Melbourne doctors

[liz]

Hi, Probably not the best time for my first post but I am in Melbourne and have been to Greg Goodman for I think 5 full face IPLs over the last couple of years (aura/lyra - facial rejuvenation type of deal) primarily for severe facial blushing/broken vessels and they are brilliant.

I actually have Stef using the 'zapper' on me but have spoken to Greg for consults and whilst visting and they are both really nice, caring and considerate people and most importantly very approachable. Forget credentials aside, its nice to have someone who at least seems to understand.

I would agree with the other Dr. re Greg's status in the field. I had heard the same from my derm way back (he wouldn't send me to anywhere else even when I requested somewhere more local) and there is his online info which seems to confirm this.

Must go later this year for another hit.. perhaps I will see in you in their mini pre-treatement waiting room one day - looking our best of course with cream and gladwrap all over our faces

Liz

[Froggirl]

Thanks so much for the post Liz

It's so nice to know that you have had success with Greg Goodman and that he is a nice doctor to boot.

My first appointments not until Dec, but I am hoping that there is a cancellation before that. I am really counting down the days!

The Aura/Lyra is exactly what i was hoping for. It's meant to be much better for flushing than IPL, the Aura is a KTP laser (532?nm) and the Lyra is a 1064nm YAG.

Not sure what the cream and gladwrap is though? Sounds interesting!

I would love to know all the details, like what it felt like, how long it took to see results, if you were happy to post them or to pm me.

Cheers


Kate

[liz]

I think the first time I went I only had a consult with Greg.. standard stuff, prescribed a drug whose name I cannot remember (was a while back and one of many I have tried). I think it was a hormone drug b/c I have some acne (have used Accutane before I got to him) for oilyness, pimples, blackheads etc. I also have some ezcema/derm on the face too. I think he wanted to clear that up a bit before laser. I took that only for a little while. He was then going to do my laser treatments but ended up he was on some derm conference so I either had to change the date (not a chance in hell) or the doc. I chose the latter.

Having said that, I do know that Stef will run things past Greg on my behalf and he has does seem to keep an eye on things and they are both really nice people. They take you into a waiting room, the nurse (?) takes pics, puts the numbing cream on, then the gladwrap to help the cream heat up and do its bit - don't worry about the heat, you can't feel yourself flush You then sit in a smaller waiting room with other gladwrapp-ees, wait a while then its time for zapping. I found it can hurt a little in spots, but I rather they hit me hard for long term gain. Nothing hurts as bad a full face flush in all its ferocity.

The visible broken vessels cleared up a good deal after the first time. There are still some ones which are now easy to cover up with makeup but are persistent buggers. I found some treatments very effective.. some not so but combined overall the last 2/3 years the one and only treatment to be the most effective in my flushing/persistent redness (up till the red lamp treatment which I am starting to use - which is in a trial phase at this time along with dietary changes so I won't post anything until experiments are duly carried )

I swelled up something horrendous after first use, the next morning always the worst the area under the eyes so fat and tight they push your eyes closed. Don't panic.. it lasts about 4 days or so before it looks normal-ish, its just uncomfortable. I think there was another thread which had some pics from Twickle Purple (http://www.rosacea-archive.com/messa...opic-3899.html) whose results look similar (in terms of swelling only - see 1-2 days later).

Later treatments have resulted in less swelling that others.. maybe less to hit, maybe different settings so it does vary. Also less redness afterwards - in the beginning I could have some post flushing/heat/redness that might take up to 2 weeks to settle before I felt comfortable back at work but I was a really really bad flusher, later treatments meant I could be 'right to go' in 6-7 days. Everyone is different though.

My recommendation is to keep a fan nearby, I iced all day everyday in the beginning, but then I used to sleep with icepacks and a fan so ... take a week off work, watch bad daytime TV, and relax. A month later the collagen effect is noticeable and the improvement continues and it helps and thats where I notice that its worth while. You may find it takes 2 or 3 treatments at the beginning to see it help but stick with it if you can.

Liz

[Froggirl]

Thanks for the details Liz.

Dr Bekhor had a cancellation so i ended up seeing him on Tuesday. He was very good and i ended up getting a v-beam treatment. I've posted all the details in the ipl laser section....

[guishome]

hi,
It has been a while since the last post ,has someone seen Dr Beckhors since then ?? is he still one of the best in this field??

I made an appointment for IPL traitement and he stil using elipse IPL, don't you think it's a old IPL compare to the Luminus IPL?

see ya

[saloncanning]

It is so confusing when people recommend different lasers or IPL's to treat rosacea. I have seen several dermatologists who I figure must be the experts - I'm scared of non-medical people treating my skin with powerful machines and have heard some scary stories about complications and scars - I'd rather have my rosacea! One thing I have learnt is that many companies make these machines and if the IPL is in the hands of a good doctor, the brand name is irrelevent ( do you use Colgate or MacLeans?). Philip Bekhor is my doctor - he has an IPL and several different lasers which he uses. He started me on oral antibiotics and once the inflammation and burning settled he started the laser ( V-beam) and may use IPL. I also use Cetaphil and Steiva cream to help repair my skin barrier. He says that the inserts and warnings that come with the box are over-kill. I guess if I can't trust a doctor who even uses laser on newborn babies with birthmarks, who can I trust? I am improving with Philip Bekhors treatment. His clinic is called Laser Dermatology in Box Hill.

[guishome]

Hi saloncanning
I also worried when I see some people saying that their whole face has been burn and will have to leave with that..

I haven't seen Philip Bekhor because I am currently in New Caledonia but I will stay in Melbourne during 3 years but I envisage to see him in July.
In New Caledonia there is only a UK brand IPL and I have never heard of this one for rosacea treatment so I am reluctant!!

you should read the Doctor Soldo's thread on laser treatments. He believes that luminous is the best due to its multiple capacities.
He also recommends to be treated by a dermatologist that has some experience with his IPL even though he doesn't use the luminous one rather to be treated by a dermatologist who has hardly some experience with luminous one.

[ntec]

Guys could I pls have your thoughts and feedback re the availability of previous patient's feedback and/or before and after photos for new patients to view who are considering laser treatment.

BACKGROUND:
I've been recommended Gemini & VBeam treatment for poikiloderma of the neck, telangiectasis (sides of nose) and general rosacea redness by Dr Goodman (Dermatology Institure of Victoria - www.div.net.au).
I've done ALOT of reading & research (on this and other forums) and my conclusion is that this treatment should not be taken that lightly especially as its "optional" therefore I am VERY hesitant to go through with it.

Because of this I would like to talk to patients who have had this proceedure and/or see some before and after photos so I can evaluate the risk/reward factors. However I have been told that this is not possible\available and that this proceedure is all very routine.

QUESTIONS:
My questions are:
1) Do you think I am being over anxious and just go through with it?
2) Am I being unrealistic asking to talk to and/or see previous patient results?

Re (2) above - I know that if I had a sucessful outcome I would be VERY happy to recommend it to others especially who like me may be very anxious about it, so I can't understand why they don't have any previous patients who would do this.

Your thoughts?

[guishome]

There are many feedback in other threads about post-laser treatments and some of them are pretty happy with them but some of them say laser ruined their skin( very few though). Greg Goodman is probably one of the best in Melbourne and I think he treats rosacea patient thoroughly. I wanted to make an appointment with him but I changed my mind because i prefer to fix something before .
good luck

[ntec]

Hi guishome, thanks for your reply.
As you said Laser treatment outcomes don't seem to be predictable... I'm happy to go thru any amount of pain and downtime if the outcome was predictable eg like a filing for a tooth... hopefully sometime in the future this will be the case but at the moment my research suggests that this is NOT the case. Hence the best I can do to address my concerns is to talk to patients who have had the proposed laser treatment.

Doesn't it seem strange that patient testimonials are NOT available for new patients considering the same laser treatments?