Shai Efrati, MD, the World’s Leading Research Scientist and Innovator in Hyperbaric Medicine, to Keynote at the Global Wellness Summit

Efrati’s clinic in Tel Aviv has produced an extraordinary body of research on how their unique protocol for hyperbaric oxygen therapy can actually reverse the biology of aging. Their ability to take brain and cell function back in time is making headlines and Aviv Clinics, which he co-founded, are now being rolled out worldwide.

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the most prestigious conference on the $4.4 trillion business of wellness, announced today that Shai Efrati, MD, the world’s foremost research scientist on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, will keynote at the conference being held at the Hilton Tel Aviv from October 31 to November 3. Efrati is a professor at Sackler School of Medicine and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University and director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center–the largest hyperbaric center in the world, treating over 350 patients a day.

Our new studies demonstrate something for the first time and it’s the ‘holy grail’ of wellness: We can actually reverse the biology of aging and take cellular and brain function back in time.

Dr. Shai Efrati, Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist

Efrati’s lab has created a unique approach for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) which consists of immersing people in a high-pressure, high-oxygen environment and then carefully regulating oxygen and pressure levels. This technique, which is called the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox (HHP), ‘tricks’ the body into entering a regenerative state which unleashes a cascade of biological changes. These include the proliferation of stem cells, the generation of new blood vessels, and the repair of brain cells and tissue.

Eye-opening evidence:

Over the last decade, Efrati’s research team has authored dozens of high-quality clinical studies that show how this specific HBOT therapy revolving around the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox has eye-opening impact on so many conditions. It can significantly boost brain function in stroke and traumatic brain injury patients, heal the wounds in the brain caused by PTSD, improve sexual function, and roll back the process of skin aging. This month, their randomized controlled trial found that the therapy incited brain healing and improved myriad symptoms in long Covid sufferers, an area where solutions have been elusive.

But it’s his recent research on healthy individuals that has such extraordinary implications for the wellness world. The therapy was recently shown to significantly improve (not just slow the loss of) cognitive function in healthy, older adults by generating new neurons and blood vessels in the brain–the first study to demonstrate that a brain can be made ‘younger’. Another recent study revealed that the treatment reversed two major processes associated with aging and its illnesses: the shortening of telomeres (the protective caps at the ends of every chromosome) and the accumulation of old, malfunctioning cells in the body. Participants’ telomeres were lengthened up to 38% while senescent cells saw a decrease of up to 37%.

“Our new studies demonstrate something for the first time and it’s the ‘holy grail’ of wellness: We can actually reverse the biology of aging and take cellular and brain function back in time. It’s analogous to the first time that man landed on the moon. After that first landing, everyone wanted to travel there, but even faster and more effectively. So, we’ll see young scientists rush to study aging and huge investment in this area”, said Efrati. “Aging isn’t a bad thing; it’s the functional decline that is. As the wellness world knows well, many more people seek solutions that can make them fully potent and active every single year of their life. The future is high-performance aging, and I’m excited to share my vision of that future–and the rising place of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the medical-wellness world–with the leaders that will gather at the Summit”.

Caution: This isn’t the ‘hyperbaric oxygen treatment’ at your corner spa:

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments are spawning at spas and wellness centers and with at-home products. But, as Efrati cautions, it’s not even the same approach: these offerings simply involve putting people in a sack, or pod, full of minimally pressurized, oxygenated air, when that’s not what makes HBOT effective. “The game-changing component is the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox: the precise protocols we’ve optimized for oxygen and pressure levels, fluctuations, and durations that spark the regenerative process in the body, said Efrati. “This evidence-based therapy has to be performed in a medical facility by a trained physician. All these oxygen spas and pods can be dangerous: they miss the quality assurance of the air pump being inside, and they pose threats of oxygen toxicity and other health issues. They’re also not effective. The future is clearing up much confusion in the marketplace about what evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy actually entails and achieves”.

Aviv Clinics: Rolling out this evidence-based treatment globally:

To make a more powerful global impact and to ‘walk faster’, Efrati co-founded AVIV Scientific, a research organization and network of global medical-wellness clinics focused on innovative applications of hyperbaric medicine using the HHP protocols, that can increase cognitive and physical performance in healthy aging adults. Clinics are open in Tel Aviv, at The Villages in central Florida, and most recently in Dubai–and are expected to come to New York and the UK soon. Aviv plans 50 clinics around the world within the next decade. Each clinic combines HBOT with personalized medicine, cognitive and fitness training, and nutrition coaching. Thanks to an exclusive partnership with the world’s largest hyperbaric research facility, the Sagol Center at Shamir Medical Center, each patient’s data and samples are sent to the center’s large research lab, where blood, DNA, telomeres, MRI results, etc. are analyzed. Since Sagol Center is doing so much research, positive findings can immediately be implemented at the clinics. For instance, with their new trial indicating that HBOT can help with long Covid damage to the brain, new programs were quickly rolled out.

“Every year we aim to bring the brightest stars in health and wellness to the stage, and Dr. Efrati is exactly the kind of innovator we seek: a dynamic thinker whose work will really shake up our future, whose solutions are grounded in evidence, and who understands that new connections between medicine and wellness lie ahead”, said Susie Ellis, GWS chair and CEO. “It’s an incredible opportunity for delegates to be immersed in his research on the future of aging at such an early, pivotal moment. What he’s doing is game-changing”.

Registration for the 2022 Summit is now open.

About the Global Wellness Summit

The Global Wellness Summit is the premier organization that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.4 trillion global wellness economy. Its future-focused conference is held at a different global location each year and has traveled to the United States, Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria, Italy and Singapore. GWS also hosts other virtual and in-person gatherings, including Wellness Master Classes, Wellness Sector Spotlights, Investor “Reverse Pitch” events and Global Wellness Symposiums. The organization’s annual Global Wellness Trends Report offers expert-based predictions on the future of wellness. The 2022 Summit will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel from October 31 to November 3. For more information: Global Wellness Summit 

Prominent Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Anastasatos, Now Providing Facelifts Under Local Anesthesia for Patients

Over the past 21 years, Dr. Anastasatos has earned global recognition for his beautiful surgical results and he treats patients from all over the world. He is one of the few plastic surgeons that possess both the skill and technique to perform facelift and necklift procedures with local anesthesia, avoiding the many downsides of using traditional general anesthesia or IV sedation.

Many patients considering facelifts or necklifts fear the use of general anesthesia or IV sedation which is a major deterrent to getting procedures done. Performing a facelift under local anesthesia is a much safer option for the patient, and when completed by a renowned expert, such as Dr. John Anastasatos, does not compromise the result. Dr. Anastasatos had the privilege of receiving advanced training in facelift and necklift surgery using local anesthesia under Dr. Luis Vasconez, a pioneer in this procedure. Not all plastic surgeons are capable or comfortable with doing facelifts or necklifts under local anesthesia like Dr. Anastasatos. It requires extra skill, extra training, and the extra patience that he possesses.

Performing lifts of the face and neck area with local anesthesia expands the spectrum of patients who can get these procedures done, and overall, it is much safer for them. My patients have been thrilled with the exceptional results that I have been able to achieve.

Dr. John Anastasatos.

Utilizing cutting-edge techniques and injection methods during the surgery, Dr. Anastasatos’ patients only feel an initial “mosquito bite” with limited or no pain for the remaining injections. The blood pressure and the heart rate of patients remain stable throughout the whole operation. From a surgical standpoint, the risk of a post-operative hematoma and blood clots significantly diminishes when performing facelift and necklift procedures under local anesthesia. The recovery process begins immediately, and tiredness associated with general anesthesia is also avoided. The cost of performing a facelift and/or necklift under local anesthesia is comparable to one done with general anesthesia or IV sedation, however, it does require additional time in the operating room.

More about Dr. John Anastasatos:

At Los Angeles Plastic Surgery, Dr. John Anastasatos is highly regarded for his skill in cosmetic, reconstructive, and revision procedures, including gold-standard facelifts, breast augmentations, body lift procedures, liposuction, and non-surgical treatments.

I understand that the consideration of a plastic surgery procedure can be a fearful thought. It is hard to trust someone with your body, appearance, image, likeness, and vision of yourself. Therefore, I shall be patient with you until you feel comfortable to proceed, and I will make the process hassle-free.

Dr. John Anastasatos

Raised in the United States but with family roots in Athens, Greece, Dr. Anastasatos attended Brown University and was accepted to their medical school. He then completed general surgical training at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, an affiliate of Columbia University. After finishing his cosmetic and reconstructive residency at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, he completed a fellowship in hand surgery, upper extremity, and microsurgery.

During this time, Dr. Anastasatos served as an attending surgeon at UAB Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, and VA Hospital. He established his own practice in Southern California in 2007 and opened a second location in Athens, Greece. Dr. John Anastasatos has earned the recognition of Castle Connolly Top Doctor and America’s Most Honored Doctors – Top 5% 2022. To schedule a consultation with Dr. John Anastasatos or for more information on his practice locations in Beverly Hills, CA, or Athens, Greece, please call (310) 888-4048, or visit his website Los Angeles Plastic Surgery.

Maggie Q’s ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food Prep Your Skin for Summertime from the Inside Out

With summer approaching, increased exposure to sunlight is inevitable – meaning extra precautions need to be taken for the health of our skin. ActivatedYou founder Maggie Q encourages you to properly prepare for summer by nourishing your skin to help avoid further damaging effects. Ultraviolet rays break up collagen, which makes up 80% of your skin, so Maggie recommends always applying clean or non-toxic SPF products and minimizing direct sun exposure for long periods of time.

To further support  the skin’s health, Maggie recommends taking collagen-supporting supplements like ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food, to help support  your skin texture from the inside out. ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food is a dietary supplement that encourages healthy collagen production for firmer, plumper-looking skin. Studies show that with the use of “anti-aging products or treatment, collagen production can be boosted, or its natural loss can be slowed down. Anti-aging treatments are also necessary to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkle, acne and it also helps in making the skin firm”.*

ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food is a dietary supplement that encourages healthy collagen production for firmer, plumper-looking skin.

ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food is a collagen support supplement designed to support  the overall appearance of skin texture and minimize the look of sagging and dull skin. As we age, our natural collagen is depleted and breaks down faster due to sun exposure. This groundbreaking formula contains zero animal-based collagen and is 100% plant-based, unlike many collagen support supplements on the market.

ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food blends minerals, plant-based vitamins, essential amino acids, and herbal extracts to provide the most powerful benefits of support collagen for strong tissue and hair, healthy nails for firmer, plumper-looking skin. These nourishing compounds are the perfect way to help encourage a renewed and energized complexion and fight skin-damaging free radicals.*

ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food Key Ingredients

• Dermaval™: A natural collagen-booster that uses phytonutrient compounds like pomegranate extract, camu camu, coffeeberry, and quercetin to help fight the breakdown of elastin in the body and support the elasticity and firmness of the skin.†*
• Vitamin C: A natural antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals that damage the skin, to promote more radiant and bright-looking skin.†*
• Amino Acid Complex: contains Lysine and L-Proline, building blocks of collagen, that work together to help tighten and plump skin’s appearance over time.†* 
• Cosmythic™: An elixir containing polyphenols that help ‘energize’ old cells responsible for collagen production, for more youthful-looking skin.†*

*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

ActivatedYou Essential Skin Food can be purchased on the ActivatedYou website for $69.95 with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Breasts: Normal, Medically Worrisome and Things to be Corrected

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and there is infinite variety in the human experience. Beyond their physiological function of providing nourishment for babies, however, breasts occupy a unique place in the cultural ether and many women wonder and worry about whether or not they deviate from ‘normal’. “Unfortunately, we are often bombarded by an air-brushed, unrealistic image of what constitutes the normal breast”, says Dr. Constance M. Chen, plastic surgeon and breast reconstructive specialist. “Even as young women mature and become comfortable with their own unique physical characteristics, there are any number of variations that may trigger questions about what is normal, what is medically worrisome, and what can be ‘corrected”.

There is no normal breast size or shape. Nor is there a normal nipple size or color. Nipples and the areolae that surrounds them might be large or small, pale or dark, might match skin tone or might not. Small bumps on the areola are lubricating glands and are completely normal. “Chances are that whatever is causing concern is a completely normal variation”, says Dr. Chen. “Here are some common variations in normal breasts along with recommendations on when to see a doctor”.

Breasts that don’t match: Very few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts. One breast may be larger, shaped differently, or positioned differently than the other. Differences in size up to 20% are normal and are particularly common in teenagers whose breasts may develop at different rates. Hormonal changes associated with ovulation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding that cause changes in breast size may also cause asymmetry. Breasts that differ by more than a cup size and asymmetry unrelated to pregnancy that develop suddenly overnight, however, should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out a medical problem.

Hair on or around the nipples: “Human beings have hair all over their bodies”, says Dr. Chen. “Sometimes human hair is thin and clear and sometimes it’s thicker and darker. It is quite common for women to have darker visible hair around their nipples”. A few hairs is nothing to worry about but denser growth might be indicative of a hormonal imbalance or other issue. The best way to avoid infection when removing hair around the nipples is with small scissors.

Inverted nipples lie flat against the areola or turn inward instead of protruding. They occur in either one or both breasts and may be present from birth or develop later in life. “As many as 10% of women may have one or both nipples inverted”, says Dr. Chen. “They are not generally a cause for concern and require treatment only if they interfere with breastfeeding, if there is an underlying medical condition that must be addressed, or to satisfy aesthetic preferences”. There are several treatment options for inverted nipples, most of them temporary; surgery is the only permanent treatment. Sudden changes, however, may indicate problems that should be evaluated by a physician.

An extra nipple, also called a supernumerary nipple, occurs in 3-5% of people, both men and women, and seldom needs to be removed for any but cosmetic reasons. It may go undetected, mistaken for a mole, and if it occurs alone, it can be removed in a simple procedure much like removing a mole. If it occurs with underlying breast tissue, it should be monitored for changes as the breasts are and removal is much like a mastectomy.

“While these variations are mostly common and benign, there are changes in the breasts that do require examination”, says Dr. Chen. “While being conscientious about regular mammograms and self-exams checking for lumps, women should also be alert to anything out of the ordinary that persists beyond a menstrual cycle. In particular, there are indications that require medical evaluation”.

• Discharge from the nipples: Fluid can commonly be expressed from the nipples of pre-menopausal women, particularly those who have given birth or nursed a baby in the last year or two, but spontaneous discharge, particularly if bloody or yellow, should prompt a visit to a doctor.
• Skin changes: The skin on the breasts can be affected by common skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and from irritation by clothing or other contact, but some skin changes might have a more serious cause. These include ulceration, scaliness, crusting, dimpling, and redness that is not from an identifiable source.
• Nipple inversion that occurs suddenly in an adult could be a sign of trouble.

Dr. Chen reminds us that the soft tissue that we think of as a breast is actually a mammary gland, a complex system of fat cells and ducts that produce milk and deliver it to a nursing infant via the nipple. “Breasts are remarkable”, she says. “They fulfill vital functions, undergo changes at different times in a woman’s life, and are as variable as every other part of the human anatomy. Most of these variations are completely normal but any woman with a question shouldn’t hesitate to discuss her concerns with her doctor”.

About Dr. Constance M. Chen

Constance M. Chen, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City with special expertise in the use of innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and cosmetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. She is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Weill Cornell Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Dr. Chen is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally on new advancements in breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of lymphedema. She is the author of three books, five book chapters, and fifty journal articles. She has also won numerous awards for her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the local, regional, and national levels.

Dr. Chen has developed a reputation in the community for the personalized attention that she devotes to her patients. She is committed to aesthetic restoration of the breast and body, and enjoys helping her patients achieve overall well-being. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important to her than the joy she hopes to bring to her patients’ lives. Come into the beautiful world of Dr. Constance M. Chen.

Breast Reconstruction Specialist Dr. Constance M Chen Offers Tips on Restoring Breast Sensation After Mastectomy

Each year in the United States, more than 100,000 women have mastectomies. Advances in surgical techniques today offer women the hope of a soft, warm breast that may look similar and feel much like her original breast, especially if she undergoes natural tissue breast reconstruction. As a result, more and more women now choose breast reconstruction, either at the time of the mastectomy or later. However, in some cases, women who undergo breast reconstruction learn that the natural “look and feel” of her restored breast actually relates to how the breast will look and feel to someone else. Some women report that their reconstructed breasts do not feel at all natural to her and moreover that the reconstructed breast lacks all feeling and is completely numb to touch and sexual arousal.

“The prevalence of social media and zoom conferences has led some women to be more self-conscious about how they look”, says Dr. Constance M Chen, plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist. “While our capability to reconstruct a woman’s breast after a mastectomy has come a long way, the emphasis has been on rebuilding her appearance, with less focus on how she feels. In fact, after mastectomy, many women discover that their breasts are numb – a reality for which they were unprepared. The positive news today is that new techniques in breast reconstruction allow specially trained surgeons to reconnect nerves with the possibility of restoring sensation”.    

Why the loss of sensation. In a mastectomy the nerves that provide feeling to the breast and nipple are cut, resulting in a loss of sensation in the remaining skin, regardless of whether or not the woman undergoes breast reconstruction. In the case of breast reconstruction using implants, the artificial breast implant may actually form a physical barrier that prevents nerves from growing through it to reach the skin. However, with natural tissue breast reconstruction, microsurgeons can suture together nerves from a woman’s own tissue to create a new sensate breast. In these cases, rejoining blood vessels and nerves allows them to grow through the transferred tissue to reach the skin and increase the potential return of sensation.

There are different types of sensation – deep pressure, light touch, pain, and temperature – and they each come back at different rates. Deep pressure sensation usually returns most quickly and temperature most slowly. Moreover, regenerated nerves can take months or even years to reach the skin, and the quality of sensation is variable. “Since nerve growth is slow and the return of sensation is not ensured, not all surgeons prioritize reconnecting the nerves to restore sensation”, says Dr. Chen. “However, taking the time in surgery to carefully repair the nerves can result in the return of feeling and improved sensation”. Innovative microsurgical techniques that use neural tubes and nerve grafts have provided some patients with excellent sensation and even erectile function of the nipple.

“Restoring sensation is on the frontline in breast reconstruction”, Dr. Chen concludes. “Sensory restoration can help a woman feel more normal after mastectomy. Each woman will have a unique experience and result, but it is important for surgeons to do their best to restore a woman’s body as fully as possible to help her regain her health and sense of self”.

About Dr. Constance M. Chen

Constance M. Chen, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City with special expertise in the use of innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and cosmetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. She is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Weill Cornell Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Dr. Chen is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally on new advancements in breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of lymphedema. She is the author of three books, five book chapters, and fifty journal articles. She has also won numerous awards for her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the local, regional, and national levels.

Dr. Chen has developed a reputation in the community for the personalized attention that she devotes to her patients. She is committed to aesthetic restoration of the breast and body, and enjoys helping her patients achieve overall well-being. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important to her than the joy she hopes to bring to her patients’ lives. Come into the beautiful world of Dr. Constance M. Chen.

Breast Reconstruction Specialist Dr. Constance M Chen Offers Tips on Restoring Breast Sensation After Mastectomy

Each year in the United States, more than 100,000 women have mastectomies. Advances in surgical techniques today offer women the hope of a soft, warm breast that may look similar and feel much like her original breast, especially if she undergoes natural tissue breast reconstruction. As a result, more and more women now choose breast reconstruction, either at the time of the mastectomy or later. However, in some cases, women who undergo breast reconstruction learn that the natural “look and feel” of her restored breast actually relates to how the breast will look and feel to someone else. Some women report that their reconstructed breasts do not feel at all natural to her and moreover that the reconstructed breast lacks all feeling and is completely numb to touch and sexual arousal.

The prevalence of social media and zoom conferences has led some women to be more self-conscious about how they look. While our capability to reconstruct a woman’s breast after a mastectomy has come a long way, the emphasis has been on rebuilding her appearance, with less focus on how she feels. In fact, after mastectomy, many women discover that their breasts are numb – a reality for which they were unprepared. The positive news today is that new techniques in breast reconstruction allow specially trained surgeons to reconnect nerves with the possibility of restoring sensation.

Dr. Constance M Chen, plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist

Why the loss of sensation. In a mastectomy the nerves that provide feeling to the breast and nipple are cut, resulting in a loss of sensation in the remaining skin, regardless of whether or not the woman undergoes breast reconstruction. In the case of breast reconstruction using implants, the artificial breast implant may actually form a physical barrier that prevents nerves from growing through it to reach the skin. However, with natural tissue breast reconstruction, microsurgeons can suture together nerves from a woman’s own tissue to create a new sensate breast. In these cases, rejoining blood vessels and nerves allows them to grow through the transferred tissue to reach the skin and increase the potential return of sensation.

There are different types of sensation – deep pressure, light touch, pain, and temperature – and they each come back at different rates. Deep pressure sensation usually returns most quickly and temperature most slowly. Moreover, regenerated nerves can take months or even years to reach the skin, and the quality of sensation is variable. “Since nerve growth is slow and the return of sensation is not ensured, not all surgeons prioritize reconnecting the nerves to restore sensation”, says Dr. Chen. “However, taking the time in surgery to carefully repair the nerves can result in the return of feeling and improved sensation.” Innovative microsurgical techniques that use neural tubes and nerve grafts have provided some patients with excellent sensation and even erectile function of the nipple.

“Restoring sensation is on the frontline in breast reconstruction”, Dr. Chen concludes. “Sensory restoration can help a woman feel more normal after mastectomy. Each woman will have a unique experience and result, but it is important for surgeons to do their best to restore a woman’s body as fully as possible to help her regain her health and sense of self”.

About Dr. Constance M. Chen

Constance M. Chen, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City with special expertise in the use of innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and cosmetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. She is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Weill Cornell Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Dr. Chen is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally on new advancements in breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of lymphedema. She is the author of three books, five book chapters, and fifty journal articles. She has also won numerous awards for her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the local, regional, and national levels.

Dr. Chen has developed a reputation in the community for the personalized attention that she devotes to her patients. She is committed to aesthetic restoration of the breast and body, and enjoys helping her patients achieve overall well-being. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important to her than the joy she hopes to bring to her patients’ lives. Come into the beautiful world of Dr. Constance M. Chen.

The Most Important Advice for Plastic Surgery Patients is to Choose their Doctor Carefully, says Dr. J Plastic Surgery

The Beverly Hill-based plastic surgeon comments on a recent article that, while skin care tips are helpful and good aftercare is a must for recovering patients, the best and only way to ensure an outstanding recovery is to select an outstanding physician.

A February 1 article on Allure compiles suggestions from experts on skincare after a rhinoplasty (aka, a nose job). Tips in the article include being careful when washing the area around the nose, moisturizing regularly, and using sunscreen to protect skin from ultraviolet rays. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., known more informally to his patients and colleagues as Dr. J, says that a good plastic surgeon will monitor patients postoperative progress and provide them with all of the self-care information they need.

While it’s crucial to practice good self-care following any surgery, the most important step of all in a facial or body procedure is the selection of the best possible plastic surgeon for the job.

Dr. J notes that, while it’s crucial to practice good self-care following any surgery, the most important step of all in a facial or body procedure is the selection of the best possible plastic surgeon for the job before surgery. He adds that it’s essential that patients limit their search to board-certified plastic surgeons. This is because not all doctors who are legally allowed to perform rhinoplasties and other procedures have undergone the two years of additional training required to call themselves plastic surgeons, says Dr. J. Moreover, board certification proves that a surgeon’s knowledge and skills have met the rigorous standards of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He adds that it’s also essential to account for the aesthetic X-factor that separates merely competent plastic surgeons from those likely to produce superb results.

Dr. J, who is double-board certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery, adds that one way to see if a doctor has mastered the art, as well as the science, of plastic surgery is to examine their past outcomes. For example, Dr. J’s rhinoplasty results can be seen on his online gallery. The doctor notes that looking at before-and-after pictures can help a patient imagine the kind of outcomes that might be possible in their own case.

Returning to the topic of recovery following a rhinoplasty or other procedure, Dr. J says that he has worked hard over the years to developing highly advanced techniques for minimizing patient recovery times on all of his procedures. He adds that patients who want to benefit from a recovery that is both successful and more rapid can help ensure both is by insisting on a board-certified plastic surgeon with a proven track record of outstanding outcomes.

About Dr. Payam Jarrah-Nejad, Dr. J

Payam Jarrah-Nejad, MD, FICS, FACS is a double board certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon. Nicknamed Dr. J by his patients and staff, he holds certifications from both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. J is also an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons.

Dr. J first started his medical career during an internship he held in NYU. It was during this time that he also began working with hospitals around the New York area. It was in New Jersey that he completed his training and served as Chief Resident at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jarrah-Nejad received a fellowship at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City to specialize in hand surgery. The fellowship was under the guidance of Dr. Charles P. Melone which was a big influence on the young doctor. It was during his training at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center in Michigan that Dr. J found his true calling working with many well-known plastic surgeons.

Years later, practicing as a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. J still uses the same techniques he learned in his training in his frequent operation on the face and body. He is greatly admired by his staff and patients who happily contribute positive testimonials to his website.

Dr. J is known throughout the Los Angeles Area medical community as well as beyond it, for his record of outstanding outcomes and his engaging, patient-friendly personality. He has published a wide range of papers in many prestigious scientific and medical journals and has presented his research to local, regional and national symposia.

Finally, Dr. J has performed pro-bono surgery in several countries as part of humanitarian efforts helping children with congenital anomalies. He works side by side with charitable organizations devoted to providing needy children around the world with free plastic surgeries to repair such issues as cleft lips and palates.

Come into the beautiful world of Dr. J.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Constance M Chen on Why Breast Implants are Removed

Over 400,000 women in the United States receive breast implants each year. Three quarters receive breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation, while the other one quarter receive breast implants to reconstruct a breast lost to cancer. According to the implant manufacturers, about 50% of women with breast implants undergo another surgery to revise, replace, or remove their breast implants within 7 years. Since breast implant problems are common, on October 27, 2021, FDA strengthened breast implant risk communication to help those considering breast implants make informed decisions.

According to the implant manufacturers, about 50% of women with breast implants undergo another surgery to revise, replace, or remove their breast implants within 7 years.

For starters, the FDA now requires a black box warning on all breast implants to let people know that they are not considered lifetime devices and carry risks. In addition, patients are required by law to initial and sign an extensive patient decision checklist that outlines many potential risks and complications, including Breast Implant Illness and Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. There are also updated silicone gel-filled breast implant screening recommendations, device descriptions with a list of specific materials used to make breast implants, and a patient device card. Finally, the FDA released updated information on the status of breast implant manufacturer post-approval studies.

Board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen comments that there are many medical and cosmetic reasons that women have implants removed. “In some cases the implants basically fail and must be removed for the health of the woman. In other cases, women realize that they don’t have to live with implants that are not comfortable for them. For example, women with cosmetic breast implants sometimes reach a new stage in their lives in which they no longer feel that breast implants fit their lifestyle anymore.”

Breast implants don’t last forever

Implants aren’t expected to last forever. Most implants have a ten-year warranty although many are removed before the warranty period is over. The risks only increase with time.

Implants are foreign material, and as such, they elicit a natural response in which the body creates a barrier of scar tissue around the implant to wall it off and protect any foreign substance from penetrating other parts of the body. In some cases this barrier, or capsule, is soft, flimsy and not noticeable. In other cases the scar tissue around the implant can become hard and painful. This uncomfortable condition, known as capsular contracture, is among the most common reasons for implant removal. Other common problems include rupture, where the saline solution or silicone gel that fills the implant leaks into the surrounding tissues; infection, caused by bacteria becoming rooted in the implant; and rippling, in which the skin over the implant appears irregular.

What’s in ‘vogue’ changes

The allure of the full-breasted figure of the 1950s has given way today to a more natural, athletic and healthy look. Some women find that large, augmented breasts are heavy and unwieldy to manage. “In some cases, women who are unhappy with their implants have them replaced with smaller implants,” says Dr. Chen, “and others revert to their own natural breasts. The aesthetic outcome depends on several factors, including how long the implants were in place. Sometimes a breast lift (or mastoplexy) or fat-grafting procedure may be needed to create attractive breasts”.

In addition to facing medical complications, some women find that their implants look distorted and unnatural, feel hard and uncomfortable, or that they’ve lost all sensation in the breast. “In some cases, the solution is to remove the implant and the entire surrounding capsule and to repair the muscle and skin around it,” says Dr. Chen. “Thankfully, there are ways for women to address problems with breast implants whether it is discomfort or a disappointing aesthetic look. Women today have many options for improving the appearance of their breasts. Sometimes simply removing the implants is the first step”.

About Dr. Constance M. Chen

Constance M. Chen, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City with special expertise in the use of innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and cosmetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. She is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Weill Cornell Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Dr. Chen is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally on new advancements in breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of lymphedema. She is the author of three books, five book chapters, and fifty journal articles. She has also won numerous awards for her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the local, regional, and national levels.

Dr. Chen has developed a reputation in the community for the personalized attention that she devotes to her patients. She is committed to aesthetic restoration of the breast and body, and enjoys helping her patients achieve overall well-being. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important to her than the joy she hopes to bring to her patients’ lives. Come into the beautiful world of Dr. Constance M. Chen.

To Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the First Breast Augmentation, Plastic Surgeon Dr. John Anastasatos Shares his Top Ten Myths Regarding the Procedure

Sixty years have passed since the first breast augmentation was performed with silicone gel implants, and yet the public and media still maintain incorrect information and misconceptions about this iconic cosmetic operation. Dr. John Anastasatos, board-certified Beverly Hills and Athens plastic surgeon, reveals the top ten myths regarding breast augmentation that he encounters.

1) Breast implants must be changed every ten years.
There is no medical necessity for breast implants to be replaced every ten years. Breast implants should be replaced when there is a problem or the patient desires a change. The most common problem is implant rupture. At my practice, Los Angeles Plastic Surgery in California, most patients change their implants to go bigger or switch from saline to silicone implants or vice versa. My patients from Athens and Europe prefer to make changes when they have problems.

2) Saline breast implants are safer than silicone ones.
Both saline breast implants and silicone ones are considered safe. Silicone breast implants are often preferred by plastic surgeons and patients because they are softer and more natural. Saline implants allow for more accurate breast volume asymmetry corrections.

3) Under the muscle is better than over the muscle.
Not always. The practice of placing breast implants under the pectoralis major muscle depends on breast anatomy and type of breast implants selected. Some patients get better results with the breast implants under the pectoralis major muscle while others over the muscle.

4) Textured breast implants can prevent capsular contracture (scar tissue) formation.
Not true. This has been a popular notion in Europe. The term “textured implants” means that the breast implant surface is rough (not smooth). The rough surface causes mild inflammation and helps the implant to adhere to the tissues. This was thought to decrease the incidence of capsular contracture but was never proven to be true. People who have textured breast implants still get capsular contractures.

5) Breast implants cause cancer.
The information we have up to date does not support such a claim. There has been recent evidence that a rare type of lymphoma was found on the capsule surrounding breast implants in some women with prior breast augmentation. This does not necessarily mean that in those people the lymphoma was caused by the presence of the breast implants. More investigation is currently being undertaken. Apart from this recent report, there has never been any association between silicone gel or saline-filled breast implants with any cancer in the body. There is no cause-and-effect relationship between breast implants and cancer.

6) You cannot breastfeed after you have had a breast augmentation.
False. When a breast augmentation is done via an incision through the inframammary fold, armpit or belly button there is usually no problem with breastfeeding.

7) I will lose breast or nipple sensation if I get a breast augmentation.
Rarely. If the breast augmentation is done via an incision in the breast fold, then, on the contrary, a women’s nipple sensitivity may be heightened. The reason why some women lose nipple sensation is if the plastic surgeon over dissects the outer breast pocket or tries to fit too large of an implant.    

8) You need breast implants for a breast lift.
False. Breast implants are not a treatment for breast sagginess. Only a breast lift (mastopexy) corrects sagginess. Most patients incorrectly believe breast implants are required to achieve an effective breast lift.

9) Darker-skinned people are prone to darker, thicker and more visible scars.
False. Black, Latin, Indian and Southern European patients often believe this to be true. It is not. The color of the skin does not affect the wound healing process and eventual look of an incision.

10) Natural breast augmentation with fat is better and safer.
Rarely. Taking a person’s own fat with liposuction and adding it to the breasts may create future problems because some of the fat transferred will perish within a year. Lumps, bumps and contour irregularities may form. Breast lumps from fat can cause unnecessary scares and stress, as an anxiety-provoking breast mass will need to be examined. Furthermore, fat does not have the consistency to offer durable breast projection which is one of the most attractive attributes of breast augmentation with implants.

“Breast augmentation is the second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the world, following liposuction, and providing real facts to a wide audience regarding some of the most commonly believed falsehoods is vital,” says Dr. Anastasatos.

For more information, come into the beautiful world of Los Angeles Plastic Surgery.

Elysium Health Announces Summary Judgment Decision in Case Against ChromaDex in New York – All of ChromaDex’s Claims Against Elysium Health Dismissed

Elysium Health, Inc., a leading life sciences company focused on aging research, is pleased to announce that United States District Court Judge Lewis Liman ordered dismissal of all of ChromaDex’s claims against Elysium Health in a summary judgment decision issued on February 11, 2022, in a false advertising case in the Southern District of New York. This is a significant victory for Elysium Health after also receiving favorable rulings in two other cases with ChromaDex, a patent infringement case in which the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware invalidated the Dartmouth College patents asserted by ChromaDex, and a nearly five-year litigation in the Central District of California that resulted in a jury rejecting ChromaDex’s trade secret and fiduciary duty claims, offsetting amounts owed by Elysium Health to ChromaDex for a prior order by $625,000 because of ChromaDex’s breach of a pricing agreement, and awarding Elysium Health $1.275 million in damages for ChromaDex’s fraudulent inducement.

What remains in the New York case are several claims, including one for which the judge has already found that ChromaDex made false statements about Elysium Health’s product Basis.

Elysium Health has maintained for years that ChromaDex’s legal accusations were without merit. We are satisfied with Judge Liman’s decision to dismiss the entirety of ChromaDex’s claims against Elysium in New York, and we plan to vigorously pursue all available remedies with respect to those claims that remain.

Eric Marcotulli, CEO Elysium Health

Elysium Health is gratified that the judge has thus far ruled in the company’s favor, and looks forward to a successful conclusion of this case.   

About Elysium Health^™

Elysium Health’s mission is to solve the biggest challenges in health with science, to help people lead healthier lives. Working directly with the world’s leading scientists and clinicians, Elysium Health™ is committed to translating critical advancements in aging research into health solutions people can access today. Learn more at Elysium Health.