Dr Thomas Pane

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Question of the Week: Multiple Procedures!

At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we get a lot of questions about facelifts and associated procedures, as well as a good amount of questions from people who are confused about different pricing models that different surgeons put into place for various procedures. One example of this is ACA’s Question of the Week, which comes from our Facebook audience. The patient asks, “I’ve been looking into having my neck lifted & face lift. I’ve been reading about different doctors’ takes on it. Some say the lower face lift & neck lift are the same with 1 price, some say they are 2 different surgeries at 2 different costs. Many say there’s the neck lift, lower face, middle face, upper face, 3 procedures, 3 different costs? Does that mean I should go with the doctor that offers the face & neck lift as 1 procedure at 1 price? I’m confused. Thank you.” Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our Chief Medical Officer and founder, took this question on to dig into why the disparities this patient noticed exist and how to sort out a surgeon who’s actually up to the job from one who may be just selling a very expensive bill of goods.

Here what Dr. Pane has to say!

Dr. Pane says that yes, there are some surgeons who will do the face and neck lift at the same time, but it’s important for patients to watch where they’re going for the consultation. Most surgeons don’t offer breakdowns of different parts of the face such as upper, lower and neck. Typically, the surgeon will assess the patient’s problem areas and get a sense of what needs to be done. After the assessment, the surgeon then provides a package pricing that is going to encompass all the procedures the patient may benefit from. The available packages and options will vary depending on whether the provider is a plastic surgeon that does the full range of facial procedures or one that may only do a part of the work that is possibly needed for face and neck field. Dr. Pane stresses that it’s important to keep that distinction in mind.

n general, if you have facial issues such as jowling or sagging going down in the corners of the mouth and into the cervical region, most surgeons are not going to want to focus solely on the face if the neck is part of the problem. The rationale for this is because...to read the complete blog post follow the link: http://acplasticsurg.com/ask-dr-pane-cosmetic-surgery-question-answered/

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QotW: Liposuction!

Atlantic Coast Aesthetics has built an excellent reputation for giving our patients great results, so it’s no wonder we get a lot of questions from people who are interested in all facets of cosmetic surgery. Since we’re in southern Florida, it’s also not surprising that we field a lot of questions and comments about liposuction and other related procedures. This week’s ACA Question of the Week comes from one of our viewers who asks, “Would I be a good candidate for Liposuction and what areas would I get?” Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, chose to address this question because it’s a great opportunity to learn more about what liposuction can and cannot do, as well as some of the criteria he considers when deciding whether this procedure can actually help a given patient.

Dr. Pane noted that the patient in question sent in photos, which is always helpful but a distant second best to a live, in-person consultation where the problem areas can be evaluated in various postures and attitudes, such as sitting, standing and lying prone. On the images, there is fullness of the flanks and the bra roll area, some fullness in the abdomen and a bit of loose skin around the belly as well. In such cases, liposuction is an option, but Dr. Pane stresses that it may not be the only option for delivering the results the patient desires.

One concern many patients have concerns the inevitable scar from a tummy tuck. Many patients prefer to avoid this option because of uncertainty about where the scar will end up and how visible it will be. While for a tummy tuck the scar is normally concealed beneath the waistline of one’s underwear, liposuction does leave less scarring and therefore they opt for a full session of liposuction. Dr. Pane points out that..to read more, click: Liposuction Procedure 

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QotW: Vaginal Reconstruction!

Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week asks, “Do I see a gynaecologist, a plastic surgeon or a urogynaecologist? Willing to travel overseas if need be.” Dr. Pane chose to take on this question as a way to showcase the limitations of even good photographs in explaining what the problem is or what can be done to address it.

The patient reports “tightness” around the perineum, or the sensitive area of skin between the anus and vulva. Additionally, unspecified bladder and bowel problems and a feeling of “blockage” and numbness were reported in the vaginal canal. However, the patient did not say what the procedure was that led to the situation, but did mention that the patient has never given vaginal childbirth. This brings up the first obstacle, Dr. Thomas Pane says. Without a complete medical history to understand what procedure was done and what it was intended to correct, it is difficult to be certain how the patient’s reportage links back to the original procedure.

The second problem is that while the patient sent good-quality photographs of the vaginal area, a picture is highly limited in demonstrating “feeling” without a clearly apparent blockage, scarring or deformity in the genital area. To diagnose and understand the problem and determine what the best corrective measure might be, Dr. Pane says there is simply no substitute for direct clinical examination.

Another issue is that while this may well be a problem which is correctable through cosmetic surgery, the bladder and bowel problems the patient reports seem to indicate that more drastic surgical intervention may be needed. Whether this is the province of a gynecologist, urogynecologist, plastic surgeon or another type of surgeon altogether would again depend upon what direct clinical examination in-person revealed.

The greatest overall concern is the lack of medical history in this case. The patient’s best bet in this case is to obtain opinions from at least one specialist in the female genitalia, which will require an in-person examination with a complete medical history. However, no doctor would expect the patient to be able to describe the physical appearance of their own genitalia in detail, nor would it be expected that the patient could give a precise before and after explanation of exactly how the genital area has changed visually, simply because of the type and apparent complexity of the procedure in question.

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Question of the Week: Breast Implants

Breast implants are a very popular option that Atlantic Coast Aesthetics offers as part of our practice, and as you can imagine, we get a lot of questions about them. One example is the ACA Question of the Week, which comes from Boca Raton. The patient says, “Hello I’m 27 years old. I think gravity and excess of exercise killed my boobs, so I want to make them look pretty again. I wanted to transfer some fat but they tell me it can cause future problems so they recommend me an implant. I wanted something very natural so I wanted anatomic because I believe it will look so fake with round, but a surgeon recommended me round implants with high projection (200cc or 250cc). I’m so scared of looking like 2 coconuts. What do you recommend for me?”

Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, says that for all practical purposes, most patients are likely to do better with round implants. This is because unlike anatomically correct implants, round implants will always present more or less the same profile, even if the implant somehow turns inside the body. Because of the combined forces of gravity and internal pressure on the implants, round implants will usually be broader and flatter at the bottom, which simulates the appearance of a “typical” breast profile. From a clinical standpoint, there is no evidence that anatomical implants are particularly superior to round ones, and the likelihood of possible aesthetic problems should the anatomical implant move because of accident, trauma or other issues is higher.

Another potential problem which is really a topic unto itself is the question of fat transfer as the basis for an implant. While this is generally agreed to be the best option when and where possible, there are a number of limiting factors that will determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for this type of procedure. The first and most obvious question is whether the patient has sufficient subcutaneous fat deposits to transfer in the first place. Patients who exercise regularly and have a low body fat percentage are less likely to have enough fat available to achieve the transfer.

For more information click: Breast Implants Procedure

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Breast Implant Removal Surgery Expectations. #QotW

Not every cosmetic procedure is a success, especially when years go by and the body changes. There are a number of reasons why people might want to revise or even reverse earlier surgeries, including poor initial results, body changes that work against the original surgery’s intended purpose or just a change in point of view about one’s body. Our Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week is concerned with exactly this problem. The patient from North Palm Beach tweeted, “What can I expect from breast implant removal surgery?” Dr. Pane wanted to address this question because people are often surprised at just how easy this type of surgery can be, as well as make the point that no cosmetic surgery results can be expected to last forever.

First, Dr. Pane stressed that breast implants are not a lifetime surgery. Most implants can be expected to last between 5-10 years before they need to be replaced or removed, less if they are damaged in some way. Most of the problems that develop with breast implants, barring accident or damage, are usually associated with changes in the patient’s body as gravity and time do their work. Pregnancy, weight gain and loss and other changes can affect how the implant functions over time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that breast implants may perform better or not so well over time depending upon their composition. Fat-transfer breast augmentation is one method that can help prevent this, as saline and to a lesser extent silicone can deflate and leak over time. This becomes most noticeable when the patient attempts to compress the breast/s and they flatten instead of resuming their normal shape and contour.

Third, Dr. Pane observes that breast implants can cause thinning of the surrounding breast tissue. From a medical and mammary function standpoint, this is not a big deal. However, from an aesthetic point of view, it may necessitate doing a breast lift at the same time as the implant removal procedure to help minimize sagging and other possible problems. This is something that can really only be properly evaluated during a clinical consultation, or as a very distant second best by looking at photographs of the breasts to understand how, where and to what degree the implant has affected the tissue.

To read the complete article post click: Breast Implant Removal 

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QOTW: Dr. Pane Answers Tummy Tuck Concerns!

This week’s Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week comes from Miami, Florida and is concerned with tummy tucks. The viewer asks, “Tummy tuck-is it safe? What are the risks and side effects?” Because tummy tuck procedures are one of the most commonly performed procedures at ACA, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Thomas Pane, wanted to take on this question to explain not only how they work and what they do but why tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty procedures, are one of the safest forms of cosmetic surgery available today.

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is usually done in situations where patients have experienced some laxity in the skin of the abdomen. There are a number of reasons why abdominoplasty may be performed, including:

For women who have given birth, ideally those who are done with childbearing

Patients who have lost a great deal of weight due to illness or bariatric surgery

Patients with other conditions that cause sagging, slackness or laxity of the abdominal skin

A tummy tuck begins by making an incision along the lower surface of the sagging area and trimming away the excess skin. The skin that remains is then anchored and attached at the lower incision site. This has the effect of tightening and giving the skin a more toned appearance and can also help alleviate, but not fully remove, the appearance of stretch marks.

Dr. Pane explains that he does these procedures as a same-day surgery, meaning that the patient is usually sent home the day of surgery. Side effects tend to be mild to moderate and include tenderness, soreness, redness and drainage along the incision site. Drains are installed during the surgery to allow the fluid that builds up along the incision as it heals to be flushed out safely, without exposing the patient to an abnormal risk of infection. In the rare event where a patient does exhibit complications during or after surgery, these complications are dealt with as they arise. The method Dr. Pane prefers is designed to minimize bleeding, helping to take one major risk factor out of the equation, and in most cases where complications such as infection, unusual swelling, redness, discharge from the attachment site and other such problems do develop, they can be dealt with very quickly and with minimal difficulties.

In most cases, the larger problem isn’t complications, but that the patient feels too good! Dr. Pane notes that he is careful to warn patients not to do too much, too soon, because they often find the residual soreness and pain are far less than they expected. This can give the patient a false sense of security and lead them to undertake physical activities that their body is not ready for, leading to wound separation and other potential problems. For this reason, Dr. Pane usually says to give it at least a day or two before resuming light activity, and a minimum of 5-7 days before resuming normal activities.

Dr. Pane says abdominoplasty is one of the larger surgical procedures he performs simply based on the relative surface area involved, but that he has an exceptionally low incidence of side effects and complications. Part of this is attributable to the way in which the procedure is performed, but a lot of it also relates to the care with which each patient’s individual case is evaluated and analyzed to correct the problem areas involved. This gives the patient individualized results that best suit their needs and desires while minimizing the likelihood of any complications.

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Question of the Week: Liposuction

Sometimes patients contact Atlantic Coast Aesthetics because they are displeased with the results of a procedure they had done elsewhere. This was the case with the patient who asked our ACA Question of the Week on Twitter. She writes, “I had liposuction 8 weeks ago and 1.5 liters removed from [my] abdomen, arm and back. I feel like not enough fat was removed. and I’m asking my surgeon for a redo. If he won’t do it then I will seek a different surgeon. Does it look like I need more fat removed? Maybe I need a tummy tuck. I have no loose skin or stretch marks and only one child via C-section at 33 weeks’ gestation.” 

To watch Dr. Pane answer the question click: https://youtu.be/p-GwPZymxTA

Dr. Pane said that the photos showed good, healthy skin, as the patient reported. However, the patient did not state her height and weight, making it difficult to fully assess the situation accurately. There is some fullness present in the pictures, but he cautioned that at only eight weeks out it is somewhat early to be able to accurately assess the final results of the liposuction. Some subsurface swelling and even fullness is not uncommon for three to six months while the remaining subcutaneous fat deposits readjust and redistribute themselves, but this is hard to say relying strictly on photos.

One consideration Dr. Pane brought up was the question of legal restrictions on how much fat can be removed from a patient via liposuction in an outpatient setting. In Florida, the law states that no more than 4 liters of fat can be removed under these conditions. Some surgeons are overly cautious about how much fat they remove, but it is rare to find a person who has 4 liters of fat to remove through liposuction, so 1.5 liters is not an unusually small or large amount.

At this stage and for this patient, Dr. Pane said what..to read the complete blog post follow: http://acplasticsurg.com/dr-thomas-pane-answers-liposuction-question/

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#QuestionoftheWeek Facelift Procedures

Facelifts are still the go-to procedure people think of when they hear the words “cosmetic surgery,” and at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we field a lot of questions about this common procedure. One example is our Question of the Week, which came in from our Facebook audience. The patient asks, “I am 65, slim, with a long face. It has been suggested to me that fat grafts would not be very successful in my case as I do not have (quality or quantity) of good fat supplies. I have been contemplating a facelift for many years and fat grafting to deep folds and lack of volume has been suggested but this comment about the success of this procedure is confusing.

Dr. Pane started by observing that based on the description of the face, non-operative or less invasive procedures such as Botox are unlikely to achieve the results the patient wants. What is more likely is that a facelift will be required to help tighten the skin of the face and help restore a more youthful and firm profile to the facial area. This may or may not be accompanied by a necklift, depending on the condition of the skin in that area and whether it is far gone enough to warrant the additional surgical intervention.

Regarding the fat transfer, Dr. Pane said he found the comment about the patient lacking adequate adipose tissue to achieve the transfer made no sense. The reason for this is because a fat graft to the face to help fill out the area beneath the skin does not require nearly as much fat as a Brazilian buttlift or fat-transfer-aided breast augmentation. Generally, everyone has sufficient fat somewhere on their body to help fill out the face. Where the fat comes from, be it the breasts, buttocks, abdomen or thighs is another matter, but one way or the other, the typical human being normally has plenty of fat for this application.

Dr. Pane noted that healing time for a facelift is generally short and the surgery well-tolerated by most people. When the procedure is performed by someone who is skilled and experienced, there should be minimal to no pain. However, he stressed that it is crucial to take it easy for the first several days after surgery so that everything heals properly. The downtime after the surgery is normally close to a week, but this depends largely on how comfortable the individual is being seen in public while the incisions are still more or less fresh. In Southern Florida, there is less stigma attached to cosmetic surgery than many other areas of the country, and the incisions are usually small enough and set in such a way that they are mostly concealed.

A normal recovery curve is to take it easy for the first three to five days to allow the area to settle and any bruising to fade, although this is normally minimal to nonexistent. After this time most people are able to resume all normal activities with little risk of potential problems. Proper aftercare and monitoring of the area can help prevent or minimize postoperative complications. This includes avoiding direct sunlight, smoking, alcohol consumption and other environmental and habitual factors that may impact the healing process. In addition, the patient should be aware of excessive tenderness, pain or wound drainage, as these can be warning signs of infection or other problems. However, complications and side effects are typically mild and the vast majority of patients do not experience any of these at all. 

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Flat Stomach & Waistline Enhancement. #QotW

At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we get a lot of questions from patients who are looking to correct poor results obtained elsewhere. This is the case with the patient asking our ACA Question of the Week. She says, “I am 52 years old. 2 C-sections 1992, 1996. I had a liposuction done in June 2015 (stomach, flanks, waist and pubic areas) and I am not happy with the results. I ended up with an uneven stomach and a lump in my stomach on the left side. My stomach and love handles are worse than before the liposuction. Thanks in advance for your opinions.”

Dr. Pane observed that since this patient sent in pictures of the problem areas, it is easier to properly evaluate what is going on. After age 35-40, the skin begins to lose a lot of its elasticity and firmness. This makes it more prone to sagging, wrinkling and stretching, especially in women who have had at least one pregnancy. Where pregnancy has occurred, especially where a C-section has been performed, it becomes more likely that there will be sagging skin on the lower abdomen as the woman grows older.

In addition, if the initial liposuction was improperly performed, there may have been areas of adipose tissue that weren’t contoured properly, resulting in an apparent lump from the outside. To read the complete blog click ( Stomach Waistline Adjustments )

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Press Release: 67th Week of Live Video!

Dr. Thomas Pane, founder of Atlantic Coast Aesthetics in Florida, is pleased to announce that he has just completed his 67th weekly live answer video.

To ask Dr. Pane a question about cosmetic surgery, please visit the clinic's website or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/acplasticsurg/

As a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Pane is committed to making sure he answers all of his patients' questions as thoroughly as possible. The Palm Beach cosmetic surgeon also knows that many people are curious about various procedures.

This inspired Dr. Pane to launch the weekly question and answer segment. People are encouraged to participate by visiting Atlantic Coast Aesthetics' Facebook page or website and submitting a question. Every week, Dr. Pane selects one of the questions and discusses it and the answer in a video.

To watch one of the recent videos, please check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-GwPZymxTA.

Dr. Pane has been pleasantly surprised by...to read the complete press release follow: Dr. Pane Live Video 

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QotW: Men and Tummy Tucks?

An ongoing misconception we at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics encounter a lot is the notion that cosmetic surgery is only for women, despite the fact that a number of plastic surgery procedures are utilized by men and women alike. One example of this is tummy tucks, the topic of this week’s Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week. The patient asks, “I had gastric sleeve surgery 5 months ago [and] I lost 75lbs. I’m considering a male tummy tuck with [a] six pack. How does the process work?” 

To read the complete blog post click ( Men Tummy Tuck )

Watch Dr. Pane explain below.

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QotW: Laser Treatment Factors

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics revolves around various options for laser treatments on the skin. An example of this is our ACA Question of the Week, which came in from one of our Twitter followers. The patient says, “I have moles all over my face and [my] dermatologist suggested me to go through a fractional CO2 laser treatment. I am concerned as it is a matter of face. So help me with this.”

Dr. Pane notes that it’s important to set a clear definition for what is being discussed. Naevii, or moles, are raised areas with heavy pigment on the skin. Moles are generally not responsive to laser therapies. However, if the problem is age spots or a pigment condition like melasma, also known as chloasma, laser therapy can be very effective for these kinds of problems. Because laser treatments are not appropriate for moles, Dr. Pane feels one of these is the more likely problem and the rest of his observations stem from this point.

With regards to the actual treatment, a carbon dioxide laser uses highly focused light energy to remove the top layer of skin down to the dermis in a very precise and predictable way. Fractional laser treatments are almost never done individually. Instead, they are done over a series of treatments about a month apart. The purpose of fractional laser treatment is to reduce the amount of energy being poured into the patient’s skin, downtime and potential side effects of the treatments by breaking up the face into individual treatments unit over time.

As with any other procedure, fractional CO2 laser treatment has its pros and cons. One of the pros of fractional laser treatments is that generally the peeling and scaling of the skin associated with a full laser treatment doesn’t occur because of the reduced laser energy and limited area in which the laser is being used. Another benefit is that fractional laser treatments take less downtime for each treatment. However, this can also be one of the biggest drawbacks because over time, fractional CO2 treatments require less downtime individually but that smaller downtime can ultimately add up to more than if the fully powered single treatment option had been exercised. Also, laser treatment is not appropriate for moles, which if this is in fact the case with this patient would make laser treatment a far less likely option.

Any form of dermal laser treatment is a medical procedure which can be performed on an outpatient basis. As with any other procedure, there are some risks and the potential for side effects. In experienced hands, this is typically not an issue. Dr. Pane says most patients run into problems when someone who does not know what they are doing pushes too much energy through the laser, but a skilled cosmetic surgeon will not have this problem and the risk of side effects from the procedure is greatly reduced as well.

In closing, Dr. Pane notes that single-pass laser treatments as opposed to fractionals are coming back into favor in the cosmetic surgical community, but this may not be a good option for everyone or every condition. Dr. Pane prefers to evaluate each case individually and propose a range of solutions that best fit the patient’s needs, desired results and lifestyle. By presenting the patient with options and working through the pros and cons of each together, the patient becomes an advocate and ally in their own care and treatment and has more control and ownership in the results the procedure can deliver.

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Question of the Week: Breast Implant Revision!

Our ACA Question of the Week comes in from a Facebook viewer who asks, “I have 375cc Mentor implants, high profile and under the muscle. They have progressively got[ten] worse aesthetically. I had them done in December 2014. I was a tuberous A cup. Their shape, size, and the asymmetry is really disappointing. How do you think they could overall be improved?” Dr. Thomas Pane, selected this question because this is a situation that, while not common, can and does happen, and it’s important to understand that it can be corrected.

Dr. Thomas Pane explains that a tuberous breast profile differs from the traditional breast aesthetic because instead of a smooth curve down to the aureole and nipple area, there is the curve from the shoulder and upper chest and then a swelling at the aureole. While this doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the breast per se, some people consider it unsightly. Breasts come in a range of shapes, sizes and profiles, ranging from very mild to quite pronounced, even when a breast profile is described as “tuberous.”

In this case, Dr. Pane says that after reviewing the pictures the patient provided, what most likely happened was that the patient’s breasts were mildly tuberous to begin with, but the implant used for the patient was larger than the breast itself. The result was that the breast’s natural shape ended up “stacking” on top of the implant’s shape and profile, exacerbating a situation that wasn’t all that bad to begin with and giving an irregular curve to the underside of the breast.

The main concern in this case is that the implant hasn’t been in very long as implants go, and that revision is already on the table as an option. Unfortunately, while this is not typical, it does occasionally happen. When it does, every surgeon will likely express a slightly different opinion as to how best to correct it, because there are a number of approaches to fixing a problem like this and each surgeon has their own unique preferences. These preferences and approaches are based largely on each surgeon’s education, training and background, but there’s no universally agreed-upon “right” way to correct a breast revision. If that were the case, Dr. Pane points out that every cosmetic surgeon would basically give the same answer.

Dr. Pane says in his experience, the best solution would probably be to completely redo the implant procedure using a smaller implant. Once the new implant is in position, the next step would be a tightening procedure to secure the area around the aureole. A second stage in which the lower curvature of the breast is addressed through fat grafting may be an option as well, but this is one case where photographs alone don’t tell the whole story. For this reason, Dr. Pane says an in-person clinical evaluation is essential to determine the correct sequence of procedures and determine whether the lower curvature will self-correct or if it needs to be addressed as part of the procedure.

Dr. Pane also stressed that in cases like this, it is a good idea to get several different opinions and go with the surgeon who is telling you what you are comfortable with and sounds closest to achieving the results you’re looking for. Some surgeons will decline to get involved with a case like this because revision surgeries do have a higher risk of complications or for other reasons. Dr. Pane notes that he is perfectly willing to evaluate patients in this situation and offer possible corrective solutions.

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Men Are Asking About 2 Popular Procedures!

Atlantic Coast Aesthetics is proud to be one of the top providers in the country for cosmetic surgery. We believe that one reason for this is the fact we value patient questions like this one, from Ft. Pierce, FL. The patient asks, “What is [the] best option in my case: tummy tuck or liposuction or both? I lost 50 kg [and] now I am 116 kg [with a] height of 183 cm. My age [is] 32, man!” Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our Chief Medical Officer and founder, wanted to address this question because it also addresses a common misconception about the abilities and limitations of both of these kinds of procedures and their intended purposes.

To read the complete article follow (Men Tummy Tuck Liposuction)

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Question of the Week: Co2 Laser Resurfacing!

Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week this week. This question comes in from a Twitter follower in Pompano Beach and asks, “Planning on spending August escaping the heat. Sun exposure is hard to escape. I am a daily sunscreen user. Pros and Cons welcomed. Thank you.”

CO2 laser resurfacing is actually one of two different procedures that both rely on carbon dioxide gas to strip away the dead skin layers that accumulate on the upper levels of the epidermis and dermis, allowing new, healthy skin to replace the damaged and dead skin. This is also becoming a popular treatment for minimizing or resolving fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth that haven’t fully set into the skin yet, because of the way it exposes the healthy subsurface skin. Dr. Pane says to think of this procedure as a very precise, targeted chemical peel.

The primary difference between the procedures used in CO2 laser resurfacing is the length of time during which the patient is exposed to the laser. In a standard CO2 laser treatment, the patient remains under the laser for a single, extended session which does carry a slightly longer post-procedure recovery time. A fractional CO2 treatment consists of smaller treatments and more tightly defined areas spread out over several sessions. While each of these treatments has a shorter duration individually, the additional treatment and recovery time may not make this an ideal solution for people with busier schedules.

Regardless of which type of CO2 laser procedure you choose, it is very important...to read the complete article follow: http://acplasticsurg.com/co2-laser-resurfacing-question-pompano-beach/

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Restylane Injections Explained By Dr. Pane #QuestionoftheWeek

Sometimes the results of cosmetic procedures aren’t everything the patient hopes for. In these situations, other options may need to be explored. This may be the case with our Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week, which comes to us from North Palm Beach. The patient asks, “I had Restylane injected on my tear trough on May 4, 2016. I was told it would last for 9 months. But contrary to what I was told, it only lasted for a week. I work out every day (Zumba) for an hour. Does my workout have anything to do with my filler’s disappearance?”

Dr. Pane observes that injections into the tear trough and certain other areas are very tricky to do correctly. This is in part because of the small area and level of precision required to accurately target the injection. While they are far from impossible to perform, a high degree of caution is necessary to ensure the injection performs as intended. An injection that is improperly placed or performed could create a number of problems for the patient, one of the less serious of which is the possibility that the injection may not deliver the anticipated results.

When one surgeon examines another’s work after the fact, there is often no way to say with any certainty what exactly went wrong. Dr. Pane notes that the patient’s exercise regimen is unlikely to be the cause of the problem in this situation. It is more likely that the initial swelling from the Restylane injection was taken as the final effect, or that the injection was performed improperly, missing the tear trough and injecting the filler nearby instead of in the target area. In either event, the Restylane is unlikely to have stopped working so soon after the initial injection.

In this situation, Dr. Pane suggests an in-person evaluation and comparison of before and after photographs to get a sense of what the initial problem and expected results were. Some patients do not respond to Restylane or other fillers in the expected way...to read the complete article follow: http://acplasticsurg.com/question-restlyane-injections-north-palm-beach/

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Read & Watch Dr. Pane Explain Platelet-Rich Plasma Facelift!

A PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, facelift is a relatively new twist on more traditional facelift methodology. Because of this, we at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics field a lot of questions about the procedure, like this one from our Facebook audience. The patient asks, “What is the best care for face after Platelet Rich Plasma ? I am 66 and just trying to see what different doctors say?” Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, saw this question as a good opportunity to discuss not only aftercare, but how the procedure works and the limitations patients can expect from Platelet Rich Plasma facelift procedures.

The first consideration is the patient’s age, Dr. Pane says. At 66, there is inevitably some loss of skin elasticity. While a younger patient may be able to receive good results from only having the PRP procedure, in which platelet-rich plasma is isolated from the patient’s own blood and then reinjected into the face, with little or no augmenting surgery, a patient of this age should not expect the same results from Platelet Rich Plasma alone. This is largely due to the skin and musculature becoming slack and losing elasticity over time, pointing up one of the more significant limitations of the procedure.

Second, the degree of surgical intervention required to tighten the skin of the face and the musculature beneath varies significantly from person to person. This is a point where age does not matter quite as much, because the primary criterion here is the suppleness of the skin and the firmness of the facial muscles. Assuming a good skin care regimen has been followed, the need for surgery in addition to the Platelet Rich Plasma procedure may be limited. To properly determine this would require an in-person consultation and evaluation of the patient’s skin, muscles and desired results to establish what the parameters for the patient would be.

There is no universally agreed upon aftercare regimen for patients who have undergone Platelet Rich Plasma , and every surgeon has a slightly different preference with regards to what should and should not be done. Dr. Pane advocates for avoiding direct sunlight and environmental factors that may irritate the face, much the same as any other sort of cosmetic surgery. If the patient is not already on one, adding in a sensible skin care plan including drinking plenty of water, using good-quality lotion or creams on the face and limiting direct exposure to sunlight can help enhance the benefits of the  Platelet Rich Plasma procedure.

Because every patient and every body is different and unique, the only way to say for sure what the best approach or mix of approaches to Platelet Rich Plasma might be is an in-person consultation. This will allow the surgeon to assess the patient’s current situation and determine a plan of action that meshes well with the patient’s goals and desired outcome while minimizing the risk of side effects. Any surgical procedure does involve a certain amount of risk, but in the hands of a skilled, qualified practitioner, the potential problems associated with a given procedure are generally negligible.

As with any other form of surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, following all aftercare instructions and being vigilant for any changes that may signal a potentially dangerous side effect is crucial to assuring the best possible outcome. Changes such as unexpected or unusually severe redness, swelling, pain or drainage should be reported and checked out immediately. While these side effects are usually very mild and go away fairly quickly, it is always better to follow up on anything that doesn’t look quite right in order to rule out or treat any problems before they become more severe, with longer-lasting consequences. In addition, regular follow-up visits allow the surgeon to assess the progress of healing and determine if any course correction or changes in the aftercare methodology are required. With appropriate aftercare and maintenance, cosmetic surgery procedures are typically very safe and well-tolerated by most people, regardless of age.