Elf Ears - The Newest Plastic Surgery Trend?

I read an interesting article today introducing one of the newest trends in plastic surgery: Creating Elf Ears. There is a Hungarian plastic surgeon practicing in New York City who created this procedure and even claims that it can "improve the experience of listening to music." Apparently there are "music faun clubs" which are dance clubs that only allow entrance to those with pointy ears.

This is a new one for me! By looking at the photos I can see how the procedure is done. It's a variation of the types of surgeries we do to reconstruct an ear after part of it is removed for cancer. Instead of making your ear look normal, however, it makes you look like Spock.

I'd rather my daughter get a tramp stamp than one of these!

Story and photo source

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon

Anthony Youn, M.D.

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The King of Kong is a...Plastic Surgeon???

Funny story from amednews: The newest King of Donkey Kong is a plastic surgeon! Dr. Hank Chien, a plastic surgeon from New York, scored over 1 million points in 2.5 hours on Feb 27th. According to the article:

In September 2008, about a year after watching the documentary, Dr. Chien sought out an arcade that carried the game. He said he figured his skills in the operating room could translate to a video game environment, and he believed he could master Donkey Kong...
A clinical study published in the February 2007 Archives of Surgery found a direct correlation between gaming and proficiency in laparoscopic surgery. Researchers said surgeons who played video games at least three hours a week in their past were 27% faster than were nongamers and had 37% fewer errors...
On the fateful morning of Feb. 26, Dr. Chien woke up to find New York City buried in several inches of snow. His office called to say his surgeries had been canceled...
He completed his game in the early hours of Feb. 27. Dr. Chien announced his victory on Facebook and was surprised at the number of people who were still awake and read his message. The flood of e-mails and calls started coming, and his life as an international celebrity in the gaming world began...
Dr. Chien's life once consisted of plastic surgery during the day and Donkey Kong at night. Now his spare time is eaten up with interviews and autographs.

I have heard of surgeons buying video games and writing them off on their taxes. I'd like to poke fun at Dr. Chien for spending so much time playing a video game, but then again, who am I to talk? I spend time writing a blog on celebrity plastic surgery.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Heidi Montag Had Her Back Scooped?

I've been asked by several media outlets what Heidi Montag meant by having her 'back scooped.' While the media outlets are swirling around what type of unusual new plastic surgery this might be, I have a pretty disappointing but accurate definition: liposuction of the back of her hips.

This area, also known as the love handle, can be very effectively liposuctioned, creating a 'scoop' or concave effect. It's one of my favorite areas to liposuction since it can create such a nice contour that most women (and men) really like. Plus, the risk of unevenness in this area is pretty low, especially compared to the abdomen, which can get lumpy very quickly (just ask Tara Reid).

Yes, I scoop backs all the time. Sorry, Heidi, you're not special in this regard.

For a great MSNBC article on "back scooping", click here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

"Caulk" Butt Enhancements Hospitalize Six in New Jersey

According to an article on CBS News.com, six New Jersey women were recently hospitalized after receiving buttock injections with silicone used to caulk bathtubs. These treatments were apparently performed by "unlicensed providers."

Seriously?!?!?!?!

A tip for anyone considering injections into your buttocks: Do not allow anyone to inject anything except your own fat into your behind. Anything else is likely to either not work or cause some major problems (think of turning your buttocks into a big vat of cottage cheese). If you do have someone inject fat into your buttocks, make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Photo credit: CBS News

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Instant Dimples - The Newest Fad Surgery?

There is an interesting article on MSNBC.com that focuses on a fringe plastic surgery procedure: dimple creation. Yes, there is a surgery to create dimples, and it works pretty well. Contrary to popular belief, it's not a new procedure, as plastic surgeons have been performing it for years. According to the article, the procedure costs between $2000-$5000. A quote from a doctor I know well:

Dr. Ellenbogen, who says he’s been performing dimple-plasties for 30 years, says it’s not a particularly common request.
“I get maybe four requests a year and three of the four I talk out if it because they’re doing it for the wrong reason,” he says.

The procedure basically entails making an incision through the inside of the cheek (in the mouth) and using a suture to connect the skin with a deep muscle in the cheek. This creates scar tissue which will cause the skin to indent when smiling, hence creating a dimple. I've had a few requests for this procedure over the years, but it really is pretty darn uncommon.

I was never really big into dimples until my daughter was born with one.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Does the Brava Breast Enhancement Device Work?

The Brava system is a nonsurgical breast enlargement device that claims to increase the size of your breasts 1/2 to 2 cups after 10 weeks of use. The wearer is supposed to use the device for a minimum of 10 hours a day and avoid missing even one day's worth of treatment. There has been some support for the effectiveness of this device in scientific studies. It works on the principle of tissue expansion, similar to what we use when reconstructing breast cancer patients, except instead of using an implant inside the breast it uses a vacuum applied to outside of the breasts.

The Rachael Ray Show (my favorite syndicated talk show :) ) has a segment tomorrow called Human Lab : Bigger Breasts. In the episode they will follow the experience of a viewer who tried the Brava system. Check it out if you get a chance! (No, I'm not on this episode) Click here for a link.

As an aside, I once had a patient come to see me after using the Brava and having disappointing results. She ended up giving me her Brava system after her breast implant surgery.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

iPhone Apps That Remove Wrinkles, Cellulite, and Even Grow Hair?

Now I've heard of everything! There is a company that is selling iPhone Apps that claim to erase wrinkles, smooth cellulite, reduce puffy eyes, and even grow hair! Here is the company's explanation of how using their iPhone app can erase wrinkles:

The wrinkle eraser uses green color and the Jade gemstone to increase collagen and elastin. Green is the color of nature. It is related to love and self-love and includes the ability to give and take love unconditionally. It has a calming effect that especially builds collagen, elastin, and protein therefore helping with wrinkles and fine lines.

What a crock! I know of no evidence that putting a certain color light on your skin can do anything at all. If this was truly the case, I'd sleep with a green light over my face.

For their website, click here.
Thanks to Cosmetic Makeovers for the information.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Do It Yourself Plastic Surgery?

There was an interesting segment on 20/20 regarding Do It Yourself plastic surgery. Some of the stories are unbelievable, with some horrific results. I find it amazing that people would buy items on the internet and inject themselves with them. I don't mind giving injections and performing surgery, but I still can't look when I get a flu shot.

Make sure to always choose a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. To do anything else would be taking an unnecessary risk. You don't want to end up looking like the poor Korean woman in the video! (yes, a bit of an exaggeration, I know)

For the 20/20 segment on streaming video, click here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Trading Frequent Flier Miles for Plastic Surgery?

Strange story out of Finland: Apparently Finland's biggest airline, Finair, is offering plastic surgery as a way to redeem frequent flier miles. Some details from kansas.com:

It takes 1.32 million points to buy a lower blepharoplasty and 3.18 million points to buy a breast augmentation. That would equal 120 round-trip, business class flights from New York to Helsinki.

So start saving points!


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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Can You Get Angelina Jolie Lips with JolieLips Lip Plumper?

There is a new lip plumper on the market, and it doesn't require injections or surgery... but does it work? JolieLips is a device that utilizes suction to attempt to suck your lips bigger. Melissa Dahl of MSNBC has a fun review of the product here.

The lips swell very easily. That's why when a guy gets socked in the kisser he gets a fat lip, not a fat chin. Because the lips are so sensitive, even a mild treatment like this one can create enough trauma to swell the lips temporarily. I suppose you could do the same thing by slapping yourself in the mouth or performing a high school-type makeout session.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Earlobe Lifts The Latest Beauty Craze??

A recent article in Momlogic.com focuses on earlobe lifts as the latest beauty craze. According to the article people are now paying upwards of $2000 to have their earlobes lifted and reshaped. Is this true?

I often perform earlobe repairs, ranging from fixing a torn earlobe to removing the extra skin from earlobes stretched by those God-awful stretching rings. While people are usually really happy with the results, the procedures always leave scars. And...I don't charge anywhere near $2000 for it.

Women, what would you think if you woke up looking at this guy every morning? Yikes!

photo credit

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Coed Magazine's Top 10 Celebs Whose Breasts Are Just Too Big

Coed Magazine has a fun post about their Top 10 Celebs Whose Boobs Are Just Too Big. A couple are obvious (Pam Anderson and Dolly Parton), a couple I've never heard of (Serena Kozakura, Chantelle Houghton), and the last one is a doozy. 10,000 cc?!??! That's 30 of my average size implants, all in one breast. Crazy!

Click here for Coed Mag's post.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Plastic Surgery for Cankles?

An interesting article from the Daily Mail describes some recent techniques in treating the "cankles:"

You can have Botox injections in the balls of your feet so you can wear high-heels for longer without pain; operations to shorten toes so they look dainty in Louboutins - and now you can have France's hottest export: cankle removal.
While most women are fortunate to have a narrowing where the lower calf and ankle meet, giving a shapely contour, some have little or no discernible difference in shape - which is known as cankles. Age and status is not a factor, and nor is whether you have long or short legs, are slim or overweight. Cankles are inherited, just as you may have inherited your mother's apple or pear body shape.

The article goes on to describe liposuction treatments for cankles, with and without laser-assistance. Traditionally this area has been a tough one to treat because of the risk of contour deformities and fluid collections. I have treated one set of cankles in five years, but was happy with the result.

It does appear that there is hope for all those who suffer from a case of the cankles!

Article link: dailymail

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Dumb Advertising

I saw this ad on a post at Plasmetic.com and thought it was funny. What happens after the special runs out? Do you only get a unaboob?

There is also a bargain-basement cosmetic center in my area which is advertising "Buy one surgery, get one free" as well. But, according to the ad you need to be one of the first fifty or so people to call in order to qualify for the special promotion. Fortunately, the ad has been playing for months, so either there is no one calling or they've decided to extend it to any poor victim who calls.

By the way, the doctor in the above billboard advertises as a "board-certified surgeon." I wonder why he left out that he's a board-certified general surgeon and not a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Reality Show Murderer, Breast Implants, and Serial Numbers

You may be following the terribly tragic story of the model, Jasmine Fiore, who was recently murdered by the reality TV star Ryan Alexander Jenkins. For those who haven't heard, Jenkins is accused of murdering the former swimsuit model and stuffing her body into a suitcase. She was later found with her teeth pulled out and her fingers cut off, apparently as an attempt to conceal her identity. She was later identified by the serial numbers on her breast implants. Jenkins is currently on-the-run, likely somewhere in British Columbia. He is a former contestant on Megan Wants a Millionaire and on the likely-to-be-unaired I Love Money 3.

What a sad and scary story. It reminds me of the murder that happened a couple years ago just a few miles from my home. A husband murdered his wife, dismembered her, and scattered her body parts in a local park. He later retrieved her torso and hid it in his garage, where detectives later found it.

There are so many sick people in this world, it's scary.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Model Arrested for Threatening Her Plastic Surgeon

According to Celebuzz, a French model has recently been arrested for threatening her plastic surgeon. According to the article:

Police revealed that in the calls, the Dutch-born catwalk strutter requested to have a procedure reversed and was "screaming and shouting about the operation and became extremely threatening." The rep added, "There were repeated calls to the female surgeon who was extremely scared. The suspect is being interviewed."

That is my nightmare. I think most plastic surgeons do their best to make their patients happy, but sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to, usually from poor healing or a miscommunication in expectations. I find that most patients are understanding if things don't turn out perfectly, as long as I do the best I can to make things as good as possible. Threatening behavior on the part of the patient is probably more common among those who suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

A Bra That Firms Your Breasts?? I Doubt It!

Anna Chan from MSNBC.com has recently asked me to analyze the claims of the Victoria's Secret Bust Firming Bra. According to the manufacturer, regular wearing for eight hours a day for four weeks results in an 18% increase in the firmness of the breast. Check out the article here to see what MSNBC.com's writer thought about it after wearing the same bra every day for seven weeks! They also include some of my oh-so-insightful opinions ;)

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

A Bra That Prevents Breast Cancer?? No...

There's an interesting segment from Good Morning America which analyzes the Brassage. This is a bra manufactured by Intimate Health which claims (according to the program) to massage away toxins from the breast, thereby preventing and possibly treating disease and infection, and maybe even cancer.

Before you run out and buy this bra, I would caution that there is no science that supports that a bra prevents or treats any illnesses. "Removing toxins" is a pretty popular term nowadays as a catch-all for any whacky or off-the-wall treatment that claims to improve a person's health. Technically, I remove toxins every hour or two when I use the bathroom.

While the GMA broadcast completely discredits the Brassage, I wouldn't be so quick in dismissing it. In fact, I would put it on a pedestal with two other well-known and revolutionary bras: The Bro and The Manzier.

For the GMA broadcast, click here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Tummy Tuck and Boob Job Cream?

One of the hottest products today, a skin care company called Rodial is selling Tummy Tuck cream.
Their website makes the following claims:

A REVOLUTIONARY stomach flattening formula with stomach flattening micro fibers helps slim and visibly tighten the abdominal area
- clinically proven to reduce the abdominal area by up to TWO centimetres in 8 weeks
- fig extract and neuropeptides break down fatty cells and boost cell metabolism
- use daily for two months

They also have a Boob Job cream which they claim does the following:

Boob job works with your natural fat cells. As the fat cells move around the body after eating, boob job “blocks” the fat into the area where the product has been applied, so the bust and décolleté areas. You will see a gradual increase in cup size within 56 days as well as gaining an instant lifting and firming effect. Increase in cup size by 8.4%.

The company is based in the U.K. I know of no scientific studies which support their claims, which are pretty extraordinary. If anybody in the audience has used these products, I'd be interested to see what it did (or more likely didn't do) for you. I'm skeptical...to say the least.

To check out their products, click here.
For In Your Face blog's post on it, click here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Is the Dark Knight's Two-Face a Realistic Description of Third Degree Burns?

From the Kevin MD medical blog:

Patient-blogger Duncan Cross takes exception to the cavalier treatment director Christopher Nolan gives to third-degree burns in Aaron Eckhart's super-villain."There is no way that eye would have survived intact, much less be able to function without a lid and tear ducts," he writes. And his refusal of pain medications in the film? "The idea that someone could suffer Dent’s injuries, be in that kind of pain, and still be capable of coherent thought is just plain BS."

I spent a considerable amount of time during my plastic surgery residency working in a regional Burn Unit. Burn injuries are some of the most painful wounds we can suffer, and often need massive amounts of narcotics to control. I would have to agree with the statements above.

I haven't seen the Dark Knight yet, but currently have it on my Netflix queue. I was a bit of a comics geek when I was a kid, so I'm excited to see this one...

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: