Want to lose weight during the holidays?

See what Women's Health has to say about losing weight for the holidays.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/holiday-weight-loss

THE WORKOUT: Incinerate extra calories with one of these 20-minute cardio interval sessions as often as your crazy schedule permits.

On the road or at home. . .
No equipment or gym required! Do as many reps of each exercise as you can in one minute, moving from one to the next without stopping. Rest 90 seconds, then repeat the circuit a total of three or four times.

1. Jumping Jacks
2. Squat Jumps
3. Side-to-Side Hops: Keeping your knees slightly bent and feet together, imagine you're jumping back and forth over a line on the floor.
4. Burpees: Squat to place your hands on the ground, jump back into a plank position, and do a pushup. Reverse the move to return to standing, jumping off the ground to finish each rep.

At the gym. . .
Try this interval workout on any cardio machine. To up the effort, increase the incline, resistance, or speed.
0-5 minutes: Warmup (easy effort—you can sing at this pace)
5-7 minutes: Moderate effort (you can carry on a conversation)
7-10 minutes: Hard effort (you can speak a few words at a time)
10-12 minutes: Moderate effort
12-14 minutes: Recovery (easy effort)
14-16 minutes: Very hard effort (you're huffing and puffing too much to talk)
16-20 minutes: Cooldown (easy effort)

If all else fails call Dr. Potparic for a FREE consultation (954) 779-2777

Breast Reduction and Bariatric Surgery - which should be done first?

Final Results May Be Better When Weight Loss Comes First
For Immediate Release: 08/26/2011

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For very obese women considering both bariatric procedures and breast reduction surgery, optimal results are achieved when weight loss is achieved first, suggests a study in the September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Although initial breast reduction has some benefits, women may be disappointed with the appearance of their breasts after massive weight loss. "Thus, patients who are considering bariatric procedures should be encouraged to pursue that operation before proceeding with reduction mammaplasty," according to the new study by ASPS Member Jeffrey A. Gusenoff, MD, and colleagues of University of Rochester Medical Center.

Best Results when Bariatric Surgery Performed before Breast Reduction
The researchers analyzed patient satisfaction and other outcomes in severely obese women who had massive weight loss of more than 50 pounds. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher, and the women in this study had an average body mass index of about 54. All but one of the women needed bariatric surgery to achieve massive weight loss.

The study included two groups of women: 15 who underwent breast reduction surgery before massive weight loss and 14 who did not have breast reduction surgery before massive weight loss. All of the women who underwent reduction mammaplasty thought their breasts looked better after the operation. In addition, most felt better able to exercise and to lose weight on their own after breast reduction surgery. However, all 15 women needed bariatric surgery to achieve their weight-loss goals. Further reductions in breast size followed bariatric surgery.

Bariatric procedures for obesity can affect the appearance of the breasts as a result of excess skin and other changes. After massive weight loss, 86 percent of the women who previously had reduction mammaplasty thought their breasts looked worse. About half of the women planned to have further surgery to improve the appearance of their breasts. Others said they would have further surgery if it was covered by insurance.

Because of the benefits of breast reduction – including relief from severe breast-related symptoms – most of the women did not regret their decision to have reduction mammaplasty first. However, if giving advice to a friend, they said they would recommend losing weight before undergoing breast reduction surgery.
Of the women who did not undergo reduction mammaplasty, 71 percent felt the appearance of their breasts was worse after bariatric surgery. Half planned to have breast reduction surgery, while more said they would if they could afford it.

The new results suggest that most women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts after massive weight loss, whether or not they undergo breast reduction surgery before bariatric procedures.

Dr. Gusenoff and colleagues suggest that, in women who are candidates for both procedures, it may be a good idea to consider having bariatric surgery first. While reduction mammaplasty has benefits – including reduced pain and increased ability to exercise – the final appearance of the breasts seems better if breast reduction surgery is performed after massive weight loss. "These options must be weighed and individualized treatment plans made for obese patients seeking breast reduction prior to weight loss," the researchers conclude.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/News-and-Resources/

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (954) 779-2777

Skull Reconstruction

For years, patients for whom traditional skull reconstruction was not on option, due to complications post cranial surgery, were left with noticeable skull deformities or a unsightly helmet. However, a team of plastic surgeons led by Chad R. Gordon, D.O. of John Hopkins University recently performed a game-changing surgery using a technique they developed to reshape the outer lining of the brain (the dura) in such difficult cases.

In this case, the patient developed an infection of the skull after having neurosurgery to remove a brain tumor. The infected part of the skull was removed and the patient was prescribed helmet therapy to prevent further injury to his brain, while the infection was cleared. However during this time the patient's brain became swollen and expanded outside the remaining skull cavity, making traditional reconstructive surgery impossible.

Using a new approach Gordon calls "bipolar duraplasty," the team directed low heat to the brain and shrunk it enough to proceed with a cranioplasty-- a procedure in which metal and plastic are used to replace missing skull.

According to Hopkins Medicine, "Bipolar cautery, as used here is the first-ever reported case worldwide of craniofacial surgeons using bipolar electrocautery to temporarily reshape the brain."

The entire study was published in the Journal of Neurosurgery on August 19, 2011.

Fat transfer for younger eyes may last 3 years

updated 7/22/2011 2:27:37 PM ET

NEW YORK — Fat transferred under the eyes to create a younger-looking face can last for at least three years, suggests a new study of people who had the surgery.

The procedure involves taking fat from the belly or thighs and injecting it below the lower eyelid, to puff up an area that surgeons say generally begins to lose its shape by the time people are in their 30s.

Doctors say it's more "natural" and lasts longer than injecting commercially-made wrinkle fillers, but there's also a risk of complications and a higher price tag that comes along with the fat-transfer surgery.

"It's becoming a very common procedure and a way to naturally rejuvenate especially the lower eyelid area," said study author Dr. Cory Yeh, a plastic surgeon from Laguna Woods, California.

"The vast majority of patients are seeing results up to three years," Yeh told Reuters Health.

"The question is always, are we going to be seeing results past that point?"

Surgeons said the procedure typically takes an hour or more, and costs $3,500 to $4,000.

For the new study, published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, Yeh and Dr. Edwin Williams, from the Albany Medical Center in New York, tracked photos of 99 people who had the fat-transfer surgery between 2004 and 2008.

Patients were between 35 and 71 years old, and almost all were women.
Those patients came back to the office for photos of their eye area every few months for up to four years following the surgery. Without knowing when the photos were taken, other members of the study team rated how much improvement, if any, they saw in patients' faces from their original, pre-surgery photos.

In pictures taken a year or less after the surgery, 5 percent of patients showed no improvement, 51 percent had mild improvement, and 44 percent had marked improvement.

By two to three years post-surgery, 14 percent of patients had no improvement from their original photos, 68 percent had mild improvement and 18 percent had marked improvement -- but the researchers only had data on 22 patients that far out.

The most common complication of the surgery was swelling lasting more than a couple weeks. Some patients also had bruising under the eyes or minor "asymmetries" -- meaning one under-eye had more volume than the other after surgery. Patients can also get little lumps under their eyes post-surgery, doctors said.

Yeh said the findings "matched our expectations" in terms of how long the results would hold up after surgery.

"We know that the person's going to continue to age, and that they're going to continue to lose volume" under the eyes, he said. "I would have been shocked if we'd said, 'No, everybody remains perfect.'"

Dr. Jason Meier, a plastic surgeon from Jacksonville, Florida, said the procedure is a few times more expensive than typical commercial injections, but that those injections need to be repeated about every year.
The current study did not look at any results from patients who got those injections.

"Fat transfer is an excellent, permanent option for patients who want a natural, rejuvenated look in the under-eye area," Meier, who was not involved in the new research, told Reuters Health.

"Some things don't end up perfectly precise," but that can be corrected with follow-up procedures, he added. "Uniformly, everyone is very satisfied."

Yeh said the extra volume may not last as long in elderly patients, or those that smoke or exercise a lot.

But he said the fat-transfer procedure is becoming more common, and that it's "appealing to many patients because this is a natural way of using their own body fat."

New Device Takes the “Ouch” Out of Injections

The FDA recently approved a device which is believed to significantly reduce pain both during and after injections. The device called Ouchless Needle is comprised of a canister of Vapocoolant (a topical refrigerant) attached to a disposable syringe and allows clinicians to deliver a blast of topical refrigerant to a patient’s skin seconds prior to injection, thereby numbing the skin to the needle’s pierce.

Studies have found this spray method to be just as effective as messy topical refrigerant creams, some of which need to be applied to the skin at least half an hour prior to injection. The price is also comparable to that of the leading topical refrigerant creams.

According to BellaNovus Development Company LLC, the makers of Ouchless Needle, “The device provides doctors and other clinicians an innovative alternative to numbing creams and ice currently used to minimize localized pain resulting from cosmetic injectables...”

The device which debuted earlier this month has understandably generated a lot of buzz in the cosmetic surgery industry. For many patients, pain is usually a major consideration in the decision to get Botox or other injectables.

According to a 2009 article in the OPRS Journal, 19 percent of people who had never tried to Botox or other injectables said pain was a major deterrent compared to 31 percent of people who had previously tried injectables. Coincidentally, the study referred to those who had no previous experience with injectables as “Naïve.”

However, with this new device such procedures could end up being significantly less painful than people imagine and who knows -– the old adage “beauty is pain” may no longer apply here.

Botox vs Dysport: Is one a superior drug?

A recent study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco found Dysport more effective than Botox in reducing crow's feet. Using 90 volunteers, research injected on side of each patient's face with Botox and injected the other half with Dysport and analyzed the results one month later.

"From our findings, it's clear that there's a better smoothing effect and clearing of lines around the eyes with Dysport," the study's co-author told HealthDay. However, the researchers said they found no evident of Dysport being more effective than Botox at treating other facial wrinkles.

Though Botox and Dysport are both comprised of the same active ingredient, Botulinim toxin type A, Botox has been on the market for a decade longer than its competitor, which was approved by the FDA in 2009. Thus, while Dysport may prove more efficient than Botox in the treatment of some problems, more years on the market and more studies are needed before either could be declared the superior drug.

Liposuction: How to Stop the Weight from Returning

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Colorado found that women who maintained the same eating and exercise habits they had prior to liposuction post liposuction regained much of the weight they had lost, just one year later and usually in a different part of the body.

“I'm all for anybody doing what they want to with their bodies. But here's what amazes me: Many people think that once fat is removed in a given area, problem solved; you're now a thin person. Eat whatever you want because the fat cells are gone,” said writer Judith Newman in an article in the June issue of Marie Claire magazine, where she talks about having liposuction twice.


Like Newman, many people make the mistake of thinking liposuction is the end-all to weight battles. However, keeping that new body after liposuction requires changes in a lifestyle as well, a change of diet in particular. Going back to an unhealthy routine after surgery is like losing weight after dieting and going back to eating unhealthily two weeks later.

With liposuction we remove extra fat and create better shape, but the existing tissue and fat cells are still perfectly capable of enlarging and developing new cells if there is new fat to be stored. Without a healthier lifestyle, a patient has to commit herself to multiple surgeries in order to maintain shape, like Newman did.

However, liposuction is not a weight reduction program; it is shaping and sculpting areas that need to be better defined. Furthermore, while the majority of the women in the study gained weight in a different area of the body, post liposuction, it doesn’t always occur that way. If a patient gains weight after surgery it may the same amount in areas that were treated with liposuction as in untreated areas. It may be less or even more fat deposition in treated areas as well; all scenarios are possible.

To maximize results from liposuction, a patient should try to achieve a weight that he is comfortable with and would have no significant problems to maintain before submitting himself to surgery.

Groupon Deal: 66% off Microdermabrasion Facial Treatment

$49 for a Microdermabrasion Facial Treatment at Dr. Zoran Potparic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery ($145 Value). Deal ends tomorrow. Giftcard expires Feb 5, 2012. Limit 1 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts.

Get it at:
Groupon.com/Fort-lauderdale

Plastic Surgery for Him

Plastic Surgery for Him - slide show

The Mommy Makeover Gains Popularity

We’ve all heard of post-baby gifts, from expensive jewelry to luxurious vacations for the new mommy, but what about post-baby plastic surgery? Some moms say it’s more of a necessity than a new pair of heart-shaped diamond earrings.

With celebrity moms like Heidi Klum and Halle Berry emerging with slim, toned bodies just weeks after giving birth, the competition is stiff for sexy post-baby bodies. Hollywood aside though, some moms say it’s simply about regaining some of the confidence and yes -- the body they had before.

According to a July 8 ABCNews article, it’s a growing trend called the “Mommy Makeover.” Lauren Bays, an Atlanta, GA mother of three, featured in the story said she chose to have surgery because "I was definitely overweight, definitely not where I wanted to be, and it just seemed like it was harder to get back where I was."

Lauren is not alone. According to a WedMD article, the makeover, which typically entails a series of plastic surgery procedures that restore or improve post-pregnancy bodies, is among the most popular surgeries with a growing number of moms.

Contact Dr. Zoran at 954-779-2777 for more information about the “Mommy Makeover.”

Choosing the least expensive surgeon and surgery can be life threatening!

Choosing the least expensive surgeon and surgery can be life threatening!

The least expensive cosmetic surgery procedure can be life threatening! I’m sure you’ve read in the news and heard on TV that there are certain places where safety is not the most important factor! Actually it seems to be the least important of everything that should be taken into consideration when someone is having a major surgical procedure.
Choosing the least expensive surgeon or surgery center rather than the most experienced and most qualified can be a life threatening decision. There are factors that should be taken into consideration:

 Surgeon – Qualifications (Board Certification) and experience with particular surgical procedures.

 Place – Hospital, certified Surgery Center or Quad A (AAAA) certified Office Surgery Facility with adequate staff and equipment.

 Staff - Experienced surgical team, Board Certified Anesthesiologist for surgery procedures performed under general anesthesia or sedation.
You should make sure that the surgeon has a good reputation with no excessive complications attributed to his surgery practice! The surgeon should be board certified and knowledgeable on your particular procedure. Be sure that your surgeon has admitting privileges at nearby hospitals in case of life threatening complications that may require hospitalization.
DO NOT be surprised to find out that prices for some procedures, in particular those more expensive ones (face, nose, and breast) vary significantly from surgeon to surgeon. In general, the more experienced the surgeon (one with a good reputation and overall good results) may charge for his surgical fee significantly more then one who just started or who has little qualifications (dermatologist, OBGYN, family physician, surgeon of other specialty other then plastic surgery).
Unfortunately when it comes to complications, and it may happen even in the most experienced hands, you’ll then see who your surgeon is and what kind of medicine he/she practices.
Dr. Potparic is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, has an impeccable safety record and performs most cosmetic surgery procedures in his state-of-the-art Quad A certified surgery center! He has active staff privileges in four major hospitals and trauma centers in Broward County.

Call Dr. Potparic for a FREE consultation 954-779-2777

The least expensive procedure can be life threatening!

We've talked about this before, choosing the least expensive surgeon or surgery center, rather than the most qualified. What are the dangers if any? Just look at the news this week about a Florida surgery center, where there has been multiple problems, including deaths as a result.

We're not suggesting that you come here, but we are suggesting that you think about your safety, do the investigation. Check out the doctor / surgery center, then and only then make an educated decision.

Price should never be the motivating factor in surgery! It can be if you are shopping for a new car,  but your life is just too important to you, your family and friends, to take a chance on making a decision on cost alone that could be fatal.

Dr. Potparic is Board Certified and has an 100% safety record with a inhouse Quad A certified surgery center! 
Call us for a FREE consultation - (954) 779-2777

FDA about Fillers

FDA officials are concerned that fillers are being used for purposes they were never tested and approved for, such as plumping the lips, which are extremely sensitive.


There are also questions about a lack of clinical evidence on how darker-skinned patients fare with the beauty treatments. More black, Latino and Asian patients are trying plastic surgery, and some information suggests they may be susceptible to unsightly blotches and other complications from fillers.

"The trouble is that once this material is in the hands of physicians, there's really not much control over how it's used and where it's placed," said Dr. Scott Spear, a Washington plastic surgeon. "That creates the potential for a certain amount of mischief.

"But the good news is that, by and large, these are very safe materials," Spear added. "They have a very healthy risk profile."

After reading this you should be more concerned with your safety and NEVER ever consider going for treatment to anyone other than a Board Certified Cosmetic / Plastic Surgeon.  Dr. Potparic, is Board Certified and has treated 100's of patients.  Call our office for a free consultation, (954) 779-2777.

Evolution of Plastic Surgery Procedures

Ever wonder what was the influences were behind the research and development of Plastic and Cosmetic?

The driving force behind most plastic surgery developments during the late 1800s and early 1900s was war, with the awful injuries it often inflicts on its participants. In fact, it was World War I that catapulted plastic surgery into a new and higher realm.

Select the link above to watch the video about

Surgery Pain, Discomfort and Recovery, myth and fact:

The fear of pain can be one of the biggest deterrents to someone who is making a decision on whether or not they are going to have that cosmetic procedure they’ve been thinking about. Many of our fears are valid and others are not. Let’s discuss the probability and difference between pain and discomfort and whether or not your particular procedure will be painful, will require a long recovery and how much discomfort you’ll experience. How long your recovery may take and the approximate time before you can resume your daily activities is not a science. It depends on many factors which can run the gamut depending on your condition at the time of surgery, your genetic makeup and your age.
Many of the non-invasive procedures that Dr. Potparic performs require no downtime, no loss of work and very little discomfort. I use the word discomfort simply because our patients have told us that they have some discomfort but no real pain. Let’s look at some of the injectables, Botox ®, Restylane, Juvederm, ArteFill, Radiesse and Sculptra. What to expect: The doctor will apply a numbing cream to the area where you will receive your injection to minimize the pain of the injection. Once you’ve received the injection you’ll be given an ice compress to apply to the area/s as this plays a big factor in the reduction of your discomfort and helps prevent swelling. Within 24hrs you’ll feel as if nothing was done, but you’ll see that you’ll look GREAT.

Now let’s talk about surgical procedures such as a Facelift, Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and Rhinoplasty (nose). These surgeries will result in some discomfort, usually minimal and minor pain. Of course in some cases there may be more pain then in others but overall the pain factor on a scale of 1 (being the lowest) and 10 (being the highest) the average patient experiences a 2 possibly a 3, and this pain is usually gone within the first 24hrs. Again, remember that everyone is different and will have a different experience.

Our next BLOG will discuss some of the more extensive surgeries that Dr. Potparic performs, such as Liposuction, Breast Reduction, Breast Enhancement (enlargement), Body Contouring, and Tummy Tuck etc...





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Why use an in-office surgery center?

Why would you want to have your procedure in an office based surgery center?
1. We have a State of the Art Ambulatory Surgery Center which provides an enhanced patient-focused experience with the best of both worlds - an experienced surgical team combined with the state-of-the-art surgical technology.

2. Office based surgical suite provides safety, convenience, comfort and discretion.

3. The Surgery Center is AAAA accredited by the National Accreditation Association and State of Florida certified which means that it has all the necessary support and staff available in hospitals or surgery and hospital based surgery centers.

Many surgeons and many patients tend to prefer ambulatory surgery centers (in-office) for outpatient procedures for a number of reasons:

1. Control over procedures and standards. Dr. Potparic prefers working in the ASC as he can set the standards for equipment, safety, postoperative care, etc., rather than having these decided for him by a hospital administrator.

2. Patient Control: The patient has options of scheduling surgery on dates convenient to their schedule, especially a Friday surgery which allows you the weekend for recovery.

3. Cost. In numerous cases, the outpatient procedure performed in an ASC costs one-half as much as the same procedure done in the hospital.

4. Safe Option to hospital surgery and is expressly designed for comfort and convenience. The finely tuned level of care provided in the relaxed surroundings makes your experience safer and less stressful.

5. Presence of family and friends. Whereas most hospitals keep patients recovering from a surgical procedure in separate rooms, in an ASC the patient can usually spend the recovery period after surgery with their loved ones.

6. Convenience. There is much less administrative paperwork and "red tape" at an ambulatory surgical center compared to the admissions process at most hospitals. Patients also like the fact that they can leave an ASC relatively quickly after their surgery, as soon as it is considered safe to be discharged.

Comprehensive Understanding of your needs!

Dr. Potparic’s clients come from all over the world and as a result of that Dr. Potparic has a very comprehensive understanding of the needs of many people of diverse situations. Someone in the Caribbean, Central America, New York or even Florida may not have the same needs as someone from Canada, California or Paris. Weather, environment, age and family genetics play a huge roll in defining who you are and what your needs are when it comes to plastic surgery. Face lifts, facial fillers and Botox ® are a large part of the doctor’s sphere of expertise, as is liposuction and body contouring. There are many times when you price shop and that’s as it should be, but, a medical procedure should not be one of those times. We recommend you see at least three doctors, ask your questions and get your quote. Once you have three quotes and all of your questions have been answered and your concerns been satisfied you should make your decision but never ever make that decision on price alone!


If you have any questions we can answer or if you would like to schedule a FREE consultation please feel free to call our office at, (954) 779-2777 we look forward to hearing from you.