The Patients Advantage Blog

Entries from June 2008

More Baby Boomers Getting Breast Surgery

June 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

After giving childbirth, many women from the baby boomer generation long for the breasts they had in their pre-motherhood days. If you are a mother, you know that gravity seems to tug with a mightier force, and your once-voluptuous breasts have shrunk and now sag in a deflated manner.

Many baby boomers who are getting older have more discretionary income—and they want to look good. The result? An escalating number of “mommy makeovers.” These makeovers consist of a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and a breast lift. The surgery leaves mothers looking and feeling the way they did before childbirth.

Since 2005, breast lifts increased by 11 percent among women ages 40 to 54. This age group comprises about 45 percent of all patients who undergo cosmetic surgery. And in 2006, both men and women baby boomers ages 40 to 54 underwent nearly 5 million cosmetic procedures.

Not only do baby boomers want to look younger, they want to feel younger, too, according to a recent AC Nielsen survey.

American culture is also playing a role in the prevalence of surgery among baby boomers. The popularity of reality TV shows like “Dr. 90210” and the drama “Nip/Tuck” has mainstreamed plastic surgery and increased the demand.

If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery options, please visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

How to Find a Cosmetic Surgery Center

June 14, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Have you recently decided that you would like to undergo cosmetic surgery? Regardless of whether you are looking to undergo liposuction, get a facelift, or have your excess skin removed, you will want and need to find a quality cosmetic surgery center with a good reputation to do the job.

One of the best ways to find a quality cosmetic surgery center to seek treatment from is by logging onto The Patients Advantage.

Beauty is about being whole and complete. Our comfort level with our bodies affects the degree to which we can be fully self-expressed and engaged in the full pursuit of life … supporting our growth and development or keeping us separate from all that we can be. Wouldn’t it be convenient to post a cosmetic change you would like to solve on the Internet and wait for qualified doctors to respond? We know how difficult it is for consumers to find reputable doctors to handle their matters and for doctors to actively seek new clients. We also recognized the enormous advantages in bringing such a match making service online.

Currently, the resources available to individuals and doctors are very limited. Word of mouth referrals might be the most common way to find a doctor, but it has several obvious flaws. It leads consumers to only a small number of doctors based on the limited experiences of a few people. Often, none of these doctors practice in the prospective patients geographical area. Yellow page ads and online directories are even poorer resources. They provide no means for doctors to distinguish themselves or to target messages to particular small business and individuals.

Doctors have an equally difficult time finding new clients, particularly sole practitioners and doctors in smaller practices. Advertising is costly and subject to legal restrictions. Doctors must devote substantial efforts to generating word-of-mouth referrals; unfortunately, when doctors do receive client inquiries, they often come from clients seeking help outside the doctors’ area of expertise or at a time when the doctors are too busy for new work. Doctors need a solution that quickly and efficiently filters cases to them that fit in their schedules and expertise.

The Patients Advantage is independent and not affiliated with any organization or surgeon, nor do we sell any medical services. There is no charge to use this site…we work for you.Here’s how it works: 
   1) On our short form, provide us with some general details about your specific procedure of interest.    2) Your details are anonymously distributed to board-certified surgeons that meet your specific requirements. You decide how many options you wish to discuss; only the most qualified surgeons will be allowed to reply. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

   3) Trusted cosmetic surgeons that have been matched with your situation will be emailed to you. Links on each surgeon will be available to research their backgrounds, etc. You are under no obligation to accept any offer that is presented to you. In fact you can resubmit your request to find more surgeons that match your criteria.  

   2) Your details are anonymously distributed to board-certified surgeons that meet your specific requirements. You decide how many options you wish to discuss; only the most qualified surgeons will be allowed to reply. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

   3) Trusted cosmetic surgeons that have been matched with your situation will be emailed to you. Links on each surgeon will be available to research their backgrounds, etc. You are under no obligation to accept any offer that is presented to you. In fact you can resubmit your request to find more surgeons that match your criteria.  

 

 

Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: , , ,

8 Things To Consider When Planning To Get A Breast Augmentation

June 7, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Leaf through any magazine; watch any TV channel, and there is no dearth of beautiful women on show! They are all considered to be gorgeous because they have “full breasts”! What’s more, the advertisements are so belligerent in their message that any normal woman is left wondering if something is lacking in her appearance! Additionally, the clinics and professionals dealing with Breast Implant are also coming forward to press home the fact that it is a risk-free plastic surgery operation. Is it any wonder then that more and more women from all walks of life are opting for Mammoplasty?

Since I do not agree with the above-stated opinion and feel that every operation comes with its own risks, I would suggest that you keep a few points in mind if you are planning to go in for a Boob Job.

(1) Do not be a sheep, blindly following other sheep! After all, it is your body that we are talking about. Are you absolutely sure that you need this change? Just ask yourself one question—“What drastic change is this procedure going to bring in my life? What will happen if I don’t do it?”

(2) Get references to good surgeons from women who have already undergone this procedure. Degrees may sound impressive, the credentials may be very genuine—but what matters in the end is how comfortable you feel with a particular doctor. Is it someone in whom you can place implicit faith to deliver the goods? Choose the best from a list of doctors. If you have a personal physician already, then so much the better for you!

(3) Your surgeon should have a genuine certificate provided by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. A surgeon with hospital privileges is someone who is recognized and respected by that particular hospital—he/she is a better option, since his/her competence will never come under scrutiny!

(4) If you are intending to get operated in a clinic, then check out beforehand if there are professionals with experience in this type of surgery. Check to see if the facility is clean and hygienic, and no medical wastes are allowed to be lying around.

(5) A good surgeon will clarify whether you do need Breast Augmentation or not? The risks and benefits of the procedure will be explained in detail. The surgeon will even be able to offer different options and alternatives to surgery. Never feel pressurized into going in for something that you are not totally sure about!

(6) If you have decided to have the procedure anyway, let the surgeon guide you through the exact steps of the procedure. What complications can occur during surgery, and after surgery? Are there any major risks to this sort of procedure? What benefits will you receive after the procedure?

(7) No doctor can honestly promise that a surgical procedure is absolutely risk-free, no matter the numerous precautions taken to prevent any mishap from occurring. The surgery requires general anesthesia to be administered, which by itself carries a good amount of risk! Inform the surgeon about any existing medical problems or any medications that you are taking. Also, a thorough physical examination is required before proceeding with any type of surgery.

(8. As for cost, it should not come in the way of your decision to opt for a good surgeon or well-known clinic. Money may go today, you can earn it back tomorrow—but if you are not sure that you can trust a particular doctor, you may possibly end up with post-operative complications that you can very well do without. For more information  about plastic surgery or how to find a surgeon, log onto www.thepatientsadvantage.com.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: , , , , , ,

Breast Implants For Breast Reconstruction

June 5, 2008 · 2 Comments

Breast implants surgery is prosthesis used to enhance the look of women’s breasts. Many women in America undertake this surgical treatment to acquire more a more beautiful bustline. Two types of breast implant surgeries are available, one that makes use of saline filled implants and other that uses silicon gel filled implants. Breast reconstruction is another surgery that can help you get a very natural looking cleavage even after a mastectomy procedure. Many surgeons use breast implants for breast reconstruction.

The reconstructed breasts may not feel very natural moreover; this cannot cultivate or grow natural breasts on any woman. However, the surgery provides an outcome, which appears very similar to breasts. In the breast reconstruction surgery, a surgeon makes a breast mound with the tissues or implants from the buttocks, back or belly. The implants are silicon pouches filled with silicon gel or salt water. The sort of reconstruction you can find depends upon your age, body type and growth treatment.

If you want to use breast implants for breast reconstruction, then it includes more than one surgery. It requires some additional steps including adding a nipple, altering the size and shape of the reconstructed breast and working on the opposed breast for a better look.

If you opt for a breast reconstruction by a plastic surgeon, this procedure will be completed in combination with the mastectomy surgery or after the surgery. Nowadays, most women prefer to do breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy. However, it is essential for any woman to talk about available options with her health care supplier.

Although reconstructed breasts can never appear or feel like the natural breasts, they are merely there for cosmetic purposes. The breast implants for breast reconstruction are used to help the women feel confident about their appearance and with the reconstructed breasts; they can reestablish their sexual confidence as well. Breast reconstruction may also help a woman to become less concerned about her cancer, as her lost breast will not continuously remind her of it.

Two types of breast reconstructions are available. One type includes artificial implants like saline and another type uses tissue and skin from the body of a woman. Both the treatments have some advantages and drawbacks. The artificial implants need less complex operation than using a woman’s own tissues and the outcome of this surgery will also be less natural. However, there is not a single perfect reconstructive technique and it is better for a woman to talk about all available alternatives with her plastic surgeon.

For more information or to find a plastic surgeon, log onto www.thepatientsadvantage.com.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,