Laurence Kirwan

Cowboys and Plastic Surgeons, not a movie

2012-01-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: Firstly, I don’t advertise, I don’t work for a private clinic and I have two patients with PIP implants. I am not a paid consultant for any implant company or any private clinic. I am an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon and a private practitioner.
With respect to the current PIP implant furor, it is extra-ordinary that the Press and the Politicians have trivialised the women involved. Our Western Civilisation has idolized beauty from Cleopatra to Elizabeth Taylor. It is as obvious as it is trite, to have to trot out examples of beautiful women such as Cindy Crawford to Kate Moss who have made their career on their looks. Many other celebrities have either altered their bodies to further their career or engaged in cosmetic surgery to keep them employed. The current marginalizing of these women in the UK media would be political suicide in the USA. Besides which, it is just plain hypocritical.
It has been proved scientifically that not only does cosmetic surgery improve your self confidence and self-esteem but it can actually extend and improve the quality your life. Don’t believe me, read the scientific publications. It is time to throw these male chauvinistic arguments, denigrating women who have cosmetic surgery, into the rubbish bin. They are the musings of intellectual Luddites. Cosmetic surgery has been part of main-stream surgery since the Second World War ended when many of the leading Plastic Surgeons in Europe and the United States turned from reconstructing injured veterans to lifting the faces of High Society. In the modern era, cosmetic surgery is safe, affordable and it works. If it was a dismal failure it would be an intellectual footnote, not the hook for so much of our advertising and media. It is surprising how pervasive it is, not only in the semi-nude culture of the decadent West but also in heart of Islamic such as Iran and the rest of the Middle-East, and in Asia also. Behind the burka is an avid consumer of cosmetic surgery. Rhinoplasty is the most common procedure in Tehran where men and women stroll along the streets with splints on their noses. No small part of the success of Cosmetic Surgery is due to the unlikely invention of breast implants. A synthesis of chemical engineering and medical advances as well as the underlying manifestation of Sculpture in the flesh. An eclectic mix designed by a Plastic Surgeon, which epitomises the synthesis of Art and Science that Plastic Surgery represents.
Invented in 1962 and inspired by the feel of a plastic bag full of blood, a Texan surgeon named Gerow,conceived the idea of breast implants made out of refined silicone which had been shown to be one of the most inert substances known to man. The subsequent explosion of breast implant surgery and its persistence as the most common cosmetic procedure after liposuction, is a tribute to its safety. Not only has it corrected deformities of the breast after cancer as well as developmental deformities but it has also restored self-esteem and confidence to many women with small breasts.
Desmond Morris, in “The Naked Ape” explained the significance of woman’s breasts as being a replacement for the visual cue of the buttocks which were lost as a sexual signal when we adopted the vertical posture of Homo sapiens. Women are no longer the curvy Mae West’s or Marilyn Monroe’s of yester-year. Today, they are breastless and narrow hipped and often wear trousers. Our female models look like boys and our male models look like girls. Sometimes they are transvestites. Sexual differences are blurred. Often, the only remaining sexual indicator is the size of the breasts, To date, the feminization of men and the manifestation of the ‘Metro sexual” has not extended to a desire for male boobs or ‘moobs’, even in gay men. And men, gay and heterosexual still very much prefer their penis to be on the large side, judging by the underwear ads. However the genital area is still off limits as a public display of gender, though as waistlines get lower, this is probably the next boundary to be crossed.
The recent health crisis associated with PIP implants is seen by some as a failure of cosmetic surgery and a demonstration of unfair trade practices taking advantage of unsuspecting (read stupid) women. Although there is much to be criticized about the exploitive advertising and sharp sales practices of some private clinics, the cause of the problem has nothing to do with this. In fact these issues are completely irrelevant. This is quite obvious. What is surprising is that the media has not made the connection or lack of connection between the two. These are not back street abortions we are talking about although media pundits and MP’s try to characterize them as such. These implants were legal. They were implanted by licensed practitioners in accredited facilities. The only lapse of oversight is by the agencies responsible for monitoring the safety of the implants. To use a metaphor; if BP manufactured a petroleum product that was tested and approved for use in vehicles that then resulted in engines exploding, the Government would choose to replace the cars owned by the government employees, or perhaps in this case simply confiscate them, and would consider it the ‘moral duty’ of all drivers to take an annual driving test and of all car manufacturers to recall the old cars and replace them, if they so chose.
The British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has now come forth with an agenda to regulate the cosmetic surgery industry. Many of their recommendations are common sense, such as avoiding advertisements which promise surgery as a prize in a raffle (this has long been prohibited by my own Society, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in the USA). I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with truthful advertising or with affordable surgery. There is even a suggestion that has been voiced, that any surgeon who chose these PIP implants, committed a failure of judgment. There are multiple references to the ‘Wild West’ and ‘Cowboys’ by the same group which seems somewhat farcical when set in the context of the stuffy London Metropolis where there are few Stetsons or tumbleweeds... I feel a little bit like Ronald Regan when I say that I have known a lot of cowboys in my time (having written a scientific paper on Rodeo Roping Injuries during my Hand Fellowship in Denver, Colorado) and believe me when I say that none of the characters involved in this drama remind me of them. Besides which, the likes of John Wayne are still eulogized in Orange County California along with the cowboys and the Wild West he represented. They embodied values of accountability and righteousness which seem to be lacking in this current gun fight in the media corral. It might be worthwhile recalling some words that John Wayne had engraved on a plaque, ‘'Each of us is a mixture of some good and some not so good qualities. In considering one's fellow man it's important to remember the good things ... We should refrain from making judgments just because a fella happens to be a dirty, rotten SOB.”
There is a persistent group of media and politicians who trivialise the value of cosmetic surgery and the men and women who seek it. Denigrating our colleagues damages the reputation of the whole profession. We certainly should be preventing unlicensed practitioners from doing surgery and injections but using pejoratives such as ‘Cowboys’ just serves to make us all look like clowns.
Ulrika Jonsson recently stood up for women who have found or are looking to achieve confidence with the help of cosmetic surgery. Jonsson also emphasised that it was important for women in the public eye to be open about how they achieve their body shapes, and not try to dupe impressionable women into thinking such figures were always achievable by diet and exercise alone.
Kira Cochrane in the Guardian pointed out the double standards we apply to these women stating that ‘As the PIP story has unfolded, some have commented that they can understand why mastectomy patients might want the operation, but not women who have it solely for cosmetic reasons. This seems slightly disingenuous. Because if it is, of course, understandable that someone might want a breast that had been removed to be reconstructed, it's surely not such an enormous leap to imagine why someone with very small breasts might want the operation too.
And so we are now left with particularly unsatisfactory solution promoted by the Health Authority which even Joseph Heller had not foreseen. The message, if you can figure it out, is that women should have their implants removed, but except for 5%, the rest will have to see their own doctor (who is unwilling to take care of the problem) or their GP who is suddenly co-opted as an expert on the subject of breast implants. My father was a very good GP but believe me, he not only knew nothing about cosmetic surgery but he used to make a joke about me being one. I loved my father and I don’t hold a grudge against him but if he were still alive, I would not send my PIP patients to him.

LK 23 January 2012.
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BBC Breakfast 14 January 2012, Government takes care of 5% of the problem.

2012-01-15T05:35:00.000-08:00

I said on the Breakfast Show that I will treat my own PIP patients at no charge and secure implants for them, also at no charge. I am doing this because I want to see their medical problems resolved. I believe in removal and replacement as the only viable option. I think that the MHRA should have recognised their responsibility in this area and also that the liability insurance covering the auditors of the failed PIP as well as the PIP Insurers should be responsible. However, since the government is leaving a solution to the private sector and leaving women in limbo, I choose not do the same. Firing off criticisms by some professional organisations which denigrate other MD's, is, in my opinion, unprofessional. ASPS and ASAPS have long-standing collegial and constructive relationaships with other Specialty organisations involved in the Aesthetic Surgery field. There are common standards and interests. I don't like the term cowboys. Some of those 'cowboys' (who incidentally were the good guys in the old John Wayne movies), are surgeons of many years experience.

BBC Breakfast 14 January 2012, Governent takes care of 5% of the problem.

2012-01-15T02:09:00.000-08:00

On again to talk about latest NHS / Government Ads will help 5% of the PIP population and put burden on the private sector for removing remaining 95% implants. BAAPS agrees. Many BAAPS members also used these. Not quite clear how Private Hospitals will treat private patients. Pretty sure they will not provide free facility services. Once again, agree with private clinics This is regulatory issue. Even if not, it would be welcoming to see Health Authority take it on and then have an enquiry after the fact to assign blame and financial responsibility in the Courts. That way, these women would receive immediate clear guidelines and immediate care without being placed in a no-woman's land. LK

A Guide for Aesthetic Society Members with Patients Presenting with PIP Implants

2012-01-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

A Guide for Aesthetic Society Members with Patients Presenting with PIP Implants

What is wrong with the affected PIP/ROFIL implants? The French manufacturer Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) and the Dutch company Rofil Medical used inferior, industrial grade, silicone in the breast implants they produced and sold. These products have a higher rupture rate than other available implants.

As the substance was industrial grade silicone, we don’t know what the impurities are and what the adverse effects of rupture may be. For this reason, removal should be recommended.

Which implants are affected? Affected products are PIP, silicone breast implants that were used since 2001. These implants were also marketed under the name M-implant by the company Rofil Medical in the Netherlands and distributed in Germany by the company Rofil Medro. Affected Rofil implants are designated as IMGHC-TX, MX-IMGHC, and IMGHC-LS. There is strong suspicion that PIP and ROFIL implants that were manufactured before 2001 are also affected and are prone to a higher rupture rate and therefore silicone leakage. These implants were never FDA approved.

Implant Brand: Typically, patients receive an implant ID card after such an operation which gives information about the implant, the size and the batch number. The surgeon’s name and the date of implantation should also be recorded. If a patient consults you about implants that were placed in one of the countries involved and does not have such a card, we recommend that your patient contact the surgeon who performed the procedure to check his/her records to help to determine the type of implant used. Countries where these implants were available include England, France, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany or the Czech Republic.

How high is the risk that the implant shell can rupture and for silicone to leak out? Implants manufactured in the US have a rupture rate of roughly 1% / year. The durability of the PIP/Rofil implants appears to be much lower than normally accepted standards; according to French reports, the rupture rates of PIP implants is anywhere from 1-11%. A recent clinical study on the issue can be found at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16772913

Should the implants be removed? We agree with our colleagues at The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) who strongly supports the recommendation of the French authorities to remove the implants as a precaution, even if no symptoms or hints of rupture or leakage are present.

How can I assure patients that this isn’t happening with American Manufactured Implants? The FDA inspects all of the US manufacturers so purity is assured.

Copyright © 2009 ASAPS. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Guide Productions

Women have 'valid concerns' over PIP breast implants

2012-01-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

BBC Breakfast interview with plastic surgeon Professor Laurence Kirwan highlight that women with PIP implants had "valid concerns" about what was a "serious health issue".

Liposuction: You thought it was to make you look better naked! Wrong, it just fixes your white count and your triglicerides.

2011-11-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

Liposuction pronounced like Rhino not like lip. You thought it was to make you look better naked. Some of you perhaps had secret suspicions that it could make you healthier but you didn't want to have your friends make fun of you behind your back. Now the nay-sayers can admire your back and your butt and you can have the satisfaction that you were right all along and it does make you less disease prone. We knew that anyway but now some further research confirms it. Why else is obesity bad for you? So what does this mean for the Tax Authorities in London, Hartford and Trenton? Are they going to go back to the drawing board and refigure what is cosmetic and what is reconstructive when they get their calculators out? I doubt it but it will give Plastic Surgeons some justification tp ponder and to claim that Liposuction is not a cosmetic procedure.

Lipoplasty - commonly called liposuction - may help do more than remove stubborn fat deposits to improve the appearance and contour of the body. A new study suggests the cosmetic plastic surgery may also be beneficial for a patient's physical well-being.

Researchers say their findings reveal that liposuction patients experience a reduction in triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, possibly decreasing their risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Scientists measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. The majority of patients, 71 percent, had liposuction only.
While triglyceride levels in patients with normal pre-operative levels were unchanged after the cosmetic procedure, those patients with elevated, at-risk levels experienced an average 43 percent reduction in triglyceride levels after surgery - about twice the effect achieved with a drug commonly prescribed to reduce triglyceride levels. The effect was similar in both men and women.

"These findings suggest that patients who are considering liposuction who have at-risk triglyceride levels may reduce their risk of developing these serious health problems, while correcting body disproportions," said the study's author. "Patients not only look better, but may be healthier too."

The study also found that liposuction may reduce white blood cell counts, which can cause inflammation and have been linked to ailments including coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. On average, patients who underwent the procedure saw their white blood cells decrease by 11 percent.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, liposuction was the second most common plastic surgery performed by its members in 2010, with more than 289,000 individuals undergoing the procedure.

During a liposuction surgery, diet-resistant fat is removed from the body through a hollow metal tube inserted into a small incision.
Common areas treated during the procedure include the stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts, back, arms and neck.

In addition to removing stubborn fat deposits, the surgery is used to improve the body's contour. Although the results of liposuction surgery are usually long-lasting, they may be affected by weight gain, aging, pregnancy and lifestyle factors

While complications from liposuction surgery are rare, it is essential for those considering the procedure to ensure their doctor is a licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you don't like your appearance change it.

2011-11-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

Larry Winget says:
If you don't like your appearance change it.
"Get a nose job if you have a big honker. If your head looks like a '67 Coupe de Ville with the doors open, then get your ears pinned."

"Get cosmetic surgery if you want to. It's your body and up to you to do what it takes to make you feel good about yourself. Do whatever it take to feel good about your appearance. But please guys, don't buy a rug. You will end up looking like you have roadkill on your head regardless of what the salesperson tells you."
Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better life. Copyright 2011 by Larry Winget Enetrprises, LLC. Published John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

... or in the words of a Great New York Plastic Surgeon: Suck it up Baby!

CHANGE YOUR LOOK - IT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

2011-10-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

COSMETIC SURGERY. CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES

A Fun, Informative Evening with DR. LAURENCE A. KIRWAN, MD FRCS FACS
CERTIFIED AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

Come and learn all about the latest techniques and discover the possibilities:

* FACE-LIFTING * NOSE SURGERY * BREASTS IMPLANTS * BREAST REDUCTION * TUMMY-TUCKS * LIPOSUCTION * BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT

DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
TIME: 6:00PM-8:00PM

LOCATION: KIRWAN AESTHETIC & ANTI-AGING CENTER
RIVERVIEW EAST MEDICAL BUILDING
148 EAST AVENUE, SUITE 2A
NORWALK, CT 06851

REFRESHMENTS AND GIVEAWAYS

SEATING IS LIMITED
PLEASE RSVP BY MONDAY, OCT. 17, 2011
TEL: (203) 838-8844
www.drkirwan.com

Lack of training can be deadly in cosmetic surgery

2011-09-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

By Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY

Surgical Complications 12 Times More Likely in Obese Patients

2011-07-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

Obese patients are nearly 12 times more likely to suffer a complication following elective plastic surgery than their normal-weight counterparts, according to new research by Johns Hopkins scientists.

“Our data demonstrate that obesity is a major risk factor for complications following certain kinds of elective surgery,” says Marty Makary, MD, MPH, an associate professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the study published online in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Not only are these findings relevant to physicians who need to pay special heed to issues such as potential surgical-site infections in heavier patients but, the authors argue, they are relevant to policymakers whose increasingly applied metrics for surgical quality and reimbursement do not account for the higher risk of worse outcomes in the obese.

“With the government and other insurers penalizing doctors whose patients get infections or are readmitted to the hospital—and with obese patients more likely to have those problems—policymakers need to make sure they aren’t giving physicians financial incentives to discriminate on the basis of weight,” Makary says.

Thirty-four percent of adults in the United States are now estimated to be obese (those with a body mass index above 30), up from just 15% a decade ago. Meanwhile, the number of people nationwide having elective plastic surgery has also increased in recent years, with annual plastic surgery volume up 725% between 1992 and 2005.

Surgical outcomes are increasingly judged using standardized measures to evaluate quality and to inform the public and insurance companies. These metrics also are used more and more to penalize hospitals with higher complication rates. But, Makary says, they do not take into account that obese patients may suffer more complications, as this new research finds.

Operations on obese patients are more taxing, says Makary, a surgeon himself. These surgeries take usually take longer, the operating fields are deeper, the spaces in which an infection can set in are often greater, and blood flow in fat tissue is less than in other types of tissue, which results in slower healing, he says.

More.

Source: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Summer offer for Thermage, Botox and Dysport

2011-06-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

Summer Special

Celebrate Summer with Specials from the Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center. Purchase One Thermage Treatment (non-discounted) and receive One area of Botox or Dysport at no charge - Book your appointment

Call Now 203-838-8844 or click here

Offer is valid July - August 2011.

New Tax on Cosmetic Medical Procedures

2011-06-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

Sales and Use Taxes:

Tax Rates: The following tax rates are in effect as of July 1, 2011:

The general sales and use tax rate increases from 6% to 6.35%;
This applies to:
Services in connection with a cosmetic medical procedure;
Spa services.

Want to Tango in that skinny bikini?

2011-06-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Say goodbye to your pesky hair in embarrassing areas with Laser Hair Removal using the Coherent Light Sheer Laser (USA only); No hairs too intimate to remove.

Be ready for the Beach - Book your appointment

Call Now 203-838-8844 or click here

Useful Links to FDA Reports on Breast Implants

2011-06-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/default.htm
Breast Implants

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm259866.htm
Update on the Safety of Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants (2011) - Executive Summary

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm259825.htm

Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants: Updated Safety Information

About 10,000 Baby Boomers a day, are turning 65 for the next 18 years

2011-06-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Depending who you ask, Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) are turning 65 at the rate of about 7,000 people a day in 2011. They are 78 million strong and they make up 28% of the U.S. economy.

They are socially affluent, used to having their own way and relatively unaffected by the current economic downturn. Or at least that is what the pundits say. Although they are about as likely to be right as the New York Times. However, there may be some truth in the conclusions. For instance, the entire readership of Vogue is not under the age of 30. Boomers generally feel 9 years younger than their chronological age and although they may be growing older they don’t want to act or look older.

If one was to read their ‘To Do’ List it would not read: New Pair of dentures, Self-illuminating glasses, Shoes with Velcro fasteners etc.

For Boomers, Plastic surgery is not a necessary evil, it is absolutely essential. I like to say that ‘growing old is an oxymoron’ There it is, I said it. As a Baby-Boomer I feel empowered to say these rather pedestrian hum-drum statements. Facing older age myself, I am ‘faced’ with the stark reality that non-surgical procedures can only do so much. I don’t even have the excuse of childbirth or menopause. For men and women. Simply working out at the gym more often, taking longer vacations, retiring altogether, or buying a faster car or a bigger diamond will not correct a turkey neck or droopy breasts. I guarantee it. If I was a betting man, I would rate higher odds for plastic surgery scoring a home goal on any of these issues versus any of the alternatives. So for Boomers, in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, a stable weight without a tire of fat around our middle as well as an interesting lifestyle, plastic surgery is a ‘post-it’ on the ‘to-do’ list
Here are some suggestions for surgical rejuvenation and general pick-me-ups:
Upper eyelids: removal of baggy skin; done as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic in the office. Stitches out at 4 days. Cost: the surgeon’s fee and a pair of Chanel sunglasses.

Liposuction: Vaser or conventional, under local in the office or at the hospital as an outpatient. Cost, surgeon’s fee and a sexy corset without a crotch. No stitches. Recovery: one weekend.

Breast reduction: Removal of weighty breasts and lifting. Surgery is performed in the hospital under general anaesthesia but you still get to go home and get your husband to make dinner and wash the dishes for at least one night. No stitches to remove and back to driving the kids to school and making dinner or alternatively getting back to work and bossing the Nanny around, whatever the case may be ; after one week.etc Cost Less than a weeks’ vacation for the family in Disney and less stressful.

Breast Auto-Augmentation, lifting and re-stuffing breasts after child-birth without using implants. Good if you have the breast tissue but is just is a couple of inches or more towards your toes. Outpatient Surgery. Cost: the surgeon’s fee and a whole drawer full of new bras.

Abdominoplasty. The quintessential part of any Mummy make-over and also the one with an overnight stay at the Hospital. Painful, but the good news is that we have pain pumps that squirt anaesthetic medicine inside the wound for 48 hours afterwards and also long-acting local anaesthetic to dull the pain when you wake up. Two weeks to get back into the swing of things (metaphorically). Corset for six weeks. Benefits: a flat tummy, upright posture, improved core strength and reduced back pain. And of course being able to wear a bi- or mono-kini. Cost: the surgeon’s fee and an entire new wardrobe.

To learn more about these procedures, call our office for a consultation. Just mention this article and tell us your date of birth so that we know you are a genuine Baby Boomer. However we will accept other age groups.
LK

2011-06-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

Got that Summer swimsuit feeling. In the mood for a Brazilian? Explore the possibilities. Brazilian Butt Lifts for those with JLo envy. Put that ugly hip thigh and tummy fat to good use.

Fat Liposuction with recycling of the fat into your buttocks. Contouring of the hips, thighs and tummy to sculpt your Butt.

Vaser Liposuction to reduce fatty deposits without general anaesthetic

2011-05-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

An Introduction to Vaser Lipo:Prof. Kirwan is proud to offer Vaser lipo to his London patients under local anaesthesia.
Vaser Lipo:Prof. Kirwan is proud to offer Vaser lipo to his London patients under local anaesthesia.Similar to the well-recognised Smart Lipo treatment that we offer, Vaser Lipo is effective in removing unwanted fat from the body and creating a much more toned and sculpted figure. The procedure is relatively pain-free, involves minimal downtime and produces results that compare to traditional liposuction, which can be more invasive and uncomfortable.Vaser Lipo is suitable for both men and women who wish to improve the looks of specific areas of their bodies. The treatment is versatile and can be used on a wide range of different body parts, the most popular being the thighs, arms, double-chins, love handles and stomach.Ultrasound technology:Unlike the normal and advanced Smart Lipo procedures which employ laser technology, Vaser Lipo uses ultra-sound technology to emulsify fats and accurately sculpt the body. One of the key advantages with this ultra-sound equipment is that it is tissue-selective and can therefore conserve other body tissues whilst only targeting and eliminating fatty deposits.How it works:The Vaser Lipo system works by using a small probe to deliver low level ultrasonic vibrations to targeted fatty deposits & regions. This works to liquify fatty tissue which, once emulsified, gets naturally excreted by the body and also removed by purpose-designed aspiration cannulae.What areas can be targeted with Vaser Lipo?:Arms, Hips, Chest, Breasts, Knees, Ankles, Waist, Stomach, Chin, Back, Buttocks, Neck, Thighs.Pros of using Vaser Lipo:- No general anaesthetic required.- Minimal discomfort and downtime.- Tissue selective, targeting fat deposits only without damaging other body tissues.- Minimal risk of bleeding, bruising and discomfort.- Results in significant fat loss, and sculpts the body.- Safe and effective procedure.- May tighten loose skinThe cost of Vaser Lipo:The cost of vaser lipo will vary according to the size of the area which needs to be treated and the number of sessions required.
Other treatments:If you are interested in fat removal procedures, why not find out about our Abdominoplasty and Power Assisted Liposuction. Or, for skin rejuvenation procedures, visit our Sculptra, Thermage and Juvéderm ULTRA SMILE pages.

Nipple and Breast Surgery Combined.

2011-05-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

PROTRUDING NIPPLES?IT’S NOT JUST A WOMAN THING.....! It's not only women who can have the problem of protruding nipples. Some men, too, suffer the embarrassment of nipples that cause unfortunate bumps beneath their T-shorts and sportswear. Male breast reduction surgery - or 'moob jobs', as they have become known - are increasingly in demand but, as Professor Kirwan has discovered, the male sex can have another problem in the chest area..... However, thanks to Kirwan's Mercedes technique, this issue can now be solved for women and men. Kirwan likens his surgical process to cutting a pizza into portions as it involves segmenting the nipple into parts in a shape that resembles the famous logo of a Mercedes car. Male and female nipples are anatomically identical so Kirwan can use the same technique for both sexes. However, because it eradicates the ducts which serve as milk glands, it is not suitable for women who have not already had children - unless they do not plan to breastfeed. While he admits that there are not huge numbers of men with this problem, he has done several male Mercedes 'ops' lately. "Girly nipples are not what a chap wants - it's just not manly," says Kirwan. "Because they poke out through shirts they tend to draw the eye to that part of the anatomy – which can be really embarrassing." The Mercedes takes 40 minutes for both nipples and can be done under local anaesthetic. Recovery needs about 10 days and involves wearing a waterproof dressing when showering. However, there are no sutures to remove.
Nipple reduction can also be performed at the same time as other breast surgery such as breast enlargement, breast reduction and breast lift. In men who have men ‘boobs’ or ‘moobs’ (the medical term is gynaecomastia) corrective surgery such as liposuction and removal of the abnormally enlarged breast gland through a small incision around the lower half of the areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) can also be done at the same time as nipple surgery. Women often suffer from the reverse problem which is called an inverted nipple. Again, corrective surgery will remove all ability to breast feed in the future. Correction of an inverted nipple is done by cutting the shortened ducts beneath the nipple through a small incision and then placing a temporary cinching stitch to help the nipple protrude. This often improves the nipple projection although it may lose projection over time.

Seminar date change - Wednesday, May 4

2011-04-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

Seminar date has been changed to Wednesday, May 4, 6-8 p.m. Please call in advance to make a reservation. Please call 203-838-8844.

Seminar (Tuesday, April 26, 2011) - Discounts, Offers, Prizes

2011-04-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

Seminar – Last one before the Summer
Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 / TIME: 6 pm - 8 pm

Time is running out to get in shape for the summer.

Enjoy all the non-invasive treatments we have to offer with minimal downtime:
Thermage Fraxel Botox Latisse Juvederm NIA 24/7 Skin Care program

Live demonstrations of Fraxel and Injections.

Take advantage of Special Seminar Discounts and Door Prizes. Bring a friend for a complimentary gift.

Now 20 units of Botox included in the purchase of two syringes of Juvederm.

20% Discount on Thermage and Fraxel treatments, available only at Seminar.

RSVP by April 20th. Call 203-838-8844

View details online

Vaser Lipo Treatment to London patients

2011-04-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

Prof. Kirwan is proud to offer Vaser lipo to his London patients under local anaesthesia.

Similar to the well-recognised Smart Lipo treatment that we offfer, Vaser Lipo is effective in removing unwanted fat from the body and creating a much more toned and sculpted figure. The procedure is relatively pain-free, involves minimal downtime and produces results that compare to traditional liposuction, which can be more invasive and uncomfortable.

Private Practice Conference 2011 - BMA, London

2011-04-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

Professor Laurence Kirwan presented
Lack of regulation in cosmetic surgery and medicine at the BMA Private Practice Committee (PPC).
The BMA PPC had its annual one day
conference on Thursday 7 April at BMA House. The conference explored the “ins and outs” of private practice from taxation in private practice to private
medical insurance and specialist recognition.

The conference was targeted at all doctors who are engaged wholly or partly in
private practice, as well as those looking to establish a private practice. It was
also relevant to GPs, consultants, associate specialists and junior
doctors. For new entrants to the private sector, the conference offered a
chance to meet colleagues who have already established and run successful
practices. For doctors with existing practices, there were opportunities to
make contacts and share ideas.

Venue

The conference took place at the British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock

Square, London, WC1H 9JP on Thursday 7April 2011.

Prof Laurence Kirwan - Tatler 2011 - BEST FOR BREASTS & TUMMIES

2011-04-06T19:11:00.001-07:00

TATLER - Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery GUIDE 2011
TOP RATED Best for Breasts & Tummies

Prof Laurence Kirwan Surgeon - New mothers have been known to dip into their school-fees kitty for an audience with this talented professor. Tell him what you don’t like about your boobs and he’ll have a solution. Feeling saggy after a baby or two? He might suggest Breast Auto-Augmentation, which lifts the lower part of breasts by repositioning your own tissue – no implants required. Nipples too big? The Mercedes nipple reduction, a procedure where three pizza slices are cut out in the shape of a Mercedes logo before the remaining tissue is stitched up to make a perfectly round smaller nipple, means you’ll never have to faff around with nipple stickers again. He’s also hot on tummy tucks: he can go through caesarean scars to take out excess skin or make a cut around the belly button and lift skin up to the ribs, stitching all the muscles back together again to pull the waist back in. Consultation, £250; Mercedes nipple reduction from £2,500. Ring 020 7637 4455 or visit drkirwan.com

Fraxel featured on ABC’s Good Morning America

2011-04-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

During the online segment of ABC’s Good Morning America Health, Dr. Cameron Rokhsar features Fraxel as an excellent treatment allowing patients to look younger in as quickly as 15 minutes, as well as reverse sun damage, scaring, melasma and diminish wrinkles. Watch as he explains how Fraxel, unlike other laser systems, resurfaces skin effectively, reducing average recovery time to only two to three days!

Protruding nipples, male and female

2011-03-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Three dimensional lipo-sculpture more effective than conventional liposuction

2011-03-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

3D-SLS PROVIDES MORE NATURAL CONTOURS

THAN CONVENTIONAL LIPOSUCTION

Developed specifically to provide a more rounded silhouette, Three Dimensional Superficial Lipo-Sculpture - or 3D-SLS, as Laurence Kirwan has named it -contours the superficial layers of fat below the skin. Conventional liposuction, on the other hand, removes fat only from the deeper layers, and remaining fat may fall into rolls and bumps after the surgery.

"Three Dimensional Superficial Lipo-Sculpture means that I can remove fat from all layers and allows me to really sculpt the body instead of simply reducing the volume of fat", explains Laurence Kirwan. "The result is not just a reduction in volume of fat but a shape which replicates the delicate contouring usually associated with the buttocks, hips and thighs. It also leaves the skin with a firmer texture."

Because Laurence Kirwan performs 3D-SLS using the super-wet technique (SWT) – involving the injection of anaesthetic and saline to the same volume as the estimated fat removal, instead of the more common tumescent system -patients are assured of safer, more comfortable surgery. It is also a more gentle procedure which reduces bruising and bleeding.

The technique can be applied to all parts of the body and sensible weight loss after surgery will enhance the effects. In some cases, patients with a moderate amount of loose skin also benefit from contraction and tightening of the skin. Providing the patient is in good health, age is not a limiting factor with this procedure.

On average, it will take a little over three months for the true new contours created by 3D-SLS to be apparent but some 60% of the swelling will have disappeared about three weeks after this procedure. Skin and fat will contract and re-contour for up to a year following surgery.

Three Dimensional Superficial Lipo-Sculpture can safely remove six pounds of fat at a time, with speedy recovery and return to most daily activities within one week. Larger amounts of fat removal may prolong recovery and elimination of over 10 pounds requires careful patient monitoring in a hospital setting for 24 hours following surgery.
-ends-
Laurence Kirwan's paper on the subject of 3D-SLS was published in 1997 in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (USA).

Breast auto-augmentation

2011-03-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

A BREAKTHROUGH IN BREAST SURGERY:

AUTO-AUGMENTATION ELIMINATES IMPLANTS

“Scare stories” about silicone breast implants mean that women often feel uncertain about any type of implant. For many, however, this dilemma has come to an end. It is now possible to use existing breast tissue to provide the “lift” and fuller contours that many women seek.

Well known for pioneering several groundbreaking surgical procedures, Professor Laurence Kirwan has further developed the techniques of two of his peers – Giovanni Botti in Italy and Ruth Maria Graf in Brazil – so that women with adequate breast tissue can have breast surgery without an implant. Kirwan calls this procedure: Auto-Augmentation.

Women whose breasts have drooped - after breast-feeding, weight loss or through the normal ageing process - usually need a breast lift to eliminate excess skin, plus an implant to provide volume. However, when there is sufficient tissue, Kirwan creates a natural augmentation by using the lower part of the breast for an “auto implant.”

To provide fullness where it is needed - above the nipple - Professor Kirwan moves the gland from the lower part of the breast to the upper area. It is kept attached at its lower end to preserve the blood supply. To reduce scarring, Kirwan uses a lollipop-shaped closure. This involves a single scar running vertically under the breast and a natural-looking "purse string" gathering of the skin around the areola. Once the skin is tightened, the finished contours look exactly like a breast with an implant

Kirwan says that his procedure is suitable for 30 to 40% of the women who see him for a breast lift consultation and for perhaps as many as 20% of all women who are contemplating breast surgery.

Laurence Kirwan started working on his own techniques for breast surgery in the late 1990s and has become internationally recognised for his breast lifting procedures. Every year since 1998 he has been invited to give teaching workshops on his techniques to other surgeons in the USA, where British-born Kirwan trained as a cosmetic surgeon and has had a practice in Connecticut for 20 years. He also operates in Manhattan, where he has consulting rooms on Fifth Avenue.

Auto-Augmentation with Laurence Kirwan in the USA costs from $8,000.00, excluding anaesthetist’s fees and an overnight stay in hospital.

As with most breast surgery, recovery from Auto-Augmentation necessitates
Undertaking only light chores in the first week and limited activities for another two
weeks, with a return to normal lifestyle after four weeks.

Visit http://www.drkirwan.com/autoaug.php

Tummy-tuck

2011-03-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

ABDOMINOPLASTY

- aka a TUMMY-TUCK

Tummy-tuck surgery resolves the problem of stretched abdominal muscles and when the skin around the tummy has been stretched – usually due to childbirth, or following significant weight loss in men and women. The muscles are repaired, excess skin is removed and a new navel is fashioned from the old one.

Apart from tighter muscles and smooth, wrinkle-free skin, the benefits of an abdominoplasty extend to the upper thighs and the pubic area, which are lifted and tightened.

It also provides the wellbeing benefits of better posture and back support. Plus, in younger women – and abdominoplasty is suitable for people over the age of 20 – there is the added advantage of being able to wear figure-hugging clothes and cut-away swimsuits. Wearing a bikini becomes an option, though the bikini bottom needs to be high-cut to hide the scar of the incision; however, most post-op women are able to expose a sexy-looking belly button and tummy.

The surgery takes three hours and requires an overnight stay in hospital in both the US and UK. Drains to remove fluid are removed at three and seven days, stitches are absorbable - and all wounds are healed after two weeks. Patients can go back to work after 10 days. However, strenuous sports and exercise must be limited for a period of six months, until the muscles are repaired and strong again.

Abdominoplasty patients frequently also opt for Three-Dimensional Superficial Liposculpture of the hips and thighs, the inner thighs and knees, and other lower body areas, in keeping with the new, svelte tummy area.

Axilla-Plasty for wearing strapless tops

2011-03-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Professor Kirwan’s surgical development, Bilateral Axilla-Plasty, is becoming increasingly popular as fashion decrees that chic women should go strapless, or wear tops with cut-away armholes.

Axilla-Plasty corrects the unsightly overhang of fat and skin above the bra at the armpit. The fat is suctioned away and excess skin is removed to create a neat, thin, linear scar which is hidden in the underarm. The wound is closed with a buried stitch, which aids healing

The UK ‘media celebrity’ Ulrika Jonsson had this procedure when she had her much-publicised breast reduction and uplift with Professor Kirwan.

Professor Kirwan’s fee for a Bilateral Axilla-Plasty is $3000- where the anaesthetist’s fee and cost of hospital is roughly $2,000.

Qualifications of your injector

2011-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Kirwan is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and he is an Active Member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He is a Clinical Instructor for the Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at New York Eye & Ear Infirmary in New York City. Make sure the practitioner injecting you is an MD with specialized training in Aesthetic Surgery and Non-surgery treatments. Call the State Board and make sure that they have not had any complaints filed against them. Check that their practice is stable and that they have not been in several offices, moving from one place to the other or associated with several different physicians and centers over a relatively short period of time. Ask doctor and nurse friends for recommendations as to who they recommend.

Nurse injectors MD versus RN

2011-03-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

When you are considering non-surgical services such as fillers and botulinum toxin, make sure that the doctor himself performs the procedure. I personally would not want anyone other than an MD injecting my face. The training and licensure required of a physician is many times that required for a nurse or nurse practitioner or even a physician assistant. Many physicians delegate their injection practice to a nurse because they think that it is either not important enough or that they will generate more income. Only a physician trained in aesthetics and preferably a plastic surgeon, will understand the options that are best for you in terms of aesthetic treatments and surgery versus non-surgical treatments. It is also a great opportunity to get a complimentary consultation on your aesthetic needs whilst your surgeon injects.

Don't be swayed by slick advertising, web sites and bill-boards or seminars. At the end of the day, always ask whose hand is holding the syringe. Also check on the supervising doctor. Is he or she a dermatologist, general practitioner, ear, nose and throat surgeon or oculo-plastic surgeon? Remember that there is only one Board of Plastic Surgery recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Plastic Surgery training involves a minimum of three years of General Surgery training and two years of Plastic Surgery. Often followed by a year of Fellowship Training in Aesthetic Surgery.

Dr. Kirwan is a Clinical Instructor at the Aesthetic Surgery Training Program at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. This is one of the most popular and busiest Training Program of it's kind in the USA and is now accepting 60 applications a year form Plastic Surgeons, world-wide. Dr. Kirwan is also a trainer for Sculptra (check the company website) as well as Botox, Restylane and Radiesse. Check out his website to see his trainer certificates.

Affordable State-of-the Art Plastic Surgery in a prestigious medical facility in the USA.

2011-02-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

Plastic Surgery in the USA is more affordable than in the UK, even with the added costs of travel and accommodation.

There is no VAT on surgery performed for cosmetic indications either in New York State or Connecticut.

Surgery is performed at one of several accredited centers. The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary hosts one of the most successful Cosmetic / Aesthetic Surgery Fellowships in the USA. Professor Kirwan participates in this program as an instructor. Prof. Kirwan also operates at his accredited ambulatory surgery center at 800A Fifth Avenue. In Connecticut he has Attending Rights as Senior Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Greenwich Hospital and Norwalk Hospital. Both affiliated with the Yale New Haven Medical System.

In Dr Kirwan’s own Surgical Center in Norwalk, he is offering Hair Transplants in our State-of-the-Art Facility for $6.00 a graft including economy return air-fare from London and a three day stay at our local Hilton or Marriot Hotel which has a complementary shuttle bus to our office 5 minutes away. You can also enjoy the many other treatments we have to offer in the USA, such as Fraxel Dual Re:store and Thermage CPT not to mention of all of our injectable fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Sculptra, Botox & Dysport.

Hair Restoration & Follicular Unit Grafting

2011-01-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

Connecticut Hair Centers and Kirwan Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center join forces to provide affordable state-of-the-art care and surgical facilities in Fairfield County and New York City.
Cutting Edge Technology and Advancements.
Follicular Unit Grafting. “Today’s grafting techniques are designed to create the fullest and thickest results possible, while maintain a natural and undetectable hairline.”
Laser Hair & Scalp Therapy. A non-surgical, scientific approach in the treatment of hair loss. Laser Hair Therapy is medically tested for effectiveness and FDA-approved safety.
Biojen 9 Hair Growth System. Places hair and scalp in an optimal growth environment by providing vital stimulation and essential nutrients, it provides a natural solution to enable hair to grow longer, faster and stronger. The System includes our Invigorating, Cleanse, Hair and Scalp Rejuvenator and Scalp energizer
Testimonial:“I made a call and I went in for a visit. Dr. Kirwan was incredibly professional and meticulous in his examination. The surgery was a breeze and I felt that I was in the hands of an experienced team professionals. Cary washed my hair the next day and after a laser treatment and advised me on how to care for my grafts. The results were spectacular. I wish I had this procedure done much earlier. I am certainly going to recommend Dr. Kirwan”

Affordable Hair Transplants and Plastic Surgery in the USA

2011-01-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

Affordable State-of-the Art Plastic Surgery in a prestigious medical facility in the USA.
Plastic Surgery in the USA is more affordable than in the UK, even with the added costs of travel and accommodation.
There is no VAT on surgery performed for cosmetic indications either in New York State or Connecticut.
Surgery is performed at one of several accredited centers. The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary hosts one of the most successful Cosmetic / Aesthetic Surgery Fellowships in the USA. Professor Kirwan participates in this program as an instructor. Prof. Kirwan also operates at his accredited ambulatory surgery center at 800A Fifth Avenue. In Connecticut he has Attending Rights as Senior Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Greenwich Hospital and Norwalk Hospital. Both affiliated with the Yale New Haven Medical System.

In Dr Kirwan’s own Surgical Center in Norwalk, he is offering Hair Transplants in our State-of-the-Art Facility for $6.00 a graft including economy return air-fare from London and a three day stay at our local Hilton or Marriot Hotel which has a complementary shuttle bus to our office 5 minutes away. You can also enjoy the many other treatments we have to offer in the USA, such as Fraxel Dual Re:store and Thermage CPT not to mention of all of our injectable fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Sculptra, Botox & Dysport.

29th January 2011. Day 2 after Hair Transplant.

2011-01-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

This was my bald spot in 2002. Took a pain pill last night and today I am going to have hair washed by my Tech Carey and have the stitches trimmed at the back of my head. I was fortunate that my hairline just need 300 grafts to fill it in so I have no swelling over my eyes. Back to work tomorrow. Whitening my teeth as I type. I am also on the Natural Weight Loss Program by Dr. Danielle Laubinger of Hamburg and I have lost about 6 pounds bring my weight down to 171 pounds.

Tomorrow back to work and red-eye to London on Tuesday night to miss the snow-storm.

Hair Transplant and other tweaks

2011-01-29T19:36:00.001-08:00

I have noticed a gradual loss of hair at the back of my head over the last 15 years. I am fortunate in that I have a pretty intact hairline and great 'donor' hair at the back of my head. So I finally decided to have a hair transplant. I was fortunate enough to be able to use my own skilled team. We started at 7.30 am today and finished at 1.30 pm. I wlaked in and out and just got back feom dinner with the wife and children. I am just taking Tylenol/Paracetamol for the pain although I might switch to something stronger for the night. I had almost 2000 grafts. I am going to take Propecia and continue with the Minoxidil 5%, after one week.

This year has generally been a year of frequent visits to the operating room for a second upper eyelid-plasty. My first was about 15 years ago. I also had my nose tweaked since I though I might end up looking like W.C.Fields. I feel a lot better about myself. My self-confidence is improved and one of my male patients said he just wanted to be as good looking as me. Nice compliment,
LK

Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center OPEN HOUSE

2011-01-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center
You are invited to The Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 12 noon

-------------------------------------
RSVP by February 9, 2011 to 203-838-8844

Please join us for an Open House Luncheon with Free
Giveaways such as Sculptra, Fillers, Laser Hair
Removal, Microdermabrasion, Latisse & more.

Join us for an anti-aging open house!

Come and learn more about the latest cosmetic procedures and products at The Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center 148 East Ave Norwalk, CT.

We hope you will attend the open house event on February 16, 2011 at 12 noon.

It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about the newest cosmetic procedures and products. You’ll have access to information and expertise that will help you decide which of the options may be right for you. Take this opportunity to discover Sculptra® Aesthetic — a facial injectable that gives you noticeable results that emerge subtly because it works gradually and can last up to 2 years1. Individual results may vary. Sculptra Aesthetic is exclusively available through trained SculptraAesthetic injectors, such as Dr. Laurence Kirwan, F.R.C.S., F.A.C.S.

To learn more about SculptraAesthetic and see patient results, please visit SculptraAesthetic.com.
If you have any questions about the open house or any products or procedures, please contact us at 203-838-8844.

You may also visit our Web site at www.drkirwan.com

We look forward to seeing you there.

DrKirwan on Facebook

2011-01-20T16:29:00.000-08:00

Visit Dr Kirwan's facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Kirwan/169907349721366 and join to be first to read latest news and get exclusive offers.

LOOK MAGAZINE 17 January 2011

2011-01-13T07:09:00.001-08:00

THE HOT NEW NIP/TWEAKS FOR 2011!
The Bra Bulge Eliminator
Axilloplasty to eliminate the bit of fat that squelched above the side of your bra.
The only UK surgeon who performs this procedure and one of the few in the USA.
Presented in his course at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting
in Wahington D.C. Entitled Adjunctive Procedures in Breast Surgery.
May 2010.

Dimple Mania

2011-01-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

The new craze. Adding dimples is part of the new craze in cheek sculpting. There isn't anything magical about it. No smoke and mirrors. Simply take a punch-biopsy and core out part of the cheek lining and a little muscle and place a deep stitch to tether the skin and create a dimple. This is performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Kirwan's office with minimal downtime. You will need to eat a soft diet afterwards and rinse your mouth with Peridex. Cost is $ $ 3500 for two and $ 2500 for one. Usually the dimple is feixed for six weeks and after that it will become visible on smiling only.

Not so Jolly in Glum Blighty as Bo-Tax takes the lift out of cosmetic surgery.

2011-01-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Not so Jolly in Glum Blighty as Bo-Tax takes the lift out of cosmetic surgery. Bo-Tax extends to all of cosmetic surgery. The US Government could not fight the opposition of women’s groups and the electorate but in jolly-old England the Draconian new Tax Laws were introduced over the concerns of the average female patient. Not so Jolly in Blighty. Cosmetic surgery and procedures are performed 95% of the time on women. The advent of 20% VAT on Plastic Surgery is going to be discriminatory on women and on middle income groups who will be most affected by the increased cost. ‘Cosmetic Surgery’ is simply not cosmetic. Multiple scientific studies have shown that plastic surgery improves quality of life, self-esteem and confidence. Many so-called cosmetic procedures such as tummy-tucks and breast reductions, improve core strength and posture and reduce back and neck strain. Liposuction has also been shown to remove insulin resistant fat, treat diet and exercise resistant fat and reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes. Professor Kirwan now offers all of the same procedures that he currently provides in his UK office plus the NEW FRAXEL RE:STORE DUAL WAVELENGTH SYSTEM * - in his US office, but without the additional VAT charges. We also offer friendly service with a smile in a modern custom built and designed combination of medical spa and office facility. The reduced cost of the US surgical fees combined with reasonable hospital and anaesthesia charges plus the lack of any VAT, more than compensates for the additional cost of air-fare and accommodation. Surgery is performed in a state-of-the-art American Private Hospital. You can recuperate in a local hotel or enjoy a stay in one of our recommended hotels in near-by New York City.

TRENDS IN AESTHETICS FOR 2011

2011-01-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

TRENDS IN AESTHETICS FOR 2011

from
Professor Laurence Kirwan MD FRCS FACS
Leading international cosmetic and pioneering surgeon *
http://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.uk.com/

1
Thermage® will become the most sought-after non-surgical anti-ageing treatment for the face and body (http://www.thermage.com/). Thermage radiofrequency technology works by stimulating the individual's own collagen and brings about an immediate improvement in skin quality followed by a gradual, subtle change that tightens and evens-out the skin's appearance. Thermage makes the patient look fresher and younger as the weeks go by and is ideal for rejuvenating areas of the body where no surgical procedure currently exists, or is ineffective - e.g., the knees and elbows. Professor Kirwan uses Thermage Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT) and is now offering a £21,000 Investment Package of Thermage treatment which can save a patient up to £11,000.
2
The One-hour Liquid Face Lift promises to be the non-surgical rejuvenation treatment of choice on both side of the Atlantic. It involves multiple simultaneous facial injectables of reputable, well-established products such as Perlane®, Juvéderm Ultra Smile®, botulinum toxin, Sculptra®. Cost with Laurence Kirwan starts at £2500
3
There will be an increase in the numbers of cosmetic surgery procedures being undertaken at the same time. This is both safer and less costly for the patient as only a single dose of anaesthetic is used and there is just one stay in hospital. 'Down-time' is also reduced because the patient undergoes only one phase of recovery. According to Professor Kirwan, typical multiple surgery programmes include a tummy-tuck and breast lift or reduction; a tummy-tuck with liposuction of the back and thighs; eye-lid surgery with a 'nose job' (rhinoplasty); a facelift with rhinoplasty.
4
Botulinum toxin will again become the No 1 anti-ageing injectable as innovative surgeons combine Botox®, Dysport®, and other brands with anti-ageing treatments such as Sculptra® (http://www.sculptra.co.uk/) and Thermage® (see above). Kirwan is currently combining Botulinum toxin with Thermage, The Fraxel Dual System (in his USA Office) and Sculptra to rejuvenate the décolleté. Treatments starting now will ensure a smooth, blemish-free cleavage when warmer weather arrives - so just in time for spring weddings and the new season's revealing clothes; plus, later on, for looking terrific on the beach........
5
Kirwan recommends fractional laser treatments to treat acne scarring, blemishes and fine lines - combined with the Kirwan Skin Care Program® to prepare the skin beforehand and intensify the effects of the treatment afterwards. For more details, visit http://www.http/www.drkirwan.com/kirwan_products.php News Flash: Kirwan now has the Dual Fraxel System in his Norwalk Connecticut Office.
INTRODUCING THE NEW FRAXEL RE:STORE DUAL WAVELENGTH SYSTEM
We've taken the industry leading non-ablative Fraxel re:store® system to the next level by adding a new wavelength that will enable you to better address pigmentation and other dyschromia on the entire body with minimal discomfort. Predictability and consistency combined with safe and effective world class technology gives you the confidence that your patients are receiving the best possible treatment outcome. Supported by over 35,000 histologies, 50 peer-reviewed papers and over 500,000 procedures performed worldwide, the Fraxel system gives you a foundation of unparalleled scientific evidence.
Benefits of Fraxel re:store technology
§ Predictable results: Patented continuous motion tracking system delivers safe and uniform treatment results.
§ Simple to use: Intelligent touchscreen interface and precise dosimetry allows physician to select optimal treatment settings.
§ Treatment versatility: Treatment of a variety of conditions on all skin types anywhere on the body.
Deliver superior results with less downtime than a superficial ablative treatmentWith the touch of a button, select either the deep penetrating Erbium fiber laser (1550 nm) or the new, more superficial Thulium fiber laser (1927 nm). This is the first application of the Thulium wavelength in the aesthetic market and represents our commitment to developing innovative leading edge technology.
New Features and Benefits
§ Accelerated clearance of pigment: Thulium wavelength more effectively targets superficial skin layers
§ More comfortable procedure: Superficial targeting of the Thulium wavelength and focal cooling improves patient comfort
§ Larger treatment areas: Multiple body areas can be treated in a single session
§ Easily select the wavelength of choice for your treatment, the 1550 nm Erbium fiber laser or the superficial 1927 nm Thulium fiber laser
§ Single operator: Handpiece integration delivers cooling directly to treatment site, eliminating need for an assistant
§ Faster treatment times: Improved scanner design increases procedure speed by 25%
Fraxel re:store Dual Laser Specifications
Addressing both deep and superficial resurfacing indication with maximum efficacy and safety, consistently for all skin types anywhere on the body.
*FDA indications include skin resurfacing procedures and the treatment of periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, dyschromia and pigmented lesions, such as age spots, sun spots, actinic keratosis and melasma. Potential side effects include prolonged redness, swelling, blistering, scarring, infection, pigmentary changes (hyperpigmentation), herpes reactivation and acne flare-up.The Fraxel re:store 1927 nm wavelength is pending 501(k) and CE clearance.
"With this new technology I can offer my patients the safety, comfort and minimal downtime of a non-ablative treatment and achieve results comparable to superficial fractional CO2 treatments.";—
6
More British women will opt for breast augmentation. Already the UK's No 1 cosmetic surgery procedure, the influence of well-endowed celebrities and TV personalities such as Mad Men's Christina Hendricks will encourage more women to have a 'boob job' for curves to be proud of. Some will opt for Professor Laurence Kirwan's Auto-Augmentation technique which used a woman's existing breast tissue, rather than an implant. (www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.uk.com/breasts/auto-breast-augmentation-cosmetic-surgery-procedure.php)

7
Fat injection is finally coming of age with recent studies and science-based techniques that promise consistent results. Fat is taken from the buttocks for injection into the face to plump, fill, rejuvenate. Using stem cells as an adjunct looks promising, according to Professor Kirwan.
PureGraft™ is a revolutionary technology developed by Cytori Therapeutics for the preparation of fat grafts in a closed, sterile field. With advanced filtering capabilities, PureGraft™ selectively washes the lipoaspirate and drains the tumescent fluid, free lipid and debris in less than 15 minutes, streamlining the graft preparation process. With no mechanical equipment, the PureGraft™ System is easy to operate and allows the physician to control hydration of the graft. Compared to conventional graft preparation techniques, the PureGraft™ System has been designed to prepare grafts quicker and to process larger volumes (50-250 mL).
The PureGraft™250/PURE System is indicated for use in the harvesting, filtering and transferring of autologous fat tissue for reinjecting back into the same patient for aesthetic body contouring. The PureGraft™250/PURE System includes the PureGraft™ 250/PURE Consumable Set, the PureGraft™250/CK Convenience Kit and the PureGraft™550/IS Instrument Set.
Key Features & Benefits
Sterile – This single-use, closed, sterile, disposable product reduces the risk of graft contamination during preparation.
Fast - Less than 15 minutes to prepare between 50-250mL of graft.
Controlled– The physician can control the hydration of the graft by varying the drain times and number of wash cycles.
Space-saving – No mechanical equipment needed.
Product Description
The PureGraft™ 250/PURE Consumable Set is a sterile, single-use product designed to be used in conjunction with the PureGraft™ 550/IS Instrument Set and 250/CK Convenience Kit. It utilizes a highly optimized filtration technology designed to clean lipoaspirate and prepare fat grafts while maintaining user control over hydration levels and graft volumes. The PureGraft™ 250/PURE Consumable Set can prepare from 50-250mL of graft tissue in one process while remaining fully in the sterile field.
Key Features & Benefits
Sterile – This single-use, closed, sterile, disposable product reduces the risk of graft contamination during preparation.
Fast - Less than 15 minutes to prepare between 50-250mL of graft.
Controlled– The physician can control the hydration of the graft by varying the drain times and number of wash cycles.
Space-saving – No mechanical equipment needed.
The PureGraft™ 250/PURE Consumable Set is composed of:
PureGraft™ Mixing Bag
Waste Bag
IV Inlet Tubing Set
12 Tissue Access Port Adapters (TAPAs)
2 TAPA to Luer Adapters
Product Description
The PureGraft™ 250/CK Convenience Kit is a collection of single-use components provided by various manufacturers which have been packaged together by Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. for the convenience of our customers. The components are used to assist in the liposuction, the transfer and removal of tissue from the PureGraft™ Consumable Set, and the preparation of the graft delivery back into the same patient.
Key Features & Benefits
Includes all ancillary products for tissue collection and graft preparation
Single-use feature eliminates risk of contamination for patient, healthcare staff, surgeon, and system operator
Ready-to-use products
The PureGraft™ 250/CK Convenience Kit is composed of:
(5x) 10mL Soft-Ject SyringeCatalog #: 200-02
(10x) Flexible Syringe CapCatalog #: 200-03
(12x) 60mL Toomey SyringeCatalog #: 200-04
Product Description
The PureGraft™ 550/IS Instrument Set consists of components designed by Cytori Therapeutics for ease of use with the PureGraft™ 250/PURE System. It includes standard reusable and autoclavable products which assist in achieving optimal graft preparation and maximum graft removal from the system.
Key Features & Benefits
Designed specifically for use with the PureGraft™ system
PureGraft™ Easel designed to hold multiple bags for desired volumes greater than 250cc
Increases user control over graft preparation process
Space-saving design reduces clutter on sterile field
The PureGraft™ 550/IS Instrument Set is composed of:
(1x) PureGraft™ EaselCatalog #: 540-03
(1x) PureGraft™ SliderCatalog #: 540-04
8
2011 promises to be the Year of the Cheek and Lips. Bichat’s fat pad is the pocket of fat in the cheek which often gives a "chubby" appearance. Removing it through an incision inside the mouth sculpts the face and highlights the cheeks with a permanent result. New Juvéderm Ultra Smile is tipped by Professor Kirwan as the best injectable for natural-looking luscious lips.
9
Bo-Tax extends to all of cosmetic surgery. The US Government could not fight the opposition of women’s groups and the electorate but in jolly-old England the draconian new Tax Laws were introduced over the concerns of the average female patient. Not so Jolly in Blighty. Cosmetic surgery and procedures are performed 95% of the time on women. The advent of 20% VAT on Plastic Surgery is going to be discriminatory on women and on middle income groups who will be most affected by the increased cost. ‘Cosmetic Surgery’ is simply not cosmetic. Multiple scientific studies have shown that plastic surgery improves quality of life, self-esteem and confidence. Many so-called cosmetic procedures such as tummy-tucks and breast reductions, improve core strength and posture and reduce back and neck strain. Liposuction has also been shown to remove insulin resistant fat, treat diet and exercise resistant fat and reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes. Professor Kirwan now offers all of the same procedures that he currently provides in his UK office plus the NEW FRAXEL RE:STORE DUAL WAVELENGTH SYSTEM * in his US office, without the additional VAT charges. The reduced cost of the US surgical fee combined with reasonable hospital and anaesthesia fees plus the lack of any VAT more than compensates for the additional cost of air-fare and accommodation. Surgery is performed in a state-of-the-art American Private Hospital.

About Professor Kirwan:
British-born Laurence Kirwan trained in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery and Micro-surgery in the USA in Kansas City, Missouri and Denver, Colorado. He practices in the UK and the USA. Tatler magazine has named him as a UK Top Surgeon in its annual Cosmetic Surgery Guide for several years running and in 2010. Plus, he is regularly invited to attend the London Evening Standard's celebration of the 1,000 Most Influential Londoners. Professor Kirwan is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. He is licensed in New York, Connecticut and California and is on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgery in Ireland, Finland and Cyprus. He is an Active Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has given lectures and courses at the National Scientific Meetings of both of these organisations for over a decade. Professor Kirwan is registered by the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom He has no plans to apply for membership of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. - ends.

Re:store DUAL INTRODUCING THE NEW FRAXEL RE:STORE DUAL WAVELENGTH SYSTEM

2011-01-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

We've taken the industry leading non-ablative Fraxel re:store® system to the next level by adding a new wavelength that will enable you to better address pigmentation and other dyschromia on the entire body with minimal discomfort. Predictability and consistency combined with safe and effective world class technology gives you the confidence that your patients are receiving the best possible treatment outcome. Supported by over 35,000 histologies, 50 peer-reviewed papers and over 500,000 procedures performed worldwide, the Fraxel system gives you a foundation of unparalleled scientific evidence.
Benefits of Fraxel re:store technology
Predictable results: Patented continuous motion tracking system delivers safe and uniform treatment results.
Simple to use: Intelligent touchscreen interface and precise dosimetry allows physician to select optimal treatment settings.
Treatment versatility: Treatment of a variety of conditions on all skin types anywhere on the body.
Deliver superior results with less downtime than a superficial ablative treatmentWith the touch of a button, select either the deep penetrating Erbium fiber laser (1550 nm) or the new, more superficial Thulium fiber laser (1927 nm). This is the first application of the Thulium wavelength in the aesthetic market and represents our commitment to developing innovative leading edge technology.
See the benefits of the Fraxel re:store DUAL system in this short video.

New Features and Benefits
Accelerated clearance of pigment: Thulium wavelength more effectively targets superficial skin layers
More comfortable procedure: Superficial targeting of the Thulium wavelength and focal cooling improves patient comfort
Larger treatment areas: Multiple body areas can be treated in a single session
Easily select the wavelength of choice for your treatment, the 1550 nm Erbium fiber laser or the superficial 1927 nm Thulium fiber laser
Single operator: Handpiece integration delivers cooling directly to treatment site, eliminating need for an assistant
Faster treatment times: Improved scanner design increases procedure speed by 25%
Fraxel re:store Dual Laser Specifications
Addressing both deep and superficial resurfacing indication with maximum efficacy and safety, consistently for all skin types anywhere on the body.

*FDA indications include skin resurfacing procedures and the treatment of periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, dyschromia and pigmented lesions, such as age spots, sun spots, actinic keratosis and melasma. Potential side effects include prolonged redness, swelling, blistering, scarring, infection, pigmentary changes (hyperpigmentation), herpes reactivation and acne flare-up.The Fraxel re:store 1927 nm wavelength is pending 501(k) and CE clearance.

"With this new technology I can offer my patients the safety, comfort and minimal downtime of a non-ablative treatment and achieve results comparable to superficial fractional CO2 treatments."

Cosmetic Surgery Aesthetics Guide October November 2010

2010-10-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Hot Topic: Too Much Too Young?

The media has been awash of late with tales of Hollywood starlets who are barely out of their teens going under the knife or needle in a bid to look fresh on camera. First, Heidi Montag confessed to having ten procedures in one day at the tender age of 23, then 18-year-old Charice Pempengco was revealed to have had Botox injections to prepare for her Glee debut. So what' all the full about? We've tracked down four leading aesthetic practitioners and asked: is prevention better than cure, or is it all too much, too young?

Laurence Kirwan says:

"The teenage years are the ideal time for any woman to adopt a serious skincare routine. I developed the Kirwan Skin Care Program to provide a regimen that combats imperfections and maintains a glowing appearance.

The teens are also not too young for surgery that will improve a young woman's appearance and boost her confidence. This might be rhinoplasty, or, once she has finished developing, a breast enhancement or reduction. Injectables may be appropriate to contour a weak chin or plump the cheeks - or perhaps a more permanent solution, such as cheek or chin implants.

In her 20s, a starlet might benefit from Botox to fend off ageing and correct 'bd habits' such as frowning, which can create furrows across the brow, or vertical lines between the eye brows, and can be ageing, even at 23."

NIA 24 Rapid Exfoliating Serum

2010-10-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

NIA 24 Rapid Exfoliating Serum is featured in the September issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, with a credit to NIA24.com. The serum helps with Large pores,exfoliating / texture and skin brightening!The serum is used in combination with the creams.

The London Evening Standard Celebrates The 1000 Most Influential Londoners 2010

2010-10-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

Prof Laurence Kirwan has been invited by Geordie Greig, editor of The London Evening Standard to Celebrate "The 1000 Most Influential Londoners" event on Tuesday 16th November 2010.

Thermage CPT featured on Dr. Oz TV Show

2010-10-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

Last week, Thermage CPT was featured on the nationally syndicated Dr. Oz Show. Dr. Doris Day of New York appeared in the "Ultimate Anti-Aging Show by the Decade." Dr. Day discussed aging solutions for women in their 40s. She explains that the Thermage CPT is a great no downtime solution for skin tightening, both on the face and the body.

"Thermage is a great non-invasive, non-surgical way to get great skin tightening in a very natural way," said Dr. Day.

Thermage + Fraxel can bring out the best in you!

2010-09-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Haute Living Magazine Interview - Laurence Kirwan

2010-09-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Laurence Kirwan (MD FRCS FACS ) is a pioneering aesthetic plastic surgeon with practices in Harley Street, London—where he spends up to two weeks each month—and on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.

Dr Kirwan has been named in numerous magazines including Tatler’s Top Docs Supplement for several years running and has also been rated as one of the 1,000 most influential Londoners by the Evening Standard for the last three years.

Dr Kirwan has published numerous scientific articles on liposuction and breast surgery and has popularized and created several signature procedures. During his long period of practice, he has operated on many celebrities.

Most recently, Ulrika Jonsson visited Dr Kirwan for a breast reduction and one of his signature procedures, an axilla-plasty, which is designed to tuck the extra skin under the arm which overlaps when wearing sleeveless dresses.

No stranger to offering his services to those in need, in 1989 he coordinated several charity surgery missions to Yerevan, Armenia after the earthquake and again to Croatia in 1993 and 1996. He also organized an airlift of earthquake victims from Armenia in 1989. Working extensively with AmeriCares in 1989, he was the founding director for their ‘Doctors for All Peoples’ and is still in touch with patients from his charity trips.

Over the last 12 years he has given over 10 training courses on breast surgery and liposuction to colleagues at the National Meetings of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr Kirwan has also participated on many expert panels in international meetings in the USA, Europe, and Australia.

For the last fifteen years he has confined his practice to Aesthetic Plastic Surgery alone and has been practising plastic surgery in Harley Street since 1998. He now spends half of his time in London.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN: Oxford Maternity Hospital, Liverpool, England

HOW LONG IN LONDON: On and off since 1976

NEIGHBORHOOD: These days, Harley Street and Marylebone Area. Before that, Knightsbridge.

OCCUPATION: Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: The Wolsey for Breakfast, Carluccios in St Christopher Place for breakfast and lunch, Il Providores in Marylebone High Street for Dinner.

BEST STEAKHOUSE: There isn’t one. If you want good steak, order one in any restaurant in the United States. I went to Gaucho off Regent Street one time and everything was great except the steak. The meat just isn’t thick enough and does not taste right.

BEST SUSHI: Zuma in Knightsbridge. Great food and good celebrity watching.

BEST ETHNIC FOOD: Amaya in Halkin Arcade, Banares in Berkeley Square. Any Crispy Duck place in China Town, which are far better than those in New York’s China Town.

BEST ITALIAN: Bocca Di Luppo, Soho

BEST PIZZA: Strada on Marylebone High Street makes a decent Margherita. Plus the waitresses are cute and the water is complementary.

BEST LUNCH: Carluccio’s in St. Christopher’s Place for their Collezione Magnifica and a good black Americano. Paradoxically, despite its name, the Americans have not yet discovered this brand of coffee any more than the English or the Yanks have discovered the Cypriot Frappe.

BEST PLACE FOR LATE NIGHT DINING: Worst place is McDonalds on corner of Leicester Square and Swiss Court but is by far the most interesting in terms of people watching. Just stand outside the Ladies Room for a while for an eye-full. The best Place is Cecconis in Mayfair, a short walk from Harley Street and always bustling.

BEST DESSERT: Cheese Plate at Conran’s Orrery in Marylebone High Street. (Good Sex is the best dessert.)

BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DATE: Gordon Ramsey at Royal Hospital Road. Definitely one of my favorites or else Clivedon, Manoir de Quatre Saison

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH: Montpeliano in Knightsbridge. Relaxed and plenty of space.

HAUTEST CLUB/LOUNGE: The Blue Bar at the Berkeley Hotel is open late and good for a late snack.

BEST PLACE FOR A POWER BUSINESS MEETING: Either the Wolsey for a breakfast meeting or Scotts Restaurant in Mayfair.

IF YOU HAVE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS, WHICH HOTEL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? Probably the Berkeley for its location or else The Langham in Portland Place.

FAVORITE SHOPPING VENUE/BOUTIQUE: I like Marylebone High Street. It has restaurants, fashion stores and book shops and it is still not too crowded. I can get to Selfridges if I need a major department store but Harrods will always be my favourite for variety, service, and selection.

BEST PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY/WATCHES: Bond Street. I am a Brueget junky for watches and an Asprey junky for jewelry for my wife. I love their clasp earrings which don’t stretch the earlobe and are quietly sophisticated.

BEST SPA: The Mandarin Oriental

BEST GYM/ATHLETIC FACILITY: Honestly I like the GYM in Armonk, New York which has great body sculpting and yoga classes. The Peak at Jumeirah, Carlton tower in Cadogan Square is the best in London for food, massage and exercise with a view. Their pool with its stainless steel lining is phenomenal.

FAVORITE CHARITY EVENT: The best charity event is giving a five pound note to some unusually desperate looking wino crouched late at night on the cold step of some store in Marylebone High Street. Even if they spend it on wine I feel that he or she has reached such a low level of self-esteem to even beg that they deserve the consideration of those of us who need to be reminded how fortunate we are.

I am not a big fan of charity dos. I am a quiet giver and I like to know where my money is going. I am a fairly generous contributor to the University of California, San Diego, Neuro-Sciences Institute where Prof. William Mobley does research into Down Syndrome, since my 4-year-old Ophelia has Down Syndrome. Check out her web site and her book at www.opheliablueeyes.com

FAVORITE CULTURAL EVENT: I like the changing of the Guard every day at the Tower of London. I hate war but I love military paraphernalia.

FAVORITE CULTURAL INSTITUTION: The Royal Academy

BEST MUSEUM/EXHIBIT: The British Museum. Unbelievable collection of pre-Christian Statuary. The Banqueting Hall, Whitehall for Inigo Jones and its Rubens painting.

FAVORITE HISTORIC/LEGENDARY PLACE TO SEE OR EXPLORE: St Paul’s Cathedral. I am crazy about domed churches, Sir Christopher Wren and, of course, Neo-Classical architecture.

ALL-AROUND FAVORITE SPOT IN LONDON: Knightsbridge Village and its ‘Hole in the Wall’.

BEST ASPECT OF LONDON: Similar to New York, London is a walking city with individual neighbourhoods and villages. There are many quiet by-ways when you leave the main high streets and I like the architecture although there may be a little too much of the listed kind.

I am not a Prince Charles Fan. I think London is becoming entrapped by its ancient architecture. We need something adventurous like the Louvre Pyramid by I.M. Pei. I think Admiralty Arch should be converted into a transparent glass Apple Store and the entire Horse Guards area should be an enclosed historic museum including the Banqueting Hall.

Note

2010-06-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

To all my breast patients: Please note that Dr Kirwan has never used PIP implants. He has used Euro-medical, Nagor, Mentor and Allergan (formerly Implantech, McGhan ) implants only.

Dr. Laurence Kirwan invites you for Summer Celebration

2010-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Find out about the Thermage Comfort Pulse Technology. No sedatives or pain killers. Drive in and drive out to a new you! Dr. Laurence Kirwan invites you to attend an evening of fun and enlightenment about our new Anti-Aging Treatments in our sleek state-of-the-art office overlooking the river. Bring a friend that is new to our practice and you may be selected for a complimentary cosmetic service. Exclusive specials on treatments for evening symposium only. Take advantage of these discounts on our cosmetic treatments. Live patient demonstrations of exciting new treatments: Fraxel, Thermage with the new Comfort Pulse Technology, Sculptra & IPL. Door prize of a basket of skin care products. Complimentary gift certificate for all. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Seating strictly limited on a first come first served basis. Please RSVP by Monday, June 14, 2010 Tel: (203) 838-8844

When and Where: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:30pm – 8:30pm | Kirwan Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center, 148 East Avenue, Suite 2A, North Wing, Norwalk, CT 06851

Botox Treatment Offer (Norwalk, CT office)

2010-05-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

RECEIVE $75 OFF PER AREA OF BOTOX

- OR -

BRING IN A FRIEND* AND BOTH OF YOU WILL RECEIVE THE SPECIAL PRICE OF $400 PER AREA OF BOTOX ….. THAT’S A SAVINGS OF $100 PER AREA!!

*T&C: Friend must be a first time patient to our practice.Must bring in a print out of this email to receive this special offer - NO EXCEPTIONS. Offer only valid on booked appointments from June 21/10 thru to June 30/10 at our Norwalk, CT office.

Women as Design

2010-05-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

Woman As Design: Before, Behind, Between, Above, Below; by Stephen Bayley. If you haven't read this, you should. If you are not in the mood for reading, it is a great trawl through some of best of classical and modern, feminine-centered art. It takes the tack that women are designed rather like a Porsche 911 and are a recognisable icon of curves. It also goes some way to explaining the invention of the westernised 21st Century concept of female beauty with bikinis, push-up bras and nylon stockings. Alas, not enough about breast implants liposuction and surgical aesthetics. This would be a good book for a plastic surgeon to write with an Art Historian. But the book is a lot more inviting than Kenneth Clark's Nude and looks great on the coffee table, if only for shock value. Incidentally Stephen and I went to the same school along with Lord Peter Goldsmith, Jimmy Tarbuck and John Lennon. I asked Stephen to sign it and when he saw me he said I hadn't changed since our school days. Actually I last saw him about three years ago. He, on the other hand...

LK

My new Instructional Course, Inaugural Session at the ASAPS Meeting in D.C.

2010-04-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 25, 2010.
Adjunctive Procedures in Aesthetic Breast Surgery.
I gave my course today for the first time. It was attended by a small group of mostly senior plastic surgeons, which was encouraging because this was a course at the boundaries of plastic surgery, beyond textbooks. There is only so much you can read about or be taught in a standard Plastic Surgery Residency Program. This course was more about the other things that you did not learn in school but maybe had to teach yourself by trial and error. It was an interactive computerised course, by which I mean that I gave a Power Point Presentation from my laptop and that I had a discussion with my audience about the pros and cons of the various procedures. The course lasted the full two hours and I genuinely enjoyed it.

I also got time to spend with my wife and three little daughters and saw the White House (‘Rock Obama’s House’) and Dorothy’s red shoes and Julia Child’s kitchen at the Museum of Natural History. Today we also went to the Air and Space Museum before driving home. The George Washington Bridge was clouded in an ethereal mist. All I could think about, as I drove across on the upper deck, was the incredible skill of the American Airlines Pilot, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, the Hero of flight 1549, as he took control of the airliner and glided onto the calm waters of the Hudson. And so to bed.

TATLER Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2010

2010-04-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

TATLER MAY 2010 Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2010
BEST FOR BODY SCULPTING
Professor Laurence Kirwan
Women of all ages book in with Kirwan for the Rolls-Royce of bodywork. He can tighten your waist and give you better posture with his tummy-tucks. He is also experienced in more unusual operations such as axillaplasty, a procedure which removes the surplus fat that tend to bulge over bra straps on the back and beneath the arms, so that older women can wear strapless tops and dresses again. He has also developed a technique called auto-augmentation, for lifting the breasts of those with fuller busts without using an implant. To provide fullness where it is needed (above the nipple), he moves the breast gland from the lower part of the breast to the upper area without disconnecting it from its original blood supply.
LK

My first CPT Thermage treatment

2010-03-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Today I had my first Thermage CPT treatment at 2.5 and 3.0 level using 450 pulses on each side of my neck and face. I had photographs taken before the treatment and compared them to my previous photographs 5 years ago. I was staggered to see that I actually looked better 5 years on. Thank goodness for a healthy life style, some Botox (yes, that ugly word) and a good skin program as well as losing about 10 pounds. I feel great after the Thermage which I had without any Valium or pain relief and I look another five years younger!

Psychological Impact: Cosmetic Surgery Improves Quality of Life

2010-03-10T08:51:00.001-08:00

Psychological Impact: Cosmetic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
NEW YORK, NY (May 2, 1997) — Cosmetic surgery produces a positive psychological effect, improving patients' quality of life and perceptions of well-being, according to a study presented at the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), May 2-7 at the New York Hilton and Towers.
"The purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve a person's psychological functioning by modifying their body image," says Gregory Borah, MD, chief of plastic surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and one of the study's authors. "This prospective study is important because it demonstrates that objective measurements of a patient's quality of life are improved after cosmetic surgery."
The study involved 105 cosmetic plastic surgery patients between the ages of 18 and 70. Four written questionnaires -- Ways of Coping, Personal Resources, Depression, and Quality of Life Index -- were used to collect the data. Subjects completed all questionnaires approximately two weeks before surgery, and again at one month and six months following surgery.
The confidential responses were collected and analyzed for statistical significance by Marlene Rankin, PhD, professor of nursing at Rutgers University, who designed and validated the study's questionnaire.
The results showed that the overall improvement between the preoperative and six-month postoperative quality of life outcomes was highly significant. Patients also had a significantly lower depression score at six months following surgery compared to their preoperative levels. In addition, their perception of their own well-being increased over time. Patients' social support and ways of coping generally were not affected by cosmetic surgery and, therefore, had little impact on the other results.
The study was supported in part by an ASAPS research grant awarded in 1995.

New Study Finds Significant and Lasting Improvement in Body Image Following Cosmetic Surgery

2010-03-10T08:48:00.001-08:00

New Study Finds Significant and Lasting Improvement in Body Image Following Cosmetic Surgery
New York, NY – June 21, 2005 – The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) announced today results of a new study that showed patients have significant and sustained improvements in body image after surgery. The researchers found that patients were not only satisfied with their surgery, but experience a decrease in the frequency of negative body image emotions in specific social situations for as long as 12 months after surgery. The study was funded by a research grant from ASERF. Results of the study were published in the May/June issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ).
“Patients experience a significant and lasting improvement in appearance and body image following surgery,” said Dr. David B. Sarwer, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia .
Dr. Sarwer and colleagues studied patients from eight cosmetic surgery practices across the country before surgery and three, six, and 12 months after surgery. The researchers found that 87% of respondents reported satisfaction with postoperative outcomes. One year after surgery, 97% continued to report that they would recommend surgery to others and 93% indicated they would have the surgery again. Patients reported significant improvements in their overall appearance as well as in the feature altered by surgery. Furthermore, they also experienced a decrease in the frequency of negative body image emotions in specific social situations. All improvements were maintained 12 months post surgery.
“This study suggests that patients who invest their time and money in cosmetic procedures do experience lasting improvement in body image,” said Foad Nahai, MD, an investigator in the study. “Patients did not experience a worsening of depressive symptoms or have other negative emotional outcomes. This suggests, for example, that patients expecting to like their nose better after rhinoplasty, will likely be very satisfied.”
About the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF)
ASERF regularly funds original research and outcomes studies in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery. It is affiliated with the 2000+member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) , the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Women's Self-Image and Sexual Satisfaction Increase After Cosmetic Surgery

2010-03-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Women's Self-Image and Sexual Satisfaction Increase After Cosmetic Surgery
Body image and sexual pleasure, including orgasm, enhanced after aesthetic makeovers
New York, NY (February 16, 2006) — Aesthetic Surgery Journal today released new data from a study on the impact of aesthetic plastic surgery on body image and sexual satisfaction. Women who undergo common elective cosmetic surgery procedures not only feel better about their bodies, but also have higher degrees of satisfaction with their sex lives, including ability to orgasm. Women in the study who had undergone aesthetic procedures were more sexually satisfied, reported that their partners were more sexually satisfied, dressed to enhance their new figures, and were apt to try more and different sexual activities post-surgery. The greatest benefits were seen in women who had breast augmentation/breast lift and/or body contouring procedures. The study was published in the January/February 2006 issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal, the peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
“This data is particularly interesting because several studies have suggested that women are not motivated to undergo aesthetic surgery to improve their sex lives. It appears that the improvements in sexual response are an unexpected benefit,’ said Dr. David Sarwer, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University Of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and lead editor of Psychological Aspects of Reconstructive and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: Clinical, Empirical, and Ethical Perspectives, published last fall.
According to the study, women who had facial aesthetic surgery (e.g., rhinoplasty, face lift), breast augmentation or lift and/or body contouring surgeries (e.g., tummy tuck, liposuction) experienced a high degree of body image satisfaction after surgery. Many also reported sexual benefits for themselves and their partners, which were most pronounced in the group who underwent breast or body procedures. While women who underwent facial procedures experienced enhancements in body image, they reported significantly fewer improvements in psychosexual outcomes. This research suggests that the physical modifications achieved by major aesthetic plastic surgery procedures have far-reaching effects on body image, sexual satisfaction and relationships.“Patients in the study showed an unexpected, but important benefit: increased satisfaction with their sex lives after plastic surgery,” said Guy Stofman, MD, chief of plastic surgery at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and lead author of the study. “This study is important because we were able to objectively measure a significant quality of life benefit after cosmetic surgery.”
“The benefits of cosmetic plastic surgery appear to go beyond enabling patients to feel better about their physical appearance,” commented Mark Jewell, MD, President of ASAPS, which publishes Aesthetic Surgery Journal. “It also extends to her most intimate and personal moments. These new data in a peer-reviewed scientific publication will add a lot to how we measure the outcomes of cosmetic procedures.
Of 70 women who completed a survey about their postoperative psychosexual life, more than 95 percent reported improvements in body image, regardless of the type of surgery they had received. After surgery, 81 percent of the 26 breast surgery respondents and 68 percent of the 25 body surgery patients experienced improvements in sexual satisfaction, compared to 32 percent of the 19 facial surgery patients. Seventy-three percent of breast surgery patients and 56 percent of body surgery patients also perceived an increase in their partners’ sexual satisfaction, compared to 21 percent of facial respondents. Remarkably, 31 percent of breast and 52 percent of body patients reported that they could achieve orgasm more easily after surgery. Only one patient (5 percent) in the facial surgery group reported a similar improvement in ability to orgasm.
About ASJ Aesthetic Surgery Journal is the official, peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and is the most widely read clinical journal in the field of cosmetic surgery, with subscribers in more than 80 countries.
About ASAPSThe American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery. ASAPS active-member plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. www.surgery.org

Increase in Self-Esteem, Functionality Seen in Patients After Breast Reduction

2010-03-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

Increase in Self-Esteem, Functionality Seen in Patients After Breast Reduction
Study shows breast reduction can improve physical, social and emotional quality of life
New York, NY (August 4, 2008) – Findings from a study published in the July/August 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal show a marked improvement in quality of life for patients who underwent breast reduction surgery, indicating that benefits of the procedure go beyond the mere aesthetic result.
One hundred patients with breast hypertrophy were chosen to participate in the study, and randomly allocated into two groups. One group was selected to undergo breast reduction, while the other was put on a waiting list and served as a control group. At the beginning of the study, all patients were interviewed to collect demographic information, as well as to measure their self-esteem and functional capacity. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Rolland-Morris (widely used self-esteem measures) were used for these quality of life measurements. Pain intensity was also measured using a visual analog scale. These measurements were evaluated again six months after the surgery.
After surgery, a decrease in the score on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale indicated a marked improvement in self-esteem in these patients versus those in the control group. Functional capacity had also improved in this group of patients, who also reported a significant decrease in intensity of pain in the lower back. It is reasonable to conclude that these improvements were brought about by the breast reduction surgery.
“Patients seek out breast reduction surgery for many reasons, not the least of which is to ease pain and discomfort associated with having larger breasts,” said Miguel Sabino Neto, MD, PhD, a plastic surgeon in São Paolo, Brazil and lead author of the study. “However, there is also an emotional discomfort as well, including low self-esteem, social and sexual embarrassment, and frustration with difficulties in performing daily routines. It was our goal to determine quantitatively whether these emotional issues improved, as well as the physical.”
According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 153,087 breast reduction procedures were performed on women in 2007.
“This study further demonstrates that the connection between the aesthetic results of plastic surgery and the emotional, social and physical quality of life of our patients cannot be underestimated,” said Alan H. Gold, MD, President of ASAPS. “These findings will go a long way towards helping us to evaluate and better understand the impact of plastic surgery on patients’ lives, and serves as an example of our commitment to evidence based medicine and outcome studies in aesthetic surgery.”

THE SECRET OF LOOKING YOUNGER? JUST THREE LITTLE WORDS!

2010-03-10T04:25:00.000-08:00

THE SECRET OF LOOKING YOUNGER?
JUST THREE LITTLE WORDS!

The secret to looking younger without going under the knife lies injust three words - Sculptra®, Thermage®, Botox® - according to international cosmetic surgeon Laurence Kirwan MD FRCS FACS.
They will be, he predicts,the 'fountain of youth' for the next decade.
Sculptra is an injectable that contains a deep-dermal thickening agent while Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to tighten the skin. Both stimulate the patient's own collagen and bring about a gradual, subtle change that makes the patient look fresher and younger as the weeks go by. "Because the results are progressive, no-one would guess you have had any 'work' done at all," says Kirwan. Botox is also an injectable and its wrinkle-busting effects become apparent within a few days. “The great advantage is that these treatments are perfectly complimentary so I often offer all three together," says the British-born surgeon who trained in the USA.
Thermage tightens the skin of the neck, jowls, cheeks, eyelids and forehead. Sculptra restores volume around the eyes - especially in the 'tear trough' or ‘eye bag’ area - as well as over the cheek bones, in the lower cheeks and around the chin area. Sculptra is also used to diminish fine lines around the mouth and on the face generally and to de-crease the neck.

"Botox is still the 'gold standard' when it comes to a fast remedy to smooth out frown lines, crow's feet and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth," advises Kirwan, who has practices in London, New York and Connecticut, USA.
Both Thermage and Sculptra last for two years or more - which is, on average, more than twice as long as other non-surgical treatments. The benefits of Botox are shorter - between three and five months. Three treatments a year are the norm. All three products have been thoroughly tried and tested and, in the USA, have achieved rigorous FDA approval. "Thanks to their synergy, these products are 'The Holy Trinity’ of today’s anti-ageing treatments,” says Kirwan, who has been using Botox and Sculptra for over 10 years and Thermage, in the UK and USA, for the past 12 months.
The Science Bit:

Sculptra® is produced from poly-L-lactic acid, which has been used in surgery for many years. Because it thickens the deeper tissues under the skin, Sculptra is excellent for plumping cheeks and other areas where there is insufficient fat, and for filling depressions and scars, such as acne scars. To avoid irregularities and lumps, the area injected requires massage immediately after the treatment and for five minutes, morning and night, for 10 days afterwards.
The body builds its own collagen over the following four to six weeks and two or three further treatments are needed to achieve the desired correction. It takes a month or more to see the results of each treatment and the improvements become increasingly apparent after the final treatment. The results last for up to two years and when more Sculptra is needed, just one or two injection sessions may be enough.
Kirwan charges £2,400 for a series of three treatments, involving one vial of Sculptra per treatment. If a patient's treatment area requires more than one vial, the cost will be correspondingly higher.
Thermage® tightens eyelids, facial jowls, necks, lips, hands, tummies, knees, thighs, and areas with cellulite, plus small pockets of residual fat. Thermage represents true "cutting edge" technology and Kirwan uses the very latest Thermage equipment, with a vibrating head that reduces any feeling of discomfort. The treatment also rejuvenates hands, upper arms, inner thighs, buttocks and outer thighs and, most importantly, wrinkly skin above the knee.
"Thermage is the perfect answer for areas of the body where surgery is either ineffective or not available - such as rejuvenating the knees and elbows,” he explains.

Kirwan finds Thermage suitable for all skin types, from the classic English rose complexion to dusky African looks – and is highly suitable for Middle-Eastern clients, with no risk of de-pigmentation.

Kirwan charges £1,500 to £2,500 for a single treatment of Thermage, which last for two to three years. There is minimal downtime and the patient can return to work and other activities next day with no signs of treatment apart from a refreshed and tightened skin.
Botox® is made from Botulinum Toxin Type A, a neurotoxin derived from bacteria. Although there are now other brands on the market, Botox® has become the most popular anti-wrinkle injectable in the UK. It works by interfering with the muscles’ ability to contract. Treatment takes about 20 minutes and results can be seen in three to five days.
New uses for Botox are emerging all the time. For example: “Women with a small or retrusive chin may have overactive lower lip muscles which accentuate the crease under the lower lip. Injections over the chin can correct this, as well as wrinkles in the chin pad itself,” says Kirwan. Other areas that improve significantly with Botox are the sinewy muscles in the neck and wrinkles in the lower eyelid and Kirwan uses Botox to create a chemical brow-lift that lifts the eyebrows. Botox can also be used to lift the angles of the mouth - ie, correcting the downturn that often occurs with age - and help smooth out 'smoker's lines' around the mouth.
Kirwan charges £300 per facial area (horizontal lines on the forehead, crow's feet and frown lines between the eye brows count as three separate areas).
"So-called ‘lunchtime surgery’ is highly misleading terminology but this trilogy of anti-ageing treatments is truly a morning or afternoon event and my patients often go back to work, or shopping, after all three with few visible after-effects except, perhaps, a little redness,” Professor Kirwan advises.
He cautions that Sculptra can cause bruising, particularly around the eyes and during the first treatment, so recommends allowing sufficient time after treatment for anyone who has an important event looming - such as being 'Mother of the Bride' (or Groom) or celebrating a major birthday.
All injections can produce bruising and temporary weakness of an eyebrow or an eyelid is sometimes seen with injections of Botox; but, as Kirwan says, the good news is that it usually wears off within 2-3 weeks.
All three treatments are proven technologies with minimal risk of allergic reactions or lumps or scarring and are completely reversible over time - which is the basic criteria for any safe non-surgical aesthetic regimen.
-ends-
Note to Editors:
Professor Laurence Kirwan MD FRCS FACS was born in Britain and trained in aesthetic plastic surgery in the USA. He is now an international pioneering surgeon, practising in London and in New York and Connecticut, USA.

His private consulting rooms in London are at
56 Harley Street London W1G 9QA Tel : 020 7637 4455 (after 2pm)

His website is at
www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.uk.com

For further information, please contact Penny Bool @ The PR Bureau – email: pennyprb@aol.com; Tel: 01935 82 61 81; mobile: 07850 016 885

Prof. Kirwan is presenting new course.

2010-01-20T14:02:00.003-08:00

Prof. Kirwan has been invited to present a new course this year in Washington DC entitled 'Adjunctive Procedures in Aesthetic Breast Surgery', Course No. 407 at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery on Sunday, April 25, 2010, 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. He will teach his own techniques of nipple reduction, axillaplasty, breast auto-augmentation and other refinements.

Don't believe the press. The demise of Botox is very much exaggerated.

2010-01-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Beatrice Aiden, in the Financial Times, recently characterised me as a 'Former Advocate' of Botox. The BBC TWO series, ‘History of Now: The Story of the Noughties: Growing Young’ cut my interview to make it sound like I was saying that Botox was akin to Mustard Gas. This is not true at all. I think that there are a lot of exciting products other than Botox (Mustard Gas not being one of them) out there but that does not mean that I will be discarding Botox or any of its equivalents, any time soon. I have personally been receiving Botox injections for over ten years. If I am a Botox ‘addict’ as the press wishes to characterise such people, then so be it. It's not Cocaine for heaven's sake! Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Azzalure are all excellent products and their uses seem to be expanding exponentially. The press seems to have finally read the package insert and decided that the drug travels to all parts of your body and can make you stop breathing. So in their opinion everyone should stop using it immediately and check into some Detox clinic at great expense so that they can spend the rest of their life happily contemplating the deepening lines in their forehead. What nonsense! This story is rife with implications that have little or no clinical relevance and ignores the obvious benefits of the drug which has made it a multi-billion dollar success story. I will continue to be an Advocate of Botox for the foreseeable future. Incidentally if automobiles came with Package Inserts detailing the likely risks of driving, including serious injury and death (in much higher percentages than occur with Botox which has a zero incidence of either when recommended in the standard dose), no-one would ever drive a car again. Well maybe the journalists wouldn’t but the rest of us would.

Thermage Treatment - Breaking News

2010-01-09T03:33:00.000-08:00

Thermage machine with new vibrating tip and large body tip for skin tightening and cellulite now available in our UK office.

Immediate results and no down-time. The GOLD STANDARD in radiofrequency skin tightening. Call now for an appointment or treatment in our UK office.
Thermage can tighten skin in buttocks, thighs, arms, neck, face, eyes, tummy.

London, UK : +44 (0) 20 7637 4455
New York : (212) 838 8844
Norwalk, CT : (203) 838-8844

The One Thousand Most Influential Londoners - Health

2009-11-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Went to London Evening Standard Party for 1000 Most Influential Londoners at Burberry's new worldwide headquarters. I was named as one of only two Plastic Surgeons. Great fun, a little too much champagne. But at least it was the expensive kind.

The Evening Standard 1000 Most Influential People in London

2009-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Dr Laurence Kirwan is invited by Geordie Greig Editor of The London Evening Standard to celebrate the 1000 Most Influential Londoners on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at Burberry, Horseferry House, Horseferry Road London SW1.

LAST WORD

2009-10-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine Sepetember-October 2009
'LAST WORD'
Laurence Kirwan MD FRCS FACS

The main difference between the US and the UK is that in the US, patients are looking at who hasn’t had it done and in the UK, they are hoping no-one will look at them and guess they did it.

The British are quite aggressive in terms of early face-lifts and if anything, are more adventurous than their American counterparts. Sometimes, and in a rather scary way, the British will travel abroad for surgery or choose doctors on the day of the procedure, with nigh a second thought. Americans are, to-a-tee, better informed and better researched, although the British are catching up.

Patients on both sides of the Atlantic tend to follow the same referral route to their plastic surgeon – i.e. Internet, existing patients and friends; sometimes doctors and even more rarely GP’s (almost unheard of). Non-plastic surgery doctors are, in general, poorly informed about the options and benefits of plastic surgery.

The differences are that the UK is a chatty, gossipy country that reads its tabloids and equivalent magazines so that print media seems to be more effective in attracting patients to my office in the UK – as opposed to the USA, where the Internet and patient referrals are bigger factors. TV is a terrifically powerful medium but I am hardly on it or in it. TV make-over programs are generally based on the idea of taking someone who is well past their sell-by date and converting them into something with an indeterminate shelf-life. I think this is often a leviathan enterprise with unnecessary medical risks.

The British are, of course, famous for their bad teeth and the almost complete absence of orthodontia. Jamie Oliver, but one example, whereas the Americans are famous for their perfect teeth and orthodontia. Orthodontia is still a largely undiscovered art in the UK.

Plastic surgery is often performed in private surgical centres in the USA and most surgery is performed under sedation (versus general anaesthesia) and the patient goes home to their own bed, rather than remain in the hospital - as they need to in the UK.

Nurses in an American operating theatre, are trained assistants whereas in the UK, they are usually only trained to the level of surgical scrubs nurses who pass instruments and are unused to assisting surgeons. In the USA we also have ‘physician assistants’ who assist in surgery and can help ‘close’ the wound.

British anaesthetists (known as anesthesiologists in the USA) have more facility with a breathing tube known as the laryngeal mask, which can reduce soreness of the throat after a general anaesthetic. However, American docs are better at doing cosmetic surgery under sedation thus avoiding the necessity for a tube in the throat in the first place.

Lastly, US hospitals recognise that plastic surgery is a profit centre and generally attract it by keeping their fees low. UK hospitals seem to view it as a necessary evil and take any opportunity to charge large fees. Maybe this is a reflection of the English view of cosmetic surgery. LK

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine September-October 2009

New Events and Happenings

2009-10-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

A few notes: Currently in London. I gave a presentation tonight (7th October) to a Launch Evening for The Eye Spa at Eye to Eye, Knightsbridge. A great new concept embracing the best in eye frame design (I plan on getting one) with international consultants on micro-pigmentation, Laser refractive correction, Skin Care and of course Plastic Surgery. I am their dedicated consultant. They are located on Montpelier Street in Knightsbridge just opposite Harrods. Eye To Eye, 3A Montpelier Street London SW7 1EX+44 (0) 20 7581 8828 I have been invited to give an Instructional Course at the next meeting of The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Washington D.C. in April 2010. Maybe I'll get invited to the White House? This will be the second course I have given to the Aesthetic Society. I understand I will be in the next edition of Beyond Black's Guide to Top Plastic Surgeons, world-wide. As you know we are moving to an even more beautiful new office in Norwalk, Connecticut with great view of the Connecticut River. This new office will allow us to create the Kirwan Aesthetic Center which will offer not only Surgical Rejuvenation but the full range of Non-Surgical treatments such a Sculptra Aesthetic (see below), Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, Botox, Dysport, Fraxel, Thermage, Endermologie, Laser Light Sheer Hair Removal, Aura Laser treatment of broken blood vessels in the face and injection compression sclerotherapy of spider veins and varicose veins in the legs. Prof. Kirwan is an accredited trainer for Sculptra Aesthetic and he was recently flown out to Santa Monica, California on September 25th to complete a two day Training for Trainers at the Loews Hotel, on the latest techniques and information.

You're invited to a night of beauty for a new and refreshed look for spring

2009-04-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

From Now to Fall, no down time
Date: Tuesday, April 21st 2009 6:30 - 8:30pm
Location: Kirwan Skin Clinic, 605 West Avenue, Norwalk Ct 06850 USA

Join us to learn about the newest techniques for a fresh summer look. Live patient demonstrations and great offers to save money available on seminar night only!

Bring a friend and you may be chosen for a complimentary cosmetic service.
Basket of skin care products door prize.
Complimentary gift bags for all.

Please RSVP by April 14th (203) 838 8844

Are you considering Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

2009-03-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

CONSIDERING COSMETIC PROCEDURES?
PLANNING PLASTIC SURGERY?
& FROM AN ETHNIC BACKGROUND?

NEW CHANNEL 4 SERIES Channel 4 are making a brand new documentary series looking at cultural ideas of beauty and want to talk to people from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups who are considering cosmetic procedures/surgery. Please get in touch to tell us what you are planning to change about yourself and why. We want to hear from you, whether you wish to take part in the new channel 4 series or not. Please click here for more details. All information will be treated in the strictest of confidence. There is no commitment to appear in the documentary.

Thank you to our reviewers!

2008-04-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

Laurence Kirwan recognized for his contribution as a reviewer for submitted scientific papers to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal; the Official Publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (www.surgery.org/professionals/journal.php)

Named in “Beyond Black Guide” to the World’s Top Plastic Surgeons and Clinics.

Named for the third time in the “Tatler Guide to Top Plastic Surgeons” in the United Kingdom.

The World’s Top Surgeons & Clinics

2008-04-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

"A beautiful girl is like a red 430 Ferrari:
sleek and smooth and makes you want to
show everybody she belongs to you.
Barros is that Ferrari."

Professor Kirwan on Beauty

“The most beautiful women in the world today is 6 foot tall, has legs at least half that length, no hips, wears a 34C bra and has breasts like half grapefruits. Her eyes are large and often blue and she is a sandy blonde. Her hair goes down just below her shoulders and outlines her prominent cheek bones. Her nasal tip has a slight upward slant and her bridge is straight and slightly lower than the tip. Her nostrils are in line with the inner angles of the eyes and sit over voluptuous lips and a strong chin. Her skin colour is Mediterranean. Examples: Giselle, Halle Berry, Ana Beatriz Barros, Rebecca Romjin, Elle MacPherson… there are so many that it seems unfair to exclude the others.”

Tatler: Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2008

2008-04-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

The jet-setting surgeon to the jet-set, Prof Kirwan has clinics in New York and Connecticut, as well as in London, where he spends 10-12 days a month. He focuses on facial rejuvenation surgery, but has also developed three new techniques for breast surgery. One of these, auto-augmentation, uses the patient's own breast tissue to provide fullness and contour, avoiding the need for implants. Patients like his calm consulting-room manner.

Rapid Recovery After Facial Surgery - Body Beautiful Show 2007

2007-11-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Prof Laurence Kirwan at Body Beautiful Show 2007 (Sunday 4th November) speaks about Rapid Recovery After Facial Surgery.

For the past two years, Prof Laurence Kirwan, has been developing facial rejuvenation procedures that reduce trauma such as bruising and scarring. As a result, patients enjoy a quicker recovery, and return to normal life faster than with traditional surgery. In this seminar, Prof Laurence Kirwan explained how he saves time for people with busy lives..

Original source: Body Beautiful Show 2007 (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23415916-details/Health/article.do)

The 1000 London's Most Influential People 2007

2007-10-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Evening Standard listed Prof Laurence Kirwan in their “The 1000 London's Most Influential People 2007” article.

Prof Laurence Kirwan, cosmetic plastic surgeon takes is first position among plastic surgeons.

Original source: Evening Standard | Health 09.10.07 (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23415916-details/Health/article.do)

2007-08-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

Kirwan™ products include:

Cleanser Gel
Toner with glycolic acid
Skin Lightener
Exfoliater Forte
Balancer
Sunscreen HQ
Moisturiser

The Kirwan™ products are: well tolerated and easy to apply with an improved delivery system; formulated with a newly stabilized odorless hydroquinone; presented in easy-to-follow step by step regimens; specially prepared prescription skin care products; sure to provide maximum results.

Step 1: Cleanser Gel
Step 2: Toner
Step 3: Skin Lightener
Step 4: Exfoliator Forte
Step 5: Balancer
Step 6: Sunscreen SPF 20
Step 7: Moisturizer

Application of Kirwan™ Products

The initial program lasts a total of eighteen weeks or three skin cycles (six weeks each). Each cycle will see changes in the skin. The first cycle is associated with Dryness; Exfoliation; Redness; Sensitive skin; Itching; Burning; Wrinkles may look worse; Acne may look worse This is a normal reaction. During the second phase these symptoms abate whilst the products continue to work. In the last cycle there is a healthy even complexion natural reflectivity to the skin with a more youthful pink color and correction of fine lines, pigmentation and acne breakouts. The skin should be more translucent and smooth.

Morning Cleanser Gel: Wash your face with the recommended cleanser, rinse with warm water and gently pat dry. Avoid rubbing the skin with a towel.

Toner: Contains glycolic acid. Put the Toner on a cotton ball and apply to your face. Do not rinse. Note: If prescribed, put the antibacterial agent on a cotton ball and apply. Some antibacterial agents may come in presoaked pads.

Skin Lightener: Apply Lightener evenly to the entire face, including the eyelids, extending to the hairline, over the ears and ending with a feathering motion. Wait until the cream is absorbed, removing any excess around the eyes with a tissue. Wait 2 minutes and apply a second coat over dark spots. Note: Patients with dark skin should use Lightener on the entire face once a day, preferably in the morning, and apply at night only on the darkest areas. Once a desirable color tone is achieved, use Lightener only as needed.

Exfoliator: Apply Exfoliator evenly over entire face, avoiding the eyelid area. Wait until the cream is absorbed.

Sunscreen: Apply in the morning under your makeup. Reapply often while in the sun. Note: Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided for the first month.

Moisturizer: Can be used daily on top of other creams for extreme irritation usually in the lower lids and the angles of the mouth.

Evening Cleanser Gel: Wash your face with the recommended cleanser, rinse with warm water and gently pat dry. Avoid rubbing the skin with a towel.

Balancer + Tretinoin: as prescribed by your physician: Mix one to two pea size amounts of Balancer with one pea size amount of tretinoin in the palm of your hand. Apply mixture evenly on the entire face, including the eyelids, extending to the hairline, over the ears and ending with a feathering motion. Wait until the cream is absorbed, removing any excess around the eyes with a tissuethe cream is absorbed, removing any excess around the eyes with a tissue

Maintaining Skin Health: At the end of the Restoration process, you will have achieved your goal of healthy, younger looking skin. You can retain these improvements for a life-time by simply alternating every other skin cycle (every 6-week period) between the Rest Protocol and the Restoration Protocol recommended by your physician.

1. Cleanser and Toner as above 2. Lightener and Exfoliator twice a week in the evening twice a week in the morning 3. Balancer + Tretinoin twice a week in the evening 4 Sunscreen in the morning. Use this at all times.

This ongoing program will ensure the continual stimulation of collagen and elastin and the maintenance of even, balanced skin tone. The additional benefit is that your skin will not return to the uncomfortable "Reaction" phase.

By now, you will be very comfortable with your skin health routine. You may adjust your maintenance program according to your skin type and the nature of your skin problems. You, with the advice of your doctor, should be the judge.

You can visit Kirwan Skin Care Shop

Prof Laurence Kirwan

2007-08-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Laurence Kirwan, MD, FRCS, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body.

He has a plastic surgery practice in New York and Connecticut in the US and in London, England. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgery of the Republic of Ireland and Finland. He was appointed Professor of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at the University of Belgrade in 1996.

Prof. Kirwan is named as one of the top 20 Plastic Surgeons, worldwide in the January 2006 issue of Russian Vogue. He was named one of Tatler magazines "Top Surgeons" in their February 2004 and May 2007 Cosmetic Surgery Guide.

Prof. Laurence Kirwan, FRCS

Prof. Kirwan obtained his medical degree from the Victoria University of Manchester in 1974 . He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1979. Prof. Kirwan completed his Plastic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, under the professorship of Dr Frederick J. McCoy, one of the founders of plastic surgery in the United States. To prepare students for their own practices, residents of this program were required to complete rigorous training in cosmetic surgery techniques.

Prof. Kirwan is widely published in medical journals and is a sought-after speaker, internationally. He has donated his surgical skills to help several charities working with people who are victims of poverty or natural disaster.

He is a member of these professional organizations:

• The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Prof. Kirwan holds these credentials:

• Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Specialist Register, Plastic Surgery, Republic of Ireland
• Specialist Register, Plastic Surgery, Finland
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Professor of Plastic Surgery, International School of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 1996

Hospital affiliations:

• New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York USA
• Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut USA
• Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut USA
• The London Independent Hospital, London, England
• Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth, London, England
• West London Clinic, London, England