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Congratulations to Dr. Chad Tattini for recently being named as one of the "Top 20 under 40" individuals in the Bloomington-Normal area

 

 

NewsTribune, La Salle, Illinois - November 11, 2004

Endoscopy comes to plastic surgery

By Sharon Klehm

chad tattini in newstribune.jpg
Dr. Chad Tattini, a one-time Oglesby resident, demonstrates the use of the laproscopic instruments he uses for the minimally-invasive technique he uses when doing cosmetic surgery.
NewsTribune photo/Kemp Smith
BLOOMINGTON — Everyone wants to look their best. For some, maintaining a youthful appearance can now be achieved through endoscopic plastic surgery, a new, minimally-invasive surgical technique.

Dr. Chad Tattini, a plastic surgeon with roots in the Illinois Valley, began his practice in Bloomington this past July, bringing this innovative technique to central Illinois.

“Endoscopic plastic surgery is becoming more prominent in the field because surgery, in general, is moving towards less invasive techniques with facial surgeries and breast augmentation,” he said.

Thirty-three-old Tanja Azar of Bloomington elected to have endoscopic breast enhancement in September. After breast-feeding each of her three children for about six months after birth, Azar said her breasts hung like “empty breast sacks” on her chest. The enhancement procedure allowed her to go from a small “A”-size cup to a full “C.”

“I felt uncomfortable before the surgery and used to wear push-up bras to help give me a better lift. My bikinis needed padding,” she said. “And I hated the picture I saw in the mirror when I brushed my teeth that showed my breasts hanging down.”

Now Azar can wear a style of “nice” clothes that she could not before her surgery.

If at all possible, Tattini prefers to make the incision for breast enhancement under the armpit, as he was able to do in Azar’s surgery. This method leaves no scar on the breast and only a tiny scar in the fold of the armpit. “This new technique is less invasive, less painful and recovery is quicker,” he said.

Approximately a 1-inch incision is made in the armpit and the dissection is performed with a scope visualized on a monitor. The saline implant also is inserted through the armpit incision. Tattini believes he is one of the few plastic surgeons performing this type of surgery in central Illinois.

Azar is fully recovered from the 2½-hour surgery. She did not need any pain medication after her surgery and went back to work four days following the surgery. She experienced no swelling or discoloration in her breasts and the only bruises were on her left upper arm from the blood pressure cuff attached during surgery.

Another technique Tattini uses is called “pre-emptive analgesia.” In this technique, Tattini begins to administer pain medication the night before or about 12 hours before surgery. It sometimes results in his patients asking “when am I going to feel pain?”

He combines this with a local anesthesia in the rib area that numbs all the nerves involved in the breast. Last, before closing the incision, he also infiltrates the breast pocket with a local anesthesia.

Pleased with her results Azar has recommended the procedure to several of her friends.

She plans to have further skin enhancement and has an appointment in several weeks for a Botox treatment to remove “my thinking wrinkle.”
 

Bloomington Pantagraph

Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL)

October 13, 2008

Health Life a healthy recession?

Author: Paul Swiech;pswiech@pantagraph.com

Edition: Main
Section: Life
Page: D1

Estimated printed pages: 5

Article Text:

BLOOMINGTON - Emily Trefzger Campos exfoliated Martha Hall's skin as part of a microdermabrasion treatment.

“We're cleansing the skin,” Trefzger Campos, a medical aesthetician and laser technician, explained in a quiet voice as soothing music played in the background. “Microdermabrasion increases blood flow and helps with fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and spots and enlarged pores.”

“It feels soothing,” Hall said as she lay on a treatment table at Oasis Medical Spa & Wellness at Twin City Plastic Surgery, Bloomington.

But for Hall, 63, of Normal, the treatment is more than a respite. It's an investment — in herself.

Six once-a-month microdermabrasion treatments — at one hour each — cost Hall $600. She said the uncertain economy has not prompted her to give up the optional treatments, which are not covered by insurance.

“This is something I started a year ago,” she said. “I want to maintain it and, if I have to, will cut costs elsewhere. It's good for my health.”

However, Hall is reconsidering more expensive surgical cosmetic procedures “until I feel more comfortable with the economy.”

Hall is not alone in deciding to continue less expensive, non-surgical cosmetic treatments while putting off more expensive surgery.

According to several medical professionals in McLean County, here are things that can be said about how the slowing economy has affected health care in Bloomington-Normal:

w Patients are not delaying urgent surgeries or tests.

w Patents are continuing to get their prescriptions filled but are doing a better job of looking for less-expensive prescription drug options.

w Some patients are delaying cosmetic surgeries that aren't covered by insurance if there is a less expensive, non-surgical option that can help them until the economy improves.

w Some patients are going ahead with cosmetic surgery for which there isn't a non-surgical option if it's something for which they have planned and saved.

“We're doing fewer big surgeries right now,” said Dr. Jeffrey Poulter of The Center for Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, Bloomington. But because Poulter's office offers non-surgical treatments, the decline in surgeries isn't hurting.

But, as far as many people delaying surgeries, “we have really not seen that in our local market,” said Dr. Edward Colloton, president and chief executive officer of Eye Surgical Associates in Bloomington and executive director of Bloomington-Normal Healthcare Surgery Center in Normal.

“There are people who can't make ends meet. It's a difficult time. I understand that,” Colloton said.

But the vast majority of people in the McLean County area remained employed and consumer confidence here is higher than in some parts of the country, Colloton said.

The numbers bear that out.

At Bloomington-Normal Healthcare, there has been no decline this year in cases performed compared with 2007, Colloton said. Member-doctors haven't noticed a trend of patients putting off surgeries, he said.

Eye Surgical Associates is on pace to exceed its surgery numbers for 2007, he said. That includes LASIK surgery, which often is covered out-of-pocket by patients, he said.

Bloomington Eye Institute, the outpatient surgery center of Gailey Eye Clinic in Bloomington, also hasn't experienced a decline in surgeries, including elective procedures, said director Karen Magers.

“Our volume actually is higher than at this time last year,” she said.

Neither the Ireland Grove Center for Surgery in Bloomington nor the Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center in Normal have experienced any downturn from the economy, said Dr. Edward Kolb, president of Ireland Grove and a partner in the sports medicine center.

Eastland Medical Plaza SurgiCenter, Bloomington, experienced a 6 percent decline in case volume in July and August, said administrator Brenda Cyrulik. Cyrulik isn't sure whether the 6 percent is the expected decline in business because of the opening of the Ireland Grove center earlier this year or whether the 6 percent decline is because of the economy.

“It warrants monitoring but it's not something that makes us extremely concerned,” she said.

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington experienced a slowdown across the board from mid-July to the end of August, said vice president and chief financial officer John Zell. But numbers have picked up since then, so Zell isn't sure whether the downturn was because of the economy or something else.

“Year to date, we're not too far off,” he said. “The next few months will tell whether the country is slipping into a recession and, if so, that'll have a real impact on health care.”

BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal experienced a small drop in business in July and August but that's typical for BroMenn in late summer, spokesman Eric Alvin said.

“It's something we planned for,” he said. Numbers have since recovered, he said.

Schnucks Pharmacy in Bloomington hasn't experienced a decline in business; in fact, business has increased since Schnucks began a program a couple of months ago to offer seven prescription antibiotics for free and about 100 other prescription meds for $4, said pharmacist Jeff Govednik. Several other pharmacies have similar programs.

The timing of the program proved to be good for the pharmacies and patients.

“The customers are asking about this program to see if the medicine they have been prescribed is on the list,” Govednik said. If not, some customers are asking their doctors whether they can take a similar drug on the list.

“People are being a little more proactive about their health care,” Govednik said.

Hall, who has two adult children, was her mother's caregiver for six years until her mother died on Dec. 4, 2006. Hall recalls looking at herself in the mirror then.

“I just looked so old and so tired,” she said. She saved her money and had cosmetic surgery on her upper and lower eyelids.

Dr. Chad Tattini of Twin City Plastic Surgery performed the surgery in November 2007.

Since then, to help maintain her appearance and confidence, Hall decided to have the microdermabrasion treatments monthly.

Any other possible further surgeries will wait until the economy improves.

Poulter, as well as Tattini and Dr. Laura Randolph of Twin City Plastic Surgery, have experienced a slight decrease in the numbers of brow lifts and facelifts, but an increase in patients wanting non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

“The economy has had a little bit of a waiting effect on these people,” Poulter said.

A brow lift costs $6,000 to $8,000 and a facelift costs $10,000 to $15,000, Tattini and Randolph said. Cosmetic surgery typically is not covered by insurance.

Non-surgical treatments include botox injections to soften facial creases. Botox costs $400 to $500 per treatment and the effects last about three months, Randolph said.

Laser treatments to diminish spots, spider veins and fine lines, and skin treatments such as microdermabrasion, to even out the skin complexion, also are increasing in popularity and generally are available for less than $1,000.

Breast augmentation and removing excess skin following massive weight loss are not decreasing because there are no non-surgical options, the doctors said.

“The ladies plan for those for several months or years. It is not an impulse thing,” Randolph said. “Because of the planning, it is not so dependent on the economy.”

 

Scalpel. Press Play.

Story:
Scalpel. Press play.
Surgeons listen to favorite tunes while they work

NORMAL -- Dr. Keith Kattner had everything he needed to perform a successful lower back surgery: an anesthetized patient, state-of-the-art equipment, trained medical professionals at his side and his stack of CDs.

As he performed a decompressive laminectomy on a female patient in an operating room at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" blared in the background.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/25/health/doc47f13c13afec5672444402.txt

 

Botox cosmetic erasing more than just wrinkles over time

Amy Suhajda

Issue date: 4/11/07
For some it is aging. For others it is the sun or stress. The cause for unwanted wrinkles is different for everyone, but luckily a simple injection can help. Botox cosmetic is a non-surgical treatment that temporally smoothes moderate to severe frown lines, usually between the brows. It is made from a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause frown lines. "The effects of the drug last up to three or four months. It's not a permanent cure," Jacque Drake, patient coordinator at the Center for Cosmetic and Laser in Bloomington, said.

In 2002, the FDA approved the use of Botox. For the past four months it has been ranked the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S, as well as the lowest costing facial procedure available. About 3.2 million people alone received Botox injections back in 2006. "Our society is a society about quick fixes. We want a fast change with minimal risk. It's quick, painless and effective," Chad Tattini of Twin Cities Plastic Surgery in Bloomington, said.

According to Drake, patients who come into the office for treatment receive Botox for many different reasons. "Some people get it to relieve muscle spasms, hyper-hydrosis or to relieve migraines and headaches," Drake said. "Botox isn't just cosmetics." Botox injections can be performed on anyone from ages 18 to 65 years old. Tattini said he performs the procedure on women in their 30s and 40s most often but he has performed the procedure on women as young as their 20s. "We seem to give them to younger and younger women these days. I'm doing it mostly on the eyebrows for these women. They want that high arch, which is more aesthetically pleasing. It seems to be the most popular," Tattini said. Tattini also said he has seen women who want to stop excessive sweating near the armpit. "The Botox inhibits the sweat receptors in the area and causes you to sweat less," Tattini said. "It's common for women who want to remain sweat free for big events like their wedding. It usually lasts…about 6 to 9 months."
 
 
Three Named ‘20 Under 40’ Connected to IWU

September 20, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— One Illinois Wesleyan staff member and two alumni have been named to the Pantagraph’s 20 Under 40, recognizing accomplished and dedicated individuals in the community under 40 years of age.

“It’s really an honor,” said Deborah Halperin, coordinator of the Action Research Center at Illinois Wesleyan University. Halperin, Brian Beam, vice president and art director of Business Builders, and plastic surgeon Chad Tattini appeared in a special section of the Pantagraph on Sept. 19, and will be celebrated with others chosen as 20 Under 40 at the Community Leaders Breakfast on Nov. 8 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington.

An active volunteer, Halperin was the general coordinator for building of a playground for Washington Elementary School in Bloomington, which raised more than $100,000 and took the work of more than 1,000 volunteers.

Halperin’s dedication to community service, however, reaches past the playground. As president of the board for the Day Care Center of McLean County, she helps to ensure quality childcare for underprivileged youth. She also serves on the board of directors of the Founders’ Grove Neighborhood, where she helps with community assessment efforts.

Chad Tattini

Chad Tattini

Giving back is a natural to Halperin, whose position at Illinois Wesleyan helps boost local not-for-profit organizations. At IWU’s Action Research Center, she connects students to internships and research projects at local agencies.  “It’s great to be able to match students who are filled with energy and promise to groups who need them,” said Halperin, who has worked with social organizations for more than 15 years. “I understand not-for-profits. I can come in and ask about logic models and strategic plans, and it helps get the best fit for the organizations and the students.”

Tattini, a 1994 graduate with a degree in biology, is a fundraising chairman for the McLean County chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The speaker at IWU’s First-Year Convocation in August, Tattini said Illinois Wesleyan was a foundation for his community service. “Here, you learn how to channel your enthusiasm into successful ventures,” said Tattini, addressing more than 500 incoming students. “There were those volunteer organizations to the community where I learned giving back to my hometown was gratifying. Consider your years here not only as a stepping stone to the next phase of your life, but also as a permanent integration into your development as a person, as a friend, as a student, as a worker and team player,” said Tattini, who has recently been named a board member to the IWU Associates.

 

Do new plastic surgical techniques complicate or simplify things?

Plastic Surgery News  

April 2008

By Chad Tattini, MD

"Change has considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better."

King Whitney Jr.

"It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated."

Alec Bourne

Upon completion of my plastic surgery residency at Brown University, Providence, R.I., in June 2004, I believed that I was on the cutting edge of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. I was full of enthusiasm for the solo practice I was about to launch in Bloomington, Ill. I was well versed in "Selected Readings," well studied for the In-Service Examination and well trained in surgical independence and decision-making.

However, within a matter of months, I found myself reading about new techniques, applications and products that were reaching the market. Nothing frustrated me more than having patients ask me about a service and responding: "I don't know, but I'll do the research and get back to you."

Suddenly, the young, confident plastic surgeon in town with the new techniques and products didn't know about the newer techniques or products - I had not been exposed to them in residency!

Fast and furious change

I always told interviewers during my residency reviews that the dynamic nature of plastic surgery is one thing that attracts me to the field. But it wasn't until I began to practice plastic surgery that I realized the magnitude of that dynamism, and it was at this juncture that I realized extreme effort and enthusiasm would be necessary for me to be a life-long disciple and provider of the most advanced plastic surgery care. I began reading as many journals and websites as I could. Invariably, my practice began to grow and I fell behind in my reading.

In an attempt to compensate, I've visited many prominent plastic surgeons, ordered many DVDs and watched "live" surgical techniques I'd never witnessed. I attend national conferences, courses and seminars throughout the country.

After all this work, I assumed that everything would be simpler and that I would provide the best care to my patients.

Unfortunately, I was gravely mistaken; I am more confused than ever.

I've seen how a poorly defined neck can be corrected with non-surgical resurfacing techniques - or with minimal incisions and just a liposuction cannula; or with one submental incision and specialized suturing techniques; or with bilateral auricular incisions and spanning sutures; or with a large facelift incision and extensive undermining; or with varying planes of dissection and possibly even submandibular gland removal.

I've seen how a midface can be addressed: open through the lower lid, or through the mouth, or endoscopically through the temple. I've seen how implants can also be used simultaneously (yet again, more choices on the types of implants).

I was trained in endoscopic plastic surgery and thought I was well versed - until I realized there are many more planes in which one can dissect, many more anatomical structures that can/should be released, many more expensive instruments that can be used and many more ways to fixate tissues.

I became confused again with rhytidectomies, just as I had as an intern (this wasn't supposed to be happening at this juncture in my career). Do you make a large incision or small, and do you address the SMAS? If so, do you plicate the SMAS, purse-string it, resect it, undermine it and if so, in what vector, what suture, etc.? So many things to consider - or are these even things I should consider?

How about not even addressing the SMAS and/or skin resection and just inject fat? Or better yet, what about making several tiny incisions to insert cable sutures for suspension of tissues?

The fog also falls

This is just the tip of the iceberg because the field becomes even hazier in regard to the myriad non-surgical ways to rejuvenate the face and body.

I become tachycardic just thinking of all the available lasers, injectables, cellulite machines, creams/ointments and skin care lines. Again these are products that likely will be obsolete when I finally learn all of them and choose one to bring into my practice. (This will mark the beginning of another cycle.)

Finally, with the FDA approving the reintroduction of silicone breast implants, another brave new world has opened up, especially for those recent residency graduates.

I now find myself taking courses, visiting other surgeons, etc., as the learning process repeats itself. Do I place it subglandular or subpectoral? Do I use a shaped or round implant? How about smooth or textured? Can I place it endoscopically via the transaxillary route - but wait, this is off-label - so now what do I do? How about just forgoing implants and just inject fat?

And it continues...

What road do you choose?

One can easily see that a surgeon can keep everything simple - or as complicated and confusing as I have. This may be the case no matter where training has taken place and whether the practice is academic or private. We chose to deal with these issues when we chose to practice plastic surgery. Did other plastic surgeons have so many surgical and non-surgical options from which to choose so early in their careers?

Am I simply feeling overwhelmed at this stage in my career, trying to find my personal technique - or is this truly a period in the plastic surgery timeline where things are becoming more complicated while trying to make it more simple?

If there was a single take-home message from all the wonderful surgeons with whom I've trained and visited, this is it: There are many ways of achieving a successful result - and there are many ways of achieving a mediocre result, too. You can't appreciate post-op care, complications or long-term results as a resident - you can only appreciate them after having practiced plastic surgery for a while.

It's a matter of synthesizing all the techniques you've absorbed throughout the years and merging them with your own style. In time, you'll produce safe and predictable results and feel comfortable in your knowledge of plastic surgery - that is, until something new is introduced.

Chad Tattini, MD, practices cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Bloomington, Ill. He can be reached at www.chadtattinimd.com