The FDA released a statement January 26, 2011, describing the link between ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) of the breast and women with breast implants. Please look carefully at the information provided. Approximately 3 in 100 million women per year in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALCL in the breast. This is a minute number. It can occur with or without breast implants. It can occur with saline or silicone gel implants. It is not breast cancer. Early reports are that it can be cured by removing the scar capsule around the implant once it is diagnosed.

The FDA recommends that women with breast implants continue to be monitored by their doctors, but does not recommend implant removal because the risk of ALCL is “extremely low” (about .00000003%). Please do not panic from this report. After twenty-nine years experience with silicone gel implants, and having trained at Baylor University where they were invented, I have confidence in these devices and feel they are safe. They were exhaustively studied by the FDA between 1992 and 2006, and silicone gel implants were reapproved for cosmetic breast augmentation in 2006. Saline breast implants were available during that time period, and are still available today. I recommend that you watch the news and press releases on this topic and read them carefully. Bear in mind that some in the media may sensationalize this finding, and perhaps overstate the risk, which can create unnecessary concern in women who have breast implants. You are at greater risk of being struck by lightning than developing ALCL of the breast. Be calm. And call with questions or concerns.

Happy New Year! 2011 looks like it is full of good tidings and opportunities.

Good news! Beginning in January Dr. Buchanan will personally do all of our Botox and facial fillers. You will now have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon doing these important and delicate injections. His expert knowledge of the facial anatomy, and twenty-eight years of surgical experience will be a benefit for all of our patients. Our detailed records of all of your past visits are kept for a minimum of seven years. We will continue to use the latest and best injectable products available, like Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC which were released in January 2010. Because of a new cross-linked formulation and the presence of Lidocaine (a local anesthetic), this product is less painful, goes in more smoothly, and may last up to one year with only one treatment. Botox remains the best product currently available to weaken muscle contractions and diminish “active” wrinkles in areas like the glabellar frown lines.

Giana enjoys her Aesthetician patients and receives raves about her facials, peels, and Microdermabrasions. Our Obagi skin care products remain quite popular, and we need to reorder supplies frequently.

Please visit our new breast surgery website at www.santabarbarabreast.com if you have not seen it already. We finished this site last fall and have posted lots of recent happy patients’ impressive before and after photographs. We schedule Operating Room surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays and enjoy the professionalism of the care provided by the Board Certified Anesthesiologists from the Anesthesia Medical Group of Santa Barbara, who also cover Cottage Hospital.

Our knowledgeable, thoughtful and caring staff looks forward to seeing you in 2011! Please email or call us if you have any questions or concerns.

All the best for the new year.

- Dr. Buchanan

Welcome to our Blog!  In this section of our website, we will frequently add new information about our practice including the latest developments in plastic surgery procedures, products, and technology.  You can use the navigation on the left of the page to browse different categories and view information according to date.  We encourage you to come back often to view our latest posts amd  invite you to call or email our office with any questions.

1. His specialty is creating a NATURAL LOOK for patients seeking Facial and Eyelid Rejuvenation, Breast Augmentation, and Body Contouring.
2. He has performed thousands of successful surgeries over the past 25 years for many Happy Patients.
3. He has an exceptional word of mouth reputation, which brings our office a steady supply of referred new patients.
4. He believes in personalized care, limiting the surgeries he performs to approximately 300 cases per year.
5. He is an active and well respected member of the Santa Barbara community and has practiced locally for over 26 years.
6. He is a long time active member of the Cottage Hospital Surgery Department, and our office is conveniently located just one block from the Hospital.
7. He selects only Board Certified Anesthesiologists from Cottage Hospital to assist him in surgery.  (Many practices use a registered Nurse to cut costs).
8. He works out of his office Monday through Thursday and he or the office staff is available to see you in an emergency if the need arises.
9. He has been certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1983.
10. His talented, warm, caring staff will treat you with respect and do all in their power to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible from start to finish.
11. He cares about YOU as if you were a member of his own family.