Plastic Surgery Notes

Facial Plastic Surgery "Recovery Mask"

2006-08-26T01:33:00.000-07:00

Distinguished Sacramento plastic surgeon, Dr. David Kaufman is proud to offer the AqueCool™ Therapy System -- a new advance in patient care and healing technology. Dr. Kaufman is one of the few physicians in the country offering this revolutionary facial surgical recovery device and has witnessed firsthand the benefits to his patients.

The AqueCool™ by Aqueduct Medical, Inc. is an ergonomic, custom-formable cool therapy system that provides comfortable, uniform cooling across the complex surfaces of a post-operative patient’s face. The custom-fit, semi-rigid structure of the mask ensures complete coverage on all critical areas and applies gentle, uniform compression on the face, helping to alleviate swelling and potentially reducing bruising and the formation of hematomas.

The AqueCool™ was developed with input from some of the most recognized plastic surgeons in the country, including Dr. Kaufman, and is designed to provide the highest standard of care and recovery for plastic surgery patients.

In essence, the technologically advanced product naturally relieves the pain and discomfort of surgery, reduces swelling and bruising, and shortens long term recovery time by allowing the body to begin healing sooner. The unique therapy is already providing significantly improved recoveries for Dr. Kaufman’s facial cosmetic surgery patients.

“Virtually all cosmetic surgery patients seek optimal results with minimal downtime. I do everything in my power to make the experience as easy as possible, pre-operatively, during surgery, and throughout recovery,” he reports. “The AqueCool™ cooling mask reduces bruising, minimizes swelling, and decreases pain -- all key elements in the recovery process -- and my patients swear by it!”

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Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Is Hotter Than Ever

2006-07-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

American women are going under the knife in unprecedented numbers to have their breasts augmented, their tummies tucked, their faces lifted and their noses nipped.

Surgeons disagree on what's responsible for the boom. Some say television shows such as Extreme Makeover are driving the trend, while others insist it's the other way around. And still others believe it's the medical profession itself that's responsible, with more doctors across a spectrum of specialties doing cosmetic surgery to make ends meet as insurance reimbursements for non-elective surgeries dwindle.

What's not in dispute is the growing number of doctors performing cosmetic surgery is creating tension between specialties. It's about competition, and it's been going on a long time.

Dr. Anthony Stephens, vice president of the Louisiana Society of Plastic Surgeons, opened his plastic surgery practice in Baton Rouge in 1989. According to him, until a few years ago a young doctor in his profession could still make a living doing facial reconstruction and other medically necessary procedures.

Not so today. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery is filling the monetary gap.

Stephens' cosmetic surgery business has increased well over 50% in the last two years, growth he attributes to two things: His practice is mature enough that it's receiving more word-of-mouth clients, and television has led to a new acceptance of cosmetic surgery, thereby largely removing the stigma.

Things really took off in 2004, with Extreme Makeover debuting the previous year. The trend shows no signs of abating.

In fact, on a national scale, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of women having breast augmentations increased 24% between 2000 and 2004.

While Baton Rouge is not in same league with markets such as Los Angeles, New York and Miami, doctors in the Capital City are nevertheless experiencing a noticeable rise in demand for the various procedures. Certainly every doctor interviewed for this story reported a substantial increase in their cosmetic surgery business, although exact numbers for Baton Rouge are almost impossible to obtain.

Stephens charges around $3,800 for the breast augmentation procedure, which is fairly standard.

A lot of his clients are women who dance naked for a living. "We see a lot of people come in from some of the men's clubs," Stephens says. "For some reason I'm the team doctor for the Gold Club all of a sudden."

Medical practices are businesses. Like any other business, they have to adapt to a changing market.

"What is driving the market is decreased reimbursement from third-party payers," Stephens says. "It's harder to recoup your money, so people are looking for ways to make ends meet. You're having ob-gyns buying lasers, doing Botox, all these things that are cosmetic procedures."

Stephens is among a number of plastic surgeons critical of what he sees as these less qualified specialists moving into the cosmetic surgery market. He argues plastic surgeons with formal training in the field--and board certification by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons--are likely the most qualified doctors to go to for cosmetic surgery.

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Cosmetic Surgery Tip Site

2006-07-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

LifeTips.com, together with The-Cosmetic-Surgery-Directory.com, announces the launch of the Cosmetic Surgery Tip Site on the LifeTips network. The-Cosmetic-Surgery-Directory.com site will be the exclusive sponsor to millions of potential clients in the LifeTips network.

"It is a pleasure to be adding such a formidable sponsor to the LifeTips network," said Byron White, President of LifeTips.com. "The-Cosmetic-Surgery-Directory.com will really appeal to the wide LifeTips audience."

Sample Cosmetic Surgery Tip
* Paging Dr. Finance
Your plastic surgeon wears many hats: counselor, cosmetic genius, and now loan officer. Many plastic surgery center Web sites offer payment plans and loans, while this may seem like one-stop shopping, both you and the surgeon need to be cautious with financing plastic surgery. Plastic surgery financing typically is unsecured by collateral, so your surgeon stands to lose more if you default. Not that you plan to default, but life often takes unexpected turns.

Also, what happens if you need additional or corrective procedures? Ask your plastic surgeon if you pay upfront, or if you can pay in installments. Be prepared to negotiate when financing plastic surgery. You can pay for part of the surgery with your credit card and borrow the rest of the financing for cosmetic surgery. A good rapport with your plastic surgeon helps. Don't be afraid to ask about cosmetic surgery financing options in the beginning. Also, you and your surgeon may want to prioritize: if you need a tummy tuck, you may want to postpone liposuction. After all, if your surgeon's not busy worrying about repayment, she's free to concentrate on what you came to her for in the first place.

Learn more great Cosmetic Surgery Tips from CosmeticSurgery.Lifetips.com.

About The-Cosmetic-Surgery-Directory.com
The Cosmetic Surgery Directory is a resource for people interested in plastic surgery. This consumer-friendly website can be used as a central resource to answer questions about plastic surgery. The Cosmetic Surgery Directory will give the information needed to get headed in the right direction. The hundreds of plastic and cosmetic surgeons in their directory were handpicked to reflect the most experienced, caring providers with the latest cosmetic and plastic surgery technology. When choosing to visit a plastic surgeon on the list, users may be confident they are choosing high quality cosmetic care. All of these surgeons offer custom cosmetic and plastic surgery, meaning the procedure is completely tailored to specific needs.

About LifeTips.com
LifeTips offers content solutions and link strategy that help clients earn trust and build relationships with new customers, drive more traffic to their web sites, and improve conversions and increase sales. Over 500+ writers create content for the company's 200+ Tip Sites and for clients' web sites and informational marketing campaigns. The company was founded by Byron White in 2000 and has success well documented in many major publications.

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Plastic Surgery In Qatar

2006-06-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

Doha: An increasing number of Qatari women are going in for plastic surgery primarily for breast lifts and belly reduction, reports Al Sharq.

There is a mad rush among Qatari women for looking young and beautiful and they are having plastic surgery for tightening their cheeks, breasts and belly.

"We are doing some six to seven operations a day," Dr Habib Al Basti, plastic surgery consultant at the Rumailah Hospital, said.

Plastic surgery is itself undergoing a sea change in Qatar due to the rising number of operations on demand, he said.

"I think it's all linked to the overall development taking place in the country," said the doctor. "There is a long waiting list at our clinic," he added.

Plastic Surgery In Qatar

Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Surgery

2006-06-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

[Most Don't Rebuild Breast After Cancer. Rates of Reconstructive Surgery Vary Greatly Among Ethnic Groups and Regions].

Less than one out of five American women who have mastectomies also have breast reconstruction surgery, but cost does not seem to be the only thing driving the decision, new research suggests.

A review of breast reconstruction practices in the U.S. found that reconstruction rates overall have not increased since 1999 -- the year legislation was enacted mandating insurance coverage for the surgery.

Figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show a 22% decline in breast reconstruction procedures between 2000 and 2004.

Despite the law, researchers concluded that reconstruction practices after mastectomy still vary greatly from region to region and among different racial and ethnic groups.

White women continued to have the highest rates of breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Blacks, Asians and Hispanics were only about half as likely to have the surgery.

And women living in Atlanta -- where the reconstruction rates were highest of any region studied -- were more than seven times more likely to have the surgery than women living in Alaska, where rates were lowest.

Read more about the The Journal of the American Medical Association recent report at "Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Surgery"

Plastic Surgery In Thailand

2006-05-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

A microscopic discectomy, a procedure to treat a painful herniated disc in the lower back is expected to cost $30,000 in the U.S. In Thailand, the procedure can cost $3,500. A big difference, especially to people who have no health insurance. Including a partner's airfare, it could cost you as little as $6,400.

A U.S. surgeon's fee for a full face-lift averaged $4,822 in 2004, not including hospital costs, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

At Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, the surgeon's fee for a full face-lift is about $1,200, and includes a neck lift and upper and lower eyelid lifts. With hospital and other fees, the total bill is about $4,000.

The website of Bumrungrad Hospital, for example, reports that a third of its more than 900,000 patients a year travel from other countries, including the U.S. In 2005, Bumrungrad treated nearly 58,000 U.S. patients.

Although there are skilled physicians practicing all over the world, it might be difficult to assess the training and credentials of doctors overseas. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also notes that vacation activities soon after surgery can boost the risk of complications, as can travel.

"Some of the work we've seen that people have had done at bargain-basement prices is so substandard it can't be fixed," said Dr. Brent Moelleken, a Beverly Hills plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Combining a beach vacation with cosmetic surgery, particularly, is a bad idea, Moelleken said. "People need to stay out of the sun after [cosmetic] surgery. Incisions heal poorly if they get sun, and especially for laser or facial surgery, people develop very bad scars if they go in the sun."

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Irish Cosmetic Surgery Increase

2006-05-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

A clinic in Dublin offering cosmetic surgery has seen its patient numbers jump by 200% in the last year.

According to the Harley Medical Group, it has had to extend its opening hours to accommodate the rising demand for both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

These include laser hair removal, liposuction and breast augmentation.

"People are becoming more open minded about cosmetic surgery. It's now attainable to everyone and is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous", said Ed Toland, general manager of the group.

Anonymous:
Does anyone else find this rather depressing - the idea of growing old gracefully seems to be dead and buried...

fifi:
Theres more to cosmetic surgery than meets the eye. After losing 8 stone in weight I am now left with a lot of loose skin in my stomach region. I would go under the knife in the morning if I had the money. Why shouldnt we try to look the very best we can be?

Mikey:
Anon: Cosmetic surgery is not all about hiding the effects of ageing. What about a woman that wants a tummy tuck after pregnancy or having a breast rebuilt after a mastectomy?

Anonymous:
Mikey, women have needed their breasts rebuilt after a mastectomy for years now - do you really think that is the reason for this increase in demand? I don't disagree with cosmetic surgery completely. It is medically required in some situations and in others, like Fifi mentioned, there is an extremely good reason. I just think it's sad that things like wrinkes are now seen as the enemy, something that must be got rid of at all costs.

Mikey:
Anon: Part of the reason for the increase in cosmetic surgery is that it is socially more acceptable now than in the past. Another factor is that Irish people now have more disposable income than in the past. I am not bothered about wrinkles and would never consider surgery to remove them but if my wrinkles did upset me and I could have them removed then why not? Anything to make us feel better about ourselves.

Original item here: "Irish Cosmetic Surgery Increase"

S. Korean Fencer's Suspension For Plastic Surgery Is Reduced

2006-05-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - A fencer who was suspended from the South Korean national team for undergoing plastic surgery has been granted a reduction in her two year sentence.

Nam Hyun-hee missed training when she had cosmetic surgery on her eyes and cheeks in December. She failed to inform fencing authorities about the procedure, so she was cut from the team, report Reuters.

Officials say on Thursday that they decided to reduce the foil fencer's suspension to six months after reviewing her case.

"Everyone does plastic surgery these days," says Kim Guk-hyeon, the executive director of the Korean Fencing Federation.

"A national team player, however, is different from other people," Kim says. "They have to be prepared to fight like a soldier."

S. Korean Fencer's Suspension For Plastic Surgery Is Reduced

Threadlift Plastic Surgery Cost

2006-05-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

In the eternal quest for cosmetic enhancements that promise speedy recovery and instant results, the thread lift -- also known as the feather lift, lunchtime lift or suspension lift -- has emerged as one of the most requested new fixes. The minimally invasive procedure, which usually takes about an hour and typically costs $3,000 to $4,000, is performed in a doctor's office under local anesthesia. The time and cost of the procedure vary in part according to the number of threads used.

A typical face-lift, by contrast, takes about four hours, is performed under general anesthesia, costs $8,000 to $15,000 and requires weeks of recovery. Unlike a face-lift, a thread lift is reversible.

The apparent ease of a thread lift and its promise to subtly ''refresh'' a sagging middle-aged face without weeks of downtime, has made it especially popular with baby boomers leery of the pop-eyed, taut-skinned appearance commonly associated with a face-lift, which removes excess skin.

Even in the deft hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon, there can be complications: threads that bunch up, break or protrude through the skin. In some cases, the nondissolving sutures, which are made of polypropylene and have tiny barbs similar to a fishhook, can be felt or seen.

Then there are the results. Some detractors say that once the swelling disappears, so does the younger look.

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IRS: Gender Reassignment Just Cosmetic Surgery

2006-05-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

A transgendered woman who sought a tax deduction for gender reassignment surgery has been told by the IRS that the operation is considered cosmetic surgery and not eligible for a break.

The case is now before IRS Office of Appeals, WebCPA - an internet site for professional accountants - reports.

The Internal Revenue Service's Office of Chief Counsel told the appeals tribunal that gender reassignment is not necessary surgery and therefore cannot be deducted as a medical expense for tax purposes.

The woman, who is not identified, had deducted doctor payment, the cost of hormone treatments, psychotherapy, health insurance, transportation and lodging in connection with the surgery.

WebCPA reports that the tax return included extensive medical and legal documentation, but an IRS revenue agent listed the procedure as cosmetic and denied the deductions.

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Plastic Surgery: Investigating Doctors' Qualifications

2006-05-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently completed a new survey. The survey revealed that 70 percent of people considering plastic surgery have a yearly income below $60,000.

Most people wouldn't buy a car or a house without making sure its credentials and physical plant are in good working order. But a lot of pleople are trusting their faces and bodies to doctors without investigating their credentials. That is a bad idea.

The ASPS survey shows 90 percent of the general population didn't know that any licensed doctor could legally perform plastic surgery, even without specialized training.

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BUPA And Cosmetic Surgery In Edinburgh

2006-04-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

COSMETIC surgery is a highly personal matter, whether it is trying to achieve that look you have always wanted or correcting a blemish that is bothering you.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, it is important to know exactly what options are open to you. So, if you want friendly, professional and discreet advice, contact BUPA Murrayfield Hospital.

BUPA Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh provides excellent private hospital care to patients from Scotland and beyond. All medical and surgical services are catered for and the hospital now provides cosmetic surgery for a growing number of patients.

At this state of the art facility, some of the country's finest surgeons perform breast enlargement, breast reduction, facelift, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction and nose reshaping, as well as a range of non-surgical cosmetic treatments. If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, why not attend one of BUPA's free information evenings.

There, you will have the opportunity to listen to lectures from their team of plastic surgeons. The lectures are on a wide range of procedures from breast enlargement to botox and after the talks you can ask the surgeons about any questions you may have.

You will also have the opportunity to meet the team of nurses who would be involved in your care if you were to have any treatment with BUPA. BUPA can also arrange a free appointment with Specialist Cosmetic Surgery Nurse, Cecilia McPherson.

She is one of BUPA's plastic surgery nurses responsible for the care of cosmetic surgery patients pre and post operation within the hospital. Cecilia will be available to discuss and answer any queries you may have about cosmetic surgery at the BUPA Murrayfield Hospital.

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Plastic Surgery "Back Street Doctors" Concern

2006-04-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have joined forces to raise awareness about the dangers of unlicensed personnel performing medical cosmetic procedures in non-clinical settings.

Recent cases of patients receiving Botox and tissue fillers at shopping malls, beauty salons or in their homes by individuals without sufficient training or licensure caused concerns among clinical and public health experts. Cosmetic procedures, including tissue filler injections, laser therapies, chemical peels and skin resurfacing, should only be done under the care of properly credentialed and trained medical professionals using only products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"There are some misconceptions among patients about the true nature of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Non-surgical does not mean non-medical," said Mark Jewell, MD, president of the Aesthetic Society. "Patients deserve to know who is treating them, what their qualifications are, who the supervising physician is, and where the product is coming from. These are questions patients should ask."

Over the last few years, there has been explosive growth in non-surgical cosmetic procedures, often performed in retail or spa-like settings. Unlike physician offices where clinicians oversee the treatment and maintain medical records, spa-type centers may have limited or no full-time medical staff and may lack the experience or training to handle more than routine beauty services. Patients need assurances that a qualified and trained practitioner will perform their procedure appropriately, under sanitary conditions, and with product where the quality and source is known and FDA approved.

"In many situations, physicians appropriately provide oversight for patient care in a variety of medical settings," said Bruce Cunningham, MD, president of ASPS. "Our concern here is that physician supervision in non-surgical cosmetic procedures may be inadequate or non-existent and that the individuals performing the treatments lack adequate training to safely perform the procedures. Our purpose in convening a patient safety group on this issue is to ensure that patients have the information they need to make the right decision. While spas and salons are convenient for cosmetic medical treatments, this should not be at the expense of safety and expertise."

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Thread Lift At Lunchtime?

2006-04-23T02:46:00.000-07:00

In the eternal quest for cosmetic enhancements that promise speedy recovery and instant results, the thread lift -- also known as the feather lift, lunchtime lift or suspension lift -- has emerged as one of the most requested new fixes. The minimally invasive procedure, which usually takes about an hour and typically costs $3,000 to $4,000, is performed in a doctor's office under local anesthesia. The time and cost of the procedure vary in part according to the number of threads used.

A typical face-lift, by contrast, takes about four hours, is performed under general anesthesia, costs $8,000 to $15,000 and requires weeks of recovery. Unlike a face-lift, a thread lift is reversible.

The apparent ease of a thread lift and its promise to subtly "refresh" a sagging middle-aged face without weeks of downtime, has made it especially popular with baby boomers leery of the pop-eyed, taut-skinned appearance commonly associated with a face-lift, which removes excess skin.

Some plastic surgeons characterize thread lifts as the latest expensive fad. They say the procedure has not been adequately studied and is being performed by too many doctors who lack the necessary skills. Some of these physicians, critics say, operate on patients after taking a one-day course -- sometimes with unfortunate results.

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Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Sales Tax for California?

2006-04-23T02:43:00.000-07:00

How about a little Botax to go with your Botox?

That's what California plastic surgeons and dermatologists may be asking patients if state tax officials decide that breast implants, face-lifts and other FDA-approved cosmetic enhancements should be levied the same sales tax as other goods.

And that cost will likely be passed on to the consumer.

Taxing the silicone, the collagen, the Botox and other products that go into such procedures could inject millions of dollars into the state's coffers. But doctors and advocacy groups warn that the potential tax wrinkle would discriminate against women and darken the business climate.

"The whole concept of taxing medical care is a slippery slope. What's next? Taxing the morbidly obese? Taxes on Lasik surgery? Once the door is open, it becomes a floodgate," said Bill Seward, assistant executive director for health policy and advocacy at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

While some say it is only fair to slap on a "vanity tax" for elective cosmetic procedures, others say such a tax could also unfairly be applied to patients in need of reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, a plastic surgeon in Santa Monica, said levies on face-lifts and breast implants would hit women harder than men.

"Such a tax is discriminatory toward women. It singles them out," said Teitelbaum, noting that those who undergo mastectomies and breast augmentation will suffer the greatest burden from the tax because those procedures are more expensive than others.

Last year, New Jersey was the first state to implement a cosmetic surgery tax, charging doctors about 6 percent on gross receipts. The state brought in about $7.5 million from the tax, $17.5 million short of expectations. Now other states are considering the tax, with California's Board of Equalization likely to make a decision in the next several months.

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Plastic Surgery for Aussie Baby Boomers

2006-04-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Plastic surgery has become increasingly popular among baby boomers. They are turning to cosmetic surgery to look youthful and remain competitive in the workplace. Facelifts, eyelid and wrinkle surgery are the most common procedures for baby boomers.

Increasing numbers of baby boomers are going under the knife to look younger.
Data from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons shows more Australians in their 50s and 60s are turning to cosmetic surgery to look youthful and remain competitive in the workplace.

Melbourne plastic surgeon and society spokesman Howard Webster said facelifts, eyelid and wrinkle surgery were among the most common procedures for baby boomers.
Everyday Australians have been inspired to undergo radical surgery by popular television programs such as Extreme Makeover and Body Work, Mr Webster said.

But he said these often oversimplified the complex treatment involved.
Plastic surgeons are expecting an influx of patients who need skin surgery after shedding dozens of kilograms.

Quick "lunchtime procedures" such as botox injections will stay popular in 2006, Mr Webster said.

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Plastic Surgery Tourism In Pakistan

2006-04-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

The number of Pakistani women returning to their home country from England for discount plastic surgery with no waiting is on the rise.

Dr. Abdul Hameed, the president of the Pakistani Association of Plastic Surgeons, told The Independent the trend began four years ago when doctors noticed "waves of British clients" coming during the summer and winter holiday seasons. About 400 women were visiting the country to visit families and include some cosmetic surgery every year.

"The women know that the waiting lists for good cosmetic surgery in London are maybe three months long," he said. "In Pakistan, there is no waiting list. We do them whenever we get them."

Nose jobs, tummy tucks, liposuction and breast enlargements are the favored treatments for many, Hameed said.

Pakistan has about 70 plastic surgeons, mostly in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi.

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Cosmetic Surgery's Natural Evolution

2006-04-17T01:07:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES – Americans watch shows such as "Extreme Makeover" and "Dr. 90210" to gawk at plastic surgery done from head to toe.

The pop culture exposure has brought more acceptance of cosmetic surgery, but also created fear of drastic results.

A group of prominent plastic surgeons gathered in January to discuss the latest trends in cosmetic surgery and anti-aging at a media briefing sponsored by The Professional Image, a Newport Beach marketing firm.

While what patients want hasn't changed - face-lifts, breast implants, liposuction - techniques are becoming less invasive and more natural looking, the doctors said.

"They want to look elegant and nice, they don't want to look extreme," said Dr. Corey Maas, a professor at UC San Francisco. "We're trying to make you look better, not like you had plastic surgery."

Laser vein treatment: About 80 million Americans have varicose veins and about half of them seek treatment for cosmetic reasons only, said Dr. Greg Chernoff of Newport Beach. In the past, patients had to undergo surgery to have the veins cut out. Now he uses the CoolTouch CTEV in the office under local anesthesia. He said patients experience less swelling, scarring and bruising. The procedure costs about $2,500 to $4,000 per leg.

Dental face-lift: Wrinkles and sags aren't the only signs of aging, said Dr. Sam Muslin, a Santa Monica dentist. Worn-down teeth cause the face to collapse. Teeth no longer fill out the face and lips appear tucked, which can create a grumpy look. So Muslin corrects bites and extends teeth with porcelain. The effect lengthens the face and results in perfect, gleaming teeth. Average cost: $30,000.

3-D Botox: Botox, the anti-wrinkle drug, can also be injected to sculpt the face, said Dr. John Vartanian of Glendale. In addition to smoothing fine lines, Botox can be applied to elevate the eyebrows or create more of an arch. When combined with a filler, it can elevate droops on the corner of the mouth. Botox can also make Asian eyes appear rounder and soften a square jaw. After Vartanian stitches a wound, he injects Botox to keep muscles in place for better healing. Botox is made by Irvine-based Allergan.

Removing skin cancer: As more young women develop skin cancer, particularly on the face, traditional surgical removal can leave unsightly scars, said Dr. Andrew Kaufman of Thousand Oaks. He uses Mohs micrographic surgery, during which the doctor works as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructionist. Kaufman cuts out skin, examines it under a microscope and repeats until all the cancer is removed. That way, he says, he doesn't have to sacrifice any healthy tissue and can make the smallest possible wound. He said surgery's cure rate is the highest at 97-99 percent.

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Plastic Surgery - God's View

2006-04-15T00:25:00.000-07:00

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic surgeries have increased 175 percent within the past decade. If you’ve paid attention to TV over the last few years, shows such as “Extreme Makeover,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Dr. 90210” have taken on the quest for good looks. With the popularity of these shows, women are beginning to see plastic surgery as routine appearance enhancement. One especially surprising trend: In 2003, more than 11,000 18-year-old girls had breast implants; some of their parents even offered the procedure as a graduation present!

The idea that a youthful appearance equals beauty permeates North American society — even in the most unlikely segments of our population. A friend’s 7-year-old granddaughter said, “When I’m 30, I have to have surgery.” When my friend asked why, the girl replied, “When you get old, you have to get surgery to be pretty again.”

And don’t be quick to think this is a women’s-only issue; in 2003, 14 percent of cosmetic surgery patients were men. Clearly many see aging as an ugly truth that must be covered up. Unfortunately, this mind-set devalues true beauty and the natural stages of life. God’s definitions of beauty and aging are vastly different from most people’s.

Though plastic surgery has made noteworthy advances in correcting facial disfigurement, scores of women — and now men — want to alter their appearance for less than noble reasons. They want to be envied, desired, sexier, thinner. The media promote the idea that beauty — at any cost — is the ticket for self-worth and success.

God’s definition of beauty, however, is quite the opposite. Psalm 139 assures us we are made by God, by His standards and design. We are a reflection of His own beauty (Genesis 1:26-27).

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Plastic Surgery "Bigger Breasts" Issues

2006-04-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

A shocking study, (2004), revealed that women who have breast implants are three times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population in the first few years after their operation.

The data was releasd after scientists in the US and Finland conducted a study in which 2,166 women who had breast implants were examined over a 30 year period.

The results of the research, which was published in the US publication "Annals of Plastic Surgery" suggested that the suicide risk has to do with the psychological problems of women who seek implants, which typically can be low self esteem, body dysmorphia or depression.

The results of the study underscores the importance of plastic surgeons actively assessing the psychological state of a patient before patients are cleared for surgery.

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Plastic Surgery In Prague

2006-04-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Some tourists prefer to take back more than photographs and crystal from their visits to Prague, and seek souvenirs like straight noses or perfect breasts. Others want to shed things: pounds from their hips and thighs.

Plastic surgery tourism is booming in the country's capital, and at a fraction of the cost you'd pay in Western Europe.

Since 2000, tourism experts say an increasing number of European travelers have been coming to the Czech Republic on plastic surgery holidays. Some Czech plastic surgeons estimate that roughly one-third of the people on their client lists come from abroad, mainly the United Kingdom, but also from Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia. The Laderma clinic in Prague 1, for example, says 70 percent of its clientele is foreign.

"Today, clients are shopping around the world," says Olivia Boland, who owns Beautiful Beings, a UK-based agency that arranges for British patients to go to Prague. "They come to us already having a quote from Tunisia, Hungary or Brazil."

Boland says her company sends 200 people a year to Prague. The company offers packages that include, for example, a local guide, a week of accommodation and a liposuction procedure — all for £1,700 ($3,000/71,350 Kč). In the UK, a similar procedure alone would cost double.

Cheap air tickets, good doctors

Boland says that the increase of foreigners coming to the Czech Republic for surgery is directly related to the number of affordable flights offered since 2000. Prague has a competitive advantage over other cities because it is a frequent destination of many budget airlines.

"Cheap flights are the key," she says. "Today, it is cheaper to fly from London to Prague than it is from Glasgow to London."

Affordable, short flights make it easy for Europeans to be in and out of a clinic within a week. According to Boland, that is the primary reason why Europeans still prefer European destinations, although other parts of the world may offer similar services at even cheaper rates.

That's why Americans — who live in the world's largest plastic surgery market — don't frequent the Czech Republic's operation rooms. "A lot of Americans go to Panama," Boland says.

Zuzana Černá, the lead plastic surgeon at Laderma clinic, agrees that the cost of air tickets is a big factor in a patient's decision. She also believes the quality of medical staff here and the country's historical ties to plastic surgery draw foreigners.

Professor František Burian, who established the first Czech Chair of Plastic Surgery at Charles University in 1938, is recognized as one of the founders of modern plastic surgery. "Plastic surgery has a long tradition in the Czech Republic," Černá says. "Our plastic surgeons are highly capable since they must go through five years of special training on top of five years of general surgery."

Making dreams happen

Which might account for why plastic surgeons make up a relatively small percentage of medical doctors in the Czech Republic: According to the Czech Office of Healthcare Statistics, 143 doctors out of a total 35,000 are licensed to practice plastic surgery.

Vlastimil Víšek, the head surgeon at the Lékařský dům (Medical House) clinic in Prague 7, says there are plenty of them for the size of the market here.

"New medical students are not encouraged to go into this profession. There are already too many of us," he says, claiming that some young doctors aspire to the field simply because they see the money in it. "Not every one of us is driving a Mercedes or a BMW."

Víšek, who has worked in the field for 24 years, performed the first liposuction in the Czech Republic in 1988. Today, liposuction is his daily routine. Patients come to him from all over the world, some with a dream of a better life, others equipped with a celebrity photograph as a guide to what they want, whether it be a nose or a pair of eyebrows, ears or breasts.

One of his patients in particular sticks in his mind. Víšek has a smile of satisfaction on his face when he talks about a young lady from Ukraine who recently visited his office because she wanted one of the, well, more delicate parts of her body altered.

"She came in with a pornographic magazine and, pointing to one of the explicit photos, she said, 'This is what I want mine to look like.' "

Read more on "Plastic Surgery In Prague"...

Plastic Surgery Patients US Magazine

2006-04-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

Plastic-surgery obsessed Americans will soon be able to read a glossy magazine devoted almost entirely to the subject.

Skin Deep magazine says its mission is to educate readers about the “fascinating, everchanging world of cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care, anti-ageing and health and medicine”.

Articles in the first edition, set to hit newsstands later this month, include Lip Obsession, Mommy Makeovers and What Men Really Think About Breast Implants.

Editor-in-chief Dr Jeannette Martello, a practising plastic surgeon, said she believed the magazine had a valid purpose.

“I think society does, in a sense, discriminate,” she told the New York Post.

“For sure against the obese, but even just against those that aren’t seen as attractive.”

With procedures like “lunchtime lipo” and reality TV shows like Extreme Makeover and The Swan increasingly popular in the US, paying to cover up the effects of ageing or just improve on what people already have is becoming more and more acceptable.

Ms Martello said the magazine’s main aim was not to convert people to cosmetic surgery but to convey the gravity of undertaking such procedures in the face of developments.

“A lot of people are being maimed, scarred and even killed because they’re not getting the proper information,” she said.

“They think it’s as easy as getting their hair or nails done.

“We tell people what the complications are.”

These could range from nerve damage or skin loss to “belly-button death” – a complication of having a tummy tuck.

Read more about "Plastic Surgery Patients US Magazine"...

UK Male Cosmetic Surgery Increase

2006-04-13T02:41:00.000-07:00

In what will surprise many, the number of men having plastic surgery to improve their appearance has almost doubled over the last year with liposuction the most popular procedure among male city workers.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 22,041 procedures were carried out year, up 34.6% from 2004.

The majority of cosmetic surgery continues to be carried out on women, 19,601 procedures in 2005, but men now make up 11% of the total, up from just 8% in 2004.

As the popularity of nose jobs, facelifts and other anti-ageing procedures continues to grow, male interest has also increased, particularly for facial alterations and for anti-ageing procedures.

The audit shows that of the 2,440 operations carried out on men, the most popular were rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), otoplasty (ear pinning), liposuction and face or neck lifts.

Women were shown to have had 5,646 breast enlargements, 2,868 blepharoplasties and 2,593 breast reductions.

Mr Adam Searle, a consultant surgeon at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, says that there is increasing public confidence in cosmetic surgery and a growing acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in maintaining appearance with age.

He says it remains essential however that surgeons continue to promote responsible practice.

Douglas McGeorge, a consultant plastic surgeon and president-elect of BAAPS, said that the figures illustrated a growing desire for Britons to feel good about their appearance, and an awareness of the procedures available and their safety.

Although concerns have been raised by many doctors about what they consider to be a growing "commoditisation" of cosmetic surgery which they say violates the code of ethics of good medical practice, McGeorge says aesthetic surgery can have a very positive psychological impact and improve a patient's quality of life.

According to a recent poll it was revealed that almost half of women and a quarter of all men in the UK would consider having cosmetic surgery.

Read more on "UK Male Cosmetic Surgery Increase"...

Hymenoplasty

2006-04-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hymenoplasty is the "new, hip" plastic surgery reattaching a woman's hymen for the ultimate virginal appearance.

The practice is prevalent in Middle Eastern countries and Latin American, where virginity is deeply tied into the culture, and the practice is now becoming more popular in the United States, according to the United Press International.

Just another option added to the world of plastic surgery, where women can nip, tuck and now reattach body parts with the wave of a check.

The article called the process "revirgination," which can cost as little as $1,800 at some health and beauty centers.

One beauty center owner compared losing virginity to losing a family member, and her center could make it seem as if nothing ever happened.

Wow, she's a regular Godfather - that is, Godfather of "revirgination."

Having your hymen reattached to appear like a virgin is a lie.

Whether or not virginity is sacred, hymenoplasty is an expensive purchase of deceit.

Nearly 11,000 people had some form of cosmetic surgery in 2004, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The continued drive to change appearances just contributes to the impulsive obsession some women have with striving for societal perfection, conforming who they truly are.

An intact hymen may have been believed to be the only "true test" of virginity at one time, but I don't see why it would be anymore. Sure, it breaks during intercourse, but it also can break from using a tampon or during athletic exertion, and a few women are born without one.

And the unhealthy struggle to conform for today's fad continues to degrade women's roles for tomorrow.

Read more about "Hymenoplasty"...

Celebrities & Cosmetic Surgery

2006-04-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

What is happening in today's society? It seems that the most fashionable thing among celebrities is plastic surgery. Everything from tummy tucks and chin implants to eye lifts and breast implants have taken effect more than ever.

The Hollywood "plastification" has begun to seep into our mainstream life. Everyone knows someone with at least a newly inflated chest or a Cindy Crawford-like nose. Let's face it -- plastic surgery is gradually becoming the norm. Move over sagging boobs, make way for something firmer!

So how many celebrities have had plastic surgery? Virtually every single one. Some will deny it until death while others have no problem facing up to it. After all, when your breasts are suddenly shaped like two perfectly rounded cushions, the public will likely put two and two together (or in this case, one and one).

Did you know that Michael Douglas had a face-lift? What about Burt Reynolds? Did you know that he was the first celebrity male to get a face-lift? And he has no problem ranting and raving about it either.

So what are the most popular surgeries among men and women today? Well it's quite obvious that in women's case, breasts are the first things that need a little saline power. Next comes liposuction, in which women suck the unwanted fat out of their bodies (gyms take too long for the desired results, you know).

Third on the list of "things to remove" is the infamous rhinoplasty, or as it is more familiarly known, a nose job. After that come the more menial and petty things like face-lifts and wrinkle removal.

Nowadays, more and more men have begun going under the knife as well. Breast implants aren't the No. 1 things on their list, but liposuction certainly is. Next in line comes that renowned nose job and following in at a close third is eyelid surgery.

Unbelievably, another popular surgery among men is called gynecomastia -- that is where men have the excess fat that they've developed in their breasts removed. That sounds real attractive.

Read more about "Celebrities & Cosmetic Surgery"...

Plastic Surgery "Tianshi Ai Meili" Beauty Show

2006-04-01T14:57:00.000-08:00

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - Citing high ratings, a Chinese broadcaster said Monday it will produce a second season of a controversial program that shows women having plastic surgery and competing in a beauty contest.

The first season of "Tianshi Ai Meili" concluded on Friday with 22-year-old Yao Xiting beating her 13 rivals, all of whom had been picked for surgical makeovers from among hundreds of applicants.

Audience numbers have been "extremely good," and the show would definitely be back for another season, producers at Hunan Television said in a news release.

A woman staff member at the programming center at ETV, the Hunan TV group channel that broadcast the first season, said final details for the next season were still being worked out. She declined to provide details or her name.

Along with pulling in viewers, the show, whose name roughly translates as "Angels Love Beauty," has drawn criticism for appearing to promote plastic surgery as a surefire route to success and happiness. Sometimes gory images of the women undergoing surgery also drew complaints.

Read more on "Plastic Surgery "Tianshi Ai Meili" Beauty Show"...

Warnings On Plastic Surgery Mistakes

2006-03-30T14:58:00.000-08:00

young Australian woman has a two-centimetre bald strip across the top of her scalp after a botched eyebrow lift in Thailand.

Another returned home from an overseas breast enlargement with no cleavage as a result of a surgical error.

Both are now patients of Sydney plastic surgeon Norm Olbourne, the immediate past president of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

He's one of 36 plastic surgeons, mostly from NSW, who responded to a society email survey about having to treat complications of patients returning from cheap overseas cosmetic surgery tours.

Problems included "hideous scarring", infections in breast implants and failed tummy tucks.

Although most of the botched jobs were in Bangkok, the survey found patients had also suffered problems after surgery in the Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Iran and Ukraine.

Read more on "Warnings On Plastic Surgery Mistakes"...

Facelifts for Younger Men and Women

2006-03-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

Think 30 is too young for a facelift? Think again. Women in their 20's and 30's are now requesting at a brand new, minimally-invasive facelift that creates a prettier, more aesthetically pleasing heart-shaped face using the new Endotine™ facelift system, which lifts soft tissue in the midface area making cheekbones pop and sagging cheeks disappear.

"The new Endotine™ procedure is a younger persons facelift," says Dr. Robert Schwartz (www.RSplastic.com), a board certified plastic surgeon and host of Plastic Surgery Today.

Dr. Schwartz says that the lift isn’t just about combating the signs of aging. “Many of my patients in the 20s and 30s are looking to create that ideal heart-shaped look they have lost or perhaps never had, even in their youth.”

He adds, "This procedure is also ideal for women who need a mild adjustment in order to look their youthful best but don’t want to under go major surgery." This procedure only requires a small incision in the hairline and another small incision in the mouth. Recovery time is minimal and most people are back at work within a week and leaved no discernable scars.

Traditional facelifts use the outer parts of the face to drag up the inner components, says Dr. Schwartz. While this technique may work well for the outer parts of the face, it can be counter productive in terms of reshaping the cheeks. "We don't want to see the cheek area flattened more, that's why I'm so enthusiastic about how Endotine™ lifts from the inside out."

Read more about "Facelifts for Younger Men and Women"...

Jamican Plastic Surgery

2006-03-24T00:04:00.000-08:00

PLASTIC surgery is a four decade-old business in Jamaica, starting with one specialist in the field then doubling to two a decade later in the 1970s.

Now there are six surgeons who do lucrative business from reconstructive, corrective, as well as the more popular cosmetic procedures like facelifts and breast implants.

The demand for plastic surgery, however, continues to outpace the available pool of surgeons. To meet the demand, says Dr Guyan Arscott, a veteran in the field, a formal training programme is being designed to qualify and boost the number of plastic surgeons in the island.
Their services range from $20,000 to $300,000, but some procedures range beyond $1 million for maxillo-facial surgery, depending on the complexities and degree of damage to repair.

But more and more Jamaicans are willing to spend big to nip and tuck their bodies; others want to correct abnormalities or deformities for which insurance is available, making the procedures more affordable to many.

"It now has grown to a certain extent where we now have a full plastic surgery service at the University Hospital of the West Indies, the Kingston Public Hospital and at the Cornwall Regional Hospital," said veteran plastic surgeon Dr Guyan Arscott who practises in Kingston.
"We have a full service - we have a clinic, we have a ward, operating theatre time, just like other services."

Arscott says corrective or cosmetic surgeries are infrequent in the public hospitals; those cases tend to end up in the private clinics.

Read more about "Jamican Plastic Surgery"...

Bigger Breasts Plastic Surgery Increase By 50%

2006-03-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

THE number of women having surgery to boost the size of their breasts has increased by over 50% in the past year.

An audit by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) showed that its members carried out a total of 5,655 breast enlargement operations last year, almost 2,000 more than the previous year.

Alex Best, former wife of the late footballer George, is one of the most recent well-known women to resort to surgery for a fuller chest. She said she was delighted with her new breasts when she had implants last April, just weeks after her divorce.

Other celebrities have been less open about enhancing their cleavage.

Victoria Beckham has been widely reported as having a breast augmentation operation in 1999 but has never admitted it.

Marcelle D’Argy Smith, former editor of Cosmopolitan, said more women are going for breast surgery because it is an instant way of getting male attention.

She said: “If you do not look like Kate Moss and do not have model proportions then breast enlargement is the best way of getting male attention quickly.

“It is achievable, like dying your hair blonde. It is more difficult to get legs like Elle Macpherson. They do not do long legs.”

The increase in breast enlargement operations is part of a wider trend of more people having plastic surgery. The BAAPS audit showed that overall cosmetic surgery operations increased by 35% in the past year.

Anti-ageing surgery also saw a dramatic rise as more people went under the knife in an attempt to retain their youthful looks. In 2005 the number of facelifts increased by 42%, surgery to lift the eyelids increased by 50% and brow lifts went up by 35%.

Read more on "Bigger Breasts Plastic Surgery Increase By 50%"

Plastic Surgery Cost

2006-03-12T03:23:00.000-08:00

What does Pousti Plastic Surgery of San Diego currently, (March 2006)charge for plastic surgery?...

Costs of Cosmetic Surgery
**These estimated prices are all inclusive** covering surgeon's fee, surgical facility, anesthesiologist, all supplies and follow up visits
Breast Augmentation . . . . . . . $5,500-5,800 (SALINE)
Breast Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500-11,000
Breast Reduction . . . . . . . . . . $7,000-11,000
Liposuction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500-5,000 First Area
................................................$750-1,000 for additional Areas
Rhinoplasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,000-7,500
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)$9,000-9,800
Abdominoplasty (extended)$10,000-10,800
Eyelid Surgery (upper eyelids) $3,500-3,000
Eyelid Surgery (lower eyelids) $3,500-3,000
Eyelid Surgery (quad) $5,500-5,000
Facelift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,500-9,500
Forehead Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000-4,500
Neck Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500-5,500
Otoplasty (Prominent Ears) . . $4,000-3,500
Arm Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500-7,000
Thigh Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500-7,000
Facial Resurfacing (laser) . . . . $3,000-4,000
BOTOX® Injections . . . . . . . . . $275 / Area
Chin Augmentation................... $3,000-3,500

Click here for more details about Pousti Plastic Surgery...

Cosmetic Surgery Beauty Premium

2006-03-11T02:08:00.000-08:00

Almost 12 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States, up 44 per cent from 8.3 million in 2003 and 465 per cent from 2.1 million in 1997.

In total Americans spent just under $12.5 billion US on cosmetic procedures in 2004.

Costs for cosmetic surgery run about $2,000 to $2,500 an hour, Kester said. Liposuction can take one-and-a-half hours for love handles _ what men usually want _ or three hours if thigh reduction is also sought, for a cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500.

Breast augmentation generally costs between $5,700 to $8,500, including the implants, Kester said.

Hair transplants can cost between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on how bald the person is and how much work needs to be done, Hasson said.

Read more about "Cosmetic Surgery Beauty Premium"...

Low Cost Plastic Surgery in Geneva

2006-03-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Easylook, the cosmetic surgery department at the Rive Droite private health clinic in Geneva.

Created by Tom Gyger, the clinic’s administrator, Easylook offers a low-cost, no-frills service that aims to do for the "nip and tuck" what easyJet did for air travel.

The plastic surgery cosmetic company hopes to expand to other countries including Britain, but British plastic surgeons gave warning last night that the low-cost cosmetic surgery system was a “terrifying” departure that would compromise patient safety.

M Gyger, however, is convinced that his cosmetic plastic surgery system will serve the public well.

“Basically, aesthetic surgery was created for rich people — people who are on the front page of the tabloids,” he said. “But ordinary people want it, too, and they don’t want to wait years while they save up. After all, we live in a society where the beautiful have easier lives.”

The tanned 45-year-old M Gyger claims to be bringing beauty to the masses, or at least to the middle classes. He says that he undercuts other plastic surgery competitors by reducing all costs except those related to safety.

Read more about "Low Cost Plastic Surgery in Geneva"...

Plastic Surgery For Female Genitalia

2006-03-05T05:22:00.000-08:00

These days, there's a plastic surgery procedure to renovate and rejuvenate just about anything. Botox for your wrinkles. Collagen for your lips. Silicon for your breasts.

But what about, ahem, down there?

Well, ladies, thanks to the miracles of science, not even your private parts need be spared from the plastic surgeon's knife. If your unmentionables are saggy or baggy, and you're hoping for that Playboy look, there's a procedure for you.

Women are paying big bucks -- as much as $12,000 -- to make their privates look and feel like new. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not compile data on the procedure, but Dr. Leroy Young, Chairman of the group's Emerging Trends Taskforce, said there has been a significant demand because of a ''literal explosion of Web sites'' about it.

Designer Laser Vaginoplasty allows women to literally design their own vaginas -- they can have parts trimmed, enhanced, or shrunk, according to the Designer Laser Vaginal Institute of South Florida. And for women tired of faking orgasms, there's Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation, which tightens vaginal muscles.

Read much more(!) about "Plastic Surgery For Female Genitalia"...

China's Women Seek Extreme Plastic Surgery Makeovers in Race for Jobs, Husbands

2006-03-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

Chinese tour guide Gao Fei last year had her eyelids cut and nose sharpened to make her look like her favorite Japanese pop singer, hoping cosmetic surgery would improve her chances of becoming an actress.

``If I'm in a job interview with someone of similar experience and qualifications, the one who looks prettier would definitely have an advantage,'' said Gao, 23, as she waited in a Shanghai clinic for a checkup after the two operations.

Plastic surgery -- outlawed by China's Communist party until the early 1980s, when it was permitted for medical reasons -- is a $3 billion business, testament to rising incomes and expanding social freedom in the world's most populous nation. The demand also underscores intensifying competition for jobs, as the once centrally planned economy becomes market-oriented.

``People these days regard plastic surgery as an investment as it will help them to get a good job or attract a man of their dreams,'' said Lee Jong Won, 48, a Korean plastic surgeon who works at Shanghai's Beauty China Medical Center, a venture between Ruijin Hospital Group and Korean investors.

Read more on "China's Women Seek Extreme Makeovers in Race for Jobs, Husbands"...

Plastic Surgery "Historical" Facts

2006-03-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

Modern technology, eager surgeons and consumer demand have conspired to create breasts that defy gravity, noses sculpted to pug perfection and thighs that have been sucked svelte.

In 1992, 30 percent of plastic surgery patients came from families with incomes under $25,000 a year....

In 1996, more than 100,000 American women and men had liposuction; 90,000 women had breast implants or reductions; and 50,000 had face lifts....

FROM liposuction TO labiaplasty was an article in the Salon magasine back in January 1998....

Read more about "FROM liposuction TO labiaplasty"....

Plastic Surgery Street

2006-03-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Price, too, is what attracts foreign patients—mainly from Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong—to Apkujong, a section of Seoul with over 400 surgery clinics. Here, on a busy avenue nicknamed "Plastic Surgery Street," Park Chan Hoon pulls up in his sedan and leads three female passengers into a softly lit lobby decked out in black leather and chrome. A few years ago, the 38-year-old engineering Ph.D. quit a research job to start a travel agency offering plastic surgery tours for the Japanese. Packages include airfare, hotel, sightseeing and, say, a boob job—all for the cost of the procedure alone back home.

Read more about "Plastic Surgery Street"...

How Many Young Women Get Plastic Surgery?

2006-02-25T00:42:00.000-08:00

Feb. 28, 2005 -- Few young women in college have gotten cosmetic surgery, but they don't rule it out in the future.

Only 5% of college students in a recent study said they'd had cosmetic surgery. But most knew people who have been nipped, tucked, or peeled, and many said they would consider it themselves.

Cosmetic surgery skyrocketed 299% from 1997 to 2003, says the study. Medical advances, greater public acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and the media probably all contributed to that, it says.

On the anonymous questionnaire, 40% of all participants said they would consider cosmetic surgery in the near future. Nearly half (48%) said they would consider it by middle age, and 33% said they'd think about it in their 60s.

Overall, the women voiced more favorable than unfavorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery.

"Ignoring those who responded with indifference, 43% agreed and 32% disagreed with the statement that people should do whatever they want to look good," write the researchers in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

They add that 45% said they approved and 28% disapproved of people surgically changing their appearance to feel better about themselves.

Read more about "How Many Young Women Get Plastic Surgery?"...

Greeks "Go Under The Knife" For Plastic Surgery

2006-02-19T03:19:00.000-08:00

Plastic surgery appears to be gaining popularity in Greece, as recently released data shows that some 10,000 operations are conducted every year on people looking for a change in their appearance.

Yiannis Litras, the president of the European Academy of Plastic Surgery, has told a conference in Athens that most operations in Greece are done to the nose, followed by changes made to the breasts. The third most popular area is the gluteus muscles.

Plastic surgery changes are also linked to patients’ pockets. During the period when the Athens bourse general index soared to dizzying heights in the late 1990s, plastic surgery operations peaked, hitting 25,000 per year, Litras said.

Read more on "Greeks "Go Under The Knife" For Plastic Surgery"...

Nigerian Free Plastic Surgery For The Less Privileged

2006-02-17T04:42:00.000-08:00

BEARS,(Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery), Foundation, Nigeria’s first Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) using plastic surgery and other specialties to correct deformities in the less privileged, has announced its plan for a free national medical service in October this year.

Founder/Chairman of BEARS, Miss Modupe Ozolua, said in Lagos that the programme was particularly meant to give indigent people access to expert medical services from foreign and home-based specialists.

She explained that the 36 states of the federation would be divided into Northern and Southern sections and each would have a comprehensive medical team attending to it.

Read more on "Nigerian Free Plastic Surgery For The Less Privileged"...

Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong Headlines

2006-02-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

Plastic surgery gone wrong or taken to extremes seems to make headlines everywhere.

Self-proclaimed and media-labeled beauty junkies appear to be cropping up everywhere these days. But is the public getting the wrong impression? What are the facts and what lies behind some of plastic surgery's bizarre and extreme stories?

The reality is that cosmetic enhancement is quite mainstream and safe when approached by an educated consumer in a reasonable fashion.

Mainstream consumers

The number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement procedures undergone by women and men, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, amounted to almost 12 million in 2004. The most popular, Botox injections, was performed on nearly 27 percent of those men and women. And surprisingly, more of those people were super moms than supermodels.

According to research conducted about Botox users by the Aesthetic Society Research and Education Foundation:

_ Homemakers comprise 12 percent of Botox users, and business owners hold an identical 12 percent; 10 percent are managers and an equal 10 percent are clerical and administrative support staff.

_ The percentage of Botox users who have an income of less than $100,000 per year is 44 percent, 12 percent of whom have an income of less than $50,000.

Read more about "Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong Headlines"...

Military Plastic Surgery Costs Taxpayers Millions

2006-02-13T01:28:00.000-08:00

The I-Team’s hidden cameras expose a controversial benefit for our soldiers that is enhancing the military and costing taxpayers millions of dollars....

“I asked about free plastic surgery, and anyone who’s active duty is eligible.”

That’s right. Nips and tucks are available for any active duty soldier and except for the cost of implants, they’re free of charge....

“He explained you can get liposuction, breast implants and everything in between.”...

In 2003, there were 384 liposuctions, 288 tummy tucks, 261 breast augmentations, 135 facelifts and 69 nose jobs performed in U.S. military hospitals....

Read more on "Military Plastic Surgery Costs Taxpayers Millions"...

History of Plastic Surgery

2006-02-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

Many historians agree that the first documented account of reconstructive plastic surgery was found in ancient Indian Sanskrit texts. The Hindu author Sushruta wrote about the reconstruction of earlobes and noses using skin from other parts of the face like the cheek and forehead. These procedures were quite necessary in Sushruta's time, which is believed to be somewhere around 500 B.C., because mutilation was used as a form of punishment, and humiliation was quite common.

In the forth century, the Byzantine physician, Oribasius, wrote at length about different reconstructive plastic surgery procedures in his medical encyclopedia called Synagogue Medicae. In his writing Oribasius demonstrated his insight into important techniques such as using flaps to avoid the distortion of facial features and the process of creating tensionless suture lines. Oribasius's work was highly influential to today's medical and cosmetic surgical techniques. His contributions are noted particularly in the fields of wound management and facial reconstruction.

After Oribasius's time the practice of plastic surgery waned. However a resurgence of reconstructive plastic surgery was documented, first during the 14th, and then the 18th century. Plastic surgery was especially gaining popularity during the 18th century, as Europeans were becoming particularly interested in reconstructive nose plastic surgery to improve the nose's appearance that had been impacted by disease or combat. The advent of effective surgical anesthetics in the late 1800s had allowed plastic surgery to gain more popularity as procedures became less painful and complicated.

Read more on the "History of Plastic Surgery"...

Cosmetic Laser Surgery A Low-Cost Option In Minnesota

2006-02-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

For people seeking new skin, Dr. Brent Griffin of Griffin Medical Clinic in Blue Earth may have a solution. Griffin is one of a dozen or so doctors in Minnesota practicing cosmetic procedures with a Sciton laser. The laser is used for revitalizing skin, hair removal, eliminating discoloration and in some cases for precancerous skin treatments.

“Bottom line is it works,” Griffin said.

With the laser, he is able to offer skin care resulting in improved self esteem and healthier, better looking skin, he said. Griffin is board certified in family practice as well as by the American Society of Lasers Medicine and Surgery.

He is also certified to administer Botox injections at his smalltown family practice facility, which he opened four years ago. Dr. Griffin has been practicing medicine in Blue Earth for nine years.

Read more on "Cosmetic Laser Surgery A Low-Cost Option In Minnesota"...

Cosmetic Surgery Was The Gift To Give

2006-02-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

In 2004 Helena Rasin's grandmother gave her $200 for Christmas. Last year her grandmother gave her a new nose.

"A nose job is the best Christmas present ever, because you'll have it forever," says Rasin, 25, a drug company representative in Los Angeles, at home recuperating from her pre-Christmas rhinoplasty.

"It's not like some sweater you don't like and have to take back to the store. Even with the bandages still on, I can already tell I look cuter.''

For a denizen of a looks-centric milieu like Los Angeles, Rasin, who emigrated from Ukraine in 1992, may seem like a plastic surgery late bloomer.

Many of her peers had their noses bobbed back in high school and did not get cosmetic procedures this year, Rasin says. Instead they gave them to family members. "It's kind of in now. It's kind of hip this year to give surgery."

December has always been a busy month for plastic surgeons.....

Read more on "Cosmetic Surgery Was The Gift To Give"...

Fencer Gets Spiked for Cosmetic Surgery

2006-02-06T22:49:00.000-08:00

A female foil fencer might be stripped of her national team status after getting plastic surgery without the permission of coaching staff.

The Korean Fencing Federation (KFF) said that it is currently in the process of determining disciplinary measures for Nam Hyun-hee, 25, with the final decision to be made at a committee meeting.

While staying at Nam, Taenung Training Center, a national sports team members’ village, Nam had eyelid surgery on Dec. 16, 2005 with the permission of her coaching staff since she had been suffering from a common condition in which the eyelashes get in the way of the eyelid.

``I just can’t understand why the KFF is so hard on Nam and making it such a big issue,’’ the coach said. ``She was at Taenung, but the case didn’t do much harm to her competence since she was resting prior to the Seoul Grand Prix tournament in February, and was not in an intense training program.

``It is true she had a facelift but it was not an extensive operation like grinding the bones or reworking the whole face. She told me the surgeon encouraged her to agree to the additional surgery,” he added.

Read more on......"Fencer Gets Spiked for Cosmetic Surgery"...

Changing Face Of Cosmetic Surgery

2006-02-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

"It is better to look good than to feel good."

This line was made famous in the 1980s by Billy Crystal's "Fernando" character on Saturday Night Live, but few would have imagined that it was more than a catchphrase.

It was an indication of a cultural phenomenon that, 20 years later, is set to explode.

Cosmetic surgery is everywhere: on TV, in the office, all around campus. The pressure to look good (and look young) has never been greater. Prices have gone down, and the stigma associated with plastic (note the negative connotation of the word "plastic") surgery is dwindling.

According to HealthDay News, men are the newest arrivals to the party, with a 16 percent increase in cosmetic surgery procedures performed in 2000 - 1.2 million performed last year.

Read more on "Changing Face Of Cosmetic Surgery"...

'Plastic' Britain Goes Plastic Surgery Crazy

2006-01-30T06:58:00.000-08:00

WOMEN in Britain underwent almost 20,000 cosmetic surgery procedures last year - a rise of more than a third on 2004.

Around 5,000 women went under the knife in the north west - with tummy tucks, facelifts and eye procedures increasing in popularity last year, according to Manchester-based Transform Medical Group.

Breast enlargement, which costs around £4,000, is the most popular operation, with 5,646 last year, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

The number of men having surgery rose from 1,348 to 2,440 with nose operations the most popular.

Read more on "'Plastic' Britain Goes Plastic Surgery Crazy"...

Fear Of Ageing Fuels Rush For Plastic Surgery

2006-01-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

THE number of men having plastic surgery to improve their appearance almost doubled last year as the popularity of nose jobs, facelifts and other anti-ageing procedures continued to grow.

More than 22,000 operations were carried out on men and women in 2005, an increase of 35 per cent on 2004, according to the annual audit of members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

The number of women opting for cosmetic surgery increased by a third to 19,601. Male interest also increased, particularly for facial alterations and for anti-ageing operations.

Of the 2,440 operations carried out on men, the most popular were rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), otoplasty (ear pinning), liposuction and face or neck lifts. Male procedures represented 11 per cent of all cosmetic operations, up from 9 per cent in 2004.

The audit, published Jan 16th 2006, also shows that of the procedures that were carried out on women, 5,646 were breast enlargements, 2,868 were blepharoplasties and 2,593 breast reductions.

Read more about "Fear Of Ageing Fuels Rush For Plastic Surgery"...

WALES Is Becoming A Plastic Nation

2006-01-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

More people than ever before are opting for cosmetic surgery - and men are leading the charge, with the amount going under the knife almost doubling in 2005. An audit by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) today reveals the extent of the trend as thousands take extreme measures to try to achieve the body beautiful. Plastic surgeons said the increases showed that there was a growing acceptance of cosmetic surgery to help people defy the ageing process and feel better about their appearance.

And the audit shows that ageing men are now relying on more than sports cars and hair dye to try and regain their youthful appeal. Men now account for more than 11% of the total aesthetic surgical procedures carried out in the UK.

The majority of procedures (89%) were still carried out on women, with 19,601 carried out in 2005 compared with 15,019 in 2004. But 2,440 males also had cosmetic operations last year, which included breast reduction, nose jobs, ear corrections and hair implants - compared with just 1,348 in 2004.

Read more on "Welsh Plastic Surgery"...

A Less-Invasive Facelift

2006-01-18T23:43:00.000-08:00

Needle and thread used to weave youthful look into cheeks, brows, necks.

Surgeons at Rockwood Clinic PS, of Spokane, have begun using a new, less invasive form of cosmetic plastic surgery, called a Contour ThreadLift, on eligible patients, mostly women, who are seeking a more youthful appearance.

The procedure was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration less than eight months ago, says Dr. Carol Hathaway, a Spokane Valley plastic surgeon. It is designed to lift sagging eyebrows subtly, reposition sagging cheeks, lift soft tissues of the mid and lower face, and stop premature skin aging. In the process, needles are guided just under the skin and used to thread and cinch up special sutures that have barbs just less than one inch apart along their length.

The barbed sutures, called contour threads, have been available here for only about two months, says Chris Meston, Hathaway’s aesthetician.

The results of a Contour ThreadLift are far less dramatic than with conventional, more invasive cosmetic plastic surgery, says Dr. Kai Morimoto, a plastic surgeon with Rockwood Clinic PS, of Spokane.

Read more about "A Less-Invasive Facelift"...

"I Went For Cosmetic Surgery Because.......

2006-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

I was very uncomfortable with my breasts after breast-feeding my son – Modupe Ozolua"

Modupe ‘The Body’ Ozolua is one woman your wife will forgive you for lusting after. Here, she speaks with SAMUEL OLATUNJI in all her enhanced glory.

Why body reconstruction of all things?
Body enhancement is basically an investment. I’m not a doctor and everybody knows that. I don’t have a medical background. It is a business I set up where professionals in the medical field who have spent years specialising in plastic surgery, will have the opportunity to use their expertise to make money and at the same time, make lives better.

Did you envisage you were going to be into body reconstruction as a young lady?
No. Just like everybody else, I believe every normal child during his or her developmental years changes ambition so many times. At one point, I said I wanted to be a doctor but over the years, when I saw blood I got squeamish. So, that idea quickly went out of the window. But very early, I realised that I was very artistic, I could draw and design. So I went to school to study Graphic Design. Overnight, just because of my own interest in plastic surgery from my own personal venture, I went into the world of medicine.

I remembered the first time I watched a cosmetic procedure being done, it was a tummy tuck. When they lifted the flab of the skin and I looked at the stomach muscles, I stood there and said ‘Oh my God, it is so beautiful’. That was the day I fell in love. Though I was already doing cosmetic surgery here in Nigeria, but I’d never been in the operating room watching the procedure. They can’t keep me out of operating room now. That squeamish thing is out of it now. But, did I ever think this is what I would be doing? The answer is no. I got into it because of my own personal interest in cosmetic surgery. I went to have a cosmetic surgery done and all of a sudden, I decided to open an office here in Nigeria.

Read more on Nigerian plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery...

'Beauty Premium' Has Cosmetic Surgery Industry Booming

2006-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER - New Year's resolutions to finally get the ideal body don't always mean resisting everything tasty, and sweating out everything else.

The cosmetic surgery business is booming, and those looking for a nip or tuck may have more than just a better-looking demeanour in mind. They may also be looking for a better-looking paycheque.

Beautiful people, in general, make more money than their less attractive counterparts, according to a survey published last year by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

``The evidence seems to suggest that individuals that are on average ... rated as better looking receive better wages,'' said Michael Owyang, senior economist with the bank and co-author of the report.

One study cited in the survey found a ``beauty premium'' of five per cent an hour, while less attractive people were docked with a nine per cent ``plainness penalty.''

``There are a lot more (doctors) doing it, and there are a lot more people seeking it,'' Vancouver plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Fitzpatrick said in an interview, adding confidence, not higher wages, is the reason people usually seek cosmetic surgery.

Read more...

Plastic Surgery Societies Create a New and Improved Informational Web Site on Breast Implant Surgery

2006-01-15T00:25:00.000-08:00

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) announced the launch of their newly designed informational Internet resource on breast implant surgery http://www.breastimplantsafety.org.

The site offers objective and medically grounded information from the leading plastic surgery societies on breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reconstruction and implants, including updates and comparative information on new devices and procedures. Information is available both for women seeking breast surgery for the first time and for those with existing implants that may need revision or replacement.

"Many women make a new year's resolution to improve the look and feel of their breasts," said Bruce Cunningham, MD, president of ASPS. "Using http://www.breastimplantsafety.org, women can access current scientific information so they are empowered to make the best decision regarding breast surgery."

Read more about The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS)informational Internet resource on breast implant surgery...

Cosmetic Surgery: Calf Augmentation By Implant

2006-01-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

Sheila Simmons hasn't shown off her legs in years. "I started not to wear skirts, mainly sticking to pants, boots," she explained. She feels her calves look too thin. "They lack structure and shape," she said.

Now, Sheila's about to undergo a cosmetic procedure that will permanently plump up this part of her leg. It's called calf augmentation and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Leonard Grossman says he's performed about two dozen of these operations on both men and women in the last year.

"There's a lack of proportionality in the body. Their calves look skinny or scrawny compared to the rest of their leg," Dr. Grossman explained.

First, unwanted fat is liposuctioned from Sheila's hips and waist.....

Read more on "Cosmetic Surgery: Calf Augmentation By Implant"...

Polish Low-Price Cosmetic Surgery For Czechs

2006-01-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Warsaw, Poland — With the cost of cosmetic surgery in Poland around a third of what doctors charge in Britain or Germany, more people are coming to Poland to finally get the face or body of their dreams.

For Czech residents however, the treatments these clinics offer aren’t cheap. The cost of breast enlargement, for example, including the patient’s stay in the clinic, on average amounts to Zl 9,000 (€ 2,350/Kč 67,900). In Poland the average monthly salary is just € 470, about a third of the European Union average. “Using more expensive implants could raise the price to well over Zl 10,000,” said Dr. Elzbieta Baranska from NZOZ Chirurgia Plastyczna in the Polish/ German border town of Slubice.

The reconstructive- and plastic-surgery specialist Dr. Andrzej Dmytrzak, owner of Aesthetic Med Prywatne Centrum Chirurgii Plastycznej in the Polish/German border city of Szczecin, revealed that such surgery may cost as much as Zl 12,000.

Read more on Polish cosmetic surgery prices...

Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas Offers Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Acne and Actinic Keratoses

2006-01-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Levulan PDT system is an advanced two-step treatment for minimally to moderately thick AKs. Clinical testing has shown that after eight weeks of treatment, the Levulan PDT system cleared 100% of treated AKs in the majority of patients.

In the Advanced Skin Aesthetics division of the Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery Center, the goal is to help patients achieve healthy, beautiful skin.

As the Director of the Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas, Dr. Benjamin Bassichis, M.D., FACS offers both non-surgical and surgical treatments for facial rejuvenation tailored to meet the needs of each patient. He uses the latest proven techniques, including minimally invasive procedures, to provide long lasting results, with minimized downtime.

More...

Microscope Allows For Delicate Plastic Surgery Procedures

2006-01-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

The ability of surgeons to perform delicate plastic surgery in Tasmania has been dramatically improved.

A new microscope is being used at the Royal Hobart Hospital, replacing older technology which would sometimes malfunction during important operations.

Surgeons have used the new technology to operate on a 57-year-old man who required surgery to reconstruct part of his face affected by cancer.

Associate Professor Frank Kimble says the microscope allows doctors to repair nerves and blood vessels less than a millimetre in diameter.

Read more....

Cosmetic Surgeons to Meet in Orlando for Annual Scientific Meeting

2006-01-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic surgeons from around the world will converge at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting to share and learn the latest developments in cosmetic surgery. "The Innovators: Cosmetic Surgeons" will be held from January 26-29, 2005 at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Speakers from various medical disciplines will share their research.

Read more...

Plastic Surgery Not Against Islam, Says Leading Scholar

2006-01-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

Doha: Men and women of all ages who undergo plastic surgery to improve their appearances are not contravening Islam in any manner, a leading Muslim scholar, said. The Holy Quran, he emphasised, contains no directives suggesting that any measure taken to look better is forbidden in the religion, he added.

Dr Abdul Hameed Al Ansari, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Law, Qatar University told a local Arabic daily that plastic or cosmetic surgery was acceptable since it helps some physically disadvantaged persons to enhance their looks and remain attractive, despite some deformity or age.

He pointed out, some women have malformed nose and hence, it is vital for her to undergo such plastic surgery to have a family life.

In other cases...

Confessions of a Park Avenue Plastic Surgeon

2006-01-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

After three thrilling, exhausting, mind-bending years at Stanford, I came east for another residency, this one specializing in plastic surgery, at the Cornell and New York Hospital, another world-renowned institution. In North Carolina I'd learned to be a doctor, in California a surgeon. In New York, I would learn to be a plastic surgeon.

At New York Hospital, I learned an enormous amount - about different types of face-lifts, about rhinoplasties, about dealing with burns. At Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, one of my last rotations, I did reconstructive surgery on cancer patients. As a surgeon doing that kind of work your mind-set is very different from what it is when you do cosmetic work. You're not worried at all about scars. Instead, you're doing things like repairing large defects and covering chest holes. You're happy if the patient is just able to leave the hospital alive.

I also learned who some of the good guys in New York medicine were, and who were the bad guys.

Available in hardback now from Amazon...

Plastic Surgery For Men

2006-01-07T01:55:00.000-08:00

(New York City) Craig Sowash, a 43-year-old sales manager with a pulp and paper company, says he feels more confident with customers ever since he had the wrinkles on his face smoothed out with a few injections.

And if he ever needs a little surgery at some point to produce permanent results, he says, "I won't be shy about pulling the trigger."

Competition for corporate jobs among aging baby boomers, along with quicker, cheaper and less invasive techniques, and greater attention to grooming among men are helping drive an increase in cosmetic procedures among the male of the species.

More on plastic surgery for men...

Brazilian Butt Fill (TM) Get A Derriere Fit For The Beaches of Rio

2006-01-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

“I like big butts and I cannot lie” is a lyric to Sir Mix A Lot’s Song but it is also the song of people who opted for 4,000 buttock lifts in 2004. The number of buttock augmentation surgeries increased 158 percent between 2000 and 2004, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. So if you like a firmer, more rounded rear, you're not alone. Buttock enlargement or augmentation is an increasingly popular procedure. It allows flat or poorly developed buttocks to be enhanced. While many women will increase the size of their breasts, they find that there is an imbalance between their front and the back. Buttock enlargement addresses this disproportion. There are many women who have the curves of the breasts and the thighs, and need to round out the buttocks as well. This procedure is especially popular with Latinos and African Americans, but is gaining in popularity among Caucasians as well.

Read more...

Plastic Surgery "Gone Wrong" or Taken to Extremes

2006-01-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

.... seems to make headlines everywhere.

Self-proclaimed and media-labeled beauty junkies appear to be cropping up everywhere these days. But is the public getting the wrong impression? What are the facts and what lies behind some of plastic surgery's bizarre and extreme stories?

The reality is that cosmetic enhancement is quite mainstream and safe when approached by an educated consumer in a reasonable fashion.

Mainstream consumers

The number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement procedures undergone by women and men, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, amounted to almost 12 million in 2004. The most popular, Botox injections, was performed on nearly 27 percent of those men and women. And surprisingly, more of those people were super moms than supermodels.

According to research conducted about Botox users by the Aesthetic Society Research and Education Foundation..... (read more....)

More Tourists Flocking to South Africa For Plastic Surgery

2006-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

The number of foreigners having plastic surgery in South Africa has shot up dramatically in the past year, despite the strengthening of the rand.

"In December 2004 we had six patients and last month we had 25," said Peter Rodway, managing director of Mediscapes, which sells cosmetic surgery packages, mostly to foreigners on holiday in Cape Town.

The packages include the procedure, accommodation, tourist excursions, and the assistance of therapists and nurses during recovery.

Although the range of procedures foreigners wanted was wide, Rodway said: "Without question the most popular is breast augmentation."

The next most popular procedures are tummy tucks, rhinoplasty, liposuction and facelifts.

Although the rand has strengthened, Rodway says the cost of plastic surgery in South Africa remains 60% to 65% cheaper than in Britain or the US.

The Johannesburg company Surgeon and Safari has also noted a marked rise in demand...

Plastic Surgery Going Mainstream In Corporate World

2006-01-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

Specialized lenders can help middle class pay for treatment...

For business executives spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on shirts, blouses, suits or dresses to make a positive impression at the office, Dr. Wayne Carman has another suggestion: plastic surgery.

Read more...

More Men Are Discovering Cosmetic Surgery

2006-01-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Need proof that cosmetic surgery and men is now a mainstream marriage?

Check out these statistics: While women still make up 87 percent of all cosmetic surgery patients, 1.2 million procedures were performed on men in 2004. That's a 16 percent increase since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

"More men than ever before are getting plastic surgery," said Dr. Brent Moelleken, a Beverly Hills, Calif., plastic and reconstructive surgeon who says up to 20 percent of his practice includes men. "Ten years ago, it was just 5 to 10 percent."

Men choose to improve many of the same body parts as women. But they're different as cosmetic surgery patients in other ways, say the doctors who work on them.

The top five male cosmetic surgeries in 2004 were nose reshaping, hair transplantation, eyelid surgery, liposuction and breast reduction, according to the ASPS. Another organization that keeps statistics, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), has the same top five surgeries for men, although in a slightly different order.

More...

‘Dr Botch’ is Sued Over Face-Lift Death

2006-01-02T04:07:00.000-08:00

THE family of an Irishwoman who died after a face-lift operation in New York last year has filed a legal suit against the plastic surgeon who carried it out.

Liam Cregan, from Croom in Limerick, has accused Michael Evan Sachs, the doctor who operated on his wife, Kay, of “negligence, carelessness and gross indifference”.

His case, filed on December 15 in the state supreme court in Manhattan, also names Dr Madhavrao Subbarao, an anaesthesiologist, and claims both doctors failed the mother-of-two at every step of the procedure.

Cregan confirmed this weekend that he has hired a New York law firm that specialises in multi-million-dollar medical malpractice claims.

Read more...

Naomi Campbell - No Plastic Surgery

2006-01-02T04:02:00.000-08:00

Naomi Campbell has rubbished rumours she's had plastic surgery.

The sexy supermodel insists she has never needed to go under the knife to preserve her looks - because she has inherited great skin.

The 35-year-old beauty also revealed she doesn't think she is beautiful - despite being one of the world's most stunning women.

She is quoted in Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "I don't see myself as gorgeous and I'm fed up with people saying that I've had plastic surgery and liposuction.

"I don't need it because 'black don't crack'. My grandmother has fantastic genes and only has about one wrinkle."

She added: "In the past my agencies advised me that... (read more)...

Plastic Surgery As A Prize Creates Deep Worry Lines

2006-01-02T03:59:00.000-08:00

As a special holiday-season promotion, the first 200 people who lined up outside the trendy Chicago nightclub Reserve on a recent frigid weeknight received $500 off liposuction or breast-augmentation surgeries from a local cosmetic-surgery practice.

In some ways, the pretentious dance club was the perfect place to randomly peddle surgeries that aren't medically necessary. The use of cosmetic surgery, which has become more affordable for the masses in recent years, is skewing toward a younger demographic. And inside crowded, deafening hot spots like Reserve, visible first impressions are really all that matters.

But in the wake of increasing demand for cosmetic surgery by both men and women, physicians have started offering discounts or trying other aggressive marketing incentives. Cut rates, early-bird specials, gift certificates and contests now make a serious medical procedure such as liposuction look like the sale of a handbag.

This raises ethical and safety concerns... (read more)...

Ten Cosmetic Surgery Predictions for 2006

2006-01-02T03:55:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic plastic surgery continues to be popular with nearly 11.9 million Americans choosing cosmetic procedures last year. As its popularity rises, so does the demand for quicker, less invasive fixes. 2006 will be another exciting year for cosmetic surgery.

(PRWEB) December 29, 2005 -- Cosmetic plastic surgery continues to be popular with nearly 11.9 million Americans choosing cosmetic procedures last year. As its popularity rises, so does the demand for quicker, less invasive fixes. 2006 will be another exciting year for cosmetic surgery...

“Exciting advances are continually at the forefront of plastic surgery,” says Dr. Sam Speron, plastic surgery expert and consumer advocate. “But consumers should be fully advised of risks before consenting to any procedure. Anyone considering cosmetic surgery should fully investigate all options and do their homework. Several non-invasive procedures are available to patients, and 2006 will see an increase in the popularity of these options. As plastic surgeons, we must become involved and seek safe therapies that may help our patients achieve the look they desire. Patients always want to hear about the latest and greatest…”

Sam will reveal his 10 cosmetic surgery predictions for this year to your audience:

• Silicone gel breast implants will be approved by the FDA. Once approved, these devices, due largely to their more natural feel and appearance, will dominate the US market. Gel implants have dominated global markets for the past 15 years.

• Cosmetic surgery among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States will continue to increase. Current statistics report that minority populations’ account for 20% of all cosmetic procedures performed.

• News stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore will alert patients to avoid “too good to be true” discounts and make sure that their safety is protected by choosing a physician with appropriate training, credentials and judgment.

• As States continue to watch New Jersey’s negative experience with the cosmetic surgery tax, they will abandon proposals to tax aesthetic surgery procedures as potential sources for revenue.

• As the popularity of nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow, surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.

• Men will represent a growing segment of the aesthetic surgery market. According to a recent consumer survey commissioned by ASAPS, 59% of men approve of cosmetic surgery and 21% would consider having cosmetic surgery. 79% of American men surveyed said they would not be embarrassed if people in addition to their family and close friends knew they had undergone cosmetic surgery.

• Large - scale clinical studies will be implemented to validate the safety and effectiveness of minimally-invasive treatments such as barbed sutures (the so-called lunch-hour face lift) and fat melting without surgery.

• Cosmetic surgery “vacations” will take a more serious turn as educated consumers understand the safety and risk issues associated with surgical procedures. Surgery performed by board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons, in accredited facilities where follow-up care is available will continue to be the best value.

• Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication regarding healthcare choices, board certification of practitioners, and accreditation of surgical facilities will play an even more important role in choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

• The growth and popularity of cosmetic fillers will dramatically increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.

Original article here

Plastic Surgery Treatments

2006-01-02T03:49:00.000-08:00

A few cosmetic doctors publicly promote surgical gift procedures. In December, for example, Dr. Anthony Griffin, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif., issued a press release headed, "The Brazilian Butt Lift Tops the New Year's Wish List for Plastic Surgery Hopefuls." This procedure involves removing fat from a patient's lower back and hips and using it to sculpture the buttocks. The cost ranges from $15,000 to $25,000.

Dr. Mark Erlich, a facial surgeon in New York City, sent reporters a "gift of beauty" menu, which included a $100,000 makeover package featuring a full face-lift, neck lift, breast implants, liposuction, chemical peels and injections of Botox and collagen.

But many other cosmetic treatments and surgeries are also given as gifts, doctors say. Here are some examples, and how much they cost.

BOTOX: The average fee in 2004 for injections to relax forehead furrows and crow's-feet was $376, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But doctors who are considered master injectors, like Dr. Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist who practices in Miami and Manhattan, charge up to $850 per area treated.

TOOTH TREATMENTS: In-office whitening costs $600 to $1,000, according to... (read more)...

Plastic Surgery Notes

2005-12-26T01:20:00.000-08:00

Plastic Surgery Notes will be providing information, news and reviews about plastic surgery and comestic surgery from around the world.