Talking Plastic Surgery — with the staff at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center

I'm here at the Denver Ritz Carlton with Jessica, our Medical Aesthetician, for the SkinMedica National Seminar.

The seminar is a way for us to learn as much as we can about SkinMedica products to better our communication with our patients.

SkinMedica is only sold in licensed medical facilities, meaning a doctor must be present in order to offer SkinMedica. Our SkinMedica products serve as a great add-on for our facial cosmetic procedures and Jessica and Dr. Emmett encourage pre- and post-procedure skin care to enhance your surgical result.

Jessica and I are excited to take this information back to our office to share with our patients and staff.



-Madeline, Marketing Coordinator

After being involved in a car accident several years ago, the bridge of Elaine’s nose had collapsed. The injury left Elaine with severe breathing difficulties and poor self-image. After consulting with Dr. Slenkovich, she decided to have a Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty to correct her breathing problems and overall look and shape of her nose.

Elaine valued Dr. Slenkovich’s honesty, knowing that due to the damage her nose had suffered, her result could be less than perfect.

Years later, Elaine feels (and looks!) like a new person.

Check out her video testimonial below (double click on the video to play).



If you’re interested in meeting with Dr. Slenkovich for a complimentary consultation, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Last week Dr. Slenkovich, two other staff members and myself ventured to Washington D.C. for the annual meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Doctors from all over the world join to attend classes and seminars, listen to industry experts speak and network with other physicians to exchange ideas and advice. The ASAPS is one of the most highly regarded cosmetic surgery societies and its members, including Dr. Slenkovich, are proud to be a part of such a prestigious organization.

Most doctors came to the meeting alone, but Dr. Slenkovich, who is always committed to furthering his staff’s education, brought us with him. Lyndsay, our managing patient coordinator, and Jessica, our aesthetician, also attended the meeting. Lyndsay learned how to be a better patient coordinator, Jessica took classes on building the aesthetics side of a plastic surgery practice and Dr. Slenkovich went to workshops and discussions on Rhinoplasty, Breast Surgeries and alternative Liposuction, to name a few.

In addition to classes, an exhibit hall is set up in the convention center for representatives from various companies to display their products and services to the visiting physicians. This is a great way for businesses to showcase new items and new ideas in plastic surgery. While in the hall, doctors and staffs are bombarded by new concepts, new techniques and new must-have products ranging from surgical tools to implant sizers to scrub caps.

After one of my marketing classes finished I decided to take a peek at the vendors’ booths and as I walked through the massive exhibit hall I kept asking myself, “How do I choose?”  Every booth looked legitimate and enticing, and every booth offered something we could possibly use in our practice. Laser liposuction? Teeth whitening? New lab coats for the staff? But the longer I stayed, the further away I felt from the very reason we were all there in the first place: physician education and information. I left feeling overwhelmed and slightly discouraged by the sea of salespeople.

That night we attended a dinner hosted by Sculptra Aesthetic, a company that makes a collagen-producing injectable. Dr. Slenkovich, Lyndsay and I sat with a surgeon from Boston, Dr. Bill Adams, who has been in practice for more than 30 years. After discussing the meeting with him, Dr. Slenkovich asked if he had any advice for a younger doctor. He replied with, “Be a good surgeon and take care of your patients. Everything else will fall into place.”

No advice on website design or liposuction techniques or the future of laser resurfacing. Just simple advice on patient care.  His words definitely hit home, especially after spending the afternoon surrounded by the next best concept or contraption that claims make a practice the best of the best. He explained that since opening his practice in the late 70's, he has seen the ebb and flow of plastic surgery trends and most of them are just that, a trend. He also said that the vast majority of his patients are purely referrals, which says a lot about the trust and confidence he instills in his patients.

Lyndsay participated in an all-day patient coordinator class taught by one of the most successful plastic surgery practice consultants in the country. She left her class with similar feelings: get back to basic patient care.

We all came home motivated and ready to put what we learned into practice.

Our goal at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center has always been to provide comfort, confidence and caring to everyone who steps through our doors, but it’s easy to get caught up in the “hype” of the industry and buy into ideas that end up adding more stress and confusion and take away from our ultimate goal: providing exceptional patient care. Cosmetic surgery has always been a target for gimmicks and flashy products and equipment, more so than any other medical field, so it is important that we as a staff work hard to keep our focus on our patients’ success.

 Because, really, you all are what matter the most.

Madeline Hyden, Marketing Coordinator

No child chooses to come from an abusive home. Think of the challenges facing such a child. They are fragile and vulnerable and in dire need of help and support. Foster care and social services programs play an important role, yet many children are caught inside “the system” and need legal advocacy and guidance that the system doesn’t provide.

Tim Eirich is an attorney the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center that I met on a bike ride with my colleague and fellow cyclist David Watson. I immediately connected with the stories of the children the Center helps and I subsequently joined forces with the Champions for Children cycling team to help support and raise money for this local non-profit organization.

The biggest hurdle the Children’s Law Center faces is educating the public about the struggles children face after they have been removed from abusive homes and placed in foster care. For the next two months, our community focuses on the needs of disadvantaged children amongst us—April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and May is Foster Care Awareness Month.

I have had the privilege of donating reconstructive plastic surgery to the Children’s Law Center, and I am also committed to helping reach their fundraising goals. I have set a goal of raising $2500 for the Center through my Champions for Children cycling team involvement and our family will be attending the Champions for Children Annual Dinner and Celebration on May 6th as we raise awareness and make a difference for Colorado's abused and neglected children.  

Please also consider making a small donation (any amount will help) through my Champions for Children Cycling Team.

RMCLC facebook page

$100,000 – The goal for fundraising for the Champions for Children cycling team
$2,500 – My fundraising goal
120 miles – The Distance ridden by the CFC team in last year’s Triple Bypass
Priceless – The benefits RMCLC provides children to vulnerable children in our community

Dr. Nick Slenkovich, Practice Director

Washington, D.C.

The center of the plastic surgery universe has descended on Washington, DC for the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

In my mind, the ASAPS represents the best of the best in plastic surgery and stands as the premiere professional society within the field of aesthetic plastic surgery.

With a commitment to learning and safety, our annual meeting features American and international leaders in the field.

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is well represented here with Lyndsay, Madeline, Jessica and myself attending dozens seminars and courses and collaborating with our colleagues and vendors.

Jessica is attending the Society of Plastic Surgery Skin Care Professionals meeting being held here, including an all-day seminar covering lasers and injectables with updates and live treatment demonstrations and a number of break-out sessions on medical and plastic surgery skin care topics.

Lyndsay and Madeline are attending a number of business and practice-oriented meetings including Hot Topics and Emerging Technologies in Plastic Surgery, a full-day Plastic Surgery Patient Coordinator course, and courses on improving patient communication and education through social media and the Internet.

As for myself, it is always hard for me to choose from the many excellent options, and this year is no exception. Yesterday I attended the annual meeting of The Rhinoplasty Society with about 100 of the top minds in the field. Today it’s a half-day safety course and an interactive meeting discussing Optimizing Outcomes in Breast Surgery. And that is just for starters as tomorrow the general meeting sessions begin and the exhibit hall opens.

It is a big investment to bring four of us out to the meeting, but it is well worth it. Our job here is to enjoy this time to focus on education and learning. To focus a skeptical eye on the latest and greatest claims being to learn what really works. And to build our knowledge and skills so that we can best serve our patients. We look forward to bringing you more updates from The Aesthetic Meeting 2010.

Dr. Nick Slenkovich, Practice Director

We have been discussing insurance companies quite a bit lately in hopes of identifying the issues that affect coverage determination, and educating patients on how to submit claims. Only a small percentage of procedures performed by Dr. Slenkovich are covered by insurance, but these present a significant amount of frustration for our staff, as well as for our patients.

Over the last several days I have spoken with a number of men and women who contacted our office to discuss post-weight loss surgery. Each one of these dear people should be commended for taking action to lose weight. By making the decision to have gastric bypass surgery (or other procedures) they have radically changed their lives. Unfortunately, they are almost always left with an unmanageable amount of excess skin that has to literally be “tucked in” under their clothes. They harbor the hope that their insurance company will agree to pay for the surgery needed to remove this skin. It has been my unhappy task to advise them that most insurance providers still consider this type of surgery “cosmetic” and therefore “not a covered benefit”. If they do offer any financial help at all, it is for a very limited “panniculectomy”, a procedure to remove the excess skin across the “pannus”, or lower abdomen. Reducing the skin hanging from the arms, back, thighs, buttocks, etc, is somehow considered a purely cosmetic procedure. We are really hoping to influence a change in the insurance community’s position on this.

Every post-weight loss patient I have spoken with has a story to tell… some of them have broken my heart. One woman called this morning to ask if her insurance policy would cover a procedure to reduce the size of her thighs. She has lost 115 pounds, but the skin and fat remaining on her upper legs has caused blistering and lesions, not to mention the physical strain when she’s worked a 12 hour shift at her hospital job. She says she’s ashamed to go out in public with her grandson, is unable to find pants that fit, can’t wear a skirt and would never consider shorts or a bathing suit. A young man I spoke to yesterday said he’d lost 148 pounds and looks better now than he has in years, but he won’t even think about asking a girl out on a date because he is so embarrassed by the secret that he’s hiding yards of hanging skin under his clothes. These are real people. They work hard, pay their premiums, and expect to have their insurance company fulfill its promises to them. (Think about the sentimental jingles and slogans these same companies use in their advertising. They pay millions to convince us that they care, then refuse to pay for our medical care!)

In an attempt to address these frustrations, we have added language to our patient intake paperwork, and will be incorporating more insurance-related information into our website to assist people as they research these types of surgeries. Do any of you have experience with plastic surgery after weight loss?

Suzanne London Patterson, Surgery Center Coordinator

Are you considering, or have you recently undergone, cosmetic facial surgery?

Facial cosmetic surgery, when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, can greatly improve facial appearance by tightening and lifting the skin. It offers consistent, dramatic results, and there is certainly no other product or treatment that can substitute, or compare with, a face lift or blepharoplasty. However, it is important to understand that a youthful appearance is achieved, not only by tightening skin, but also by improving the skin’s overall health and appearance.

 In addition to increased laxity (sagging), several other factors can contribute to an aged appearance of the skin. These include discoloration of the skin with increased brown and red pigment, thinning skin, rough texture of the skin, and dry, dull looking skin.

Incorporating a personalized, professional skin care regimen into your treatment program will not only help to prepare your skin for treatment, but it will improve your overall result.

This way, you can optimize your cosmetic results with a complete facial rejuvenation. The following pre-procedure products and services are recommended at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center:

Obagi® Condition and Enhance system
SkinMedica® TNS Regeneration system
C02 and IPL laser treatments

In addition to enhancing the results of your cosmetic facial surgery, the proper skincare products can also ease and speed your recovery time immediately following your procedure. Dr. Slenkovich recommends post-procedure skin care as well.

Professional, post-procedural products will soothe sensitized skin, and encourage skin repair and new cell growth, accelerating healing. Mineral make up is also safe to use on delicate skin, and will help to camouflage bruising and redness while simultaneously reducing inflammation. In these ways, the professional products will lessen your post-surgical downtime.

Recommended post-procedural skincare includes:


SkinMedica’s® TNS Recovery Complex
TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream
Environmental Protection Sunscreen
C & E Complex
Jane Iredale® Camouflage Kit












Although if you feel that you are not quite ready for a facial surgery, but are starting to see the signs of aging, and would like to improve your facial appearance, you may want to consider some non-invasive treatment options such as laser resurfacing, photofacials, and cosmetic filler treatments. While the results will not be as dramatic as those of surgery, they can offer significant improvement for those who are not yet ready for, or simply choose not to undergo, a surgical procedure.  

                                
                               

Dr. Slenkovich performs C02 laser resurfacing on a patient in our state licensed and accredited Surgery Center. Laser resurfacing a great option for those who want to rejuvenate their skin without having surgery. Colorado Plastic Surgery Center offers C02 and IPL laser procedures.

Are you confused by skin care? You are not alone! With such an abundance of skincare options available on the market, choosing products can be overwhelming and confusing.

When selecting products, two major factors come into play: quality and effectiveness, and price. Of course, we want to balance cost and effectiveness, but ultimately, our main concern is to find products that ”work.” Most patients tell me that they are more than willing to invest in products if they actually work, and often follow that with a statement regarding the numerous products they have tried that have fallen short of their claims.

Patients often ask about the differences between the professional products that we offer and the over the counter items they are currently using. Are the professional products really better? Are they worth the investment?

I believe they are and I’ll tell you why. Over-the-counter products are legally classified as “cosmetics”, while professional products are considered “drugs” or “medical grade.” According to the FDA, cosmetics are "articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance" [FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)]. Drugs, on the other hand, are defined as "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals" [FD&C Act, sec. 201(g)(1)]

In short, cosmetics are intended to improve the appearance of the skin, while medical products are intended to actually change the structure and improve the health of the skin. Most over-the-counter products act to moisturize the skin, which causes the skin to look more supple and smooth out fine lines of dehydration. Some over-the-counter products also contain additional nutrients or botanicals that can be beneficial, but often they are not present in large enough dosages to really create a noticeable difference. Medical products, on the other hand, contain very high quality ingredients and dosages that have been scientifically demonstrated to effect actual change in the health and appearance of the skin tissue. If you are looking to treat a particular skin disorder or correct or prevent skin aging, most over the counter products are not going to be able to provide you with results.

As a medical office, we feel responsible for providing patients with products that are backed by true scientific research and have been proven to effect an actual change in the skin tissue. We have personally researched the market and have chosen to carry products for which we found satisfactory clinical trials, outstanding professional reputation, and proven results. All of our products are either prescription strength or medical grade, such as the Obagi systems and SkinMedica.

Not only is itimportant to choose quality products, but it is equally important to choose products that are appropriate for you. You could purchase high quality products, but if they are not right for your skin type, you are wasting your money. This can be achieved through a systematic, professional assessment and recommendation that will take into account your specific skin type and condition and that will address your individual goals. As a licensed medical aesthetician, I am trained to provide just that. I also make sure to take the time necessary with each patient to ensure that we have discussed all relevant issues, and that all of your questions have been answered. Sales representatives working at department store cosmetic counters or those working under home sales may not be trained to provide this service.

As they say: “The proof is in the pudding.” I would like for you to experience our products and see for yourself. But, maybe you already have a medicine cabinet full of product? Well, if you will do a little “spring cleaning”, and bring in all of your current products, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center will award you a 10% discount on your entire purchase of our products. Or, sign up for our “Spring Cleaning” event on March 23 and receive 20% off your entire purchase. Please call our office to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation, and I will assist you in assessing a skin care plan that is appropriate for you.  

I grew up in Florida, “the Sunshine State”. Most people assume that a place known for miles of beautiful beaches and celebrity hot spots would be chock full of strong, healthy bodies. Numerous television shows and movies are made in and about Miami, where people are portrayed as rich, powerful, and – usually- gorgeous. But beautiful doesn’t always mean healthy or happy.
According to the United Health Foundation’s 2009 report on America’s Health Rankings, the state of Florida ranked 36th for overall health, while Colorado ranked 8th! (Surprisingly, Vermont holds the #1 spot!) The rankings were based on more than just the number of doctor visits each state’s population racked up. It considered things like personal behavior, public health policies, and availability of medical care. Other factors included how well a state’s health programs function, insurance coverage, levels of education and anti-poverty measures.

The prevalence of obesity was also measured. In this category, Florida ranked 13th, with a whopping 25.1% of the population being classified as obese. Colorado had the lowest rate of obesity at 19.1%! Could this be related to the fact that, in the physical activity ranking, Colorado was 2nd, and Florida 32nd?

How is it that we here in snowy Colorado score so well in terms of physical fitness when compared with the bikini-clad state of Florida? As the foundation’s report indicates, the overall health of each state cannot be measured by how many celebrities choose to live there, or how popular its cities are. It is lifestyle choices that determine how healthy a state – or an individual – is. It’s easy to forget that. We are all tempted to evaluate ourselves superficially, to judge ourselves and others based on outward appearance. Working in a cosmetic surgery practice, I am extremely focused on how people look. I have to remind myself that we are so much more than what can be seen with the naked eye. Someone may look “perfect” on the outside and be perfectly miserable on the inside!

Our goal at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is to help people see themselves as precious and unique, and to be the best they can be. Our logo represents Dr. Slenkovich’s dedication to “Health and Form”. As he says, “Being a plastic surgeon is so much more than reshaping and remolding the body. It’s about being a part of people’s lives, guiding them through treatment, and helping them to stay healthy. We take pride in supporting a lifelong habit of well-being.”

-Suzanne London Patterson

I believe in miracles. In fact, in my lifetime, I think I’ve witnessed quite a few. However, a “push-up” bra – no matter how well-made- does NOT qualify as a miracle to me. It is more like an illusion, a trick. While it suggests – even promises - the allure of youth and beauty, when it comes to fulfillment, it (pardon the pun) falls flat.  Because even the loveliest bra has to be taken off eventually.

Whether that means the “big reveal” is a humiliating first glimpse by an eager new lover, or the predictable gaze of a lifelong partner, virtually every woman knows the embarrassment and possible shame of disrobing and exposing the real thing. When the underwire, the uplift, the padding and the straps are gone, you’re just left with you and all of your insecurities and vulnerability. And although most men genuinely love and accept their too-small, lop-sided, deflated or droopy women, we have a hard time convincing ourselves of that.

Women realize it is silly-even destructive-to feel this way. We remind ourselves that we are more than just objects, that we are deeper than the two-dimensional images and unrealistic messages we’re subjected to every day. And yet, most of us will admit that we wish we had voluptuous bodies with “perfect” breasts. We buy expensive bras and succumb to ridiculous offers for gimmicks that might enhance what nature has given us. Usually, we end up feeling like we are wearing a disguise… and that leaves us feeling ashamed.

I have wrestled with shame most of my life, and so have many of my friends. Shame is something  many women are intensely familiar with. Last year, as I found myself facing “50”, I decided to make a change. Instead of continuing the argument I’d been having with myself for decades, I opted to have breast augmentation surgery and the results were amazing. If I was wrestling  with shame in the past, I can now say I have beaten it.

More than just the obvious physical benefits, I have experienced an inner transformation that is almost miraculous. It was empowering to make my body look the way I wanted it to look. My confidence has soared and I am reminded daily that, although I will never be perfect, I do not have to settle for shame. We have choices, and I’m so happy with the choice I made. My only regret is having waited so long.

Suzanne Patterson, Practice Administrator

The first thing people will notice is your face. It is your first impression, your trademark. Maintaining healthy, beautiful skin will give your face a true radiance and real beauty that will allow you to face the world with poise and self-assurance.

The skin is an organ of the body and must be treated as such; medically, not just cosmetically. Traditional cosmetic approaches to skin care simply mask the symptoms of unhealthy skin in order to create a more pleasing appearance. These approaches not only ignore the health of the skin, but ironically, many cosmetic products actually exacerbate pathological conditions of the skin. In other words, these attempts to make skin look better actually make it look worse!

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is a medical facility, directed by the expertise of a physician. Our skin care clinic utilizes the most sophisticated laser and light-based technologies and medically advanced treatments performed by a qualified aesthetician with medical aesthetics training. Our products are scientifically based to provide the best possible nutrition needed by your skin to achieve optimal health and therefore optimal beauty. When necessary, we can also offer prescription medication to heal damaged skin and provide rapid results.

Jessica Fish is happy to join the Colorado Plastic Surgery Center team to offer quality medical aesthetics. Jessica is a licensed paramedical aesthetician and certified laser technician. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and is currently working on a second degree in nursing. Over the years, Jessica has worked in healthcare in a range of capacities prior to obtaining her aesthetics training. Since then, she has worked in medical aesthetic facilities in the Denver and Northern Colorado areas.

Jessica strives to provide exceptional aesthetic care by listening to each patient’s specific concerns and goals and by investing the time, thought and concern necessary to create for them a customized, effective treatment plan. She consults directly with Dr. Slenkovich and works under his express supervision to ensure that every treatment is performed with the highest level of safety and quality. Jessica is passionate about helping others reveal their natural beauty and to develop greater self-confidence.

Watch this video of Dr. Slenkovich performing silicone breast augmentation on a patient under local anesthesia. This patient was fearful of general anesthesia and opted for local anesthesia instead.


This type of anesthesia, administered via injections along the sides of the torso, allows the patient to be awake and alert during the procedure.

For more information on breast augmentation under local anesthesia, visit our breast website.

As we step into 2010, the staff at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is making our own New Year’s Resolution: Be Positive! We have seen and heard so many inspiring stories from patients, friends and associates who have “beaten the odds” and pushed through difficult circumstances in 2009 that we have made a commitment to follow their example.

It seems that the secret to successfully navigating tough economic times is attitude: the willingness to look past your immediate circumstances with hope and optimism! Similarly, the key to healthy living has been closely linked to positive thinking, which has been proven to release endorphins which can relieve pain even when medications are ineffective! If simply thinking positive thoughts can affect our overall health and well-being, doesn’t it make sense to make some adjustments in our thinking for 2010? Here are some ideas:

Catch Some Rays: Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have found that UV light can trigger endorphin production, which may be why we have so many “sun worshipers”!  Just remember to use your sunscreen!

Laugh: Laughter also releases endorphins, which has been shown to increase your immune function, making you less susceptible to disease.
 
Exercise: Endorphins are neurotransmitters found in the brain that can create a sense of euphoria during prolonged exercise. The natural “high” that many runners describe is thought to be caused by this surge of endorphins, which are released when we’re out of breath and under pressure.

Be Kind: Performing a “random act of kindness” will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will make another person feel good about you… which, in turn, makes you feel good…and the cycle continues. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself once in a while!

Avoid Stress: Studies by the American Medical Association have shown that stress is the primary factor in over 75% of all illnesses medically treated today. Find a creative outlet like writing in a journal, taking music lessons, something fun and productive to help relieve stress. Even adopting a pet might help!

Living well may require some effort, and often the first step is making a decision to change. Sometimes it means stepping out of your comfort zone (like hiring a male Patient Coordinator in an all-female office!) and trying something new! Make this new year a new start. You may find you’ve made a whole new you!


Suzanne, Practice Administrator

Last week Dr. Slenkovich invited the staff at their families out for a night of curling and pizza at the Ice Ranch, an ice hockey complex next door to our office. We all had a blast mingling outside the office and getting some downtime before the holidays! Check out our photos below:


 
  Dr. Slenkovich perfecting his curling skills. He's wearing a custom-made Colorado  
  Plastic Surgery Center jersey that he had made for his league hockey team, Nip and Puck.




Jarod, our patient coordinator, showing his skills on the rink. Growing up in North Dakota,
 Jarod spent a lot of time on the ice.




Dr. Slenkovich joking with our Medical Assistant, Sally, and our OR nurse, Kathy.

After several months of hard work, Dr. Slenkovich and I are proud to announce our brand new breast website, www.elegantbreast.com! Since breast surgeries are a main focus in our practice and easily the most common procedure Dr. Slenkovich performs, we thought breast procedures deserved more emphasis.

Please check out the website to see articles, content, blogs, photos and videos unique to Elegant Breast. We’re always open to learning and writing about new topics, so please leave comments in the blog entries with questions or feedback!

With help from the rest of the staff, Dr. Slenkovich and myself will contribute to the blog regularly to continue to emphasize communication and patient connection and we hope that Elegant Breast will help convey that as well. We have expanded on topics present on ColoradoPlasticSurgery.com and have added fresh content based on patient need.

We’d also like to thank Erika, Andrew, Jonathan and the rest of the staff at Page1Solutions for working with us to get the website set up, and to the wonderful patients who participated in our video testimonial shoot. We couldn’t have done it without you.

We hope you enjoy the new website and as always, feel free to contact us any time!

- Madeline, Marketing Coordinator

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center has a new family member! Jarod has joined our team as our newest patient coordinator to answer phones, schedule appointments and act as a liaison between the patients and the clinical and surgical staffs.

Jarod has an extremely friendly and laid back demeanor, which immediately makes our patients feel comfortable and at ease in our office.


After graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2006, Jarod moved to Denver to start a new life in a new city. Jarod's has experience working in retail, restaurants and in the insurance industry, all of which have given him skills that apply to his patient coordinator duties, especially working and interacting with people. Not to mention, as an practice consisting of all women, Dr. Slenkovich is thrilled to have some male camaraderie around the office!

Lyndsay is excited to have a partner to share the patient coordinator position with and they already work as a great team. While Jarod is extremely comfortable and confident in his position, some women may feel uncomfortable speaking to him about their procedures. In that case, Lyndsay is always there to help out and answer any questions.

Next time you call make sure to say hi to the new voice on the other end!

Earlier this week the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force published new guidelines in the Annals of Internal Medicine stating that routine mammograms, generally recommended starting at age 40, should only be performed every other year on women ages 50 to 74. The guidelines also encouraged physicians to refrain from teaching their patients to examine their own breasts for signs of cancer because of a lack of beneficial evidence.

The new guidelines have undoubtedly caused an uproar in the medical community, especially for those who could be affected by the new protocol. Dr. Lilly Klancar, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, has worked extensively with breast cancer patients, most of whom have found their cancer themselves or had their cancer discovered by a routine mammogram.

She completely disagrees with the new guidelines, saying mammograms and self-exams are the absolute best way to catch cancer in its early stages and improve survival rates.

Klancar says about 90 percent of breast cancer patients at Swedish Medical Center have had their breast cancer caught by a mammogram. She currently has at least 15 patients who have found their own breast cancer through a self-exam, particularly a patient in her 30s who was too young to qualify for a mammogram and could have missed her aggressive form of breast cancer had she not performed a self-exam.

Self-exams are free, easy, without side effects and are ideal for women who are too young to have mammograms covered by their health insurance, Klancar says. “It never hurts anyone to know how their breasts feel normally.”

Klancar believes that these guidelines could cause more women to die from breast cancer because women under 50 may not visit their doctor until symptoms arise, generally signifying that the cancer has progressed.
Lora Barke, Medical Director of the Invision Sally Jobe Breast Network, a prominent breast and breast-related imaging center in the Denver area, says that despite the new guidelines, women should still receive mammograms starting at age 40.

She says,”While only 1 in 69 (1.5 percent) women will be diagnosed with breast
cancer in their 40s, we cannot say with any certainty if, or when, a woman will develop breast cancer. But based on evidence we can say that her odds of dying of breast cancer are increased if her cancer is diagnosed after symptoms develop. For this reason, regular mammograms are an important part of women's preventive health care beginning at age 40.”                                                                                                          
       
Dr. Slenkovich always encourages his patients to perform self-exams and requires patients over the age of 30 undergoing and any breast procedure to get a mammogram prior to surgery.

Mammogram image courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to his dedication to an experience consisting of comfort, confidence and caring, Denver Plastic Surgeon Dr. Slenkovich also strives to use the best technology for his patients, from beginning to end.

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is a progressive practice that integrates personalized service and relationship-building with technology and the most advanced techniques. Dr. Slenkovich and Colorado Plastic Surgery Center were even featured in an article in CEPro magazine discussing plastic surgeons’ need and desire for technology in their operating rooms.

The design of our building started two years ago. From the beginning, building was laid out to integrate technology and a warm, caring practice. Our photography room is designed with accurate studio lighting to give Dr. Slenkovich the best possible photos to use before, during and after surgical procedures. Dr. Slenkovich utilized his interest in photography to design a photo studio and photo system to collect patient photos that are in the best interest of the patient and the staff. For example, during each Rhinoplasty consultation, each patient has his or her facial photos taken, which Dr. Slenkovich shows on a 47-inch LCD monitor in the consultation room. He uses those photos, along with other facial diagrams, to fully explain the procedure and his expected result of the surgery.

Dr. Slenkovich performs all of his Denver cosmetic surgeries in our state-licensed, Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center. Our surgery center at our Denver plastic surgery office is fully equipped with digital and multimedia equipment to help Dr. Slenkovich provide the surgical environment with a culture of safety through skilled, well-trained staff members, routine emergency drills and back-up generators.

During surgery the patient’s before photos are displayed on a 47-inch LCD wall-mounted monitor and, via a wireless connection, any photos taken during surgery are immediately loaded to the screen and added to the patient’s photography file on the practice’s main server. The operating room also houses a camera that allows for birds-eye-view, intraoperative photos.

These technologies greatly assist Dr Slenkovich and his staff and further enhance our patients’ experience and safety.

Most breast augmentation procedures are performed under twilight anesthesia, which sedates the patient, but does not render them completely unconscious. The patient generally does not remember what has taken place.

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center does offer another option for Denver breast augmentation patients. While it is not for all, breast augmentation under local anesthesia is a great option for those who have a very small body structure or who are uncomfortable or nervous about being placed under twilight anesthesia and its potential side effects.

If a patient opts to use local anesthesia for her breast augmentation, she will receive doses of strong pain medication before Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich administers a series of local anesthesia injections until the area is numb.

The main difference between having breast augmentation under local anesthesia versus twilight anesthesia is the patient if fully awake and talking to Dr. Slenkovich and the operating room staff during the procedure. Recovery time is also much shorter because the patient does not have to regain consciousness after surgery.

Breast augmentation under local anesthesia is very safe and Dr. Slenkovich has a high success rate. But in the rare case that he cannot make the patient comfortable and at ease, twilight anesthesia can be used.


Here Dr. Slenkovich discusses breast augmentation under local anesthesia with a patient, Suzanne, before she goes into the operating room. Suzanne was uneasy about the lack of control she might feel while being under twilight anesthesia, so she opted to use local anesthesia.

To see more of Colorado Plastic Surgery's videos, please visit our YouTube page and our video gallery.

To schedule a consultation, or for more information on breast augmentation under local anesthesia, please contact our office.











Suzanne's surgery was extremely successful and her before and after photos are shown to the right. Her 371 CC Moderate Profile Silicone implants were placed while she was under local anesthesia. Suzanne was alert and talking to Dr. Slenkovich and the staff the entire time. She is very pleased with her result.

To view more before and after photos, please see our photo gallery.

Deciding to have cosmetic surgery is a huge, life-changing decision, both emotionally and financially. While the cost of cosmetic surgery can be overwhelming, Dr. Slenkovich and the staff at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center strive to provide our patients with information, resources and services to make their experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

After your initial consultation, one of our patient coordinators, Lyndsay or Suzanne, will discuss your price quote with you. Every surgery quote at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center includes the following:

Supplemental insurance policy
All surgery patients are enrolled in a temporary supplemental insurance program through CosmetAssure. The policy lasts for 30 days after surgery and covers any emergency hospital visits that may arise because of your procedure. While any complications are rare, oftentimes your main medical health insurance policy will not cover treatment for an elective aesthetic procedure. Colorado Plastic Surgery Center includes this policy into your price quote to avoid any additional financial burden or stress to you as a patient.

Post-operative garment
Post-surgery patients are given a tight-fitting garment, similar to a sports bra or unitard, to wear to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Peri-operative therapy
Every surgical patient receives at least one session of peri-operative therapy with our therapist, Pam, from Soulstice. Peri-operative therapy is light touch massage used in the weeks following surgery to reduce pain, swelling, bruising and to soften scar tissue. Your treatment is designed to expedite the healing process so you may return to work and your everyday activities much sooner. The number of peri-operative treatments needed depends on the surgery performed, but usually ranges from one to five. Breast augmentation patients, for example, generally receive one peri-operative treatment, while body contouring patients may receive five or more.

Medication
All post-operative pain medication and antibiotics are provided during your pre-operative appointment.

Follow-up care
Included in the price quote are all of your follow-up visits. Whether they're regarding a question, concern or a routine check-up, all appointments are included with no additional cost to you.

Operating Room, anesthesia and surgeon’s fees
The cost of the operating room, nursing and anesthesia staffs and Dr. Slenkovich’s surgeon’s fees are all included in the cost of surgery.

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center we want our patients to feel completely comfortable and confident in our staff and practice, which includes feeling confident in the cost of your procedure.

For those who wish to enhance their breasts without the use of implants, fat grafting and transfer is a great alternative to breast implants. Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich has experience performing fat grafting with transfer to other areas, such as the male chest, face, lips, or cheeks, with great success.

During the procedure, Dr. Slenkovich uses liposuction to remove fat from the desired area (usually the abdomen, thighs, back or flanks) and then transfers that fat to the breast tissue. During a consultation with  Dr. Slenkovich he will discuss with you the areas you wish to remove fat from and explain your expected result based on your original breast size, shape and tissue quality.


Here is an actual patient of Dr. Slenkovich. She originally had liposuction done to five different areas, but was so pleased with her result that she came back for a follow-up consultation. She explained her interest in fat grafting to her breasts and Dr. Slenkovich deemed her a great candidate based on her realistic expections and her existing breast shape. 

This patient had liposuction done to her abdomen and hips with the fat transferred to her breasts and is very happy with her result. Her breasts increased one half of a cup size.

To see more before and after photos of Dr. Slenkovich's patients, please view our photo gallery.




Who is a candidate?

Someone who already has a nice breast shape and who is looking for about a half cup size of fullness. Candidates must have a sufficient amount of fat in the areas they wish to transfer fat from. The amount of fat that will successfully transfer depends on how well the fat "takes", which requires adequate blood flow to the area. If enough blood flows to the area where fat is transferred, the fullness and fat grafting result will likely be permanent. For more information and to see whether you are a candidate, contact the staff at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consult or speak with one of our staff members.

Is fat grafting to the breast safe?

Yes.The breast is predominately made up of fat and glandular tissue. By adding fat to the breast we’re adding an element that already exists, which provides for a very natural look and feel. Fat transfer to the breast, like breast implants, does not change a woman's odds for breast cancer. With appropriate consultation and follow up with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Slenkovich, fat transfer to the breast is considered very safe. Fat transfer has also shown to improve skin tone because fat contains stem cells, which are thought to build collagen over time.

To illustrate this effect, here is a set of before and after photos from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This woman had fat transferred from her abdominal region to her face,





   Photos courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Why would someone choose fat transfer over breast implants?

Fat transfer does not provide a huge increase in breast size and it may take more than one treatment to get the desired result. Fat transfer does not change the shape of the breast, it adds volume to existing breast tissue, giving the breasts a more natural enhancement. Breast implants can provide more fullness to the top of the breasts and can also improve the shape of the breast.

If you would like to schedule a consultation for fat transfer to the breast, or if you have any questions, please contact our office. Please view our photo gallery to see more before and after photos of liposuction and fat grafting.

For Denver plastic surgeon Nick Slenkovich, MD, FACS, safety is a primary concern. Our new facilities were designed from the ground-up with safety and the optimal plastic surgery experience in mind. Our South Denver building opened in the Fall of 2008 and is home to two facilities: Colorado Plastic Surgery Center (Dr. Slenkovich’s private practice) and the Surgery Center of Colorado (a state licensed Ambulatory Surgery Center).

Safety in outpatient surgery was recently highlighted by the Wall Street Journal in an article last month that discussed the potential dangers of having an outpatient procedure performed in an un-accredited doctor’s office, rather than at an ambulatory surgery center or hospital.
Currently more than 65% of all surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. While outpatient surgery can have many advantages (lower costs, greater privacy and more convenience), it’s crucial to find a surgeon who performs surgeries in a licensed ambulatory surgery center. Surgery Centers that have the proper certifications and licensures are better prepared in an emergency, have more qualified staff members and require regular detailed inspections of the operating room.
Dr. Slenkovich is the Medical Director of Surgery Center of Colorado and has been involved in all phases of its design, development, accreditation, and licensure. Safety is emphasized from front to back—literally—as all staff in both the practice and surgery center maintain CPR certification. Dr. Slenkovich and all Nurses, Anesthesiologists and Anesthetists have Advanced Life Support (ACLS) training, and all staff participate in quarterly emergency drills.

Surgery Center of Colorado is both Licensed and Accredited:

State Licensed by the Colorado Department of Health as an Ambulatory Surgery Center
Accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities
Certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services


Why has Dr. Slenkovich invested in building a licensed surgery center when Colorado allows physicians to perform outpatient surgical procedures in their offices without a state license? In a word: Safety. The rigors of meeting the Colorado Department of Health facilities requirements, as well as on-site inspection by the Health Department, are not required for Accreditation by one of the national organizations (such as the AAAASF, AAAHC, or JCAHO). And Medicare certification adds to this additional safety requirements as well as unannounced inspections.

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center Dr. Slenkovich and the rest of the staff strongly believe in a "Culture of Safety" as a foundation of our practice. Dr. Slenkovich is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery , which stress the importance of patient education, physician education surgical safety.

Dr. Slenkovich focuses his practice on fully educating his patients from the time they make their initial phone call to their final post-operative appointment. When patients are fully informed of every option, benefit, risk and possible outcome of a procedure, whether it’s botox or breast augmentation, a face lift or fat grafting, their overall experience is enhanced. Dr. Slenkovich and his surgical and clinical staffs ensure that every step of the process is fully explained and that nothing is left undisclosed.

The purpose of this blog is to educate our patients and visitors on new findings, industry trends or what's new in our office. We'd love to hear feedback from you, so feel free to comment below with your opinions.

If you have any questions, or if you'd like more information about our practice, please don't hesitate to contact us.