The Staff at Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

Meet the LJO Staff

At Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic there are a number of outstanding professionals to help make your plastic surgery experience positive.  From our Front Office Coordinator to our clinical staff to Dr. Obi himself, everyone takes pride in their key role to make you comfortable, relaxed and beautiful!

LJO Staff

Our Front Office Coordinator, Lisa, has worked for Dr. Obi for almost 10 years!  When you call to schedule your appointment or call for information on procedures and services be sure to say "hi" to her!

Lisa

A key staff member, Carole, who at almost 30 years has the most seniority of any of the staff here at Obi Plastic Surgery!  For the last 10 years Carole has served as Practice Manager and works with patients for their pre-op needs, scheduling our patient surgeries, and coordinating post op and follow up appointments.

Carole

As the Clinic Business Administrator, Julie, keeps busy doing everything from Accounting to HR and works on many special projects throughout Obi Plastic Surgery!  For the past 3 years she has interacted with every staff member on a daily basis.  

Julie

Karen, RN, BSN is the OR and Compliance Nurse Manager. She is instrumental in assisting Dr. Obi in surgery, as well as helping patients out of the OR in the recovery room. Karen is also responsible for all of the Clinic's ACHA and OSHA regulations and has been a part of Dr. Obi's team for over 15 years.

Karen

Tina is a Certified Medical Assistant and trained under Dr. Obi  in the OR.  She is the Lead Surgical Technologist has been at Obi Plastic Surgery for 4 1/2 years.  She has known Dr. Obi personally for 8 years through their common love of martial arts.

Tina

Denise is our Licensed Aesthetician at the Renaissance Center for Cosmetic Renewal, the Med Spa at Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic.  Denise has over 11 years of experience and for the the last 6 she has been at the helm of the Renassiance helping to make patients hair free!  She specializes in laser hair removal, facial lasers and treatments, skincare and related beauty and wellness products.

Denise

Also at the Renaissance Center, Penny, MSN, FNP-C, has over 10 years of experience in advanced aesthetics, working with Botox, Juvederm, and Radiesse.  She is also trained in chemical peels, microdermabrasion, IPL and lasers. 

Penny

The newest addition to the Clinical Staff is Kristen.  Kristen is a Certified Medical Assistant and has been training in the OR under Dr. Obi for the last 3 months.  In addition to working in the OR and assisting Dr. Obi, she is trained on the new Vectra 3D Imaging Camera.  We welcome her to the team here at Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic!

Kristen

We also employ a full staff of support personnel that are appreciated and valued for their daily efforts to make Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic complete.

 

We have an amazing, talented team and we invite you to call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Obi and meet his staff and see for yourself.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

904-399-0905

info@obiplasticsurgery.com

"The First"...Vectra 3D Imaging, Gummy Bear Implants, SlimLipo and Adivive, ASC...

Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic was "The First" in Jacksonville to pioneer many new Plastic Surgery  technologies.  

Vectra 3D Image

Dr. Obi was the first in North Florida to obtain and use the Vectra XT 3D Imaging Camera. This cutting edge camera and advanced virtual imaging software allows you to see the new you before your surgery!  Your personal Vectra 3D picture images are available as part of your initial consultation when you schedule your appointment with Dr. Obi.

Dr. Obi was the first in the Jacksonville area to use the Natrelle 410 Shaped Gel Breast Implants and to date has performed more Breast Surgeries using the latest Breast Implants, also called "Gummy Bear Implants" than any other surgeon in North Florida!  This newest type of Breast Implants can be used for first time patients, replacement surgery and reconstructive purposes.  

SlimLipo Patient

The SlimLipo Procedure uses advanced technology to deliver dual wavelengths of laser light to specific areas, and Dr. Obi was the first to offer this advanced form of liposuction to his patients.  It is designed to easily melt fat in large areas, causes less bruising and less downtime with remarkable results!  Slimlipo can be used to remove any areas of unwanted fat - abdomen, waist, hips, thigh, knees, buttocks, arms, male chest, love handles, and under the chin.

Adivive Patient

Dr. Obi is among one of the first plastic surgeons in the United States to use Adivive.  Adivive is an FDA approved medical device that allows Dr. Obi to collect, filter, and transfer your own fat from an unwanted area to a wanted area for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery!  

OPERA Lift Patient Before and 2 Weeks Post Op

Dr. Obi was the first plastic surgeon to conceive of the idea and perform - the OPERA Lift aka the Non-Invasive Facelift, which utilizes a combination of a procedures for optimal results. The OPERA lift is a non-surgical laser and stem cell fat facelift.  It utilizes the Slimlipo laser platform and the Adivive fat processing unit to perform a total rejuvenation of the face and neck without invasive surgery.

Samuel Wells Surgicenter

Dr. Obi was the first to open a comprehensive licensed  Ambulatory Surgery Center in the state of Florida.  For 25 years the Samuel Wells Surgicenter has maintained successful inspections by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA).    All of the surgical procedures and surgeries performed by Dr. Obi are performed onsite at the Samuel Wells Surgicenter with his licensed staff.

Schedule your appointment and consultation with Dr. Obi today at 904-399-0905 to see "a new you" with our Vectra XT 3D Imaging Camera or for more information on any of Dr. Obi's "The First" procedures!  

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

The Latest In Hair Regeneration Therapy

DR LEWIS OBI CONTINUES TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF CELLULAR THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN PLASTIC SURGERY

It has been almost three years since I was awarded the first FDA approved Lipokit/Adivive Fat Processing Unit and have treated 150 patients to date. This week the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic is advancing into another area of cellular and regenerative medicine. Non surgical hair restoration with the use of topical medications such as minoxidil (Rogaine™) has had limited  success and not without side effects. In addition to our IRB (Investigational Review Board) study on the use of adult fat for regenerative and therapeutic uses, we are now developing a new approach to baldness for both male and female patients.

The basis for this novel approach for hair restoration is based on a recent article by Japanese researcher Hirotaro Fukuoka, MD and his associates: “Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are one of the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field of aesthetic surgery. For many years, doctors have discarded the fat tissue removed during cosmetic surgeries, such as tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast reduction. However, it was recently found that adult stem cells can be isolated from the fat tissues and then used to rejuvenate hair and skin tissues. In addition, basic studies have reported that ADSC conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) promotes skin and hair regeneration.” 

The topical product line we are introducing is labeled AAPE™, an acronym for Advanced Adipose-derived stem cell Protein Extract.  There are two lines of products, one for hair restoration and the other for treating skin wrinkles and pigmentation. We are first introducing the hair product line with a unique method of application. The use of a hand held laser (Palovia™) and/or Clarisonic™ brushes enhances absorption of AAPE into the scalp. Topical retinoids and concomitant use of Latisse™ may also enhance results. This total package treatment is only available at our Renaissance Center for Cosmetic Renewal aesthetic center. 

Contact Denise Merlo at 904-399-4555 for associated costs and more information on this unique and extraordinary service today!

****************

The Latest Advance in Hair Regeneration Therapy Using Proteins Secreted 

by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery

Introduction: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) that can be harvested from fat cells are one of the latest break- throughs in the aesthetic field. In addition, basic studies have reported that ADSC conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) promotes skin and hair regeneration. We validate our novel approach, known as hair regenerative therapy, for hair growth treatment using ADSC-CM.

Hirotaro Fukuoka, MD, PhD; Hirotaka Suga, MD, PhD; Keigo Narita, MD; Rei Watanabe, MD; Satoru Shintani, DDS, PhD

The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery Vol. 29, No. 4, 2012  

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The Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation - Part III The Brows and Forehead

Blue Boy - M.Dawson - 1912

compliments of Obiarts Inc

www.manierredawson.com

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FACIAL REJUVENATION

At the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

Part III - The Brows and Forehead

The final review of procedures and techniques to rejuvenate the face will focus on the brows and forehead. This comprises Leonardo Da Vinci’s upper third of the face which extends from the brow to the “widow’s peak” or the non-receded hairline. The most difficult area for plastic surgeons to deal with has been the brows. This is evident by the numerous brow lift techniques in our plastic surgery books and journals.  Googling brow lift/forehead lifts results in 261,000 hits this is the quandary. Even the plastic surgery literature lists hundreds of articles and techniques that simply are too complicated, distort and/or ineffective.

What is inexplicably missing from the exhaustive list of publications dedicated to this subject is the LJO Brow Lift first introduced by Dr. Lewis Obi more than 30 years ago. He has treated more than 3000 patients during this period of time with very few complications and almost zero distortions. 

Dr. Obi has presented and taught this technique to literally thousands of plastic surgeons worldwide. His vast experience allows him to execute the procedure in under 30 minutes with most patients returning to work in five days. 

In between the brows and hairline are other concerns which include forehead lines, frown lines, soft tissue loss and diffuse sag of the forehead. Traditional forehead lifts and endoscopic lifts have largely been abandoned because they often result in permanent distortions. During the past ten years, Dr. Lewis Obi has addressed these forehead concerns with an array of techniques that range from temporary to more permanent solutions. Temporary solutions include the use of Botox™, synthetic fillers, lasers and chemical peels. More recent and permanent solutions include the use of stem cell concentrated fat grafting (Adivive™) and the Endotine forehead lift. These two techniques may be performed in combination with the LJO lift as well as all of the procedures described in our Facial Rejuvenation series.

In conclusion to our facial rejuvenation series presentations, an old adage that “Less is More” truly applies with most plastic surgery procedures since what we most fear is looking distorted. The natural look has been in vogue since the beginning of man’s quest for beauty.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com 

The Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation - Part II The Mid Face

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FACIAL REJUVENATION

At the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

Part II - The Mid Face

“FACES” by Gigi Gallant’ courtesy of Obiarts Inc

As a three part series on the “Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation”, yesterday I discussed the neck. Today I will move up anatomically to the mid face. When I look at patients, I view the entire head and neck as a single entity. It is then natural to focus on the eyes, mid face and neck. This compartmentalization is the way we, as plastic surgeons, assess our patients. As a student of art, while studying portraiture, I learned techniques of the famous Renaissance artists...most notably, the anatomic studies of Leonardo DaVinci who cleverly divided the face into three equal segments:

The lower third extends from the jawline to the base of the nose. The  middle third of the face extends from the nasal base to the brows and  the upper third of the face includes the forehead (brows to hairline). There are similar compartments for the facial width. As plastic surgeons we systematically assess the neck and forehead simultaneously. Aging of the mid face occurs secondarily to soft tissue loss (fat and muscle) as well as bony changes. This results in redundancy of the skin envelope of the face which sags because of gravity. Sunken eyes and mouth along with deepened cheek and marionette creases is a function of aging which normally begins to occur in the forties. Sag and bulges of the marionette pouch may also occur. A unique combination of technologies have allowed me to treat many patients non surgically with an innovation combining stem cell fat grafting (Adivive™) and laser tightening of the neck (SlimLipo™) in what I have termed the OPERA Lift:

Patients seeking or requiring surgical facial rejuvenation almost always benefit from large volume fillers processed from their own fat (Adivive™). Although I had the first FDA approved Adivive™ system, this concept is recognized by advanced plastic surgeons worldwide.  This is the focus of a major textbook on “The Aesthetic Uses of Stem Cells” by Dr. Melvin Shiffman. I happened to have written the chapter on the use of autologous stem cells and PRP (platelet rich plasma) for this important book. 

ADIVIVE (LIPOKIT™) STEM CELL FAT TRANSFER TO FACE: 

LEWIS J. OBI, M.D.”

From the very first face lift I performed as a plastic surgeon, my personal approach has not complied with traditional techniques. However, the facelift I performed on the first day of my practice reflected my early artistic and technical skills which  I have continued to enhance and hone since. 

Dr. Obi's first facelift as performed on the first day of his private practice 

During the past five years I have integrated the use of lasers (SlimLIpo), Adivive fat grafting, PRP and advanced suture techniques in order to enhance results with my surgical face lifts.

In conclusion, I would like to point out that faces are like finger prints in that there are no two faces exactly alike, even with identical twins. That is where the “Art” of plastic surgery comes into play. Nevertheless, I also have to adhere to the “Science” component as facial anatomy is fairly consistent. As plastic surgeons we therefore learn and teach similar approaches for most of our procedures. Where we differ is in the artistry and embellishments of our techniques and I believe this is apparent in my background and working environment. 

Tomorrow I will discuss the final topic in my series of The Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation: The Brow and Forehead.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

www.danielsamuels.com

The Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation - Part I The Neck

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FACIAL REJUVENATION

At the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

Part I - The Neck

Jeanne Hebuterme by Amadeo Modigliani - 1920

When you reach your early 40s, you may notice you have a neck “drop zone” i.e., the skin between your jaws and collarbones, which was once a taut right angle, is now simply dropping. The aging jaw and neck are a challenge that may not only include sagging  skin and muscles but bulging fat. With thinner skin, a deep ropey material called platysma bands may split the neck into a V-like formation of protruding cords. These changes may or may not be associated with changes in the mid face. However, in accessing the neck, the chin, jawline, jowl and entire lower face must also be evaluated.

The simplest neck tightening procedure which addresses loose skin and neck fat is SlimLipo or laser lipolysis of the neck. These may be performed under local anesthesia and with virtually no down time.  

Quite often I will also laser the neck during a face and/or neck lift procedure because skin tightening continues for at least six months. I have performed this procedure on approximately 250 necks with only one minor complication. The oldest patient I have treated this way was 85 and the youngest was a teenager.

The next most invasive neck tightening technique involves a small incision beneath the chin. Skin and muscle tightening may be achieved as well as removal of fatty bulges. Recovery time is approximately 5 days. 

If there is excessive skin sag then this is combined with incisions behind the ears. My specialized technique with these patients includes midline tightening of muscle bands, excision of excess skin behind the ears and deep suspension sutures This combination provides the patient with optimal tightening without distortion and should last up to ten years. Occasionally these solitary neck procedures may be enhanced with liposuction of jowls and and/or non-surgical chin augmentation. These patients return to work in 7 to 10 days. 

“Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” is especially true to artists and plastic surgeons alike. Although the lens of our cameras  are revealing, the final outcome of any plastic surgery procedure is in the hands of the surgeon. 

Tomorrow I will discuss the mid face.

Canfield/Vectra XT 3D Imaging Camera System as seen at 
Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic 

"Aphrodites Dream” - Daniel

www.danielsamuels.com

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The Art and Science of Facial Rejuvenation - The Prefix

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FACIAL REJUVENATION

At the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic

As a follow up to our July Newsletter when I was asked by one of my patients: “Dr. Obi, what differentiates you from other plastic surgeons and why should I come to you for my surgery?" As an extension of my answer in our July Newsletter, I would like to dedicate our blogs this week to the area of facial rejuvenation. As an art student I often used Leonardo Da Vinci’s anatomical texts for assistance in attempting portraiture. Based on his standards as plastic surgeons, we divide the face into three segments:

Part I - The Neck

Part II - The Mid Face

Part III - The Brows and Forehead

The Vitruvian Man is a drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci circa 1490.

Western standards for classical aesthetics was derived largely from Renaissance artists depiction of beauty.  

Compliments of Obiarts Inc.

In the operating theater, I still rely on software stored in my brain to execute my work. Recently we expanded our body imaging capability with the installation of the Canfield 3D cameras (Vectra XT™) and the 360 video turntable. This advanced technology is more beneficial to the patient then it is for me in the planning of my surgery. Patients can actually see results before their surgery.

Later this week we will continue our series discussing techniques that I apply to the 3 zones of the face: I. Neck - II. Mid face - III. Brows and Forehead.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com