American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Warning

Avoid mesotherapy/injection lipolysis treatments until further research on safety, efficacy

New York, NY (May 14, 2007) - The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) released today a warning against the use of injection fat loss treatments. Patients are advised to avoid these procedures, which are commonly known as lipolysis, mesotherapy, or the brand names Lipodissolve and Lipostabil. Although marketed as fat loss treatments, these procedures are scientifically unproven, lacking any objective data on safety and efficacy. In addition, none of these procedures has received FDA approval, with the ingredients poorly defined. The procedures may also be offered by persons without sufficient medical training, thereby putting patients at risk of harm.

“Safety needs to come first. We do not have definitive information on injection fat loss treatments. All we have is a few small studies and anecdotal evidence. Until we know more, we cannot recommend these procedures to patients,” said Foad Nahai, MD, president of the Society. “The bottom line for patients is this: Don't allow yourself to be injected with an unknown and untested substance.”

Despite media and advertising claims that mesotherapy or injection lipolysis treatments can safely and effectively eliminate unwanted fat, published peer-reviewed scientific reports of properly performed controlled prospective trials to confirm either safety or efficacy do not exist. Furthermore, there is no objective data on how these treatments produce ‘fat dissolving' effects and there are numerous reports of complications documented in the medical literature, including bacterial infection, granulomas (disfiguring masses of chronically inflamed tissue) and localized necrosis (tissue death), particularly when injections were done by lay people.

“ Mesotherapy treatment centers are opening all over the country and these consumer outlets may not be staffed by trained medical professionals. Patients seeking fat dissolving treatments should be educated about the lack of clinical data supporting these treatments and cautioned to wait until there is reliable information to guide their decision,” said Alan H. Gold, MD, president of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). “For now, the only proven method for eliminating unwanted fat cells is suction assisted lipoplasty, a procedure that has a long and successful track record for both safety and effectiveness."

A placebo-controlled study is being sponsored by ASERF to demonstrate safety and efficacy—or lack thereof—of one type of injection lipolysis treatment. The formula that will be used for injection in this 20-patient study —phosphatidylcholine (PPC)/sodium deoxycholate (DC)— is one that has shown the most promise in small, published trials. The study, which will be conducted under FDA supervision, will follow patients for 46 weeks to evaluate the efficacy of PPC/DC for injection lipolysis and collect data on local and systemic reactions and any long-term complications. At present, n either drug being studied in this trial is FDA approved for subcutaneous injection for any purpose. Once completed, the results will be published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and presented at an annual ASAPS meeting.

The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery.

ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Toll-free referral line: 888.ASAPS.11 (272.7711). Web site:www.surgery.org

Plastic Surgeons Refine Surgical Techniques to Meet Future Boomer Demand

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- With new laser treatments and injectable wrinkle fillers and fighters, many baby boomers are choosing to postpone the facelift -- but it is not dead! In fact, patients age 45 and older may find they only achieve their desired result with surgical rejuvenation options. A study in May's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reveals a new facelift technique that offers patients more options.

"With the introduction of injectable fillers and Botox, many people over 45 believe they can achieve the same results as a facelift without surgery," said ASPS President-elect Richard D'Amico, MD. "However, as we get older our brow lines, jowls and wrinkles can become too deep for an injectable to smooth out. When a patient's degree of facial aging is such that an injectable can not achieve the desired result, surgery is the next natural progression."

In the study, the authors placed the facelift incision, in a specific angle, within the side burn and temple areas (traditional techniques place the incision above the ear). Hair grows back through the scar which is hidden within the hair. The technique allows women to comfortably pull their hair back without exposing a scar and men to grow sideburns without the embarrassment of missing hair. The technique also allows for better repositioning of tissue, further reducing the risk of the "wind blown," overdone look

Although surgery may provide better results, injectables still play an important role in facial rejuvenation for the over 45 set. "After a facelift, fillers and Botox are key adjuncts to help restore volume and maintain surgical improvements for many more years," said Dr. D'Amico.

"Whether injectable fillers, surgery or a combination of both, the procedure selected should fit and meet the needs of the patient," said Bahaman Guyuron, MD, ASPS Member Surgeon and study co-author. "With the youngest boomer turning 42 and the oldest turning 60 this year, the demand for surgical procedures that produce results without the tell-tale signs of having had a facelift are going to continue to increase."

Facelifts are the second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure for men and women over age 55, according to new ASPS statistics. Nearly 102,000 people aged 40 and older had a facelift in 2006.

For referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons call 888-4-PLASTIC (475-2784) or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org and also learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Cosmetic Surgery for British Couples: Mate Needs Knife

The following press release is from British Consumer Magazine called "Which?" and this piece discusses an interactive cosmetic surgery guide in their online version. They've also determined that many more brits are going overseas to have plastic surgery done.

We encourage that and hope to consult with any UK visitors to Palm Beach Florida clinic. Since the most sought after procedure is the face lift for women, perhaps they'd consider our bandaid mini-lift to be fully able to enjoy their vacation after surgery, with little down time or few bandages to obscure their sightseeing. Here follows the Which Magazine Press Release.

One in ten Brits – that’s almost five million adults - say they’d consider cosmetic surgery to improve their looks and four per cent - 1.6 million - want their partner to consider surgery, according to new Which? research out today.

But Which? investigations also show that fewer than a quarter of those who have had, or who are considering cosmetic treatment, feel they are very well informed².

With a booming industry, Which? believes this is a crucial time to bridge this gap by launching today the ultimate online guide to cosmetic treatments www.which.co.uk/cosmetic.

Today’s Which? research also reveals:

• Having a tummy tuck is top of the list for women.
• Top of the list for men is a face or neck lift.
• Men are most likely to want their partner to have breast surgery.
• Women are most likely to want to see a flatter stomach on their partner.
• People in Wales are more likely than others to want their partner to have cosmetic surgery.
• Londoners are less likely than others to want cosmetic surgery themselves.

Michelle Smyth, health campaigner, Which?, says:

“It seems many people are considering a cosmetic change in the future, and perhaps not just for themselves.

“Cosmetic surgery is not a decision to take lightly, and we’ve found that despite its increasing popularity, it’s extremely difficult to find independent, unbiased information.  

“We’ve set up an easy-to-understand, one-stop-shop for anyone considering cosmetic treatments. But we also want to hear from people willing to share their experience. Leave us your story at www.which.co.uk/cosmetic.”

With a distinct lack of user-friendly information available, Which? has set up its own website to offer unbiased, reliable information. On www.which.co.uk/cosmetic people can scroll over two interactive bodies to learn more about what various procedures involve. The site also covers how to check out clinics and surgeons before committing to anything, situations when people should simply ‘walk away’ and what to do if something should go wrong.  

In 2005 Brits spent almost £360 million on cosmetic treatments, a 242 per cent increase since 2000, and nearly 700,000 cosmetic procedures were undertaken in Britain last year