Well recently we had another famous Japanese celebrity come to the office. The funny thing is I never know they are famous until one of my Japanese staff tell me. We are so close to Japan and the yen is doing so well right now that I think they come for the cost, its nice to think they come for me but who knows. Three years ago I had the Japanese equivalent to the younger Lenardo Dicaprio come to my office. He arrived with his posse and entourage. The feeling since I had no idea who he was simply neutral for me. Yet for the three Japanese staff members I had at the time was similar to watching Elvis Presley show up in the 1960′s  (By the way I met Elvis  many years ago when I was working as a teenager as a waiter.) The Japanese movies star was full of energy and his group were bouncing around like ping pong balls in the office. They were all happy, in Hawaii as many Japanese are here. Unfortunately I cannot tell you who he was even if I could recall his name for confidentiality reasons. Most of my english readers will not have heard of him anyway as I did not.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Example of created Japanese Girl Group

Japanese Retired Famous Singers/Actresses

I sometimes think also Hawaii is for the  Japanese “has beens” and the ones who “escape” Japan. One of my patients was extremely famous when she was  16-20 now she is here at the age of 42 still a star in many ways,  but fading beauty and a sad life to some degree. I have know her for a while, she showed me all her old recordings of her work as a youngster. It was easy to see the cult that was created around her group of girl singers. She I think did not know anything about how she became famous except for some powerful types liked her. This you see in Holywood all the time and is especially noted in Japan where most thing are so controlled. Her Girl Group was created , she was a disposable member of the group like many of the boy bands you may be more familiar with such as Menudo and others. There members lose their youthful appeal and they are gone. This happen to her as well, ok talent but once the market of youth in Japan says “old” they are gone. Such is life of disposable movie starlets. At any rate she is doing fine now happy with a dog and daughter away from Japan.

About a month ago

My friend who is a cosmetic surgeon in Tokyo Ginza District was here , I could not pick him up at the airport.  One of the reasons I could not was that he did not tell me he was coming. So it goes. Well he called and told me to meet him at Ala Moana mall at a certain time. So I did and up comes a the person who picked him up at the airport, ah guess what. She was a Japanese movie star. Seems they are every where.

Doctor808

Well like most people I have a mother. Simple fact. My mother is from North Carolina, she is a tar heal as they are called. Actually and oddly enough even though I think of myself as Italian as that is my strongest linage,  I also know the North Carolina side. My mother’s mother also know as Grandmother as well as nana was a typical southern bell. My grandfather was a woodsman, a hunter and salt of the earth type. No one was educated really until my generation. I became a “doctor” almost a foreign entity to my family, a plastic surgeon in Hawaii no less–how weird I am to them.

Mother 8 years ago when I took her to Vegas "I hate flying" was all she said.

They cope and are independant

My sister called me to tell me that my Mother was in the hospital recently , the last few years she had throat cancer and seems that she has some issues now with breathing. Well my sister lives with her and keeps in touch so I do not worry much. However,  if it was not for my sister I may not have known she is in the Hospital. Its not that I do not keep in touch with my mother, she is just kinda “tough and stubborn” which would be expected of true a North Carolina born bread individual. She actually told my sister not to tell me. Typical !

Moral of the story

So I called my mother in the hospital and she answered, “Hello Son” , “Hi Mom”…”why are you not in surgery?”. So from there the discussion went to everything but her illness. This I thought is typical of her generation. They went through hard times , delt with them and kept going.I compare that to today when many people use any excuse they can  to do get something for nothing, take no personal responsibility  and expect our government to help. I remember my days as a trauma surgeon in New York City when the healthiest most “well fed” people would call the ambulance to take them to the hospital. They would then choose the hospital they wanted to go and then arrive  get out and and go shopping at Macey’s down the street. Yes they would use the $1200.00 ambulance call as a simple taxi service. My mother on the other hand , my sister had force my mother to go to the hospital (‘which I cant afford” she said) when she simply was ready to die right there due to lack of oxygen. Such a contrast. Its no wonder we have become what we have today.

Conclusion

Well after talking with my mother while she was in the Hospital and realizing I will have to visit her soon,  I thought about today and the nature of America. We have changed and now have become something I did not grow up with. That is , dependance on others. Well that is the key concept of libertarianism–Independence. My real mother illustrates it well.

My Uncle Sam today does not nor does his nephews and nieces. They are all codependant unlike the libertarian view I hold.

doctor808

My Stock Harley "the rocker"

Well as many of my readers know I am somewhat of a motorcycle enthusiast. I think what has me interested more then the   speed, power and pure hedonistic pleasure is the History. Many cultures around the world look down on the American Culture as “cowboys” or non-sophisticates. Yet at the same time envy for America to the point of saying all types of bad things is the norm. Believe me when I say,  I have plenty of bad things to say about the USA as well. However I do respect what was the pioneer spirit and the inventiveness of the few here  although that has changed it seems recently. In the early 1900′s when most of the world was running around drowning in protocols, inbred governments bureaucratic nightmares and politics the American scene was full of freedom lack of restrictions social and other wise for most Americans. I suppose because the country was still fairly new and had not yet become the Roman empire in decay.

Out of the freedom new inventions , new ideas and many companies came about by “doers” who had ideas. One can simply search on patents that arose during that time to see the wide variety of new ideas. In 190o William S. Harley, age 21, completed a blueprint drawing of an engine designed to fit into a bicycle. This later evolved into Harley Davidson briefly preceeded by only a few years by the “Indian” and a french design of motorized bicycle and the bone crusher of Gottlieb Daimler . His idea took off.

Harley Biker Bar

Well the American version of the motorized bicycle eventually evolved into one of the most solid companies and more importantly a solid “cult” grew up around it. There simply is no match to the “Culture of Harley” in the world today. The Japanese bikes such as the Honda and the Suzuki etc were all world war 2 spin offs of the American ideas. In some ways better engineering, better performance and indeed more owners. Yet the cult of Harley is unmatched anywhere. The Harley Davidson is a personal statement about the individual to some degree. It means different things to different people. All I can say is that I have rode Harleys, Hondas and other Asian bikes in various parts of the world but the Harley people seem to have the most cohesive ideas, -independence, honor and some rugged individualism. If a harley was a profession it would be soldier or a cowboy while if a honda was a person it would be lawyer or politician. You can draw your own conclusions from there. One has honor as a high idea a rugged independence and the other gets along to get along. Truth and Honor type things like the Roman legion before the decay with Harley guys.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

Let me create a small thought expieriment to illustrate what I mean. Pretend for a second your alone with your  children in a bad neigborhood. Some local gangsters come around and if your woman start making remarks and teasing your kids and in general being local type rif raf types harassing you. Your alone and you have two buttons on a device. one summons two different gangs. The red button if you push it , ten guys on Hondas show up to help you. If you push the black button ten guys on Harley’s show up to help you. Which button do you push? See my point –somehow the ratty tat ratty tat sound of ten hondas coming to your side  is just not quite as reassuring as ten rumbling Harley Davidson’s. It is just something you know in your gut.

HARLEY RIDERS

WE ARE COMING TO HELP

I guess what got me thinking about all of this was my recent purchase of some parts to take my Harley to the next level. Now I am customizing it making it with my “Signature” and not the stock issue parts. Every Harley guy does it to some degree. I guess that is why there really are no stock Harleys out there after a few years of age. However i do not know of any customized Hondas. ( there are I just do not know any).

Do not take me wrong I like the speed of the Japanese bikes and some the European bikes as well. So in the future I may even obtain a nice Decati or BMW as these are interesting fun machines. Yet for me I had to customize a Harley first as that is a motorcycle.

DOCTOR808

Ben is a hunter and fishing type guy and a local guy. I spend the day cooking and preparing a feast for us.

One thing which I have noticed as the Christmas ornaments my wife has collected for many years. These number in the hundreds actually. I can never understand that well, but every Christmas she brings the boxes out and decorates “her house”. As for me I live outside in my man cave. The ornaments are interesting mostly hand made and artistically done. They have a lot of detail and are interesting to observe.

A detailed Santa

Everywhere you look in the house are these little figurines even hanging from the dining room lights. How many santa images can one endure? Yet I suppose it does bring in the Christmas spirit here in Hawaii.

Santa , Santa everywhere

Well with all these Santa’s around I am reminded  of  a month ago,  when I was in one of my favorite Haunts, Amsterdam. There they have their version of Santa Clause as well. Its a very interesting story where the Dutch dress up and have great parade through the town. Yet SinterKlaas ( as the dutch call him) and his minstrels are very weird there to me. It seems he comes into town on horse and carriage with a giant group of “minstrels” rather than a sleigh. What is really strange for my American eyes is all of the minstrels that accompany him are black faced Dutch like the old vaudeville days. This you can read about on the Wilkepedia here . Its seems rather racist to our culturally and politically correct society,  but actually is rather fun. The Dutch love this type of thing and it seems every one comes out to the street to watch or take and active role.

Black Faced Minstrels Escorts for SenterKlaas

Mean while back at the “Man Cave”  Dr. Chu and I discuss everything from a picture he showed me of his latest fishing catch to how our practices are going. We drink some and talk some and I cook some. In my man cave,  I have all the needed items for such an event. I have a water fall in the back, a great grill for Christmas barbecue , exercise equipment and Tiki lamps. What else does a man need?  Did I mention Christmas barbecue?  Well thats Hawaii not too many wild turkeys here and we have great weather …so I wonder how many of my European or Mainland friends can barbecue for Christmas…. well thats Hawaii.

Back Yard Watefall at Christmas

Well that is Christmas in Hawaii, warm tropical Christmas hard to explain for others you just have to be here. Well I have gotten used to it after over 20 years.As you can see from my waterfall its not very big. Dr.Chu wants me to put Koi in the small pond but I suggested that I put salmon as they would look cool trying to jump up the waterfall. Oh well maybe not.

Dr. Chu has been here is entire life , grew up here , but to know him like I do , he might has well been from North Carolina, a country Hawaii Boy at heart.

Dr. Benjamin Chu Plastic Sugeon and Country Boy

As a bit of a country boy myself and good cook I might add. We finished the evening with my famous Key Lime Pie— Yes I made it from scratch, It was good with Mojita’s with mint garnish from my own garden –man cave. So it goes. We finally had some coffee and departed satisfied of our Hawaii Christmas Eve at the man cave.

Home Made Key Lime Pie and Store Bought Red Velvet Cake

Mele  Kalikimaka !!!

doctor808

Fat Transfer and stem cell notes

Yet one of the new areas I looked into was fat transfer with or with out stem cells. There is a process manufacturer in Europe (at undisclosed location) that has quite a bit of knowledge his company share with me about the use and abuse of stem cells. We spent a good day discussing the controversial issues around this topic. I as many of my readers know went to a stem cell conference in Coranado Island last summer as well as attended the Vegas meeting. One of the top research firms is in my building having to do with stem cells as well, so I frequently visit with them or they visit me.

My point is:  somehow I being drawn into this stem cell thing rather rapidly as the field is accelerating. What will these stem cells do? Well according to some things you see on the internet–they will do everything ! Of course that’s is typical hype one sees and only a fool believes. Yet what I have noticed is with fat injection to the facial area (which has some stem cells naturally in the fat that is transferred) is a remarkable change in complexion. It seems to rejuvenate the skin to some degree -actually a big degree. As to the exact mechanism or scientific proof ? I do not have that data to share. What I am sharing is simple observation within my own clinical practice. More study is needed. so I am not formally ready to convert my practice to a “stem cell ” practice , but I am committing to learning more. It does   seem very  promising for face rejuvenation and cosmetic breast tissue regeneration. More on the stem cell issue later. Yet I wanted to introduce you to that concept  here. I might add this IS NOT embryonic stem cells which is the very controversial issue you may hear about.

I have had my web company create a web site about fat injection and as I lean more I will place what I learn there. Its not ready yet,  so do not ask.

Speaking of Regeneration

One of the  most regenerative almost magical places I know and recently visited is The Big Island of Hawaii. I took a few photos and visited with John Turner MD,  a former associate and neurosurgeon. He and I handled some of the bigger trauma cases together on the Big Island when I was working there many years ago. It was great to visit with John and talk about old times. He can be described as a bit of spiritualist/paranormal -doctor recently coming back from a sojourn in South America. Dr. Turner went his way years ago,  but stayed on the Big Island, I came to Honolulu and focused on Cosmetic Surgery.

Here are some picture of the Big Island…you can see the lush greenery and some waterfalls –Boiling Pots on the Hilo side. Please enjoy the scenery as I did.

Hilo Airport View

Boiling Pots Hilo

Hilo is always Green Green Green !

Hilo Streams everywhere

The stores here for this type of thing only seem to carry American Brands as I could not find any European Back Backs. The brands I examined were North Face, Timberline and Oneil ( an American surf board company which became a boutique store) and Quick Silver ( same thing).

Quick Silver Bags

North Face Back Packs

The nap sack I finally decided upon was the North Face a little expensive but had a great space for my 13″ macbook pro. This was well constructed and will last a life time. So I am happy about that.

Yet on the way to the store I found something which is common in Amsterdam maybe we can call it “street art” its on the sidewalks and walls etc. There are many local artist here and the art community flourishes. Since living here is not too expensive the area attracts a lot of “starving artist”.

Wall Art ? Looks like an EYE !

The next thing I noticed as I went to study plastic surgery is the fact that all the apartments here (well its rare) do not have elevators. I showed you my stairs in the previous post. So what people do to move things upstairs is hire a “cherry picker” and this is very common here. Seems they bring everything up this way from Refrigerators to Pianos. Well this is another interesting fact for your Amsterdam Knowledge base.

How we move things in Amsterdam

Well finally I have most of the requirements to be comfortable here. A Bike, A Back Pack and A Gym with a nice apartment. The only other thing I need to do is to get some plastic surgery facts stuffed in my brain for the re-certification exam.

I have been studying about 3-4 hours every day trying to review facts I never use in actual practice anymore. Lets take for example “Otoplasty” which is what we do to make ears less protuberant, the dumbo the elephant look. Although Otoplasty means simply plastic surgery of the ear.

There are many techniques which have been written about. So for a exam one needs to know all of these plastic surgery techniques, advantages or disadvantages etc.  Yet for me I have developed my own technique in most cases after 20 years of doing this operation and I very satisfied with the results as are my patients. So even though I know these other procedures I typically use my procedure. Yet for the boards for re certification I have to make sure I know all of them. With that thought in mind I will get back to studying. I will write more later.

Regards Doctor808

Study and Cappucino

My Street Amsterdam

The above picture is the street I live on here. It has a nice view and many flowers  with two house boats right in front. House boat living is common here along the canals. My apartment is right behind the red smart car you can see behind the house boat.

The door is only the beginning of a long steep entrance way which is basically like doing a “stairmaster”. I may not have to jog if I use these steps more than once a day. There is no elevator here. These are typical dutch steps.

The stairs are extremely steep as you can  see and they go on for about 2.5 floors. Never the less its navigable. There is a special light that one has to creep along the wall to find and turn on otherwise its very dark. All of these nuances one has to learn.

Ok now the living quarters are taken care of next will be transportation. Remember I am in Amsterdam which is the Bicycle Capital of the  world so I bought a bicycle of course

After a Bicycle the most important thing to me is a good gym. I found one less than two blocks away and I signed up today ! The cost was about 100 euros for month but this is a high end gym with some great equipment and staff. Its name is a little funky.

Well other than that I laid out my study material to start on. First topic for review is basic sciences as it relates to plastic surgery. Let me see how many strands are there in Collagen molecule is it two or three?  Oh yes and what about Glycine is that the major component I think so. Well I will be sure by the time the exam takes place. Seems in every day cosmetic surgery practice I do not think much about how many strands there are in Collagen.

Well that’s what I will be doing and this the start.

Until next time

doctor808

The Dam Square Amsterdam Netherlands

As usual I have been so busy the last few months I have not had time to write or to do much but work really. I even allowed myself for the first time in years to stop exercising for a while. I decided to take a short sabbatical in Europe to refresh myself for a few months. I wanted to learn some more about stem cells and Europe is the place to be. Switzerland has some of the newest and “bestest” research going on.  So I decided to make the Netherlands my home for short while before returning to Hawaii and practice again.

First order of business was to find a place to rent for a few months. This I found near one of the canals. Its on the second floor which is more like 2.5 floors up with very steep narrow steps. This is typical of these canal homes which this one has been here since the 1880 or thereabout.  This is great place with a view to study during the day with a great bay window. Did I say study ? Yes I decided to take my re-certification exam in plastic surgery so that is what I am studying. A doctor has to keep up !

Well now that I am on sabbatical for short while I will write more and hopefully bring you some interesting news.

doctor808

Another Motorcycle Event

The traditions in Hawaii are rather unique to some degree. Today is the second largest motorcycle event here,  the first is the Toys for Tots- both held every year. I went to this event with PatoPato Motorcycle Club and evil club of unspeakable acts and old crusty men with military history. Yet some how they asked me to join with them on this ride. This event is known as the “Motorcycle Blessing” which is done by an Hawaiian Priest or Kahuna. In this case a Priestess.

Motorcycle Hawaiian Blessing

PatoPato Motorcycle Club Hawaii

You can see their web site at www.patapato.com. I originally met this group at what they refer to as “The Office” formally known as Wards Starbucks. It seems most of the evil plans are hatched here. Unlike most motorcycle clubs this one it is said to have no rules, so therefore it could be considered “unruly” I suppose a expected of a motorcycle club.

Interesting group who I have known for years at “The Office”.

OverView of the Event

Food was served

Roasted Kailua Pig Open Fire

I did not eat any and although they tell me this way of cooking the pig is the most flavorable.

This comes from the wood they use to cook which embarks some special flavor.

Generally Hawaiian Food  is not my cup of tea but this looks pretty good !

Other Photos Of The Event

My Bike with Hawaii Tea Leaves for Blessing

Mountain View Motorcycle Blessing

rest at beach on way home

Well that is a nice summary of the events of today. Please return for other updates from

doctor808

Cloning is the new hope

Cloning -the thing of stem cells

This is somewhat of a  discussion which is in  non technical terms,  regarding far transfer and stem cells. I felt wanted to write about this as its new science and very interesting. Since many of my patients and others who are not scientist or physicians I am trying to simplify the discussion so it may be enjoyed by all. I apologize to those of you who feel I am over simplifying.

Well as mentioned I recently attended the Multi-specialty Facial Cosmetic Surgery conference in  Las Vegas Neveda. This was somewhat of an inspiring event in that some of the lectures I attended approached cosmetic facial surgery from a new perspective.  One speaker Dr. Posner a well respected Plastic Surgeon gave a lecture on stem cell research and the work of combing stem cells with fat transfer to enhance the take of the fat in the new area. This means that when we transfer fat some of these cells may die and be taken away by the bodies normal processes. So in other words when we transfer fat from one part of the body to another part of the fat transferred will not survive. Well it appears if the fat is enriched with stem cells (from the same person as the fat is harvested) the fat will survive better so in stead of losing say 50% of the transferred fat, one may only lose 10% as example.

Discussion in Vegas

I spoke with Dr. Posner after his presentation and spoke about my idea of simply the regenerative properties of the stem cells in the face. The fat adds volume which will increase a youthful appearance , but I believe the stem cells enhance the facial skin and structures of the face independent of the fat being transferred. I believe from some of the previous work I have seen and done that this stem cell -facial rejuvination may hold some promise. However I do not believe it has reached the level where I would offer a “stem cell face lift” though I am looking into scientific study.

Next

I have contacted several science based companies and I am entering into some discussion regarding a scientific study of this in my clinical setting. What we hope to prove or disprove is that these stem cells may be useful to aesthetic medicine. Yet before any of you run down to my office and volunteer for this study of the fountain of youth please realize that this is only in the discussion and design phase, we still must seek approval of scientific/medical body.

Possibilties

My basic feeling is that stem cell and regenerative medicine will be the first choice in the future for those seeking improvement in aged appearance. So I wanted to delve further into this discipline. More later but consider this a small foot note.

doctor808