The Dermatology Section (Page 19 ) quotes our own Kim Bergen about the Clarisonic Skin Cleanser.

The Cosmetology Section (page 20-21) tells the wonders of Monarch Plastic Surgery’s use of SmartLipo to treat areas of fat with Laser instead of surgically.  The SmartLipo laser is used to liquefy fat and also stimulates new collagen production to enhance skin tightening.

The Beauty Expert is Monarch Plastic Surgery’s own doctor, Regina Nouhan, MD, F.A.C.S.  She answers your beauty questions – including surgical procedures, laser options and minimally invasive procedures such as lasers and injections.

Click on this link to view the magazine or pick up your own copy!

A nice added benefit to having SmartLipo is that it also has a skin tightening effect that really adds to the “sculpted” look patients tend to get after treatment with SmartLipo.  It tightens the skin by stimulating collagen growth below the skin.  Cynosure (the company that makes SmartLipo) has several different types of SmartLipo devices available, the most recent of which is the SmartLipo Triplex that is used here at Monarch Plastic Surgery. The SmartLipo Triplex differs from previous devices by offering three distinct wavelengths to melt fat and tighten skin.  It’s this additional wavelength of the Triplex that targets skin tightening needs.

If you’re interested in SmartLipo and want to learn more about it please read our page here:  http://www.monarchps.com/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring/smart-lipo/ and give us a call to see if it is right for you!

There are many women that decide on the surgery not just to enhance what is already there, but to make up for what might have had to be removed.

Reasons For Having Breast Augmentation

After struggling with something like breast cancer, asymmetrical breasts or any other abnormality it is common for a woman to want to undergo breast surgery whether it’s reconstructive breast surgery, augmentation, or breast lift /mastopexy they simply decide to restore their inner confidence by making their bodies ‘whole’ again.

Breast Augmentation Benefits

The benefits of breast augmentation are very personal and some will be uniquely individual to you.  Here are some of the common benefits:

• Increased self confidence
• New clothing options.  Some women shy away from bathing suits and other revealing clothes due to a lack of confidence in their breasts, augmentation helps them feel comfortable in new types of clothing.
• Improved appearance.  Again, this is not the only reason but of course it does play a part in the benefits.
• Restoration.  Gaining back what you once had.

Making The Decision

Choosing breast augmentation surgery, no matter what,  must come from a personal healthy decision of your own.  No one else should influence your decision.  The steps you take to make this decision should start with the reasons why you are considering breast augmentation followed by thorough research into what is involved with the surgery; and how it may affect your future.

Envision how you may feel about yourself after the surgery and come to terms with the decision.  From there it’s a matter of gaining the support of those you love and finding the very best breast augmentation surgeon to perform the procedure.

Find Out More

Whether you are in Kansas City, Leawood or Lansing here are some resources to help you decide if breast augmentation is right for you.

• View previous patient results in our breast augmentation before and after gallery
• Information regarding breast lift, breast reduction & breast reconstruction.

When Weight Loss & Exercise is Just Not Enough

Liposuction is not to be used as a form of weight loss.  It’s strictly to help those who suffer from those problematic areas that just won’t go away without surgery.  For those who spend time working out/exercising and just don’t see the results in those problematic areas, liposuction can help give you back that self confidence.  Help you to lose those stubborn pockets of fat and once again be proud of your body.

Many have reported that liposuction helps avoid fitness fatigue, a common ailment that derails a wellness regimen.  For this very reason liposuction is fastly becoming the answer to help get rid of those diet and exercise resistant problem areas so you can continue to focus on your overall wellness.

Countless Americans in Kansas City and across the United States are deciding that the path to weight loss involves a bit of surgical intervention, and in this process, are choosing liposuction.  This means anyone that’s a bit skittish about undergoing any sort of formal surgical procedure can rest assured that this is something many, many people struggle and seek help with.

How Liposuction Can Help

In no time at all, most patients will find themselves back to all physical activity while also looking more natural, and trimmer than ever before.  New surgical techniques are also shortening the amount of time that patients spend in recovery, while offering the results that manage to remove those stubborn fat deposits.   This can enable patients to get back to a lifestyle of exercise and eating well while maintaining a high level of self confidence.

So whether you’re struggling to lose weight in those problem areas, or wanting to regain your self confidence by improving your appearance – liposuction may be your solution.  Liposuction at our Kansas City or Leawood surgery center can improve your neck, body, thighs, mid-section or facial contouring with minimal scarring.  You’ll be amazed at how proud you feel after you regain that youthful appearance, call today to discuss your individual needs.

The goal of the event is to inform, motivate, and inspire women and girls to exercise for better health.  What a great event!

See the event slides here:

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Welcoming. Warm. Inspirational: These are not words that usually come to mind at the mention of a trip to the doctor’s office. But at Monarch Plastic Surgery in Leawood, a team of doctors and creative folks made it their mission to shatter stereotypes as they worked to create a new home for this aesthetically minded firm. Sure, there are waiting room chairs and some magazines for patients to peruse. But why flip through reading material when you are surrounded by a striking and unexpected gallery of art?

“I have never been in a doctor’s office that has done it up quite like this,” says Tracy Stearns of 360 Architects, who collaborated with the surgeons at Monarch to conceive the design of the facility located at the intersection of 135th Street and Roe Avenue. The idea was to make people feel comfortable while they wait for their appointment. “When you walk in, it’s more like a nice hotel’s reception area,” Stearns says. “You definitely feel at ease,” he adds. This feeling is largely due to the warm colors and beautiful art throughout.

Monarch’s doctors agree. “The look at Monarch is refreshing,” says Dr. Jeffrey Dillow. “[As soon as you enter], it is fun to be surprised by the art.”

While planning for the wide variety of clients who would be visiting Monarch, it was imperative that the designers focus on ease of movement and personal space for visitors. “It seemed like, in our old office at College Boulevard and Nall Avenue, the patients going in and out were always on top of each other, so we wanted to have a little more room for people,” says Dr. Richard Bene, one of the surgeons and partners at Monarch who was especially involved in the center’s design. “Patients and skin care clients can find their own spot somewhere and spread out, or they can sit in groups if that is what they want.”

This encouragement of interaction is also represented in Monarch’s art collection, especially in the works by local artist Lisa Lala. In her pieces “Bird Study” and “Re-Power,” birds congregate on overhead power lines and mingle in various cliques. Lala is represented by Kansas City’s Blue Gallery, and gallery director Kelly Kuhn explains: “Socialization is what the birds mean to the artist. She finds that there is a very similar way that the avian community mimics the human community, and the way that we maybe hang out in pairs, or threes, or maybe by ourselves. And [she mixes] ‘spirit birds’ in with the different groupings, which ties in with what the surgeons do at Monarch.”

In fact, the entire ambience of Monarch’s interior “represents the surgeons so well,” says Kim Bergen, the medical practice liaison at Monarch. “It’s modern but warm. Obviously, with what we do it needs to be a pleasing environment—not one that is uptight or has a pretentious feeling about it.”

A privately owned, true medical skin care facility, Monarch has six board-certified surgeons on site. “With this many plastic surgeons, we are able to provide a wide variety of specialized and cutting-edge services for our patients,” says Dr. Regina Nouhan, another of Monarch’s partners. “Some [visitors] will find the art soothing, while others will find it energizing or even thought provoking,” Nouhan continues. “Local artists were emphasized, as Kansas City has an abundance of talent right here, and we wanted to both take advantage of that and highlight it.”

The team put equal thought into the furniture—from waiting room chairs to consultation room pieces—most of which were purchased from Contract Furnishings with the assistance of Susan Rhyner. “[Each piece] was chosen for its neutral color palette [and its] strong, stylish quality,” Nouhan says. “And, though impressive, it still allows the art to be showcased.”

Designer Stephanie Abramson was responsible for bringing in much of the artwork and other finishing touches. “There is really nothing else like the new Monarch building in this area, which made it really fun to do,” she says. “It definitely feels more like you stepped into someone’s home—like you were invited there—instead of just feeling as if you are in a medical building.”

The doctors and architects placed special emphasis on elements of flow and light while planning the layout of the building, Nouhan says. While the Monarch facility provides elective skin care and minor cosmetic procedures, “some of the clients are going through some pretty intense things—maybe they have lost a limb or have to have reconstructive surgery done,” Stearns notes. “We put in a door in the back of the building, so [patients who weren’t comfortable entering through the main foyer could] pull up in their car and come in the back way. [They can] leave through that door, as well, if they have had surgery and are not looking their best at that moment.”

And visitors tend to respond favorably to the result, even if they have no idea how much thought and planning went into its creation: No matter the patient or the procedure, the positive feedback just keeps rolling in. “We continue to get compliments on Monarch’s artwork almost daily,” Nouhan says. Bergen has noticed the same thing: “You don’t typically see this style here in the Midwest, and it has made some visitors say that it makes them want to lighten up their own homes. Who knew that coming to a doctor’s appointment would be an inspiration for your own home decorating?”

Courtesy of KC Mag

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According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 12.1 million Americans underwent a cosmetic procedure in 2008 (the most recent year for which data is available). A 3 percent increase over 2007, this was a significant gain in a year when the economy was anything but stable. Of these more than 12 million procedures, minimally invasive, cosmetic touch-ups were most popular; these included laser skin resurfacing and treatment of leg veins, Botox, and hyaluronic and polylactic acid fillers.

We know what you’re thinking: “Poly acid what?!” Don’t worry, it’s all a lot easier to understand—and experience—than you might think, thanks to the experts at Kansas City’s cosmetic and plastic surgery centers.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about non-invasive facial rejuvenation is that there is no difference between Botox and facial fillers,” says Dr. Keith Hodge, one of six board-certified plastic surgeons at Monarch Plastic Surgery Center. “Botox acts by relaxing muscles that cause wrinkles, whereas fillers actually replace the volume loss seen with aging.” At Monarch, filler options include the hyaluronic acid product Juvederm and the new polylactic acid
product Sculptra.

Yes, there are those words again. Let us break it down for you: Hyaluronic acids occur naturally in the body; their purpose in life is to enhance tissue hydration. So Juvederm injections, which have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration to last up to one year, help promote and stimulate natural collagen production that fills out wrinkles and reverses the fat loss that can contribute to an aged, tired or deflated visage. Sculptra is a similar “biostimulatory filler,” Hodge says. “It is an exciting new product that creates a gradual revolumization of the face by inducing new collagen production without the need for surgery.”

This gradual process is key in ensuring cosmetic procedures appear natural rather than overdone and achieve every patient’s ultimate goal: a natural, youthful look. And we mean every patient. While the 2008 statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicate 91 percent of all cosmetic procedures in the United States are performed on females, Hodge says male patients are common at Monarch as well. “Men are consistently increasing their awareness of good skin care products and procedures,” Hodge says. “We see men for facial rejuvenation, and face-lifts, brow lifts and eye lifts are becoming more popular for our male clientele.”

No matter than client, Hodge says that the “minimal access cranial suspension,” or MACS facelift, is one of the most sought-after, minimally invasive procedures he and colleagues at Monarch provide. “It uses a short scar while providing a superior rejuvenation of the neck,” he says. “This technique also has the advantage of not altering the hairline, allowing women to wear their hair up with no visible scar.” Brow lifts are equally non-invasive these days, thanks to endoscopic advances that employ several small incisions rather than one, continuous, long one.

Dr. Michael F. Hynes of Hynes Plastic Surgery Center says the best practice for any patient is to employ a skin care and rejuvenation regimen that addresses issues over time: a series of peels to help retexture the skin, injectable fillers or even laser treatments. The more drastic, surgical procedures and comprehensive treatments Hynes offers, including cutting-edge laser liposuction technologies, may be needed down the road, but he says that “by taking smaller measures earlier on, you can stave off a full facelift [or other procedure] for years.”

Hodge and his colleagues agree, which is why Monarch is dedicated to helping its patients develop healthy skin through healthy habits: “Preventative measures include sun avoidance and a healthy lifestyle,” Hodge says. “[And at our] Monarch Skin Rejuvenation Center, we offer laser and light therapies to tighten the skin, enhance collagen production and decrease the signs of aging. When this is combined with our prescrption-strength skin care products, our patients realize the maximum benefit.”

Hodge says that, since the best cosmetic surgery candidate is an informed candidate, the best time to try it depends on the patient. Nevertheless, the demographics often break down like this:

In your 20s: Common procedures for women are breast augmentation, liposuction and preventative skin care.

In Your 30s & 40s: This is the era of the “mommy makeover,” which includes tummy tucks and breast rejuvenation. “Most women also find skin care to be a priority at this age,” Hodge says. “It is also a time for eyelid rejuvenation and other procedures that maintain youth and beauty without a drastic change in appearance.

In Your 50s & 60s: Women in this age group are often interested in a face– and neck-lift to maintain a healthy, rested look. The costs associated with the various procedures available range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, which is another reason that full consultation with an expert surgeon is essential, so that patients achieve their desired look at the right time, for the right price—and with the perfect end result.

Courtesy of KC Mag

A healthy lifestyle doesn’t come from a membership at a health club, the organic food section at your local grocery store, health television programs or Web sites that claim to get you on the right track. All of these things are helpful, but they’re just opportunities. Before you can develop a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to develop the proper mindset.

“People need to consider a healthy diet or exercise regimen like a prescription,” said Michael Magee, MD, Mid-America Physicians. “They must adhere to it on a daily basis in order for it to take effect at all. That could be difficult unless you have the proper motivation, and that begins in your own mind.”

Healthy living isn’t as easy as finding the right diet or exercise regimen that promises results. People have to make health a routine that they accept mentally and practice on a daily basis. Using basic principles such as having a prevention perspective and developing moderation are good ways to plan and evaluate your path to health.

“Prevention is the best way to remain healthy,” said Magee. “It’s much better to live a preventive lifestyle than to have to change your lifestyle to adapt to or combat a condition.”

You must take the necessary steps to preventing medical conditions from occurring. Paying attention to habits that can cause high blood pressure and taking the necessary measures to avoid it can be much easier than changing your habits after you’ve developed high blood pressure. You should also get a physical from your doctor annually to discover any areas that need improvement.

People should also look at their healthy life in terms of moderation. A glass of red wine with dinner every now and then can be beneficial, providing necessary antioxidants. Excessive alcohol consumption, however, can have several dismal effects such as damage to your liver and brain cells.

The same is true for dieting. People don’t have to remove guilty foods, such as most deserts and snacks, from their daily eating schedule in order to be healthy. The key is to not overindulge and to balance it with healthy foods and beijing escorts.

“Your body knows when you’re doing something harmful, and it will tell you,” said Magee. “Use common sense when deciding what you’re doing. Everyone is concerned with finding the right diet, but they don’t realize that they already know it.”

Another beneficial philosophy for remaining healthy is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. The more active you remain, the better and younger you’ll feel. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to engage in intense exercise every day of the week. But taking simple measures such as walking short distances instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the escalator and avoiding long-periods of inactivity in front of the television are great ways to start.

“You have to start viewing things as being positives and acknowledging bad habits,” said Magee. “When you realize you are doing something beneficial, continue doing it. When you see something that you know has negative consequences, find ways to improve it. You have to assess your own habits.”

“Many people don’t realize that they have sensitive skin,” said Paula Vogt, Nurse Practioner at Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s (SMMC) Lenexa Family Practice. “They don’t take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the external and internal things that can damage it.”

Tanning, especially in tanning booths, is a habit that can ultimately hurt the skin. In moderation, sunlight does many helpful things for us, such as providing needed Vitamin D and alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis. But too much exposure can lead to dry, leathery, older-looking skin and make us more susceptible to skin cancer.

One of the biggest ways to protect our skin is to apply the appropriate sun block. People with fairly regular skin should consider applying SPF 15-20 sunscreen lotions whenever they are planning on being exposed for an extended period of time. SPF 40 is recommended for sensitive skin. It prevents your skin from drying out and burning, and will also allow it to develop a healthier looking tan.

“Sunlight is good for us,” said Vogt. “But when spring hits, people try to get too much too fast. You need to slow down and get smaller amounts of sun. You can still get a tan, but you protect your skin at the same time.”

Spring and summer months also increase the chance for dryness, which is another condition you need to protect your skin against. Dry skin can crack easily and doesn’t just look unattractive, but it can also be painful and susceptible to infection. Applying plenty of aloe lotion moisturizer can help prevent the skin from drying out.

Protecting the skin can also occur from the inside. When you sweat, you release toxins through your skin, causing unattractive skin. Eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of Omega 3 and 6 fats is a good way to reduce the amount of toxins that pass through your pores.

Reducing cigarette smoke is another great way to maintain healthy skin. Smoking increases face and mouth wrinkles and also leads to paler skin.

“Because you’re not oxygenating the cells, smoking can create a grayer, duller appearance,” said Vogt. “Your skin also ages faster. Smoking is a habit you have to eliminate if you want vibrant skin.”

With so much emphasis on physical appearance in the media, the pressure to look good can be overwhelming. The marketplace floods health-conscious consumers with so many weight-loss pills, supplements and dietary fads that it’s difficult to distinguish between an honest remedy and a scam. There are a few diet trends that can be considered effective, but the best way to keep healthy and look good is to adopt a well-balanced diet.

“When you eat healthy foods, you’ll feel better and look better,” said Barbara Marsh, Nutrition Clinic Coordinator and Registered Dietitian at Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC). “The best diet out there today is just the well-balanced diet that Grandma used to make.”

Keeping a well-balanced diet includes eating a wide variety of foods daily to meet the recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, protein and fat you need in a given day. When combined with an active lifestyle, a diet composed of these basic nutrients is still the best, and safest, way to maintain or lose weight. And a well-balanced diet not only improves your health, but also your physical appearance through better looking skin.

There are three important tips for success. First of all, many dietitians recommend that you eat six times a day. Eating smaller portions throughout the day not only satisfies your hunger, it also stimulates your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories.

“Many people think that dieting means depriving yourself of certain foods or skipping meals,” said Marsh. “But that will only set you up for failure. It’s really about spending most of your calories on nutritious foods while allowing yourself small servings of higher calorie foods that may not pack a nutrition punch.

Another tip Marsh recommends is eating protein with each meal and snack. Including protein stabilizes blood sugar and insulin levels, which prevents you from feeling hungry. Because protein is essential during exercise, eating small portions of protein six times a day will provide you with the amounts you’ll need for workouts. “The typical American diet includes plenty of protein, so even if you are working out, protein supplements are not needed,” said Marsh.

It’s best to obtain your nutrients from foods when possible, but she recommends taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement just to be sure you are meeting your needs.

One example of an additional benefit from food itself is calcium. Studies show that the calcium we get from dairy products allows us to burn more calories than if we obtain our calcium from a pill.

The last tip is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which provide loads of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. People can find out their daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables by visiting www.mypyramid.gov. Eating generous servings of each is a foundation of being healthy and looking good. Plus these foods fill you up with few calories which can result in weight loss.

New-aged diet trends may seem appealing, but nothing helps our bodies inside and out like eating the right amounts of healthy food. That’s why it’s important to find ways to remind ourselves on a daily basis to eat something healthy. It may take a few extra minutes, but if you make eating a well-balanced diet a habit, the results will show.

“You have to start slow and make small changes you know you can stick with,” said Marsh. “It’s important to avoid an “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to eating healthy. Focus on what you are doing correctly and just do the best you can each day.”