Plastic Surgery Articles

Plastic Surgery and the New Middle Age

November29, 2006 -

Are our sixties the new forties? Thats what a recent global survey of people from 42 countries seems to suggest. According to survey results, cosmetic surgery has a lot to do with this dramatic shift in perception of what constitutes middle age.

Cosmetic surgery seems not only to alter how people perceive themselves but also how they perceive middle age. They look younger and consequently feel younger. The diminishing stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery as well as its affordability certainly helps.

Cosmetic surgery has become more acceptable and financially affordable. Our mothers might have gone to Tupperware parties, but this generation is more likely to be invited to Botox parties, said Frank Martell, president and CEO of AC Nielsen Europe.

It is not surprising, then, that 25 percent of American, French, and British consumers said they would consider cosmetic surgery to maintain a youthful appearance. Italian, Portuguese, and Irish consumers come in at a slightly higher percentage of about 30 percent. Russians, however, come out on top of this list at 48 percent.

In a global market ripe for consumers of cosmetic surgery and other anti-aging treatments, 60 is indeed the new 40.

Three out of five Americans, the worlds greatest consumers of cosmetic procedures and treatments, said they believe that 60 is the new middle age. Globally, 60 percent of consumers said that 40 was the new 30.

Our forties are being celebrated as the decade where we can be comfortable and confident in both personal and financial terms. The majority of global consumers really believe life starts at 40, Martell said.

Interested in cosmetic surgery? Please contact us today to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

More Breast Augmentation News

FDA Lifts Silicone Implant Ban

November 20, 2006 -

More than a decade has passed since the Food and Drug Administration placed a ban on the use of silicone breast implants. On Friday, the ban came to an end as the FDA announced the return of silicone implants to the U.S. market.

The FDA approved the implants for use in revision and reconstruction surgeries as well as for use in breast augmentation procedures in women over the age of 22. Approval was based on a number of conditions, including mandatory follow-up studies and surgeon training.

“I think this is a huge victory for women, not just for those seeking cosmetic surgery but also for many reconstructive patients after breast cancer surgery,” said plastic surgeon Dr. David Song.

Silicone Implants Banned

In 1992, the FDA banned the use of silicone breast implants, citing that more studies needed to be conducted to determine their safety. Critics of the implants claimed that silicone leaks caused various autoimmune diseases and other health problems.

Since that time, several studies - including two published in the New England Journal of Medicine - have shown that there is no correlation between ruptured implants and adverse health effects.

“It’s sort of a vindication because we all knew there was no scientific evidence back in 1992 that necessitated the moratorium,” said Dr. Song.

Softer Than Saline

For the last 14 years, saline implants have been the norm for augmentation procedures. Many plastic surgeons are expecting that to change, especially because silicone implants are softer and more natural feeling than saline.

Breast augmentation is the second most popular cosmetic procedure currently performed in the U.S. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, approximately 365,000 women underwent the procedure in 2005.

Interested in breast augmentation? Please click here to locate a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Breast Reduction Ranks In Top 5 Procedures For Men

November 17, 2006 -

As the stigma surrounding cosmetic procedures in the United States continues to disappear, more and more men are jumping on the plastic surgery bandwagon. In fact, the number of cosmetic procedures performed on men has increased more than 40 percent in recent years.

So, what procedures are gaining popularity with men? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nose reshaping tops the list with nearly 100,000 procedures last year alone. Also, within the top five are hair transplantation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and breast reduction.

Gynecomastia

Last year, more than 16,000 men underwent a surgery known as gynecomastia - or male breast reduction. The procedure involves the reduction of female-like breasts some men develop as a result of weight, hormonal imbalance, liver disease, or other health problem.

“Many men are very self-conscious about it and limit their activity and their exposure of the area. And if there’s not a lot of loose skin with it, it’s very amenable to liposuction,” said ASPS spokesman Dr. Dennis Hurwitz.

During the procedure, the plastic surgeon will make a small incision through which fatty tissue is removed by way of liposuction. In some instances, the surgeon may also remove excess skin and tissue.

After surgery, the patient must wear a compression garment for two weeks. However, he can resume normal activities after about a week. The cost of the surgery varies depending on the doctor and the location.

Considering male breast reduction? Please contact us today to learn more about your options or to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Implants Through Belly Button Gain Popularity

November 13, 2006 -

Transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) - that is, breast enhancement through the belly button — has been available for a decade. However, it hasn’t been until recently that the procedure has really started to gain popularity.

Advocates for the procedure say it offers two primary benefits over traditional breast augmentation techniques: It minimizes the size of the incision as well as the recovery time.

“The benefit is no scar under the breast, around the breast, or near the breast,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Schusterman.

The Procedure

A small incision, typically less than an inch in length, is made in the belly button. The surgeon inserts a small tube that extends to the breast through the incision. The deflated implants are inserted through the tube and then filled with saline.

The procedure usually takes about 30-45 minutes to perform and costs about $4,600.

What Patients Are Saying

Mother of three, Pam Viereck, says she loves the results and would do it again. Plastic surgery patient Panda Weiser, who recovered from the procedure in less than a week, agreed.

“I was up and running around with my kids that night,” Weiser said. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Considering breast implants? Please contact us today to learn more about your options or to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Create Kissing Cleavage Without Plastic Surgery

November 6, 2006 -

If you crave that perky, kissing cleavage look but aren’t ready to take the plastic surgery plunge, a figure-enhancing bra offers a temporary solution for creating the illusion of bigger breasts. Push-up bras are specially designed to redistribute breast tissue to produce more fullness at the top of the breasts and create a deeper cleavage. Many figure-enhancing bras also contain padding that can increase your chest up to two cup sizes. Furthermore, the straps and underwires on a push-up bra work together to battle the effects of gravity and add oomph by suspending the breasts in a higher position for a full, youthful-looking shape.

The following are a few tips you should consider to ensure your push-up bra is working to your advantage.

For a bigger bust, add a bra insert made of water, gel, or foam to your push-up bra. These inserts are simple to use, look completely natural, and offer a little extra boost.

Contour padded push-up bras are your best bet to creating kissing cleavage. However, be sure the padding runs along the entire side of the cup, which works to actually push the breasts together.

When purchasing a push-up bra, it is always better to buy one that is a cup-size larger than your other bras. This is to prevent your breasts from spilling over and creating a lumpy, unsightly appearance.

Only buy push-up bras that have a graduated bump pad or foam insert to ensure optimum enhancement with tasteful cleavage and a natural lift.

Get fitted by a trained bra expert who can ensure your push-up bra gives you the round, youthful shape you crave.

While push-up bras provide a fast, easy solution to a small-bust problem, it is only temporary. Without the bra, your breasts will go back to their normal size. The only permanent solution to enhance your cup size and achieve perky, round breasts is by undergoing breast augmentation surgery.

Considering breast augmentation? Please contact us today to speak with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who can inform you of your plastic surgery options.

5 Vital Questions You Must Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

November 1, 2006 -

If you’ve made the decision to undergo plastic surgery, one of the most important things you can do is choose a highly qualified and experienced surgeon you feel comfortable with. Your safety and aesthetic results depend on this. The following are five “must ask” questions and topics you should discuss with your plastic surgeon:

1. Are you a certified member of the American board of Plastic Surgery? Do you hold any memberships in any professional associations?

2. Is the facility where I would undergo my surgery accredited? Accredited by what organization? Do you have staff privileges at any local hospitals to perform the procedure on me?
3. What procedure(s) would you recommend that would best help me reach my aesthetic goals? What exactly should I expect during the surgery and through my recovery and healing period?
4. Are there any alternatives to the surgery you recommend, and what are the benefits or trade-offs?
5. What kind of recent experience do you have with the surgery you recommend for me? Can I view recent before-and-after pictures of your patients’ results?

Considering breast augmentation? Please click here to speak with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon in your area.