SLIM LIPO UPDATE

On November 14th Dr. Lewis Obi presented his Slim Lipo first year experience in 132 patients to an international audience of plastic surgeons in Fort Lauderdale. His presentation was rated as one of the best by participants at the meeting. Soon after this meeting Dr. Obi was asked to submit an abstract to The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) for consideration to present his paper in April of 2010. Of particular interest were the results achieved with Slim Lipo treatments of the neck. In many patients surgical neck lifts has been replaced with the non invasive laser lipolysis treatment known as Slim Lipo. This is usually a 30 minute procedure that may be performed with the use of local anesthesia and with a down time of 1 to 2 days.

Click here to view our photo gallery of Slim Lipo patients. Here, you can view amazing before and after photos of these patients.

THE SO CALLED “IDEAL IMPLANT”

Many of our patients have been inquiring about the highly marketed and touted “Ideal Implant”. First of all the “Ideal Implant” is not a FDA approved device as has been advertised in recent paid for Sunday Florida Times Union articles. The “Ideal Implant” is a triple lumen saline device which is a variation of multi-lumen devices attempted during the past three decades. Dr. Obi was indeed one of the earliest pioneers of saline breast implants publishing his first study in 1975 after a 3 year trial of saline breast implants. From 1992 to 2007 Dr. Obi was a participating plastic surgeon with an adjuvant study of silicone gel breast implants conducted by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). During this period of time the two primary American manufacturers of silicone implants (Allergan & Mentor) have developed safe and state of the art gel breast implants. The international standard for safe and more permanent breast implants is not saline but silicone gel. Prefilled saline and multi-lumen breast implants have had a terrible track record in terms of deflation and implant failure. As with the FDA study of silicone gel implants which extended over a period of 15 years, the so called “Ideal Implant” will have to undergo similar scrutiny.

What You Should Know About The Excise Tax on Elective Cosmetic Medical Procedures

I'm writing you today about an issue that affects not only plastic surgeons but everyone who utilizes our services for anything from Botox to Tummy Tucks.

Perhaps you've heard of the current healthcare bill before the US Senate. Page 2045, Section 9017, Excise Tax on Elective Cosmetic Medical Procedures included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act translates to a tax on ALL cosmetic procedures as partial payment for the healthcare overhaul our current administration is attempting to implement.

So what's the problem?

YOU would be paying the tax, the FIRST time this country has levied a tax on patients for medical procedures.

This is a discriminatory tax. According to the Aesthetic Society Annual Statistics, 91% of all cosmetic procedures are requested by women.

This will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients but, as usual, affects the middle class. Working women, soccer moms, and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve their appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so.

Procedures such as breast reduction that have been cited in the literature for improving self esteem and quality of life would be taxed as well.

This provision places physicians like me in the role of tax collector and holds physicians liable should an individual fail or refuse to pay the tax.

Is that the relationship you want with your medical provider?

Please help us stop this silly and penetrative tax. Contact our Florida senators by clicking on the links below -

http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

http://lemieux.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorLeMieux

Tell them that you are against this tax - together we can fight for your right to no government interference in medical care and stop this discriminatory measure against women!

Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. Partnering With Samuel Wells Surgicenter and The Renaissance Center for Cosmetic Renewal

Since our last blog entry on October 7, 2009 there has been an enormous amount of activity at the Lewis Obi plastic surgery center. This week Palomar Medical
Technologies Inc. in partnerships with the Samuel Wells Surgicenter and The
Renaissance Center for Cosmetic Renewal sponsored an advanced laser event for Dr. Obiʼs patients - click here to view the invite. Almost 100 participants were in attendance for a review of 132 patients who have been treated with the Slim Lipo Life Sculpt procedure during the past 12 months. In addition to the cutting edge Slim Lipo technology,Palomar and Dr. Lewis Obi introduced the newly installed Palomar Starlux 500 system with the most advanced laser treatment techniques including fractional skin resurfacing, acne and rosacea lasers as well as lasers for permanent hair reduction and scar treatments. The recent acquisition of the Slim Lipo system combined with the Palomar 500 Starlux IPL system places the Obi Plastic Surgery Center in the forefront nationally.

Also during the past month Dr. Lewis Obi has been actively involved academically with nationally recognized plastic surgeons. As a key member of the faculty, Dr. Obi will be presenting a paper at an advanced laser symposium in Fort Lauderdale on November the 14th. In the field of reconstructive surgery key discussions and negotiations continue to be conducted at Dr. Obiʼs licensed surgery center. A blueprint for the development of a privately based accredited comprehensive breast care center will be presented in the near future.


Cosmetic Renewal Specials

Special Introductory Offers good until 12/31/2009

10% off all SlimLipo procedures

Fractional Laser Resurfacing for treatment of wrinkles, acne scars, skin tightening, hard to treat brown spots and facial veins.
Package of 4 for $1200, that’s $1200 savings!
or $400 for each individual treatment
and with each package purchased receive a FREE after care product.

Other Special Offers

Laser Hair Removal
$99 Bikini
$99 Underarms
$149 Bikini and Underarms

$99 Photofacials

SkinMedica Line Eraser for $50, a $78 value

Don’t Forget Botox Mondays
$9.00 unit
20% off your Revale Skin Care Products with any Botox Purchase

THE “TOTAL CARE” PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER CONCEPT

The Obi Plastic Surgery center was the first comprehensive licensed plastic surgery center in Florida. The center has a unique 33 year track record of safety and delivery of quality care both in the field of reconstructive as well as cosmetic plastic surgery. A totally new paradigm for plastic surgery has been proposed for the future in order to adapt to any major changes in the American health care system. The goal is to continue providing a high level of care safely and at an affordable cost to our patients. However to maintain this legacy renewed efforts are ongoing for the addition of experienced professionals at all levels of staffing. Last year significant resources were dedicated not only towards technological devices such as the Slim Lipo laser but also maintenance of professional staffing. Similar investments are continuing with the future goals as outlined above.

SLIM LIPO UPDATE

This week Dr. Lewis Obi completed his 120th Slim Lipo case during the past nine months. More than 300 anatomic areas were treated since November 2008 establishing the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic as one of the senior and premier centers for the Palomar Life Sculpt Slim Lipo system. During the past two weeks, Dr. Obi was involved with the training and preceptorship of almost 20 plastic surgeons from not only the Jacksonville area, but from Illinois, Tennessee and other major Florida cities. Eminent plastic surgeons worldwide consult and visit with Dr. Obi on a regular basis not only for laser lipolysis technology but other major areas of plastic surgery. Dr. Lewis Obi will be one of the featured speakersfor Slim Lipo laser technology on November 14, 2009 at a major symposia in Fort Lauderdale.

COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CARE

Dr. Lewis Obi is continuing his efforts to expand and enhance his licensed surgery center, the Samuel Wells Surgicenter, through ongoing partnership efforts with premier talent in the field of reconstructive breast surgery. The Obi Plastic Surgery Center is actively involved not only with the most advanced aesthetic techniques such as Slim Lipo, breast augmentation and facial rejuvination but also in a wide array of reconstructive procedures. There is a unique synergism that occurs when providing both cosmetic and reconstructive services to our patients. Reconstructive patients often seek cosmetic procedures and similarly cosmetic patients occasionally require reconstructive surgery.

“LIFE STYLE FACELIFT” DEFINED BY DR. LEWIS OBI

Every three to five years, new names for allegedly "revolutionary techniques" for facial rejuvination emerge into the mainstream media. A recent example is the so-called "lifestyle facelift" which was preceded by the MACS lift, feather lift and more remotely the so-called "minilift." These titles are not propogated by our plastic surgery society but by more enterprising surgeons from various specialties. The “lunchtime” lift is another recent example of marketing ploys.

Dr. Obi has always kept-up with current techniques in plastic surgery along with personally developing new techniques in his specialty. A good example is the patientʼs photographs below taken at two weeks post surgery.



The procedures performed includes Dr. Obi's technique of brow lifting (developed 25 years ago), upper blepharoplasties, facelift and Slim Lipo tightening of the neck. The so-called "life style facelift" is slightly less-invasive but with more limited results and with less enduring improvement. There is no significant difference in down time nor cost to the patient with the more clinically established procedures.

THE COMPLETE PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER CONCEPT

Dr. Lewis J. Obi, M.D. P.A., Samuel Wells Surgicenter and Renaissance - Center for Cosmetic Renewal will continue as the premier center for both reconstructive and esthetic services in spite of threatening government take over of our health care system. Dr. Obiʼs efforts to establish a new paradigm for his specialty continues and will preserve a private style of medical care with a high level of safety and professionalism. The team of professionals at the Obi Plastic Surgery Center are competent, caring and very dedicated to every individual patient. There is a high demand for this type of delivery system in our present health care environment which is in eminent danger by proposed legislation. Regardless of what may occur with the American health care system, our brand of medicine will never be compromised.

DR. LEWIS OBI IS APPOINTED AS A PALOMAR SLIM LIPO TEACHING CONSULTANT

After eight months of experience and completion of 100 Slim Lipo patients, Dr. Obi was officially appointed as a national consultant with Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. To date numerous plastic surgeons have benefited from Dr. Obiʼs skill and experience not only in the field of plastic surgery but also with cutting edge technology such as laser lipolysis. In November of this year Dr. Obi will be featured as one of the major speakers at a national symposia on laser lipolysis in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

DR. OBI FEATURED ON WJXT JACKSONVILLE NEWS PROMOTING LIFESCULPT POWERED BY SLIMLIPO LASER LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE

Recently, Obi Plastic Surgery was featured on local Jacksonville, Florida news station WJXT News4Jax for his recent endeavours into the world of liposuction. He spoke about the LifeSculpt procedure and how quickly and virtually painless the procedure really is.







Be sure to follow us on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/DrLObi

NEWLY ADDED PHOTO GALLERY FEATURING PLASTIC SURGERY BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

Recently, Obi Plastic Surgery added before and after photos of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to the Obi Plastic Surgery web site. The new photo gallery features procedures such as:

Breast Enlargement and Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reconstruction
LifeSculpt powered by SlimLipo
Liposuction
Face Lift
Forehead Lift
Nose Surgery
And much more...

Be sure to view each photo gallery and contact the plastic surgery office of Dr. Lewis Obi and schedule a one-on-one consultation today!

ALLERGAN NATRELLE™ BREAST IMPLANTS - RECENT STATEMENT ABOUT DR. LEWIS OBI

"Dr. Lewis Obi continues with cutting edge techniques in the area of breast surgery having established himself as one of the early pioneers of saline implants. While completing 15 years of clinical studies with the FDA adjuvant study project Dr. Obi integrated the use of the new generation safe silicone gel breast implants.

As with many advanced breast surgery centers Dr. Obi prefers introduction of implants through an areola approach which offers many advantages over the traditional approaches. You may view results on their newly constructed photo gallery."

- Tracy Wenk, Allergan Natrelle

Link to Dr. Obi's Breast Augmentation Photo Gallery

Link to the new Plastic Surgery Photo Gallery

PALOMAR INTRODUCES LIFESCULPT™ BY SLIMLIPO

Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. has introduced their new marketing trade mark LifeSculpt™ to market the SlimLipo system. The SlimLipo name is retained and is the laser platform for this innovative technique. In addition, Dr. Lewis Obi was one of the few plastic surgeons receiving an upgraded laser system with energy levels increased from 24 watts to 40 watts. The increased wattage allows for quicker treatment of major areas of fatty deposition such as the abdomen and thighs while maintaining safety.

Dr. Obi was one of the early providers of this cutting edge laser technology and after seven months, has successfully treated more than 80 patients. This week Dr. Obi will be providing training sessions for plastic surgeons outside the Jacksonville area.

THE OBI PLASTIC SURGERY AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER

This week, the Samuel Wells Surgicenter successfully underwent its 21st annual inspection by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Dr. Lewis Obi established the first licensed and comprehensive plastic surgery center in the state of Florida and it continues to provide quality care in a safe environment. Licensed centers in contrast to accredited centers have to maintain a higher level of staffing and physical plant requirements.

To learn more about the Samuel Wells Surgicenter at Obi Plastic Surgery, contact our plastic surgery office today!

PLASTIC SYMPOSIA

One week ago Dr. Lewis Obi, with Palomar Medical Technology Inc., presented the new Slim Lipo technology to a group of local Jacksonville plastic surgeons. In addition to a comprehensive clinical review, two live surgeries were conducted for the visiting plastic surgeons to view first hand. As one of the pioneering plastic surgeons, Dr. Obi has completed 60 Slim Lipo (laser assisted) liposuctioning procedures during the past five months. In spite of Slim Lipo’s national success Dr. Lewis Obi continues today as the sole Jacksonville provider of this advanced technology. Equally impressive is that Dr. Obi has become a professional consultant for Palomar on a national level.

For more information regarding these clinical reviews or the SLIM Lipo procedure, please contact the plastic surgery office of Obi Plastic Surgery or call us at 904-399-4555.

Community Contributions

Dr. Lewis Obi has always been a major advocate of establishing a comprehensive breast care center in Jacksonville. His efforts have intensified during the past year and he hopes to see his dreams for women with breast cancer become a reality this year.

Every family and work place is replete with victims of this epidemic disease. Jacksonville leads the nation with dedicated professionals and volunteers as well as expansive breast care facilities. These resources continue to expand and consolidate because of our broad based support.

For additional information in any of these areas feel free to contact Dr. Lewis Obi or Carole Tindell, Clinic Director, at 904 399-0905 or email to carole@obiplasticsurgery.com.

Botox and Soft Tissue Fillers at Obi Plastic Surgery

In the area of soft tissue fillers, Dr. Lewis Obi is one of the premier surgeons in the United States providing safe and effective procedures. Combined with Botox™ a full array of fillers allow our patients quick facial rejuvination with little or no down time. The fillers include Alergan’s™ Juviderm Ultra and Juviderm Ultra Plus as well as Bioform Corporation Radiesse™. These semi-permanent fillers are sometimes combines with fat injections if utilized with more invasive surgical procedures. At Obi Plastic Surgery, we have safely and effectively utilized both natural and synthetic fillers for more than 30 years.

More About Breast Enlargements and Breast Reconstructions

Author's Note: This post is intended to shed light on the recent achievements within the breast augmentation, reconstruction and implant industry as well as Dr. Obi's personal contributions to these studies and achievements.

Also of significance in the area of breast enlargement in Jacksonville, Dr. Lewis Obi has made significant contributions both with saline and silicone gel implants. In the area of saline implants, Dr. Lewis Obi was one of the early American pioneers of this device. In 2007 Dr. Obi completed 15 years of study with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjuvant study center with the use of silicone gel breast implants. These studies resulted in approval by the FDA for a much larger population of patients to choose silicone gel implants. Today the majority of both cosmetic and reconstructive breast patients elect to use the modern generation gel implants. Allergan™ brand breast implants, Natrelle, are offered by our practice as well as the specialized Mentor breast implants. For more than 35 years Dr. Lewis Obi has been performing cutting edge breast reconstructive as well as breast cosmetic procedures.

JACKSONVILLE SLIM LIPO UPDATE

It has been less than 4 months since I have performed my first SLIM LIPO procedure and already have performed this procedure on more than 40 patients and treated more than 100 total body areas (eg. neck, breasts, chest, back, abdomen, total torso, thighs and knees) with near 100% patient satisfaction. At 3 months there has been significant reduction of fat and skin tightening in practically all of the patients treated. Obi Plastic Surgery is still the only plastic surgery center in Jacksonville with this technology. Please revisit out SLIM LIPO photo gallery to view these very early results.