Dr Michael Lau provides the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services for women's health care.
General Info
Dr Michael Lau provides the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services for women's health care. GYN surgery specialists. Dr. Lau is in the forefront in providing women with alternatives to hysterectomy; pelvic plastic surgery, including labioplasty, vaginal rejuvenation and pelvic reconstructive surgery for prolapse and incontinence; and cosmetic surgery, all guided by the minimally invasive approach.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is a surgical procedure aimed at the reduction of excess skin and fatty tissue from the middle and lower abdomen, and may include a tightening of midline muscles of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is not a procedure which can treat obesity, and should not be entered into with weight loss as the primary goal. Obese individuals are advised to seek qualified counseling by a physician and staff who offer comprehensive weight management programs. If you feel the need to lose weight, it is suggested that you do so prior to having a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Loss of weight after such surgery may reduce the effectiveness of such treatment.
Pediatric Care
Primary Care
You can talk to Dr. Lau or his staff by phone or see him in person the day after the surgery before departing the Edmonds area. Dr. Lau will speak with you by phone one to two weeks after surgery for a scheduled post-operative check up, or anytime if you ever have any questions or concerns. Photos of the area of concern can be transmitted by email for evaluation. Dr. Lau can also work with your primary care physician in your local area, if necessary, to ensure your complete and safe recovery.
Urinary Incontinence
Dr. Michael Lau received his residency training at the Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan under Professor C. Paul Hodgkinson, a recognized pioneer in urogynecology. Dr. Lau developed his surgical expertise in the urinary incontinence and genital relaxation and prolapse procedures, many of which were developed by Dr. Hodgkinson.
So what are normal looking vaginal lips (labia minora and labia majora) anyway? Objectively looking for what is normal for the labia, one must recognize that there is a large variation of the size, shape and color of the labia. A study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2005 shows the following dimensions relating to the size of the labia (in centimeters, 1 inch = 2.54 cm)...
Female Infertility
Obstetrics
Endometriosis
Taking from what he learned from Dr. Hodgkinson and other great pelvic and vaginal surgeons at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Lau developed his own gynecologic surgery and pelvic/vaginal plastic and reconstructive surgery clinics in Seattle. Recognizing that while the traditional invasive surgeries are effective, new technology innovation can be used to translate some of these operations to minimally or even non-invasive procedures to reduce the surgical trauma and recovery requirement. Leveraging his scientific training, Dr. Lau was one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to use laser for gynecology, both for vaginal and cervical surgeries and laser laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Lau also pioneered the use of microwave for endometrial ablation to reduce heavy menses in the U.S. Using high definition optics and laser laparoscopy, Dr. Lau translates the open microscopic infertility surgery for pelvic adhesions and endometriosis to minimally invasive laser laparoscopy, an outpatient day surgery.
Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery
This specific "mommy makeover" program includes vaginal rejuvenation, where the internal vaginal canal can be tightened, along with the improvement of the vagina muscle tone, to enhance the sexual function for both the woman and her partner. With the trauma of vaginal delivery, the vaginal opening - the vaginal introitus - is frequently torn or damaged causing a loose vagina, which can be felt or even observed. Part of the vaginal rejuvenation process of "mommy makeover" includes perineoplasty, the tightening of the vaginal opening with reduction of part of the labia and perineal tissue and rebuilding of the perineal body, a process that will make the vagina look and feel like that of pre-childbirth, a truly gratifying reward for the mother. Occasionally, if the labia are enlarged with childbirth, labiaplasty can be performed at the same time as the vaginal rejuvenation process of the "mommy makeover." The combination of the procedures of vaginal rejuvenation and labiaplasty are demonstrated in the photos below. The post-operative photo was taken only 20 days after the procedure, showing dramatic restorative and rejuvenation effects, a truly gratifying result for the patient.
“Comparison of urethro-vesical junction anatomy with ultrasound and metallic bead- chain urethrocystogram” – presented at the Gynecologic Urology Society annual meeting, November 1985.
United States Patent, Number 8,057,391 “Apparatus for Delivering High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Energy to a Treatment Site Internal to a Patient’s Body.” Nov. 15, 2011.
A Board certified gynecologist, Dr. Michael Lau is an experienced surgeon specializing in laser surgery and minimally invasive surgery for more than twenty years. His surgical qualification is attested by his election to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). With a background of advanced graduate training in physics, Dr. Lau is one of the few surgeons who started using laser in surgery more than 20 years ago and has taught laser surgery courses to other physicians. He has also developed patented minimally invasive surgical technologies for clinical applications. Out of his experience with minimally invasive surgery and laser surgery, he has developed a special interest in refining these surgical techniques for cosmetic applications.
Endometrial Ablation
“Retrospective Study Comparing Rollerball, Novasure and Microwave Endometrial Ablation.” Presented at Global Congress AAGL Annual Meeting, November 2004.
Laparoscopy
Reconstructive Surgery
Colpoperineoplasty (vaginal rejuvenation): Through reconstructive surgery, the size, contour, and function of the vagina and vulva can be restored to a state similar to that of before vaginal births. Even though one may argue the validity or need for such reconstruction, many women are very self conscious of their genitalia being deformed or abnormal, to the point of interference of their sexual function.
Botox is a brand name for the botulinum toxin, which is produced by bacteria that causes Botulism. In very small doses injected locally to the muscle area, Botox paralyzes the muscle by blocking the stimulation of the nerve to the muscle. By strategically placing Botox to certain selected groups of muscles of the face, the immobilization of those small groups of muscle prevents the specific facial movements that cause the dynamic wrinkles and the combination wrinkles. The other muscle groups of the face that are not treated are unaffected, so the person can still have all the facial expressions except those specifically blocked by Botox. The effect of Botox in general lasts for three months and then one would need the reinjection of Botox to maintain the desired effect. It generally takes 7 – 10 days after the Botox injection to take full effect. Very fine needles are used for injection with only some discomfort that does not last beyond the injection.
Eyelid Surgery
In some cases, the doctor will suggest that an eyebrow or forehead lifting procedure be performed, as the gradual sagging of these areas will contribute to the hooding appearance. It is not practical for cosmetic eyelid surgery to correct skin excesses from those areas.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical technique to remove unwanted fat deposits under the skin from specific areas of the body, including the face and neck, upper arms, trunk, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs, and the knees, calves, and ankles. There are several methods for removal of localized or regional fat deposits, each of which involve placement of fluid (usually dilute local anesthetic solution) into the deposits, followed by the application of suction for removal of the excess fatty deposits. The suction may be applied by use of a vacuum pump (machine) or via closed syringe system.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping) is a surgical procedure to produce changes in appearance, structure and function of the nose. It is often used to alter the relative size of the nose, change shape, remove undesireable bumps, narrow or widen, and change the angle between the nose and upper lip. In some cases, rhinoplasty can be used to relieve breathing problems that are either present at birth, or acquired through accidental injuries.
Plastic Surgery
Dr. Lau has many years of extensive experience in labiaplasty, vaginal rejuvenation, and pelvic plastic surgery, and has worked with many patients from out-of-state, especially in Alaska. In almost all cases through the phone consultation, he can advise the patient with the most appropriate and relevant treatment solutions, and the in-person consultation the day before surgery usually just confirms his recommendation. If the patient's problem is unusually complex, then Dr. Lau would advise the patient of the possibility of a revision of his recommendation after the in-person consultation, which is the necessary step to complete the consultation process.
Face Lift
Facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure to improve certain visible signs of aging of the face and neck. With aging, changes in our skin, decrease of muscle tone, and loss of elasticity result in sagging of our neck and cheek areas. Aging is influenced by our heredity, general health, sun exposure, and use of alcohol and tobacco products. Facelift surgical procedures are usually effective at reducing the sagging skin excesses, but cannot stop or reverse all evidence of aging. Often procedures will be recommended to you dealing with the very fine wrinkles around the eyelids and mouth areas. These are not as effectively treated by facelift surgical procedures as laser or chemical peeling of the surface.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) is a surgical procedure to reduce sagging excess eyelid skin and bagginess from both the upper and lower eyelids. Drooping excess skin in the upper eyelids can be associated with loss of peripheral vision and contribute to chronic fatigue. In the lower lids (and the inside of the upper eyelids), large bulging is often caused by fatty deposits under the eyelid muscles. By removal of excess eyelid skin and its attached muscle, the surgeon can reduce some of the fat contributing to the bulge, making an improved contour with less appearance of "circles" under your eyes. Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) is effective in improving the hooding effect and excess skin associated with the aging appearance, but does not completely remove the very fine wrinkles on the surface. The intended results are a more youthful and rested appearance of the eyelid area, with improved peripheral vision, particularly in the upper and outer views.
Abdominoplasty
At Radiant rejuvenation and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Lau devotes most of his much demanded professional time and effort in vaginal cosmetic surgery to serve women worldwide. He prefers to perform only limited abdominoplasty designed to improve the aesthetics of the lower abdomen as related to the mons pubis – the mound over the pubic bone.
Breast Surgery
Fellow:American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Society of Liposuction Surgery, American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery, The International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons
Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Lau studied nuclear physics and chemistry at the University of Washington graduate school. After his Master of Science degree, he spent two years towards his PhD degree, working on heavy ion nuclear physics and astro-nuclear physics, before deciding to go to medical school. Leveraging his knowledge of physics and chemistry, Dr. Lau has been developing innovative technologies applied to surgery and medicine, consistent with his goal of translating invasive surgeries to minimally or non-invasive procedures. In addition to laser and microwave, Dr. Lau is an innovator in using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for non-invasive surgery, specifically in treating uterine fibroids. Dr. Lau has multiple U.S. patents and patent applications covering HIFU therapy, laparoscopic surgery, surgical mesh for urogynecology and plastic surgery, and also tissue contouring technologies. In order to implement the development of these technology innovations, Dr. Lau studied at the University of Oxford in the UK, concentrating in technology innovation and implementation, and received an MBA degree from Oxford.
Body Contouring
Thermage can be safely performed on most body parts, including the face, eyes, lips, tummy, arms, hands, thighs and buttocks. And unlike injections or fillers, Thermage works on your entire face: forehead, eyes, nasolabial folds, jaw line, jowls and the area under your chin. A common use of Thermage is in conjunction with liposuction to overcome problems of skin laxity and unevenness after liposuction. Thermage adds proven skin tightening and deep body contouring to enhance the results of liposuction. Also, Thermage has developed a new procedure to reduce the appearance of cellulite by rebuilding collagen connective tissue and improving blood flow to the tissue. Unlike lasers, Thermage works on all skin types and tones. Body by Thermage, Face by Thermage, and Eyes by Thermage are registered trademarks of the Thermage company.
Laser Resurfacing
Improvement of skin laxness, fatty deposits and some skin wrinkles may be accomplished by laser resurfacing only, chemical peeling, or brow or forehead lifting. As this is a procedure which is optional for you, you may choose no surgical treatment. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. In this type of surgery, you should weigh the potential gain against the possibility of risk. Minor or unexpected complications may occur which have a relatively small impact on the final results. Major complications are remotely possible, and are considered rare in this type of surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
NEWS! Dr. Lau lectured in Monte Carlo at a world aesthetic surgery conference on "Optimizing Sexual Function with Vaginal Cosmetic Surgery," March 2015.
Chin Augmentation
Facelift and neck lifting often improve the more visible signs of aging by selectively reducing fat deposits, tightening under the skin structures, and re-draping the skin of face and neck to take up the excess tissues. Such facelift and neck lifting surgeries may be performed alone, or at the same time as some other procedures, such as a forehead-browlifts, liposuction, eyelid surgery, cheek or chin augmentation, or nasal surgery. The best candidates for facelift surgery are usually those in whom cheek and neck line has begun to sag, but whose skin has some remaining elasticity, and whose bony structure is well defined.
Elos Acne Treatment is the first and only technology that uses elos laser technology, combination of bi-polar radio frequency (RF) and light energies to effectively and gently resolve active acne by treating it at its source.
Lesions
Powered by the revolutionary Elōs Laser Technology, the combination of energies offers a complete solution to the challenges of skin treatment with reduced overall required energy output — enabling safe, effective treatment. Highly selective light energies are absorbed by the hemoglobin and pigmented lesions, but not significantly absorbed by the normal dermis. Electrical energies selectively heat blood vessels — while minimizing the effect on pigmented structure.
Chemical Peels
The procedures are performed under local, local-sedation, or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in outpatient surgicenters or hospitals. Most commonly, local only, or amnesia producing sedation are selected. The small incisions to remove the excess skin may be made by scalpel, laser, or radio-frequency knives, and are placed along the natural creases in the upper and lower eyelids. In some cases, removal of excess fat can be approached from the inside aspect of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival approach), with either chemical peel or resurfacing laser used on the outer skin to tighten the very fine wrinkles. This approach is not appropriate in all cases, particularly for individuals with larger excess of muscle causing bulges when smiling, or in those with larger amounts of excess skin.
Skin Care
Clear + Brilliant is the newest fractional laser treatment from Solta Medical, the pioneers of fractional laser technology. Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser skin care treatment that fights the effects of aging and rejuvenates the skin from the inside out. Each treatment refreshes the skin and improves tone and texture, gives a youthful glow, and reduces the appearance of pores.
Microdermabrasion
SilkPeel's Dermalinfusion is the most dynamic skin treatment available today. It is the only procedure that provides both non-invasive exfoliation and delivery of skin-specific topical solutions, leaving patients with fresher-feeling and better-looking skin. SilkPeel microdermabrasion is safe and painless, allowing patients to achieve optimum results on an accelerated basis without the complications and discomfort usually associated with invasive procedures. In addition, SilkPeel microdermabrasion is unique because it does not use crystals or other abrasive particles that can irritate the skin.