery Symmetry has long been held to be a hallmark of physical beauty, for the face and the body. It’s more than just an artistic concept; scientific studies have consistently validated the relationship of...

Correction of Breast Implant Animation Deformity by Conversion to Split Muscle Plane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vobe0-a-xPI What Are Animation Deformities? Animation deformities are distortions of the breast with muscle flexion and are common with implants under the muscle using the dual plane technique. This video will show correction of animation deformity in a patient...

Scar Tactics: Don’t Be Too Scarred from Your Mommy Makeover

It is normal to have fears about scarring, particularly with a tummy tuck and breast surgery for a mommy makeover. Plastic surgeons use a variety of strategies to minimize scars, but it is not possible (yet) to do surgery...

Significant Others and Plastic Surgery: A Surgeon’s Perspective

She's Doing It For Herself, But Hopes You Like It Women in relationships often get flack from their significant other for considering cosmetic surgery. “I love you the way you are, why would you want to change?” There’s no...

When It Comes To Plastic Surgery, Online Resources Are Off The Mark

When It Comes To Plastic Surgery, Online Resources Are Off The Mark According to several recent studies, online resources are off the mark when it comes to plastic surgery. The information is often misleading, inaccurate, or unintelligible. Take your...

Accused of Having Plastic Surgery!

Understanding The Lingering Controversy of Plastic Surgery Maybe you’ve seen this type of headline: “Carrie Underwood accused of plastic surgery” or “Kendall Jenner accused of getting breast implants” like it’s some sort of crime. Or just this week “Selena...

Attention To Detail: What I Learned At The ISAPS Meeting In Japan

I always look forward to the biannual meeting of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, held last week in Kyoto, Japan. One of the highlights this year was the keynote address from Nobel Prize winner Dr. Shinya Yamanaka,...

Say Goodbye To Bat Wings

As women age, it's not uncommon to notice sagging skin on the arms. Skin that was once tight and smooth tends to become loose and flabby as the force of gravity imposes its will. Despite physical activity like targeting your triceps and...

The Steps To Avoiding A “Botched” Procedure

The Steps To Avoiding A "Botched" Procedure Thanks to TV shows like “Botched” and the pervasiveness of celebrity media coverage, we’re all familiar with pictures of men and women with undesirable plastic surgery outcomes. For celebrities like Mickey Rourke...

Dr. Baxter nominated by King5 and Evening Magazine for Best of Western Washington’s “Best Plastic Surgeon 2016”

Decided by local voters, this content honors the best that Washington has to offer in regards to local services and businesses in categories such as doctors, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Many thanks to all of the patients who voted...

Hollywood’s Influence on Plastic Surgery

How much does it affect our attitude and behaviors toward the subject? From the earliest days of cinema when film was black and white and sound was non-existent, Hollywood has set the tone for beauty standards, and the common...

Why Not Use the Split Muscle Technique for Breast Augmentation?

What's different between the two techniques? Occasionally when I am explaining the split muscle technique and how it reduces animation deformity with breast implants under the muscle, the patient asks “If this is such a good method, why doesn’t...

Snap Judgment: Is it OK for a Plastic Surgeon to Post to Snapchat During Surgery?

Posting live Snapchat video during surgery is either a brilliant promotional strategy and patient education resource or an ethical quagmire, depending on who you ask. One plastic surgeon in New York claims a million viewers, and “Dr. Miami” has...

Bravo for the Brassiere

Does wearing a bra cause cancer? Does it make your breasts more likely to sag rather than preventing it? As preposterous as these questions may seem, where the topics of breasts, women’s health, and body image intersect, you can...

Dancing With The Scars: A Plastic Surgeon’s Tango Fandango

Does learning Argentine Tango (AT) really have anything to do making me a better plastic surgeon? I thought a lot about that question on my recent trip to Buenos Aires (my second tango pilgrimage.) Superficially, parallels between AT and...

5 Myths of Breast Implants

The Biggest Myths of Breast Implants First performed in 1895, breast augmentation is arguably one of the most recognizable of all plastic surgery procedures. This distinction brings with it many myths, questions, and hearsay to the public discourse - some...

What Makes An Expert Plastic Surgeon?

How To Know if Your Physician is Qualified It goes without saying that we expect our doctor to have expertise in their particular specialty. That’s the whole point of accredited residency training and board certification, continuing medical education, peer-review,...

The ‘Tylenol Tummy Tuck’ Gets You Results With Less Pain

Who doesn’t dream of flat, toned abs? It’s part of the reason why the tummy tuck is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Real or perceived, it is also considered one of the most painful operations, which scares...

Progressive Tension Suture Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

The Progressive Tension Suture method is a technique used in tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) to reduce the necessity for drain tubes. This is one of the main concerns for patients considering a tummy tuck, but drains are routinely used because of the...

What Does a Facelift Procedure Include?

Here is an interesting fact about facelifts: they almost always include a neck lift, but not always a forehead lift. It’s almost as though someone decided that the neck was part of the face but not the forehead! To...

Western Washington’s favorite plastic surgeon?!

What does it mean to be named “Western Washington’s Favorite Plastic Surgeon” in Seattle-based KING-5 TV’s annual Evening Magazine viewers’ poll? I have to admit, it felt great, and being nominated for several years running is pretty good too. It reflects...

Demystifying breast implants part 3: Form-stable implants

Call them gummy bear implants, cohesive gel implants, teardrop implants, anatomical breast implants, shaped implants, or form-stable implants, but whatever you call them, a fair amount of confusion exists regarding the benefits of this newest line of silicone gel...

The Internal Bra

/uploads/pdf/art3a10.10072fs00266-001-0010-1.pdf This article by Dr. Baxter was published in the journal Plastic and Aesthetic Research. Dr. Baxter describes the evolution of the internal bra based on his more than 15 years experience with it. the internal bra is used for: maintenance of...

Seven tummy tuck variations: How to know what’s best for you

Several variations on tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) allow the procedure to be customized to the patient’s needs. These include a full (standard) tummy tuck, full tummy tuck with T-closure, extended tummy tuck, reverse tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and mini...

Is plastic surgery art or science? Dr. Baxter interviewed on the Plastic Surgery Channel

https://youtu.be/aexRFQ-izmEPlastic surgeons need to have an artistic sense of proportion and beauty. They also need to have technical skills and grounding in science. So are plastic surgeons artists or scientists? Both!

What’s in a mommy makeover?

Because pregnancy affects the abdomen and breasts in irreversible ways, a mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck and restorative breast surgery, usually a lift and/or implants. Once the abdominal skin is stretched, especially when there are visible stretch marks,...

Drain or no drain with tummy tuck?

The drainless tummy tuck seems to have been gaining recognition recently, but is it for real? Certainly having drain tubes after surgery is not something patients look forward to, but if it helps speed recovery and prevent complications then...

Latisse vs. Revitalash

A friend who recently underwent chemotherapy asked me the other day about the risk of eye color change with Latisse, because her oncologist advised for that reason that she used Revitalash instead. Unfortunately this is misguided advice, because I...

Keller funnel reduces rates of capsular contracture

This multi-center study shows a reduced incidence of capsular contracture with the use of the Keller funnel for breast implant placement.

12-year follow up with Alloderm

Read publication here

Body Building: Top 10 Stories in Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine, a new field combining tissue engineering and molecular biology to restore human tissues and function, has become a hot topic and is poised to become a multibillion dollar specialty. Plastic surgeons are in a unique position to...

Breast lift with implants: Better to do in one stage or two?

Very often, patients requesting a breast lift benefit from having an implant placed at the same time, but plastic surgeons disagree on whether this is safe to do in one operation or whether it should be staged in two sessions. I...

Is plastic surgery to look like a celebrity a good idea?

To those of us in the business, it seems self-evident that cosmetic plastic surgery is about being true to your best self. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use people who are in the public eye and known for...

Top 10 reasons to dance your way to health and longevity

Dancing may well be the most powerful anti-aging thing you can do, according to several recent scientific papers. I admit that when I thought about doing a blog on dancing for my plastic surgery site, I was worried that...

Gratitudology Part 2

What does gratitude have to do with plastic surgery? For me it means that I get to do something I love for a living, and make a positive impact on people’s lives, and I am thankful for that. Thankfulness...

How much should your tummy tuck cost?

Research is vital when planning your plastic surgery procedure For cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as tummy tucks and mommy makeovers, cost is important because it is paid out of pocket. The typical tummy tuck patient is a mom,...

No more post surgery nausea

https://youtu.be/YNftibNrZBc

What can you learn from “Before” and “After” pictures?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a set of before and after pictures counts for even more – especially for potential patients searching online for a plastic surgeon. Standard advice in selecting a plastic surgeon always...

The 4 R’s of 3-D facial rejuvenation

Natural-appearing facial rejuvenation requires a comprehensive approach addressing the different anatomical aspects of aging. One way to think of this is the 4 R’s: resurfacing for smoother and even-toned skin, relaxing hyperactive muscles either surgically or with Botox, refilling with injectables or fat grafting to...

Kybella for submental fullness is here

Call it a double chin, “tech neck,” or submental fullness, Kybella is the first FDA-cleared injectable option for reduction of fat under the chin and we are among the first in the country to have it. (Latin for chin...

What can we learn from “Botched!”?

I didn’t want to like the TV show “Botched” – the title seems to sensationalize sometimes tragic outcomes of plastic surgery gone wrong. But like so many of you, I do like the show. Reality TV shows about plastic...

Calling all collagen: Secrets to maintaining healthy skin

There are good reasons why treatments like Ultherapy and products like retinol target collagen production: it’s the most abundant protein in the skin and throughout the body. Some types of collagen fibers are stronger than steel, others are more...

Tummy tuck vs. liposuction

https://youtu.be/ETECbNfAPHo

Remember to drink your sunscreen . . .

It has been a while since the FDA has approved new sunscreen products, so while we are waiting it might be worth considering evidence that a glass of red wine may actually help. This was revealed a few years...

The special issue of specialization in plastic surgery

When people learn that I am a plastic surgeon they often ask “What area is your specialty?” They want to know if I specialize in facelifts, or breast augmentation, or tummy tucks. If I did limit my practice to...

Over or under the muscle? The four options for breast augmentation and how to decide

Most breast implants are placed under the pectoral muscle, but the decision isn’t as simple as over or under: There are four variations including dual plane, split muscle, subfascial, and subglandular. Knowing the specifics of each of these will help you to make...

Do I need a tummy tuck or will liposuction work?

If liposuction could do what a tummy tuck does without the scar, recovery time, and expense, tummy tucks would be a thing of the past. But while liposuction remains the number one cosmetic surgery procedure, the number of abdominoplasties...

If I have liposuction on one area, won’t the fat just go somewhere else?

Liposuction and other body contouring operations such as tummy tucks target localized areas of fat that are in disproportion to the rest of the body. A common question is “Doesn’t the fat just come back or go somewhere else?”...

Giving Credit Where Accreditation is Due: Ensuring Safe Plastic Surgery Facilities

Patients often expend enormous efforts to find the right surgeon, but may give little thought to where the surgery is to be done. Most cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are done as an outpatient, often in an office-based facility attached...

Keller funnel reduces capsular contracture with silicone implants

Since its introduction 5 years ago, the Keller Funnel – a device used for insertion of silicone breast implants – has reduced capsular contracture rates, according to a multi-center study in which I participated. Though it looks more like...

What is the best type of anesthesia for cosmetic surgery?

Whether you are considering liposuction, a mommy makeover, or a facelift, your anesthesia provider has two primary goals: keeping you safe, and keeping you comfortable. There is a lot of misinformation about anesthesia for plastic surgery out there however....

Oscars and the anti-aging effect of beauty and success

Winning an Academy Award brings more than fame: Oscar winners live longer. Another interesting fact is that attractive people also have longer lives. With 85-year old director Clint Eastwood in the running this year with American Sniper, I got to wondering...

The Goldilocks paradigm: How to achieve natural results in plastic surgery

Whether you are considering a facelift, breast augmentation, or Botox, you probably want a natural appearing result. Some assume that Botox always results in the frozen face, or that we need to accept our wrinkles as a badge of...

Which breast implant profile is best? Demystifying terminology

Low profile, moderate, and high profile breast implants mean different things to different implant manufacturers. For example, Mentor’s 300 cc “Moderate Plus” smooth silicone gel implant has a base width of 12 cm, identical to Sientra’s “Moderate” profile gel...

Is generosity the ultimate anti-aging strategy? The science of good deeds

When Oscar Wilde wrote, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention" he could not have known that a century later, science would find that even small acts of kindness measurably improve health and increase...

Why gratitude is good for your health

The adage that it’s better to give than to receive rings true, but simply being thankful has tangible benefits to physical and mental health, according to a recent line of research. One of my favorites is a study from...

When to Consider High Profile Breast Implants

In 2004 the use of high profile and low profile breast implants was a new option. My article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal was the first on how to use high profile implants. /uploads/pdf/high-profile-implants.pdf

Diversionary tactics: How to keep your plastic surgery discreet

Whether it’s a facelift, mommy makeover, or a dab of Botox or Juvederm, people are more open about having “a little work done” than they used to be. But there are still those who feel the need to share...

Do breast implants hinder cancer screening?

Breast augmentation is a lifetime decision, and so the question of how implants may affect the diagnosis of cancer needs to be considered regardless of the age of the patient at the time of the original surgery. We inform...

Service counts more than technology (What I learned at ISAPS)

Meetings like the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) are usually a good way to network with leading plastic surgeons around the world, but my recent trip to ISAPS in Rio de Janeiro reminded me that service –...

Top Ten Surprising Uses for Botox

You may think that Botox is just for wrinkles, but research has revealed an expanding list of applications. Some of these may surprise you, some are still experimental, and all are interesting. Here are my nominees for the top...

Mother of the Bride Makeovers, Glamorous Grandmas, and Reunion Rejuvenation

Glamorous grandmas, mother of the bride makeovers, and reunion rejuvenations are how I describe three mini trends that I am seeing this year. Not that they are anything truly new, but patients seem increasingly straightforward about their motivations. Everyone,...

Acellular Dermal Matrix (Strattice) to prevent widening of the areola after Benelli breast lift

Dr. Baxter's article on Strattice in mastopexy explaining how to avoid areolar widening with Benelli breast lift.

My “must have” skin care list

What really works in skin care? Recently I wrote the “mythbuster’s skin care glossary” focusing on the exaggerated claims that over-the-counter skin care products often make; now I want to talk about what really does work. It’s not especially...

No more post-operative nausea – Emend to that!

Nausea from anesthesia is becoming a thing of the past for many patients, thanks to a medication called Emend. Many people are more worried about nausea after anesthesia than they are about the surgery itself, especially if they have suffered...

A Myth Buster’s Skin Care Glossary

What ingredients really work in skin care? With sales of skin care creams in the range of $40 billion annually, finding just the right marketing buzz words is important. Overstate the benefits of your anti-aging product, and the FDA...

Vitamin A and JeNu in anti-aging skin care: the perfect couple

Retinoids, which are derivatives of Vitamin A, have been a mainstay in anti-aging skin care for decades. A less well-known fact is that there is only one form of vitamin A that is biologically active in skin care, and...

Acellular Dermal Matrix in breast surgery: Proof of concept

In 2003 I published a series of 10 cases using Alloderm in revision breast implant surgery in the journal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. In addition to showing how Acellular Dermal Matrix (Alloderm was the only ADM at the time) could be...

Indications and practical applications of high-profile breast implants

[note: This was the first peer-reviewed article on high profile implants. In 2004, most implants were saline, but the same principles apply to silicone gel implants.] Richard A. Baxter, MD Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2004 24: 24-27. Abstract Background: High-profile round saline breast implants that permit...

How to maintain the results of a facelift

People often ask “how long does a facelift last?” and the answer depends on a lot of factors. A facelift can “set back the clock” but doesn’t stop the effects of time, and the things that led to the...

Dr. Baxter Wins RealSelf 100 Award

Seattle Area Plastic Surgeon Recognized as Top Social Media Influencer in Cosmetic Medicine and Plastic Surgery Mountlake Terrace, WA – May 15, 2014 – Local physician Richard A Baxter, MD is one of 100 doctors in the nation to receive the...

VECTRA 3D imaging brings a new dimension to breast surgery

Picturing your results from breast augmentation, reconstruction, and especially revision breast implant surgery can be difficult, but 3D imaging such as we now have with the VECTRA system is proving to be a major help. Image capture and processing takes only a...

Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Baxter’s art background compliments surgical technique

Seattle Plastic Surgeon's Art Background Compliments Surgical Technique To watch this video, please click here. Thank you and enjoy!

Latex Allergy and Surgery: What You Need to Know

Up to 7% of people are reportedly allergic to latex, a natural substance produced from rubber trees. Latex is a versatile material, used in thousands of everyday products from condoms to rubber bands. However, because latex allergies are so common,...

Update on the Split Muscle Technique for Breast Augmentation

The subpectoral technique [1] and systematic analysis of soft tissue characteristics [2] have resulted in a more predictable approach to breast implant surgery, yet certain problems receive scant attention. Among these problems are animation distortions and shape issues such...

Subfascial Breast Augmentation: Theme and Variations

Background: Subfascial placement of breast implants for augmentation has been advocated as an option that has some of the advantages of both the subpectoral and subglandular approaches while minimizing the disadvantages of each. Objective: The author reports on the use of the...

Top Ten Crazy Beauty Devices

The Top Ten Crazy Beauty Device list idea came to me as I was doing some research on cellulite treatments for a presentation at the upcoming Hot Topics session of the Aesthetic Surgery Society meeting. There are some pretty wild...

Your Fat Removed Non-Surgically, Seattle, WA

To watch this video, please click here. Thank you and enjoy!

A Better Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure to flatten the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal region and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. To watch the video, please click here. Thank you and enjoy!

Exparel to extinguish pain after tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and mommy makeover

Possibly the biggest fear patients have about surgery is pain, but new products such as Exparel are making a huge difference. Exparel, a numbing agent that lasts up to 3 days, has become increasingly popular since its FDA approval...

Breast Implants Revision Surgery with Strattice video

https://youtu.be/mHCBaSVzifc

Plastic Surgery: Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty Surgery

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure to flatten the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal region and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.https://youtu.be/gmV5vcl9eUM

Ultrasound is ultra cool: Ulthera, Liposonix, JeNu

With technologies such as Ulthera, Liposonix, and JeNu, a new era of aesthetic medicine – nonsurgical skin rejuvenation and body contouring – is here. Lasers and radiofrequency (RF) devices (Thermage, Viora, Exilis, Accent, Aluma, TriPollar and ReFirme to name...

Making a better bra on the inside: learning from the master bra maker

You may know that I have been working on the concept of an internal bra, so recently I decided to go to Paris to see the original source of the brassiere: Madam Poupie Cadolle, whose family has been in the...

New Post-Surgery Pain Medication Recently Launched Means Less Pain for Surgery Patients

https://youtu.be/1ASKtt1nPb4

Ulthera Ultrasound Therapy

Ultherapy™ is a new type of nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for achieving skin reminiscent of an earlier time. The Ulthera System is used by physicians and their specially certified staff to precisely deliver acoustic sound waves deep into the skin...

Tummy tuck variations: How to know what’s best for you

On a percentage basis, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) has increased in popularity over the past decade more than just about any other cosmetic surgery procedure. Whether part of a “mommy makeover” or just for loose skin after pregnancies or larger weight loss,...

Dr. Baxter world’s first live plastic surgery webcast 1998

In 1998 Dr. Baxter pioneered live webcasting by doing the world's first plastic surgery procedure streamed online. How things have changed! The procedure was breast augmentation with saline implants. If the video quality is not great, remember it was...

Does Plastic Surgery Make You More Attractive?

A recent study finding that plastic surgery may not make people significantly more attractive got me to thinking. Given the vast body of research attesting to the psychological benefits of plastic surgery (be it reconstructive or cosmetic), it seemed reasonable to...

Silicone Implants with a Benelli Breast Lift surgery video, by Dr. Baxter

https://youtu.be/r8WEFxOoOOA

Revision surgery: What to know when re-operation is necessary

Here’s an interesting fact about revision breast surgery: The biggest predictor of the need for a revision is a failed revision. The third time may be the charm as they say, but not when it comes to plastic surgery;...

Angelina Jolie and breast reconstruction: new options are changing treatment of breast cancer

Much has been made of Angelina Jolie’s decision to have prophylactic mastectomies because of the BRCA gene mutation, but hidden behind the headlines is the fact that her option for immediate reconstruction using an acellular dermal matrix internal bra is a...

JeNu: the “magic wand” for skin care?

As the Chief Medical Advisor to JeNu, the new ultrasound skin care system, I have to say that it sounds a bit unscientific to say JeNu is a magic wand, but that’s what early users are saying about it. The science...

Getting “Real” with social media

The popular website RealSelf.com, where people who are considering (or have had) a cosmetic procedure get answers about cosmetic plastic surgery, dermatology, and dentistry, recently announced their list of 100 doctors dedicated to providing consumers with credible online information. Of...

Are gummy bear breast implants better?

Much has been made of the news a couple of weeks ago that the FDA approved a type of implant commonly known as “gummy bear” or “anatomic” style (specifically, Allergan style 410; another version from Sientra has been available in the U.S....

Art versus science in plastic surgery

I have always felt that my formal training in art, coupled with a belief in the scientific method, gives me a unique aptitude in plastic surgery. However a recent debate has emerged about whether plastic surgeons should be artists or...

Plastic surgery trends: facelifts on the rise

Each year about this time the American Society of Plastic Surgeons releases their report on statistical trends based on the previous year’s numbers. The big story this time around is facial rejuvenation, both facelift surgery (up 6% compared to...

Mythbusting: Latisse, breast implants, liposuction, weekend facelift

It’s interesting to me how certain perceptions regarding plastic surgery and related procedures persist despite ample evidence to the contrary. Take the eyelash growing product Latisse for example. I was discussing it with a patient last week, and her first question was:...

Trends in liposuction: a consumer guide

What started out as a fairly simple idea – vacuum out stubborn areas of excess fat – has morphed into an alphabet soup of techniques and technologies. Smart lipo, Slim lipo, Tickle lipo, power lipo, Smooth lipo, VASER lipo,...

BRA day event a success, more work to do for reconstruction awareness

A special thanks to everyone who attended the Seattle Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Soiree on Oct 17, and the many donors and participants who made it possible. I especially want to thank the many breast cancer survivors who were there. We...

The special problem of specialization in plastic surgery

It’s a classic scenario: Soon after I am introduced to someone and they learn that I am a plastic surgeon, I am asked what I do most or what I specialize in. Breast augmentation? Facelifts? It’s a valid question of course,...

Evolution of breast reconstruction (or a trip down mammary lane?)

As we gear up for our Breast Reconstruction Awareness day event on Oct 17, I have been reflecting on how much our approach to reconstruction and treatment of breast cancer has changed over the years. When I was in general surgery...

Dr. Baxter goes “Hollywood” – sort of

Don’t worry; I am not about to leave the comfortable confines of Seattle, where the natural look (thankfully) prevails. But I did have the chance recently to tape a segment for an online lifestyle channel with a couple of...

Do breast implants really improve quality of life?

According to a new study, women who have opted for breast enlargement with implants have objectively measureable improvement in several aspects of their lives. It’s an important question to answer, not just because it is a significant surgery, but because...

Are you a breast cancer previvor?

With all the publicity surrounding Angelina Jolie’s decision to have prophylactic mastectomies because of the BRCA breast cancer gene, it should come as no surprise that a new word has appeared to describe her choice: Previvor. Why wait until you have breast cancer,...

March Mommy Makeover Madness

As sure as the swallows return to Capistrano in the Spring, March signals the unofficial start of the plastic surgery season. It’s been a pattern in my practice for at least a decade, though the mix of cases varies....