Friday, March 30, 2012

DR. LEWIS OBI CHOSEN TO SPEAK AT MAJOR ADVANCED SYMPOSIA

Early this week Dr. Lewis Obi was requested to speak at two major advanced symposia in New York City and also in Ft. Lauderdale. On May 19, 2012, Dr. Obi will lecture on advanced laser lipolysis and autologous transfer of stem cell concentrated fat. To date more than 475 patients have been treated with these two advanced technologies at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic. The symposium will be conducted at the Marriott Marquis Convention Center in Times Square. On June 9, 2012 Dr. Lewis Obi will be speaking in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on a host of topics both in the area of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Last year, Dr. Obi was a major speaker at six advanced symposia. Our April Newsletter will feature a Spring Symposium designed for a limited audience of Jacksonville patients with presentations by Dr. Lewis Obi and our staff.

Monday, March 26, 2012

JACKSONVILLE ABDOMINOPLASTY ( TUMMY TUCK) AT THE OBI PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC

Dr. Lewis Obi has been successfully performing abdominoplasties at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic for more than 25 years.  Since abdominoplasty is one of the most invasive procedures performed by plastic surgeons, the safety issue is of primary importance.  The stellar track record of our clinic is a result of ongoing dedication by a very competent staff and fully licensed surgery center. General anesthesia by St. Vincent's based anesthesiologist as well as an in house 23 hour overnight facility are also important ingredients for safety.  Although many patients may elect less invasive and less costly procedures with less downtime, there is still a population of patients who would benefit from an abdominoplasty.  These are patients that have prominent stretch marks, loose skin and protuberant abdominal wall muscles.  An abdominoplasty addresses all of these issues.  It is our opinion that these procedures should not be performed  in an unlicensed facility nor without a board certified anesthesiologist.  Single specialty licensed centers with in-house overnight accommodations is also a plus.  Downtime is between 2 and 3 weeks and scarring is minimized with refined suture techniques as well as scar management.  Dr. Lewis Obi's approach varies from traditional "tummy tuck" procedures because of the more comprehensive muscle tightening procedures he uses.  More specific individualized information may be acquired during consultation.






ALTERNATIVES TO ABDOMINOPLASTY IN JACKSONVILLE

SlimLipo (LipoSculpt) has been performed by Dr. Lewis Obi on 400 patients in the past 3 1/2 years and is less invasive then abdominoplasty.  Also the total cost, down time and disability is significantly less that an abdominoplasty procedure.  A combination of a limited abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and SlimLipo may be indicated  for some patients.  For more information refer to our SlimLipo/LifeSculpt section of our website.  



VELASHAPE 

The Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic is the only Jacksonville Plastic Surgery facility that offers Velashape treatments.  Velashape is an external device that provides deep lymphatic massage of soft tissues with the use of suction rollers similar to Endermologie type devices.  However, Velashape also integrates ultrasound heat and in fared in the hand piece which provides more effective skin smoothing and tightening.  Dr Lewis Obi acquired this unique device last year primarily to enhance results with SlimLipo and Abdominoplasty patients.  Many patients seeking moderate non-invasive improvement have opted for these treatments (package of 3 treatments for $400).



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

FILLERS AND BOTOX SPECIAL


Just a quick reminder to stop in and meet with our new Nurse Practitioner Penny Velie.  She has 10 years experience in advanced aesthetics, including Botox and dermal fillers (Juvederm and Radiesse).  Penny is also trained in chemical peels, microderms, IPL, and lasers.  

**Through April, we are offering a $100 Gift Certificate towards services at the Renaissance with a purchase of filler and/or Botox  totaling $450 or more**

Call 904-399-0905 today to schedule with Penny or Dr. Lewis Obi.  Penny provides these services on Tuesdays 9-5.  Dr. Lewis Obi is available Monday through Friday by appointment.  

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

ALERT FOR PATIENTS CONTEMPLATING BARIATRIC SURGERY

Dr. Lewis Obi has been on the forefront of Palomar Medical Technology's SlimLipo (Lifesculpt) laser lipolysis system for three and a half years.  During this period he has successfully treated 400 patients in more than 2000 zones.  Although SlimLipo is not a treatment designed for effecting significant weight loss on its own, the technique has proved successful in obese patients seeking concomitant bariatric surgical procedures.  It is quite common for patients losing 50 or more pounds following lap band or by pass surgery to experience significant skin redundancy and sag in the areas such as the neck, breasts, abdomen, and thighs.  After skin sag and laxity occurs then these areas only respond to the massive skin reduction operations.  These procedures are expensive, risky and will result in excessive scarring.  The new paradigm is for some of these patients to undergo SlimLipo treatments of multiple areas prior to having a lap-band or by pass procedure.  Since skin tightening continues for a year of longer after SlimLipo then the anticipated folds of loose skin is minimized. Subsequent skin tightening procedures may be minimized.

A case in point is our patient pictured above who underwent SlimLipo of the abdomen and lateral chest in April of 2010 followed a few months after with the by pass surgery.  Post operative pictures were taken after 70 pounds of weight loss and demonstrate minimal skin redundancy not requiring any additional treatment and therefore NO scars.  This approach is indicated in a select group of patients that represent with good skin elasticity.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

DR. LEWIS OBI QUOTED IN PSP MAGAZINE

Dr. Lewis Obi is quoted in the March 2012 PSP (Plastic Surgery Practice) magazine.  The article in which he is quoted, is an update on platelets, fibroblasts, and fat.  Click here to read the PDF of the article.
Click here for PDF of the entire article
"Another fat grafting system that is changing the face of adipose tissue is the Adivive Fat Transfer System, marketed in the United States by Palomar Medical, Burlington, Mass.  Adivive is described as an integrated system that uses a unique filtering mechanism and high G-force centrifugation to yield a higher quality of adipose tissue for reinjection.  'The amount of fat that survived from fat transfer has traditionally been unpredictable and often discouraging.  The innovative Adivive technology filters the fat so its cellular components, and by doing so, it may encourage the fat cells to more reliably perform normal sub cellular activities, thus improving chances of their survival and the cosmetic result,' says Jacksonville, Fla, plastic surgeon Lewis J. Obi, MD, FACS."

Monday, March 12, 2012

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW MONTHLY PATIENT SYMPOSIA


Dr. Lewis Obi and his staff are honored to announce the inauguration of our newly established monthly patient symposium to be held on the last Tuesday of each month. The first event will be held from 6 to 7:00 p.m. on the 27th of  March 2012 at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic. Since enrollment will be limited to 12 patients, early registration is recommended. Attendees will be provided not only with an informative presentation by Dr. Lewis Obi but you will receive a certificate for products or services. Our first month’s presentation will be centered around breast and body sculpting procedures as well as a commentary by Dr. Obi on “Nutrition, Vitamins and Supplements”. The latter topic is based on Dr. Obi’s experience both as a physician and his past experience as a pharmacist. See our January 12, 2012 blog for detailed information on the topic of nutrition. Plastic surgery to enhance body aesthetics should also include personal attention to good health and optimal fitness which is an area of special interest to all of us. Our nurse practitioner Penny Velie will be available all day Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to provide patients with fillers, Botox and sclerotherapy.
Compliments of ObiArts, Inc.

Daniel’s 1982 painting “A Dreamer in the Garden of Aesclepius” symbolizes the setting for a symposium which originated in ancient Greece as an informative banquet. Daniel’s “Dreamer” is Sappho and in this painting she is accompanied by her lyre which symbolizes the importance of music at these events. In the right foreground is a bust of Aesclepius, the god of healing with his two children Hygea and Panacea. The entire setting is one of beauty and serenity typical of the ancient Greek “Garden of Healing”.  
As with the ancients, our symposium will include art, beauty, food, libations and the free exchange of ideas along with Dr. Lewis Obi’s presentation. To register for this month’s symposium, contact Carole, Julie or Erika at 
904 399 0905 no later than March 26th.

Friday, March 9, 2012

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY AT THE OBI PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC

With an aging population in the United States, patients are seeking cosmetic surgery into their 70’s and 80’s. A recent example is our 85 year old patient Clare who has been “growing old gracefully” with Dr. Lewis Obi for the past 30 years. 

During this period of time she has had two facelifts and although pleased after both procedures decided to have additional work six months ago. The artistry of plastic surgery involves a three dimensional perspective of the face and body. Unfortunately, traditional face lifting only addresses the face in two dimensions and therefore after multiple procedures the patient will look distorted, tight and “facelifted”. This effect is accentuated by the loss of facial soft tissue that is seen with wasting disorders, weight loss and especially in older patients.  This was Clare’s primary concern and therefore she has allowed us to share the way she has aged gracefully during the past 30 years. 

The so called 3D or “Spacelift” has evolved into the OPERA lift (Obi-Palomar-Rejuvenational-Aesthetics) first presented by Dr. Lewis Obi last year.  As with Clare, multiple surgical face lifting procedures when combined with stem cell concentrated fat cell filler produces a more natural result.


AGE 55-LJO Browlift, mid Facelift, and Chemical Peel

AGE 68- Limited lifts and refinements of face neck, and nose

AGE 75-Refinements
AGE 85- OPERA Lift


STEM CELL CONCENTRATED FAT GRAFTING USEFUL FOR FACE AND BREASTS-14 MONTH REVIEW BY DR. LEWIS OBI


There is no doubt that the most exciting frontier in medicine now is the use of stem cells and one of the best sources is adult fat. Stem cells have the power to restore facial aesthetics, heal damaged tissues and is the only safe large volume filler in humans. The added benefit is that donor sites such as the abdomen and thighs may be ridded of unwanted fat and simultaneously tightened with Palomar’s SlimLipo laser platform.  The same technology utilized in plastic surgery also has a potential to treat and cure some diseases. However, due to FDA regulations, stem cell therapies to treat diseases are not yet available in the U.S. unless you are part of a clinical trial. But using your own (autologous) stem cells to restore a more youthful appearance is available now through the use of stem cell enhanced fat.
Dr. Lewis Obi was provided with the first FDA approved Palomar Medical’s Adivive™ fat processing system in January of 2011.  This totally enclosed technique was the invention of South Korean plastic surgeon Dr. He Young Lee. Dr. Lee of Seoul and Dr. Yoshimura of Tokyo are two of the leading researches in the area of stem cells derived from adult fat.  Dr. Lewis Obi has adopted their techniques and taken it to the next level both in the area of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery.  Dr. Obi’s 30 years experience in the area of fat grafting has spawned a new era of innovative procedures such as the OPERA facelift which is a totally non-invasive technique of rejuvenation for the face and neck. 





In the area of breast surgery, very few American plastic surgeons are adept at non-surgical techniques after lumpectomy/mastectomy.  Today the most common treatment for breast cancer is lumpectomy and irradiation. These patients often do not want to submit to distant flap reconstruction or the use of silicone breast implants. The alternative is the use of stem cell concentrated fat grafting to the cancer treated breast. Non-surgical laser tightening of the opposite breast  improves symmetry (non-surgical SlimLipo breast lift).  These mimimal risk procedures are all performed at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic with no need for hospitalization and at a significantly reduced cost to the insurance company.







Tuesday, March 6, 2012

BREAST SURGERY/BODY SCULPTING AT THE OBI PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC


Dr. Lewis Obi is one of the leading American innovators of body sculpting techniques in the United States.  He has combined various breast procedures including breast augmentation, breast lifting, breast reduction and reconstructive breast surgery with his cutting edge techniques of laser lipolysis (SlimLipo/LifeSculpt). At this time of year it is therefore appropriate to highlight these procedures in preparation for Spring and Summer activities. Breast surgery procedures may be performed simultaneously with SlimLipo (tightening of abdomen and waist) thereby significantly reducing the total cost for the patient. Patients desiring mild to moderate breast enlargement may have unwanted abdominal fat processed into stem cell rich fat (Adivive™ System) and transferred to the breasts. Abdominal tightening and breast enlargement performed simultaneously are synergistic in terms of body aesthetics.
SlimLipo of the abdomen


Breast Augmentation


Breast Augmentation with Adivive
Scarless Breast Lift with Implants















Monday, March 5, 2012

DR. LEWIS OBI AND STAFF HOSTS THE JACKSONVILLE ARTISTS GUILD



Last Thursday, March 1st 2012, Dr. Lewis Obi and staff members hosted approximately 40 members and guests from the Jacksonville Artists Guild of Jacksonville.  The Soiree’ included refreshments and a tour of Dr. Lewis Obi’s clinic art collection. JAG president Anthony Whiting and his organization were very gracious with their positive comments during the art show. The international firm of Obiart’s was established in the 1980‘s by Dr. Obi  in support of the art world. For 25 years Obiarts has sponsored artists, art curators, museums and universities worldwide.

 
Hyper Smash