Report Shows More Men Getting Plastic Surgery

According to a new report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, more men then ever are entering the female-dominated world of plastic surgery. The report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgery has revealed that the number of men getting plastic surgery from 2002 to 2007 has increased by 16%.

 

The biggest areas that men are getting taken care of by plastic surgery is their jaws, as well as their waists. Men, in total, went through 1.1 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2007. The report made it clear though that the number could be even higher. The American Society of Plastic Surgery has stated that it is hard to get a reading because of the fact that many men keep their surgery a secret. Men are said to make up for around 10% of all who receive plastic surgery, a major increase from past years.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 7,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com. 

 

 

Plastic Surgeons Advise on Dangers of Nicotine After Surgery

Eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and getting plenty of rest are standard doctor’s orders during the recovery phases of surgery, and patients who undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery are no different.

 

Now, doctors are encouraging their cosmetic and plastic surgery patients to refrain from smoking – or quit completely – so that their bodies can heal properly.

 

The effects of nicotine on the body can be especially significant for those who undergo fat reduction treatments, skin rejuvenation procedures or body contouring that involves a significant amount of incisions and skin removal.  Oxygen is essential for proper healing, and nicotine depletes oxygen and may even slow down blood circulation.  This presents a major challenge for the body’s healing process since the skin tissues can no longer heal and repair themselves naturally.

 

The result?  According to Dr. Samir Pancholi, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Las Vegas, is dead, blackened skin tissue that may need to be removed completely with more surgery.  Other side effects of nicotine use after surgery include poor blood circulation and standard side effects such as shortness of breath, yellowed skin and lung damage.

 

Dr. Pancholi encourages patients to stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before a face lift, tummy tuck or breast lift procedure, and to quit completely if they are getting Botox injections or undergoing a breast augmentation procedure.  Botox and breast augmentation require a significant amount of blood for ample healing, and nicotine can impair this process.

 

Source: Cosmetic Surgery Review

Risks and Gains of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

For many people that have thought about a cosmetic surgery procedure there are questions that may weigh on the mind before having surgery such as what risks are involved and what can I gain from having cosmetic surgery? With the many cosmetic surgery procedures currently available what are the risks and what are the gains?

Depending on the type of surgery you may want to have, the risks and gains can be different, as an example I will use breast enlargement or augmentation as it is also known, to show what risks and gains there are to be taken into account before deciding to have surgery. Who is breast enlargement for? Breast enlargement is for women who may want to enhance or regain any loss of figure after having children. Another main reason is for women who have lost significant weight and want to regain breast size or shape. Also for women who want to enhance their appearance and boost any loss of confidence they feel they may have lost.

 

Are there any risks to having breast enlargement surgery? Complications with any invasive surgery are possible but are extremely rare, any major risks are explained in detail with a consultant. The modern implant used by specialist companies ensure that the risk of capsular contracture have never been so low.

 

How much time should I take off work? Normally the time off is between 7 and 10 days and if your job is a manual job, lifting may be advised against.

 

Will I feel pain after surgery? Most women live through some tenderness following breast enlargement surgery and take pain relief for up to one week afterwards. It is important that a reputable company is used to have the procedure and make sure that they are a specialist in the industry. With any surgery it is usually necessary to have a consultation prior to any possible surgery to go through in detail what requirements you have, as everybody is different is shape and size the reasons for cosmetic surgery can vary.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 7,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com. 

Botox Might Help Shrink Pores, Reduce Excess Oil

Botox® (botulinum toxin A) is a popular and effective treatment for wrinkles. Now using Botox might have another benefit, reducing large pores on the skin.

 

Having pores that are too big on the nose and forehead is a common complaint from men in clinic. Men have a higher density of sebaceous glands than women and sometimes have excessively oily skin with wide, deep pores. Excess oiliness and big pores can be difficult to treat. Surgical treatments such as lasers, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels can be used to improve the appearance, but results are often not satisfactory. Topical retinoids such as Retin-A® and Tazorac® can also effective in some people, but require applying the medication daily.

 

A cosmetic physican in Chicago has published a study using Botox to treat oily skin complexion and large pores. He found that 17 of 20 patients who received Botox in the skin reported a reduction in the oiliness and the pore size in the treated areas.

 

Botox works by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Acetylcholine controls sweating, which is why Botox works so well to treat excess perspiration (hyperhidrosis), and can effect production of sebum. Botox injected into the skin then can block excess sebum production leading to less oily skin and to smaller pores.

 

The study did not compare Botox to other treatments and did not have scientific measures of pore size or of oiliness, but it did find that the majority of patients who were treated with the Botox specifically for oil problems felt that the treatment worked.

 

Women are more frequent users of Botox than men, but studies like this might give men another reason to try Botox to improve their appearance.

 

Post written by Jeffrey Benabio, MD. All rights reserved, The Derm Blog 2008.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 7,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com. 

 

 

The Best Guide To Breast Plastic Surgery And Breast Augmentation

A breast implant is a prosthesis used to enlarge the size of a woman’s breast; one of many types of breast plastic surgery. If you’re considering breast plastic surgery, it’s important to know all the pros and cons related to the type you want. Non-cosmetic clinical indications for the use of breast implants are for breast reconstruction, sex reassignment surgery, and for abnormalities, usually congenital, that affect the shape and size of the breast.

 

Since the saline implants are empty when they are surgically inserted, the scar is smaller than is necessary than for the silicone gel breast implants which are already filled with silicone before they are placed. In the mid 1980s, advances in manufacturing principles brought about elastomer-coated shells to decrease gel bleed, and are filled with thicker, more cohesive gel; these implants are sold under restricted conditions in the U.S. and Canada, and are widely used in other countries. Dr. Thomas Cronin and Dr. Frank Gerow, two Houston, Texas, plastic surgeons, developed the first silicone breast prosthesis with the Dow Corning Corporation in back in 1961.

 

In the 1970s plastic surgeons wanted softer and more lifelike implants so breast implants were redesigned with thinner gel and thinner shells; these implants had a greater tendency to rupture and leak, or “bleed” silicone through the implant shell into the body cavity and complications such as capsular contracture were common. There are two primary types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-gel-filled implants. Compared to silicone gel implants, saline implants are more likely to cause cosmetic problems likes rippling and wrinkling, and can be noticeable to the eye or to the touch.

 

Saline-filled implants are the most common implant used in the United States due to some restrictions on silicone implants, which may change, but are seldom used in other countries. For women with very little breast tissue, or for post-mastectomy reconstruction, plastic surgeons believe that silicone gel implants are the superior device; but in patients with more breast tissue, saline implants can look very similar to silicone gel implants.

 

Capsules of tightly-woven collagen fibers form as an immune response around a foreign body like breast implants, which tends to wall it off; capsular contracture happens when the capsule tightens and squeezes the implant. The risk and treatment of extracapsular silicone gel is still controversial; plastic surgeons agree that it’s difficult to remove, but there is disagreement about the lasting health effects. Countries outside of the United States have not endorsed routine MRI screening, and have taken the position that MRI’s should be reserved only for cases involving suspected clinical rupture or to confirm mammographic or ultrasound studies that suggest rupture.

 

The age and design of the implant are important factors in rupture, but estimating rupture rates of contemporary devices has been difficult for a variety of reasons, mainly because implant designs have changed somewhat over time. One study reported that only 30 percent of ruptures in asymptomatic patients are accurately detected by experienced plastic surgeons, compared to 86 percent detected by MRI. When breast implants are removed that have been implanted for a long period of time, a mastopexy is often performed to tighten up the loose skin: this is additional surgery usually done at the same time and at an additional expense.

 

Thousands of women claim they have become ill from their breast implants; complaints include neurological and rheumatological problems. Some studies have suggested that subjective and objective symptoms of women with breast implants may improve partially or entirely when their implants are removed.

 

When breast implants are removed that have been implanted for a long period of time, a mastopexy is often performed to tighten up the loose skin: this is additional surgery usually done at the same time at an additional expense. Since the early 1990s, a number of independent reviewers have examined studies concerning links between silicone gel breast implants and systemic diseases; the consensus of these reviews is that there is no clear evidence of a causal link between the implantation of silicone breast implants in breast plastic surgery and systemic disease; it’s always wondered who is funding these studies and that should clearly be stated.

 

Just a reminder; breast augmentation is an elective cosmetic breast plastic surgery. Although the international consensus is that silicone implants in breast plastic surgery has not been shown to cause systemic illness, one must keep in mind that many women have reported a connection to symptoms they are having and to their breast augmentation. After breast plastic surgery, depending on the level of activity required, patients are usually able to return to work or school in about a week, sometimes sooner.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 7,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com. 

 

 

 

 

Breast Augmentation: 5 Most Common Mistakes Women Should Avoid

 

 

New York is one of the most populated and diverse regions in the United States. For many people, New York City is distinguished as the center of business and culture. It is no surprise that the city is known for its early advancements in fashion, science and technology. That may be the reason why many of the most remarkable plastic surgeons in the country are based in New York City.

 

To be able to keep up with the fast-paced lifestyle in New York and be successful, it is important that you not only try your best to cope and evolve but also look great. Many highly qualified cosmetic surgeons in New York engage in techniques to help you stand out in a crowd. The broad selection of the best cosmetic surgeons in New York makes it one of the most ideal locations to consider for having your breast surgery. New York breast enlargement, for one, is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure.

 

Breast augmentation enables women with small or unevenly-sized breasts to have a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of breast implants. Women consider undergoing breast augmentation for varying reasons, such as medical, personal and aesthetic motivation, including balancing breast size and compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery. The procedure may be combined with other procedures such as a breast lift for better results.

 

There have been many terrifying testimonials regarding breast enlargement procedures going wrong. The truth is, breast enlargement procedure is a major surgery and should be treated accordingly. Here are the top 5 most common mistakes women make when going for breast enlargement:

 

NOT KNOWING WHERE TO START SEARCHING. After deciding on having breast augmentation, women will most likely start compiling a list of doctors to consider for the surgery. But after their list is complete, chances are they wouldn’t know where to start looking for the best surgeons. Most women settle for  good references from friends or family, without  proper evaluation , which leads us to the 2nd most common mistake women make. The Patients Advantage is your complete source for finding board-certified plastic surgeons.

 

CHOOSING A SURGEON WITHOUT EVALUATING TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS. Being in a hurry to get the procedure done will not help in achieving the desired result. Relying on referrals without properly reviewing the plastic surgeon’s past experience and credentials will most likely yield to disastrous results.

 

GETTING SURGERY FOR THE WRONG REASONS. Some women who are going through difficult and stressful time somehow believe that breast augmentation is the solution for all their other problems in life. Having your breasts enlarged should not be seen as a means for solving interpersonal relationship issues. In many cases, women who are driven by these factors end up being frustrated with the results, and even emotionally depressed.

 

FORGETTING TO ASK IF SHE IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE PROCEDURE. Many women fail to analyze whether medical surgery is right for them.. There are patients who have underlying health problems that may prohibit them from having breast augmentation or endager them for crucial complications before and after the operation.

 

FAILING TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. Oftentimes, questions regarding financial aspects and end results will draw the most attention. Some important questions that most women fail to ask are:

• What is my “diagnosis”?
• Am I being realistic about my desired outcome?
• Can you show me “before and after” photos of someone who had the procedure you recommend for me? Follow up question: Are these photos of your patients?
• What are the alternatives to address my problem?
• What should I expect during my recovery?
• What happens if I have a complication which requires a secondary procedure?
• What if I am not satisfied with the results?

These are just some of the most critical concerns that a woman should raise before undergoing breast enlargement procedure to be better prepared for the surgery and to avoid post-operation complications.

 

One of the most common risks after breast augmentation is the possibility of depression at the event that the end results do not lead to desired change in the patient’s social life. Women who have had breast implants are three times more likely to attempt suicide. That would classify as the biggest mistake a woman could make. Remember: whatever the course of treatment you choose, always keep in mind that breast augmentation is about having yor dream breasts – not necessarily your dream life.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com.  

 

Why People Go For Lasik Surgery

One of the main reasons why people go for lasik surgery is to correct their vision and removes the needs of wearing glass and contact lens. Wearing glasses or contact lens can be very troublesome at times, if you have wear before, you know it. When you are doing outdoor activities like sports and the sweat rolls onto the glasses, you will need to clean it often and if you are wearing contact lens, sometimes, it will drop off on a hard knock.

 

And over the years, the cost of lasik surgery has been dropping quite a lot and it is quite affordable now as comparable to a few years back. A typical Lasik surgery generally cost around two to four thousand dollars. When you compare that to a glasses or contact lens, it may look expensive, but, for long term, it will still be much more cheaper than wearing glasses or contact lens as you are going for the lasik surgery only once, but, for contact lens and glasses, you are likely to replace them yearly.

 

There are some people who ask about the possibility of using health insurance to pay for the lasik surgery. Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover lasik surgery. So, if you are looking forward to have a lasik surgery to correct your eye vision, then be prepared to fork out the money from your own pocket.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008. Visit us at www.thepatientsadvantage.com.

 

Plastic surgery can be a positive life-changing experience

Dr. Kenneth Dickie, a veteran plastic surgeon, believes that plastic surgery can become a positive life-changing experience. He talked before the members of the Rotary Club of Freeport and discussed about the benefits of plastic surgery in times of war, specifically, World War 1, when injured soldiers would return home with battle scars and physical defects.

 

Dr. Dickie said that doctors saw many persons coming in with disfiguring wounds, especially to the face. Then came out the necessity for reconstruction and repair — the birth of plastic surgery.

 

“And this is where we saw so many of the people that may have had gunshot wounds to the face and things of that nature and this is where plastic surgery really began coming into its own,” Dickie added.

 

When the war was over, major improvements on the techniques and methods of the field have been taking place, and this includes the delivery of plastic surgery services to the masses who are aching to have their imperfections straightened out.

 

Techniques such as skin grafting, micro surgery, and pre-tissue transfers are new developments in cosmetic surgery. These are things that were not possible in the past. And these new methods have paved the way for more types of repairs that have become possible.

 

“Plastic surgeons started to see a lot more burn patients and children born with congenital disease and accident victims and so our specialty started to expand in areas where any form of reconstruction or repairs may have been required,” Dickie stressed.

 

In the case of children being born with facial deformities such as cleft-lips, plastic surgery has been a tremendous help. “There are now certain techniques where foetuses can be diagnosed with certain defects before birth and in that case some repair work can be carried out without interfering with the pregnancy,” Dickie said.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008.

 

 

Understanding your Options for Cosmetic Surgery Anesthesia

If you have decided to take control of your appearance through cosmetic surgery, you are probably looking forward to the procedure with excitement. However, it’s important to remember that plastic surgery is as serious as any other surgery that requires anesthesia. Understand your anesthesia options with cosmetic surgery before you agree on a treatment protocol.

 

Why Use Anesthesia During Cosmetic Surgery?

 

In general terms, anesthesia is a medication that reduces the patient’s awareness, discomfort and defensive physical responses during a surgical procedure. These mechanisms give the patient and surgeon an optimal experience during surgery. Patients become physically and mentally unaware of the surgical procedure. Surgeons enter a controlled and more effective operating environment.

 

Depending on your medical history and the surgical procedure, your doctor may recommend local, regional or general anesthesia. In addition to anesthesia, sedation may be an option to enhance the amnesia effect.

 

Types of Cosmetic Surgery Anesthesia

 

Surgeons use local anesthesia for straightforward cosmetic procedures that are under three hours in length. If you have ever had a dental filling or root canal, you have probably had local anesthesia.

 

The local anesthetic can be topical or injectable, around the surgical site. It acts quickly and makes the skin and tissue feel numb, cold or tingly. As it lasts for only about an hour, additional doses may be necessary during surgery. Many cosmetic surgeons prefer to administer local anesthesia themselves, instead of using an anesthesiologist.

 

For certain facial plastic surgery procedures, your surgeon may recommend regional anesthesia, also called a regional block or nerve block. This technique consists of a carefully administered injection, directly into a nerve cluster that controls a specific area of the body. When used alone, this type of cosmetic surgery anesthesia reduces pain at the surgical site. However, it will not cause you to become drowsy or unaware of the procedure.

 

To enhance your comfort and the effect of local or regional anesthesia, the surgeon may suggest an intravenous, oral or gas sedative. Sedation causes you to become very sleepy or temporarily unconscious during the cosmetic surgery procedure. Knowing you will be unable to feel sensations or remember the surgery can induce relaxation and relieve stress. Sedatives usually wear off quickly and don’t incite the post-operative nausea and vomiting that may occur with general anesthesia.

 

General Anesthesia in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

 

As always, the approach to anesthesia during cosmetic surgery should be a joint decision between you and the doctor. Many complex procedures, such as a face lift or breast lift, are performed under general anesthesia. In this case, an anesthesiologist administers the anesthesia.

 

Depending on the approach, general anesthesia is administered through inhaled gas, intravenous liquid or both at the same time. The medication will make you unconscious and unable to feel or remember anything about the surgery.

 

While it sounds like the ideal way to have surgery, general anesthesia carries some risk factors. Your cosmetic surgeon and anesthesiologist will work with you to evaluate the risks and develop your personal surgical protocol. The anesthesiologist is present during the operation, monitoring your vital signs and adjusting the dosage as necessary.

 

Recovery from Anesthesia After Cosmetic Surgery

 

Some patients may experience side effects from the anesthesia after surgery. General anesthesia has more pronounced side effects. Feeling cold, shivering, crying or becoming emotional, feeling nauseous or vomiting are possible side effects. You should allow plenty of time to stay in the recovery room after surgery, until your surgeon and anesthesiologist release you.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008.

The Use of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Photo Viewing

Your plastic surgeon’s before-and-after photos can reveal much about both your surgeon’s ability as well as information about the procedure you are about to undergo. Most often, it is these plastic surgery photo viewing that will help you decide whether or not you want the procedure.

 

Always Ask for Photos

 

You do not want to go into a potentially risky procedure without fully knowing what you are about to get into. A plastic surgery photo viewing session is one of the best ways for you to get a glimpse of a surgeon’s sense of professionalism and skills and how you might just look like after surgery.

 

It would be better though if you do not settle for just one plastic surgery photo. Ask your surgeon to present a gallery and explain to you which plastic surgery photo is most likely reflective of your condition and goals. You might also want to log on to websites and scour the net for numerous other photos. This will help you compare your surgeon’s work with that of others.

 

Assess Photo Quality

 

A good plastic surgeon would always have well shot plastic surgery photo galleries. Badly done photographs may be a sign that you may not have a very dedicated and meticulous surgeon. Make sure that you are viewing a high resolution plastic surgery photo gallery. Pictures however that appear too perfect are something to be wary of. Cosmetic plastic surgery cannot produce perfect results and you should be on your guard if all the pictures present fabulous looking models.

 

Look for Signs of Editing and Manipulation

 

Good surgeons will always keep their patients’ identities confidential. None of the surgical details are masked. It is still a good idea however to have a discriminating eye. You might end up in the hands of the rare surgeon con artist who might resort to plastic surgery photo editing.

 

Aside from editing, you should also check plastic surgery photo galleries for inconsistencies in lighting or angles. Before photo editing software was invented, clever photographers used lighting and angles to change the look of the same object. Some surgeons may not have intentionally employed such a practice. Real lighting difficulties may truly have resulted in a picture that looks better than the actual result. Simply ask your doctor about what you see if you notice differences in lighting or angle in before and after pictures.

 

Do Not Fully Rely On Pictures

 

Plastic surgery photo galleries are just aides to help you visualize the results of a procedure but they should never be made the sole basis for your decision. You might be able to make a more informed decision if you requested for a computer assisted display of what you would look like after the procedure. You should also consider looking for real people you know such as friends and family and assess for yourself how much they have improved in their appearance.

 

The best factor to look into however other than pictures is a doctor’s accreditation or board certification. Researching about a doctor’s qualifications is the best way to ensure safety.

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons in 2008.

 

 

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