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Save Your Child From Years of Teasing … Protruding Ears can be Corrected…

Now that school is out, many parents will be considering their options to help their children with protruding ears (Promin Auris). This corrective surgery is called Otoplasty. It can take ears that stick out or fold abnormally and streamline them closer to the head. Teasing can be cruel for children who have this abnormality, and it can affect self esteem into adult years, as many of my adult Otoplasty clients have confessed.

IS OTOPLASTY SAFE FOR CHILDRN?
As with any procedure on children, it is wise to consider the risks, but generally Otoplasty is considered a safe surgery for children and adults in good health. It is extremely important to consider who is performing the surgery. I have multiple board certifications, specialties and years of experience, so you or your child will be safe in my hands.
WHAT AGE IS RECOMMENDED TO PERFORM THE SURGERY? Children can perceive their ears are different and whether they’re being made fun of as young as 3 to 4 years old. By 6 six years old these hurtful comments can negatively affect their self esteem. I suggest the age of 6 for the surgery because the ear has achieved 90% of its adults’ size. By forming more streamlined ears at 6 years old, we can prevent psychological damage caused by teasing and the minimal amount of remaining ear growth won’t affect the surgical correction.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE SURGERY? Otoplasty is a safe, simple and common procedure. It is performed in a state of the art outpatient surgery facility with all of the latest technology. For a small child, I normally use general anesthesia. For older children and adults, I use local anesthesia combined with sedation. Depending on the extensiveness of the correction, surgery takes from 2 to 3 hours. The incisions are well hidden behind the ears so they’re not detectible by the common eye.

HOW IS THE RECOVERY? The recovery is relatively quick and well tolerated by adults who can usually return to work in a couple days. Children have a little harder time with recovery, but to what extent will depend on their nature. There will be some discomfort that can be managed with pain medication, but this aching and throbbing of the area will last only the first few days. Most patients are up and about within a few hours of surgery, but it’s very important to take it easy with lots of rest those first couple days. The head will be wrapped in a gauze turban to protect the ears during the initial healing and stitches will be removed or will dissolve in about a week.

As any parent knows, dealing with the gauze, tape, stitches, discomfort and downtime won’t be fun for you or your child, but it is just for a short time and the long term benefits are tremendous for your child’s self esteem. The summer months are the ideal time for children to undergo the surgery since there’s no school to miss, peers to explain it to, and there’s usually a break from the seasonal organized sports activities.

Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation where we can discuss how Otoplasty can help correct you or your child’s ear abnormalities from trauma, injuries or genetics.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

 

 

Breathe Easier with Rhinoplasty

Do you have trouble breathing through your nose? One of the possible causes is a deviated septum. This can happen as a result of genetics or an impact caused by an accident or athletic event. A deviated septum makes breathing difficult because the bone and cartilage that is supposed to be down the center of the nose that divides the nasal cavity in half is crooked or drastically off center.

  • The best way to confirm a deviated septum is to see a specialist like myself. The following are common symptoms of a deviated septum:
  • nasal congestion on both sides or one side being more congested than the other
  • difficulty or loud breathing
  • repeated sinus infections or constant postnasal drip
  • aching in the head or face
  • issues with breathing during sleep, such as snoring or sleep apnea
  • nosebleeds

The specific surgical procedure to fix a deviated septum is called a Septorhinoplasty.
TREATING A DEVIATED SEPTUM

Septoplasty is often combined with Rhinoplasty, or nose job, to correct the external effects of the crooked insides. The combination of these two procedures is called a Septorhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is one of the most common surgical procedures and in the hands of a skilled surgeon like myself, the results can help you breath easier from both physiological and aesthetic improvement. Anyone in good overall health is a candidate, although for children needing septoplasty, it is preferable to wait until after the nose has stopped growing around age 15.

WHAT DOES SEPTORHINOPLASTY INVOLVE?
Septoplasty: By working through the inside of the nose, a small incision is made in the septum. The breathing canals of the nostrils are evened out by removing the excess bone or cartilage. Soft gauze or internal splints stabilize the nose as it heals.
Rhinoplasty: This portion of the procedure corrects any cosmetic imbalances in the bridge or nostrils to improve the nose’s appearance and overall harmony of the face. This recontour of the nose improves functionality and appearance to give optimal performance and confidence.
Both are performed on an outpatient basis and using either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s health conditions and preferences.
RECOVERY… Oral pain medication will help mitigate the discomfort from either surgery. Septoplasty recovery should be within a week. Rhinoplasty recovery from bruising, swelling, and incision healing is longer than Septoplasty alone. It’ll last about a week or two, although some people can return to work after 1 week. Either way it’s recommended to rest of the head elevated to help with swelling. Even after the initial Rhinoplasty recovery of about 2 weeks, patients should refrain from intense exercise and contact sports for at least 1 to 2 months. This makes it imperative for athletes to correct their deviated septum in the “off season.”
Whether you’re just having trouble breathing or would also like to improve the external appearance of your nose, we can discuss which surgery technique is best for you. Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking Care of Your Skin After Procedures

Last week we touched on Melanoma since we’re coming into summer months and skin damage from sun exposure is at it’s height. It’s important to reiterate that melanoma can be deadly, but is treatable with immediate diagnosis and early treatment. Part of immediate diagnosis is to do a regular self check. See the tips below.

1) UPPER BODY…Look into the mirror & examine the areas of the upper body that are exposed to the sun; head, scalp, face, neck, chest, torso, hands, nails, elbows, arms and underarms.

2) LOWER BODY… Sit down so it’s easier to check your legs, feet, soles, heels & toenails.

3) BACKSIDE… Using a hand mirror – inspect the back of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks & legs.

FOUR SPECIAL SKIN CONSIDERATIONS … Your care regimen will be different for a surgical procedure involving incisions that leave raw skin to heal, such as a face lift or blepharoplasty, versus a non invasive injectable procedure that causes significantly less injury to your skin. Whether your cosmetic procedure is invasive or non invasive, here are some tips to give your skin the best chance to heal:

1. Stay out of the sun. The fastest way to darken scars is to exposes them to the sun, so you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight all together.
2. Go the extra mile with pampering your skin. Use only mild, non- fragrance skincare… use it diligently even though you may not feel like taking the extra effort.
3. Drink lots of water. Hydrating your skin from the inside will help it along. Avoid dehydrating beverages, especially alcohol.
4. No picking, poking or prying at the recovery site. You need to give your wounds the best chance to heal. Disturbing the scabs could cause infection or scarring.

CARING FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER COSMETIC SURGERY… Taking special care of your skin in the first weeks after cosmetic surgery will help your results to last and minimize further damage that’ll age your skin. Your specific care regimen will be determined by which cosmetic procedure you have, but you can rest assured that I will guide you through the whole process from consultation to post procedure care.

Post surgery care is multi faceted. It involves:
• treating your wounds – you’ll receive detailed directions with a unique protocol for your procedure, but my recommendations usually include the herbal supplement Arnica Montana to reduce bruising and discoloration
• managing swelling – regular use of ice or cold compresses and elevation
• keeping up with everyday skin care – cleaning and moisturizing your skin will keep it from infection, break outs, and drying out. Be sure to use gentle, non comedogenic products.
• resting in between

I look forward to helping you in the rejuvenation process from beginning to end. To schedule your consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection/Prevention …Early Detection Increases Chances for Survival

One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime and every hour…one person in America dies from skin cancer. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer and it is preventable/treatable.

National Skin Cancer Awareness is promoted by several organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Dermatology. I won’t belabor the facts…just want to remind you of them and offer some helpful and important tips for skin cancer prevention.

Review of Skin Cancer Facts:
– We try to raise the public awareness of the importance of prevention, early detection and immediate treatment of skin cancer. They are: 1) basal cell, 2) squamous cell 3) melanoma.
– More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually in more than 2 million people.
– Melanoma (unlike other cancers) has a wide age distribution…it occurs in young people & seniors.
– Rates of occurrence increase with age- they are highest among 80 years olds.
– One bad burn during childhood doubles the risk for getting melanoma skin cancer later in life.
– Skin cancer is the most deadly for African Americans, Asians & Latinos.

RISK FACTORS
Everyone is at risk…but some people with certain factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. The risks include:

Lighter natural color skin
Family history of skin cancer
Personal history of skin cancer
Exposure to the sun through work & play
History of sunburns early in life
Skin that burns easily freckles, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun
Blue or Green eyes

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PROTECTION/PREVENTION
1. AVOID the sun between 10am and 2pm…this is the when the rays are at their peak
2. Damage occurs all day long…so be wise and use sunscreen or sunblock
3. Take more precautions when it is hot, humid and windy as these conditions enhance harmful effects of UV rays
4. Cloudy day are dangerous days…we tend to be out more, longer and use less protection. Understand that UV Rays pierce the clouds and cause serious damage (burns)
5. TANS are NOT healthy! No tan, whether from sun exposure or tanning beds, is healthy. The darkened skin is merely a protective measure (performed by your skin). It provides only minimal levels of protection and does not cancel out the need for using other sun protective methods.
6. Short Term Symptoms of over exposure include: blistering, peeling, tanning
7. Long Term Symptoms= increased risk for skin cancer along with dry, wrinkled skin.

Early diagnosis & immediate treatment can mean the difference between
life and death…when dealing with melanoma skin cancer.

Please read and heed this important information.

Ask us to recommend top of the line products to protect your precious skin…and allow you to enjoy your fun in the sun.

Dr. Steven Davison

At DAVinci…
I combine the supreme elements of art & surgical science.

Summer’s Coming, Protect Your Skin

Going into summer, I can’t put enough emphasis on the importance of protecting your skin. It is one of the greatest causes of aging skin and skin cancer, which is the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S.
How does the sun age skin?
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light harms the elastin to cause sagging skin later in life. When the elastin fibers break down over time, the skin loses its ability to go back into place after stretching, and will bruise and tear more readily. Collagen is also negatively affected by UV rays to cause a hollow, dehydrated appearance due to volume loss as we age. Skin discoloration called pigmentation comes to the surface of the skin, and this uneven skin tone also contributes to an aged appearance.

What is skin cancer?
It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells that results in tumors. These are either noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Of the 3 main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are less serious types and very successfully treated when detected early. Melanoma, consisting of abnormal skin pigment cells, is the most serious form of skin cancer. Of all the deaths from cancer, 75% of them all are from melanoma.

Protect yourself against aging and skin cancer caused by the sun… As you can see, skin cancer can be serious and yet in many cases it is preventable. Even if you’ve damaged your skin from over exposure, which you can’t completely undo, there still is hope. The skin is regenerative, so to some extent ongoing sun protection can help in the healing process and prevent further damage.

Tips to help prevent skin damage from the sun:
• Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses that have UV shield.
• Stay out of the direct sun during peak UV radiation hours between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Protect your children, especially since the majority of sun damage happens before age 18.
• For UVB protection, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Sunscreen with zinc oxide provides UVA protection, but should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours or more often if you are sweating or swimming.

Sunscreen Scam… A recent study done by Consumer Reports shows that many of today’s sunscreens falsely advertise levels of SPF. In some cases, certain brands had up to 70 percent less protection than advertised on the package. The test included 34 brands, 11 of which fell short of their protection claims, some of them being:

• Coppertone ClearlySheer for Beach & Pool SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 37)
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance SPF 50 (delivered SPF 28)
• Babyganics Mineral-Based SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 25)
• Banana Boat Sport Performance Clear UltraMist with Powerstay Technology SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 24)
• Yes To Cucumbers Natural SPF 30 (delivered SPF 14)

The brands that received good protection ratings were:
• Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 lotion
• Equate (Walmart) Ultra Protection SPF 50 lotion
• Banana Boat SunComfort Continuous Spray SPF 50+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 (got a perfect score of 100 in the test)

Please perform skin self-exams regularly to be familiar with existing growths so that you notice changes. Also, if you are unhappy with the effects of elastin and collagen damage already caused by the sun and aging, I offer a variety of effective surgical and non surgical options to help rejuvenate your skin. Visit www.davinciplastic.com for more details.

Enjoy your summer!

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Davison

The initial consultation with your surgeon is critical! It should always be face to face with your surgeon during which time he/she listens closely to your concerns. Dr. Davison believes this time spent with you is critical to both you and to him. It is during the consultation that he comes to fully understand your concerns, evaluates them correctly and is then able to make the recommendations and develop the treatment plan thats right for you. Dr. Davison invests the time to sit down and talk to you face-to-face.

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3301 New Mexico Ave. Suite 236

Washington D.C.

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