Mr Gilbert presents at the ICAPS meeting in Maya Riviera in Mexico.
Mr Gilbert has just come back from the ICAPS meeting in Maya Riviera in Mexico. ICAPS is the International Confederation for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons which has a world wide membership with an maximum of fifty members. It meets in interesting places each year and is hosted by the member from that country. Each member has to present a paper.
Mr Gilbert presented an Audit that had been done on his and Mr Janek Januszkiewic’s breast implant practices over the last four years. This was put together by our Fellow, Jonathan Heather. The audit showed that 540 breast augmentations had been done in the Institute over that period, approximately half being round and half being anatomical or pear shaped. As a result of this study we are now moving towards using Polyurethane covered implants which adhere better to the surrounding tissues, reducing the capsular contraction rate and eliminating the possibility of rotation.
Mr Gilbert has learned more about these Polyurethane implants from Brazilian Surgeons who were at the Conference as well as many other useful plastic surgical tricks.
The Maya Coast of Mexico has beautiful weather, beaches, golf courses and restaurants. Underlying all this though is the rather sinister culture of the early Maya Indians when the Chief’s maintained their power by sacrificing members of the tribe on the tops of stone pyramids, many of which are still standing. One of these sites could be designated one of the eighth wonders of the world.
Mr Gilbert has been asked to convene the scientific program for the next ICAPS meeting to be held on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. There is interest in having a meeting in the near future in New Zealand.
Meanwhile Mr and Mrs Gilbert have been maintaining a balanced life style with bike riding through Molesworth Cattle Station and rafting down the Grey River from the Lewis Pass to Greymouth in the South Island and will be attending their eldest son’s wedding in England in June and will take the opportunity of visiting Wimbleton.
World Wide Plastic Surgery Statistics
Late last year the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery produced a global survey of plastic surgeons and procedures in which surgeon participants focused on the number and type of surgical and non surgical procedures they performed in the year before. It provides a snapshot into world wide trends in plastic surgery.
Janek Januszkiewicz is the New Zealand National Representative to ISAPS and also Chairman of the Society’s Membership Committee. He says the ISAPS survey marks the first time reliable international plastic surgery data has been obtained and analysed by independent statistic specialists.
Most popular surgical & non surgical procedures –
Liposuction (18.8% of all surgical procedures) overtook breast augmentation (17%) as the most popular of the surgical procedures followed by blepharoplasty (upper or lower eyelid lift, 13.5%), rhinoplasty (9.4%), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck, 7.3%), breast reduction (6%), breast lift (5.7%), face lift (4.7%). The greatest number of surgical procedures were unsurprisingly in the United States but with China very close behind followed by Brazil and overall 85% of procedures were in women with 15% in men. The popularity of procedures varied somewhat by country but the general trends in New Zealand followed the global ones. This included the growth of non surgical procedures, the most popular being neuromodulator injections (ie Botox or Dysport) and facial fillers using hyaluronic acid (such as Juvederm, Restylane and so forth). Interestingly in our nearest neighbour, Australia, blepharoplasty surgery was the most popular, more than double that of breast augmentation which was third highest in popularity after rhinoplasty. This was the only country in this survey where eyelid surgery was more common than any other procedure.
The survey represents a credible and reliable base line of information that will be useful to medical professionals and the media in the future. Over 20,000 plastic surgeons internationally were invited to participate and based on the responses received it is estimated that there are just over 30,000 Board certified (or national equivalent) qualified plastic surgeons in practice around the world today.
ISAPS was founded 40 years ago at the United Nations in New York with the mission to continuously educate member surgeons in the latest procedures, disseminate accurate and current information to the public and media and promote safe surgery. Its members are leaders in the specialty and 91 countries are represented in the Society. To qualify for membership in ISAPS plastic surgeons must undergo many years of surgical specialty training, pass qualifying and certifying exams in their respective countries and must be members in good standing with their local national societies of plastic surgery. They agree to abide by the high ethical standards of these societies and before being accepted into membership for ISAPS undergo a rigorous evaluation process to establish their qualifications, capabilities and commitment to the highest standards of ethics and patient safety.
Janek Januszkiewicz
April 2011
Janek Januszkiewicz participates in International Breast Implant Surgery Workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In February 2011 Janek Januszkiewicz participated in the first International Plastic Surgery Workshop organised by Silimed which gathered 200 of the leading plastic surgeons from all parts of the world in Rio de Janeiro to discuss new developments and trends in breast implant surgery. Participants included plastic surgeons from all continents including those as geographically separate as New Zealand and Italy or as politically remote from each other as Israel and Jordan.
The workshop included interactive discussion by the surgeon participants moderated by a panel of eminent Brazilian plastic surgeons. One fascinating aspect of this international gathering was the fact that all of this discussion took place in English, Portuguese and Spanish with each participant wearing translation ear pieces that provided instant live translation for all three languages so that it was a truly seamless experience of exchanging ideas with international colleagues without any barriers to communication.
The workshop included live demonstrations of breast implant surgery linked audiovisually to the audience with the opportunity to ask questions of the operating surgeon in real time. The following day included surgical demonstrations of gluteal implant surgery for buttock augmentation which has become increasingly popular in some countries, notably in South America.
A further highlight of the meeting was visiting the Silimed manufacturing facilities in Rio de Janeiro. This was a fascinating insight into the manufacturing of breast implants from start to finish and the rigorous quality assurance processes and accompanying modern technical advances that go into safe and reliable medical devices. Most of the attention was on the polyurethane foam coated implants which have been in use since the 1970s but have evolved considerably over that time. These are silicone filled implants that have a medical grade polyurethane foam bonded onto the outer shell which offers advantages over traditional silicone surface textured implants including reduction in capsular contracture rates long term and significant reduction in the risk of implant rotation or displacement. Silimed is so confident in their product that they offer a free of charge lifetime guarantee of replacement of any ruptured breast implant and a ten year replacement guarantee for polyurethane implants in the event of capsular contracture, rotation or displacement. Seeing the passion and commitment of the scientists and factory team behind the manufacturing of these implants was both reassuring and informative.
It was not all work as Dr Januszkiewicz and all the other surgeons enjoyed an afternoon trip to Corcovado (Sugar Loaf) which is accessed by a spectacular cable car ride and boasts stunning views of Rio de Janeiro including the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. This was preceded by a luncheon at one of the famous Brazilian Churrascaria restaurants in which dozens of varieties of grilled meats are brought to the table in an endless feast of barbecue.
Over the last 12 months Dr Januszkiewicz has been turning more and more to the polyurethane foam surface coated silicone breast implants for patients seeking breast enhancement and for women requiring breast reconstruction after cancer treatment. The results have been pleasing and are offering even higher levels of safety and reliability to these patients as techniques and products continue to improve.
Janek Januszkiewicz
February 2011
Where there's a will...
I first met Sarah in the spring of 2005. Sarah’s story is not that unusual. She was 62 years old and, like many of us, the years had ticked by all too fast. A career in local body politics had been shelved when her children arrived and the next 25 years were devoted to family matters. At one time she had been proud of her appearance, enjoying the social life her job had to offer, but somehow time for herself has waned and her weight had steadily increased. Eventually, the last of her children left home and a chance meeting with an old friend raised the possibility of returning to the workforce. Of course she would leap at the opportunity – she didn’t feel any older than 25 and was sure she had plenty of enthusiasm to offer a new job. However, she knew that on the outside she wasn’t the girl she used to be. This is where Sarah’s story differs from the norm.
Sarah came to see me to try and regain some of what she had lost. We discussed what could be achieved surgically. A raft of possibilities existed including tummy tuck, facelift, liposuction etc but it was clear that what she really needed to do first was lose some weight. We estimated that she was about 15kg above her ideal weight. Our first meeting ended on this advice.
To my surprise Sarah returned a year later. She had taken on what we had discussed, changed her lifestyle, changed her diet, began to exercise again and had lost weight.
She hadn’t quite managed the 15kg but a little over 10kg had been shed. She said she felt much better, she had more energy, had stopped needing medication for high blood pressure and her borderline diabetes was gone. Now she wanted to complete her makeover. A much-loved ball-gown from some years ago was produced. “I would really love to fit this once again”.
We decided on a plan. This summer it would be tummy tuck followed by a facelift and eyelid surgery. Next year would be an arm and breast lift.
So far the plan is working out well. She says that the old Sarah is emerging again. The improvement in her self confidence and happiness is remarkable. I have a feeling I won’t see her much more. She is back in the workforce and busy with her new life. I suspect there may not be time for stage two.
Sarah is not alone in her desires to regain her old self. In fact most of our patients have similar feelings. For some it is a dislike of what nature provided, for others it is a dislike of what the years have taken away. Many can be helped by plastic surgery. For some, like Sarah, it is a partnership of lifestyle change and surgery. For most, surgery alone is suitable. What is common to all is that they make the step to do something about it. Many have thought about it for years but have found the idea of a consultation too daunting.
When they finally take the step they realise it wasn’t as hard as they thought and they leave with a smile on their face.
So the message is clear. You are never too young or old to change. What you need is the will to do something about it. Whether it is a change of lifestyle or surgery, you won’t regret it.
At the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery we want you to feel comfortable about your choices. A consultation is the first step towards change and does not commit you to a decision. As a first step, our nurses have a wealth of knowledge and are available for informal consultations in person or by phone.
Written by Glenn Bartlett FRACS.
www.plasticsurgeons.co.nz/our-surgeons/glenn-bartlett.html
For a consultation phone 09 529 5783.
Skype your consultation
In an Institute first, Mr Glenn Bartlett was involved in a virtual Skype consultation. The patient’s partner was able to participate in the consultation using a computer and webcam over Skype. This allowed the patient to attend the consultation whilst her husband, who was several hundred kilometres away caring for their young children, was still able to be part of the consultative process.
No doubt with the advent of even newer methods of internet communications this type of process will become more common in the future and certainly we can see the advantages, particularly in allowing distant partners to be involved in consultations.
ISAPS Meeting San Francisco
Janek Januszkiewicz attended the 20th Biennial Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in San Francisco during August.
Janek is currently Chairman of the Membership Committee for this international organisation of plastic surgeons established in 1970 at the United Nations headquarters in New York as a body charged with promoting the highest standards of professional practice, patient care and education in aesthetic plastic surgery around the world.
The Congress is an opportunity for plastic surgeons around the world to gather for scientific and social interchange. The world’s leading innovators in plastic surgery were there to share the latest advances in their countries.
The meeting began with a first of its kind Global Summit on patient safety bringing together leaders from a variety of fields including plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, legislators and commercial representatives all with a common goal to drive forward the ISAPS key mission of patient safety.
It was attended by over 1,300 practising plastic surgeons from 83 different countries during which 386 scientific papers were presented on a variety of topics. Of notable interest was the advances in the science of fat grafting and stem cell research, how it will apply both to reconstructive and cosmetic applications in plastic surgery.
Our plastic surgery nurses Karen Coubray and Karen Baker were fortunate to also attend the Congress and share first hand in the latest advances in the world of plastic surgery.
Participation in the Congress confirmed that the procedures and techniques of our surgeons at the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery are at the leading edge of global aesthetic surgery trends and advances.
Plastic Surgery Nurses Symposium
This symposium is an annual event convened by Karen Baker, the Institute Coordinator at the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery and organised by the Institute and Obex Medical.
This year, the 6th, was held at the Novotel Hotel in Ellerslie and was attended by a record 200 plastic surgery nurse delegates from all around New Zealand. Speakers who included medical professionals, nurses and a motivational expert covered a variety of plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive topics.
Karen Coubray, a staff member of the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery presented a paper on micropigmentation (tattooing) of the nipple areola following breast reconstruction. This is the final stage of breast reconstruction and finishes the process of turning a reconstructed breast into a natural looking breast.
Two of our surgeons, Mr Glenn Bartlett and Mr Stephen Gilbert spoke. Glenn Bartlett, who is also a consultant at Middlemore Hospital gave two presentations, one on craniofacial surgery and the second on aesthetic eyelid surgery. Stephen Gilbert spoke on the changes in face lifting surgery over time.
Something new this year was the “Medical Trash to Something Flash” competition, nurses competed to turn the waste generated by their practices into something spectacular. “Fern”, the glamorous creation of the staff of the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery won first prize. All of the entries were stunning and symposium attendees look forward to another challenge next year.
Surgeons report Mr Glenn Bartlett
As summer nears, many of us will look to shed the accumulated weight of the winter comfort food.
There is no doubt that regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best prescription for weight loss and a trim figure, yet many of us find that there are areas of fat deposition that seem to defy our best efforts. In men this is often around the beltline and male breast, whereas for women the hips, thighs, saddlebags and buttocks are often the culprit. This is where body contouring surgery is of benefit.
At the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery our surgeons have extensive experience in all methods of body contouring including liposuction, tummy tucks, arm reduction, thigh lifts and body lifting procedures.
Liposuction has received much media exposure – often portrayed as a simple procedure lacking in sophistication. The reality is somewhat different. Performed properly it is a highly effective and refined technique requiring the skilled eye and attention to detail of a Plastic Surgeon to achieve optimum contour without dimpling or irregularities.
In addition to traditional liposuction we have utilised ultrasonic assisted liposuction since its introduction in the mid-nineties, finding it particularly useful for more fibrous areas or for revisional treatment. Recently modified and renamed as the VASER machine, this technology offers the same advantages of less bruising and is a useful adjunct to liposuction.
In many instances a fatty deposit is associated with laxity of skin that requires removal of both skin and fat. The commonest example is a tummy tuck where skin laxity following childbirth has never resolved. There have been significant advances in such “lifting” procedures over the past 5 years, often combined with liposuction to offer improved contour with faster recovery. After a significant weight loss, or after weight loss surgery, the shape of the body can change dramatically due to the extra skin. Body lifting procedures can be quite transforming for such people, and many of these techniques are directly applicable to those with more modest weight loss associated with adoption of a healthier lifestyle.
Our specialist Plastic Surgery nurses offer free no obligation consultations and can explain procedures, costs and recovery before you decide to see a surgeon.
GLENN BARTLETT
Overseas Nip Tucks Attacked
A young woman has told of her heartache at spending thousands of dollars on a nose job in Thailand – only to be told by a Kiwi plastic surgeon that in his opinion the operation was a “sham”.
The 24 year old, who declined to be named, said she wanted her nose made smaller and a bump removed but in her opinion there was no difference after her operation.
“I went over there, I paid the money, I made it very clear what I wanted and the surgeon didn’t speak English very well”
“He performed very unsatisfactory surgery. My nose looked pretty much the same … there’s very little done.”
She said she “immediately knew something was wrong” after the procedure, when she woke up vomiting and in pain.
“I kept asking the nurses for medicine but none of them knew what I was saying.”
“I asked repeatedly, I made it very clear that I was sick, I threw up about seven times. They kept saying 'no understand, no understand.’
The woman claims the agency that arranged the operation – Beautiful Escapes – has ignored her complaints and she is taking it to the Disputes Tribunal. But agency director Jane Horgan said the woman got the operation she asked for.
“She hasn’t had a botch-up. With plastic surgery, especially nose surgery, obviously expectations can be different, but in this particular case what she asked for is just what she got.”
No other clients had reported problems and she was “looking forward” to the tribunal because there was a “night and day” difference in her client’s nose.
The woman said she spent $4000 for the surgery and another $3500 on extras such as accommodation. She said the procedure would have cost $10,000 in New Zealand.
Auckland plastic surgeon Mr Glenn Bartlett, who examined her nose on her return, said he believed the Thai surgeon was “out of his depth” and, in his opinion, “she’s just had a sham operation, basically.”
Bartlett performs private operations but also works in the public sector at Middlemore Hospital.
He said four patients had arrived at the hospital in the past three months after botched operations overseas and warned Kiwis to be very wary of “cosmetic tourism”.
Three were admitted with infections that could place them at risk of a flesh-eating bug or septicaemia and the fourth needed reassurance about their surgery.
He said that based on some of the cases he had seen, it seemed that some overseas surgeons had inadequate training and performed operations that were unsuitable for the patient.
(The New Zealand Herald, 17 August 2008)
Changing Attitudes About Beauty With Age
What people find beautiful about themselves may be different than what they find appealing in another person. That's just one finding from a recent consumer survey conducted on the BeautyforLife website (a joint venture of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.) Visitors were asked "What aspect of physical beauty do you find most appealing in another person?" In their 20s, 30s, and 40s, respondents look for a fit, well proportioned body; youthful skin ranked at the top for respondents in the 50s and 60s.
When considering "Which part of your body are you most concerned about?" respondents, in their 30s, ranked their abdomen/hips number one. But surprisingly, respondents listed the face, not their body, as the most popular choice in the 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s. "It is always important to understand what our patients are most concerned about at different stages of their lives. We want to be equipped to help our patients make the right decisions to maintain their beauty at every age-no matter which type of cosmetic medical procedure they are interested in." said ASAPS President Renato Saltz, MD. Additional results were revealed when answering "Which part of your body are you most concerned about?" While respondents primarily chose their face, significantly more respondents are concerned about their abdomen/hips than their breasts (chest)-with the disparity increasing throughout the decades:
1. 30s - 37% chose abdomen/hips as their top concern while only 18% chose breasts
2. 40s - 32% selected abdomen/hips and only 10% breast
3. 50s - 25% chose abdomen/hips compared to 7% breast
4. 60s - 23% indicated concern about their abdomen/hips, while only 7% selected breast.
Community members were also asked to consider "The 4 most important reason to maintain your physical appearance." "To boost self-confidence" was the top choice across all decades, with "To attract potential partners" a close second for the 20s. In the 30s and 40s, the second-most popular choice shifted to "To increase professional opportunities," which remained the number two choice in the 50s, but by a much smaller percentage. In the 60s, increasing professional opportunities fell to third behind "To help make friends."
"The survey on the BeautyforLife website has provided interesting data about patients' attitudes, motivation and perception. Our goal is to provide useful tools for prospective patients to help them first decide if a cosmetic medicine procedure is right for them and then to provide information on how to choose an appropriate provider," said Dr. Richard D'Amico, past president of ASPS.
Another question asked members to contemplate "The most important factor in maintaining beauty." While adherence to a healthy diet, regular exercise and skin care were popular choices, approximately one in five members felt that a cosmetic medical procedure was most important in the 50s and 60s.
This survey was conducted by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, via their Beauty for Life program-a series of patient education tools, including the interactive website http://www.beautyforlife.com/ - designed to help people look and feel their best throughout their lives. More detailed survey results are available at by contacting the organizations.
To access the Beauty for Life survey results www.surgery.org/downloads/BFLUserSurvey.pdf
Recognising Changes in Facial Aging
All of us can recognise the changes we see in facial aging. These include a deterioration in skin quality, a deepening of facial lines and a sagging or loosening of the tissues around the eyes, jowls and neck. This manifests as excess skin and, in the past, traditional facelift surgery focused only on removal of this skin.
Less well recognised but equally important changes of facial aging include the loss or redistribution of facial fat volume that occurs over time, as well as changes in the bony framework of the face (by absorption or loss of bone). Simple skin removal by surgery will only address some of the aging features. Depending on the needs of the individual there are a variety of other measures, both surgical and non-surgical that combine to create a more natural and complete solution.
A common theme is the addition of facial volume either through the use of synthetic fillers or tissue grafts (such as fat grafts) from the patient herself. The role of facial volume loss and replacement receives as much attention today as did talk of tissue descent in the past. Now there is less emphasis on pulling skin tight to stretch deep creases and folds, and instead more emphasis on restoring a youthful soft tissue shape to the face. This is complemented by modern skin care technologies.
This change in emphasis is fundamental to the modern treatment of facial aging. It is an increasingly sophisticated three-dimensional or “volumetric” concept that is helping contemporary plastic surgeons avoid the artificial or stretched unusual appearances seen in the past and instead achieve more natural looking and harmonious results.
The choices available to today’s consumer are wide-ranging and sometimes confusing. ‘Facelift’ is a catch-all phrase that is easily tossed about but can have very different meanings – ranging from a basic skin tightening to the modern multidimensional approach to facial rejuvenation described above. It is important that patients considering facelift surgery understand these differences when making choices about their treatment.
Cosmetic Tourism
Some New Zealanders are tempted by alluring advertisements and an exotic sounding cheap deal to risk a holiday in South East Asia coupled with a cosmetic procedure. But why do that if you can’t verify the surgeons’ qualifications. Also you would have committed a lot of money to an operation before you arrive which may not be the best choice for you. The aftercare is limited and there are risks of developing blood clots in the legs and other complications flying home after surgery. New Zealand plastic surgeons regularly have to treat problems from these centres.
At the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery the three surgeons, Glenn Bartlett, Stephen Gilbert and Janek Januszkiewicz are all FRACS (Plastic), vocationally registered in plastic surgery with the New Zealand Medical Council and have a commitment to excellent in cosmetic surgery and patient safety.
Surgeons report Mr Stephen Gilbert
With the burgeoning popularity and accessibility of cosmetic surgery there has been an increase in providers to meet the demand. All these are doctors but not all have surgical, let alone plastic, surgical training.
A plastic surgeon has had at least five years specialist training in plastic surgery after medical school and junior hospital jobs and this usually includes a Fellowship overseas in a prestigious unit – in all fourteen years after entering medical school.
Experience gained during years of training in complex reconstructive surgery provides plastic surgeons with outstanding technical skills. Their continuous attention to form as well as function provides these specialists with a finely tuned sense of aesthetics – a unique qualification that is essential to the success of cosmetic surgery where judgements of balance and proportion are called for. Plastic surgeons have the training to offer their patients the entire range of treatment modalities. We also emphasise patient safety using experienced anaesthetists and we all have operating rights at accredited hospitals as well as day surgery facilities.
How do you select a plastic surgeon in New Zealand who has a commitment to cosmetic surgery? The New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery is a good place to start. Membership of this organisation guarantees that the surgeon is registered by the New Zealand Medical Council as a specialist plastic surgeon and has a Fellowship in Plastic Surgery from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, FRACS (Plastic). You may also call the New Zealand Medical Council, Freephone 0800 286 801 or www.mcnz.org.nz
14th Annual Aesthetic Surgery Workshop
The surgeons from New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery - Glenn Bartlett, Stephen Gilbert and Janek Januszkiewicz attended the 14th Annual Aesthetic Surgery Workshop organised by the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery over the weekend of 12, 13, 14 February.
Invited speakers at this Conference included Mr Richard Warren from Vancouver Canada and Mr Alain Fogli from Marseille, France, both internationally recognised leaders in the field of aesthetic facial and breast surgery.
Points of interest from the conference included -
A general acceptance of the principles of volumetric face lifting aiming to restore volume to the eyelids and cheeks and in particular to restore a youthful appearance.
Techniques of lipostructure (fat grafting by injection).
Concentric malar lifting and lifting of the malar fat pad showing significant improvements over the techniques of the past.
General refinements to the techniques of neck and face lifting continue to be made with modifications to existing techniques, the use of newer techniques of suspension of the brow and approaches to the neck utilising less incisions.
In the field of breast surgery recognition of the benefits of multiplanar approaches to breast augmentation allow for more individualised results appropriate to each patientÂ’s breast shape, body shape and chest wall shape. We now have the options of implants beneath the breast, beneath the chest wall fascia, beneath the chest wall muscle and combinations of these three.
It was encouraging for our surgeons to note that many of the techniques that they are using have been following these international trends and that approaches to facial and breast rejuvenation in our Institute mimic many of the approaches of the surgeons in France and Canada.
Once again this was felt to be a very useful workshop and certainly several new techniques will be introduced into our own practices over the next few months.
NZIPCS Continuing In House Professional Development
As part of the Institute’s ongoing pursuit of excellence our plastic surgical nurses organise study/teaching sessions to share knowledge and experience with their professional colleagues.
Recently, the wound care specialist from smith and nephew came to NZIPCS to update our nurses on the latest in wound care products and their applications.
These updates are an integral part of our plastic surgery nurses’ professional development and our commitment to provide our patients with excellent care.
NZ Anaesthetic Technicians Conference
This November saw the annual NZ Anaesthetic Technicians conference, which ran in conjunction with the NZ Anaesthetists conference held in Rotorua.
Jenny Hembry and Raewyn Champness, 243 Surgical Centre’s theatre nurses were able to attend to remain updated with the latest happenings and thinking in the world of anaesthesia. It ran over three days and guest speakers were from Austria, Germany & South Africa attended.
It was a great opportunity to make new friends and keep in touch not just with colleagues but also with companies who were exhibiting and showing the latest technology & equipment available for use. The programme was packed with many excellent presentations and thought provoking topics along with updates on many familiar themes such as emergency anaesthesia and malignant hyperthermia.
NZIPCS remains committed to staff education and places pre-eminent importance on patient safety.
ASAPS 2009 Meeting in Sydney
The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) held their annual meeting in Sydney.
Stephen Gilbert, Janek Januszkiewicz attended this meeting, along with Plastic Surgical Nurses – Karen Baker, Karen Coubray and Kate Hunter. These meetings provide an opportunity to be updated on current trends in aesthetic cosmetic surgery, which we find this beneficial to our patients.
This year Barry Jones (United Kingdom) and Claude Le Louarn (France) were the guest speakers. The focus for the meeting this year was facial rejuvenation, including the use of dermal fillers.
Our Fellow Plastic Surgeon, Annie Fullarton presented a paper on Augmentation/Mastopexy as part of her fellowship role.
Surgeons report Mr Janek Januszkiewicz
February saw the largest ever gathering of aesthetic surgeons Down Under when more than 1200 of the world’s plastic surgeons came to Melbourne for the 19th Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Membership of ISAPS is by invitation only and restricted to surgeons recognised as leaders in the field of aesthetic surgery.
Our own Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) was the local host society for this major international event and as the current president I had the honour and privilege of delivering the opening address to attendees and guests at the welcome ceremony.
This congress provided an opportunity for plastic surgeons from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their scientific knowledge in the educational programme. Highlights included new paradigm shifts in our thinking relating to the regenerative possibilities of adipose-derived stem cells in fat grafting. There is mounting evidence that these ‘magic’ cells (most plentiful in fat) can reverse tissue damage, improve scar quality and undo aging changes in the skin and surrounding tissues. The scientific programme included keynote lectures, panels and presentations of the highest quality.
All of our surgeons and four of our plastic surgery nursing staff from the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery attended the congress. As patients of ours you can take confidence from the fact that you are in the care of experts who are recognised internationally for their contributions to plastic surgery, and are up to date with the newest trends and procedures.
