text: Valley Surgical Arts
  Bathing suit season is approaching!
  I know it's blistering cold outside today, but in just a couple of months it will be bathing suit season! The reason I mention that fact is that if you are contemplating cosmetic surgery, the next couple of months is the perfect time to have your procedure. That way, once you are all healed, you'll be ready to look your best in your bathing suit.Since we have been seeing quite a few patients for breast augmentation consultations, I thought I would take a minute to discuss the procedure.Breast augmentations can be performed in several ways. The implants are made of either silicone or saline (salt water). They can be placed both above and below the chest muscle and through several incisions: under the breast, around the areola, in the armpit, and in the umbilicus (belly button). Not every incision or implant location is ideal for every patient, however. These are issues that we discuss during the patient's consultation.The trans-umbilical (belly button) incision is a particularly nice approach, leaving a barely visible scar on the body and not the breast. Only saline implants can be used with this approach.The trans-axillary (armpit) incision is also a popular choice. Either saline or silicone implants can be placed through this incision. Again, a scar on the breast is avoided.The peri-areolar incision is an excellent choice as well, and both types of implants can be used with this approach as well. The scar usually heals very nicely and is almost imperceptible once healed.Usually the operation is performed under general anesthesia, with the patient completely asleep. The surgery typically lasts about one hour. There is some pain after the procedure which is treated with oral pain medication. Sports and heavy physical activity should be restricted for several weeks. Most patients take 5 to 7 days off of work, and longer for physical jobs.Please visit our website at www.valleysurgicalarts.com for more information or give us a call at 814-757-5834.
  David Thomas, D.O., F.A.C.S.
  Exciting news at Valley Surgical Arts, Inc!
  Exciting news at Valley Surgical Arts, Inc! Introducing our new Paramedical Aesthetician, June Hileman, our winter Mommy Makeover Special, an Open House, and our new product line of skin care products-with a special of $20 off each product through the end of February.Exciting things are happening at Valley Surgical Arts, Inc.! First of all, I would like to invite everyone to join us at our Open House on January 5, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm to welcome our new Paramedical Aesthetician, June Hileman. June provides a variety of cosmetic and medical facial treatments. Please come meet her and find out more about her services.Also, during our open house we will be introducing our new line of skin care products-Neocutis. Neocutis is an absolutely amazing line of skin care products containing a proprietary skin care ingredient called Processed Skin Cell Proteins (PSP®). PSP® provides the most complete and balanced combination of human growth factors and cytokines currently available to rejuvenate your skin. Now through the end of February, each Neocutis product is $20 off!Through the end of January, 2009 we are running a special called the Mommy Makeover. If you schedule this procedure before the end of January you will receive %15 off of our fees! The Mommy Makeover is designed for those Moms who wish to get back to their pre-baby shape and form. This includes a breast procedure, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction combined with an abdominal procedure such as liposuction or a tummy tuck. Again, we welcome everyone to visit with us at our open house January 5, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm. Please feel free to bring your friends and family.
  A Happy Patient/ Fall Special
  I wanted to share a story with you about a very happy patient. The bulk of my Cosmetic Surgery practice consists of breast augmentation(enlargement), liposuction, and tummy tuck procedures. On occasion (usually about once a month), a patient comes to the office with separated earlobes. This is usually the result of an earring being forcefully torn out or from wearing earrings that are too heavy. This story is about one such patient.For privacy reasons, I'll call here Darcy. Darcy had worn very large, dangling, heavy earrings for many years. On both ears she had separated earlobes, which she was very conscientious about. She always wore her hair long so that it would cover her ears. She asked me to repair them for her.We performed the repair of both earlobes in the office under local anesthesia. The result was beautiful.Darcy was extremely happy and on her follow up visit she had her hair pulled back and wore a huge smile. She even wrote us a special email thank you note. I was extremely pleased to see how happy she was.We are now running our FALL SPECIAL: $50 off each full Radiesse wrinkle filler! Book your appointment between September 29 and Nov 30, 2008 to receive the special.Please visit our website for more details.
  Greetings everyone, and welcome to my blog!
  Since opening Valley Surgical Arts, Inc. on July 1, 2008 a lot of exciting things have occurred and I will use this blog to share them with you as well as to announce upcoming or ongoing specials that we may be offering.I want to take a moment to introduce you to our practice here at Valley Surgical Arts, Inc.: We have a staff of four highly dedicated, personable, and extremely valuable individuals. You will find all of our staff to be very friendly, caring, and empathetic. Sue: Sue is our Practice Coordinator and Certified Medical Assistant. She oversees and is involved in every aspect of the practice. If you ever have any questions about the practice, Sue can help you. Jessica: Jessica is our Certified Surgical Technologist. You will meet her in the office and she will also be present during your procedure. Thus, she will be with you every step of the way. Michele: Michele is our Registered Nurse. You will meet her in the office and she will be present during any office procedures. She has years of experience as a critical care nurse. Jill: Jill is our receptionist. You will enjoy talking to her on the telephone as she always answers the phone with a warm and pleasant greeting. Dr. Thomas: I'm pleased to be able to offer my services to you, in whatever capacity that may be. I've trained with some of the leaders in the field of Cosmetic Surgery to learn the latest techniques to achieve your desired results with the least noticeable scars. I sincerely look forward to meeting each and every one of you!