19 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Keratoacanthoma: Why we treat it like squamous cell cancer.

Keratoacanthoma is a fairly common low-grade skin cancer that originates in the pilosebaceous glands. Pilosebaceous glands are the components of the deep layer of the skin (dermis) that hold the sweat glands, oil glands and hair follicles. Keratoacanthoma tumors are characterized by rapid growth (up to 1-2 cm) over a few weeks to months (they...

18 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Why Accolate may help treat capsular contracture.

What is Accolate (aka Zafirlukast)? In 1996 the FDA approved the use of zafirlukast (Accolate; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE), a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), for the treatment of asthma. This class of drugs has the unique ability to prevent asthma symptoms rather than treating an attack once it occurs. Laboratory studies have shown that Accolate...

15 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Plastic surgery for men: a very positive trend

When it comes to learning about options for plastic surgery for men, trust the advice of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, not that of a psychiatrist and advertising executive. This is my advice to patients. Needless to say, I was surprized to learn that The Today Show aired a piece this morning about the recent...

12 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

More Than Half Of Americans Approve Of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

A recent new survey commissioned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) shows that 51% of all Americans approve of cosmetic plastic surgery. This new statistic reflects a three percent increase from 2009. Further, the data holds true across people in all income brackets. 1) 52% of respondents with an income of under...

11 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeons Integral To Creating High Quality Outcomes In Emergency Surgery Care

Recently The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) with guidance by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) issued a new consortia on how to improve standards in emergency surgery care. Specifically, they highlighted the key involvement of Plastic Surgery as an acute specialty helping drive through high quality outcomes for patients. Simon...

08 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | 1 comment

Tummy Tucks and Hysterectomy together?

Frequently patients will ask if I can perform their tummy tuck operation at the same time that they are undergoing a planned hysterectomy. Abdominoplasty operations are extremely common in my practice as a component of total body rejuvenation during a Mommy Makeover. However, many women have complaints that center solely on their abdomen. Occasionally,...

07 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Sunscreen and Silicone in one gel for surgical scars: Biocorneum

Post-operative surgical scars in sun exposed areas pose a great healing challenge. Scars take nearly a full calendar year to heal as they mature, soften, flatten and fade. During that time, new scars are highly susceptible to UV photo damage. For that reason, I always advise my patients to keep their scars covered and avoid...

06 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

ACCENT, not liposuction, for cellulite

Patients come to see me all the time with the hope of correcting issues with localized cellulite. Frequently, they will tell me that they need liposuction to correct it and want to know how soon they can get on the operating room schedule. The biggest problem is that liposuction does not improve cellulite; in fact...

04 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Lipomodeling the breast: will fat grafting impact your mammogram?

Lipomodeling (aka fat grafting) is a relatively new approach to breast augmentation in which fat is removed from another area of the body (liposuction) and transferred to the breasts. A recent study (Veber, et al. Plas Recon Surg Vol 127, No 3, Mar 2011, p1289) has shown that this procedure does not interfere with routine...

01 Apr Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | 3 comments

Botox injections for kids? I don’t think so.

According to a recent story in the San Francisco Gate, British mother Kerry Campbell was reported to have been injecting her eight year old daughter Britney with Botox. Apparently, Ms. Campbell hopes that her daughter will one day become a supermodel and has started entering her into beauty pageants. Ms. Campbell allegedly purchases Botox online...

30 Mar Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Why fat grafting for breast augmentation is problematic.

The use of a patient’s own fat for augmentation and fill (autologous fat grafting) has gained popularity in recent years. Autologous fat grafting is a very useful procedure, in particular for augmentation of the facial skeleton, and buttocks (Brazilian butt lift) during cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. The use of autologous fat grafting is a successful...

28 Mar Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

A new silicone gel treatment for surgical scars: What is HybriSil?

HybriSil is a topical silicone gel that contains the steroid medication 1% methylprednisolone acetate. This topical gel is indicated for the relief of itching from dermatologic conditions, including post-surgical scarring. I generally recommend that patients begin using scar gels two weeks after their procedure in order to help minimize the appearance of surgical scars. Use...

27 Mar Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

FDA approves drug that increases survival in melanoma patients

As a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Los Angeles, I devote a large portion of my practice to the treatment and prevention of skin cancers and the reconstruction of skin cancer defects. Although the treatment of patients with late stage melanoma is usually managed by oncologists, I wanted to share my excitement about the...

22 Mar Posted by Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Blog | Comments

Facelifts, tummy tucks & Botox: Plastic surgery for men gains popularity in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, plastic surgery procedures have always been popular. However, new figures released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that men across the country are electing to get tummy tucks and facelifts now more than ever. In 2010, plastic surgery for men increased dramatically, with facelifts for men rising 14%, and male...