Plastic Surgery Seattle Blog

Company spokespersons from Bioform Medical Inc announced last Thursday (Jan. 8th) that 1 million syringes of Radiesse dermal filler have been shipped worldwide since 2002.

Radiesse is BioForm’s staple product and most commonly prescribed to correct wrinkles, nasolabial folds and facial lipoatrophy.

BioForm is based in San Mateo, California, and has been incorporated since 1999.  Radiesse has been marketed for cosmetic and therapeutic use in Europe since 2002.  In 2006 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded Radiesse’ approval to include  facial cosmetic use by physicians in the United States.

About 10,000 medical and cosmetic surgery practices have received the product, an achievement that surely defines Radiesse as one of the most popular dermal fillers on the world market.  The only comparable fillers that have achieved such widespread appeal are those composed of collagen or hyaluronic acid, both of which have been on the market longer.

A highly diverse group of medical professionals led by Cleveland Clinic’s Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute have completed the first-ever “80 percent facial transplant” on a female patient that suffered severe facial trauma.

While personal information about the patient has been withheld for privacy reasons,the press release states that the 22 hour procedure was the “largest and most complex face transplant in the world.” Many critical components of the face were restored.  Surgeons precisely integrated facial structures like the lower eyelids and nose, while also replacing different complex tissues like skin, nerves and arteries.

Director of Plastic surgery research and team leader Maria Siemionow has spent a significant part of her career researching and developing such a procedure.  She was able to lead a group of professionals from a variety of areas, including psychology, anesthesia, opthamology, dentistry and others. A cooperative approach of this magnitude is the only way to succeed in such a complex surgical procedure.

Dr. Siemionow has a profound connection between her work and her motivation to help injured patients. “No other aspect of our anatomy is capable of even a fraction of the complexity of motion and emotion allowed by the muscles and tissues of the face” says Siemionow.

Dr. Gottlieb, known for achieving soft, natural results, provides breast augmentation candidates choices when it comes to implant incision placement. “Most patients have some concern about visible scarring,” he explains. “What many women don’t realize is that they have options regarding the incision site, including surgical insertion beneath the breast folds or through the navel, where the incision is virtually undetectable.” Working with the patient to devise a plan she feels comfortable with is Dr. Gottlieb’s ultimate goal. “The final word on implant placement is always patient preference,” he says. “When the patient is a part of the process, it makes for a more precise surgical plan, which is the key to achieving greater patient satisfaction.”  “Helping people feel good about themselves is the driving force behind Plastic Surgery Seattle.”

—Dr. Jourdan R. Gottlieb

In practice since 1985, Dr. Gottlieb is fervent in his belief that plastic surgery can improve one’s self-esteem and confidence.  “It’s inspiring when patients tell me how my staff and I helped renew in them a greater sense of self,” says Dr. Gottlieb. “The gratitude expressed by someone when they love their results makes my job rewarding.” Dr. Gottlieb appreciates the trust his patients instill in him and feels it is his responsibility to realize their visions by partnering and working with them to ensure expectations aremet. “When someone selects your practice and then refers you to friends and family, you can feel confident that you’ve helped them achieve their goals.”