AESTHETIC SURGERY GRAND ROUNDS February 25, 2012

9:00am – 12:30pm

UCSD Moores Cancer Center – Goldberg Auditorium

3855 Health Sciences Drive

                                                La Jolla, CA 92093

Speakers:

Michael Yaremchuk, M.D.

Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Chief of Craniofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Visiting Professor, UCSD Division of Plastic Surgery

“Alloplastic Augmentation of Facial Skeleton: An Occasional Adjunct or Alternative to Orthognathic Surgery”

H. George Brennan, M.D., FACS

Private Practice, Newport Beach, CA

“Evolution of Periorbital and Lower Facial Rejuvenation Approaches and Techniques”

Steven Cohen, M.D.

Clinical Professor, UCSD Division of Plastic Surgery

Director, Center for Craniofacial Disorders, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego

“Conceptual Advances in Stem Cells Regenerative Therapies in Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery – An Update”

**CME Credits Awarded through UCSD School of Medicine**

How important is age when considering surgery?

Generally speaking, surgery has two main risk factors. The first is the actual surgical procedure and the second is the anesthesia for the surgery. Plastic surgery procedures have relatively minor risks, especially when compared to other medical surgeries. The more pervasive risk in any surgery, whether it’s plastic surgery or weight loss surgery is anesthesia. Before a patient undergoes a surgical procedure they must have a thorough medical work-up to ensure that it is safe for the patient to undergo the surgery, which includes the anesthesia.

There are certain patients who are 50 years of age or older who have medical conditions which make them more at risk for complications from anesthesia, and consequently should not undergo the surgery. That being said, if an individual has gone through a pre-surgery screening and is determined healthy and sound, there is really almost no limitation to the age a patient is able to have surgeries such as eyelid surgery, or a facelift.

Facelift at 90 years of age

The oldest patient that we have performed a facelift on was 90 years of age, in perfect health, sound of mind, had a great quality of life, and simply wanted to look better in her remaining years. Consulting with her primary care doctor and the anesthesiologist confirmed to us that she was in fact safe to have the surgery. She successfully underwent the facelift surgery and to this day is enjoying her second debut.

At her initial consultation she informed Dr. Brennan that she had extreme financial wealth but that she also had and abundance of greedy relatives waiting in line to inherit her fortune. She coyly commented to him “that before my greedy relatives inherit my fortune, this face of mine is going to benefit first!”

We have performed countless facelift procedures on people of various ages. What is most important is that you are in good health for the surgery, and then that you get the results that you are looking for. Below is what patients can expect from a typical facelift performed by Dr. Brennan:

• An outpatient setting
• Minor sedation and local anesthesia or general anesthesia (based on patient preference)
• The facelift surgery typically takes less than one hour.
• The patient is discharged the day of surgery
• By that evening they are able to read, watch TV, have dinner and enjoy a normal nights sleep
• No pain and little to no discomfort, minimal bruising and swelling
• Patient advised to resume all normal HADS day after surgery (Hygiene, Activities, Diet, Sleep)
• Patients may need extra strength Tylenol, stronger pain medication is rarely needed

At George H. Brennan, MD we take great care in understanding our patients, and strive to provide each one with the optimal surgical solution for them. We take a personal approach to each patient, and truly work with you to achieve the results you want, whether it’s through liposuction, a breast augmentation, or a facelift. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Brennan, please call 949-644-1641, or complete our contact form and we will be in touch with you shortly.

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Years ago we designed an intranasal suction device that is used during surgery and recovery and is removed before the patient is discharged. This device eliminates the need for nasal packing. The device makes nasal surgery extremely safe and comfortable. Had the treating physicians used our device, this tragedy would not have occurred.

Our surgery is performed at Newport Beach Center for Surgery which is a fully accredited outpatient center with anesthesia administered by top notch, board certified anesthesiologist. The credo at the out patient center is patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction.

It is very important for the patient to understand that Rhinoplasty is an art form and that the surgeon has to have, not only a surgical ability, but an artistic eye to achieve individualized, beautiful noses that also function properly.

The techniques that are the current standard require no outside incisions, no packing, and no pain. Patients are able to resume their normal activities the day after surgery and can see the cosmetic improvement within a few days.

We perform our surgeries at a fully accreted out patient center- Newport Beach Center for surgery. The credo is patient safety and satisfaction. To prevent errors it is our custom and practice to conduct a “surgical pause” before we begin surgery on any patient. The pause identifies the patient, the diagnosis, the proposed procedure, and surgical site. The circulating nurse, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, scrub nurse, and surgeon must all conquer before the surgery begins. This effort at patient safety has been fail safe for the entire history of Newport Beach Center for Surgery.

-George Brennan M.D. F.A.C.S.

Aging, contrary to popular belief, is primarily a hereditary condition and is not necessarily age related. Some people show signs of aging of the face and body at a very young chronological age and others show little or no signs of aging even in their later years.

The way to “Grow Old Gracefully” is to have the inherent wisdom of “Picking Your Parents” and inheriting the right genes. The other major factor in aging is the damaging effect of sun exposure which is what we refer to as photo damage skin.

An extremely common area of the body that shows signs of both hereditary and sun damaged aging is the upper chest especially in women. The area between the collar bones and breast is what is referred to as the décolleté. So often patient’s who have very successful facial and neck rejuvenation have residual signs of aging of the upper chest which is a glaring give away.

Recently Dr. Brennan designed a surgical procedure that significantly reverses signs of aging of the décolleté. This is a very simple procedure that is minimally invasive with incisions that are strategically placed and heal inconspicuously. This procedure can be performed at the patient’s preference, under local anesthesia, and on an out patient basis. The patient is allowed to shower the morning after surgery and resume all normal activities boasting their rejuvenated youthful chest.