Welcome to our June Newsletter.

It’s been a while since we last published, for which I apologize. We hope to be a little more regular in the future. A lot has happened in the past several months.

Home on the Range

Last fall the Tobins purchased a small ranch in Ovalo, Texas. Quite frankly, this is one of the main reasons for the lack of a Newsletter, since a good part of the free time of Dr. Tobin and Rudy, our Surgery Technician, has been spent on the ranch building fence, reclaiming land and all the other things that go with ranching. The ranch came with two full time occupants – Steve the horse and Bojangles the donkey. There’s been a lot of fixing up to do and a few months ago, the entire staff pitched in to help paint some of the fences. What a great crew!

Home on the Range

Dr. Tobin Honored at Annual Academy Meeting

At the January meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Tobin was honored by being invited to present the Richard C. Webster Memorial Lecture. Dr. Webster, the first President of the Academy, was an inspiration to many of today’s Cosmetic Surgeons. Dr. Tobin was a founding member of the Organization, which is now in its 27th year. He served in a number of leadership positions including being the 5th President of the Society. Dr. Tobin spoke on the subject of dealing with the difficult patient as well as reminiscing about some little known personal aspects of Dr. Webster. His remarks earned a long standing ovation from the audience and members of the Academy.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Award 2010

Dena’s Facelift

A few weeks ago, Dena Purvis, our Patient Coordinator decided it was time for a facelift.  Now Dena has had a few procedures done over the 20 years she has been at the Center and is well known for not being the toughest patient around.  Nevertheless, she always springs back after a few days, and this was no exception.  Here, in her own words, is a description of her recovery from the operation.

      My Facelift  By: Dena Purvis, Patient Coordinator

It’s not like I just woke up one morning wanting a facelift.  I am 46 years old, by no means is this is a snap decision.  I’ve watched many, many patients go through it in a wide range of ages.  The following is a chronology of my experience as best I could document it at the time.

Monday-surgery day:  I am surrounded by friends and family, totally at ease in my own familiar environment.   The anesthetist arrives and  it’s a sweet trip to LALA Land.  The next thing I remember is Dr. Tobin saying surgery went great.  I feel  fine.  Who am I kidding?  I don’t feel anything!  My sister / co-worker, Sandy, bless her heart, was my overnight caregiver.   We made it through the night without incident….  This is really gonna cost me!

Tuesday-Day one:   Had a restless night, not a lot of pain but plenty of Vicodin  (probably a connection there).  Dr. Tobin takes a look and says everything looks good.   I told him I felt really good and was sure I would be back at work by Wednesday.  Away to home.  My husband can’t stand to look at me, he winces in pain with every mere glance.

Wednesday-Day two: I don’t remember much.  Mostly a fog.  Slept most of the day in a recliner.  My 2 sweet  lap dogs loved it.   Just wondering,  what kind of REAL dogs would let Mike Tyson come in and bite off both of my ears?  I’m sure that is what happened last night.   OUCH! (time for a pain pill) No way am I going in to the office today.

Thursday-Day three:  Couldn’t sleep more than 2 hours at a time all night long.  Well, didn’t make it to work, AGAIN.    I look a fright!  I am swollen up like a bowling ball but, on the bright side, I see ears!  Guess They weren’t bitten off after all.   The pain is tolerable.  I would describe it more as discomfort, tightness and a pounding headache in the temples.  Nothing that the pain pills can’t handle.    A nice surprise, I got a house call from Coworkers Kim and Delma.  Good to see them and get their opinions.  Company now gone, I’m feeling dizzy again, time to assume the position:  Back in the recliner, dogs in lap.  Tonight I’m going to try one of those sleeping pills.

Friday-Day four:  Slept for 4 hours straight last night.  Wouldn’t have woken up at all but around 3 a.m.   I got a visit from an adorable white miniature horse.   Fun was had by all then  I slept for 2 more hours.  Enough pills!!!!!!   Another day away from office.  Sure hope the place doesn’t fall down… Who am I kidding?   I have vowed to take no pain pills today to see if the dizziness stops.  If it hurts, I’ll take a Tylenol.  I texted Marissa, our receptionist,  a picture and she’s threatening to post it on Facebook!   I have to  get back to work!

Facelift

Saturday-Day five:  So much better, I could actually go in to the office today but too bad its closed.   No pain pills for over 24 hours and I am much happier for it.  Slight discomfort but nothing I can’t handle.  My husband actually took me with him in the car to run errands today, I must look better too.  Actually felt like cooking.

Sunday-Day six:  Feeling great.  Still no pain pills.  Bruises seem to be fading fast.

Monday-Day seven:  Back to work, makeup on to cover the yellowish bruises and I’m driving my car!  I think I look great and life is good.  So glad I did this.

At the Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgical Center, we not only help to reverse the signs of aging but take a proactive approach by carrying an array of medical grade skin care products.  Please call for more information.

Accreditation

Cosmetic Surgical Center Achieves Accreditation and Relicensure

We are pleased to announce that The Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgical Center was recently notified that it had achieved a full three year accreditation by The Acceditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Accreditation is a voluntary process through which an organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards. The accreditation process involves self-assessment by the organization, as well as a thorough review by the Accreditation Association’s surveyors, who themselves have extensive experience in the ambulatory health care environment.

The AAAHC accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care and that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the Accreditation Association’s high standards.  Our Center has been continuously accredited by AAAHC since 1984.  Dr. Tobin has been committed to the concept of Accreditation, having served on the Board of AAAHC and as a surveyor for many years.

In addition, our Surgery Center was recently inspected by the Department of Health and found to be in full compliance with Texas Health Department Standards.

Congratulations goes to the entire staff for their efforts in keeping in compliance with licensure and accreditation standards.  Believe me it is not an easy accomplishment.

Restylane can be long lasting

In our last newsline, we reported on a patient who had undergone Restylane injections to fill in the hollowing in the cheek area.  At that time we showed an early postoperative view of the patient.  The result was most impressive.  Recently the patient returned to see us 14 months after the injection.  Amazingly, there was no evidence of any absorption.  While we still advise patients that Restylane lasts about 8 months, obviously this example shows that it can last much longer.

Restylane

Delma’s Helpful Hints

Delma is the individual responsible for keeping our building looking so good.  She has these hints for patients recovering from surgery which we hope you will find helpful:

Remove blood from your garments:  I pour peroxide on the bloodstain and let it soak in then add some liquid Tide with bleach to the area and rub in.  If you have the time you can let it sit in a presoak tub or in a plastic bag for as long as time allows. (I have left things in a bag for a couple of days without any problems.)  I then wash in cold water and voila!

Removal of preop skin marker:  Saturate cotton ball with alcohol and rub area of skin until clear.

Easy tape removal:  Soak the tape with rubbing alcohol prior to your appointment.

Removing stickiness after tape removal:  We have found that rubbing baby oil or mineral oil on the skin will eliminate the sticky residue that is left behind.

“Our Man†in Havana

In January, the Tobins had the rare opportunity to visit Havana, Cuba.  We were part of a mission trip sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas to offer humanitarian aide to the very small remaining Jewish community in Cuba.  Our impression was that Havana was a city that had been frozen for 50 years.  Except for a very small reconstructed area, the remainder of the city was dilapidated and run down.  Still one could see evidence that this was once a city of great beauty.

Havana

An interesting feature of the city was the fact that many of the cars on the street were old American cars of the 50s.  In fact, many of these cars have been so modified that it was hard to tell their type.

Except for the rare tourist areas, stores like we are used to seeing are absent.  90% of Havana’s population works for the government for about $15 a month plus a meagre food ration.  In spite of Cuba’s abundant fertile soil, food is scarce.

At one time, there was a thriving Jewish community in Cuba consisting of around 16,000 individuals.  90% left after the revolution leaving a tiny residual population.  Yet the community seems to be thriving.  More recently, in the past decade, religious practice is tolerated and there remain three active synagogues in Havana.  There was a great deal of interfaith marriage among the remaining Jewish community, but still the traditions are upheld.

Cuba seems ready for change.  Already there is quite a bit of new international investment in the infrastructure of the country.  We stayed in a beautiful modern hotel built by a Spanish company.  Those of us who were in the group came away with the impression that the U.S. embargo had outlived its usefulness.  It is likely that Cuba will continue to progress with or without the aid of America.  The Cuban people seem to have no hostility to us and would probably welcome our participation in their development.  Whether politics will allow this is still open to question.

That’s all for this edition.  As always we appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

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

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