Renaissance Plastic Surgery

Dr. Paul Mills

June 05, 2013

Arm Surgery To Remove Extra Skin After Losing Weight

Upper Arm Lift Patient From Kansas City Area

What a heartwarming story from The Kansas City Star about Pamela Brann...

She lost over 200 pounds from a weight-loss surgery over 20 years ago, but was left with excess skin that sagged all over her body. She lived with the "bat-wing arms" and took "extra effort to lift and clean beneath folds of skin."

As a second-grade school teacher, she would even joke about her arms with her kids saying, "I could write on and erase the board at the same time."

Pamela became one of the 15,000 patients in 2012, as reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, who had arm surgery, also called upper arm lift, or by its medical term: brachioplasty. This surgery involves an incision on the inside of the upper arm that varies in length based on the amount of excess skin and tissue. The scar is hidden on the underside/inside of the arm, so most people never even notice it.

Here for an example of one of Dr. Paul Mills's patients who had an upper arm lift (brachioplasty):

Most patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, like Pamela, need plastic surgery. This is mainly caused by the skin being stretched from the excess fat and unable to retract from such major weight loss. Massive weight-loss patients also choose to have excess skin removed from their abdomens (tummy tuck or abdominoplasty), thighs (thigh lift), or from the abdomen, back, sides, outer thighs and buttocks all at once with a lower body lift (belt lipectomy).

Dr. Paul Mills said in a post he wrote titled, Weight Loss, Bariatric Group Talk At SSM Weight Loss Institute At DePaul,

"On a daily basis, I see similar patients who also have improved their health through weight loss, but haven't been able to truly appreciate the differences because of the excess skin left behind. As we discussed at the seminar, only through the removal of that excess tissue can one reveal the enormous changes that have actually taken place. Going from severe obesity to a satisfying body shape is a journey and plastic surgery is the final step toward a positive self image and good health."

Click here for additional photos of patients who have undergone plastic surgery of the body and breasts.

Posted at 04:04 PM in Dr. Paul Mills, Plastic Surgery | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 23, 2013

Why Were You Highly Satisfied With Your Experience With Dr. Mills And Renaissance Plastic Surgery? Patient Reviews

"Doctor Mills made me feel comfortable. He was able to answer all of my questions in a way that I could understand and gave me more information that I hadn't thought of. I know two other people that have been to Doctor Mills and they look great and loved him. I also could not find any bad reviews on doctor Mills. That is one reason why I scheduled the consultation with him. Very pleased."

Posted at 08:30 AM in Dr. Paul Mills, Surgery Comments | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 13, 2013

Renaissance Plastic Surgery Supports Karen Weidinger Foundation With Runners In 5K On May 11, 2013

The Karen Weidinger Foundation is very near and dear to our hearts here at Renaissance. We enjoy the annual 5K run/walk, Karen 4 A Kause, five years running! It's awesome to be a part of a local organization who directly impacts the lives of breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Please keep them in mind if your company is looking for an amazing organization, staffed by all volunteers, to donate to... Karen Weidinger Foundation Facebook page.

Find more pictures on our Facebook page!

Posted at 02:58 PM in Angie Betlach RN, Current Events, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 02, 2013

Skin Cancer: More To It Than Just Melanoma Awareness - Protect Your Skin - Just Do It!

In May, we like to talk to everyone about "Melanoma Awareness" month ... because it is Melanoma Awareness month ... but, also because prevention takes attention and action.

SO, LET ME GET YOUR ATTENTION:

Last May, I wrote about ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun and tanning devices being listed by the Department of Health and Human Services as a known carcinogen! This means that exposure to UVR can lead to the development of skin cancer because UVR is a substance known to cause mutations in skin cells.

Here are some other attention-getters:

Fact #1: The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, includes UV tanning devices in its "Group 1," a list of the most dangerous cancer-causing substances. Group 1 also includes agents such as plutonium, cigarettes, and UVR from the sun.
Fact #2: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States
Fact #3: 1 in 5 Americans will develp skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
Fact #4: Windows and cloudy days do NOT protect us from the sun's UVR
Fact #5: From 1970 to 2009, the incidence of melanoma increased by 800% among young women age 18-39 and they are attributing this to the use of tanning bulbs, beds, and devices.

Now it's time for some ACTION:

Wear sunscreen everyday! And reapply.
Protect your children everyday too. Get a healthy habit started young.
If you tan, stop. Check out the new bronzers that don't turn you orange or leave you with streaks. We like Body Bronze.

Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation

Last May, I posted a blog about the Skin Cancer Foundation's recommended sunscreens and clothing. The photos on this blog show you what logo to look for when you are purchasing products. The Skin Cancer Foundation has recommendations on cosmetics, moisturizers, sunglasses, even window protection and they update their list as new products are made and submitted for testing.

This May on our Facebook page, I am sharing The ABCDEs of Melanoma found here on the Skin Cancer Foundation's website.

We believe that knowledge is power, and action will make positive change happen!

Find out how we are are helping our patients get protected with our PRODUCT SPECIAL.

Posted at 11:57 AM in Angie Betlach RN, Anne Strate BSN RN, Culture, Current Events, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Environment, Events & Promotions, Plastic Surgery, Science, Spa Services | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 01, 2013

Yelp | Real Self | Real Patient Ratings | Google Reviews ... The 21st Century, Word-Of-Mouth Referral

Have you been Googling for real patient reviews on websites like Yelp, Real Self, Real Patient Ratings, and feel uncertain of their validity? I have to admit. I thought it could just be too easy to fake. I was skeptical of these reviews and wondered how legitimate the websites really were.

Then, we started hearing more and more of our patients saying that they were finding reviews about our doctors on these sites. It became evident that our patients were seeking places to talk about their experience and were writing their review - completely unsolicited. This was the catalyst that had me start researching review websites' policies and practices. My single most important question I wanted answered: did their website have a program in place to screen for those who try to "trick the system." The answers were generally yes ... and no.

Here was my favorite response found on Yelp's blog about their filter.

"Is it a perfect system? No. Building a scalable, automated method to identify spurious reviews and protect the integrity of website content that includes more than 7 million reviews is difficult. Does legitimate review content sometimes get lost as a result? Yes. Our filter takes a conservative approach and errs on the side of protecting the consumer, when necessary."

I'm ok with that.

So what did Yelp do with the filtered reviews? They put them inside a little-bitty, light-gray, hard-to-see, lonely link (circled in red with an arrow pointing at it in the picture above). Next time you are on a Yelp page (like Renaissance's) be sure to click on the (# Filtered) button found under the visible reviews to see all the comments.

On Real Patient Ratings, reviews come directly from plastic surgeons' database of patients. They have teamed up with physicians across 36 states to provide,

"Verified ratings and reviews only from real patients."

Wow, that is great! Of course, you need to be searching for reviews on plastic surgeons, otherwise you won't find relevant reviews ... and, I may just be going on a crazy hunch here, but I bet that's exactly what you are looking for!

Real Self is somewhat similar to Real Patient Ratings in the sense that real patients of plastic surgeons are writing about their experiences. The significant difference between the two websites, Real Patient Ratings emails a survey directly to the patients, while Real Self is like a journal, and completely on the patient's own fruition.

Another little snippet of review information: Google recently changed around their reviewing systems as they incorporate Google+. Now you can find Google+ pages for businesses and Google+ Local, or local listings, which combine business reviews in an upgraded version of the old Place pages. They are always streamlining for those of us surfing the web and working to provide us with the most validity. I'm ok with that. (though I will be more ok when our patients' reviews on Google Places become linked to our Google+ Local... but I digress...)

It's all good. The reviews are there. You know where to find them now. And you have a great reason to trust them.

One more note: Thank you! Thank you, to all our wonderful patients who have taken their time to write reviews. From note-sized to a small novel, every review helps someone searching for their connection with a plastic surgeon. Thank you for helping others. It's a beautiful thing.

Posted at 09:40 AM in Culture, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

December 26, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

At this time of year, we recognize how thankful we are for our all our friends and family. Everyone here at Renaissance sends wishes for a very happy new year celebration!
We would like to let our Renaissance and R medical spa friends know that our office will be closed a couple days next week to spend a little extra time with our families and friends. We appreciate you and are looking forward to spending time with you throughout 2013!

Renaissance & R medical spa will be closed on:

Monday, December 31
Tuesday, January 1

As always, you may reach the physician on-call for the practice at 636-896-0600, press 4 for the doctor on-call.

Posted at 05:00 PM in Angie Betlach RN, Anne Strate BSN RN, Around The Office, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Events & Promotions, Renaissance Events | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 19, 2012

Holiday Office Hours

At this time of year, we recognize how thankful we are for our all our friends and family. Everyone here at Renaissance sends wishes for a very happy holiday season to you!

We would like to let our Renaissance and R medical spa friends know that our office will be closed a few days this holiday season to spend a little extra time with our families. We appreciate you and are looking forward to spending time with you throughout the holidays, ringing in 2013!

Renaissance & R medical spa will be closed on:

Monday, December 24

Tuesday, December 25

Wednesday, December 26

Monday, December 31

Tuesday, January 1

As always, you may reach the physician on-call for the practice at 636-896-0600, press 4 for the doctor on-call.

Posted at 09:00 AM in Angie Betlach RN, Anne Strate BSN RN, Around The Office, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Events & Promotions, Renaissance Events | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 13, 2012

Vectra 3D Imaging Boosts Breast Implant Sizing Methods Before Breast Surgery

SEE YOUR AFTERS ... BEFORE! Here at Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we are excited to enhance your breast augmentation consultation experience with the 3D Imaging technology, Vectra XT. Using multiple cameras, the Vectra XT takes multiple pictures simultaneously from several different points of view. The pictures are used to build a three dimensional virtual model of you. The three dimensional photograph of you can be rotated on the screen and viewed from almost any angle. The software then allows your doctor to apply simulation tools that change the size, shape and position of your breasts to achieve your desired appearance. Once you are satisfied with the result, your doctor will develop a surgical plan based on the changes you have made. Schedule your free breast augmentation consultation by calling Jennifer or Susan at 636-896-0600.

Here Dr. Boschert introduces the Vectra to April Trupiano from StreetScape TV.

Watch as Dr. Craig introduces the Vectra on Show Me St. Louis.

Posted at 02:00 PM in Around The Office, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, New Services, Plastic Surgery, Science | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: 3D Imaging, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Breast Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Mommy Makeover, Plastic Surgery, Rhinoplasty, Three Dimensional Imaging, Tummy Tuck, Vectra

August 01, 2012

Renaissance Plastic Surgery Chosen As Recipients Of Allergan Inc.’s Prestigious “Black Diamond Status”

"Renaissance Plastic Surgery is honored to have been awarded Allergan’s “Black Diamond Status,” the company’s most prestigious honor," reads a recent press release.

We are all very excited to have this distinguished recognition, especially since Renaissance Plastic Surgery is now counted among an elite few (only 1% of Allergan's top plastic surgery practices reach this status).

We would have never achieved this honor without our patients! We are grateful to each and every one of you for your loyalty and referrals.

Posted at 02:57 PM in Around The Office, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Plastic Surgery, Renaissance Events | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: Black Diamond, Breast, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Surgery, Plastic Surgery

July 20, 2012

Meet Drs. Boschert, Craig, & Mills of Renaissance Plastic Surgery

Perhaps you know them already. Maybe you have heard about them from a friend. Possibly you are a patient of theirs. But have you just chatted with Drs. Boschert, Craig, or Mills? Have you asked them how they decided to become a board certified plastic surgeon?

Meet the doctors of Renaissance:

Posted at 05:03 PM in Around The Office, Dr. Mark Boschert, Dr. Paul Mills, Dr. Stefan Craig, Plastic Surgery | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)