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In an effort to remain up-to-date on the latest techniques and technologies in plastic surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Miller, frequently participates in lectures and demonstrations throughout the medical community. As a leader in cosmetic plastic surgery in San Diego, Dr. Miller was recently asked to speak about contemporary techniques in facial rejuvenation at the UCSD Division of Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds. Below is a Q&A we had with Dr. Miller regarding his facial rejuvenation presentation.

Question: What specific facial plastic surgery procedures did you discuss in your lecture?

Dr. Miller: I discussed contemporary techniques in facial rejuvenation with emphasis on dimension; specifically, the double layer face lift which provides support, enhances shape, and maintains proportion, resulting in a natural, youthful appearance.

Q: What is a dimensional facelift and how does it differ from the traditional facelift?

DM: Traditional facelifts tend to be unidimensional, often leading to a face that looks flat and pulled. The dimensional facelift differs in two substantial ways:

First, it emphasizes enhancement of the natural highlights and prominences of the face, including cheekbone fullness, angularity of the jawline, and three dimensionality of the transition between the face and neck.

And second, it does this through support of the underlying tissues rather than just the skin, resulting in more natural and longer lasting improvements.

Q: What main points and/or skills do you hope your audience took away from your lecture?

DM: I hope my audience appreciates that a naturally beautiful face doesn’t occur in a flat plane. Analysis of attractive faces across cultures and continents reveals three dimensionality, highlights and prominences, and clear transitions – such as the jaw and neck line – as signs of beauty.

When well thought out and artistically applied, contemporary surgical intervention can provide the balanced, vibrant, and naturally-beautiful results patients seek.

Q: What kind words did you receive from Dr. Sam Spira following your lecture?

DM: Dr. Sam Spira, a retired professor and innovator in the field of Plastic Surgery, expressed appreciation for the conceptual and technical detail demonstrated and insight provided to achieve outstanding results.

Q: Why do you feel it is important for plastic surgeons and residents in training to stay actively involved in lectures such as this?

DM: Continued learning about new developments, both surgical and nonsurgical, can greatly benefit patients. When high-level plastic surgeons have professional discussions sharing their experiences with different approaches toward facial rejuvenation, patients win.

Q: How do you feel presenting in these lectures enhances the level of care you are able to provide your patients?

DM: By learning about what others are doing, I can pick and choose what may be most helpful for my patients. Such discussions tend to make each surgeon more thoughtful and contemplative with regards to what comprises beauty and how best to achieve it. The opportunity to share my thoughts and approaches gives me the opportunity to reflect on my surgical approaches, as well as share and learn from others.

Contact Dr. Scott Miller

For more information about facial rejuvenation techniques, or for questions or concerns regarding cosmetic surgery, please contact Dr. Scott Miller today to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Dr. Miller Featured in the Daily Transcript Discussing Popularity of Eyelid Surgery and Neck Lifts Among Male Plastic Surgery Patients

Our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Miller, was recently featured in an article in The Daily Transcript about plastic surgery for male executives. The author of the article, Tierney Plumb, reports that roughly 1.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men in 2011 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which represents a 6% increase from 2010. The San Diego plastic surgeon says this is an interesting trend developing at his practice as well.

In The Daily Transcript interview, Dr. Miller says he has seen an increase in male patients coming into Miller Cosmetic Surgery. The majority of these patients are aged 55-65, and are concerned about the appearance of their neck and eyes in comparison to their younger colleagues: “They don’t want to be the older worker who is dragging things down, when they have a younger, dynamic crew competing side by side with them.”

More About Maintaining Confidence in Their Appearance

Many of his male patients take the time to make sure they present a certain image, from the way they dress to the car they drive to the attitude they bring to the job every day. Dr. Miller says the decision to dedicate the time and energy to a facial rejuvenation, perhaps a neck lift, is aligned with the same goals for these patients.

Regardless of the motivation behind the decision to undergo male plastic surgery, Dr. Miller stresses his patients’ main goal is to regain the confidence they once had in their appearance. He says it’s not about competition so much as it is about looking into the mirror and feeling like their outward appearance matches the energy and drive they feel within.

Common Male Plastic Surgery Procedures

The two most common procedures this demographic undergoes is the neck lift and eyelid surgery (which was the second most common procedure in 2011 with about 29,000 performed in the US). There’s no mystery as to why patients consider eyelid surgery when they decide to pursue facial rejuvenation. Dr. Miller says his patients want to address droopy or tired-looking eyes, because they want to appear more energetic, and maintain the high-powered jobs they’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Another area of concern for many of his male patients is the neck and jawline, as people commonly associate a strong jaw with authority, and a certain vibrancy and command: “We choose our politicians and executives that way, so it’s not irrational for people to look at that in the workplace.”

The Desire to Stay in the Game Longer

Especially as his patients have had to confront the effects the economic downturn has had on their retirement, Dr. Miller sees people who realize they want to be working for another 5 to 10 years. To do this, many feel they need to address the common signs of aging to not only instill confidence in their appearance, but bolster the confidence their co-workers and managers have in their ability to perform their jobs at an optimal level.

As a final word of caution in the article, Dr. Miller stresses the need to consult with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon: “People need to do their homework. First you have to figure out who took the time to pursue the appropriate training and then you work from there.”

If you would like more information on male plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement options, or if you would like to schedule a confidential consultation with our plastic surgeon, please contact Dr. Scott R. Miller.

San Diego, CA — Over the past several years, a number of medical spas have operated under false licensing. Some physicians have been capitalizing on an opportunity to receive extra income by allowing medical spas to illegally operate under their licenses, according to a Fox News investigation. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Miller was recently featured on a Fox News broadcast discussing the crackdown on medical spas. Regarding the crackdown, he said come January, the state of California has decided to severely increase the penalty for medical spas operating in the absence of a qualified doctor and without proper licensing.

Dr. Miller said many of the medical spas under scrutiny are often individual companies renting a physician’s license while paying him or her a monthly stipend to practice under said license. He added that most people do not realize the use of prescriptive devices and medicines, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, fillers, and lasers, is the actual practice of medicine and needs to be performed by a physician or a physician’s designee. The new bill aims to ensure all designees are acting under a physician and that the facility is owned by a medical practice and not a separate entity, said Dr. Miller.

Under the bill, medical professionals lending their licenses illegally, along with medical spa executives running the facilities, can be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars and potentially sentenced to prison. Dr. Miller said although the penalties are new, the regulations have always existed, adding that the medical board is now deploying undercover investigators posing as patients to root out facilities operating outside appropriate regulations.

Dr. Miller stressed the importance of selecting a spa operating under regulations. He touched on a patient who recently went to a spa without getting a “good-faith” prior exam and essentially received a large volume of filler to achieve a result that was not attainable through injectables. He said somebody should have explained to her she needed to have a face lift in order to achieve that particular result, adding that the injectables have now gone into tissue, which Dr. Miller says can be harmful, and the patient is dealing with the consequences.

Despite the licensing issues, Dr. Miller also stated that not all medical spas are untrustworthy and many do follow the appropriate regulations and models. He says in order to ensure ethical treatment, patients should always inquire about who the medical director is, what his or her specialty is, and how much he or she is involved.

The entire Fox News report can be viewed here: San Diego Plastic Surgeon on Fox News.

About Scott R. Miller, M.D., F.A.C.S.

After earning his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Scott Miller completed his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery and advanced fellowship training in aesthetic cosmetic surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, as well as many other prestigious medical affiliations. Dr. Miller is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and dedicated to the enhancement of patient care.

Located in Scripps Medical Office Building at 9834 Genesee Avenue, Suite 210, La Jolla, CA 92037, his office can be reached via phone at 858-453-3133. Dr. Miller can also be contacted online at millercosmeticsurgery.com or facebook.com/millercosmeticsurgery.

With recent happenings in Europe regarding defective silicone PIP breast implants and the gross negligence on the part of the implant manufacturer, people with implants maybe wondering, just what type of implant they have.

Right after breast augmentation surgery most patients are anxious to know what size and type of implant was used. However once the initial excitement fades and the patient become used to having an implant they tend to forget the specifics.

To those of us in the Plastic Surgery field, company names like Mentor and Allergan and terms like high profile, moderate and gel are all used and understood on a daily basis. But most patients would not know or remember what company manufactured their breast implants or better yet, still have the paperwork stating such information.

It is very important that patients keep the information on the manufacturer, style and fill of their implants. This information should be made part of their personal medical record, kept either at home or with their Primary Care Physician in addition to being kept in their medical record at their Surgeons office.

It is important to be clear that the implants in question were never distributed or used in the United States. This is a great reminder of one of the many benefits of avoiding surgical tourism. Just like buying beef or poultry at the supermarket, having your medical care in the United States has many hidden safeguards which work in a patient’s best interest.

It’s Always about You – Dr. Scott Miller’s Unique Approach to Plastic Surgery and Successful Results

Plastic and cosmetic surgery has changed a great deal over the last several years. While surgical advances, state-of-the-art technology, and more visibility of the cosmetic enhancement field may be contributing to record numbers of people considering plastic surgery, it may also have led to a rise in competitiveness among cosmetic surgeons that can sometimes result in an emphasis on marketing strategies and flashy offices over the individual patient’s needs.

Dr. Scott Miller takes a somewhat unique approach to plastic surgery in this day and age: he puts the patient first, and ensures this is realized with a 4-step philosophy regarding patient care. He calls this his Passion 4 Performance approach.

In a recent issue of San Diego’s Fine Magazine, Dr. Miller outlined the Passion 4 Performance, or P4P approach:

• Quality – attention to the most subtle details to revitalize one’s appearance
• Integrity – a surgeon’s ability to do as they say, following through on our mission statement with each and every patient
• Safety – each patient’s health and well-being are the most important aspects of care and always will be
• Service – caring for our patients’ physical, as well as emotional, well-being

The entire professional team at Dr. Miller’s fully accredited plastic surgery center embodies the P4P approach. It’s about really listening to your needs, providing you with detailed information, and having honest and open communication. It’s about customizing your care and not offering a one-size-fits-all treatment process. It’s about being as attentive and precise in your pre- and post-operative care as we are during your surgery.

This patient-centric approach can ultimately help you to achieve successful results that look natural. As Dr. Miller says, “The only evidence of the surgeon’s presence should be the restoration of beauty and vitality, [along with] improved contours and confidence.”

Dr. Miller advises people who are considering plastic surgery to spend a little extra time searching for the right surgeon. He says that additional research may take some time, but it’s worth it to find a qualified plastic surgeon who is passionate about what he or she does.

Caring counts. And Dr. Scott Miller never forgets that.

If you would like more information on our approach to the plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement treatment process, please contact Dr. Miller.

The Guardian recently reported that the Arab Spring, which started in late 2010, has resulted in an increase in capital punishment throughout the Middle East. Governments are cracking down on dissidents, and they’re using capital punishment to send a life-threatening message to organizers of pro-democracy movements.

The Arab spring that swept across the Middle East signaled social media’s ability to mobilize the masses tired of the status quo. No doubt, the actions of citizens who protested in areas like Egypt’s Tahir Square inspired countless people across the globe. But the possibility of powerful regimes toppling to Twitter posts points to the risks involved in seeking surgical solutions outside the United States.

The Risks of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism

So-called cosmetic surgery tourism is the practice of having your medical procedures performed abroad. The most common reason is to save money. But as the revolts throughout the Middle East have shown, the risks of having surgery done in foreign countries include political ones as well.

Would you want to be on the operating table undergoing your Mommy Makeover during a Facebook-driven revolt? How worried would you be after watching CNN’s non-stop coverage of political upheaval in the country in which a loved one was recovering from rhinoplasty?

Not all countries that offer cosmetic surgery tourism are located in political hot zones. But many that offer bargain basement surgery prices don’t adhere to the strict safety standards established by U.S. based trade organizations, such as AAAASF (The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities—quite a mouthful, I know). So if you’re not taking a political gamble, you may be taking a safety one. In the end is there a price you can put on peace of mind?

To learn more about cosmetic surgery tourism, click here to read the “Cosmetic Surgery Briefing Paper,” published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Plastic Surgeon in San Diego Appears on UCSD TV

San Diego, CA — Dr. Scott Miller, a plastic surgeon in San Diego, was recently asked to appear on the Health Matters segment of the University of California San Diego Television program to discuss the Latest in Cosmetic Surgery Procedures. A Volunteer Clinical Instructor at the School of Medicine at UCSD, Dr. Miller spoke with Health Matters host Dr. David Granet about recent advances in cosmetic enhancement and the complexities of aesthetic treatment, and says he hopes to guide viewers through expectations of common procedures by offering advice on how to make a decision about which treatment will be best for their needs.

The University of California San Diego Television program Health Matters recently featured Dr. Miller to highlight the top trends in cosmetic surgery and offer advice to patients who may be considering an aesthetic procedure. The thirty minute program covered some of the most popular procedures in plastic surgery and discussed the sometimes overwhelming decisions behind undergoing a cosmetic enhancement. Focused on procedures ranging from facelifts and tummy tucks to breast augmentation in San Diego, Dr. Miller says he was grateful for the opportunity to share his experience in plastic surgery with the show and hopes viewers were able to take away valuable information to help them make educated decisions regarding their care and procedures.

Dr. Miller notes on the Health Matters episode that he has seen a surge in popularity of procedures such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and facelift in San Diego. He attributes this to lessened social stigma concerning cosmetic enhancements and an improvement in the natural quality of results, leading to an increase in approval amongst Americans. However, he also says the decision to undergo plastic surgery is one that should be taken seriously, adding that many of his patients put years of thought and research into their procedure. Dr. Miller also discusses the influence of advanced technology and techniques on the demand for aesthetic surgery and how patients can now experience less down time and more effective and natural results than ever before. “My appearance on the UCSD Health Matters Program was a rewarding experience. I was able to further my mission to provide accurate information to the public, allowing people to make the best individual decisions for their own health.”

Dr. Miller says he hopes his appearance on Health Matters both inspires and informs future patients and doctors about the importance of pursuing safe, effective, and individualized treatment options in cosmetic surgery. He is excited to see the future of San Diego plastic surgery procedures as more people gain awareness of what high quality plastic surgery has to offer and Board Certified plastic surgeons continue perfecting the techniques and technology designed to help people restore their confidence and beauty. “Programs like UCSD TV help ethical Plastic Surgeons shatter myths, educate the public and fellow physicians, and share their commitment to the importance of pursuing the highest quality patient care and results.”

The UCSD Health Matters episode can be viewed at http://www.ucsd.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=20866.

About Scott R. Miller, MD, FACS

Dr. Scott Miller is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine and completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego. He underwent an extensive Aesthetic Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship with Bruce Connell M.D. Dr. Miller is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and several other professional organizations. He has been selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America” and received the Best of La Jolla Award from the US Commerce Association. He is also a recipient of the J. Gordon Hatfield Award for Excellence in Surgery, Dr. Miller is a Voluntary Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery at UCSD and has dedicated a portion of his time to serving with the Interface International Surgery Program, an organization which provides reconstructive surgery procedures to children in underprivileged communities who suffer from disfiguring birth defects.

Located at 9834 Genesee Avenue, Suite 210 in La Jolla, CA, Dr. Miller’s practice can be reached at (858) 453-3133. He can also be contacted online via the website millercosmeticsurgery.com or facebook.com/millercosmeticsurgery.

Dr. Scott Miller was recently invited to participate as a special guest on UCSD-TV’s Health Matters. The topic of conversation was “The Latest in Cosmetic Surgery Procedure”. Dr. Miller discussed recent advances that make aesthetic enhancement treatments more accessible with better results and less recovery time. Talking with host David Granet, MD, Dr. Miller offered his opinions on the decision-making process that people go through when considering plastic surgery.

Dr. Miller discussed why both women and men ultimately decide to attain cosmetic enhancement or reconstructive surgery, as well as what prospective patients should look for in a plastic surgeon. He also explained that some of the best plastic surgery and enhancement results are those that are completely natural-looking and unnoticeable.

The televised conversation also went over topics such as Mommy Makeovers; facial and body rejuvenation and recontouring; non-surgical cosmetic enhancement options such as injectables; preventative treatments that can reduce the severity of wrinkles in later years; what patients can expect from the entire plastic surgery treatment process; and the importance of patient education.

In the course of his conversation on UCSD-TV, Dr. Miller was able to talk about a full range of topics and provide answers to many of the questions patients have about plastic surgery and aesthetic enhancement.

The broadcast, which aired on February 16th, is available for viewing at UCSD-TV’s website, or on YouTube.

Dysport® is a new injectable to help combat facial aging. Used like Botox® this newly FDA-approved product is said to last 30% longer and take effect 25% quicker! We are excited to add Dysport® to our list of procedures that will help you look your best.

When the natural fullness of the face is lost, so is the appearance of youth and vitality. Structural fat grafting is increasingly being used to correct contour irregularities and to enhance features such as the lips and cheeks. The innovation provides lasting results due to the technique of refinement and placement. This approach is particularly helpful for the deep, persistent, and peel-resistant lip lines. This exciting technique offers hope for this age-old problem.