Hot Topics with Dr. Cherny

So what happened to Kanye West's mom?

This was a truly tragic episode in plastic surgery.  It all boils down to one thing; the doctor was not board certified.  Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is under the American Board of Medical Specialties, is the gold standard.  As great at Oprah Winfrey may be, she promoted this surgeon on her show without investigating his background.  The board certification process of exams and reviews of your cases is the last best chance organized plastic surgery has to weed out its problem doctors.  In the process, your knowledge, judgement and morals are assessed.  Most hospitals will cancel your priviledges if you are not board certified by five years or so after graduating residency.  If a plastic surgeon is not board certified within a reasonable amount of time, this should raise a red flag.  There is one plastic surgeon in this situation in Des Moines, in fact.

What about Laser Lipo?

I've studied the machines and have attended lectures on this new technology.  It is agreed that laser lipo is not a replacement for regular liposuction at all.  It may work in very small areas, but anything more than that will need regular liposuction.  Also, the laser is very powerful.  Without great care there is a risk for severe burns.  This is probably just another fad that I don't think it will stand the test of time. 

Is there a cure for cellulite?

No. No.  Cellulite overlays areas of structural damage to subcutaneous fibrous tissue.  Cellulite is an acquired microscopic anatomical problem, that usually comes from childbearing or major weight gain/loss.  I'm currently treating a patient who went for some kind of laser treatment of cellulitis.   She has horrific burns all over her legs.  The best these treatments can do is swell the skin, which makes the cellulite temporarily better.  After the swelling goes down, your cellulite is back and your wallet lighter.  The same goes for stretch mark streatment.  If it sounds to good to be true, it is.  The only honest way to deal with cellulite and stretchmarks is to excise them in the context of a body shaping operation, as in a tummy tuck.