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Posted on February 27, 2012 in Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery Information
PIP implants are breast implants made by a French manufacturer, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP). The company was required by French authorities to stop production of its silicone implants in 2010 when it was discovered that these implants were rupturing at a rate that was two times the industry standard. Ruptures or leakages have been reported in more than 1000 French women with PIP silicone implants. According to French prosecutors, among other cost cutting measures by PIP, the company also substituted inexpensive industrial-grade silicone for medical grade-silicone which is the standard for the industry. The company has since declared bankruptcy and its original CEO is in jail.
Only 20% of silicone implants were sold in France. The other 80% of PIP silicone implants were sold outside of France, in countries such as Columbia, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Spain. PIP silicone breast implants were never approved for use in the United States and for this reason, PIP silicone implants are only a concern for American women who have had their breast implant surgery done outside of the United States. The only PIP breast implants that were ever approved for use in the United States were pre-filled saline breast implants, and these are not the subject of any concern.
The current recommendation for patients with PIP silicone implants is to remove and/or replace the implants as a precaution, even if there are no symptoms or signs of rupture or leakage. This is an elective, non-emergency surgery which should be done at a time convenient for the patient after thoroughly discussing the surgery with her surgeon. As with any surgery, including the removal of PIP silicone breast implants, the risks of such a surgery must be balanced with the benefits of the surgery, in order to make a proper individual decision.
Posted on January 18, 2012 in Press Release
Patients' Choice Award Given to Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Robert Rothfield, a Fort Lauderdale plastic surgeon, was recently awarded the 2011 Patients’ Choice Award for his dedication to patient care and quality services in breast augmentation and other procedures. The Patients’ Choice recognition denotes excellence in making a difference in the lives of one’s patients and is evaluated based on various factors of patient care and effective results.
Patients’ Choice, a recognition and evaluation of top doctors throughout the country, recently honored Dr. Robert Rothfield for his work in plastic surgery in Fort Lauderdale. The award, only given out to 5% of the 720,000 active physicians in the U.S. in 2011, is bestowed to physicians who received near-perfect scores as voted by their patients. Dr. Rothfield and his practice provide services in procedures such as breast augmentation in Fort Lauderdale. He says he is honored to be a recipient of the distinguished honor and hopes it will reaffirm his dedication to patient satisfaction and quality results.
In order to be selected for the Patients’ Choice 2011 award, doctors are evaluated by their patient reviews in a number of categories including bedside manner, doctor-patient face time and communication, degree of follow-up, courtesy of office staff, and overall opinion. While the total number of reviews from patients totals in the hundreds of thousands and many receive positive feedback, Patients’ Choice distinction is awarded only to those physicians who have achieved uniformly and exceptionally high scores. The Patients’ Choice website also documents a list of its winners with their credentials, awards, years of experience, patient ratings, and basic information.
Dr. Rothfield says he is excited about the selection because it honors his hard work and commitment to patients. He adds that he hopes to continue striving for the highest quality of results and most comfortable patient care in all of his plastic surgery procedures, from non-invasive enhancements to breast implants in Fort Lauderdale.
About Robert E. Rothfield, MD, FACS
Dr. Robert Rothfield graduated from Haverford College and received his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He completed a Plastic Surgery Residency and a Hand Surgery Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Rothfield is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and several other professional societies. Dr. Rothfield currently serves as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines, FL.
Located at 2300 N. Commerce Parkway, Suite 202 in Weston, FL, Dr. Rothfield’s practice, Weston Plastic Surgery, can be reached at (866) 417-6996. It can also be contacted online via the website westonplasticsurgery.com or facebook.com/pages/Weston-Plastic-Surgery-Inc/134896541333.
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Posted on August 2, 2011 in Press Release
Plastic Surgeon in Weston, FL Reflects ASAPS Breast Augmentation Statistics
According to the most recent statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), breast augmentation was the most performed procedure in 2010. Of the 318,123 procedures performed, 62% used silicone breast implants; a statistic that board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Rothfield says is reflected in the procedures he performs at his Weston plastic surgery practice.
In the most recent study conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), breast augmentation is highlighted as the most common procedure performed in 2010, with 62% of the procedures using silicone breast implants. At his plastic surgery practice, Dr. Robert Rothfield says when performing breast augmentation in Weston, FL, silicone implants are even more common. “In my practice the ratio is about 80% silicone breast implants and 20 % saline breast implants. The most common reason patients prefer silicone is because silicone breast implants tend to feel more natural than saline breast implants.”
While speculation regarding the long-term safety of silicone breast implants arose in the mid-90s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration validated the overall safety and effectiveness of the implants after 14 years of extensive research. Dr. Rothfield adds that the latest generation of silicone implants are not only safe but are more reliable than the old generation of breast implants. He adds that the older implants were filled with a semi-liquid silicone, which was difficult to remove, and in some cases formed silicone granulomas (lumps and bumps). “The current generation of silicone implants are filled with a semi-solid cohesive silicone that is not subject to the same types of problems of leaking as was experienced with some of the old generation Implants.”
According to the same study from ASAPS, breast augmentation has been the most popular surgical cosmetic procedure for three consecutive years now. As the popularity of aesthetic enhancement—whether surgical or nonsurgical in nature—continues to grow in the U.S., Dr. Rothfield says he believes breast augmentation will remain one of the most popular forms of cosmetic enhancement because it is safe and has predictable results.
About Robert Rothfield, MD, FACS
Dr. Robert Rothfield earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He then completed his general surgery residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, an otolaryngology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute, and a plastic surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Florida Medical Association.
Weston Plastic Surgery is located at 2300 N. Commerce Pkwy. Ste. 202 in Weston, FL 33326, and can be reached at (866) 417-6996, or found online at westonplasticsurgery.com or facebook.com/pages/Weston-Plastic-Surgery-Inc/134896541333.
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Posted on March 2, 2011 in Practice News
Dr. Rothfield Discusses Plastic Surgery Safeguards
Dr. Robert Rothfield, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, recently discussed simple, key factors all patients should address when considering cosmetic enhancement. To ensure their safety is the top priority, regardless of whether a patient is undergoing breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or liposuction, Dr. Rothfield says patients should at least verify a surgeon’s certification and hospital privileges.
At his Ft. Lauderdale plastic surgery practice, Robert Rothfield, MD, FACS discusses the necessary safeguards all cosmetic enhancement patients should verify before choosing a surgeon. He says the minimum requirements a patient must evaluate concern certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, along with a surgeon’s hospital privileges. Whether considering a facelift or tummy tuck, Dr. Rothfield says verifying these two important factors will ensure a patient’s safety remains a top priority throughout the entire aesthetic enhancement procedure.
The certification process required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a rigorous combination of written exams and performance-based evaluations designed to ensure each certified surgeon has had the appropriate training to perform a range of safe and effective plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Rothfield stresses that while finer nuances do exist with each procedure, from BOTOX Cosmetic® to liposuction, to tummy tucks and facelifts, a baseline standard is established when a surgeon achieves board certification that places him or her in an elite class of exceptional practitioners.
Similar to the difference between a surgeon who is board-certified and one who is not, the difference between a free-standing surgical center or hospital and an in-office operatory room is significant. Dr. Rothfield says one main difference is the size of the facility’s budget, as hospitals and surgical centers tend to have large capital budgets that allow them to implement the latest technology and newest equipment. However, he adds that the key difference between an office set up and a free-standing surgery center or hospital is in the ability to handle an emergency. Whereas an office facility is limited by the personnel available (i.e., one doctor, one nurse, etc…) hospitals and free standing surgical facilities have a team of physicians and nurses available at all times.
Dr. Rothfield says validating a surgeon’s certification and a facility’s credentials will lead to the safest cosmetic plastic surgery enhancement possible, across the spectrum of available procedures, from breast augmentation to BOTOX Cosmetic®. He adds that in the end, verifying these two important factors can lead to exceptional results and increased patient safety.
About Dr. Rothfield
Robert E. Rothfield, MD, FACS is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Rothfield then completed his general surgery residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, an otolaryngology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute, and a plastic surgery residency and hand surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. He is Chief of Plastic Surgery at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines. Dr. Rothfield is also affiliated with Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, FL, as well as Memorial Hospital Miramar in Miramar, FL. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Broward County Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Weston Plastic Surgery is located at 2300 N. Commerce Pkwy., Ste. 202 in Weston, FL 33326, and can be reached at (866) 417-6996 or found online at www.westonplasticsurgery.com or the Weston Plastic Surgery Inc. Facebook page.
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Posted on February 15, 2011 in Plastic Surgery Information
There is a widespread misperception among the lay public and even many physicians that local anesthesia is “safer” than general anesthesia. Combine this with the fact that local anesthesia can be significantly less expensive than general anesthesia and it can falsely appear like an appealing option…safer and cheaper. However, more often than not with plastic surgery, this is not the case. Procedures done under local anesthesia such as breast augmentation, liposuction or abdominoplasty are often performed by doctors with no plastic surgery training and put patients at risk. These procedures are more appropriately performed under general anesthesia in a safe manner. While under general anesthesia, the airway, breathing and circulation as well as all of the anesthetic agents are monitored by a specialist, a board certified anesthiologist. The surgery is done by a specialist…your board certified plastic surgeon. The combination of the two ensures patient safety.
Local anesthesia may be safe in appropriate settings. However, if administered inappropriately, in an inadequate facility, and for a procedure for which it is not designed….it can be dangerous and deadly.
Check out the following link for additional information http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40950317/ns/health-womens_health/
Posted on January 28, 2011 in Plastic Surgery Information, Practice News
On January 26, 2011 the FDA released a White Paper and Advisory Statement on Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in women with breast implants.
ALCL is an incredibly rare tumor… only 34 cases worldwide have been reported over the last 25 years despite an estimated number of at least 5 to 10 million women with breast implants. Moreover, the type of ALCL that has been reported is very different from other ALCL’s. As opposed to systemic ALCL, which can occur anywhere in the body, this condition is localized to the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. Most importantly, in the very rare cases where this condition has occurred in the presence of breast implants, patients have responded well to a variety of treatments, including simple removal of the implant and surrounding scar tissue. It is important to understand that this is NOT breast cancer.
The FDA has not changed the status or availability of breast implants. The FDA, in conjunction with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), maintain that breast implants, one of the most studied devices in medical history, are safe.
Of course, all women including those with breast implants should follow their normal routine in medical care and follow-up, specifically regular self examination and mammography when appropriate.
Posted on October 25, 2010 in Press Release
Dr. Robert Rothfield recently discussed the four-year anniversary of the FDA’s re-approval of silicone breast implants. After conducting a wide range of studies concerning the safety of silicone breast implants, the FDA lifted the 14-year moratorium, stating that the implants were safe for breast augmentation patients age 22 and older, and breast reconstruction patients of any age. Dr. Rothfield says the implants used today are extremely different from those used in 1992 thanks to continuing technological advancements.
Weston Plastic Surgery Ft. Lauderdale
At Weston Plastic Surgery in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Dr. Rothfield says he is interested in the continuing research surrounding breast augmentation in Ft. Lauderdale, and silicone implants specifically because he served as an investigator for both FDA studies concerning their use. With great confidence, Dr. Rothfield says as the fourth anniversary of the re-approval approaches, he looks forward to further support and verification regarding the safe, effective use of silicone breast implants.
Posted on October 13, 2010 in Plastic Surgery Information
It goes without saying that surgery must be safe. This is particularly true with regard to cosmetic surgery. A number of factors relate to safety but the two most important are: (1) who is doing the surgery….i.e., who is the surgeon, and (2) where is the surgery being done.
Clearly, the surgeon must be experienced, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have active hospital privileges…these are the minimal requirements and they are easy to verify.
Where the surgery is done is equally important but sometimes more difficult to evaluate. The difference between a free standing surgical center or hospital and an office setting is significant. Hospitals and free standing surgical centers (such as the Surgery Center of Weston) have large capital budgets that allow them to have the newest and best equipment available. Office operating rooms (no matter how “state of the art”) are limited by the budget of the surgeon(s)….and typically these OR’s are filled with refurbished or second hand equipment.
Another very important difference between a hospital or free standing surgical center and an office set-up is the personnel. Of course, a board certified anesthesiologist is absolutely necessary as are nurses. However, a single anesthesiologist and a couple of nurses may not be adequate in an emergency. Hospitals and free standing surgery centers have multiple anesthesiologists and a team of nurses available at all times……office set-ups do not. Fortunately the likelihood of having a problem from anesthesia is extraordinarily small…..but it is not zero. l like to be certain that if a problem occurs, there is adequate personnel available, including anesthesiologists, nurses and the best equipment and tools to take care of it.
Posted on September 17, 2010 in Practice News, Press Release, Procedural Information
Ft. Lauderdale Plastic Surgery with Dr. Rothfield
A recent study conducted by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) found that breast augmentation and breast reduction were in the top five procedures performed for women in 2009. However, what the study does not address is the number of procedures that were performed to correct breast asymmetry. Dr. Robert Rothfield, board-certified plastic surgeon in Ft. Lauderdale, recently discussed the process of addressing breast asymmetry to create a more balanced aesthetic for his patients.
Breast asymmetry is a common condition that naturally occurs in all women, though the difference between the breasts are often unnoticeable. However, some women experience a more pronounced dissimilarity, which can ultimately affect their self-confidence. Through a combination of procedures, including breast augmentation in Ft. Lauderdale, Dr. Rothfield says he can help his patients formulate realistic expectations and decide which procedures will provide the best plastic surgery results.
Posted on August 31, 2010 in Practice News, Procedural Information
Silicone gel breast implants are now mainstream and account for at least half of all breast augmentation surgeries. What is new, however, is a recently developed device that is used to insert silicone implants called the Keller Funnel. Until the development of this device, putting in a silicone implant was like trying to push a water balloon through a buttonhole… it could be done, but it was always a struggle putting in the prefilled silicone implant through a small incision. With the Keller Funnel, the implant can be placed through an even smaller incision with much less trauma to the surrounding tissue or to the implant. This gentler method of placing the implant also facilitates “the no touch technique,” which is believed to decrease the incidence of capsular contracture, the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery. I have been using the device for several months now and only wish I had come up with the idea myself!