Heart Smart

A cardiologist gives cosmetic upgrades

and heart-healthy advice.

Expert Witness
By Kate Nolan

Dr. Edgardo Zavala-Alarcon is a cardiologist who performs a range of liposuction and body sculpting techniques at his Ciao Bella Medical Spa and Vein Clinic. He also treats varicose veins. But what, as the saying goes, is a nice cardiologist doing working as a medical spa doctor? Zavala-Alarcon explains.

You once chaired cardiology departments at two Phoenix hospitals. Why did you switch from cardiology to vein treatments and liposuction?

My vascular work led me from cardiology to opening a vein treatment clinic. I was an interventional cardiologist, so I was using similar technology. It was a natural extension. I was trying to stay away from managed care. And now I have some free time. Before I went into this field, that was impossible.

This month is National Heart Health Month. How does your work influence your patients’ heart health?

As a cardiologist, I used to try to get patients to lose weight after their cardiology procedures. But it was difficult to convince them, even though obesity is one of the killers of heart health. Some had metabolic syndrome, a mixture of factors associated with heart problems. Still, they wouldn’t lose weight. But in my cosmetic surgery practice, it’s easy to get patients with clear evidence of metabolic syndrome to lose weight. I think there is a click inside their brain after liposuction. Most continue to lose weight and get into a healthier lifestyle. Removing the weight seems to remove a barrier. They lose their depression and look at life in a happy way. Self esteem is part of it. I have been studying extremely overweight patients and have documented how, after liposuction, they have improved insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. There seems to be a relationship between heart health and stored fat.

Does heart health affect cosmetic treatments?

I have treated quite a few patients here with cardiac problems. I monitor them closely. Most complications during liposuction occur because of inadequate techniques, such as overdoses of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. Most cosmetic surgeons have to request a cardiac clearance before a procedure. I do my own, and sometimes prescribe blood pressure medicine first.

How important is treating varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a very misunderstood problem. They are very common in people over 60. Often, primary care physicians are too poorly trained or don’t have time to recognize such chronic problems. Patients wind up being treated later for severe problems, circulatory and otherwise, that could have been avoided. It’s amazing how vein surgery can improve general health. After treatment, leg cramps and restless leg syndrome are gone. It’s sad that this is not taught in medical school. I even have physicians come to see me, and they are just so surprised.

What’s the toughest part of your job?

It’s probably trying to make sure patients have realistic expectations about what they are going to get. Some don’t have enough introspection. At 60, you cannot become a 20-year-old.

And the most enjoyable part?

It’s the appreciation patients have after I accomplish what they wanted done. I think I get more appreciation for that now than for saving someone’s life. It’s true. I used to be frustrated at not even getting a “Thank you” for saving someone’s life at 3 o’clock in the morning. Now they cry and hug me. It’s amazing.

To learn more, visit Dr. Zavala-Alarcon at ciaobellamedicalspa.com.