Thursday, November 29, 2012

Dr. Lewis Obi Joins Joel Osteen in Extending a Message of Hope for Our Country

During these times of personal stresses and national challenges, such as the looming "Fiscal Cliff," Dr. Lewis Obi maintains that there is always a message of hope and prosperity for our patients and our country. Joel Osteen, who is in Jacksonville as of today, has always conveyed this message of optimism, in that our God, regardless of religious persuasion, wants all of us to prosper and succeed. The American dream is all about God helping people who help themselves and the concept of individualism. As a son of parents who came to this country for religious freedom and the "American Dream," that message still resonates with Dr. Obi.


Dr. Obi became hooked on pastor Osteen while scanning TV channels one Sunday morning almost ten years ago. Shortly afterwards, an opportunity to attend his 2005 event cemented Dr. Obi’s relationship with the Osteens. Not only was he, his wife and staff in attendance for Joel's event, but it evolved into a long standing relationship with the Joel Osteen ministry. This eventually led to a major donation of an original 19th century British bible art collection on behalf of the Obi's. Today Stephanie Loyd, who is Joel’s lead liason tour director, shared with Dr. Obi that his art donation hallows the halls of the Osteen ministry (View photo gallery of entire collection below).


Finally, in the words of Joel, we must continue to believe that we are victors and not victims. When one door closes, another door opens.


Monday, November 26, 2012

Why Cosmetic Surgery Over the Holidays?

December and January are busy months at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic especially in the area of short-downtime procedures such as SlimLipo and the OPERA Lift (non surgical face lifts). 

SlimLipo of the Abdomen

OPERA Lift Non Surgical Facelift
Many of our patients, such as teachers and non retail workers, are provided with off-time that they want to take advantage of, particularly in the area of cosmetic procedures. SlimLipo is an ideal procedure because most patients may return to work after only two days of recovery time. Also, OPERA Lift patients look presentable within 5 to 7 days following their procedure. SlimLipo is a gift that “goes on giving” beyond the holidays because the skin tightening continues for several months after these procedures are performed. Qualifying surgical procedures scheduled during the month of December will be accompanied by a Renaissance gift package of free services of up to $500. Renaissance services include laser hair removal with the latest, state-of-the-art Vectus laser platform, and photofacials, fractional lasers, peels and more. These gift awards are also transferable to family members and loved ones as an economical Christmas gift.



Fees for SlimLipo begin at $2,000 and may be performed without general anesthesia. OPERA Lift fees are a fraction of traditional face lifts and also may be performed without major anesthesia nor a lengthy downtime.

OPERA Lift (Non Surgical Facelift)


Most of the larger cases are performed on Wednesday and Thursdays. However, more limited SlimLipo and OPERA Lift procedures may be performed on any weekday other than holidays. Also limited OPERA Lift and SlimLipo procedures may be performed with only oral medication and at much lower fees. Free consults are provided for our patients during the months of December and January. Contact practice manager Carole Tindell at 904-399-0905 for specifics regarding fees and surgical details.

Visit our December Newsletter, which will be published on November 29th, for information regarding our December 11th promotional event at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Monday, November 19, 2012

All Fat is Not Equal

SlimLipo™ reduces subcutaneous fat, but diet and exercise reduces visceral fat.

[Via Breathslim.com]

 

Combination weight loss and SlimLipo
Visceral fat is internal fat. It wraps around organs like your heart, liver, intestines and kidneys. It fills up all the space in your abdominal cavity, so there’s no room left for your organs, nerves, and vessels to function properly. It’s far more dangerous to your health than subcutaneous fat, which lies right beneath your skin. Subcutaneous fat is what you poke-at and pinch - like the “spare tire” you get around your middle. Subcutaneous fat responds very well to SlimLipo™ laser lipolysis which melts this fat and tightens the overlying skin.

The pictures above (combination weight loss and SlimLipo) illustrates a combination of losing visceral fat with gastric by-pass surgery and eliminating subcutaneous fat with SlimLipo™. This advanced laser technology was performed by one of the pioneering laser lipolysis plastic surgeons, Dr. Lewis Obi. The combined benefits of fat melting and prolonged skin tightening occurs up to twelve months after SlimLipo laser treatments and therefore avoids the need for radical skin excisions. Otherwise, major weight loss after dieting or facilitated by bariatric surgery invariably results in skin redundancy.


These aprons or sheets of skin often require radical excisions by plastic surgeons and are expensive. These procedures also result in extensive scarring, prolonged recoveries and significant risks of complications. The first patient (second image from top) who underwent a combination of bariatric surgery (lap bands or by passes) along with SlimLipo experienced impressive results without the need for bariatric plastic surgery. The SlimLipo™ procedure was strategically performed after he had lost approximately 50% of his targeted weight loss. Subsequent to his SlimLipo procedure, he lost the remaining excess weight. Therefore, the prolonged skin tightening that occurred from the laser effect prevented the occurrence of loose or redundant skin. This technique and strategy was developed by Dr. Lewis Obi. The most useful application of this technique is with the face and neck (view image of patient above). SlimLipo™ neck skin tightening along with the OPERA Face Lift have voided the need for traditional surgical face lifts in these weight loss patients.


Plastic surgery is not the answer to all of the health problems that our culture and nation faces. More than one half of Americans are overweight with a BMI (body mass index) in excess of 25. A BMI of over 30 is definitely in an obese category and there are perhaps 40% or more of Americans in this category. This is perhaps the greatest risk to our nation's national security and economy. Dr. Lewis Obi is very sensitive to this problem and continues to nurture and support his patients that are dealing with weight issues. As a foot note, we would like to assist you in differentiating superficial fat from body fat.

How to Measure and Lose Visceral Fat

Visceral fat is a specific type of fat that is found in the abdominal cavity. This fat goes by many other names “pot belly, beer belly, spare tire, etc." Whatever you call it though, it is one of the biggest banes for those trying to lose weight and is often the area where people want to lose visceral fat is also different in that it remains the same shape and won't fall to your sides or sink into your stomach when you are lying down. High visceral fat is dangerous and is correlated with cholesterol, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other conditions. This is because visceral fat is the fat that is located inside the abdominal cavity – packed between organs – rather than underneath the skin (subcutaneous fat) and this fat will release acids that are metabolized by the liver and which can cause insulin resistance in the liver. Here we will look at how to measure visceral fat and then how to get rid of it.

There are many different ways to measure visceral measurements of fat and these include things you can try at home as well as procedures the doctor can carry out, for instance CT scans. You can also use bioelectrical impedance machines which use an electrical current that can differentiate between fat tissues. This is the most accurate method of measuring visceral fat for the general public, but can cost around $200 to $300. Another method you can use to measure your own fat is to take a circumference measurement of the waist and hip which will give you your waist to hip measurements. This is an easy but not entirely accurate way to measure your visceral fat. Simply measure the circumference of each with a tape measure (around the largest point) and then divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement. If the number is worse than 1.0 for men, or 0.85 for women, then they are considered excessive. For instance for a man, a ratio of 36/40 is good.

This won't all be visceral fat though – some of that will be subcutaneous fat that is underneath the skin (though you likely want to be rid of this too). To see how much of that fat is visceral, measure your stomach once when standing up and once when lying down. The subcutaneous fat will fall to the sides of your body and disappear, but the visceral fat will remain where it is – this then tells you how much of that fat is visceral. To be honest you don't need to spend a lot on a CT scan or bioelectrical impedance machine because you don't need to know the exact amount of visceral fat there. Use the technique above to ascertain whether you have a problem or not, and then go about reducing that fat loss.

The Bottom Line 
Subcutaneous fat that you can pinch will may respond to plastic surgery procedures such as SlimLipo™; visceral or “pot belly” fat only responds to weight loss.

Symphony of the Echoes of Light, Compliments of Obiarts, Inc

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Understanding the Difference Between SlimLipo™ (Laser Liposuction) and Traditional Liposuction

Pygmalion’s Creation by Daniel Compliments of Obiarts, Inc
Although SlimLipo™, laser liposuction, has quickly become the safest and most effective alternative to traditional and other liposuction techniques, it is important to understand the difference before making an informed decision.

Traditional Liposuction

Traditional liposuction was first established by Italian and French plastic surgeons in the 1970s. Dr. Illouz’s presentation at an American plastic surgery meeting in 1980 was the catalyst for the adoption of Liposuction in the U.S.A. It is a technique requiring mechanical force to disrupt the fat so that it may be suctioned through high pressure vacuum tubing. Skin tightening is not specifically addressed and may or may not occur. This traditional procedure is a technique used primarily to target problem areas that are not responsive to diet and/or exercise. These procedures generally require general anesthesia for most patients and also result in significant bruising, discomfort and downtime. Complications, including contour irregularities, loose skin, inadequate correction and need for secondary procedures are still prevalent. In addition, with traditional liposuction of the abdomen, there is a much greater need for an abdominoplasty afterwards. This need for abdominoplasty has largely been circumvented by SlimLipo™ because of the significant skin tightening that occurs with this procedure.

SlimLipo™ Laser Liposuction

SlimLipo™ is a unique laser lipolysis platform developed by Palomar Medical in 2008. After several years of intense research, laser physicists at Palomar identified the wave lengths that melt fat and tightens skin. These two patented wave lengths were combined so that a single treatment usually performed under local anesthesia, achieves these goals and with minimal down time. An extra bonus is that the skin tightening effect continues for at least six months so that weight loss after SlimLipo enhances the results. 


Also, the fat melting component of the laser is specific and does not generate dangerously high temperatures as with other laser and ultrasonic assisted liposuction platforms. The melted fat is easier to remove requiring less mechanical trauma to the tissues. The second wavelength tightens skin three dimensionally by shrinking the skin surface while tightening the vertical fibers that attach the skin to the deep fascia. Since SlimLipo is an extremely less invasive counterpart to traditional liposuction, patients may be treated with conscious sedation rather than general anesthesia. This skin tightening effect factors out revision abdominoplasty in most patients. Also, several areas of the body may easily be sculpted whereas with traditional liposuction this is not recommended.



New Liposuction Laws in Florida

As with any surgery, proper research and thorough investigation into your procedure is pertinent for a successful outcome. Choosing a board certified plastic surgeon with a stellar reputation is also of the utmost importance.

As of January 2013, new regulations will go into effect that protects patients that choose to undergo a liposuction, SlimLipo or body sculpting procedure. The new law states that facilities that perform liposuction and remove more than two pounds (one liter) of fat must take place in an AHCA licensed surgery center. Dr. Lewis Obi’s Samuel Wells Surgicenter was the first comprehensive AHCA licensed and accredited ambulatory surgery center in the state of Florida. The Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic recently celebrated its 22nd successful annual inspection. The fact that Dr. Obi was one of the first plastic surgeons to acquire the SlimLipo™ platforms and developed the first comprehensive AHCA licensed center in the state of Florida is truly a unique distinction. 

The Lewis Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic and Samuel Wells Surgicenter



Monday, November 12, 2012

Opera Lift Monday - Opera House Friday

(Obi-Palomar External Rejuvenation Aesthetics)

Sydney Opera House



In an effort to view on-going results, Dr. Lewis Obi remains in contact with all of his patients, some patients spanning decades. Just this week alone, Dr. Lewis Obi received an email from a patient of 15 years, who had received his proprietary LJO Brow Lift, Fat Injections and Fillers, and traditional liposuction of the abdomen in 1998. In 2010, shortly after Dr. Obi received one of the first Adivive platforms in the United States, she came back to see him for “touch-up” surgery. At the suggestion of Dr. Obi, she received one of the first OPERA (Obi-Palomar External Rejuvenation Aesthetic) Lift Plus procedures performed at his plastic surgery clinic. The only surgical component was a limited excision of upper eyelid skin. 17 months later, she is still seeing excellent post-op results.

One of the major components of facial aging is loss of facial fat and atrophy of other soft tissue in the face. This results in redundancy and looseness of the facial and neck skin. Gravity does the rest and therefore the face sags. Vertical and horizontal tightening are the standard methods of plastic surgeons but often results in a “face lifted” look. These are techniques of the “Tailor Craft” of plastic surgeons and of course are sometimes necessary. However, the “Sculptor” class of plastic surgeons will address facial and body changes in a more three dimensional manner. Therefore, volume replacement as well tightening loose skin are both important in order to achieve optimal results. The only safe and economical large volume replacement is the use of condensed or stem cell concentrated fat (Adivive™ fat).

Pictured below is the same patient shown in the above photographs, but 14 years ago. Weight loss and the span of time resulted in the volumetric changes noted in the far left photograph. The non surgical restoration of volume with the patient’s own stem cell enhanced fat accounted for the striking rejuvenation. In place of a surgical neck lift, SlimLipo laser skin tightening added only 30 minutes to the procedure.


Some say the fountain of youth is unobtainable, but there are many people, like this patient, discovering ways to slow the aging process with Dr. Lewis Obi’s OPERA Lift.

Opera House “Ready” at Any Age

Most younger patients undergoing non surgical OPERA Lifts (Minor and Major) range in age from 35 to 50.



However, a significant population of patients above 65 and even into their eighties are submitting to this non surgical procedure internationally. Dr. Lewis Obi will be featured in a major upcoming plastic surgery book on the use of stem cell fat for aesthetic procedures. His chapter will feature many of the patients on this blog and his web site.





Sunday, November 11, 2012

Happy Veterans Day

In November 1919 after World War I, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" Dr. Lewis Obi, a veteran of two wars, and his staff would like to wish all of the veterans of our nation a “Happy Veterans Day”.




The U.S. Marine Corps celebrated it’s 237th birthday November the 10th and as a Marine, Dr. Obi wants to extend a “Semper Fi” to all of his fellow Marines. Captain Samuel Nicholas formed two battalions of Continental Marines on 10 November 1775 in Philadelphia as naval infantry. The U.S. Marines have served gallantly in every war since then.

Sergeant Lewis Obi, USMC
Lieutenant Lewis Obi USN
After medical school, Dr. Lewis Obi re-enlisted as a Medical Officer in the U.S. Navy. After discharge he completed residencies in General Surgery, Hand Surgery and Plastic Surgery before starting his plastic surgery practice in Jacksonville.

Plastic Surgeon Lewis J. Obi MD

Monday, November 5, 2012

Dr. Lewis Obi Lectures in Santa Monica on Advanced Lasers and Adult Based Stem Cell Applications in Plastic Surgery

Today Dr. Obi returned from Los Angeles after presenting his advanced work in the area of plastic surgery lasers and adult based stem cell grafting. He also shared new cosmetic and reconstructive techniques he has pioneered in his plastic surgery practice.


The audience, comprised of colleagues and industry professionals, received Dr. Obi’s presentation and were given the chance to pose questions about his recent achievements in plastic surgery. They also discussed his in-house clinical research projects as well. Because of Dr. Obi’s extensive involvement in his specialty, he was awarded the first FDA cleared Adivive adult-based stem cell fat processing unit in the United States.

Dr. Lewis Obi is a frequent lecturer and educator as well as a professional consultant for Palomar Medical Technologies (Burlington, MA). Last week Dr. Lewis Obi attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in New Orleans which was attended by 3,000 plastic surgeons worldwide. Of special note regarding stem cell research, Dr. Lewis Obi recently submitted a chapter about autologous fat grafting for the face at request of Dr. Melvin Shiffman for his upcoming book on stem cells.


The above patient was one of the earliest patients to be treated with the new Adivive techniques of grafting stem cell concentrated fat. To date, almost 100 patients have been treated with this advanced technology by Dr. Obi.
 
Hyper Smash