Jewel and ASPS Launching BRA Day USA at their Annual Meeting in New Orleans

Jewel to Perform at New Orleans Charity Concert to Benefit Breast Reconstruction Research In Conjunction with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Annual Meeting.

Dr. Lewis Obi was in attendance at the opening reception of the annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons meeting in New Orleans Friday evening 26 October 2012. Almost 3000 plastic surgeons were in attendance when Jewel presented the top three cancer survivors for 2012. As national spokesperson for Breast Reconstruction Awareness(BRA) Day USA, four-time Grammy nominee Jewel will be performing a charity concert at the New Orleans Theater at the Convention Center on Monday, October 29. Along with her most popular hits, Jewel will perform the song "Flower," written for breast cancer patients. Jewel is partnering with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Plastic Surgery Foundation in a campaign to raise awareness about breast reconstruction.

"Each year nearly 150,000 women will learn they will undergo a mastectomy due to breast cancer," Jewel said. "But seven out of 10 women are never told about their breast reconstruction options. And the numbers are even worse for minorities. That needs to change. Join us in sharing this very important message."

Event proceeds will be donated to The Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund of The Plastic Surgery Foundation and be used to support PSF research and breast reconstruction organizations, including the Breastoration program of the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans.

This initiative is designed to promote education, fund research, raise awareness of and access to information regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. BRA Day USA takes place on October 17, 2012.

Dr. Lewis Obi has been an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for his entire career and is proud to participate in this years inaugural meeting which is launching BRA USA Day.

 Learn more about the preceding breast reconstruction patient.

Bright Eyes for Fall

It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. And unfortunately, the eyes are one of the first areas to visibly show the signs of age. Under eye bags, dark circles, creases and ptsosis are common eye issues that can occur on both men and women. Whether it’s age or genetics, everyone develops wrinkles. Fortunately, there are several surgical and non surgical options that may reduce the visible signs of aging and restore a more youthful and rested appearance. These results can be immediate and long-lasting.

Lasers

Over the past decade alone, lasers have revolutionized the world of cosmetic surgery making it easier for patients to find cost-effective solutions to their rejuvenation needs without invasive surgery. Even wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and brows may be reduced through the use of fractional resurfacing lasers.

Botox

Whatever your number may be, Botox can relax the appearance of deep creases that appear around and between the browline. Botox is a cost effective solution but may only be used to relax the brow area of the face.

Fillers, Autologous Fat Transfer and the Opera Lift

With age, collagen and the dermal layer may thin making it easier for the development of fine lines and wrinkles below and around the eyes. Through the use of injectabledermal fillers and autologous fat transfer (one’s own fat) it’s possible to fill-in facial furrows, frown lines and tear troughs. With the recent addition of stem cell fat grafting platforms such as Adivive, patients may especially rejuvenate their eyes, utilizing their own refined fat. Only Adipose (fat) Derived Stem Cells (ASC) is both effective and safe in reversing the “sunken and hollow eyes” that comes with soft tissue facial loss as the face ages.

Eyelid Surgery/Blepharoplasty/LJO Brow Lift

Sometimes surgery may be necessary to correct serious creases or ptosis (sag of brows and upper lids) that may be impairing one’s vision. It is important for your plastic surgeon to understand the latest in eyelid surgery techniques to ensure natural results without overcorrection. Unique to Dr. Lewis Obi’s approach is one of his very own innovations - the LJO brow lift. Developed by Dr. Obi more than 30 years ago, safety and efficacy of this unique technique has been firmly established in more than 3000 patients (6000 brows).

The above image reflects the key points around the LJObrow lift reflecting the relationship between the inner and outer brow. In addition to correction the sag of the outer brow, this technique insures that excess skin is not removed from the upper eyelid (deer in the headlights look). Proof of a natural look is illustrated below:

For additional information regarding eyelid surgery, the LJO brow lift and the OPERA Lift refer to our web site at www.obiplasticsurgery.com.

Five Unique Cosmetic Renewal Procedures at the Lewis Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

Vectus

Icon

Emerge

The use of lasers in cosmetic medicine has revolutionized plastic surgery, especially over the past decade. Our October Newsletter featured three news Palomar platforms to VIE for: Vectus™, Icon™ and Emerge. In addition, Dr. Lewis Obi has helped pioneer the technology with the SlimLipo Laser system, treating 500 patients during the past four years. With the evolution of this new technology, we are providing more effective and economical treatments in the areas of skin resurfacing, hair removal and skin tightening. These procedures have become the most popular minimally invasive treatments currently provided by plastic surgeons. We are summarizing these procedures in order of efficacy and popularity:

1. Non surgical body skin tightening and contouring with SlimLipo™

Above patient underwent both SlimLipo and bariatric surgery.

SlimLipo patient who returned to work after two days

2. Permanent Hair Reduction with the New Vectus™

Three weeks ago after acquiring on of the first Vectus™ laser platform in the state, Dr. Lewis Obi allowed his laser technician Denise to treat his entire back and had this comment: “I was totally amazed that the entire treatment took less than five minutes and with zero pain. I thought that she was only prepping my back and did not realized the treatment was complete.” Laser hair removal has been a popular alternative to waxing, shaving and plucking for several years now. But within the past few years, it has been difficult for some men and women to receive successful treatment sessions due to their skin tone, hair color and discomfort when large areas were treated. With the recent advances in laser hair removal platforms, such as the Vectus, full body laser hair removal can be performed in just minutes – on ALL hair types and skin types. Although it may seem to be a slightly more expensive alternative upfront, many men and women report saving thousands of dollars in the long-run.

3. Photo Facials with Pulsed Light Lasers

Sun damage, gin blossoms, rosacea and superficial veins may be treated through the use of a pulsed light laser. Typically laser treatments are less costly than creams and topical and results can be seen in just a few days – sometimes even within the same day.

4. Wrinkle Reduction with Fractional Laser

Aging is a dynamic part of life and wrinkles are just one of the affects that aging may show on the face. In the past, men and women have turned to plastic surgery to restore their youthful visage but with the recent advances in laser platforms, similar results may be achieved. Fractional lasers can break down facial lines and creases while encouraging new, healthy skin regeneration. The results can be seen just days following a procedure and downtime is significantly less than traditional facelifts.

5. Vascular Lesions and Rosacea

Again, on of the many applications of the Icon platform is the treatment ofvascular lesions (eg. facial spider veins and ruptured vessels) as well as rosacea. Results are quickly visible, relatively painless and dramatic.

Portrait of a Breast Cancer Survivor

It’s a diagnosis that no woman wants to hear: breast cancer. It’s been five years of remission for Kathy since her diagnosis now and she still feels nothing but gratefulness for her family, doctors and life. In 2007, she was diagnosed with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer, a very aggressive, hormone-driven form of cancer that creates too many breast cells at an amplified rate. Although the cancer was aggressive, Kathy remained positive.

Shortly after diagnosis, she began her treatment therapy which included a double mastectomy, numerous reconstruction operations and rounds of chemotherapy at St. Vincents Hospital, to which she credits the staff at the hospital as being “wonderful and supportive,” during her treatment sessions. At the time, Herceptin was a cutting-edge cancer-fighting drug but was not available at St. Vincents or in Jacksonville area. As with most cancer patients, it can be tough to produce the necessary funding for these types of treatments. The Donna Hicken Foundation caught wind of her situation and quickly set-up a fund for Kathy and in no time was able to provide the financial assistance to obtain Herceptin to add during her chemo treatments.

It was not long after Kathy’s diagnosis that she met with Dr. Lewis Obi for the possibility of breast reconstruction. “He was so kind and genuinely wanted to help me. He was very good with giving me with all the information I needed and I knew I was with the right person because of all the experience he has. I always felt very safe with him and all of his recommendations,” gushed Kathy about her reconstruction process. In addition to traditional techniques of reconstructive plastic surgery, Dr. Obi has enhanced Kathy’s result with the new stem cell technology (Adivive™) that processes the patient’s own fat into a stem cell concentrated graft.

Even affter the arduous process, Kathy remains positive and thankful for the love of her friends, family and doctors that provided endless support. “I just want women to know that it’s not over. There is always hope, especially through the love of God. And with people like Dr. Lewis Obi and his staff, it’s possible to feel love, support and feel like a woman again,” said Kathy of her experience.

Incidentally, Kathy’s grandson Hayden was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia approximately the same time Kathy was receiving treatment for breast cancer. Both are celebrating remission and are eagerly awaiting Jacksonville’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk where her grandson will be one of three “Honored Patients” in the ceremony. The Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic is also excited to participate on behalf of Hayden’s life and wonderful family.