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Archive for September, 2010

Study Finds Bariatric Surgery Reduces Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 by editor2

Obesity is becoming a bigger health issue in the United States every day. A new study released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that after a review of the 33 leading world economies, the U.S. came in first with the most overweight population.

They estimated that about a third of Americans are obese or at least 30 pounds overweight.

One option for the overweight and obese is bariatric surgery. Through a bariatric procedure, such as lap band or gastric bypass, patients can achieve a significant weight reduction, as well as an improvement in general health. Weight loss surgery works by limiting the amount of food a person can consume.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons highlighted one of the health benefits. It found that obese women who have weight loss surgery before they get pregnant are three times less likely to develop gestational diabetes and are also less likely to require a cesarean section.

The researchers compared rates of gestational diabetes among 346 obese women who had bariatric surgery before pregnancy and 354 obese women who had bariatric surgery after delivery.

The study found:

  • Rates of gestational diabetes were 8 percent for those who had the surgery before pregnancy
  • Rates of gestational diabetes were 27 percent for those who had the surgery after delivery
  • Rates of cesarean delivery were 28 percent for those who had the surgery before pregnancy
  • Rates of cesarean delivery were 43 percent for those who had the surgery after delivery

Most of the women who underwent weight loss surgery did not wait the recommended two years afterwards before delivering a baby, noted senior author Dr. Martin Makary, an associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and his colleagues.

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Cosmetic Surgery Market to Double in Size by 2017, According to Report

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 by editor2

Woman receiving a facial injectionThe cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics and medical lasers market is expected to double in size by 2017, exceeding $3 billion, according to a new reoprt from medical device and pharmaceutical market research company iData Research.

The aesthetic laser and light therapy markets for skin resurfacing, hair removal and laser lipolysis will be the fastest growing segments, according to the report, and the market for botulinum toxin-A drugs, such as Botox, is estimated to grow to $543 million by 2017.

“Allergan has had a monopoly on botulinum toxin A drugs since 2002, but now faces competition from Dysport by Medicis as well as other new competitors expected to enter the market,” said Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData. One of those future competitors may be a botulinum toxin called PurTox by Mentor. PurTox is now in Phase III clinical trials in the U.S., according to Mentor’s website.

The use of botulinum toxins is also expected to increase due to an increasing number of therapeutic treatments, such as upper limb spasms, neck malpositioning and certain types of eye muscle disorders. The FDA is also currently evaluating Botox as a treatment for severe migraines.

“A growing number of doctors are looking at the therapeutic potential of Botulinum-A. There are more cosmetic procedures performed using Botulinum-A than therapeutic, however therapeutic procedures use higher doses of the drug, therefore these two markets are similar in value,” said Dr. Zamanian.

The report, titled “Markets for Cosmetic Surgery, Facial Aesthetics and Medical Laser Devices 2011,” states that the U.S. market for injectables is valued at almost $860 million. The three-report series includes data, analyses, and competitor profiles for botulinum toxins, dermal fillers, breast augmentation implants, liposuction aspirators, laser/light devices, and microdermabrasion.

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Choosing a Breast Augmentation Implant Type: Silicone or Saline?

Saturday, September 18th, 2010 by editor2

woman holding breast implantsA user poll at www.implantinfo.com found that 58 percent of women who reported they planned on having breast augmentation surgery in the future would choose to have silicone breast implants. Of the poll’s 481 participants, 24 percent said they would choose saline breast implants. Seventeen percent were undecided, and only six women said they did not care if they received silicone or saline breast implants.

While the poll showed that more women planned to choose silicone implants, 2009 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) showed that women who actually had the surgery in the United States last year were evenly divided on the type of implant, with 50 percent using saline and 50 percent silicone.

However, since the FDA approved silicone breast implants in November 2006, ASPS data has shown that the use of silicone implants has grown each year, gaining on saline:

  • In 2007, 65% of total breast implants were saline; 35% were silicone.
  • In 2008, 53% of total breast implants were saline; 47% were silicone.
  • In 2009, 50% of total breast implants were saline; 50% were silicone.

Implant Differences

Saline breast implants:

  • Are filled with saline, usually at the time of surgery, which allows for a smaller incision.
  • Are available to women 18 and older for breast augmentation.
  • Can be made bigger or smaller without further surgery: the implants have small valves in which a surgeon can insert a needle and either add or remove the liquid to change their size.
  • It is easier to detect ruptures in saline implants, because they deflate so the woman notices it almost immediately.

Silicone breast implants:

  • Are pre-filled with silicone gel.
  • Look and feel more natural, compared to saline implants.
  • Are available to women 22 and older for breast augmentation.
  • Cannot be changed in size; if a different size is desired at a later point, a surgery must be performed to change the implant.

Both types of breast implants are approved by the FDA, so they have been thoroughly researched and tested and reviewed by an independent panel of physicians for safety.

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Surgeons Can Help Patients Avoid Cosmetic Surgery “Buyer’s Remorse”

Saturday, September 4th, 2010 by editor2

Heidi Montag after plastic surgeryA recent article on the ABC News website looks at the issue of “buyer’s remorse” for cosmetic surgery patients. ABC reports that reality TV star Heidi Montag, who had 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day is looking to get a breast reduction. Her most recent breast augmentation made her a G cup.

“I think [plastic surgery remorse] is actually increasing, and I think in part it’s increasing because of the drop in reimbursement by insurance companies, which is driving doctors in other specialties into the plastic surgery market,” says Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few.

Ann Kearney-Cooke, a psychologist who specializes in weight and body image issues, believes those who have “buyer’s remorse” after cosmetic procedures are usually troubled by deeper issues. “[The surgery] changes the look, but if you have a problem that you haven’t resolved, you’ll have a temporary positive feeling, but then something else is the problem,” notes Kearney-Cooke.

Dr. Timothy Miller, chief of plastic surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, feels remorse after surgery is not increasing. “Maybe I’ve seen it a few times in my practice, but it’s very rare,” he says.

Most plastic surgeons do agree that potential regret after cosmetic procedures could be avoided if patients and doctors recognize and address the problem.

“I have a therapist who works in my practice,” says Dr. Few. “We know in plastic surgery that if somebody has undue stress, the risk of complication is higher.”

Dr. Miller notes that, “Most plastic surgeons will tell patients to work out their problems—go talk to a psychiatrist or confide in somebody else.”

When considering cosmetic surgery, communication between the patient and doctor is key. “It’s really important that both the patient and the physician understand what the motivation is behind the surgery,” says Brooklyn plastic surgeon Dr. Malcolm Roth.

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