Israel Botox Doctor: Patients Must Check Professional Credentials

Dr. Gail (Gila) Buckman, medical doctor in Tel Aviv
specializes in eye surgery and Botox treatments.

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ----June 13....... Dr. Gila Buckman, a respected, leading physician and medical doctor who practices plastic, cosmetic and eye surgery in Tel Aviv and Hafia, is warning the Israel public to first check the professional credentials of those they are seeking Botox treatments.

"Recently, it has been discovered that there are a few fraudulent people in Israel who have been dispensing fake Botox," says the US trained Botox doctor. "First, the patient must write down their Israel medical license number, visit their offices where Botox treatments are dispensed and ask to see their credentials. Never purchase Botox over the Internet. You must establish face to face contact with a medical doctor who provides the Botox treatments. Get references of other patients who have been treated by a doctor specializing in Botox treatments. And remember, only licensed medical doctors in Israel are allowed to provide Botox treatments."

Botox is a purified neurotoxin produced by the clostridium bacteria. It weakens muscle action by blocking nerve impulses. Tiny dosages are injected into the skin to eliminate wrinkles and expression lines. Areas treated with Botox include the forehead, frown lines, “laugh lines” around the eyes, and neck bands. Botox has also been shown to provide relief for selected migraines and stress headaches.

Dr. Gail Buckman says that the beauty of a Botox treatment is that it's a simple, 10-minute, non-surgical process. A few tiny injections, and within days there can be a noticeable improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. And there’s no recovery time. You can even do it on your lunch break. After treatment with Botox, you may look in the mirror and see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. But Botox will not radically change your facial appearance. You can still frown or look surprised - without the wrinkles and creases between your brows. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 to 5 months.

Results with Botox may vary. If you do not continue treatments, the frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment. Of course, we know that seeing is believing. So check out before and after photos of patients who have had Botox treatments and see for yourself!

It was revealed today that Israel Police suspect that Mario Patlewicz, a 44-year-old resident of the Galilee, has distributed millions of shekels worth of fake Botox products in Israel and overseas through the Internet. The products could cause severe damage and even death.

The case began a couple of months ago when Patlewicz, who is not licensed to distribute drugs, called a large British drug company and offered to sell them a large quantity of Cialis, erectile dysfunction tablets.

The company purchased the pills, only to find out that they were fake. They filed a complaint with the Israel Police.

In collaboration with the Israel police the company continued to work with Patlewicz and set up a business meeting at a coffee shop in Tel Aviv. During the meeting, Patlewicz offered to sell Botox to the undercover policewoman who was impersonating a company representative.

According to Ynetnews, a special Israel police unit that combats intellectual property theft arrested him and searched his flat. They found ampoules of fake Botox and hundreds of original Botox packages that, according to suspicions, Patlewicz planned to distribute the fake substance in. The Israel police officers were warned not to touch the substance as it could contain toxins.

The investigation in Israel has revealed that Patlewicz manufactured the fake Botox in China and Israel and distributed it around the world over the Internet. The Israel police suspect that he received payment in cash and deposited it in various banks around the world.

Patlewicz admitted to trading Botox but claimed he was not aware that it was illegal. His remand has been extended three days and the Israel Health Ministry has been updated on the case.

Dr. Buckman states that the use of Botox is extremely safe, effective in reducing aging and painless but patients should be aware of some rare side effects.

"Do not use Botox if you have an infection where Botox will be injected, are allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox, are pregnant or think you might be pregnant," says Dr. Buckman.

Buckman advises that you should tell your doctor if you have any diseases that affect your nerves and muscles.

"These diseases may increase your chance of side effects with Botox treatment," says Buckman.

Other questions to ask your doctor would be is breast feeding or planning to become pregnant soon a factor? Can any of my medicines interact with Botox?

"Be sure that your doctor knows the names of all the medicines you are using, including: antibiotics used to treat infections, such as gentamicin, tobramycin, clindamycin, and lincomycin medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems, such as quinidine medicines used to treat different conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer’s disease," says Dr. Buckman.

"Ever since there have been mirrors, people have always wanted to look good in them," says Dr. Buckman. "In the past, if someone wanted plastic surgery they might have been seen as vain, depressed or narcissistic. Today it’s a normal desire for social or economic advantage. Almost 3.3 million procedures were performed in 2005 alone - a 16% increase over 2004. Not just models and movie stars, but people from all types of professions have tried it. In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) ranked Botox as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and no surgical) combined."

"As with all prescription medicines, you should notify your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal products," say the respected Israel eye, Botox and plastic surgeon. "But first and foremost, if you are planning on getting any Botox treatments for reducing wrinkles, make sure to have it done at a licensed and certified doctor."