Imitation is...

How does the saying go...Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.  Well, I guess so.

My office is proud to have been the first in Louisville to introduce lots of things.  Here's a partial list:

Plastic Surgery office-based prescription skin care
Computer Imaging
Sciton Contour Profile Laser for facial rejuvenation
Shaped, anatomical tear-drop saline breast implants
"Quick Recovery" Breast Augmentation technique
VASER ultrasonic liposuction
VASER 2.0 High-Definition Liposuction with Fat Transfer
VASER Shape
High-Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty with Circumferential Liposuction
Style 410 form-stable, fully cohesive silicone gel breast implants (Gummi Bear implants)
Sculptra Aesthetic
Extended Deep-plane SMAS facelift

It's a great list, and it speaks to the breadth and scope of practice that my office strives to offer cosmetically inclined patients in our community.  I am pleased that as leaders in the field, other offices have watched what we do, and have decided to add many of these facets to their cosmetic practices as well.

When it comes to being the first to offer something meaningful in clinical practice, nothing takes the place of having a thorough understanding of the patients we serve and for truly understanding their needs... for that is what really allows visionaries to provide the products and services of tomorrow that will have lasting relevance in plastic surgery.  It's also just as important to be able to weed out the new techniques and technology that just don't stack up, and to vow to offer only new technology - or to stick to the tried and true over what may be newer -  because it's the best option for patients.

You can follow trends...or you can set them.  I'll bet you can guess which I prefer.

J.