Have you heard of the cosmetic surgery tax which was part of the recent Senate Health Reform bill?

At the 11th hour, a cosmetic surgery tax provision was slipped in the Senate Health Reform bill. The proposal asks for the consumer who undergoes an elective cosmetic procedure, to pay a 5 % tax to the government for any procedure like Botox, Fillers, Breast Augmentations and Lifts, Tummy Tucks, Facelifts and Body Contouring. However, the bill states that even insurance covered procedures may be taxed! Will our senators and representatives also tax breast reconstruction and the opposite breast for procedures that help create symmetry? This proposal has been named the “Botax”.

New Jersey has had such a “Botax” tax for a few years and to date it has not generated income for that state government, instead it has cost the state administrators $3 dollars for every $1 of revenue. In New Jersey the consumer has been burdened with increased taxes during this deep recession. Please contact your representatives and senators to voice your opinion about this ill conceived new proposed Cosmetic tax. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-225-3121 where you can be connected to your Senators and Representatives. NOTE: You must know the name of your Senator and representative prior to calling the switchboard; this information can be found at www.senate.gov (scroll by state). For Illinois they are:

Burris, Roland W. - (D - IL) Class III
387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Durbin, Richard J. - (D - IL) Class II
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

You can determine the name of your representative by going to www.house.gov where you can enter your zip code. It is Mark Kirk for 60093. The Senate Health Reform Bill requires a well thought out “reconstructive” effort not a quick fix which will only hurt or adversely effect our already struggling economy. Please call, write and email now to voice your opinion!

As you know, at the 11th hour, a cosmetic surgery tax provision was slipped in the Senate Health Reform bill. We need you to help us fight this tax that makes physicians tax collectors and burdens our patients.

Take action today and tell your Senators and Representatives that medical care should be not be used as a tool to fix broken finances. Contact your Senators and Representatives and request they oppose a cosmetic tax. Additionally, have your patients contact their members of Congress as well!!

Effective ways to reach your Members of Congress include:

1. Call your Senators and Representative’s District Office this week. Most legislators are home this week for the holiday break. Visit the plastic surgery action portal at http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx to obtain your Senator’s district office contact information. Once you log in, go to my profile and then the legislators tab.

2. Call Your Senator and Representative’s Washington, DC Office (early and often). Visit the plastic surgery action portal at http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx to obtain your Senator’s D.C. office contact information. Once you log in, go to my profile and then the legislators tab.

3. E-Mail Your Senators. Click on the take action box after logging on to the plastic surgery action portal http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx and urge your Senators to oppose taxing elective medical procedures. Feel free to use the sample letter, but please personalize the letter with your own experience and patient stories.

4. Patients: Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators and Representatives. NOTE: You must know the name of their Senator prior to calling the switchboard; this information can be found at www.senate.gov (scroll by state). You can determine the name of your representative by going to www.house.gov and entering your zip code.

Read more here: Doctors Ask: What Do You Mean, Cosmetic Tax?

Question: Can Time, Patience and a little Sculptra™ help fight the inevitable signs of aging?

Answer: We want to fight the aging process with steadfast perseverance but, at the same time, we must be patient in our expectations for results.

Sculptra™ Aesthetic is a skin stimulator that works with your own tissue, stimulating collagen growth over time. The results are natural and gradual. Unlike fillers, it is not immediately noticeable after the procedure but the payoff is longevity. Sculptra is a long lasting treatment that offers reliable facial volume to hollow cheeks for up to 2 years.

Generally, patients are treated in 1 to 5 sessions depending on the severity of the sagging of their skin and loss of facial fat from aging. Patients see results in 4 -6 months.

When combined with the use of clinically guided skincare that includes Retin-A, healthy diet and proper amounts of sleep, Sculptra is a fantastic tool to keep ourselves looking our best and younger than our years!

Click here to learn more about Sculptra™.
Click here for Sculptra™ photos.

Additional informative reads:
A Facial Filler Needs a Dose of Patience
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If you have any questions or would like to learn more about a Surgical or Non-Surgical procedure we would be happy to set up a personal consultation.Call now for your complimentary Sculptra consultation (847) 657-6884 or (847) 657-6973. We are located in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Glenview, Il.

If you’d like to submit your own plastic surgery question please do so here!

Why is it significant that the FDA approved Sculptra for cosmetic use?
What is it & why is it different from a filler?

The good news is that the FDA has now given Sculptra it’s official stamp of approval for cosmetic use based on solid, consistent evidence that it works cosmetically and effectively! Sculptra has been used for the correction of wrinkles and facial aging for years with an FDA approval pending.

This is a long lasting treatment that offers reliable facial volume for flat, deflated cheeks that can lead to a “jowl-y appearance” of the lower face. By using Sculptra in the upper cheekbone area, it creates a ‘mini lift’ to give a more youthful appearance, with tighter skin. Results are over time (2 to 5 years). A natural look is restored with minimal downtime after the procedure.

Dr. Casas has a broad range of experience with facial injectables, including Sculptra. She has successfully treated thousands of patients with fillers and highly recommends Sculptra for signs of facial aging that are due to facial volume that leave you saggy looking.

Click here for Sculptra™ photos.

Call now for your complimentary Sculptra consultation! You may reach us at (847) 657-6884 or (847) 657-6973. We are located in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Glenview, Il.