NEW AT BIRKEN

Bioidentical (Natural) Hormones for Menopause and Age Management in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.23.10 under Uncategorized

Bio-identical Hormones (BHRT) offer women an alternative to synthetic hormones for menopausal and peri-menopausal symptoms that include hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, decreased libido, and weight gain.

“Most hormone medications address estrogen and/or progestin replacement, but BHRT is different,” says Dr. Randy Birken, founder of Birken Medical Aesthetics.  “With BHRT, I can look at blood levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, as well as the metabolic hormones that effect energy and weight.  What is deficient is corrected to a more optimal level leading to significant clinical improvement.”

While BHRT may not be safer than synthetic, intuitively they may be, since the body recognizes the molecule as biologically identical to natural hormone production.

“BHRT may not be for every woman, but when conventional methods have failed, it may be a great alternative.”
For more information, call Liz at 281-419-3231 or email at

info@birkenmedicalaesthetics.com

Laser Liposuction in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.18.09 under Uncategorized

What are the advantages of laser lipolysis?

1. Minimal Downtime - A few of our patients can return to work immediately, almost like a “lunchtime Liposuction.� We normally advise a day or two of rest.
2. Minimal Discomfort - During the procedure, there is no pain. After the anesthesia has worn off, it only feels like the aches and pains that follow a vigorous workout. The bruises too are much less with laser lipolysis than with standard liposuction techniques.
3. Less Traumatic -The fiber-optic cannula is inserted through a small puncture in the skin usually along creases that conceal the scar. As the laser melts the fats, it also coagulates the loose ends of small blood vessels. Compression garments are optional as the area will not bleed very much after the laser is removed. The granulation tissue (healing-tissues) does the rest of the work in contracting the treated area as well as the overlying skin.
4. Almost “Normal” Skin after 3 Months -It would be very hard to find the insertion points or tell by looking at the skin that any liposuction has ever been done. Skin contracts with the heeling tissues that replace the melted fats.
5. Safety - Laser lipolysis is less invasive than traditional liposuction, because there is less bleeding and anesthetic drugs used. In fact, in doing the procedure under tumescent technique, we have eliminated a lot of risks normally associated with general anesthesia.

Non-General Anesthetic Liposuction in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.18.09 under Uncategorized

Tumescent Liposuction

Ron M Shelton, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Director, The New York Aesthetic Consultants, LLP

Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States. It is also referred to as liposculpture, lipoplasty, and suction-assisted lipectomy. The ideal candidate is physically fit and eats well-balanced meals but is unable to reduce a fatty deposit that is well localized and often seems to involve a genetic susceptibility.

In the past, the surgery required blood transfusions because blood loss in the aspirate was significant. Dr Jeffrey Klein, a dermatologic surgeon, is credited as the originator of the tumescent technique, which has allowed liposuction to be performed with the patient under local anesthesia while minimizing blood loss and the risks of general anesthesia. Since its inception, liposuction performed with the tumescent technique has had an excellent safety profile.

Tumescent Liposuction(In-Office) in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.18.09 under Uncategorized

Is in-office liposuction better than traditional liposuction?

“Yes, for several reasons,” says Dr. Randy Birken, founder of Birken Medical Aesthetics.  “First, there’s no general anesthesia, making the procedure extremely safe.  And secondly, the surgeon can do more lipo-sculpturing since the patient can turn and even stand, exposing areas of fat that may be missed when the patient is sleep.”

In-office liposuction is less costly as well, since there are no anesthesia or hospital facility fees.  Done with tumescent local anesthesia, the patient experiences no pain during the procedure and can even watch as fat is suctioned away.

“It really is the way to do liposuction today,” Dr. Birken says.  “More effective, safer, and less expensive.”

Dr. Birken is a board certified gynecologist and member of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Gynecologists.

Liposuction/Tummy Tuck - No General Anesthesia Technique in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.18.09 under Uncategorized

Ever thought about a tummy tuck but were concerned about general anesthesia as well as hospital and anesthesiology fees?

“No more,” says Dr. Randy Birken, founder of Birken Medical Aesthetics of The Woodlands, Texas.  “Liposuction with the Avelar abdominoplasty.  It’s simple and requires only a local anethetic without the extra costs or risks of traditional abdominoplasty.”

Unlike the extensive and potentially risky surgery required for a conventional tummy tuck, lipoabdominoplasty is done in the office while the patient is awake - no general anesthetic is required.  Cosmetic results are the same if not better than in-hospital surgery.

“Patients are awake without discomfort, healing and recovery is quick, and the aesthetic outcomes remarkable,” Dr. Birken said.  “It’s a great alternative to the more traumatic tummy tuck.”

In-office Tummy Tuck/Liposuction in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.18.09 under Uncategorized

For many, exercise and diet do not change the storage of fat in certain areas of the body, especially the abdomen.  But who benefits from the combination of liposuction with a tummy tuck?

“It’s relatively easy to tell by exam,” says Dr. Randy Birken, founder of Birken Medical Aesthetics of The  Woodlands, Texas.  “Usually, the patient has too much fat around the middle of the abdomen as well as on the flanks, ” Dr. Birken continues.  “But the patient who has thinned, stretched skin with fat deposition does well when an Avelar abdominoplasty is done at the same time.”

The two procedures are done under tumescent anesthesia, which means local anesthetic only, eliminated the risks of general anesthesia and the costs of a surgical facility.  Recovery is quick with minimal discomfort.

“Patient satisfaction is very high,” Dr. Birken says.  “They love their flat bellies.  Its a great incentive to continue with a healthy diet and exercise, but most importantly, its great for their self-confidence and self-image.”

HCG and Bioidentical Hormones for Weight Loss in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.13.09 under Uncategorized

HCG stands for human chorionic gonadrotropin, or pregnancy hormone.  A metabolic regulatory hormone, it reduces weight by metabolizing fat without affecting lean muscle.  Patients can lose from 1/2 to 3 pounds per day without significant side effects.

While not FDA approve, studies have shown good success.

Check out this website for more information:

www.hcgdietinfo.com

To view a short presentation on Bioidentical Hormones and Vitamins for Healthy Aging and Weight Loss, click the following link:

http://tiny.cc/IXM36

Bioidentical (Natural) Hormones for Health and Weight Loss in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.11.09 under Uncategorized

While controversy concerning “Hormone Replacement” remains, Dr. Randy Birken, a board certified gynecologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, is an advocate of bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT).

BHRT is compounded from plants and is molecularly identical to human hormones,” Dr Birken said.  “This allows the practitioner to customized estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, as well as metabolic hormones for each individual.”

Patients who are menopausal or peri-menopausal and suffer from symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, low libido, and weight gain will usually see significant improvement. While more expensive than pharmaceutical synthetic hormones, BHRT offers patients a more precise and natural approach to declining hormone function.

Medical Weight Loss Management in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.11.09 under Uncategorized

Dr. Randy Birken, founder of Birken Medical Aesthetics of The Woodlands, Texas, now offers new weekly injections to help with weight loss:

M-I-C is a weekly injection of Choline, Methionine, Inositol, and Vitamin B12.  Choline is an amino acid used by the liver for fat emulsification while Inositol is a powerful nutrient promoting fat metabolism.  Methioinine acts as a catalyst for both Choline and Inositol while B12 aids the burning of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

AMP(Adenosine-Mono-Phospate) is also a weekly injection that maximizes cellular energy production for fatigue.  It can be given with M-I-C weekly.

Also, Dr. Birken offers an offer use of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG):

HCG First published in 1954, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as a weekly injection acts on the hypothalamus to moderate the thyroid, adrenals, fat storage and metabolic rate while mobilizing fat from storage and increasing circulating calories for utilization.

The main goal of HCG treatment is to suppress hunger while improving a sense of well-being so the patient can remain on a low caloric diet.  HCG for weight loss is an off-label use for this medication

In 2006, researchers published data showing an increase in adiponectin (ADP), a fat cell hormone involved in glucose and lipid metabolism.

The main limitation of HCG is the need for a daily injection, although the patient can self-administer at home.  One protocol recommends 26 daily injections for those who want to lose 15 pounds or less and 40 injections for those needing to lose more than 15 pounds.

For more information about Dr. Birken’s Weight Loss Program, contact Wendy at

wendy@birkenmedicalaesthetics.com

Bioidentical Hormones in Houston-The Woodlands, Texas

[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.09.09 under Uncategorized

While controversy concerning “Hormone Replacement” remains, Dr. Randy Birken, a board certified gynecologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, is an advocate of bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT).

BHRT is compounded from plants and has similar molecules to human hormones,” Dr Birken said.  “This allows the practitioner to customized estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, as well as metabolic hormones for each individual.”

Patients who are menopausal or peri-menopausal and suffer from symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, low libido, and weight gain will usually see significant improvement. While more expensive than pharmaceutical synthetic hormones, BHRT offers patients a more precise and natural approach to declining hormone function.

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