Our Internet Newsletter

Welcome to our September email Update.

Doctor Tobin recently returned from a major conference on Facial Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA. It was a busy time for him where he gave seven presentations. Over two hundred surgeons attended the meeting. One of the talks on the suture brow stabilization procedure had scores of surgeons over at the instrument vendors seeking the instrument used for the procedure. The suture brow stabilization procedure is a non-invasive suture technique that can often be used in place of more extensive brow lifting techniques. For more information, check out the article on our website:
www.newlook.org/news/stabilization.html.

Also garnering considerable interest was the use of microdroplet silicone injections for lip augmentation as well as filling in skin defects. Dr. Tobin presented two cases in which he corrected major nasal bridge collapse that had failed to respond to previous surgery. Finally he spoke on our recommendation for a secondary tuck a year or so following initial facelift surgery. Incidentally, former Cosmetic Surgical Follow, Dr. Nguyen, along with Dr. Tobin, has written an article on that is to be published in the next edition of the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. We will have that available on the web when it is published.

This month, we are featuring two articles from our print edition written by our Staff. First an article by our patient coordinator, Dena Purvis. Dena is well known to many of you. She has twelve years experience in Cosmetic Surgery and has provided invaluable advice to many of our patients. Her article tells what to expect when coming to the Center for Surgery. Following that is an article by our current Fellow, Dr. Jon Perenack further explaining the preoperative process and discussing the role of the Cosmetic Surgical Fellow.

By the way, for those of you who want to see our print edition and have not subscribed, you can view it on the web. Right on the home page is a place to click where you will be brought to the current and recent editions of our print Newsline. Of course, if you’d like to be on the mailing list, just drop us a line or an email and we’ll be glad to add you to the list.


The Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgical Center Offers West Texas Hospitality

Dena Purvis, Center Patient Coordinator

Since so many of our patients come from out of town, I thought I would give you an idea of what to expect when you come in for surgery.

Upon arrival in Abilene, our patients are impressed by this town’s friendly atmosphere. Most choose to check into a hotel the evening prior to surgery and relax by the pool or go out for dinner and maybe even a movie, although some will make plans to come to Abilene early on the day of surgery.

When patients arrive at the Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgical Center the morning of surgery, they will find all the comforts of home, and more, in one of our two on-site guest suites. These are available to our patients for their first post-operative night at no additional cost. Occasionally, arrangements can be made for a second night’s stay.

Everyone is required to bring a family member or friend to care for him or her overnight and drive them home the next day. If this is not possible, we can arrange for sitters. Patients are never allowed to remain in the suites unattended. To make the waiting more comfortable, our suites are equipped with 2 adjustable twin-sized beds, refrigerator, microwave, TV/VCR, and steam bath. This is where family or friends can stay while patients are undergoing surgery and, to help pass the time, they can choose from over 200 movies to watch in the privacy of their suite or in our conference room which has a 41″ wide screen TV.

Patients will find their pre surgical time both busy and peaceful. Once all the necessary forms are signed, the “before” photos are taken. Time is spent to be sure all of their questions are answered. Patients spend the remaining time relaxing before surgery in a massage chair, which they can adjust to fit their comfort needs. The doctor, nurse and anesthetist, who will all remain with them throughout the entire procedure, then accompany them to the operating room.

When surgery is completed and patients are discharged from the recovery room, they are escorted back to their suite by the recovery nurse who will instruct them in postoperative care and make sure all of their questions are answered. The doctors and the entire staff are available throughout the day and will be in and out of the suite to check on the patients and attend to their needs. The next morning, patients are examined and are usually able to go home by about 8:30 am.

If you have had or are considering scheduling a consultation with Dr. Tobin, we urge you to consider scheduling a personal visit to our Center. A staff member will be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions. Additional information about our Center, the Guest Suites and our surgical facilities can be found on our website: www.newlook.org.

The Fellows’ Corner:
The Surgery Team, and “What is a Surgery Fellow, Anyway?”

Jon Perenack, M.D., D.D.S.

The morning of surgery is always a little anxiety inducing. Fortunately, the staff of the Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center can make things less stressful. You’ll meet Nina or Kim, our surgical nurses, who will help get you ready for surgery. They always take special care to befriend our patients and their family members. They are happy to answer questions or help with any special needs you might have.

Next, one of our two Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Mike or Robert will meet with you to ensure that your time in the operating room, and recovery, is as safe and comfortable as possible. You’ll also meet Rudy, our surgical technician, who keeps the OR running smoothly. Finally, you’ll meet me. I am Dr. Tobin’s Cosmetic Surgery Fellow. My job is to review your medical history and complete your pre-surgical physical exam. After surgery, I’ll be available to answer any questions or concerns you might have and check your progress during post-operative visits.

Often, people will ask me, ” What is a surgery fellow, anyway?” The Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship program is a one-year position open to surgeons who have already completed extensive training in a surgical residency, and desire to improve their skills in cosmetic surgery by studying Dr. Tobin’s technique. The Fellowship Program is approved and certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and is recognized as one of the leading programs of its type.

I’m commonly asked the question, ” Will Dr. Tobin do all my surgery?” and the answer is an emphatic “Yes!” As a fellow, I assist in all surgeries, but Dr. Tobin is always your surgeon. Something that might interest some patients is the discount offered by the fellowship program. During the beginning of the fellowship I assist in surgery, but beginning sometime later, I’ll be accepting patients of my own. For those who are interested, we offer a discount on the surgeons’ fee. Dr. Tobin would still be available during surgery to offer direction, but I would be your primary surgeon.

Choosing to have cosmetic surgery is always an important personal decision, and I encourage you to gather as much information as possible! Always feel free to contact the Center or myself if you have any further questions.

That’s it for this month. Please keep your questions and comments coming. We want this to be as informative as possible and your input surely helps.

Sincerely,

Howard A. Tobin, M.D., F. A. C. S.
www.newlook.org

For general information: askdena@newlook.org or n41gt@newlook.org