Meeting Minute

What Happened in Vegas: Highlights from the Modern Aesthetics® Lightning Round At VCS

At the recent 2016 Vegas Cosmetic Surgery (VCS) meeting, the Modern Aesthetics^® Lightning Round: Three Pearls in Three Minutes panel provided attendees with fast and furious tips that ran the gamut from product picks and practice management advice to winning aesthetic combinations.

Moderated by Modern Aesthetics Editorial Director Paul Winnington, and VCS meeting co-chair Donn R. Chatham, MD, a facial plastic surgeon in Louisville, KY, the panel did not disappoint.

Among the highlights:

“Chocolate may be beneficial in small amounts, but it can interfere with platelet aggregation in larger amounts.” —Donn R. Chatham, MD

“Don't be afraid to ask, and ask often, for testimonials and new patient referrals.” —Greg Buford, MD, plastic surgeon, Denver, CO

“I love Quill sutures. I use them everywhere on the face and body. The results are real smooth with no lumps and bumps.” —Jason Pozner, MD, plastic surgeon, Boca Raton, FL

“Greet patients with your name not your occupation, and always ask ‘Who can I thank for sending you my way?'” —Brent Koch, MD, facial plastic surgeon, West Des Moines, IA

“Don't make people look weird. Common sense goes a long way.” ­—Shannon Humphrey, MD, dermatologist, Vancouver, BC

“Offer specials in advance of notoriously slow times.” —Vivian Bucay, MD, dermatologist, San Antonio, TX

“The Kebby Decapper takes off aluminum caps for injectable products. It is cost effective and safe. Numb and Number is a great topical anesthetic.” —Melanie Palm, MD, dermatologist, Solana Beach, CA

“Listen to your gut and your office staff when it comes to patient selection.” —Rami Batniji, MD, facial plastic surgeon, Newport Beach, CA

“Consider a new technology every year. Don't be afraid to ask the sales representative to bring it to your office and do demos. If you don't love the device, don't buy it because you will regret it.” —Kevin Duplechain, MD, plastic surgeon, Lafayette, LA

“It's important to optimize and standardize photographs. Always get a full frontal smile and relaxed frontal face.” —Todd Schlesinger, MD, dermatologist, Charleston, SC

“Collagen inductions using microneedling provides a great ROI. I love, love, love it for acne scars.” —Brian Maloney, MD, facial plastic surgeon, Atlanta, GA

“Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are so burned out. It's not just fears of being sued. Insurance companies don't play fair, and commoditization and Yelp all play a role. The antidote is to talk to each other.” —Matthew Knight, MD, dermatologist, Orlando, FL

“Pre-Botox and then full-field erbium resurfacing can produce significant improvements in severe etched lines or bar codes around the lips.” —Joel Cohen, MD, dermatologist, Lone Tree, CO