The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has spoken out against the 5 percent tax on cosmetic procedures, a last minute change that was added to the federal healthcare reform bill Wednesday night.

ASPS opposes this tax as discriminatory, arbitrary and ineffective. As 86 percent of cosmetic surgery patients are female, elective surgery taxes unfairly target women. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive luxury reserved for the very wealthy – the vast majority of patients are women who work.

I wrote about the possibility of this proposal last July, when the Senate finance committee decided against it, when it was, as Politico.com says, “a public relations battle that senators were [back then] not willing to wage.”

The ASPS is urging plastic surgeons to take action and contact their representatives in Congress; tell them that taxing cosmetic medical procedures discriminates against women and has proved ineffective in raising revenue.

Please visit www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx to take action today.

A surgery consultation is not a job interview, but it does represent an opportunity. There are things you can learn and potential relationships you can develop.

We want Dr. Samaha’s patients to have consultations that are productive, so here are two steps they can take to make sure that happens.

1. Prepare for it: ask questions and know what you want

If you’re seeking information and can’t find it on our website, email us and we’ll respond in a timely manner.  Then if there are more specific facts that need to be clarified, the consultation offers the perfect opportunity for us to do that for you.  Before you come, just jot down a list of important questions.

Part of being prepared is simply knowing what you want to achieve with plastic surgery.  Many patients research a procedure off and on for years before they schedule an appointment, so it is common to see patients that know what they want.  However, that’s not a requirement; if you are just curious about plastic surgery and want honest information from a professional that’s perfectly fine.

2. Communicate: Be open and if needed, be creative.

Good communication is important from the first call all the way through the recovery period.  If it’s difficult for you to communicate your goals, use pictures or other visual aids.  You can view our before and after photos or bring examples that you think are appealing.  Better communication about your desires and specific needs will help Dr. Samaha ensure that they are fulfilled, so use whatever tools you think will aid in that process.

You should not hide your medical history, past procedures, goals or motivations for surgery.  There’s no commitment during a consultation, so you don’t need to be defensive.  After the consultation, you can take as much time as you need to consider your options.

About two months remain for patients to get increased warranty coverage being offered by manufacturers of silicone breast implants. Until December 31st, surgeries with silicone gel implants may qualify for $3500 of warranty coverage to cover revision surgery in the event of an implant rupture, protection that lasts up to ten years after surgery.

In the past, the standard breast implant warranties offered lifetime product replacement and a financial reimbursement of $1200, while premium warranties offered about $2400.  Although these reimbursements have always been in place to offset the cost of revision surgery, for the patient they still carry a potential for out-of-pocket expense.

Because this offer is likely to expire after 2009, it may be a great time to undergo breast augmentation and qualify.  More than a few patients want some extra insurance against the financial risks of implant rupture, and this warranty looks like a way to get it.

Shopping retail for skin care products can often be a waste of time and money.  It’s unfortunate, but the (often overlooked) reason is simple: the majority of brands out there don’t deliver great results because they don’t carry a strong pH.

What’s the difference?

pH – the level of acid present – is the crucial difference between over-the-counter skincare products and those you’ll find from a plastic surgeon.

Here’s a general reference to guide you.

• pH of 1-2 = high strength acid
• pH of 3- 4 = medium strength
• pH of 5-6 = weak
• pH of 7 = neutral

Although common skin care products may advertise a high concentration of alpha-hydroxy or glycolic acid, they will most often carry a pH of 7, which is considered neutral. High quality medical grade skin care products from a cosmetic surgeon contain strong acids with a pH level of 1 or 2.

It’s true that run-of-the-mill skin care products are very safe, but they won’t give you the results your looking for. If you want to cleanse your skin, improve your complexion, and protect against the signs of photo-damage, pay attention to the pH level rather than the advertised concentration of acid.