“The CoolSculpting procedures were well worth the results and exceeded all expectations. There was no pain involved, only some cold sensation, and no downtime, which was very important to me. I was able to run and workout the next day! Over an 8 week period, the results were noticeable and I saw changes which I could not achieve at the gym. Also, numerous friends had commented that I had lost weight, which was really the CoolSculpting results.” -J

J. had CoolSculpting of his abdomen and flanks and his photos can be seen on our website here.

Today I had a patient come in for liposuction, but like most Santa Barbara residents, she has a very active lifestyle.  We talked about the fact that liposuction results in nearly complete fat evacuation, but requires somewhat intense postoperative care, with a compression garment and a lack of excessive physical activity for a few weeks.

CoolSculpting, on the other hand, reduces the fat in the area treated by about 20% per treatment- a noticeable and significant improvement.  Areas treated with CoolSculpting can be treated a second time if necessary, effectively removing nearly 50% of the fat in the area treated after both treatments.  The big advantage here is the recovery, which is minimal.  Since patients can return to vigorous workouts and physical activity the day after the procedure, CoolSculpting is very popular here in Santa Barbara.  Additionally, since there is not a requirement for compression dressings afterward, that aspect of recovery is also more pleasant.

It is important to keep in mind that CoolSculpting, while an excellent way to reduce pockets of fat, is not necessarily a substitution for liposuction.  Patients with generalized fat that does not collect in discrete regions will benefit more from definitive liposuction than CoolSculpting.  Certain areas, such as the buttocks and lateral thighs, are much better treated with liposuction and we see excellent results in such patients.

Please feel free to call the office at 805-969-9004 to make an appointment to discuss which is right for you- CoolSculping or Liposuciton in Santa Barbara.

Saw this article today which was pretty remarkable- a ton of food for each American is amazing.  We are now seeing our Santa Barbara post-CoolSculpting patients back in the office and the before and after photos are remarkable.  It’s a great way to remove fat effectively without liposuction, without surgery, and with a significantly lower cost.  HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

New recommendations can be seen here with regard to PIP breast implants.  PIP was a French breast implant company that was found to be using less than optimal silicone and therefore was investigated regarding health risks.  The link above explains the recommendation from the French Health Minister to have PIP implants removed because of inflammatory risks.  We have removed several of these implants and replaced them with Mentor implants which have been shown to be safer by the FDA and use only the highest medical grade silicone, sourced from NuSil Technology which is a local Carpinteria company.

We recommend all patients with PIP see a plastic surgeon for evaluation and recommendations- we are happy to make an appointment for all such patients.  Please call 805-969-9004 and speak to Danielle or Susanne to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lowenstein.

I just watched a plastic surgery segment on E! which was, again, very disappointing.  In discussion about plastic surgery trends with respect to breast implants, the show interviewed two plastic surgeons.  After hearing what they had to say, I looked them up on the internet, to find that while they are good looking and charismatic, they are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  The next segment about revision face lifts interviewed another surgeon who was, thankfully Board certified.

As I am heading to Phoenix next week to give the oral examinations for the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, I am astonished that television shows such as E! don’t utilize plastic surgeons who have gone through the rigorous certification required for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Our job as examiners of the young plastic surgeon candidates to the American Board of Plastic Surgery is to make sure that they are practicing in a safe, responsible, and ethical manner.

Why would a television show or media outlet not go out of their way to find an expert that is certified by a medical Board created to ensure public safety and quality of care?  There are plenty of excellent, Board Certified plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.  I would hope that the Hollywood crowd has the sense to seek them out, just as I hope that patients in Santa Barbara know to look for one of the plastic surgeons with that same qualification.  Dr. Mackenzie, Dr. Gross, Dr. Soares, Dr. Buchanan, Dr. Chapple, and myself are all certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  It matters.

“As a woman, we all know those “hard to get rid of areas on our bodies, that even with dieting, and exercise they just won’t go away.”  Well that’s why I decided to try this new procedure called “CoolSculpting”, with Dr. Adam Lowenstein.  I had my lower stomach, and “love handles” done on each side.  It’s a totally non-invasive treatment, that takes an hour per treated area.  No anesthesia, or pain medication required, that’s the best part I believe!  Instead, Dr. Lowenstein handed me an Ipad that I could watch movies on, browse the internet, or read from a list on magazines.  Suzanne (his trusty right hand woman) was AMAZING!  Talk about making somebody feel comfortable, she’s wonderful.  She would check up on me about every 20 min, to make sure I wasn’t feeling any discomfort, or if I needed ANYTHING at all!  The first 5 min of the procedure is slightly intense, and a little uncomfortable but by no means painful at all!  After the first 5 min, it was a breeze for the remaining 55 min of the treatment.  The area goes a little numb, so there’s no real discomfort after that point.  I got so into the movie I was watching, time seriously flew while I got my 3 “areas” treated.  One of the best things about this entire process, was there was no “down time”.  I was back to work the very next day, feeling completely normal, with the exception of my abs, which felt like I had an intense workout at the gym the night before.  I can’t wait to start seeing the results in the next few weeks!  Thanks Dr. Lowenstein, Suzanne, and your amazing team!!!!”  -J

I am VERY excited to bring CoolSculpting to Santa Barbara.  As many of you may know, CoolSculpting is a non-invasive way to achieve reduction in fat bulges without surgery, which means NO ANESTHESIA, NO INCISIONS, AND NO DOWNTIME.  I think that this will be an especially attractive option in Santa Barbara where “no downtime” means that patients can immediately resume their active lifestyle- going to work or working out.  Check out our new web page about this exciting new technology here.

Previously, CoolSculpting has been available in Camarillo by Dr. Ross Kaplan, who has reported great success with it.  Prior to purchasing the CoolSculpting machine, I did a significant amount of research, including speaking with both California dermatologists as well as plastic surgeons around the country who universally reported that the technology really does seem to work.

While not a substitution for true liposuction, CoolSculpting in Santa Barbara provides improvements of approximately 20% of the treated volume after a single treatment, and about 40% of the treated volume if a second application is performed.  It is important to remember that liposuction can evacuate a majority of fat in a treated region, but the advantage of CoolSculpting remains the non-surgical nature of the treatment and the ability to return to your normal lifestyle immediately.

CoolSculpting works by inducing crystal formation in treated fat cells, causing those cells to gradually die and be resorbed by the body.  The results of CoolSculpting are seen in a natural appearing, gradual manner over the course of a few months.  Patients are reporting an improvement in contour resulting in looser fitting clothes and more self confidence.   I’m very pleased to bring CoolSculpting to Santa Barbara, and will look forward to treating to patients from our area, as well as Bakersfield and Santa Maria.

This recent USA Today article highlights several tragic but avoidable situations in which unqualified and dangerous physicians who were not boarded by the American Board of Plastic Surgery- and not properly trained in plastic surgery- caused the deaths of patients who were seduced by a sales pitch and a discount.

Particularly with liposuction, the overdose of patients with drugs used during this operation is avoidable and a major point of teaching during the vigorous residency training in plastic surgery.  Non-plastic surgeons who tout themselves as cosmetic surgeons can perform such operations without oversight in their non-accredited offices.  It is crucial that patients are aware to look for accreditation of both their plastic surgeon as well as their surgery centers.

Surgery centers such as ours are certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities which provides rigorous standards.  Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery assures adequate training of your doctor.  Locally, Dr. Howard Gross, Dr. Douglas Mackenzie, Dr. Julio Soares, Dr. David Buchanan, and myself (Dr. Lowenstein) are all fully trained plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and operate in highly standardized and certified Surgery Centers.  For liposuction, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), face lifts and all other types of plastic surgery, it is important to seek out the right surgeon and the right facility.