What a Birmingham Plastic Surgeon Does for the Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

“The Holiday Season is a particularly busy time for me” states Birmingham plastic surgeon Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. “People want to get their plastic surgery completed by year’s end.” Cosmetic surgery, in Birmingham is very busy during this time as patients want to be healed after their holiday breaks and they can return to work or school with their new look. Tummy tucks, breast enhancements and breast lifts are the most common procedures perfromed by Alabama plastic surgeon Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D.

Alabama plastic surgery patients usually have their cases booked with Dr. Beckenstein by November, several scheduling in July and August. “I see a lot of patients in my Birmingham plastic surgery office, right about now, wanting a procedure done by the end of the year. While I try to accomodate them, I often cannot. Most wait until early January”

While he is not like Santa Claus, Birmingham cosmetic surgeon, Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. feels like him after the holidays as he feels he has worked just as hard. The only difference is Dr. Beckenstein does not have to wait a year for his next job, it starts with the new year, this is when patients seek out this Alabama cosmetic surgeon to seek out their new year’s resolutions of a new body!

Posted in Body Contouring, Breast Enlargement, Breast Implants, Breast Lift, General Plastic Surgery, Midsection Makeover, Midsection Makeover, Tummy Tuck, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Difference Between Plastic And Cosmetic Surgery? Part I

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

The terms “plastic” surgery and “cosmetic” surgery are often interchanged and confused. The field of plastic surgery, that performed by real board certified, plastic surgeons, used to be known as plastic and reconstructive surgery. The name was changed to further alleviate confusion in the field, intended to simplify things. With the evolution of” cosmetic surgeons”, those not truly board certified in plastic surgery, the current confusion has arisen. The public must be aware of these differences when seeking out the right surgeon for them!

Plastic surgery encompasses both cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery are elective procedures with the objective of improving apperances. These include facial procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose job); body procedures such as breast ehancement, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Reconstructive procedures are intended to restore form and function that are lost due to injury or surgery. Procedures such as breast reconstruction, following mastectomy, facial reconstruction after an autoaccident are examples of common reconstructive procedures.

Board certified plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and body. Cosmetic surgeons have no ABMS certification to perform any cosmetic procedures on the face or body.

Michael S. Beckenstein,M.D., a Birmingham, Alabama board certified plastic surgeon specializes in both plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is ABMS certified to perform cosmetic surgery on the face and body. He states that there is a lot the public needs to know about the differences in board certification between board certified plastic surgeons and those calling themselves cosmetic surgeons. This wll be discussed in detail in part II of this blog, coming soon.

Posted in Body Contouring, Breast Cancer, Breast Enhancement, Facial Plastic Surgery, General Plastic Surgery, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s What I do Everyday for My Birmingham Breast Reconstruction Patients

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

October is breast cancer awareness month and the world turns pink for the month. Everyone focuses on breast cancer and its prevention, treatment, and patient education. We all do somethings special for this month but it is what we should be doing EVERYDAY for this that counts!

At the plastic surgery practice of Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. it is we do for our Birmingham Breast reconstruction patients, everyday, that is always special. We do not wait for the month of October. Our Birmingham Breast surgery practice practice stands out from others because of what our Birmingham plastic surgery practice does for these women. My new CONSUMMATE BREAST CARE service that is now part of the BREAST SURGERY CENTER of ALABAMA offers the most complete services for women with breast cancer. This rivals any entity touting itself as a ”comprehensive breast center”. Such services include:

  • all surgery, oncology, radiology services
  • spiritual guidance and counseling
  • spa services
  • nutition and excercise
  • support groups
  • all in one/rapid diagnostic services

We do not wait for the month of October to do something special for breast cancer, we do it everyday!

 

 

Posted in Breast Cancer, Breast Implants, Breast Oncology, Breast Reconstruction, fat transfer breast reconstruction, General Plastic Surgery, Lumpectomy, Oncoplastic Surgery, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CENTERS?

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

Major universities and hospitals tout that they have Comprehensive Breast Centers. They say they offer all of the services women with breast cancer require. These centers usually offer screening, referrals to their physicians including oncologic surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists. There is usually a team of nurses and other employees to guide women throughout the entire process.

Many women state that this is a rather institutionalized approach to breast cancer and often feel they are” being attacked by the white coats”. This is why Birmingham plastic surgeon, Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. has established his CONSUMMATE BREAST CARE concept as part of his Breast Surgery Center of Alabama.  When asked about his concept, Dr. Beckenstein explains; “We offer many services that breast cancer patients have asked for. Through my experience with breast reconstruction patients, in Birmingham, I have learned what services would greatly benefit my cancer patients. We do it in an intimate, family setting as opposed to the intitutional approach. My ALL IN ONE is a same day, fast track consultation process where patients can be seen by every physician involved in their care in one day!” Such services include

  • all surgical, oncologic, reconstructive, and radiological care
  • counseling
  • spiritual guidance
  • spa services 
  • support groups
  • nutrition and excercise programs
  • ALL IN ONE same day process

This unique intimate approach has received outstanding reviews by the women who have experienced it. Dr. Beckenstein has chosen some of the best clinicians in Birmingham to particpate in this concept. The highly favorable ratings received from patients is a tribute to the success of this concept.

Posted in Breast Cancer, Breast Oncology, Breast Reconstruction, General Plastic Surgery, Surgeon Education | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

FDA APPROVES CONTINUED USE OF SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

The recent FDA panel discussion has concluded that silicone gel implants are safe in that they do not cause cancer or connective tissue diseases. While they recommend continued patient follow up, these devices will remain available for Birmingham breast enhancement patients. Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D., an Alabama plastic surgeon, prefers silicone gel implants for his breast augmentation patients for the following reasons:

  • they provide a more natural feel
  • the failure rates are almost 30% lower than saline implants
  • there is less rippling than saline devices
  • greater variety of sizes available to obtain better results

Dr. Beckenstein states ” I am thrilled that I can continue to use gel implants for my breast enhancement patients I am getting even better results with them. My patient satisfaction surveys are coming back with higher scores since I am using gel implants.” He also stresses to make sure breast augmentation are perfromed by real, board certified plastic surgeons!

Posted in Breast Enhancement, Breast Enlargement, Breast Implants, General Plastic Surgery, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

USA Today Discusses Cosmetic Surgery Patient Safety

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

The term Cosmetic Surgeon has become a very generic title and is now being used by many physicians that are not even true surgeons. There is a family practitioner who has no certification, in any surgical field, who is performing breast augmentations, in Birmingham, Alabama with fat transfer! He has no appreciation for the anatomy of the breast, no training in surgery, no training in liposuction and fat transfer. The only training, in this complex issue, comes from a weekend course he took. Would you want to be operated on by him?

Unfortunately there are many such physicians who are “cosmetic surgeons’ and are preying on the public. It is up to you, the patient to seek out true board certified plastic surgeons to perform your cosmetic surgery. Birmingham, Alabama is extremely lax in overseeing and regulating what these doctors are doing in their offices. This is where the majority of these “cosmetic surgeons” perform their plastic surgery. They cannot obtain privleges in hospitals or surgery centers beacuse they have no real certification.

The USA Today feature provides excellent insight into this dangerous trend and a must read for anyone considering plastic surgery in Alabama. The best cosmetic surgeons can be found in the directory of the  American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS). This society has also written a position on this issue and USA Today feature. 

Patient safety starts with the patient choosing the right surgeon. Birmingham plastic surgeon, Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. is a member of the ASPS. He is a great choice for a safe, experienced cosmetic surgeon!

Posted in Breast Enlargement, Breast Implants, fat transfer, fat transfer breast enlargement, fat transfer breast reconstruction, General Plastic Surgery, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping Cosmetic Surgery in Birmingham Safe !

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

All Cosmetic surgery procedures have associated complications including death. This is why you have to choose a safe plastic surgeon with good judgement. Recently, an excellent cosmetic surgeon ,in Birmingham, Alabama, performed an outpatient breast reduction on a healthy patient. This patient unfortunately passed away, at home, that evening, from a known complication. Appropriate precautions were taken to prevent it., however she still developed it. If this patient stayed overnight, in the hospital, the developement of this complication might have been diagnosed, and appropriate treatment renedered, poptentially saving her life.  Outpatient plastic surgery is safe and universally accepted, yet staying overnight in a hospital facility is safer. Close monitoring by trained nursing personnel and the cosmetic surgeon maximizes the safety of a plastic surgical procedure. Birmingham plastic surgeon, Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. insists that his Alabama breast reduction patients stay for overnight monitoring. He strongly recommends this for all of his cosmetic surgery patients. ” it is the safest way to go for my patients” he states.

Posted in Breast Enhancement, Breast Reduction, General Plastic Surgery, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Hair Replacement in Birmingham, Alabama is Forever Changed !!!

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

We have completed our first series of hair replacement with our NeoGraft system. these are the first hair transplant cases in Birmingham, Alabama using this new technique. The patients are all extremely satisifed. Those that have had previous hair replacement procedures, in Alabama, have stated how much easier and less painful their NeoGraft hair transplantation was. We are excitied with Dr. Beckenstein’s Birmingham NeoGraft method and are looking forward to our next scheduled hair replacement procedures!

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Board Certification Protects Patients

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

The case of Peter Normann is a great example of why patients must be educated and carefully check into the qualifications of a surgeon they are considering for cosmetic surgery.  These events can occur with Birmingham plastic surgery, as the state of Alabama is rather lax in the regulation of cosmetic surgery. Those calling themselves “board certified cosmetic surgeons” can readily perform cosmetic surgery, in their Birmingham offices, with minimal oversight. This, as seen in the Dr. Normann case, can make for unsafe surgery and poor outcomes. Many of these surgeons have no formal residency training or certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It is the patient’s responsibility to determine if a surgeon has the right certifications and qualifications. Complications can arise with any surgery, but they should be minimized in the hands of the appropriately trained, experienced, and certified cosmetic surgeons. Birmingham plastic surgeon Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. offers advice about choosing a safe plastic surgeon and questions to ask a prospective cosmetic surgeon.?

Posted in Body Contouring, fat transfer, fat transfer breast enlargement, fat transfer breast reconstruction, General Plastic Surgery, Liposuction, Midsection Makeover, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Tummy Tuck, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Advantages of Neograft Over Traditional Hair Replacement Methods

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Dr. Beckenstein

In Birmingham, Neograft was just recently introduced by plastic surgeon Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. This revolutionary technology changes how hair replacement is performed. The usual strip method is not used to obtain the hair to be transplanted, instead the Neograft technology harvests the individual follicles without any incision. This has many advantages over the currently used techniques:

  • no incision, stitches and no scar 
  • faster healing and return to normal activity
  • more hair transplanted in single session than other methods
  • saves money!

Men and women considering hair replacement in Birmingham should contact Dr. Beckenstein about Neograft.

Posted in General Plastic Surgery, hair replacement, hair transplantation, Patient Education, Surgeon Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment