Learn the differences between the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines as described by Dr. Paul Vanak. Both vaccines are given as intramuscular injections in your shoulder. They each work best if they are given two times, a few weeks apart. Their mechanism of action is quite different.

Technology has come a long way since the 1950s when Jonas Salk used the killed virus to make the polio vaccine. Modern-day Pfizer vaccine production is a technique using the monoclonal expansion of the COVID virus coat protein in a bacterial broth that is then extracted and purified. The section of the coronavirus gene that encodes the coat protein is spliced into the genome of lab-cultured bacteria. Grown in culture, the coat protein is then made in large quantities and is able to be harvested in its pure state- with no chance of infecting anyone. This purified coat protein is then reconstituted and injected into your arm. Actually quite exactly how Botox is harvested. No viral mRNA or bacterial DNA is involved when the protein coat product is injected into the patient. The recipient of the Pfizer vaccine gets just the coat protein injected. The coat protein that causes the couple to the human cell is then seen by your immune system.

The mRNA (messenger RNA) viral gene-splicing technology that Moderna utilizes has been around since 1991. The Moderna mRNA vaccine injection turns on your cell function to produce and export the coat protein of the coronavirus into your bloodstream. The vaccine contains a strand of mRNA which enters your cell. Once incorporated into your cell the mRNA molecule has a very short lifespan. It turns on the normal protein production of your cell to make the coat protein. The mRNA is rather quickly broken down in the cell and is never incorporated into your DNA. You do not experience any sort of gene changes in your own DNA. What is then produced by your cell is the coat protein which is exported into your bloodstream.  Your cellular immune system makes antibodies to the three-dimensional coat protein. At that point, things are just like the mechanism of action of the Pfizer vaccine!  This is where your immune system takes over and starts mounting a cellular immune and memory response. Doctors and scientists call it “making antibodies” to the virus.

The actual purified coat protein of the Coronavirus is the Pfizer vaccine. Your immune system then creates a memory and immune response for when you’re actually exposed to coronavirus. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work very well.

It is not known how long after immunization the immune protection lasts. Nor is it known how long after recovering from coronavirus will the person lose their native immunity and are subject to re-infection. 

I personally encourage my patients to get two doses of either the (Moderna) mRNA or (Pfizer) protein coat vaccine once it is available. It is life-saving and will more quickly allow our whole society to open up through herd immunity. 

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An exciting way to improve the contours of the abdomen using helium plasma technology, called Renuvion is now available. This in-office, minimally invasive technique is performed in the office through a 4mm incision in the belly button. You walk in, have your abdomen prepped with sterile soap, and then have a shot of local anesthetic in your incision site. Pro-Nox is administered through a mouthpiece that you puff on to help with anxiety that some people feel during minor procedures.

Thereafter, you will have liquid local instilled under your skin that makes you comfortable for hours after the treatment. Vaser ultrasound is used to dissolve your fat, and then a 3 mm flexible Renuvion wand is placed under your skin to assist in tightening your tissues three dimensionally! You may shower the day after the procedure.

You will notice that your tummy is flatter the next day. It takes about 7 minutes of Renuvion energy per side to substantially improve your contour of your abs, that will last for years. You may experience some bruising. You should refrain from heavy activity for about 3 weeks, but can return to work in a day or so.

I combine this treatment with tummy tuck or other body contouring or facial rejuvenation, but that usually requires anesthesia for longer or more complex procedures. Single areas of treatment include the neck, back, flanks, abdomen, arms, thighs, and side breast excess. Should you wish to treat these areas at one time we talk over your goals in our consultation process.

You can see photos of results that you’ll love on MentorPlasticSurgery.com Don’t miss our filler special- buy one and get a 2nd syringe at 50% off into February. We welcome your inquiry!

I get variations of this question every year, and I always answer it the same way.  Plastic surgery, like any surgery, should be well-researched and well-considered before decisions are made.  There are two key aspects that you need to consider:

1. Decide what is right for yourself, right now.  Do not make decision to have or not have plastic surgery based on the calendar or pleasing anyone else. The New Year might be a great time for the New You. But decide what you want for your body and your personal well-being.  
2. Consult with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. The internet and friends may have information, but you need to base your decision on specific details that pertain precisely to you – your body, health, desired results, etc.  And don’t ‘cut corners’ by getting advice from other than a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only they have the education, training and experience to provide insight critical to your decision.

As for cosmetic surgery’s popularity, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2019 than ever before. These are the Top 6 with over 100,000 procedures performed: Breast Augmentation (about 300,000 women annually); Liposuction (not including various non-surgical variations); Blepharoplasty (eyelid reshaping); Rhinoplasty (Nose reshaping); Rhytidectomy (facelift) and Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck).

I invite you to call and schedule a consultation. Despite the pandemic, I was close to my record-setting 2019 year in the number of procedures performed.  This experience allows me to more effectively help you and all my future patients.

Mother Teresa said, “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.”

Never have those words been more true than for this holiday season.  The pandemic has devastated our lifestyles, our traditions, and our freedoms.  It has reversed one of the strongest economies our country has ever known, leaving millions out of work, and causing entrepreneurs to question their ability to overcome.  It has shattered families in so many ways, through illness and death, through financial harm, through depression, anxiety and stress.  It has accentuated hopeless over hopefulness, and replaced optimism with fear and worry.

In his music from the Broadway show “Mame,” Jerry Herman wrote: “I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder, grown a little older, and I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder, I need a little Christmas now.”  

Yes, we all truly do. But that’s where Mother Teresa’s words really matter… because now that Christmas 2020 is technically behind us, it can still be Christmas every time we let God love others through us… through our positivity, our enthusiasm, our kindness and caring, our random acts of kindness, our generosity, our willingness to forgive, our gratefulness, our unconditional love.

As challenging as this year has been, the overwhelming majority of us have made it through this, and we know the dawn is near.  Let’s keep celebrating Christmas every day in 2021 and “Let God Love Others Through Us.”  Blessings for you all. 

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Due to the explosive demand for injectable agents into the face, dentists, family doctors and others have ventured into cosmetic treatments.  Some companies even offer weekend training programs to entice non-plastic surgeons to sell their products.  When it comes to facial rejuvenation and body contouring, American Board of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) certification is the gold standard.  All other boards that include the word “cosmetic” are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  

Plastic Surgery training is at least 7 years after medical school because there is so much to learn including properly assessing and treating patients, and evaluating techniques.  When contemplating facial injections, you should consider possible negative effects. Also have conversations about how and where you want injections with your highly trained, experienced Plastic Surgeon.  Treatments typically last many months, but won’t last if done improperly. Or worse, you will be forced to tolerate unflattering results for the duration of action of the product. Products like BOTOX or Juviderm could be your best option, but you should understand options. Other options include harvesting your own fat and re-injecting it into other areas (Autologous Fat Transfer).  

As for the cost difference, if you consider all factors, including the expert care you receive and the peace of mind knowing you will be pleased with your results, there is no doubt that a plastic surgeon provides your best value.  We have a few appointments available before the holidays, if you call our office.  And remember that you can easily print last minute gift certificates on our website. Happy Holidays![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

There is a big difference.  It is clear that doctors who advertise themselves as certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) do not meet the criteria that is required for board-certified plastic surgeons.  Ear doctors, dermatologists, family practice, and Emergency room physicians are the most common physicians who call themselves cosmetic surgeons, but do not have the training to do what Board Certified Plastic surgeons do. Unfortunately, misleading marketing and overtly false advertising are fairly widespread.  If you compare the required training, a board-certified plastic surgeon must have at least six years of surgical training, and complete an accredited plastic surgery training program. They must perform thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures of different types, pass rigorous written and oral examinations and commit to continuing education and assessment. In comparison, ABCS-certified physicians complete only one year of surgical training, and one written and oral examination completed during a single weekend, with no continuing medical education requirements.

According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 1.8 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed last year.  This high demand underscores the need for regulation and education to help patients make informed decisions.  In a study recently published in the ASPS official medical journal, information was reviewed to assess residency training history and advertised scope of practice for 342 ABCS-certified physicians.  The study revealed 62.6% of ABCS Surgeons advertised surgical operations beyond the scope of their residency training. 

I cannot emphasize strongly enough the critical importance of patients having surgical procedures performed by a plastic surgeon credentialed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who is a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Is labiaplasty common? While many procedures have become more openly discussed, labiaplasty is an important but not widely known medical procedure. Vague terms like “vaginal rejuvenation” and “designer vagina” can undermine the seriousness of an elongated labia, particularly for patients with one. This condition is often attributed to congenital causes, supplemented hormones, chronic irritation, childbirth, aging, and external physical causes. Women at nearly every age may have symptoms such as tugging, twisting, urinary tract infections, personal hygiene issues, painful intercourse, pain during exercise, exposure in clothing and deviation of the urine stream.

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that alleviates the symptoms and significantly improves the quality of life. My practice has seen a large increase in the number of labiaplasty procedures performed, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports over 11,000 were performed in 2019. The surgical goal is to reduce the size of a woman’s labia minora, the inner lips of the vaginal lips, and make them more symmetrical so they don’t protrude or hang beyond the labia majora.

It is usually done on an outpatient basis in less than one hour. The procedure causes minimal discomfort, and the sutures dissolve on their own. Following surgery, patients should avoid significant physical exertion and exercise for approximately one month, as well as sexual encounters. If performed properly, the condition rarely recurs. My experience and recent scientific studies indicate that labiaplasty has a high degree of patient satisfaction and success.
If you would like to know more, please contact my office to help determine if it is right for you.

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Gynecomastia is a condition where men have enlarged breast tissue. This can develop during puberty or in later years as a result of hormonal changes in male physiology. You can get rid of gynecomastia with our help at Mentor Plastic Surgery. It can also be the result of taking prescription medications, steroids, or marijuana. For years, the only treatment was surgery by direct excision through large incisions. But today, I can very successfully treat Gynecomastia with the minimally invasive options of VASER Liposelection and Renuvion.

VASER LipoSelection is an advanced body contouring procedure that selectively removes unwanted body fat using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology. VASER LipoSelection can differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER ultrasound technology breaks up fat while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth results and rapid healing.

Once the excess breast tissue and fat are removed, especially for men who have a larger amount of it, there is a good amount of sagging skin. That’s where Renuvion is utilized, using a combination of helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to tighten skin without additional incisions or longer recovery associated with surgical skin excision. The Renuvion energy causes the skin to tighten while stimulating the production of collagen.

For many men, this condition of having excess breast tissue causes anxiety about their appearance, which can lead to lasting insecurities in their self-image and confidence. It may lead some men to shy away from social or intimate interactions. Through this modern non-invasive technology, I can help men have a firmer and flatter chest with less scarring and a faster recovery. Please contact my office for a private and confidential consultation. You can get rtid of gynecomastia. We will discuss all of the options you have at the consultation and how we can best help you.

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My initial recommendation is, if you are not having any issues with your implants, leave them be. This is as individualized as the original decision to have breast augmentation. If you have issues that cause concern, I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), there are about 300,000 breast augmentations annually. Fewer than 15% of this amount have implant removal surgery, so these numbers strongly indicate that the majority of women having breast augmentation are happy with their results.

Before you hastily decide, you should consider the pros and cons. Besides the cost of having implants removed, probably the main reason not to remove implants relates to your personal confidence, which likely was one of the reasons you initially had breast augmentation. Removing the implants that gave your chest perkiness and a full look will not only return you to your original shape, but your breasts will likely sag more than they did before, along with significant loose skin. Loose skin and low nipple position after implant removal may lead to you not being satisfied without undergoing a breast lift.

Also, while we minimize as much scarring as possible, there will always be some at the incision site and with any major surgery, there are risks associated with anesthesia and possibility of infection.
On the other hand, if you are experiencing breast capsule pain, or if you have noticed a breast shape change that seriously affects your appearance, you should see your plastic surgeon to discuss all possible remedies, and review the reasons for whatever you are experiencing.

Definitely! This is a fairly common condition, mostly caused by weight loss, aging or genetics. For many years, we could only reduce or eliminate this excess skin surgically, with a procedure known as Brachioplasty. This was done under general anesthesia, and typically took 3-4 weeks for bruising to disappear, 3-6 months for swelling to go away, and 6-24 months for scars to fade.

With the recent technological advancement of Renuvion, this procedure can be performed more efficiently, with minimal downtime and scarring. While Renuvion works on loose, saggy skin almost anywhere on the body, it offers especially dramatic outcomes tightening lax skin of the upper arms. Renuvion utilizes cold plasma, which is produced when helium gas is energized by radiofrequency energy and delivered via the Renuvion device. Helium gas is quite stable so it can be ionized at very low energy to enable a targeted, predictable and flexible delivery. Since cold plasma is cooler than laser energy, the Renuvion arm lift procedure is less cutting, so less chance of damaging the tissue. The degree of skin revitalization and improvement from cold plasma energy is unmatched compared to other available technologies, such as laser, ultrasound or radiofrequency.

The Renuvion procedure is performed in my office using local anesthesia. The outcomes, skin tightening, shrinking, and rejuvenation from within, are instant and continue improving as your body recovers. The upper arm area usually feels slightly tight or sore after the treatment, so I can prescribe mild pain medications for minor discomfort. Your decision about your skin laxity and your response to this energy is best reviewed in consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who routinely does both procedures.