Does oral collagen work?

Author Archives: Dr. Michael Spann

So, I’m hitting my mid-40’s and trying to figure out how to be that person at 50 that looks in the mirror and says “I’m good.” To start, how others look at me makes ZERO difference to me. It’s all about what I see in myself. Now there are several factors that contribute to how I personally age: genetics, environment, self-care, etc.
 
– I’m not changing my genetics any time soon.
– We live in a sunshine state and I’m an outside guy (although I am religious on the sunscreen).
– Self-care… I’m not the more physically motivated but am working on it. Slowwwwwly.
 
So, as see my skin loose elasticity and the small wrinkles get deeper I have to get real with how I’m living. As a plastic surgeon I know that I’m playing catch up if I’ve not taken care of myself and I’m getting to the point that I’m seeing the aging. Plus, I have world class products at my disposable but with kids, my practice, and life I don’t have any tolerance for downtime (although I’m an absolute! believer in botox and lasers). So my google search gets away from “where is Maroon 5 playing this week” and on to “what pillow case stops face lines?” (M5 is in Chile. And silk pillow cases are best).
 
In this #mondaymorningplasticsurgeon let’s talk about the science behind “anti-aging” supplement and specifically the truth about collagen supplements. One of the key elements to a youthful appearance is skin elasticity and more specifically, collagen.
 
We know that our Joule platform does wonderful things to improving skin collagen content and quality. But… does oral collagen supplements improve the collagen of your skin?
 
YES!
 
This clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that oral supplementation with collagen improved the hydration of the skin and increased the density of the collagen in the skin.
 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.12174
 
It’s interesting that it takes about a month to see the difference but the results last for up to 3 months after stopping the supplement.
 
Countless people report improvements in their skin after drinking bone broth (a high source of collagen) and I have no doubt that you will be seeing “Collagen” supplements show up everywhere. Beware… none should be considered a quick fix. It takes time to see any difference.
 
I don’t endorse any particular brand but generally stay away from discount products. There are a number of sources of collagen. Generally, plant based or fish are less inflammatory. I’d also recommend a liquid form. It’s easy to add to a smoothie on your way out the door.
 
If you’re not up for the daily boost and are looking for a more substantial and quicker response, our office has a number of fantastic options: Retinol, SkinPen, Joule, fillers, etc.
 
 
 
#plasticsurgery #arkansas #SpannMade #collagen #Fraxel #skincare

brazilian butt arkansas 8-8-16Some wonder how the
Brazilian Butt Lift got its name. One theory is that it was pioneered in the tropical Brazil. Anot
her is that the women of Rio have such beautiful torso shape. One thing for sure is that the “Brazilian” has been around for some time and actually was crafted in the 1970’s by Dr. González-Ulloa of Mexico. Since that time, this procedure has taken a life of it’s own with the most recent champion being Dr. Tino Mediata of Miami.

 

Learn more at https://littlerockplasticsurgery.com/body/brazilian-butt-lift/ or http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-augmentation.html

When deciding to have plastic surgery, the consultation is the time to get to know your surgeon. There are several items of discussion: ask questions about the procedure, see before and after photos and inquire about your results and other considerations, and gauge your comfort level with your potential plastic surgeon.

Come to the consult with a list of questions. This helps ensure you don’t forget to ask anything, and you get all of your questions answered. It also helps build a level of trust with your doctor.

I’ve put together five questions to ask your plastic surgeon. These are perhaps the most important, but feel free to add your own questions to the list before your consultation.

1. What Are Your Qualifications?

The trust between you and your plastic surgeon is vital. Ask about the surgeon’s experience, especially with the procedure you are considering.

Ask about his certifications. It is absolutely vital that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and can speak to his or her training.

2. How Often Have You Done This Procedure?

You want to know if your doctor is skilled in the procedure you’re considering. This helps you feel confident that you’ve chosen the right surgeon.

3. What Are the Potential Risks?

Surgery comes with the potential for complications. Your doctor should thoroughly explain these to you.

If your doctor promises you a risk-free procedure, this should give you pause, as there is no such surgery. Also, don’t feel “sold” on additional procedures.

Make sure you leave your meeting knowing the possible risks and complications so you can make your decision.

4. Where Will You Do the Surgery?

You want to know where your surgery will take place. Wil it be in the doctor’s office, certified surgery center or a local hospital? Will your doctor have the best instruments and staff as well as access to emergency medical attention?

You deserve the highest standard of safety and technical expertise. Along with your physician’s outstanding credentials and experience, you want to know your outpatient surgical facility is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

In addition, ask your doctor who they will use for anesthesia. To further ensure the highest standard of safety for your procedure, find out if the people providing your anesthesia are properly credentialed.

Wondering about certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA)? Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States for more than 150 years. Fully credentialed, CRNA anesthesia providers, are supervised by board certified anesthesiologists and fully accredited to provide your care.

5. Does your Surgeon Have Hospital Privileges?

If you need to be admitted to the hospital, it’s good know if your plastic surgeon can continue treating you. You will feel more comfortable because he or she knows your medical history and the specifics of your procedure.

Your Consultation Checklist

You’ll have the best results from your plastic surgery if you have open communication with your plastic surgeon as you both work to achieve your realistic goals.

To help you both determine whether plastic surgery is the right choice for you, here is a checklist of questions to ask at your consultation:

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
How many procedures of this type have you performed?
Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
Where and how will you perform my procedure?
How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
How are complications handled?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery?
Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

To Conclude

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust.

Expect exceptional results when you have your procedures performed by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These specially trained doctors have at least six years of surgical training and experience, with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery.

When you come to your consultation, bring these questions with you, along with any others you might have. You can expect your plastic surgeon to answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to make a final decision about your plastic surgery.

If you’re interested in talking with a board certified plastic surgeon, you can request a consultation with Dr. Spann at Little Rock Plastic Surgery 501 219-8000 to learn about your options.

logoDr. Michael Spann is the founder and director of Little Rock Plastic Surgery in Little Rock, Arkansas. The practice is equipped with state of the art technologies to provide the latest reconstructive and cosmetic surgery procedures for the breast, body, and face. As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Spann makes sure that each patient receives customized treatment in an environment of total safety, advanced technical expertise, and personalized care.

Meet Dr. Spann

Dr. Michael Spann ranks among the few surgeons who have a double board certification, both in general and plastic surgery. Dr. Spann’s board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery was achieved only after he had completed five years in general surgery, followed by two years in plastic surgery, and another 18 months of intensive testing and practice evaluation. He received additional training as a cosmetic surgeon, with a special focus on areas such as facelift, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, and nose surgery.

Dr. Spann is now fully devoted to his reconstructive and cosmetic surgery practice in Little Rock, where his goal is to help patients achieve their aesthetic goals, and gain a desired appearance in a safe, natural looking, and effective manner. He engages very closely with his patients to understand their innate aesthetic needs, and develops customized treatment plans to fulfill those needs to their highest satisfaction.

Surgical Procedures

As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Spann provides a comprehensive range of surgical procedures, which include the following.

Face

Three out of five cosmetic surgery procedures in the US in 2012 were performed to correct facial imperfections. Clearly, the face is the most important part of the body from an aesthetic point of view, and face procedures are increasingly popular. Dr. Spann employs advanced and proven surgical techniques to reduce the signs of aging from the face, and provide more natural looking results in a relatively shorter recovery time. Key facial surgery procedures provided by Dr. Spann include:

  • Brow lift
  • Chin Surgery
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Facelift
  • Mini Facelift
  • Otoplasty (ear pinning surgery)
  • Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery)

Body

Many men and women have the tendency to develop excess fat deposits in certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, legs, and neck. These stubborn fats or excess loose skin may not be reduced with diet or exercise. At Dr. Spann’s practice, patients can choose from a range of body contouring procedures, depending on their suitability. The body contouring procedures provided at the practice are as follows:

  •       Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
  •       Body Lift
  •       Bra Line Lift
  •       Brazilian Buttocks Lift
  •       Genital Aesthetics
  •       Liposuction
  •       Mommy Makeover
  •       Post Bariatric Body Contouring
  •       Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)

Breasts

Breast surgeries have become popular in the US with advancements in surgical techniques and FDA approvals for breast implants. Important breast surgery procedures provided at the practice include the following:

  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Reconstruction
  • Breast Reduction
  • Breast Revision

Dr. Spann’s practice also provides non-surgical treatments such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, Fraxel laser resurfacing, and Liposonix fat reduction.

For more information on plastic surgery treatments and procedures by Little Rock, AZ Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Spann contact us at  501.219.8000.

Dr. Michael Spann is the founder of Little Rock Plastic Surgery, a premier practice in Little Rock, Arkansas. The practice now has a new website called LittleRockPlasticSurgery.com. The website has been designed and developed with technical expertise from CreativeTake Medical which is a leading Internet marketing and SEO company for doctors in the United States. Dr. Spann believes that patient education in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery is the first step to achieving success in such procedures.

littlerockplasticsurgery.com

LittleRockPlasticSurgery.com is designed to serve as a useful and comprehensive online resource on a variety of procedures performed by a cosmetic surgeon. People in and around Little Rock, who are considering aesthetic surgical options, can receive in-depth information about various procedures that Dr. Spann performs. Patients who are looking for non-surgical aesthetic treatments can also learn about the latest and innovative treatment options at the website.

Background of Dr. Spann

For a new patient, one of the key concerns is to know something about the background of the plastic surgeon who will perform the procedure. LittleRockPlasticSurgery.com provides a dedicated section that includes detailed information about Dr. Spann’s qualifications, training, experience and honors and recognition earned during the course of his illustrious career.

The website informs patients about Dr. Spann’s board certifications in general surgery and plastic surgery, and explains why it is important to choose a board certified surgeon. The site includes a link to a PDF file providing detailed CV of Dr. Spann that takes the reader through his extensive journey in academics, training, and research.

Surgical Procedures

Dr. Spann provides a wide range of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery procedures to patients in Little Rock and surrounding areas. The procedures are explained in detail on the website in a patient-friendly language. The procedures are broadly categorized into three separate sections on the site: Face, Body, and Breast.

Each section includes multiple sub-sections that deal with a variety of facial procedures such as facelift, nose job, brow lift, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, body contouring procedures such as arm lift, thigh lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and breast procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, and breast revision.

Patients can review the procedure that they are considering, and gain a few basic insights about it. This can improve their understanding and awareness, and they will be in a better position to discuss their concerns and queries during a personal consultation with Dr. Spann.

Other Sections

LittleRockPlasticSurgery.com also includes a separate section that addresses various non-surgical procedures provided at the practice. These procedures are well-suited for patients who are keen to receive aesthetic treatment, but do not wish to undergo surgery. Dr. Spann’s website includes a unique section called “How to choose the right surgeon in Little Rock.”

This section can help a new patient understand what may be the important characteristics to look for in a plastic surgeon. Other exclusive sections that are provided on the site include Financing, Patient Testimonials, and a Photo Gallery. There is also a blog section that will keep patients updated with latest information and new developments in the field of plastic surgery.

For more information on plastic surgery treatments and procedures by Little Rock, AZ Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Spann contact us at  501.219.8000.

Little Rock Plastic Surgery