News & Events
The Latest & Greatest
January, 2012
Wilmington Plastic Surgery Gets Fit With Weight Loss Competition.
To get a head start on a healthy new year, the folks at WPS have teamed up to compete in Wilmington's Fittest Exec Challenge. Cheer them on for this 10 week event. The final weigh-in is on January 26th. See more on WECT.com.
October, 2011
October has Been Breast Cancer Awareness Month for Over 25 Years.
Since its inception a quarter century ago, NBCAM has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. Visit nbcam.org for more information.
July 18, 2011
Study Supports Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy: Experience Shows Immediate Reconstruction Is Safe, Doesn't Delay Treatment.
For women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer, immediate breast reconstruction has a low risk of complications - including serious complications related to radiation therapy - and does not cause undue delays in cancer treatment, reports a study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Read more…
July 8, 2011
A fruitful resource for all plastic surgeons—
Pair the FDA's recently updated white paper statement, alongside the promise and commitment from the ASPS, consumers and ASPS members can rest assured they will be provided the best information to help make informed decisions pertaining to silicone gel-filled breast implants. Although it is agreed that breast implants are not lifetime devices, 90% of patients are satisfied with their outcomes from breast implantation and report an improved quality of life. Read more…
June 24, 2011
Botox and the Beauty Premium: Can Taking 10 Years Off Your Face Add 10K to Your Salary?
From fast fixes to full-on cosmetic surgery, dozens of statistics suggest the link between beauty and salary can no longer be denied. If you have ever lied about your age or shielded information suggesting it, you too see the logic. Want know more? Check out Melanie Haiken's lifestyle article at blog.forbs.com.
June 1, 2011
Wilmington Plastic Surgery 6/21/11 Beauty Event To Feature Special Seminar, Discounts
Wilmington Plastic Surgery is hosting A Summer of Spectacular Beauty on June 21, 2011, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., at the Jacksonville Country Club. The evening's activities will feature a unique opportunity to learn about cosmetic solutions from board-certified plastic surgeon Mark Morgan, MD, FACS. Following a valuable informational seminar, Dr. Morgan and Dr. Jeffrey Church, MD, DDS, FACS and their staff of nurses and aestheticians will hold a Q&A session and one-on-one consultations. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Participants interested in booking procedures will receive exclusive discounts on everything from non-invasive treatments to surgical procedures, including significant savings on all cosmetic surgeries, Botox® injections, dermal fillers, facials, spa laser treatments, skin care products, clinical grade makeup, and Latisse® eyelash enhancer.
Additionally, the first 15 people to arrive at the event will receive a goody bag filled with products and savings certificates, and a raffle of Obagi® and Skin Medica® products will be held. "Our Summer of Spectacular Beauty event corresponds with the summer solstice, so we thought it was the perfect way to kick off the social season," said Guy R. Williams III, CMPE, Practice Administrator for Wilmington Plastic Surgery. "Nationally, cosmetic procedures see an annual spike when the weather warms up, as people want to look as rejuvenated as they feel after winter. Summer means bathing suits and more bare skin in general, so there is usually a rise in procedures ranging from liposuction and breast enhancements, to laser hair removal and Botox® injections."
Interested participants must RSVP no later than Friday, June 10, by calling Brittany Pierce at 910-344-1220 or by registering online. Space is limited and a sell-out is expected, so interested parties are encouraged to sign up right away. The most established practice of its kind in the region, Wilmington Plastic Surgery has been serving southeastern North Carolina for more than 25 years. Together with a highly experienced staff of nurses and technicians, the four board-certified plastic surgeons offer patients a complete range of surgical and non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
April 27, 2011
Williams Achieves Board Certification With The American College Of Medical Practice Executives
Guy R. Williams III, CMPE, Practice Administrator for Wilmington Plastic Surgery, has earned the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) from the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), the certification body of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
The designation of CMPE demonstrates that Williams has achieved board certification in medical practice management. ACMPE certifies an individual's professional competence when s/he passes rigorous essay and objective examinations that assess knowledge of the broad scope of medical practice management skill sets as outlined in the Body of Knowledge for Medical Practice Management. These include business operations, financial management, human resource management, information management, organizational governance, patient care systems, quality management and risk management. The individual must also earn a minimum of 50 continuing education credit hours. ACMPE membership comprises more than 6,600 individuals who have attained CMPE or Fellow status or who seek certification.
Practice Administrator for Wilmington Plastic Surgery since November of 2008, Williams also currently serves in the following community and professional capacities: board member and secretary for the National Plastic Surgery Administrators Association, member of the National Plastic Surgery Administrators Roundtable, president-elect for the Wilmington Chapter of the North Carolina Medical Group Managers Association, member of Wilmington Cape Fear Rotary Club, and Senior Warden for St. John's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC.
About ACMPEU
Founded in 1956, ACMPE is the standard-setting and certification organization of MGMA. Through ACMPE, medical group managers can earn the Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) designation and go on to earn the highest distinction of Fellow in the ACMPE (FACMPE). ACMPE members belong to a network of management professionals dedicated to becoming the best in medical practice management by combining experience, learning and professional certification.
About MGMAUH
MGMA is the premier membership association for professional administrators and leaders of medical group practices. Since 1926, MGMA has delivered networking, professional education and resources, and political advocacy for medical practice management. Today, MGMA serves 22,500 members who lead 13,600 organizations nationwide. These practices represent approximately 280,000 physicians who provide more than 40 percent of the healthcare services delivered in the United States.
Published December 30, 2010
Elective cosmetic operations rebound from mild decline
By Ken Little - The Star News Online
On the face of things, it's reasonable to assume that the economy would have an effect of the number of cosmetic procedures performed in recent years.
While that's true to a degree, there is no shortage of people who opt for surgical and nonsurgical procedures in the Wilmington area.
One reason may be that individuals of a certain age perceive they must look their best to remain relevant in today's highly competitive workplace.
"People definitely say that. The need to look good is always very important," said Adeena Babbit, spokeswoman for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, an organization of surgeons specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face and body.
A study recently released by the society shows that almost 10 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in 2009 in the United States. That's a drop of only 2 percent from 2008.
All indications are that the trend continued through 2010, according to several local plastic surgeons.
"We really haven't seen a drop-off. We have realized pretty steady growth over the last three years," said Edward Ricciardelli, plastic surgeon at Summit Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, which has offices in Wilmington and Supply.
The market for plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures is on the upswing from 2009, said Charles Kays, one of four surgeons in the Wilmington Plastic Surgery practice.
"Back in 2009 when there was an economic downturn, we saw the elective cosmetic surgery aspect of our practice drop off probably 20 percent," Kays said. "We pretty much have corrected. I don't know if that's an indicator the economy's getting better. You can see now cosmetic surgery has recovered not to, but near, the level before."
Ricciardelli performs nearly 800 procedures a year.
"At least in my practice, plastic surgery has shown pretty steady growth," he said.
"Definitely there's a lot of anti-aging (procedures done), and surgery after massive weight loss," Babbitt said.
Looking For A Lift
Kays said surgical procedures popular among his patients include facelifts, eyelifts, liposuction and breast enhancement. Popular nonsurgical procedures include skin fillers to remove wrinkles and lines.
"There are a whole lot of noninvasive skin fillers to correct wrinkles and lines that don't need anesthesia," Kays said. "It's all part of a facial rejuvenation kind of scenario."
Including reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients, Kays performs more than 500 procedures a year. He said the recovery in his practice began in 2009. Most patients have considered having a specific procedure done for some time and make it a priority within their budget.
"Typically, a patient comes in and will say, ‘It's always been a problem' or ‘It's something I've always wanted to change.'" Kays said. "They know what it's going to cost, and they're going to make that judgment."
Depending on the procedure, a patient can spend between $1,000 and $5,000. Few are covered by health insurance, so in most cases cosmetic surgery is an out-of-pocket expense.
Wilmington "is pretty representative" in terms of the kinds of procedures performed nationwide, Ricciardelli said. Many patients in his practice are in the 40-65 age group.
Patients under 40 are more likely to receive a noninvasive treatment like Botox or fillers, he said. Many in their 20s and 30s come in for breast augmentation, Ricciardelli added.
"That has not fallen off. It has continued to grow, and it's a very popular procedure," he said.
The over-50 group, which includes the Baby Boom generation just beginning to reach retirement age, often seeks procedures such as facelifts and eyelifts.
"We see patients in their 60s now that are in great shape, and they are still very active," Ricciardelli said. "They're nowhere near retiring and they want to look good."
Facing Competition
The idea of remaining competitive in the workplace drives some clients to seek a more youthful appearance, Ricciardelli said.
"Oftentimes, it is a motivation. They feel good or feel productive, but they want to stay competitive in the sales force or something where they are in public," he said.
Excluding the segment of the practice that involves reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients, Kays also said most patients come in with long-standing concerns about their appearance.
Kays said there's more of an emphasis "on looking good in the summer" in places like Wilmington.
"Maybe the demographics of being in a beach community may lend itself more to body contouring or facial rejuvenation rather than, say, rhinoplasty," otherwise known as nose surgery, he said.
Ricciardelli said about 80 percent of his patients are female. Surgeries common among men in Wilmington include liposuction, eyelid lifts and office procedures like Botox injection.
"Botox is very affordable. Skin (treatments) is very affordable," Kays said. "It's a way to avoid going under the knife and improve your appearance in an affordable kind of way."
Then federal government might do well to track the health of plastic surgery practices across the nation when trying to gauge the strength of the economic recovery, he said.
"It's definitely trending up to where it was prior to the economic downturn," Kays said.
Ricciardelli said plastic surgery or nonsurgical procedures are becoming more accepted by the public because they are less invasive with quicker recovery times than 10 or 20 years ago, anesthesia techniques are better and more options exist.
"Results are better," he said. "The thing about these surgeries, the (focus) in plastic surgery now is to help people look younger rather than being real aggressive. The results are very natural."
[Read the article on StarNewsOnline.com]
November / December 2010
Clinical Studies Show TNS Essential Serum Repairs Damaged and Aging Skin
Many times breakthrough technology emerges from an innocuous source. One such example is tissue nutrient solution (TNS), which originated from commercial collagen production. When creating collagen in vitro, human fibroblasts are placed in a nutrient rich medium. A shock to this system is executed with the intention of triggering fibroblast production of growth factors that naturally stimulate collagen production – which is where TNS was first discovered. SkinMedica, Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.), has harnessed this physiologically balanced solution into a new skincare product providing natural restoration and revitalization.
[Read the rest of the article]
December 2010
Plastic Surgery for Children
Plastic surgery is typically considered something for adults, but there are situations when children can benefit from cosmetic procedures as well. Cosmetic surgeons can fix deformities children are born with, scars that occur after injuries, and other potentially traumatic problems in children. This allows them to lead a normal life, free from the teasing that...
[Read the rest of the article on plasticsurgeryfacial.com]
July 2010
The Ta-Ta Sisterhood
Spreading the Word One Sister At A Time
WPS is proud to be a sponser of the Ta-Ta Sisterhood, Inc.
"Ta-Ta Sisterhood, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation that envisions a world without breast cancer. The sale of our clothing generates funds to help us achieve our mission of increasing the awareness, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and eradication of breast cancer worldwide. " from their website.
Learn more about this great organization in our local news:
WECT Video - TA Ta Sisterhood putting together a breast cancer calendar
WHQR Mid-Day Cafe - talking with Gail Calloway and Lauren Levian of the Ta-Ta Sisterhood of the Cape Fear.
October 2009
Boo-tox Spook-tacular
September 2009
Run for the Ta-Taas 5k and 1 Mile Walk
Wilmington Plastic Surgery joined host sponsors TrySports and Atlantic Spinal Rehab and Wellness Clinic in sponsoring Wilmington’s first annual Run For The Ta-Tas 5K and 1-Mile Walk on October 3, 2009.
The race was held in honor of all friends, family and community members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and in memory of those who have succumbed to the disease. All proceeds benefited The Pink Ribbon Project of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation.
Since its inception, the Pink Ribbon Project has raised more than $1,000,000 and provided more than 4,000 Comfort Bags to area women as they undergo treatment for breast cancer. (Learn more about the Pink Ribbon Project)
September 2009
Preventative Mastectomy and Reconstruction:
One Woman’s Story
Finding out your mother or your sister has breast cancer can be devastating. Now imagine that they both receive that diagnosis—on the very same day.
“It was surreal,” said Margee Herring of that January day in 2003. “My mother called me with the news of both her cancer, and my sister, Karen’s. It was simply stunning. All of a sudden, breast cancer was a very real part of my family. The statistics had landed at home.”
Both her mother and sister had radical mastectomies of their affected breasts. Karen required additional treatment – chemotherapy and radiation – but their mother did not. With treatments and healing completed, life resumed and the cancer became a part of the family’s history.
But another blow was yet to be delivered – an ironic five years later, the point at which cancer survivors are said to have “beaten cancer.”
“My sister’s cancer returned one month after a clean scan,” recalled Margee. “It came back as inflammatory breast cancer, the most aggressive kind, and it had already metastasized.” That was January, 2008. For the rest of that year and the first part of 2009, Margee lived in two places: at home in Wilmington and in Washington, DC, where she cared for her sister.
Incredibly, upon returning home from an extended stretch with Karen, she discovered her own lump. “It was a cruel kind of affront. Looking back, I think my husband and I were in a mild state of shock.” Within a week or so, doctors determined her lump was a benign cyst – no need even for a biopsy.
“But the doctors sat me down and said that my own breast health—having very dense fibrocystic breasts— combined with my family history suggested I needed a prophylactic double mastectomy,” she explained. Margee cautioned that this isn't the solution for women who simply want to avoid breast cancer. However for someone like her, given her family history and personal tendencies, she was advised that it was a wise choice.
“Perhaps given the context of my sister’s prognosis, it was an easier decision,” she admitted. “There was an element of feeling a bit smug, as if I could outsmart the cancer by getting there first.”
Reconstruction following mastectomy is the standard of care, so together with her supportive, loving family and friends, Margee prepared herself for not one, but two, major surgeries. In September of 2008, Greg Bebb. M.D. performed the double mastectomy. For the reconstruction procedure, Margee chose Wilmington Plastic Surgery whose surgeons are recognized leaders in this type of operation.
“There’s no doubt that confidence in my surgeons and in my post-operative appearance eased my apprehension,” said Margee. Of Charles Kays, M.D., who performed the reconstruction, Margee said, “Everyone sings Dr. Kays’ praises for his breast work and now I'm an enthusiastic part of that choir.
“Dr. Kays and the entire Wilmington Plastic Surgery staff, especially Julie, just made me feel genuinely taken care of physically and emotionally,” Margee continued. “There’s a sincerity in their care that is truly bolstering.”
Margee is now completely recovered and looks back on her own surgery as a mere footnote to her year. Following her recovery, she went right back to caring for her sister, who succumbed to her disease and died in mid-March.
“Karen’s battle and ultimate death is a reminder that we need to be proactive with breast cancer on all fronts,” said Margee. “We need to educate all women on the importance of monthly self-examinations, advocate regular mammograms, and support aggressive research for new treatments in hopes of a cure. I really hope my teenaged daughter and her generation will have far more and better options than surgery to avoid breast cancer in the future.”
June 2009
Brooke Shields teams up with LATISSE®
Borrowing on the tradition of blowing on an eyelash to make a wish come true, the LATISSE® Wishes campaign aims to raise awareness and support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Allergan has already committed $500,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and, with your help, will increase this donation to $1 million. Actress Brooke Shields and beauty expert Anastasia Soare have joined Allergan to launch this campaign to help make wishes come true.
LATISSE® solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker.
Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.
"As a mother, I am so proud to associate myself with LATISSE®, which is not only a wonderful product, but has the vision to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children around the country."
– Brooke Shields, Official Spokesperson for LATISSE®
See Brooke's lash transformation at Latisse.com. Be sure to check back regularly for updated pictures!
May 2009
Forbes.com - The Latest Options in Dermal Fillers
"Cosmetic injections can put off the signs of aging for years. But with so many available, which one should you use?"
Click here to read more.
March / April 2009
Wilmington Magazine March / April - Without Borders
Dominican Republic
Dr. Kenneth White
Plastic Surgery
Kenneth White began his medical mission work while a third-year surgery resident in Wilmington. He traveled to the Dominican Republic with another doctor to perform reconstructive surgeries, an experience that secured his resolve to make mission work a major part of his life.
As a plastic surgeon with Wilmington Plastic Surgery, White decided to adopt the Dominican Republic as his permanent mission home, beginning with more mission trips there in 1990. Through his work there, White became the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Medical Ministry International (MMI), a group that works to meet the medical-care needs among the world’s poor with solutions in medicine, patient care and health education. Through the organization, White is able to take 20 to 25 volunteers to the Dominican Republic each year to establish new medical facilities and bring much-needed equipment and supplies to the poor areas they visit. And with the help of Rusty Carter and Atlantic Packaging in Wilmington, White is now able to transport most of their equipment and supplies for free. "It has turned into a big and effective system," White says of the outreach work they’re doing. "There is no way we could achieve what we are able to achieve without the help of the non-medical volunteers and other members of our community."
As the Dominican Republic government does have a functioning public health system, the availability and quality of care is not consistent throughout the country. White describes the local facilities as small, 20- to 30-bed centers with two operating rooms. "The operating facilities really don’t get used," White says. "We bring everything we need to perform treatments and procedures at the centers, and most of the work is done by medical teams traveling from village to village to treat individuals in need." White and his teams work on a broad range of problems, such as cleft lip and palette surgeries, traumatic injuries and scars. During their trips they will perform more than 120 operations in eight working days.
In addition to his yearly trips to the Dominican Republic, White’s position with MMI takes him throughout the rest of the world, too, where he helps to emphasize the need for programs like this in developing areas. "This work, of course, is a miracle for the people we treat who would not have the help otherwise." White says. "But in reality, it is almost a reverse mission because the volunteers go to these places and get a more realistic view of the rest of the world that they are able to bring back to their communities."
October 2008
Now accepting TRICARE
We are proud to announce that as of October 1st we are now accepting TRICARE, a component of the Military Health System.
September 2008
WPS Co-Sponsoring A Night of Serious Fun
Wilmington Plastic Surgery is teaming up with La Bella Forma to sponsor a Girls’ Night Out on Tuesday, September 9, 6-9 p.m., at Soho Steakhouse on Oleander Drive. Created by Focus on the Coast magazine, Girls’ Night Out is an opportunity for area women to have a good time while supporting a serious cause. It’s a night of networking, plus food, drinks, live music and fabulous raffles. The beneficiary of the evening is the Pink Ribbon Foundation, an organization that helps provide comfort and support for area women diagnosed with breast cancer. The first 100 to register and pay online will received a coveted Girls’ Night Out gift bag. Visit www.focusonthecoast.com to register or for more information.
September 2008
Breast Cancer Survivors Invited to a Celebration of Life
Wilmington Plastic Surgery and La Bella Forma are co-hosting a party for breast cancer survivors who are our patients and their clients. The celebratory event will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008, from 6 until 9 p.m. at La Bella Forma in The Forum shopping center on Military Cutoff Road.
Wilmington Plastic Surgery will be offering special discounts on facials and holding a raffle for other valuable products and services. Charles Kays, DMD, MD, FACS, will be speaking about medical advances in reconstructive surgery over the past 20 years. For more information, please contact La Bella Forma, 256-1220.
August 2008
Continued Excellence
Wilmington Plastic surgery is pleased to announce that Drs. Jeff Church and Charles Kays have successfully passed the Maintenance of Certification process instituted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The examination process required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is nearly a one year evaluation of the plastic surgeons surgical practice, continuing education, current recommendations, delineation of hospital privileges, culminating in a comprehensive written examination. The complete recertification is required every 10 years, with lifelong learning requirements and periodic review every 3, 6, and 9 years, making the American Board of Plastic Surgery recertification one of the most comprehensive in medical practice.
Wilmington Plastic Surgery congratulates Drs. Church and Kays and continues to offer the community exemplary plastic surgery by four Board Certified Plastic surgeons with a combined total of 85 years experience.
Summer 2008
North Brunswick Magazine Summer Issue, Skin Cancer Article
For decades many people considered sun-tanned skin to be synonymous with health and beauty. In both cases, however, it promotes just the opposite. Sun exposure is not only the biggest contributor to premature aging, it is also the leading cause of the most common type of cancer in the United States: skin cancer.... Click here to read more.
Spring 2008
North Brunswick Magazine - Spring - Business Profile
With locations beyond Wilmington and services beyond plastic surgery, there’s so much more to Wilmington Plastic Surgery (WPS) than the name implies.
For more than 25 years, the area’s most established, board-certified plastic surgery practice has been serving a seven-county region in southeastern North Carolina. Along with its two Wilmington locations, WPS has satellite offices in Jacksonville, Whiteville, Supply and in Leland’s Waterford Medical Plaza.... Click here to read more.
May / June 2008
Southport Magazine - May/June - Monthly Feature Health Beat
Among the most important developments in the past
couple of decades is a topical medication called Aldara
that successfully treats 80% of basal cell skin cancers
without surgery.... Click here to read more.
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