Dr Racanelli - Blog Post... This regularly updated page will provide insight into my practice philosophy, surgical techniques, and opinions regarding everything within the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery. As my practice is primarily focused on aesthetic, or cosmetic, surgery, this blog will be heavily weighted in this area of my clinical expertise.

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05/26/10 - Why you shouldn’t allow your OB-GYN to
perform liposuction on you:

This woman presented to my office extremely unhappy with her postoperative results after her OB-GYN performed liposuction on her abdomen. She developed severe contour irregularities (LUMPS AND BUMPS) due to the inappropriate use of excessively large liposuction cannulas (LARGE INSTRUMENTS).

Due to several prior pregnancies, and excessively lax skin, she was a poor candidate for the procedure, and should have never received liposuction in the first place.

This is a classic case of the wrong procedure, performed on the wrong patient, by the wrong doctor.

When I asked her why she would allow an OB-GYN to perform liposuction on her abdomen, she stated that he was “much cheaper” than the plastic surgeon that she consulted with. This decision was “penny wise, dollar fool” as the cost to correct this surgical outcome is going to outweigh her initial savings.

 

LIPOSUCTION 1/17/10

Liposuction is the second most requested procedure by patients who visit my New Jersey, Manhattan, and Brooklyn offices. Patients routinely come in to my office thoroughly confused about their options in regards to liposuction. With the enormous marketing campaigns put out by the manufacturers of laser liposuction machines, ultrasonic liposuction machines, and water jet liposuction machines, patients are unsure as to which technology is best for them. The media hype surrounding these technologies has falsely led patients to believe that these methods are superior to traditional tumescent liposuction. In my experience there is no current technology available that delivers better liposuction results than traditional tumescent liposuction, performed with the proper cannulas (surgical instruments), by the right plastic surgeon. I have been able to routinely deliver superior results with my techniques than any of the aforementioned platforms. My use of custom made, small caliber, cannulas routinely provides excellent aesthetic results, without any contour irregularities (“lumps and bumps”).

Why doesn’t every plastic surgeon use these cannulas? Their use requires longer operating time, and increased fatigue on the surgeon. Fortunately for my patients, my practice is based on quality not quantity, and thanks to my trainers at Steve Tylee Fitness I don’t fatigue easily.

BREAST AUGMENTATION 11/07/09

Breast augmentation accounts for one of the top three surgical procedures that I perform in my New Jersey, Manhattan, and Brooklyn offices. Upon the recommendation of a colleague of mine in Miami, I have recently implemented the Keller Funnel into my surgical armamentarium(www.kellerfunnel.com). This amazingly simple device facilitates the insertion of a silicone implant through a small incision. The funnel minimizes the possibility of iatrogenic injury to the implant during insertion, and decreases local stress on the implant shell. Furthermore, the funnel allows the surgeon to perform a true “no touch” technique minimizing the possibility of infection, and capsular contracture. This device has enabled me to decrease my standard incision for silicone implants by at least 1.5 cm, and decrease surgery time.