Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery Tips from Plastic Surgeon

2010-02-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

Plastic surgery might have been hurt by the recession, but it still draws a sizable following of people hoping to improve their appearance.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that some major cosmetic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation and liposuction, declined between 2007 and 2008 - the most recent figures available. But minimally invasive procedures grew in popularity during the same period. That includes treatments with Botox, laser skin resurfacing, and laser treatment of veins in the legs.

Dr. Michael D. Cohen of Towson's Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland recently answered questions about choosing the right cosmetic surgeon. Above all, he says, do your research before agreeing to a procedure.

Question: What's the first thing one should do when choosing a plastic surgeon?

Answer: Make sure your plastic surgeon is ... certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You would want to ask your plastic surgeon what do they specialize in and "Have you done these procedures often?" You would want to ask for before-and-after photos. You would want to ask for some patient references and testimonials, to get a sense of how comfortable your plastic surgeon is with his or her results.

Q: Who are some of the best candidates for plastic surgery?

A: You want people to have reasonable expectations. You want to agree and confirm that the problem or the concern of theirs is real and something that is fixable. You want to look out for people whose expectations are unreal or [who are] seeking out plastic surgery to correct other social or emotional issues. Of course everybody knows of celebrities that have had extreme plastic surgery. As a responsible plastic surgeon, you really want to resist the temptation to get involved with treating patients who have had multiple procedures performed on the same area and are never satisfied.

Q: How many procedures is too many?

A: There is no fixed number. It varies by patient. Some people will take the opportunity to combine a few procedures together. What it does is that it actually allows the recovery to be lumped into one. It's cost effective because they're only undergoing one anesthetic. And they're sort of creating more improvement in more areas to make them happier. But most people usually ask about one or two procedures, and then occasionally people ask for a little bit more; but if they're good candidates, it's not unreasonable.

SOURCE

Cosmetic Surgery Cost Declines in 2009

2010-02-06T01:38:00.000-08:00

The US may have experienced a 12% decrease in the number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, but the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have a different story to tell. They found the UK experienced a 5% increase in demand from 2007 to 2008, and a 9% increase from 2008 to 2009.

Thanks to an 8.7% increase over the previous year, the UK plastic surgery industry reached a total market value of GBP536 million by the end of 2008. The reason for this is believed to be the addition of a number of new products and services that offer effective results with shorter recovery periods. A portion of the growth is also attributed to advancements in technology, which have improved a number of the current procedures being offered.

Financing options have also been attributed with a significant amount of the growth simply because it has made a number of larger procedures more affordable. Men have also been opting to have cosmetic treatments. In fact, this is currently the fastest growing demographic. Overall, procedures vary greatly in price, yet they have generally decreased slightly, which is a relief after several years of increases.

Breast enlargements may have cost an average of GBP4,350 in 2008, but in 2009, quoted prices ranged from GBP3,295 to GBP4,850, with GBP3,348 being an average. Patients do need to exercise caution when comparing the quotes offered by various clinics, however.

Many times, quotes only include two follow up care sessions and charge additional fees for the initial consultation. Other clinics include the initial consultation and a lifetime of follow up care appointments in their quotes. Also, the costs of an overnight stay in the hospital may or may not be included in the initial quote.

Rhytidectomies or facelift surgeries declined in a similar fashion in the UK. What once cost an estimated GBP6,750 in 2008 now falls around the GBP6,012 for the average facelift procedure. Patients will want to shop around and consider their choices carefully before making a final decision, however. Quoted prices did vary from GBP4,000 to GBP8,500, depending on the clinic chosen and the type of repairs necessary to achieve the desired results.

The average liposuction treatment was worth approximately GBP3,000 in 2008. In 2009, however, the same treatment averaged GBP2,881 and ranged anywhere from GBP2,000 to GBP5,150, depending on the clinic. Patients will find the actual costs for liposuction treatments will depend on numerous factors including how many areas require treatment, what the plastic surgery clinic defines as 'one area, and the patient's gender. Men will find they'll pay more for liposuction than women because their fat cells are harder and more fibrous, which makes them more difficult to remove.

Source

Cosmetic Surgery Website Regulated by BAAPS

2010-01-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

GoodSurgeonGuide.co.uk, regulated by BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) was launched in September 2009 and is the first website of its kind. The site is the UK's only Cosmetic Surgery review website and should be the first port of call for anyone considering cosmetic surgery, aesthetic treatments or cosmetic dentistry. The site can also play an important role for surgeons and treatment providers.

The website was created by Christiana Clogg and good friend, Jennie Bassett. Both women had considered cosmetic surgery in the past and were overwhelmed by the amount of choice but the lack of guidance. The decision to undergo surgery was not an easy one, yet finding reviews and experiences from fellow cosmetic surgery patients was becoming the hardest part. It became clear that there needed to be a site that was honest, informative and completely independent from any other, a simple yet totally effective guide for all those that were considering surgery.

Getting listed on GoodSurgeonGuide.co.uk is completely free and, by doing so, clinics, cosmetic surgeons, cosmetic dentists and aesthetic treatment providers can get their own profile, complete with contact details, and information about qualifications and the procedures they offer. The profile has a review and ratings section, which can be used by people who have gone to them for procedures in the past; this will help raise the profile of the professional and show that they are reputable and respected.

Since the launch the site has been a huge success. With over 10,000 new visitors a month, the ladies are well on their way to making the site the first port of call when researching cosmetic surgery.

Is Cost Stopping You to Have a Cosmetic Surgery?

2010-01-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

“For every person who has undergone a cosmetic procedure, there are at least two more who would like to.” So says J.P. Faber, the editor of a magazine about to be launched called “New You.” With its clearly stated mission to promote cosmetic surgery and encourage people who are considering it to “take action tomorrow,” it’s wise to look at the new publication by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons with a critical eye.

Still, it’s probably safe to say that there are more people considering surgery than there are people who actually take the plunge. According to J.P. Faber, one of the leading obstacles is the high cost.

I’m not a physician and therefore can’t offer medical advice to anyone considering surgery. But I do have several years of experience writing about elective procedures, including dozens and dozens of patient and surgeon interviews. From that standpoint, I truly enjoy sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

About the cost of cosmetic surgery: There’s no denying that the price tag can be eye-popping. In fact, when you add up the various charges—surgeon, facility, anesthesiologist, meds and more—the procedure you’re considering may well cost more than you think.

Don’t stop at the direct costs, though. The bottom line will include some outlays associated with preparation. You’ll need a physical and some routine blood work at minimum. If your chosen surgeon is not close to home, you may be paying transportation and lodging bills. For your recovery period, you might need special food, garments or other purchases to ensure your comfort.

Given all these costs, some people understandably look for plastic surgery deals. Don’t be one of them. The Internet is filled with stories of people who are sorry they chose an under-qualified provider to save money. For a surgeon who’s board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, an accredited surgical facility with state-of-the-art equipment and a physician-anesthesiologist, you can expect to pay a good sum of money. But your safety and satisfaction are worth it.

Also think hard before flying to another country.

For one thing, you may not be saving as much as you think you are if you add up all the costs related to traveling. More importantly, if you’re one of the small percentage of patients with a problem, you won’t want to be in an unfamiliar setting far from home.

Financing plastic surgery is a viable option for some people, but again you should think this through. Consider whether you’ll really feel ok about paying for a procedure long after the results have settled in.

If you’re thinking about rhinoplasty to fix a nose hump you’ve hated for years, you’ve done your homework and feel confident in your choice of surgeon, you’re willing to pay $5000 - $10,000 (depending largely on your location) and you’ve saved at least part of the money, maybe financing the rest of the cost is the way to go. If you can look yourself in the mirror and know that a year or five years down the road you will still be thrilled with your new look and happy you moved forward, then look into financing.

If you don’t honestly feel this strongly about surgery, try setting a goal to save more of the cost of the procedure before you make the final decision. If you follow through, that might be an indication that you’re ready to take on surgery and an extended payment commitment. If not, well, you might want to rethink your priorities.

Want to bet money on how soon J.P. Faber’s “New You” magazine will feature an article on how easy it is to finance plastic surgery, then? I didn’t think so!

Source : empowher

Senate Democrats Would no longer tax Cosmetic Surgeries

2009-12-20T04:35:00.000-08:00

Your fears of a 5 percent tariff on butt lifts, rhinoplasty, and injectables like Botox and Restylane are over! Senate Democrats have dropped the so-called "Botax," likely after major uproar from the well-moneyed cosmetic surgery industry, which was supposed to raise $5 billion. But don't think Dems have entirely thrown out the idea of taxing America's addiction to aesthetic improvements: The cast of Jersey Shore is about to see their tanning experience get hit with a hike.

In place of Botax is a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning. Or, as the Senate's bill refers to it, the tax will be "intended for the irradiation of an individual by ultraviolet radiation, with wavelengths in air between 200 and 400 nanometers, to induce skin tanning." Which, as far as we're concerned, is a tax on WHITE PEOPLE!

Looks like spray-ons it will be.

SOURCE

Cosmetic Surgery Tax

2009-12-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

If you have ever considered getting cosmetic surgery, including botox, you may soon be paying an extra 5% percent tax.

It's a proposal in the new health reform bill currently being debated in congress.

Many cosmetic surgeons across the country are outraged.

They say it unfairly targets women and could lead to "black market” surgery and treatments if the tax pushes costs up.

Dr. Sylvan Bartlett says, “Where do you draw the line? Dentists for veneers? Beauty shops? Kids braces? Are they going to start taxing you for that?”

SOURCE

Know your surgeon

2009-12-06T05:13:00.001-08:00

THE recent death of former Miss Argentina Solange Magnano after elective buttocks surgery brings to surface the question of safety in cosmetic surgery again.

There have been many such misadventures worldwide but they have failed to deter thousands of Malaysians from doing what it takes for beauty.

One such person is Christina Chan.

Chan, a 38-year-old consultant, recently went for thigh liposuction. She was willing to go through with it even though her sister almost died from the same procedure a few years ago.

"Based on friends' recommendations, my younger sister chose to undergo liposuction at a private clinic in Klang. It turned out to be a scary experience for our family.

"Hours after the procedure, my sister started vomiting. The next morning, we found her lying unconscious in the bathroom. When she regained her consciousness, she could hardly walk as her legs were badly bruised.

"She has since recovered, but the procedure could have killed her."

Although Chan watched her sister go through the ordeal, it did not deter her.

"Some people may think it's crazy to take the risk but I needed the surgery for practical reasons.

"I live in the United States and it's difficult to shop for clothes, especially jeans."

Chan did some background check on the surgeon first.

"I turned to the Internet for information. I believe if proper research and consultation is done prior to cosmetic procedures, there is not much to worry about."

Although an increasing number of Malaysians go for cosmetic procedures, there remains a low level of awareness about safe practices. Laws and regulations are also in place to ensure safety, but there is not enough enforcement.

"I've seen people as young as 18 and as old as 60 seeking double eyelids, eye bag removal, nose enhancement, facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks," says Dr Tan Geok Puan, a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at a private hospital in Sunway.

"More people are aware of procedures available these days. Many are doing it to improve their self-esteem and to project a better image for work and promotions.

"There are also many non-surgical treatments that are popular, like Botox, fillers and laser skin rejuvenation procedures."

Dr Tan says cosmetic surgery is safe as long as it is carried out by a qualified surgeon in a credible hospital.

"There are associated risks and complications in any surgery. What is important is to make sure the patient is fit for surgery."

But patients, Dr Tan says, should not expect miracles.

"We have the patient's features and tissues to deal with and can enhance what is presented to us.

"But patients with unrealistic expectations should not undergo surgery because they will never be happy.

"Patients may refer to the Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons for consultation."

Consultant plastic surgeon Dr Yap Lok Huei says it is important for patients considering cosmetic surgery to research their options carefully.

"Regulatory enforcement tends to lag behind development of techniques in cosmetic surgeries and non-surgical treatments."

Dr Yap is keen to remind his patients that in any trade, there are always some less ethical individuals who are out to make a quick profit. This, sadly, is also true of cosmetic treatments and cosmetic surgery, he says.

"There are cases where the patients do not even ask to see their surgeon before their surgery.

"There have also been reports of some patients finding out just before the surgery that their surgeon is not registered to practise in Malaysia.

"However, at that stage, many patients feel they might as well go through with it due to embarrassment. Thus, they inadvertently take part in an illegal enterprise."

Dr Yap says some patients find out that their surgeon is not qualified only after complications have occurred.

"I suggest that the surgeon assess his patient to decide on the correct treatment and that the patient be given treatment options and time to ponder on the surgery.

"The fact that these patients meet their surgeon only on the day of the operation is unacceptable."

In situations like these, Dr Yap says, it is likely that a "sales consultant" would have seen the patient.

"Such consultants may not have the necessary medical expertise to deal with subtle yet important details that may require attention."

He feels that managing the risks of cosmetic surgery should be a shared responsibility between patient and surgeon.

"The patient should ensure that the doctor is a qualified specialist. Information on doctors and their expertise and training is much more easily available online these days.

"The consultation process should tell you whether the procedure is suitable and whether it would produce the results you want.

"The surgeon should also give you an honest appraisal of the likelihood of success and the cost, not just in terms of fees but also the healing and down time."

Dr Yap is concerned that non-specialist doctors are increasingly carrying out invasive cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction.

"Patients do not seem to be aware that they are exposing themselves to unnecessary risks by opting to go with such doctors.

"Botched jobs that are fatal happen due to technical errors and some due to the lack of safety equipment. These deaths could have been prevented."

So, how does one go about making sure safety can be guaranteed?

"There are no guarantees with any cosmetic surgery as mistakes can occur even in the best of hands. The secret is in minimising the risks of surgery.

"We can do this by selecting experienced surgeons who have a good reputation and accredited medical centres that are equipped with trained medical staff and equipment to deal with medical emergencies," says Dr Yap.

But how do you tell if you are dealing with a competent surgeon?

"I think recommendations from one of your surgeon's patients can be a positive factor. Ask your surgeon about his or her experience in the field you are interested in.

"Does your surgeon have before and after pictures of patients who underwent similar surgery?

"Are they recognised by other surgeons for their skills and experience?"

Dr Yap says it is important for patients to establish trust and rapport with their surgeons.

"Your surgeon should be someone who cares for you. If you feel you can't trust them, chances are you have the wrong person."

Dr Yap stresses, however, that patients should not be afraid of cosmetic surgery or treatments.

"The fact that there are many happy patients is testament that cosmetic surgery and treatments can be carried out successfully. However, it needs to be well-researched and well-planned.

"If the risks are managed properly, cosmetic surgery can be satisfying for both patient and surgeon, and ultimately produce the desired changes in a patient's life."

SOURCE

Safety Tips for Cosmetic Surgery

2009-12-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

With the boom in cosmetic surgery worldwide, it has become imperative for prospective patients to choose safety first.

A recent poll of 1,235 UK patients found that 61 per cent were unsatisfied with the results of their cosmetic surgery mainly because they failed to carry out adequate research.

"These results show why it is absolutely key to know everything about the surgeon and the practice carrying out your procedure," said Christiana Clogg, co-founder of thegoodsurgeonguide.co.uk, which carried out the research. "Sometimes cost can become the most important factor and low prices can be dazzling, taking priority over creditability and experience."

Two-fifths of those surveyed said they had to go back to get things corrected. Some of the ways to stay safe from botched up surgeries is to research the doctor and seek recommendations. Furthermore the cheapest is not always the best.

SOURCE

Hope this safety tip will help you to think twice...

Venezuelans Borrow Money Just for Plastic Surgery

2009-11-25T05:43:00.000-08:00

I don't think this is right...

CARACAS (Reuters) - Unfazed by a recession and rampant inflation, image-conscious Venezuelans show no signs of cutting back on the facelifts, liposuction, and breast augmentation that have become de rigueur beauty treatments.

"There is never a question of not doing it, but of how you can do it. We all want to get everything done," said Helen Patino, a 37-year-old former model who had her first breast augmentation when she was 21 and her third about three months ago.

Venezuela's inflation is the highest in Latin America, up more than 20 percent in the first 10 months of this year and the South American nation is in recession after a five year boom.

Hard times may even encourage cosmetic procedures as people look for ways to lift their spirits, with many dipping into savings or taking on debt to get operations, surgeons say.

"The financial crisis has spurred people to spend more on themselves ... to console themselves in this crisis. I have not seen demand diminishing," said Peter Romer, a plastic surgeon in Caracas.

For Iris Delgado, a 57-year-old dental technician, a lack of funds was not an obstacle to getting a recent eyelid tuck.

"With the economy, one has to make sacrifices, because you don't have the money. So, you get it from credit cards, from family and you pay for it," said Delgado, who borrowed 7,000 bolivares -- about $3,250 -- for the procedure, a move she saw as a hedge against inflation in plastic surgery prices.

Like Delgado, many go into debt to finance cosmetic surgery, according to those in the industry.

"It's an investment that people make and they look for money everywhere," said Romer, adding that one of his patients moved into a smaller apartment to get a makeover and another traded her car for a facelift.

Leoncio Barrios, a social psychologist at the Central University of Venezuela, said such stories are the exception. "The majority of middle and lower-income women do not have property to sell or the capacity to save," he said.

"What is clear is that in the subway you can see ads for clinics that offer credit for this type of surgery, and that women who work use their vacation bonuses and borrow from their work savings accounts," he added.

The industry will make sure that cosmetic work remains within reach to ensure a steady flow of income, Barrios said.

"NEED TO BE BEAUTIFUL"

Despite the hefty price tag, the choice to get cosmetic surgery is not considered a luxury for some Venezuelans.

"We need to be beautiful," said Patino.

Competition among women, by far the biggest consumers of plastic surgery in Venezuela, to look their best is fierce, and social pressure to get work done is high.

"Socially, there is a lot of demand, especially from men, to have a good body," said Prem Pratita, a 27-year-old who had a breast augmentation a few weeks ago.

In this image-conscious country, famous for beauty queens who win record numbers of international pageant titles, the idea of getting cosmetic surgery is instilled at a young age.

Patino recalls how, as a child, her mother and aunt dreamt of surgery to get rid of wrinkles. Now, with a child of her own, the subject is already on the table.

"I told my husband, 'Look honey, if she has your nose, she's going to get surgery,'" said Patino.

Some young women even describe moving up a few cup sizes as a rite of passage.

"It's a transformation from being a girl to being a woman," said Pratita, who said she was one of the last in her circle of friends to have the procedure.

"Everybody has a breast augmentation. Three or four of every seven women have one," said plastic surgeon Angel Pena, who likens his surgery to body decoration practiced for centuries.

"By nature, human beings have the desire to look better ... this desire is timeless and it's a desire that doesn't depend on your economic situation ... it's not that frivolous."

Read more >>

Five percent tax on Elective Cosmetic Surgery - Harry Reid

2009-11-23T05:49:00.000-08:00

Desperately seeking money to pay for new health care legislation, Senate majority leader Harry Reid is proposing a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery and procedures.

With all the nipping and tucking and lifting and botoxing that members of Congress have recently indulged in, it's difficult to imagine that he will find much support. Nevertheless, some senators who have already had their fill of fillers and thus feel free to tax the sagging and wrinkly laggards, need to consider the following.

As 90 % of elective cosmetic surgeries and procedures are done by women, this is effectively a tax on women and thus discriminatory. And these are not just rich women doing facelifts. Cosmetic intervention has gone mainstream. The majority of surgeries and procedures are performed on hard working middle class women who simply want to look more attractive. Anything wrong with that? Perhaps it IS sad that women feel a pressure to take to the knife, but that pressure is a reality of life today. In an incredibly tight job market, looking a few years younger, fresher and perkier can pay off. Sad perhaps, but true. And if she spends hours in the gym working to keep her body looking young and healthy why should she be let down by some sagging skin around the eyes and jowls?

Otherwise, in order to make it more gender balanced - on top of the botox tax they could add a tax on footballs, viagra, car magazines, gadgets, wide-screen tv's, and shaving paraphernalia.

Also, defining elective surgery and procedures has always been difficult. While most of us can agree that breast augmentation is not medically necessary, some (in particular the women who suffer from it) would argue that having breasts that hang limply like a cocker spaniel's ears after multiple pregnancies can cause extreme self esteem problems and depression. Similarly, nose jobs can have a remarkable effect, especially on young people's self-confidence. Long-term, rhinoplasty may be cheaper than all the therapy needed to deal with the self-esteem problems from a massive or oddly shaped nose. It’s scary, but insurance companies have long tried to have craniofacial care labeled as elective or dental. At one point they wanted to label cleft-repair as cosmetic surgery in order to not have to pay!

And if we go down this path, why not tax haircuts, manicures, spa-treatments, dental whitening, hair waxing, ear-piercing (or any other piercing for that matter), and tattoos? After all, they are all elective and cosmetic procedures.

Maybe this 5 % tax should, instead, be applied to things that ruin your health, thus directly contributing to ballooning health care costs. Lets see.... sugar, candies, chips, fast food, alcohol, basically anything high in fat, sugar or sodium. Also tv's and video games that contribute to our sedentary (and unhealthy) lifestyles.

That way we would be slimmer, healthier, more sober and prettier so we could afford those cosmetic surgeries.

Finally, there is, of course, always another side to every story. And this proposal will have its protagonists. Our guess is that plastic surgeons all over South and Central America are bouncing up and down in joyous anticipation of an even greater boom in "medical tourism". Countries like Panama and Costa Rica should see a boost to their economies as even more Americans head south for surgeries that are already 25-40 % cheaper than in the US.

SOURCE

How to Achieve Great Ethnic Plastic Surgery

2009-11-20T05:23:00.000-08:00

By all accounts, cosmetic plastic surgery is on the rise in America for ethnic patients. In fact, in 2007, ethnic minorities accounted for 22 percent of the nearly 11.7 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, an increase of 105 percent from 2000. More specifically, in 2007, Hispanics underwent 1,011,071 procedures (up 153% from 2000) while African-American cosmetic surgeries increased 170%.

Yet, we see a number of ethnic patients every month who tell us they’ve had a hard time finding a surgeon who seems to make a practice of doing “ethnic plastic surgery”. Why?

Well, in our opinions, there are a few reasons for this:

The aesthetic is different. We now know that there is tremendous variation in anatomy among and between ethnicities and an equally wide variation in the desired aesthetic.

When it comes to rhinoplasty, which is by far the most popular facial surgical procedure among ethnic minorities, the nuances of ethnic differences in facial structure and aesthetics require a different type of surgeon: one who moves beyond the “one size fits all“ model to tailor results.

Ethnic Pic, Plastic Surgery

If a surgeon is not experienced with the nuance of ethnic rhinoplasty, this can be hard to accomplish in a natural-looking way. Which brings us to the final point…

The procedures are different. For a typical rhinoplasty in patients of European ancestry, the focus is usually on making the nose smaller, reducing a bump, etc. and so we trained to remove some tissue in order to accomplish this. Ethnic noses can tend towards thicker skin, softer tip cartilage, weaker septal cartilage, excessive nostril flare, and sometimes lower nasal bridges. For these patients, the emphasis is typically on narrowing and adding to the bridge, refining and supporting the tip, and on specialized procedures such as alar base reduction (nostril narrowing).

Achieving these goals relies heavily on more advanced grafting techniques in order to have thicker skin drape favorably and show the desired degree of refinement. It is critical to build up tip structure in order to provide not only adequate support but also lasting tip shape and definition. At the same time, most of our patients are seeking refinement in the way of a thinner tip that is not over-built and rock hard. So, there is a balance that needs to be struck and a fairly unforgiving line that needs to be walked. Luckily, with the increase in interest from ethnic patients, we are sure to see more and more surgeons interested in achieving fantastic results for them.

For more questions about ethnic plastic surgery click here

The Shafer Plastic Surgery App, Available for $2.99

2009-11-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what you would look like with bigger breasts or poutier lips? Now you can find out using a simple app made for the iPhone. There are now two plastic surgery applications for the Apple iPhone that offer users information, games and the chance to see what they would look like with a face lift, new nose, and many other procedures.

The firs plastic surgery app - The Shafer Plastic Surgery App - launched in October. It's the first app of its kind amongst Apple's 85,000 offerings in the iPhone App Store. It was created by Dr. David Shafer of New York, and taps into more than 1,000 questions and answers about specific cosmetic procedures.

The second iPhone plastic surgery app will soon hit the iPhone App Store, and it's called "iSurgeon". iSurgeon was developed by Miami cosmetic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer, who is also well known for authoring the 2008 book "My Beautiful Mommy" - a book aimed at helping 4 to 7 year old children cope with their mother's plastic surgery.

iSurgeon will feature a fun game mode that allows users to try their hand at surgery, giving people the chance to instantly modify images of themselves or their friends through breast augmentations, lip enhancements and dozens of other procedures.

The Shafer Plastic Surgery App is available for $2.99. iSurgeon will be free during its first month of release later in November.

This article is from www.clevelandleader.com

New Book on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery from Elsevier

2009-10-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, proudly announced the release of a brand-new single volume comprehensive book on contemporary aesthetic plastic surgery.

Drs. Aston, Steinbrech and Walden, renowned plastic surgeons in New York share their trade secrets of aesthetic plastic surgery in a procedure-oriented and illustrated reference, "Aesthetic Plastic Surgery". Along with leading international contributors, they present today's most comprehensive in-depth view of the current state of aesthetic plastic surgery.

"We've showcased the most successful aesthetic surgery procedures that we, as well as our contributing authors, use on an almost daily basis," said Dr. Sherrell Aston, MD. "The information will be useful to you regardless of whether you are an experienced surgeon or just beginning your practice."

This reference brings to the table the masterful expertise needed to achieve the desired outcomes for every cosmetic surgery procedure, including the MACS lift, endoscopic mid- and lower face rejuvenation, lid/cheek blending along the tear trough, cohesive gel breast augmentation, lipoabdominoplasty, injectables such as Botox, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, nonsurgical ultrasonic fat reduction, suture suspension threadlifts, and many more.

"This comprehensive text is procedurally-oriented, and lavishly illustrated and provides stepwise guidance to techniques," commented Sue Hodgson, Publishing Director for Global Medicine at Elsevier. "All of the major contemporary procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery are covered and described by the experts in the field. It is a resource no surgeon who performs aesthetic procedures can afford to be without."

The three editors are:

Sherrell Aston, MD, FACS is one of the world's preeminent plastic surgeons and educators. He is a past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York. He also serves as a Professor of Plastic Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine.

Douglas Steinbrech, MD, FACS is Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine and an Attending Surgeon at Manhattan, Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York.

Jennifer L. Walden, MD, FACS is Attending Surgeon, Program Director in Plastic Surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery at New York University School of Medicine.

SOURCE

India's Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Grows Rapidly

2009-10-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, October 20 (IANS) Don’t like the shape of your nose and want to go under the knife? Experts say that people who are always pre-occupied with their appearances and dislike their bodies, may be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a growing phenomenon in India.

Although there is no official data on the number of cosmetic surgery procedures being conducted in India, according to a health expert in a Delhi hospital the number of people going for cosmetic surgeries has jumped manifold over the last five years.

Rakesh Khazanchi, senior consultant of the department of plastic and cosmetic surgery at the Sir Gangaram Hospital, said: “Cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty, liposuction, male breast reduction, abdominoplasty have seen a whopping increase of nearly 150 per cent in the last five years. Nearly 10 percent of these people suffer from BDD and are in their late teens or early twenties.”

“The number of dysmorphic patients is also increasing every year,” he added.

A survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) revealed that six out of 100 women who seek plastic surgery suffer from BDD as do seven out of 100 men.

Rajeev B. Ahuja, chairman of the International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS), said: “A cosmetic surgeon must be able to distinguish between patients who need multiple surgeries, and those who are truly dysmorphic and just require counselling.”

“Very often a plastic surgeon may also need to play the role of a psychiatrist,” he added.

Talking on this issue and other topics related to cosmetic surgery, will be hundreds of experts in the field at the 15th World Congress of IPRAS in the capital Dec 3 this year.

Arnold Schwarzenegger signs Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Law

2009-10-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In addition to signing a strong new anti-paparazzi bill, the governor signed the Donda West Law, which requires anyone undergoing plastic surgery in the state to receive a mandatory physical examination first, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The bill was written in response to the death in 2007 of Kanye West's mother, Donda, 58, who died of complications related to cosmetic surgery. Dr. West's family reportedly believe that a pre-op physical exam would have uncovered coronary artery disease. West underwent several plastic surgery procedures without medical clearance, and her coronary disease and postoperative factors are believed to have contributed to her death.

Dr. West's niece, Yolanda Anderson, was one of the primary movers behind the bill, which also requires a mandatory written clearance before surgery. Schwarzenegger vetoed the first pass of the bill in February 2008, then signed it on Monday after it was resubmitted this past February.

"Sometimes patients may think they are well enough for cosmetic surgery, but in reality are not," said Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, one of the leading sponsors of the bill. "This bill will potentially save lives."

After his infamous run-in with Taylor Swift at the VMAs last month, Kanye West told talk-show host Jay Leno that his mother would have been disappointed in his behavior. West also said that the pain from his mother's death still haunts him and that after two years of nonstop touring, recording and appearances, he's decided to take some time to deal with his emotions.

"Obviously, I deal with hurt, and so many celebrities, they never take the time off, and I never took the time off, really," West explained on Leno's show. "I've really never taken the time off. It's been music after music and tour after tour. And I'm just ashamed my hurt caused someone else hurt."

SOURCE

Kris Shewmake: Plastic Surgeon

2009-10-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Kris Shewmake was named the best plastic surgeon in Arkansas by his colleagues in 1999. Ten years later, he's been named again as the top doctor in his field, an honor he shares with James Yuen of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Shewmake, 54, a Pine Bluff native, is a cosmetic surgeon most of the year. But for around 20 days a year, he's both surgeon and teacher, correcting severe craniofacial malformations and doing other reconstructive surgeries in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with the medical mission Operation New Life.

Shewmake has made medical mission trips for years, but his first trips left something to be desired. “I'd go to [somewhere in the Third World] and fix as much as I could and never go back.”

Seven years ago, after the orthopedic team that was to have accompanied him had to cancel at the last minute, Shewmake and another doctor decided to visit the Hospital Escuala in Tegucigalpa and meet the surgeons there. The hospital has 1,600 beds and is the only hospital to serve the indigent population of that very poor country, one where poor diet has created a higher-than-normal incidence of malformed skulls and faces. “We hit it off with those guys,” Shewmake said, and Operation New Life was born. Teams of orthopedic, general and plastic surgeons since then have trained dozens of Honduran surgeons at the hospital, using a camera donated by Baptist Health that broadcasts live from the operating theater to a large-screen television set up outside. Doctors fluent in both Spanish and English translate questions from the watching surgeons for the operating team and the team's responses.

It's a tough place to work. Sometimes the lights go off. Sometimes the water goes off. There's only one autoclave to sterilize instruments, and it is 50 years old. But Shewmake sees God's hand in the circumstances that brought Operation New Life into being.

Back home, Shewmake, who says his colleagues sometimes place cosmetic surgery in the 90210 zip code of specialties, finds his work fulfilling. Cosmetic surgery is “incredibly satisfying,” he said, “and life-changing” for his patients. The 10 years since the Times last interviewed Shewmake has seen a number of innovations in cosmetic care. The biggest thing in the past five years is the use of fillers to restore youthful plumpness to older faces. Injections of hyaluronic acid, a natural product of the body — “the slippery stuff in joints,” he explained — can smooth out wrinkled areas, fill in sunken places under the eyes. The effect of the fillers, which cost around $1,000 for a couple of syringes, can last from six to 18 months and “delay the need for a [face] lift,” which costs 10 times as much (though it lasts for eight to 10 years).

Disport, an alternative to Botox, is now on the market; its advantage is that it works to smooth the face (by temporarily hindering muscle contraction) within 24 to 48 hours rather than the 10 days to two weeks that Botox takes. It's cheaper as well — $200 an injection (an introductory price) — and may last longer than the four months that Botox makes that forehead flat.

Shewmake tested the new Fraxal laser treatment on himself. It's a “kinder, gentler” technique that removes pigmentation, acne scars or lines with a grid of tiny pinpricks rather than burning off whole areas of skin. With traditional laser surgery, the patient may want to stay out of the public eye for three weeks; Shewmake said he went out to the movies after his Fraxal treatment.

He also does breast implants, both with silicone (back on the market since our 1999 interview, now that it comes in a form he likens to “gummy bears” to prevent leakage into the body) and saline. The latter can be adjusted post-op with a tiny tube and port that are later removed. That's an advantage, Shewmake said, since as much as 85 percent of women who get implants wish they had gotten a bigger size.

Shewmake was trained in craniomaxillofacial surgery at the University of California at Los Angeles and in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Texas-Southwestern Surgery Medical Center in Dallas. At one time, he worked at UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hospital to create a plastic surgery residency program, but UAMS eventually decided it could not support the program. Shewmake hopes that will change, since UAMS is one of the few medical universities, he said, that don't offer a plastic surgery residency. “I'm hoping and praying some light will come on at the med center,” he said, “and they'll support plastic surgery.”

This article is from www.arktimes.com

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery News : Breast Reconstruction Surgeon Helps Women Regain Quality of Life After Cancer

2009-10-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Though Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in full swing, as many as 7 out of 10 women with breast cancer are unaware that they have the option of reconstructing their breasts after mastectomy. One San Ramon breast reconstruction surgeon is seeking to change this statistic. Dr. Thomas McNemar (www.mcnemarcosmeticsurgery.com), a board-certified plastic surgeon serving the Danville, Modesto, San Ramon and Walnut Creek areas, says breast reconstruction options go unaddressed by many oncologists and cancer surgeons, but patients can take several steps on their own to explore their choices.

"Today, women with breast cancer get plenty of information about their cancer treatment options, but they often aren't given the facts about breast reconstruction," notes Dr. McNemar. "Reconstruction can be extremely important for a woman to feel 'whole' again."

Only about 40 percent of mastectomy patients choose to have breast reconstruction, although the procedure is usually covered by insurance and as many as 98 percent of women who have had reconstruction say that they would do it again. San Ramon and Walnut Creek breast reconstruction cases account for only a portion of Dr. McNemar's breast enhancement procedures, but he is trying to spread the word both online and offline for women who have not received detailed information from their cancer specialists.

"Reconstruction can be a key step in the emotional and mental healing that needs to happen after a breast cancer diagnosis," notes Dr. McNemar. "From years of helping women who've gone through that process, I know that for many of my patients, breast reconstruction often means the difference between just 'being healed' and really 'feeling healed.'"

Studies show that breast reconstruction can benefit women dramatically by helping to foster a healthy self-image and see their bodies in a more positive light. Dr. McNemar says that even patients who come to him years after breast removal frequently experience considerable benefits from a reconstructive procedure.

"Body shape significantly impacts self image, and that's particularly true after you've been fighting something as threatening as breast cancer," he says. "My Walnut Creek and Danville breast reconstruction patients often tell me that after their procedure, they feel much more confident and positive; they have a whole new sense of their capabilities."

Dr. McNemar offers breast reconstruction information on his Web site and works with several area mastectomy surgeons to make information about reconstructive options readily available to more patients. He also encourages women to speak to qualified reconstruction surgeons and research the procedure options thoroughly on their own.

Dr. Thomas McNemar (www.mcnemarcosmeticsurgery.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures ranging from face lift and post-weight-loss body contouring to breast reconstruction. After earning his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Ohio, Dr. McNemar developed his surgical skills through residencies and fellowships focusing on general surgery, plastic surgery, and hand and microvascular surgery. Dr. McNemar serves on the clinical faculty for Stanford University's Plastic Surgery Division and has co-authored books on post-bariatric plastic surgery and breast and body cosmetic surgery.

SOURCE

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: ALL FOR MEN

2009-09-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

Women are not the only vain creatures these days – more and more men are resorting to plastic surgery in a bid to enhance their looks, albeit through artificial and painful means. But while some men are choosing to go under the knife for purely personal or aesthetic reasons, others are taking the leap because they believe it will enhance their career professionally – and make them a more powerful – or at least more attractive - force to be reckoned with.

The sad fact is, men want the same things that women want: to look younger, fitter and thinner, with regular, even features and a healthy glow. They are starting to realize that in today's competitive market, looking tired and haggard with droopy eyelids, dark circles and a weak chin just won't cut it. And if they have big boobs and a flabby belly to boot – well, forget about becoming a vice president in the firm, let alone the CEO.

It's estimated that the grooming market for men is worth more than $3.5 billion these days, with more and more members of the male species going under the knife for cosmetic reasons. In one survey of people of the male persuasion carried out by – not surprisingly – a plastic surgeon, it was found that:

* Four percent believed that their level of physical attractiveness would affect their success on the job, and make them feel more powerful

* 42 percent believed that their career would be made better if they could just improve one tiny thing about their face

* 32 percent thought that looking younger would affect their job performance more positively

Plastic Fantastic

Here is a list of the most popular plastic procedures for men, in no particular order:

* Gynecomastia, or Male Breast Reduction. It's estimated that about 15 percent of all men are unhappy with the size of their breasts, and now some are finally doing something about it. Men develop man boobs, or moobs, for a variety of reasons, including hormonal changes, steroid abuse and being drastically overweight. Surgery to get rid of them sometimes involves a full operation, while on some occasions means utilizing the latest in liposuction combined with laser surgery.

* Eyelid Surgery. Also known as blepharoplasty for men, this procedure can be purely cosmetic, functional or both. It seeks to correct both sagging upper eyelids, as well as puffy bags underneath the eyes. Usually performed under just local anesthesia, it trims away excess fat, muscle and skin, with the remaining bits reattached in a way that makes the eye area appear younger and more refreshed. The result: tighter, more taut eyelids and smoother under-eye areas.

* Pectoral Enhancement. Men who have tried everything but still have a chicken chest are now relying on pectoral implants to give them the bosoms they have always dreamed of. If no amount of exercise and diet has made your chest appear less than concave, your surgeon can insert implants made of silicone directly underneath the chest muscle to make the area appear more filled out. Requires general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay – much like a boob job (ED: what's the difference then?).

* Nose Job, aka Rhinoplasty. Carried out using a local or general anesthetic, depending on what needs to be done and personal preference, this is an out-patient procedure which can greatly affect a person's looks. Costs will vary but the vast majority of men who opt for this op say it's money well spent. Men can have rhinoplasty from the age of 15, girls from age 13 (that is when their nose stops growing, evidently!).

* Liposuction. This method of weight loss involves using a cannula to literally suck the fat from your body. In men, problem areas are usually the breasts, love handles, tummy, thighs and neck. Tiny incisions are made so the vast majority of folk, if not all, will not even know you've had the procedure done. Some men even have it done on their backs...

* Hair Transplants. Many guys believe that nothing makes them look less virile than a lack of hair. Male pattern baldness affects a great many men, so if you can't stand your head resembling a ping pong ball, this could be the treatment of choice. It's fairly simple: your surgeon will take “donor” hair from the sides or back of your scalp, then surgically insert them in the bald patches, where it will hopefully start to grow. Then again, you could just buy a tasteful hat...

* Chin and Jawline Augmentation Surgery. Nothing spells out weakness more in a man than having a weak chin – or so proponents of chin surgery would have us believe. As as a strong chin and jawline are considered signs of a “real" man, many men seek to correct theirs when they fall flat (or rounded, flabby and soft). Surgery consists of various types of chin implants which make your jaw more angled and square.

* Penis Extension Surgery. If slicing through the penile ligament sounds appealing, this is the operation for you. This operation, also known as phalloplasty or male enhancement surgery, doesn't actually make your member more massive, it just makes it dangle lower. You may prefer a different – and considerably more invasive - procedure where fat from another part of your body is injected into your Johnson to increase its girth. Yowee!

Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments for Men...

To continue reading, click Plastic Surgery for Men

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: SUTURE SUSPENSION

2009-09-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

HOUSTON – Looking for a quick, less expensive, painless way to tighten up trouble areas? Center for Beautiful Bodies, a Houston-based aesthetic facility specializing in modern, less invasive weight-loss and age defying treatments, recently added Suture Suspension, one of the most modern forms of cosmetic surgery, to its list of services.

Suture Suspension replaces complex and painful cosmetic surgery with a fast, pain-free, safe way to tighten sagging body parts. In the hands of a skilled doctor, the technique is uncomplicated and effective. The procedure lifts loose skin or flabby soft tissue with a tool resembling a needle and thread. Instead of large, dramatic, painful incisions, general anesthesia and months of recuperation, Suture Suspension uses small incisions and long internal sutures to contour and shape the areas desired.

One of the most appealing qualities about this technique is that results are instant. Also, if there is something you don't like about your "new" look, the doctor can reverse it on the spot.

Other benefits include:
• No Scarring
• No Continuous Chemical Injections
• No General Anesthesia
• No Hospital Stay
• No Pain
• Immediate Results
• Safe - has been in practice since 1996 with no significant complications reported
• Affordable - Typically 1/3 of the cost of most common surgical cosmetic procedures

Suture Suspension is used to contour the body with the following procedures:

Facelift Replacement
Our suture suspension facelifts is called the Serdey Technique. Using the Serdey Technique, the doctor lifts and anchors deep moveable tissue to non-removable fibrous tissue. The Serdey Technique creates exceptional results in the face, forehead, chin, and brow.

"Curl Lift," "Coffee Break Lift," "Contour Thread Lift," and "Feather Lift." Sound familiar? Also less-invasive techniques these procedures produce good results, but the benefits are short-lived. In contrast, The Serdey Technique is a long lasting, more natural look for a more beautiful, youthful, SMILING you.

Buttock Lift
For those interested in firming up the rear and getting the appearance of longer, more elegant legs?

Breast Lift
Sagging breasts are a thing of the past! Today, you can lift your breasts approximately 1"-1.5" without scarring! This procedure is particularly beneficial to women prone to keloiding with traditional breast lifts.

Nose Refinement
Nose tip refinement offers you the choice of a smaller nose tip or can create the appearance of a smaller base through angling.

Ear Refinement
By positioning the ears closer to the head, Center for Beautiful Bodies can minimize the appearance of the ear size and enhance your overall appearance.

Center for Beautiful Bodies offers free educational programs to the public with a complimentary lunch. To learn more about the modern and less invasive procedures offered at Center for Beautiful Bodies and to visit with Dr. Rassoli personally, please visit www.centerforbeautifulbodies.com.

Nutational 3-D Custom Acoustic Liposuction (CAL) comes to US

2009-09-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

After Smartlipo, Cool Lipo, Water Jet Lipo, Vibro Lipo now comes a new form of liposuction called Nutational 3-D Custom Acoustic Liposuction ( CAL ). The new lipo technique is known in Europe as Nutational Infrasonic Liposuction (NIL), was first introduced in Belgium and has since been used in thousands of procedures and presented at more than 100 scientific sessions worldwide. The procedure is FDA approved. The procedure is also called Vibro Liposuction sometimes.

Procedure Highlights

This procedure involves the use of an air pressure activated no-heat cannula.
This forms a Nutational 3-D triple movement of vibration, rotation and reciprocation.
The 3D vibration against skin stimulates collagen synthesis inducing skin tightening.
This procedure involves simultaneous injection of local anesthesia and the vibration of the Nutational Infrasonic system which distract the brain and reduce discomfort.
It offers precise body sculpting in difficult to treat areas like the neck, face, back and ankles.
Body Sculpting can be done while the patient is in a comfortable and upright position, improving the final cosmetic result and patient satisfaction.
This system shuts off automatically when it senses a change in tissue density.
It is ideal for use in patients who had undergone liposuction earlier and in gynecomastia.
There is less patient trauma, less edema, less bruising and less discomfort.
The fat is aspirated simultaneously during the process with fewer cannula passes.
It is safe, efficient and effective.
It does not affect the non-fatty surrounding tissue and anatomy in any way.
There is hardly any downtime.

Source : Nutational 3-D Custom Acoustic Liposuction (CAL) comes to US

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: ANESTHESIA

2009-09-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

For many people, the greatest concern when it comes to surgery is anesthesia. This is probably because one of our greatest fears is to have no control while our lives are in the hands of others.

However, anesthesia has come a long way since it was first used in medical procedures. Gaining a better understanding of anesthesia can alleviate these fears.
Anesthesia Types

The primary function of anesthesia is to prevent pain.

There are four types of anesthesia:

* Local anesthesia is used to prevent pain in the specific area that requires surgery. During local anesthesia, you are awake and aware of surrounding activities. This type of anesthesia may be an ointment, spray or injection.

* Sedation is administered intravenously (through a vein) and may be used with other types of anesthesia during surgery. Sedation includes a combination of medications that help prevent pain and anxiety associated with medical procedures. There are multiple levels of sedation. For example, "twilight" sedation is a common term that refers to a mid-level form of sedation. There are also deeper levels of sedation that produce effects similar to general anesthesia. Generally speaking, during sedation, you are awake but sleepy, and you may not recall or sense that the procedure is being performed. It is important that you understand the sedation level to be used in your procedure.

* Regional anesthesia is a "block," such as a spinal block that is administered to the surrounding nerves that may produce pain signals. Regional anesthesia produces effects similar to those of sedation, which may be used in conjunction with regional anesthesia.

* General anesthesia is used for extensive medical procedures. General anesthesia will put you to sleep. General anesthesia prevents any pain, and you won't remember the procedure afterward. The drugs included in general anesthesia are inhaled or injected into a vein.

Anesthesia Complications

Regardless of the type of anesthesia, equipment is used during surgery to monitor your heart rate, circulation, temperature, blood flow, body fluids, oxidation and adequate ventilation. The monitoring is designed to reduce the risk of complications. Advances in the field and in the technology have paid off. In fact, during the decade ending in 2006, deaths due to anesthesia fell from one in 10,000 to only one in 250,000, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The most common complication of anesthesia is nausea or vomiting. Medication can be administered to reduce this risk.
List of Health Factors

The decision for the appropriate type of anesthesia involves your doctor, your anesthesiologist and yourself. Before any surgery you need to prepare a list of information about your health to help choose the appropriate type of anesthesia. This list should include:

* Medical history
* Medication list
* Supplement list
* Smoking and alcohol consumption
* Allergy list
* Previous experience with anesthesia
* Adverse reactions to anesthesia
* Family member reactions to anesthesia

Your doctor will review this list during your consultation and immediately before the procedure, when he or she will also ask what time you last ate or drank. You may be asked to restrict food and drink intake for a specific time period before the procedure. In the case of general anesthesia, this time period is typically eight to 12 hours.
Anesthesia Recovery

After surgery, the effects of anesthesia will be reversed as you are monitored in the recovery unit of the surgical facility. If you experience pain, it is important to ltell your doctor or nurse, who usually can give you medication for an easier recovery.

Depending on the type of anesthesia used, anesthesia recovery can take one to six hours. After this period, you will still need to have someone drive you home. After any form of anesthesia used in outpatient surgery, doctors will recommend that you have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours.

Restrictions may also include no driving, no operating equipment and no legal decisions for 24 hours. Rest is the key. The directions vary depending on the procedure.

Your doctor will also provide a postoperative instruction list that you must follow to reduce the risk of complications.

To read the full article, click Anesthesia

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: MALE BREAST REDUCTION (GYNECOMASTIA)

2009-09-03T01:27:00.000-07:00

Gynecomastia, a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men, is common in men of any age. It can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity conditions, disease or the use of certain drugs.

Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.

Gynecomastia is characterized by:

* Excess localized fat
* Excess glandular tissue development
* A combination of both excess fat and glandular tissue
* Gynecomastia may be present unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)

Is it right for me?

Gynecomastia surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

This procedure is a good option for you if:

* You are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
* You have realistic expectations
* Your breast development has stabilized
* You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

Surgical correction of gynecomastia is best performed on:

* Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
* Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
* Non-smokers and non-drug users
* Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia

Source: www.plasticsurgery.org

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: EAR TUCK

2009-08-31T01:23:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that psychologically children and teenagers can suffer tremendously from having large or irregular shaped ears. Along with all of the stresses of childhood and adolescence the problem of ears that stick out is one that can be addressed by way of surgery. Having ear correction surgery is a way to improve a child's level of self-esteem. Ear correction surgery is one of the most commonly undertaken of all of the cosmetic procedures.

The objective for the plastic surgeon in performing ear correction surgery is to create an even, symmetrical and proportional face that looks as natural as possible. A qualified plastic surgeon can perform ear correction surgery in such a way that there are next to no visible scars. Ear correction surgery helps to improve the shape, size and position of the ears. Some patients need refinement in all three areas while some only require it in one or two areas.

Protruding ears are not the only ear problems that can be corrected by an otoplasty. Some individuals suffer from "lop ear" which means that the tip of their ear folds down slightly and in a forward direction. This can be fixed by ear correction surgery as can "cupped ear" which means that the ear is unusually small. Another ear problem is that of "shell ear" and this is when there is a curve evident in the outer rim of the ear and also when the natural creases and folds of the ear that should be there are not.

Ear correction can do other things as well. It can improve the appearance of stretched earlobes or very large earlobes and it can also improve earlobes that have wrinkles or big creases in them. With all of the advances in modern medicine and plastic surgery, it is possible for plastic surgeons to build ears for individuals who were born without them and to build new ones for people who have lost them due to an accident or injury. Be aware that in some cases the scar that is left after the surgery might be worse than the initial problem. Always talk at length with the plastic surgeon about what to expect after your surgery is done. For some people the thought of a scar is the worst case scenario.

The majority of ear correction patients are pleased with the end result of their surgery. It is important however to always be realistic about what ear correction surgery can and cannot do for your looks. Ear correction surgery can improve the look of the ears but the surgery will not give you perfect ears. As well, while the surgeon can make your ears more symmetrical in relation to your entire face, perfect symmetry of the ears is unlikely to happen. No one has a perfectly symmetrical body but aiming to achieve as high a level of symmetry with the ears as possible is something that a plastic surgeon can make happen.

Source: www.mamashealth.com

Scarless Closmetic Surgery - Rhinoplasty

2009-08-28T01:17:00.000-07:00

Over the past two years, there’s been quite a bit of excitement about scarless rhinoplasty. Indeed, scarless rhinoplasty is a worthwhile proposition for nasal augmentation! Traditionally, many of these types of nose surgery procedures involved an incision across some part of the nose. And the risk of the incision evolving into a displeasing scar may have prevented some from following through with the rhinoplasty procedure, despite concerns about the nose. Then, came scarless rhinoplasty.

Weighing the Options

Scarless rhinoplasty can mean different things to different people. Plastic surgeons may refer to a scarless rhinoplasty because many of today’s nose surgery procedures involve tiny incisions inside the rim of the nose. Thus, the scar is masked inside the nostrils, instead of on the nose. Dermatologists and professionals in other areas of medicine may use the term scarless rhinoplasty to refer to the use of injectibles and facial fillers to augment the nose. Injectibles and fillers offer a temporary immediate result that may last for six months or more.

A Closer Look
At first glance, the key to the decision about the right choice for scarless rhinoplasty may appear simple- temporary fillers or long lasting nose surgery. However, the key in the decision for the right choice needs to focus on the qualifications of the physician that will be performing the procedure and the approach that is proposed to achieve scarless rhinoplasty.

Injectibles and facial fillers used for scarless rhinoplasty require the experience of a medical professional that understands both the intricacies of the nose and has the ability to utilize advanced injection techniques. The art of injections is truly just that. Training for scarless rhinoplasty through injectibles and fillers is not provided in traditional medical school courses. Nasal augmentation may be temporarily achieved through injectibles and fillers, but the results may vary depending upon the skill of the medical professional and the anatomy of the nose.

Plastic surgeons that focus on scarless rhinoplasty have usually undergone continuing education courses in the area of the nose. These courses help to further develop knowledge about the intricacies of the nose. In fact, plastic surgeons are surgeons and have usually completed residency training in general surgery, plastic surgery and/or other related surgical areas. Some plastic surgeons receive advanced training in aesthetics. Thus, plastic surgeons may be best equipped to lay out all treatment options available to people interested in scarless rhinoplasty for nasal augmentation.

Source: www. lookingyourbest.com

What to Expect from a Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

2009-08-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

Pre Operative
The goal of your plastic surgeon and their staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable as possible. You will be provided with information regarding your specific procedure, all of which is aimed at removing the uncertainties that you would otherwise be facing. There are risks associated with surgery, and some instructions are aimed at reducing these risks. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery.

Day of Surgery
Your surgery will be performed either in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility or an accredited office-based surgical suite. Medications will be administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Depending on the procedure being performed and your comfort level, pain relief can be achieved with local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or sometimes general anesthesia. For your safety during the operation, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

Once surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. If you had an “outpatient” procedure performed, you will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation. If you have undergone a general anesthetic, you must have a caregiver assist you with daily activities continuously for the first 24 hours. If your procedure requires an overnight stay, you will be transported to an overnight observation room after initially waking up in the recovery area.

Recovery
Recovery from surgical procedures varies according to the procedure performed, as well as the individual on whom they are performed. The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly. During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of bruising and swelling. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Remember that you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications as these will make your bruising worse, and could lead to bleeding. Swelling is a normal response of your body after surgery, and keeping the operated region elevated will help reduce the swelling. Cool compresses can help relieve discomfort and decrease swelling, but should only be used as specified by your surgeon. For most procedures, the first 2 to 3 days is when you will experience the most discomfort and you should expect to use oral pain medications on a scheduled basis. The discomfort level then rapidly decreases, and most patients can then reduce their medication to an as-needed basis by the 4th to 7th day after surgery. You will probably benefit from some medication at night to assist with sleep up to 10 days after the operation.

In general, it is good to avoid strenuous activities for the first few weeks after surgery. Specific instructions are tailored to the restrictions of individual procedures, and should be followed to achieve the best outcomes. After any operation, it is important to resume normal activities of daily living as soon as possible. These include going to the dinner table to eat and walking yourself to the rest room. This minimal amount of walking activity is enough to significantly reduce the risk of blood clot formation in your legs. Strenuous activities (such as running or weight lifting) should be avoided until your surgeon feels they are safe to resume.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon. You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Depending on your surgery, the surgical incisions will be closed either with absorbable sutures (that disappear on their own) or material that need to be removed (such as non-absorbable sutures or staples). The choice of closure material depends on the type of surgery being performed and the tension along the incision. If you need anything removed, this will be performed during a scheduled office visit. The timing for these visits will be discussed by your surgeon. In general, you will be instructed how to keep your incisions clean, and the care regime during the immediate healing phase. After immediate healing is complete (2 to 3 weeks), you will be instructed in scar care, with the use of creams to speed scar maturation, and sun block to avoid scar pigmentation.

SOURCE

Preparations for Recovery

2009-08-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

If you work weekdays, schedule your operation on a Friday to give you an extra weekend of recovery before returning to your job.
Expect to have blood drawn at a hospital or lab prior to surgery.
A mammogram is usually obtained before breast surgery. If you are over 40 or have medical problems, you may also
need an EKG or chest x-ray. The preoperative testing process usually requires a separate visit and will take 30 minutes to two hours.
Purchase two weeks of groceries and household supplies.
Prepare single-serving meals and freeze them.
Anticipate the need to reduce swelling following facial surgery by applying ice and elevating your head. Crushed ice can be placed in a plastic bag, wrapped in a small towel, and freshened regularly. Alternatively, frozen peas are tidy, reusable, and maintain their cold temperature. For elevation of your head, stacked pillows are prone to failure, but a dependable backrest can be purchased in department stores for less than $25. A recliner is a reliable way to elevate your head but may be uncomfortable for sleeping.
If you are uncomfortable telling your friends and coworkers you are having cosmetic surgery, then you may wish to tell them you are taking vacation at home, you are having reconstructive surgery, or you are having “female surgery.” Each of these explanations may be true, given your situation.
Arrange transportation for the day of surgery and for your follow-up appointments. Anticipate that you will not be able to drive on the day of surgery or while you are taking pain medication.
Ask a friend or family member to stay with you during your first night at home. This person should be willing and able to refresh your ice packs, prepare your food, check on you through the night, recognize problems, and call your doctor. If no one is available, consider hiring a private duty nurse. Your plastic surgeon can direct you to a reputable nursing agency. Anticipate paying $300-$500 per day for this service.
Fill prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medication prior to the day of surgery. You may pick up the prescriptions from your doctor’s office before surgery and have them filled when you stock up on groceries.

SOURCE

Cosmetic or Aesthetic Surgery

2009-08-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

Aesthetic Surgery involves techniques intended for the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques, and is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.

In 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the United States alone. The number of cosmetic sprocedures performed in the United States has increased over 50 percent since the start of the century. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, with the five most common being breast augmentation, liposuction, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty. The increased use of cosmetic surgery crosses racial and ethnic lines in the U.S., with increases seen among African-Americans and Hispanic Americans as well as Caucasian Americans. In Europe, the second largest market for cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery is a $2.2 billion business.

The most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed below. Most of these types of surgery are more commonly known by their "common names." These are also listed when pertinent.

    * Abdominoplasty (or "tummy tuck"): reshaping and firming of the abdomen
    * Blepharoplasty (or "eyelid surgery"): Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of permanent eyeliner, including Asian blepharoplasty
    * Mammoplasty
          o Breast augmentation ("breast enlargement" or "boob job"): Augmentation of the breasts. This can involve either fat grafting, saline or silicone gel prosthetics. Initially performed to women with micromastia
          o Breast reduction: Removal of skin and glandular tissue. Indicated to reduce back and shoulder pain in women with gigantomastia and/or for psychological benefit in women with gigantomastia/macromastia and men with gynecomastia.
          o Breast lift (Mastopexy): Lifting or reshaping of breasts to make them less saggy, often after weight loss (after a pregnancy, for example). It involves removal of breast skin as opposed to glandular tissue or scarless suture technique
    * Buttock Augmentation (or "butt augmentation" or "butt implants"): Enhancement of the buttocks. This procedure can be performed by using silicone implants or fat grafting and transfer from other areas of the body.
    * Buttock lift (or "butt lift" or "brazilian butt lift"): Lifting, projection, tightening of the buttocks. This procedure can be performed by using the scarless Serdev suture technique without implants.
    * Chemical peel: Minimizing the appearance of acne, pock, and other scars as well as wrinkles (depending on concentration and type of agent used, except for deep furrows), solar lentigines (age spots, freckles), and photodamage in general. Chemical peels commonly involve carbolic acid (Phenol), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid (AHA), or salicylic acid (BHA) as the active agent.
    * Labiaplasty: Surgical reduction and reshaping of the labia
    * Rhinoplasty (or "nose job"): Reshaping of the nose
    * Otoplasty (or ear surgery): Reshaping of the ear. Most often done by pinning the ear closer to the head.
    * Rhytidectomy (or "face lift"): Removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face
    * Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (or liposuction): Removal of fat from the body
    * Brow lift: higher brow position by surgical or scarless suture
    * Chin augmentation: Augmentation of the chin with an implant (e.g. silicone) by sliding genioplasty of the jawbone or by suture of the soft tissue.
    * Cheek augmentation
    * Cheek lift/Midface lift using scarless suture technique.
    * Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections (e.g. hyaluronic acid)
    * Laser skin resurfacing
    * Hilotherapy a therapy that provides relief from heamatoma, pain and swelling post-surgery without the dangers of Frostbite and Skin Necrosis

SOURCE

Office Based Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

2009-08-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

Because of the popularity of plastic surgery today, the number of office-based surgical procedures is on the rise. According to The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), approximately 10 million procedures were performed in a doctor's office by 2005 — double the number since 1995. Likewise, the need for accredited facilities and standardized operations has grown.

In 2004, only 14 states had accreditation mandates in place for office-based surgical facilities. Until November 2005, there was not an agreement between healthcare accrediting agencies to define unfavorable medical errors during procedures that occur in office-based surgical centers, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In fact, there is no consistency in definitions at the state level that offer standard mandatory reporting requirements, which should be reported and investigated by an independent third party.
Setting Standards

To help solve this problem, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons sponsored collaboration, announced in November 2005, between The American Association of Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which was facilitated by the American College of Surgeons. Previously, these agencies worked independently to secure the support of the government and to work on legislative initiatives that would help establish standards for patient safety and quality care in office-based surgical facilities.

Doctors, medical associations, and others have helped to create a safeguard movement for office-based surgical procedures. For example, membership requirements for surgeons who participate in the ASPS and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) state those members who perform outpatient surgical procedures under sedation or general anesthesia must be accredited by the AAAASF.

Hospital Privileges and Board Certification

The AAAASF requires that surgeons who perform outpatient surgery in office-based surgical facilities have hospital privileges to perform the same procedure as well. In order for a surgeon to obtain hospital privileges to perform a specific procedure, the surgeon's expertise is reviewed by select peer members. The surgeon must demonstrate excellence in performing the procedure as well as provide the highest possible standard for quality care and patient safety. In addition, accredited facilities use surgeons who are board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the governing U.S. medical board. Furthermore, office-based surgical centers that are accredited must agree to follow through on the established standards set by the accrediting agency in order to maintain status.

Safety Record Reflects Accreditation Efforts

More than 400,000 surgical procedures were performed in "accredited" office-based-surgery facilities. During the 2004 Annual Meeting of the ASAPS, a major study was released to find that the 400,000 office-surgery procedures shared an overall safety record comparable to those performed in hospital surgery facilities. This data, gathered by the AAAASF, utilized an Internet-based Quality Improvement and Peer Review Program, which provided a first ever central data collection system. The system evaluated more than 600 accredited surgery centers in a two-year period.
Consult a Qualified Doctor about the Facility

Be sure to talk with your doctor to ensure that the facility is accredited and that your doctor has privileges to perform the procedure you are interested in at an accredited hospital. (Even though you may have the procedure in an office, you want a doctor who has been granted privileges to do the same procedure in a hospital.)

SOURCE

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: Patient Insurance Guide

2009-07-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

As you plan for plastic surgery, you will probably learn a lot about what will happen in the operating room and discuss with your plastic surgeon how you will look and feel afterward. However, another important part of being an informed patient is knowing about the costs associated with surgery, and how these costs will be paid.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has prepared this information to assist you in better understanding health insurance benefits for plastic surgery. It is intended to answer basic questions and guide you in communicating effectively with your plastic surgeon's office staff and your insurance carrier. It won't answer all of your questions, because a lot depends on individual circumstances and your own insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance company or your employer's Human Resources/Benefits department with any questions you have about coverage for specific services.

About Plastic Surgery

Derived from the Greek word "plastikos," meaning to mold or give form, the specialty of plastic surgery encompasses two general categories:

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.*
Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.*

*Definitions as adopted by the American Medical Association and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

What's Covered

Your insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. In contrast, an agreement on services and fees is an agreement between you and your plastic surgeon. When you have surgery, you become responsible for payment of the doctor's fees. Coverage for services and levels of payment by your insurance company depend on the terms of the contract between you and your insurance company. You are responsible for any amounts not covered by your plan.
Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

Cosmetic surgery, however, is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective. Cosmetic surgery is your choice and not considered a medical necessity.

There are a number of "gray areas" in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involve surgical operations which may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation. For example, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) - a procedure normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement - may be covered if the eyelids are drooping severely and obscuring a patient's vision. Or, nose surgery (rhinoplasty and/or septoplasty) may be covered if it will correct a defect that causes breathing difficulties.

In assessing whether the procedure will be covered by the patient's insurance contract, the carrier looks at the primary reason the procedure is being performed: is it for relief of symptoms or for cosmetic improvement? If a procedure is within these "gray areas," insurance companies often require prior authorization or approval before the surgery is performed and/or extra documentation after surgery to determine how much of the cost of your care they will cover.

To read more on this, click SOURCE

Understanding the Risks of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

2009-07-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

Understanding risks

All surgery has associated risks, and understanding these risks will help you feel more comfortable about them. In general, small procedures have small risks, and major procedures have larger risks. It makes sense that if an incision is necessary for a procedure, there will be a scar. Likewise, when the skin is cut, there is a possibility of bleeding. Finally, until the incision is fully healed, there is a possibility of contracting an infection. Many steps are taken to reduce all of these risks, but even if everything is performed perfectly, a small chance remains that something may occur. Other general risks may not immediately jump to mind, but are understandable once you consider them further:

During the rough and tumble years of childhood, many of us have experienced bumps or scrapes. If you bumped your knee, you probably noticed some swelling. If you scraped it badly, even if there was no bleeding, it could weep fluid for a period of time. Similarly, after any surgery, your body will respond by creating fluid around the operative region. The fluid can be seen as edema (soft swelling of the skin), or, if a potential cavity was created during the surgery, it can manifest as a seroma (a fluid collection under the skin). In surgeries where a seroma is expected to occur, drains may be placed to remove this fluid.
All incisions made during surgery need to heal, and occasionally delayed healing can occur. Smoking and vascular conditions are known to slow down healing, so please be forthcoming during your preoperative interview and compliant with smoking abstinence in the peri-operative period.
Variable amounts of bruising are possible, and occasionally there can be significant bleeding after surgery which requires additional operative intervention for treatment. With small surgical procedures, these issues will prolong the visible recovery period (due to more extensive bruising). With very extensive operations, the possibility of a blood transfusion may be entertained if excessive bleeding were to occur.
It is normal to have some numbness near scars, as skin incisions divide small sensory nerves. Sometimes, larger regions can be affected, depending on how extensively your body tissues are moved to achieve the desired surgical changes. Typically, sensation will return over a period of months as the small nerve endings heal back into their correct locations.
The life threatening complication of blood clots to the lungs (pulmonary emboli) is well known, and steps will be taken to reduce the chance of this occurring. The risk is higher in procedures with long operative times, and is reduced through the use of compression devices during surgery. Soon after your operation, you will be asked to resume walking, as walking reduces the chance of this occurring.

SOURCE

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Sugeon Upon Consultation

2009-07-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon During the Consultation

Will I be awake or asleep for surgery? Consider general, sedation, and local anesthesia. Note that you may sleep during either general or sedation anesthesia, although the depth of sleep varies.
How do you avoid the telltale signs of surgery? Bring a list of telltale signs to the doctor’s office (you will find them on this site on the page which describes the procedure you seek).
May I see pictures of others who have had the same procedure? Know that most will show you their best pictures, so this exercise may be of limited help. This is actually most useful if you dislike the results you see, because it tells you that your surgeon’s best results are below your expectations and it is time to see someone else.
May I speak with others who have had the same procedure? Know that most doctors will refer you only to their satisfied patients. This is not generally a useful activity.
Do you have privileges to perform this procedure in a hospital? Even if performed in the office, your surgeon should have hospital privileges to perform the procedure as evidence of his or her qualifications.
Will surgery be performed in the office or hospital? If your surgeon suggests the office, be certain that the office is accredited for your procedure and that the surgeon has hospital privileges to perform the procedure you seek.
If surgery takes longer than expected, who will pay the extra cost? This is an important question when surgery is performed in the hospital because the operating room and anesthesia fees may accrue hourly.
Do you charge for revision surgery? Know that some procedures have as high as 15-20% revision rate. Unless you want to get stuck with another big bill, it is best to establish this ahead of time. You cannot simply assume that you will not need revision surgery.
Will I be charged for follow-up appointments? Expect at least one year of follow-up appointments at no charge.

SOURCE

History of Plastic Surgery

2009-07-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Reconstructive surgery techniques were being carried out in India by 2000 BC. Sushruta (6th century BC), considered as the father of surgery, made important contributions to the field of Plastic and Cataract surgery. The medical works of both Sushruta and Charak were translated into Arabic language during the Abbasid Caliphate (750 AD). These Arabic works made their way into Europe via intermediaries. In Italy the Branca family of Sicily and Gaspare Tagliacozzi (Bologna) became familiar with the techniques of Sushruta.

British physicians traveled to India to see Rhinoplasty being performed by native methods. Reports on Indian Rhinoplasty were published in the Gentleman's Magazine by 1794. Joseph Constantine Carpue spent 20 years in India studying local plastic surgery methods. Carpue was able to perform the first major surgery in the Western world by 1815. Instruments described in the Sushruta Samhita were further modified in the Western world.

The Romans were able to perform simple techniques such as repairing damaged ears from around the 1st century BC. Due to religious reasons they didn't approve of the dissection of either human beings or animals, thus their knowledge was based in its entirety on the texts of their Greek predecessors. Notwithstanding this Aulus Cornelius Celsus has left some surprisingly accurate anatomical descriptions, some of which — for instance, his studies on the genitalia and the skeleton — are of special interest to plastic surgery.

The Egyptians were also one of the first peoples to perform plastic cosmetic surgery.

In 1465, Sabuncuoglu's book, description, and classification of hypospadias was more informative and up to date. Localization of urethral meatus was described in detail. Sabuncuoglu also detailed the description and classification of ambiguous genitalia (Kitabul Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye -Cerrahname-Tip Tarihi Enstitüsü, Istanbul)[citation needed] In mid-15th century Europe, Heinrich von Pfolspeundt described a process "to make a new nose for one who lacks it entirely, and the dogs have devoured it" by removing skin from the back of the arm and suturing it in place. However, because of the dangers associated with surgery in any form, especially that involving the head or face, it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that such surgery became commonplace.

Up until the techniques of anesthesia became established, all surgery on healthy tissues involved great pain. Infection from surgery was reduced once sterile technique and disinfectants were introduced. The invention and use of antibiotics beginning with sulfa drugs and penicillin was another step in making elective surgery possible.

In 1792, Chopart performed operative procedure on a lip using a flap from the neck. In 1814, Joseph Carpue successfully performed operative procedure on a British military officer who had lost his nose to the toxic effects of mercury treatments. In 1818, German surgeon Carl Ferdinand von Graefe published his major work entitled Rhinoplastik. Von Graefe modified the Italian method using a free skin graft from the arm instead of the original delayed pedicle flap. In 1845, Johann Friedrich Dieffenbach wrote a comprehensive text on rhinoplasty, entitled Operative Chirurgie, and introduced the concept of reoperation to improve the cosmetic appearance of the reconstructed nose. In 1891, American otorhinolaryngologist John Roe presented an example of his work, a young woman on whom he reduced a dorsal nasal hump for cosmetic indications. In 1892, Robert Weir experimented unsuccessfully with xenografts (duck sternum) in the reconstruction of sunken noses. In 1896, James Israel, a urological surgeon from Germany, and In 1889 George Monks of the United States each described the successful use of heterogeneous free-bone grafting to reconstruct saddle nose defects. In 1898, Jacques Joseph, the German orthopaedic-trained surgeon, published his first account of reduction rhinoplasty. In 1928, Jacques Joseph published Nasenplastik und Sonstige Gesichtsplastik.

The first American plastic surgeon was Dr. John Peter Mettauer, who in 1827 performed the first cleft palate operation with instruments that he designed himself.

In World War I a New Zealand otolaryngologist working in London, Sir Harold Gillies, developed many of the techniques of modern plastic surgery in caring for soldiers suffering from disfiguring facial injuries. His work was expanded upon during World War II by one of his former students and cousin, Archibald McIndoe, who pioneered treatments for RAF aircrew suffering from severe burns. McIndoe's radical, experimental treatments, led to the formation of the Guinea Pig Club. In 1951 Gillies carried out the first male-to-female sex change operation.

Plastic surgery as a specialty evolved remarkably during the 20th century in the United States. One of the founders of the specialty, Dr. Vilray Blair, was the first chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In one of his many areas of clinical expertise, Blair treated World War I soldiers with complex maxillofacial injuries, and his paper on "Reconstructive Surgery of the Face" set the standard for craniofacial reconstruction. He was also one of the first surgeons without a dental background to be elected to the American Association of Oral and Plastic Surgery (later the organizations split to be renamed the American Association of Plastic Surgeons and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) and taught many surgeons who became leaders in the field of plastic surgery.

SOURCE

List of Average Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Cost

2009-07-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

Considering cosmetic surgery? Plastic surgery cost is likely one of the variables that you are weighing in your pursuit of ageless beauty.

The costs of plastic surgery vary greatly. They depend of the type of procedure and often your geographic location.

The cost of cosmetic surgery tends to comprise the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, operating room fee and implant fee (if applicable).

According to 2007 statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the national average for plastic surgeon fees based on procedure are:

Surgical Procedures	National Average
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)	$5,350
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)	$2,840
Breast augmentation - silicone gel implants	$4,087
Breast augmentation - saline implants	$3,690
Breast lift	$4,341
Breast reduction (women)	$5,417
Buttock augmentation	$4,250
Buttock lift	$4,885
Cheek implants	$2,840
Chin augmentation	$2,254
Facelift	$6,792
Forehead lift	$3,337
Gynecomastia (male breast reduction)	$3,455
Hair transplantation	$5,874
Lip augmentation (other than injectable materials)	$1,611
Liposuction	$2,920
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction	$2,963
Lower body lift	$8,043
Otoplasty (ear tuck)	$3,085
Rhinoplasty (nose job)	$4,357
Thigh lift	$4,783
Upper arm lift	$3,864
Vaginal rejuvenation	$2,434

Nonsurgical Procedures
Botox injection	$380
Chemical peel	$718
Dermabrasion (does not include microdermabrasion)	$1,544
Fraxel	$1,130
IPL Laser Treatment	$411
Noninvasive Tightening	$1,194
Injection lipolysis (mesotherapy/lipodissolve)	$905
Laser hair removal	$387
Laser skin resurfacing - Ablative	$2,418
Laser skin resurfacing - Nonablative	$580
Laser treatment of leg veins	$462
Microdermabrasion	$130
Sclerotherapy	$377
Soft Tissue Fillers: Autologous fat	$1,546
Poly-L-Lactic acid (Sculptra)	$1,027
Sclerotherapy	$377
Soft tissue fillers (autologous fat)	$1,546
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiance)	$803
Collagen, Bovine (includes Zyderm/Zyplast)	$397
Collagen, Human	$542
Hyaluronic Acid	$576
Poly-L-Lactic Acid (Sculptra)	$1,027
Polymethyl Methacrylate (Artecoll, Artefill)	$1,180

NOTE: These plastic surgery costs are just averages.

The Variables of Plastic Surgery Cost

Plastic surgery costs also vary based on the treated area or areas. For example, the average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body is up to $4,000, in three areas is $6,000 to $8,000 and in five areas is $8,000 to $11,000.

The cost is higher for larger body areas. For example, the average cost for the abdomen is $4,000 to $8,000, but for the outer thigh is about half as much.

And plastic surgery costs vary depending on overhead costs. The average cost of facelift cosmetic surgery, for example, ranges from $6,000 to $15,000. The cost for anesthesia ranges from $1,000 to $1,300. The facility fee (or hospital fee) ranges from $500 to $2,000. The remaining cost is the surgeon's fee.

Key Questions to Ask About Plastic Surgery Cost

What is included in the fee? Sometimes the office will tell you only about the surgeon's fee and leave out anesthesia fee, operating room fee, and implant fee.
Are there any payment or finance plans available?

SOURCE

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

2009-07-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?
- If so, at which hospitals?
Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
What will be expected of me to get the best results?
Where and how will you perform my procedure?
What surgical technique is recommended for me?
How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
How are complications handled?
How can I expect to look over time?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my surgery?
Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

SOURCE