Dr. Mark Ballentyne, of The Skin Wellness Center at Atlantic Plastic Surgery, was one of three physicians from New England invited by Allergan, Inc to participate in the “Advanced Education and Speaker Training Conference” held in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 16th-18th 2008. Allergan selected physicians they judged to be the most highly skilled and by volume of patients.
The conference provided additional training to the attendees in both injection technique and techniques as educators themselves. Dr. Ballentyne has been a national educator for Allergan for the past year. It was announced at this conference that Juvederm facial filler is now formulated to last up to one full year.

Dr. Mark Ballentyne, Director of the Skin Wellness Center also attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 26th through 31st for continuing education in medical aesthetic medicine. Gail Sullivan, Operating Room Director, attended and became certified as an inspector for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Kerrie Norton, O.R. and Skin Wellness Center Nurse took the exam for Plastic Surgical Nursing certification. Suzanne Foley, Administrator, and Jasmine Riel and Jennifer Ball, patient care co-ordinators, also attended the conference for continuing education on a number of diverse programs in the both the aesthetics and plastic surgery arenas.

The medical landscape of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery is evolving. The demand for highly effective , less invasive procedures for the face and all areas of the body continues to increase. To keep up with the evolution, the hottest topics, technologies, and advances were presented at the Plastic Surgery 2007 conference, attended by surgeons from across the United States.
Dr. Lawrence Gray of Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center was selected to present the course, “Choices in Breast Reduction” at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 26th through 31st. This course was categorized for both re-certification and continuing education for board certified plastic surgeons. This method, for which Dr. Gray was the originator is fast becoming the standard method nationwide.

Other exciting topic presented at the conference were “Non-invasive Fat- Melting procedures –Hype or Reality” and “Patients of Courage Transcend Physical Disfigurement, Help Others” .

“Our patients are loving the new Clarisonic skin care brush! They are flying out the door!”, says Kerry, Skin Wellness Center nurse at Atlantic Plastic Surgery. Since Fall ’08, we have been using the Clarisonic during various facial treatments in the Skin Wellness Center and have been thrilled to offer our patients this effective and beneficial new method of facial cleansing for at home use, also.
The scientific data seemed very positive and now that we have been using it in our facility and following our patients, we are convinced that the Clarisonic, in fact, keeps the skin looking young, vibrant and healthy. The scientific studies behind this product have measured extraordinary results: applying fluorescent make-up evenly across a forehead, the Clarisonic removed 6 times more make-up than on the half cleansing by hand. Using the Clarisonic facial brush, no make-up was shown remaining in the pores. Cleansing by hand, fluorescent make-up was shown remaining in fine lines and pores. When used to cleanse the skin before application of Vitamin C, it increased absorption by up to 61% into the epidermis.
Our patients report improvement in firmness, tightness, elasticity, fewer dry patches, fewer blemishes, decreased pore size, and improved evenness of tone.
The Clarisonic gently cleans your pores and cleanses deeply, preparing the skin for more even and better absorption of skin care products, making the most of your costly skin care products. Clarisonic works with gentle vibrations instead of the abrasion of harsh chemicals. It’s gentle enough for all skin types, including skin affected by complicated conditions and is helpful for people suffering from seborrheic dermatitis, sensitve skin and rosacea.

Evolence is the new dermal filler that offers a real, visible difference in your skin’s appearance immediately upon treatment. Evolence has been used extensively in Europe and Canada, but is now also available in the United Sates. Evolence replaces the collagen you’ve lost over time with a natural collagen that lasts. It improves your appearance by smoothing out wrinkles and folds and restoring structure in collagen depleted areas. The results are immediate, natural looking and have virtually no downtime. Evolence causes minimal to no swelling or bruising so you can walk right out of the Skin Wellness Center at Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center looking younger right away. Clinical studies prove that results lasts at least 6 months so it is convenient and reduces costly repeat visits. Evolence does not require a skin pre-test, so you canget optimal results in 1 visit.
Evolence is highly recommended for the correction of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, the deep lines that develop with age and run from your nose to your mouth.
Evolence is made of natural collagen, a protein that is responsible for skin structure and strength. Call our office at 1-800-633-6860 to ask about pricing on this wonderful new filler.

Dr Gray attended training in Las Vegas, Nevada for an FDA trial of Mentor adjustable silicone implants, the first adjustable silicone implant to be brought to the market. Dr. Gray was one of 30 plastic surgeons selected across the entire United States to participate. Selection of the surgeons was based on national reputation, certification of the surgeon’s facility and previous participation in 6 other previous trials: 2 with Mentor, 2 with Allergan and 2 with Silimed corporations.

This implant offers better control for breast symmetry and the implant size can be adjusted for up to 6 months after surgery. Participants will be paid $2200 for their involvement. Implants are guaranteed and patients will have MRI’s to check implant integrity at no cost to the patient. Dr. Gray has 10 patient spots available for the core study. Patients who are interested should call as soon as possible. There may be additional patient slots for a continued access study at a later time.

Dr. Gray was one of the original 11 plastic surgical investigators, invited by Silimed Corporation, makers of silicone breast implants, to attend a meeting in Los Angeles, in October, ‘07 for the purpose of updating the status of the silicone implant approval process.

The National Education Foundation meeting for Allergan Corporation held in San Diego, California in March ‘08. Dr Gray was one of 200 plastic surgeons invited to attend this conference on breast implants, Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm dermal filler. The results of this meeting lead to Allergan’s decision to bring Juvederm with lidocaine to market. Juvederm with Lidocaine significantly added lessens any discomfort of the injection of fillers.

Dr Gray was one of 25 plastic surgeons from around the country asked to attend a meeting held by the Mentor Corporation to discuss present and future trends in breast implant surgery.
During the session a favorable update was given by mentor on the status of their new Botox product, called “Puratox”. The contributions of this group of plastic surgeons has led mentor to devise a new trial for adjustable silicone implants.

The International Society Of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has established a set of medical safety standards so that patients travelling anywhere in the world can be assured of receiving a consistent and high level of medical care. Global Certification is given only to facilities who have met these standards. Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center acheived Global Certification in Spring 2008 and is the only facility in New England to have attained this distinction.