Dr. Salomon makes a difference through Operation Smile

Posted on Sun, Jun. 13, 2010 Corrective surgery brings smiles to kids’ faces BY STEPHANIE GENUARDI sgenuardi@MiamiHerald.com ALLISON DIAZ / FREELANCE Lucinda Long, 6, had surgery on the scar on her forehead. A car crash in North Carolina last year left little Lucinda “Lucy” Long, of Hialeah, with a wide, raised laceration on her forehead.Her kindergarten classmates teased her about the scar that didn’t heal properly. Her parents couldn’t afford to pay for plastic surgery. “We still have people come up to us and say, `Oh my God, what happened to your head?’ ” said Lucy’s mother, Andrea, who suffered a broken collarbone in the same crash. But early Saturday morning, at Baptist Children’s Hospital, Lucy was one of 13 South Florida children who showed up for life-changing plastic surgery, as part of the hospital’s ninth annual “Day of Smiles” program. Each of the children had congenital facial deformities, burns, or scars. Baptist gave them free corrective cosmetic surgery. Since the program began in 1999, Baptist has treated 97 patients as part of the project. “We just love this stuff. It’s fun,” said Dr. Joel Levin, chief of plastic surgery at Baptist Hospital. “At the end of the day, we have a beautiful little child to give back to their parents. The surgery is life-changing. You get immediate gratification.” Just one procedure could cost up to $25,000, Levin estimates. But Saturday, the hospital absorbed the costs. Plus, the staff who showed up Saturday volunteered their time, said hospital spokesperson Phyllis Teitelbaum. “I like this,” Teitelbaum said, looking around admiring the chaotic, bustling prep room. “It’s so uplifting.” A friend told Skip and Andrea Long about the Baptist program. They were excited, but didn’t think they’d make the cut. “Other kids situations are a lot more dire,” Skip Long said. “We were thinking it was a long shot.” Plus, Long said he had been out of work for the past year. “Financially, we were thinking there was no way we would be able to do this,” he said. “But when this came along, she said to me, `Daddy, no one else will look at the scar.’ ” Lucy’s plastic surgeon was Dr. Jhonny Salomon, who met his patient in the prep room. He has been involved with the “Day of Smiles” program since its inception. The scar corrective procedure would not be difficult and recovery would take about a month, he said. Asked why he chose to donate his time, he responded, “In one or two hours, you can change someone’s life, their overall happiness.” Nicholas Cuervo, 19, of Weston, is hoping for a change with Saturday’s corrective procedure. He has undergone nine surgeries to correct deformities from a cleft lip and palate, a birth defect that produces a gap between the upper lip and nose, making eating and speaking difficult. He was hoping Saturday’s surgery — revision of his lip scars and reshaping of his nose — would be his last. “We don’t have words to say how thankful we are. We appreciate all that they are doing for us,” said Nicholas’s father, Alberto. Nicholas has been in the program for three years, and “every time he comes here, he comes with joy,” said his father. Nicholas said the surgeries are “very helpful” and enable him to “feel more confident.” The Baptist doctors tackle all kinds of medical challenges. For the past 11 years, plastic surgeon Dr. John Cassel has been treating 14-year-old Mariya Klymenko, who suffered extensive burns from scalding water as an infant in her native Ukraine. “It was amazing she survived,” Cassel said. An organization in Sweden contacted him, asking if he could care for Maria. “I was thinking anyone that can survive these burns deserves every chance.” Maria arrived in the United States at age 3, and Cassel has performed nine to 10 operations on her. Saturday, he was fixing a scar on her arm and continuing corrective surgery on the skin grafts of her face. Maria and her mother have now moved to Miami. Her mother works in the hospital’s cafeteria, and Maria is at a public school speaking perfect English, said Cassel. Each Father’s Day, Maria gives him a card and comes to his office to sing “Happy Birthday.” “I know you’re not supposed to fall in love with a patient,” he said, with a wide grin, “but I couldn’t help myself.”

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/13/v-print/1677715/corrective-surgery-brings-back.html#ixzz0qqSXXU6t

What age is too young for Breast Augmentation surgery?

Miami is a city full of beauty and glamour…this being said, teenage girls are being faced with more and more pressure to look “sexy” than ever before. This trend has increased the number of adolescent patients visiting my Miami office requesting breast augmentation surgery. Recently, I was interviewed on “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste” for Telemundo where we discussed this growing trend.

Although there is no legal regulation prohibiting adolescents from undergoing breast augmentation surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommend that individuals be at least 18 years old to undergo breast augmentation surgery with saline implants and 22 years old for breast augmentation with silicone implants. This is a recommendation I follow and support as I feel the decision for breast augmentation surgery is one that will affect the rest of your life and it is important to make this decision as an adult once you’ve fully completed your physical growth and development.

If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, I would be happy to meet with you to discuss all of your options and assist you in making the best decision to fit your needs. Please contact my Miami office at inquiries@drjsalomon.com or at 305.270.1361.

¿Demasiado jóvenes para implantes de senos?

Dr. Jhonny Salomon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Miami

The plastic surgeon is like an artist who aims for true to life results using a palette of the latest and most advanced medical and surgical techniques.

“Plastic surgery is the perfect marriage of science and art”

6705 Red Road Suite 708

Coral Gables, Florida 33143

T. 305.270.1361  F.305.270.9138

www.drjsalomon.com