Plastic Surgery Seattle Blog

Body Jet liposuction, the new technique that uses water to dislodge unwanted body fat, is featured on this CBS News video.

A Florida doctor’s medical license was recently suspended by the Florida Board of Medicine following an investigation that stemmed from a complaint made by a 2009 liposuction patient.  The doctor was also fined $50,000 and may be subjected to a three-year probationary period of supervised practice after the license suspension is up.

According to the medical board, the penalized physician, Dr. Yves N. Jean-Baptiste, allowed two unlicensed medical assistants to perform liposuction in an unregistered surgical facility.

The board also found that Jean-Baptiste failed to perform a proper pre-operative exam and did not appropriately document important surgical details, including the amount of anesthesia used and the amount of fat removed.

The serious penalties doled out by the Florida Board of Medicine in this case, such as increasing the physician’s fine from $10,000 to $50,000, highlight the board’s concerns regarding unqualified physicians performing cosmetic procedures.

Although Jean-Baptiste is “board certified,” the certification awarded is for family medicine specialization, not plastic surgery, and his liposuction training consisted of only a single three-day course.

“I think he’s in a lot of trouble because he doesn’t have a surgical background,” said Dr. Trina Espinola, a St. Petersburg surgeon and Florida medical board member.

The Florida Board of Medicine’s focus on consumer safety in cosmetic medicine and awareness of the inherent risk of unqualified practitioner participation in this cash-only industry is due in large part to the involvement of the state’s medical community.

Chris Nuland, a Jacksonville attorney representing Florida’s plastic surgeons and dermatologists, commented that in recent years, the state’s community of plastic surgery and dermatology specialists has grown concerned about the rise of untrained professionals, whose patients they end up treating when complications arise.

“This kind of case underscores how a weekend of coursework doesn’t prepare physicians to perform procedures such as liposuction,” said Nuland.

Be sure to seek a board certified Seattle plastic surgeon for liposuction, laser liposuction or any cosmetic surgery procedure, as surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are uniquely qualified and extensively trained to perform these procedures.

Cynosure recently launched a new patient website for SmartLipo, the laser-assisted liposuction procedure performed by Dr. Gottlieb in Seattle.

Direct Links

• Smartlipo versus Traditional Liposuction
• Body areas that can be sculpted with SmartLipo
• Smartlipo Before and After Photos

Smartlipo provides plastic surgeons with an ultra precise method for fat reduction and body sculpting. As the industry’s only laser lipolysis system designed to destroy fat cells and coagulate tissue for tighter skin, Smartlipo is ideal for treating localized fat deposits on the face and body.

Body Jet uses water to displace persistent deposits of fat and remove them with suction.  It’s superior to other water-assisted liposuction platforms and gentler than traditional liposuction.  Read on to learn more about this advanced body contouring method:

Q: How is body jet different than other liposuction methods?

A: Laser liposuction is great for ultra precise body fat removal in relatively small amounts, while body jet can handle a significantly larger volume of fat.  Also, compared to traditional techniques,  Body jet lipo doesn’t require a manual manipulation of tissue to remove fat, so the procedure is gentler and the results are smoother.

Q: What body areas can we treat with Body Jet?

A: The abdomen is probably most common, but the chest, hips, flanks, thighs, and arms are also treatable.

Q: What happens after Body Jet liposuction?

A: Patients wear a compression garment that may be worn for 2 weeks, which is crucial for getting the results they want. Antibiotics and pain medications may be prescribed.  Many patients are back to normal activities in 3 days or less.

Q: How much fat can be removed with water assisted liposuction?

A: The standard in the industry is 5 liters of aspirated fat.

During consultations, a frequently asked question at our Seattle office is about breast feeding after receiving breast implants.  Is it possible?  Is it safe for the newborn?

Ability to breast-feed

While uncommon, a certain number of patients do experience a disruption in their ability to breast feed.  Choosing a surgical incision that avoids manipulation of the nipple can decrease this risk.  If breast feeding is likely in your future, you may want to investigate incision techniques such as the inframmary fold incision, transaxillary incision, or transumbilical breast augmentation method.

Although breast feeding is not necessarily compromised by sub-glandular (above the muscle) placement, some surgeons maintain that submuscular breast implant placement reduces the risk as well.

Infant Safety

Research studies published in the late 90s regarding infant safety haven’t found any measurable risks associated with breast implants.  In the late 90s, a study was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showing that women with silicone breast implants show comparable levels of silicone (silicon) in their breast milk to women without implants.  It is not known what effect could occur if traces of silicone were to pass through to the infant.

Feel free to speak with Dr. Gottlieb or your OB/GYN if you still have questions and concerns about this topic.  Whether you plan to become pregnant or not, it is best to understand all of the possible breast augmentation risks before proceeding with surgery.

Dr. Jourdan Gottlieb of Plastic Surgery Seattle is now offering state of the art liposuction procedure called Smartlipo by Cynosure. This new system is ideal for treating small areas especially for patients who have localized fat deposits but very lax overlying sking which would have been made worse with traditional liposuction. In addition to melting fat, the Smartlipo coagulates and tightens the tissue and helps induce collagen production.

Summer is fast approaching, and this year you don’t have to feel self-conscious about summer clothes showing off that extra padding that you have been unable to get rid of through diet and exercise. If you have been considering liposuction to change your body contour, Dr. Jourdan Gottlieb at Plastic Surgery Seattle has an exciting offer for you to try the fat removal solution called LipoSelectionsm only by VASER.

The LipoSelection procedure is tissue selective using ultrasound energy to break up the fat while leaving other important tissues largely undisturbed. You can get back in the swim with a smooth new contour no extra bulges to keep you from looking your best.

To find out if you are a good candidate for LipoSelection, call Plastic Surgery Seattle at 206.320.2270 and schedule your complimentary, confidential consultation with Dr. Gottlieb. Dr. Gottlieb will talk with you about your goals and explain how LipoSelection might help you achieve them. If LipoSelection is right for you, just book your LipoSelection surgery during the month of May*, and you will receive a $450 discount on your procedure.

This year, make a splash, with LipoSelection…only by VASER. Remember, it‚’s LipoSelection, not liposuction.

* Surgery must be scheduled during the month of May 2007, and completed by August 30, 2007.
** Patients must be pre-screened to ensure that they are good candidates for LipoSelection.

Dr. Gottlieb is pleased to present LipoSelectionSM only by VASER bringing the latest technology in fat removal to Seattle and the surrounding area.

The VASER System is a device that uses sound waves to selectively break up fatty tissues for removal. Fat broken apart during the LipoSelection procedure is permanently removed while leaving other important tissues such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue largely undisturbed.

Advantages to patients include a smooth contour with low to minimal pain and bruising.

LipoSelection only by VASER offers consumers a precise and efficient way to lose those last unwanted inches.