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.
Pastor Osteen will be at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday, November 30, 2012.
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 | ||
|
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.
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