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What is it?

Obalon Weight Loss Balloons are an FDA approved system that helps facilitate weight loss by filling space in your stomach. It is used in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes to achieve long term weight loss and management.

How does it work?

The Obalon Balloon System is the FIRST and ONLY swallowable, FDA-approved balloon system for weight loss. This non-surgical procedure consists of 3 lightweight balloons, placed gradually over 3 months to occupy space in your stomach. You eat less, making weight loss easier.

Placement of the Obalon Balloon System typically takes less than 10 minutes per balloon and does not require sedation. You swallow a capsule containing a small balloon that is then inflated by your clinician. Once inflated each balloon is about the size of a small orange.

After a six month period the balloons are removed in a brief, approximately 15 minute, outpatient endoscopic procedure.

Is it uncomfortable?

Patient comfort and safety are very important to Dr. Bermudez. It is normal to feel some nausea and cramping after balloon placement. With an anti-emetic and anti-spasmatic medication before and after each placement these side effects are tolerable.

It is important to mention that tolerability with Obalon is the highest of any balloon. The Obalon approach is a progressive, titratable one that allows the physician to customize the treatment for the patient. This is key in helping to help minimize discomfort.

How do I know if I am a candidate?

If you have struggled with losing weight, and keeping it off, with diet and exercise alone then Obalon my be just the solution for you.

There are some patients that Obalon is not recommended for. If you have difficulty swallowing, take aspirin or other blood-thinning medications or if you have had previous bariatric surgery you may not be a good candidate. There are other health-related issues that may prevent you from having this weight loss balloon procedure. Dr. Bermudez and his professional staff will provide you with an informative consultation to help you decide if Obalon Weight Loss Balloon System is right for you.

Does my insurance pay for it?

No, unfortunately insurance does not cover the Obalon system at this time. It is an affordable procedure and the practice offers financing options. In some cases patients report that money saved on groceries and eating out has completely offset the cost of Obalon.

Will I still need to diet and exercise?

Yes, Obalon should only be used along with healthy diet and exercise plan. Obalon is not a stand alone solution. It is there to support you while you adopt the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve long term weight loss success.

You should expect the Obalon System to be accompanied by a professionally supervised diet and exercise program. The Obalon Balloon System is a 6-month treatment.

Many factors can cause hair loss. Pregnancy, menopause, hormonal deficiencies and low thyroid function are common causes. Damage to the hair from chemical treatments, and stress placed on the scalp from braiding hair tightly can also lead to thinning hair.

Until recently, hair transplant procedures were the best option for many men and women facing hair loss. This would involve surgically removing hair follicles from thicker scalp areas (usually the posterior scalp) and implanting them in the sparser areas.
Hair transplantation is a lengthy, costly procedure that may need to be done more than once. There is also downtime that will interfere with work and recreation.

These are a few reasons patients have to turned to PRP Hair Restoration—a safe, effective, and comfortable alternative for hair loss.

What is PRP Hair Restoration?

Plasma comprises about 55 percent of your blood. It contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and other proteins. Platelets and Red blood cells make up the remaining part of your blood. Platelets are the component in your blood that creates clotting to stops bleeding. Platelets also contain proteins and growth factors that promote healing.

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, has been used for over forty years to treat various medical conditions. Using PRP for hair restoration has become a popular minimally invasive hair loss treatment.

How is it performed?

PRP is performed by first drawing your blood from your arm or hand into a special tube. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the platelet rich plasma (PRP). The platelet rich plasma is then placed in a syringe, activated and injected into thinning areas of the scalp.

How does it work?

The growth factors that are released from the activated platelets stimulate increased blood flow to the hair follicle encouraging growth in those diminished, inactive or implanted hair follicles.

How long does it take to see results?

Due to the hairs growth cycle, you can expect to see new hair growth in about three months.

How many treatments do I need?

We recommend a series of 3-4 treatments at 4 week intervals. Once you have achieved the desired result, it is recommended you have occasional maintenance treatments.

Will it hurt? What is the recovery time?

Most patients tell us that it is similar to having Botox injections. There may be an initial “pinch” sensation, followed by pressure. After the injections you may have a mild headache, but that can be alleviated by taking Tylenol or Motrin.

There is no recovery time with PRP Hair Restoration, you can return to your normal activities right away. You can wash your hair after the procedure with no concern.

Is it safe?

Yes! PRP Hair Restoration produces little-to-no discomfort and no major side effects.

How do I know if I am a candidate for PRP Hair Restoration?

By contacting Bermudez Aesthetic Medicine to schedule a consultation. You will meet with a PRP Hair Restoration expert for an assessment. They can direct you in a treatment plan to give you the results you are looking for.

With childbirth and the natural aging process, changes occur which affect feminine wellness, both aesthetically and sexually. Aging changes, weight gain or weight loss and natural variations in body types can often cause an appearance of laxity in the external genitalia that can reduce self-confidence.

The same factors can affect a woman internally, causing vaginal laxity, loss of sensation and stress incontinence. The onset of menopause will contribute to vaginal dryness, and can reduce a woman’s sexual urge and level of pleasure.

Because of these reasons, non-surgical feminine rejuvenation has surged in popularity.

ThermiVA® is one of the most well known, due to high patient satisfaction and positive exposure in the media. The Kardashian sisters can hardly say enough great things about it!

Here are some of the most common questions patients ask when inquiring about ThermiVA® feminine rejuvenation at Bermudez Aesthetics.

What is ThermiVA® feminine rejuvenation?

ThermiVA® is a bipolar radio frequency procedure that gently heats the tissue of the vagina and external genitalia to stimulate blood flow and collagen formation. ThermiVA® delivers this radio frequency internally and externally, via a slender treatment wand. This improves vaginal tightness and vulvar tone over time. It also increases vaginal lubrication, and enhances sexual pleasure.

How long does it take?

Each treatment takes approximately 30 minutes (20 minutes internally and 10 minutes externally) and is done in the office without any anesthesia or downtime.

What does it feel like? Is there any recovery time?

We have performed many ThermiVA® treatments in our practice and can verify that it is not a painful treatment (just a sensation of pressure and warmth). It is non-surgical and involves absolutely no recovery. In fact you can exercise and even have intercourse the same day.

How many treatments will it take? How often will I need to have a treatment?

Since new collagen formation takes time, three treatments are recommended at four week intervals to achieve optimal results.

With a series of three ThermiVA® treatments our patients are reporting improved vaginal moisture, improved orgasmic function, and reduction in mild stress and urge incontinence. This is due to improved blood flow and collagen production. There is also quite a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the external genitalia.

Is feminine rejuvenation safe?

Yes. Thousands of ThermiVA® procedures have been done throughout the world over the past two years. A great deal of information has been gathered documenting the safety and effectiveness of this procedure.

ThermiVA® has an excellent safety profile and high patient satisfaction rate.

How do I know if I am a candidate for ThermiVA feminine rejuvenation?

Contact our office to schedule a consultation. We can explain all you need to know, and help you decide if ThermiVA is right for you!

Obalon was approved by the FDA in 2016 as the first swallowable intragastric balloon.  The system is indicated for patients with a BMI of 30-40 who are looking to lose 15-100 pounds.  The premise behind the system is that patients feel full and eat less.  Patients are often set up with a dietician and engage in regular exercise.

The system includes doing prescreening to ensure the patient has no contraindications to the procedure and has normal anatomy.  When the patient is cleared to start the program, they will end up swallowing 3 intragastric balloons.  They are spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other. All 3 balloons are removed at 6 months.

The most common side effects reported were minor and included a few days of nausea and cramping.

90% of patients in the study kept the weight off 6 months after balloon removal.

This was the fastest FDA approved medical device in the history of the FDA due to Obalon’s safety and efficacy shown in their research!

Because the FIFA Women’s World Cup has ended, a reminder of the risk for serious facial injuries in soccer players is warranted.

Many of the saw the exciting World Cup soccer championships in Canada this past month. We also saw the physical nature of the game as well as many sports-related injuries to the face and head.
Who can forget the American player who suffered a head injury and was nearly knocked unconscious. Specifically, for plastic surgeons, a new Brazilian study highlights the severity of soccer-related facial fractures requiring surgery.

Dr. Charles Goldenberg, MD, PhD, of University of São Paulo and colleagues write, “Due to exposure and the lack of protection for the face, the occasional maxillofacial trauma sustained during soccer games often entails serious facial injuries requiring hospital admissions and invasive procedures.”

The researchers assembled data on 45 patients undergoing surgical treatment for soccer-related facial fractures at two large university hospital centers in São Paulo between 2000 and 2013. The 45 soccer injuries accounted for two percent of surgically treated facial fractures during that time. Forty-four of the patients were male; the average age was 28 years. All of the injured players were amateurs.
The nose and upper jaw (maxilla) accounted for 35 percent of fractures and the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) for another 35 percent. Most of the remaining fractures were of the lower jaw (mandible) and eye socket (orbit). Eighty-seven percent of the injuries were caused by collision with another player; the rest occurred when the player was struck by the ball.
Nasal fractures were treated by repositioning (reducing) the fractured bones to their proper place and splinting until they healed. Other types of facial fractures required open surgery and internal fixation (plates, screws) to reposition the bones. The patients remained in the hospital for about five days on average, and were told they could return to play after six to eight weeks of healing.

The results are consistent with previous studies of soccer-related facial injuries. Lower extremity injuries (leg and foot) are much more common, fractures and other injuries to the head and face are a significant risk.

The researchers highlight the need for careful examination of the nasal cavity to look for possible septal hematomas (blood collections), which could lead to serious complications. The online, open-access article is accompanied by videos illustrating the authors’ approach to diagnosis and management of septal hematomas and the potential consequences of untreated nasal fracture.