September 9, 2009

Dear Patients:

We’re done with the summer- the quickest of my life- and time to move on.

This regular biased newsletter is long overdue as I’m bursting with information and in need of unloading my opinions on you. What’s happening in this office, changes in plastic surgical procedures and even ideas on the health care issues are poignant topics.

Our aesthetic practice simply involves making people feel better about themselves —whether it is a fresher look as you glance in the mirror or a more confident sense of well being when you are with or without your clothes. Our persistent goal is to make our patients happy; simple stuff.

In the next few months I’ll be dumping my gleaned biased thoughts on you again. Please, if you find this offensive or wish not to receive these newsletters let us know and we’ll delete you—but not from the face of the earth.

I. Cosmetic Breast Surgery

In 2008 cosmetic surgery nationally was down 9%; in our office aesthetic breast augmentation procedures were up 10%. We operate on several hundred patients a year for breast implants and it seems the economy has not affected our patients choosing implant surgery. I’m allegedly one of the breast implant experts in this region and my patients will attest to their happy results. Rather than brag about our results or discuss all the ins and outs of the operations, check us out on our website www.geraghtymd.com and the Mentor website at www.loveyourlook.com. We have thousands of satisfied patients who have had this aesthetic procedure. More on Breast Implants next newsletter.

II: Latisse for eyelashes: You’ve all seen commercials with Brooke Shields touting a new eyelash fertilizer using a topical ointment placed on the lashes to promote growth and thickness. Of course, I was skeptical of this not only because Brooke Shields promotes everything from Volkswagens to toilet paper and who can believe anything from Hollywood. Minoxidil for hair growth has been ineffective for eyelashes. Well, my old conservative thoughts were wrong and I am amazed by the results. Every woman in our office is using Latisse and they have rather remarkable looking lashes. My patients and office women make Brooke Shields look like a hairless Chihuahua. If you have any ocular problems such as glaucoma, a consultation with your ophthalmologist is appropriate. Check it out at www.latisse.com. It is available for purchase in our office.

III. Minimally Invasive Procedures: Into our second year of this wonderful economic crunch, sometimes all we have left is our pride. Minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and filler injections, lasers, skin care and even Thermage have been on the rise. This office has felt that movement towards less invasive procedures, especially on the face rather than choosing a surgical intervention. There are several websites, www.injectablessafety.org through my aesthetic surgical society that present all types of options. Rather than my belaboring these specifics, there are numerous pages, advisories, videos and informative sites that you can access. There is also www.thermage.com which describes the Thermage unique high radio frequency technology that heats the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating collagen and resulting in smoother, tighter and firmer skin in most, but not all patients. Plastic surgeons hold all of these injectable materials and devices to a very high standard of safety so there is no threat for any serious events.

IV. Words from Amy Boyd: Too much fun in the sun this summer?

The summer is unofficially over on Labor Day. Lounging at the pool and playing at the lake will only be memories soon. But, the telltale sign of sun damage are all too noticeable on your skin. Dryness, dull skin tone, brown spots and fine lines are just a few of the not so friendly reminders that summer can leave behind.

Make your appointment for a Summer Repair Facial today. For $80.00 you will get a personalized skincare plan to set you on the right track with your homecare products plus a medical grade mini-facial to remove thickened, dull skin, open clogged pores and soften lines. You will leave with a glowing complexion and a complimentary tube of Skin Ceuticals sunscreen.

Call or email to schedule. 816.616.7018 or geraghtyskincare @yahoo.com

V. Botox and Facial Fillers: We are currently using Botox and Juvederm. Look up www.juvederm.com for and www.botox.com for more information. Botox paralyzes the local muscle making those wrinkles between the brows less noticeable. It is also relaxes crows feet and horizontal forehead wrinkles. Juvederm is an injectable hyaluronic acid and filler for deep crevasses especially nasolabial folds and is effective for lip plumping. We have used gallons of these materials with great predictable results. Currently we do not use permanent fillers because of potential long term complications. We have no long term complications with Juvederm.

VI. Health Care changes

You are sick of listening to all the healthcare issues and the endless debate and public meeting rantings. The fact is that our nation’s economic stability short and long-term depends on some change in our healthcare system. The 40 million people uninsured are as important as the other 300 million insured with state or government funded subsidized healthcare. The private health insurance carriers remain communist bastards where their business profit motive is of more concern than your treatment or well being. Costs are rising; lobbyists, advertising and lack of tort reform pushes the cost of healthcare higher every year. We cannot maintain this status quo. We do have a bunch of smart people on both sides of the aisle that can get together, control the communist bastards health insurance companies rising costs and find some economically feasible system that will benefit all of us. Please be informed. Read about it and write your congressman. Please look up the facts on www.healthcarereform.com which eliminates the rumors and lies about what potentially would be beneficial for us all.

Conclusion:

In the next month, we are sending more jaundiced opinions. But you, my patients should maintain open minds. Please let us know if you hate this letter. Till next month.

Sincerely,

Thomas Geraghty