As a plastic surgeon who regularly does procedures to enhance and improve the perioral region of the face, the color of one’s teeth can also make a significant impact on these results. Smiling is an expression that is framed externally by the face and internally by one’s teeth. Full lush lips that move to reveal dungy and yellow teeth is an aesthetic distraction. I encourage my patients to consider teeth whitening as part of their facial rejuvenation process and it is a service that is offere... Read Full Story

On this week’s Doc Chat Radio show on WXNT 1430AM in Indianapolis from Noon to 1:00 PM on Saturday, hosted by Dr. Barry Eppley Indianapolis plastic surgeon,  the general topic of liposuction was discussed. With guest plastic surgeons Dr. Don Hause from Sacramento California and Dr. Joe Danyo from Wilmington Delaware, the myths of liposuction were debunked and the new Smartlipo (laser-assisted) liposuction technology was reviewed. Dr. Eppley interviewed three patients who had liposuction in ... Read Full Story

Smartlipo, or laser-assisted liposuction, is a significant advance in fat removal technology. Using heat to liquefy fatty deposits provides a more effective means of mobilizing and evacuating unwanted body contours. Based on advertisements and promotions which is widespread across the internet and in local markets, Smartlipo is almost synonymous with the use of local anesthesia. Patients frequently come in with the expectation that whatever fat they want removed can be done without the use of... Read Full Story

Liposuction is a very effective method of fat removal. While it can be used in almost any location of the body where there is fat, it does have limitations. And when applied to certain fat areas, it may even have the opposite effect of an undesired result. Read Full Story

The ears make up a small and often unnoticed part of the face. Since they sit way to the side of the face and are often obscured by hair, they make little impact on one’s facial appearance. Unless they have a congenital alteration of its complex cartilage structure which causes them to become visibly prominent. The most common cartilage deformity is that which causes the protruding ear. Read Full Story

The consideration of implant size in breast augmentation is one of the key issues every woman carefully ponders. Prospective patients pour over before and after photographs on the internet and other medioums in an effort to gather a perspective on what would look good on them. Patients come to express their breast desires to their plastic surgeon by bra cup sizes, sometimes in volume amounts (ccs or mls) and almost always as ‘I don’t want to be too big’. Read Full Story

There is sure to be much discussion to a provision in the U.S. Senate’s version of Health Care Reform which would impose a tax (penalty) on elective cosmetic procedures. With a tax rate of 5%, the measure presumably will raise close to $6 billion of the projected $850 billion price tag of the healthcare bill. (everyone knows that this projected cost is fancifully low) Read Full Story

Over the past two decades, I have treated many hundreds of facial fractures from a wide variety of mechanisms. By far, domestic interactions and motor vehicle accidents make up the reason that almost two-thirds of these facial injuries as the cause. Facial fractures from sporting events make up a small (less than 10%) number and they often are less severe. Read Full Story

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is one of the top five cosmetic procedures for women but is performed much less frequently in men. Because men do not get pregnant, their abdominal skin does not suffer as much loss of elasticity and can ‘snap’ back better after weight loss. Men are also less tolerant of a low abdominal scar than women who may already have had a c-section. Read Full Story

Liposuction and abdominoplasty are two of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. While commonly used to treat different body areas, they can be combined to improve one’s abdominal contour and shape. When done together and weaved into a single procedure, it is known as lipoabdominoplasty or liposuction abdominoplasty. Read Full Story