In the Times article, a patient named Joan was looking to update her appearance, so she opted for a tummy tuck and facelift. She found out after her procedures that her surgeon was certified in otolaryngology only and not plastic surgery of the body. Her results were less than favorable including visible scars on her face and rippling of the stomach. Joan had to spend even more money to have revisionary surgery to restore her appearance.

The author of the article writes that the current state of the economy has led to fewer insurance reimbursements for typical medical doctors, and these M.D.s are now turning to cosmetic surgery—where patients pay out of pocket for medical expenses. Certified plastic surgeons believe this trend is resulting in more patients needing the type of revisionary surgery Joan required to mitigate the damage caused by uncertified plastic surgeons.

Non-plastic surgeons are claiming that these stories of botched surgeries are few and far between and that certified plastic surgeons are attempting to box them out of the field for financial reasons. To work in a certain specialty, a doctor must undergo a three-year residency in their chosen concentration area. According to the article, the United States has no law requiring surgeons to practice within the areas in which they’ve specialized, and only three states require doctors to advertise their specific board certifications. In all other states, they can just say they’re “board certified.”

The author also states, “No one knows how many doctors are practicing outside their specialty; they don’t have to report to any oversight authority that they are doing so. And doctors performing cosmetic procedures are not required to report complications.”

Because Dr. Fernando Burstein is board certified in both plastic surgery and otolaryngology, he understands the importance of specific board certifications and the surgical skills and training plastic surgery requires. He recommends that patients thoroughly research their potential plastic surgeons to ensure he or she is experienced, board certified to perform plastic surgery, and has a history of satisfied plastic surgery patients. Check out your prospective surgeon’s before and after gallery to help determine if they produce the type of results you’re looking to achieve. As mentioned in the article, if you’re ever suspicious or feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion.

Dr. Burstein and his medical staff work to ensure his patients receive the best in compassion and care in order to achieve their cosmetic goals. Check out our website or contact our office for more information on Dr. Burstein and his anti-aging philosophy.

How long do results from Ulthera® last?

Because Ulthera® stimulates collagen production within the treatment area, results last longer than most other non-invasive skin tightening treatments. While Ulthera® does not stop skin and tissue from aging, patients can expect to see results for up to a year. Annual touch-up treatments can help patients keep up with the aging process.

What does Ulthera® Non-Surgical Facelift feel like?

While the sensation varies from patient to patient, many describe a brief prickling or heat sensation under the skin. This occurs when the ultrasound energy is delivered to the treatment area(s). My medical staff and I work to provide our patients with the most comfortable treatment experience. While comfort levels differ among patients, full anesthesia is not necessary during and Ulthera® treatment. However, a topical anesthetic and oral pain medicines may be used to ensure patient comfort.

Am I a candidate for Ulthera®?

Individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate sagging in the face and upper neck are excellent candidates for Ulthera®. While Ulthera® Non-Surgical Facelift works to tighten the same tissues that are repaired during facelift surgery, it is not a replacement for surgery in individuals with more advanced signs of aging. Contact our office to schedule your consultation to see if Ulthera® could benefit you.

How many Ulthera® treatments will I need to see results?

The number of treatments needed varies based on the patient’s skin condition, desired outcome, and other factors. Most Ulthera® patients see good clinical results with just one treatment. A follow-up visit can be scheduled to track your progress and take before and after photographs; patients who desire additional refinement may choose to have a secondary treatment at this time.

Check out part 1 of our Ulthera® FAQ series, and follow our office on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in Ulthera® and facial plastic surgery news.

After thoroughly researching her facial plastic surgery options, Judy said she felt so comfortable with Dr. Burstein that she was excited to have him perform her surgery. “He’s such a special guy. He had me so at ease and was genuinely excited about doing it. You could tell he loves his craft.” Dr. Burstein’s enthusiasm was contagious, says Smith, and she was soon looking forward to having him perform her surgery. She was also blown away by Dr. Burstein’s medical team, especially Debi, and how well they treated her.

Judy underwent a facelift, neck lift, cheek fat reduction with buccal fat pad removal, and a TCA chemical peel to regain a younger-looking, more streamlined appearance. When asked how she felt about her facelift results, Judy replies that she couldn’t be happier. Two weeks after her surgery, she walked by a full-length mirror at a dress shop and caught a glimpse of herself, “I had never been so happy in my life. I was beautiful; my face had an oval shape to it.”

Her favorite part of the experience was being able to meet and get to know Dr. Burstein who she describes as “absolutely wonderful.” Smith says that at her first follow-up appointment a week after surgery Dr. Burstein was able to see past the swelling and bruising to the end result and knew it was going to go well. That know-how and confidence struck Smith, “It made a lot of difference to have HIM excited to see my results, as well.”

Nowadays, Judy Smith says her life is back to normal, but that she’s much happier when she looks in the mirror and enjoys putting on makeup. “It makes you feel good when you look good,” she says.

For more information on the facial rejuvenation procedures that Dr. Burstein performs contact our office. You can also stay up to date on the latest facial plastic surgery news by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Myth: Just like you exercise your body, you should exercise your face to prevent wrinkles.

While exercising your facial muscles may help to improve the muscle tone of your neck, repeated facial expressions may actually be the culprit of wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. Just think about the crow’s feet and nasolabial folds that develop from years of smiling and the furrows between your brows from worrying or scowling. Hence, the idea behind exercising facial muscles doesn’t work in the same way it works for our bodies.

For those with fine lines and wrinkles, injectables like Botox® and Dysport® can help relax the muscles in the forehead and eyebrows that cause frown lines and forehead wrinkles. Meanwhile, facial fillers like Restylane® and Juvéderm® help fill areas around the mouth and nose to smooth deeper folds and creases.

Myth: Eating large quantities of fish like salmon and tuna will prevent the signs of aging.

Eating the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for your skin as well as your heart, and those healthy fats can be found in fish like salmon. However, just as with any other type of food, fish should be eaten in moderation. Women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant may not benefit from the higher levels of mercury found in some types of fish. Instead of focusing on the amount of oily fish you eat for improved skin health, focusing on preventative measures like wearing sunscreen are often more effective steps toward avoiding signs of aging.

Ulthera® Non-Surgical Facelift is another option which strengthens your skin from within and promotes collagen production while lifting and tightening the face. Individuals whose skin seems damaged and dull may benefit from laser skin resurfacing  performed with Matrix RF™ Fractional skin resurfacing  removesdead and damaged tissue from the surface of the skin to smooth wrinkles and give you a dewy, youthful complexion.  A chemical peel may also help to rejuvenate your skin with minimal downtime.

Myth: Using a tanning bed is safer than sunbathing outdoors because you can control the amount of sun you get.

FDA advisory panels have been contemplating tougher regulations on tanning beds because they have been so closely linked with increased risk of deadly melanoma afterward. No amount of unprotected sun exposure, real or artificial, is safe for the skin. Along with a drastic increase in your chance of developing melanoma, unprotected UV ray exposure speeds up the skin’s aging processes and breaks down the skin’s supportive structures, expediting the wrinkling process and increasing the chances of hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging.

If you’re looking to reverse more advanced signs of aging like sagging skin and drooping eyelids, cosmetic surgery procedures like facelift and eyelid surgery can refresh your appearance for subtle and natural-looking rejuvenation.

For more information on anti-aging treatments and procedures available from Dr. Fernando Burstein make sure to check out our website. To schedule a consultation for a cosmetic anti-aging procedure, contact our office. You can also keep up with the latest Atlanta cosmetic surgery news by following Dr. Burstein on Facebook and Twitter.

Ulthera® uses ultrasound technology to tighten loose skin eliminating jowls, sagging brows, and “turkey neck.” The older we get, the slower our bodies produce collagen. The sound waves used in Ulthera® penetrate the skin, producing a gentle heat that encourages collagen production for extended results. For more info, check out our Ulthera® FAQ blog.

Patients who attend the event will receive

- Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
- An opportunity to consult with a certified Ulthera® representative or Atlanta Plastic Surgery provider about the treatment
- Entrance into a raffle for a customized Obagi Nu-Derm® package ($400 value)
- $500 OFF Ulthera® treatment at Atlanta Plastic Surgery or AYA Medical Spa (full face only, must sign in to be eligible)

To reserve your spot for this free event RSVP to (404)256-1311 ext. 330 or 350.

“My practice is limited to the face and neck. So it’s something that, myself and my crew, that’s all we do. It’s a small niche, but you get to build up quite a bit of expertise after 20-something years.”

Check out his video below to hear about one of his patient’s experiences with Atlanta brow lift surgery.

While rhinoplasty is performed in a similar manner for both men and women, the aesthetic results men seek with rhinoplasty surgery are much different than that of female patients. Dr. Fernando Burstein understands the importance of masculine rhinoplasty surgery results for which male patients are searching: a strong-looking nose with a higher bridge and a shape that fits the proportions of a man’s face.

Because the nose is both a functional and aesthetic facial feature, it is important to select a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Burstein who specializes in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Burstein’s acute knowledge of the contours of the face allows him to create personalized results that are tailored to each patient’s individualized look. Regardless if the patient is male or female, the key to natural-looking rhinoplasty results is a surgery that is personalized to your facial features and desired outcome.

During a rhinoplasty procedure, incisions are made along the inside of the nose or along the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils (called the columella). From there, the internal structures within the nose and areas where the small bones of the nose join are reshaped to better suit a person’s facial features and aesthetic goals. For men, this could mean the evening-out of nostril size, a straightening of the nasal septum, or a reduction of the nasal tip to fit facial proportions.

Many male patients undergo rhinoplasty surgery to correct damage done in the past like a deviated septum caused by a broken nose or other trauma that happened in youth. Not only does trauma cause breathing problems, but it can also alter the appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty can ameliorate both these issues, giving patients a more streamlined profile and better breathing ability.

For more information on rhinoplasty or other facial cosmetic surgery procedures, check out Dr. Burstein’s website. You can also connect with Dr. Burstein on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery news.

An expert in the natural contours of the face, Dr. Burstein knew by seeing Amal’s nose that her breathing likely suffered. He asked her about it and took a look at it when she concurred that she indeed had trouble breathing through her nose. After talking with Dr. Burstein, Amal decided to undergo nasal reconstruction.

Dr. Burstein reconstructed Amal’s nose inside and out first to fix her breathing obstruction and functionality and then to restore her nose aesthetically. Amal said this procedure was the “best thing I’ve ever done.” She’s thrilled with her nose surgery results. She can breathe much better while she’s awake, and her daughter even brought it to her attention that she breathes better in her sleep as well—no more snoring!

Amal described Dr. Burstein and his staff as “amazing” and would go back to Dr. Burstein if she needed additional surgery. She says her life in back to normal now, and people don’t even notice that she’s had something done to her nose because of Dr. Burstein’s devotion to natural-looking plastic surgery results.

Amal highly recommends Dr. Burstein to other prospective patients and offers this advice: “Make sure to do your research.” She said that when it comes to something as serious as plastic surgery, it’s more than looks that count—what’s on the inside is just as important as what’s on the outside, so be sure to look for a reputable board certified plastic surgeon.

For more plastic surgery testimonials and patient stories like these, continue to read Dr. Burstein’s blog. If you haven’t already, be sure to connect with him on Facebook and Twitter as well for plastic surgery news and updates.

For more facial plastic surgery stories like these, find Dr. Burstein on Facebook and Twitter.