November 2008 Blog Archive
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation Making Headlines Again
A few weeks back we reported that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons okayed fat grafting for
breast reconstruction, but yet again the notion of fat grafting for augmentation has made headlines. A symposium was held by Japanese surgeons to discover ways to fat-graft properly for
breast augmentation. However, ASPS has warned about the possible risks involved with such a procedure.
ASPS physicians have outlined a number of negative factors correlated to fat-grafting for an augmentation.
"If fat grafted to the breast hardens after injection, it can interfere with mammograms. Hardened deposits of fat might also be mistaken for a cancerous growth."
Similarly fat-grafting is not adequate or appropriate for massively large augmentations, the best alternative for that is still silicone or saline implants. This may be the future for reconstruction, which only requires small inputs of fat, but probably not the wisest decision for augmentation because it is yet to be FDA approved.
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Probe in Donda West Case
Rapper Kanye West lost his mother, Donda, last year to post-op complications after
liposuction and
breast reduction. California officials announced they are investigating Kanye's cousin Stephan Scoggins, a registered nurse tending Donda during her recovery. People Magazine reported earlier today that the California Department of Consumer Affairs issued subpoenas in the case. Scoggins was allegedly taking care of Donda West, when he reportedly left her home to attend a baby shower, and shortly after did not answer calls or pleads to return home when her health was deteriorating.
Much controversy has circulated around this case, not only due to the strange and untimely death, but also because of her son's fame and recent plastic surgery Bill that was denied by California government. If the case against Stephan Scoggins comes out true, there will no longer be any scrutiny against Donda West's plastic surgeon. Many have blamed the death on the surgeon, however this investigation may prove otherwise.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
See the Results for Yourself
If you're contemplating about getting a
breast augmentation and you are still asking yourself how big they will be, or how good they will look, a new plastic surgery technology has been developed to let you see the results first hand. This software allows the potential patient to virtually enter the operating room. The software, which is now being used in Utah, uses actual photographs of you and simulates a breast augmentation on your body. It provides the patient with a good picture of what they will look like post-surgery. Similarly, the 3D simulation will show all angles of the body with the new breasts intact.
Doctors are hoping the software will alleviate any worries women have about getting a breast enhancement. Quite often women fear the unknown before taking the hurdle to have the surgery, but this way you will first-hand see what your entire body image looks like with augmented breasts.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Head Honchos Looking Younger
The aging workforce, more specifically older high fliers, is seeking
face-lifts to compete with their younger peers. These anti-aging procedures have nearly doubled in a year, even amid the financial crisis. The UK's Harley Medical Group also said that in general older workers are hoping to age more gracefully and look younger especially since many are being laid off and competing with Generations X and Y for jobs.
The Director of the Harley Medical Group, Liz Dale said,
"People are looking for ways to keep themselves one step ahead of their colleagues. Most patients think about cosmetic surgery for many years and office competition simply acts as a catalyst"
Looks like the financial crisis is causing more than just economic woes, it's bringing in beauty and youthful competition in the workforce. And it's becoming the instigator and promoter for plastic surgery among people in their 50s and 60s.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Mastectomy Patients finding Hope in New Surgery
A mastectomy due to breast cancer may often times result in wounded self-esteem and lack of confidence. More commonly women feel stripped and torn from their femininity; but for those women struggling with such issues plastic surgeons may have a viable and brilliant option to boost your confidence again. Thanks to this revolutionary procedure women can not only have new breast implants and augmentations; they may be able to have a nearly perfect nipple replacement. The first women to get this r
econstruction done was Christine Davey, 63, she actually had a nipple tattooed onto her reconstructed breast 5 years after her mastectomy.
"The procedure, medically dubbed areola pigmentation, recreates the nipple lost during breast removal and often helps to boost women's self-esteem, which is so often damaged as a result of the operation."
After years of suffering from breast cancer the aftermath and post-op recovery can be considerably difficult and emotionally disturbing as well. So this surgery may really be able to aid in the emotional stability and physical beauty of women scarred by disease and abnormalities.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Would you have Plastic Surgery to save your Relationship?
A British magazine asked nearly 2,000 men about their wives and girlfriends and shockingly 16% of the men surveyed said their female counterparts could use a nip and tuck. Another 6% said their significant others' need a full mommy makeover. So would you go under the knife for a little
cosmetic enhancement for your hubby? Nearly of third of these polled men said their sex life would be jazzed up with a breast augmentation whilst a fifth of them said an aesthetic enhancement would actually save their marriage. These men thought their wives need everything done from breasts, legs, bums and tummy tucks.
So ladies, maybe it's time for you to line up for a lift or bodily boost. Though your men may want you to look stunning nearly half of them said they don't have the guts to actually tell you for they fear your offensive wrath. My question is, will your marriage really be saved if you have a saline implant? Granted it looks great, but how can a larger breast help anything other than sex life and how you look in a little black dress? I'd like to see women get surveyed the same question about their husbands. I bet you a larger number of the men polled can use a touch of tucking, nipping and lifting as well.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Male Battling against Breast Growth
Male breasts are not a highly discussed industry in plastic surgery, however a New York plastic surgeon is helping men get rid of fatty and unsightly man boobs. Surgeons claim that 50-60% of men have some form of
excess breast tissue, however for those suffering from a serious case it can be quite embarrassing. The condition is called gynecomastia and it is the overdevelopment of male breast tissue, which can start at very early ages in men. Many men feel such a condition is highly emasculating or simply unattractive, which is why the popularity of surgery has significantly increased in recent years.
The New York surgeon specializing in the removal of the excess is tissue is Dr. George Lefkovitz. His Manhattan based practice sees tons of patients for the removal procedure.
"I had to do a reduction of his gynecomastia whereby we, I did not just use liposuction, but we also took tissue, breast tissue. Plus his breasts had to be lifted because it was droopy and his areola was enlarged."
Many men are inflicted with this disease due to previous problems affecting the hormones like cancer of the pituitary gland, testicles or adrenal gland. Whereas other times it simply happens with weight gain or genetically at an early age. Regardless of the reason the issue has become more commonplace and better addressed.
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Monday, November 24, 2008
The not so Plastic side of Plastic Surgery
When one thinks of
plastic surgery the first thing that comes to mind is elective surgeries like breast augmentation, nose jobs and liposuction. However, there is an entire other side of cosmetic surgery that is considerably disregarded in the news media. This area of plastic surgery has no Hollywood glitz or glamour; instead it deals with disfigurements, and going to the aid of those who have been afflicted with pain and suffering. Wartime injuries are commonly treated via plastic surgery, and in the case of a young Afghani schoolgirl quite necessary. US plastic surgeons have been called to the aid of a young girl who was a victim of an acid attack. Once the young girls wounds and burns heal, surgeons will reconstruct her disfigured and severely burned face and neck.
An unknown man sprayed nearly 15 young girls with acid a few weeks ago. The teenage girls are scarred physically and emotionally, but luckily doctors are flocking to their aid. Many surgeons go overseas to tend to mass atrocities against soldiers, but this time the American, Turkish and British surgeons are hoping their work can change the lives of these Afghani girls.
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Monday, November 24, 2008
All I Want for Christmas
Plastic Surgeons are reporting that this Holiday season the most coveted and sought after gift is
cosmetic surgery, more specifically a breast augmentation. From teenagers to middle aged women, all they want is a boob job. For months now surgeons are being booked ahead, so if you're keen on a cosmetic enhancement this winter you may need to wait in line behind the droves of women seeking perkier breasts. If you're stuck on what to buy your loved, opt for plastic surgery – it never loses style and it lasts for years.
One would think plastic surgery rates were dwindling with the economy, but these reports show otherwise. It seems like beauty never goes out of style, or broke for that matter. In fact, numbers of Christmas plastic surgery presents have increased significantly in the UK as well, British surgeons have told the Daily Star that potential winter patients are booming. So this year, if you've been nice ask Santa for a nip or tuck.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Cost you can't Afford to Cut
It's only natural to start cutting unnecessary costs during the financial crunch, but one cost you should be cautious about cutting is plastic surgery. On the wake of the economic downturn many people seeking cosmetic surgery are cutting corners by going to unprofessional clinics for a nip and tuck. However, the American Society of Plastic Surgery is urging people to be wary of cheap surgery scams. It's one thing to start using fillers as opposed to getting a pricey facelift, but comprising safety for cost is a poor choice.
The ASPS has outlined a number of
questions you should ask your physician before dabbling into surgery.
"Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon? What are the qualifications of any other medical personnel involved? How effective is the procedure? Is the product FDA approved for the use prescribed? Can I see before-and-after photos that illustrate the procedure? What are the risks and complications? What are the after-effects and the recovery time? How long can I expect the results to last?"
The organization is also recommending that potential patients go to their website to check for a physician approved by the ASPS in their area.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Journalists Raising Brows
The editorial staff of a Swedish based gay-lifestyle magazine called Dorian Magazine had a number of cosmetic surgery procedures done for a story. Their article was based on superficiality in the gay community, and in order to add more depth to their piece the team of journalists and editors decided to go under the knife. But the comprehensive makeover has some people raising their eyebrows in disbelief. The Dorian crew underwent a sundry of procedures: breast augmentation, nose-job, a
facelift, lip augmentation and muscle enhancement.
The fashion editor of the magazine, Jake Rydqvist, released a statement today saying,
"Dorian Magazine represents an artistic fantasy world with an idealized beauty. Having the editorial team undergo plastic surgery in order to get insight into the ideal we promote was almost a question of credibility."
In addition to their 'investigative' research the Dorian editors are promoting the use of plastic surgery for beauty enhancement. Most critics and competitors are concerned that they have gone too far, and have sacrificed the credibility of the magazine and journalism, while others are complaining that this was a ruse for free surgery. Regardless of their reasoning, the issue is doing very well, it has stormed off the stands in Norway and Sweden.
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Monday, November 17, 2008
Back Beauty
For people looking to enhance their backs and flaunt that backless dress or hip-hugging blouse a new surgery is gaining ground, nay back. The American Society of Plastic Surgery is revealing a back-lift surgery aimed at removing unsightly bumps, bulges and fat whilst hiding the small scars under the bra line. Many people suffer from wrinkles, creases and unwanted excess skin after serious weight loss, while others simply want to enhance their back assets. The bra-line back lift is already being famed and dubbed the trendy procedure, and surgeons are hoping its popularity will boom globally.
So ladies it's time to walk tall, plastic surgeons say this procedure will eliminate the fat and may do so effectively and safely. Although the procedure is yet to be introduced to the global
plastic surgery market, a small number of people have opted to get it done and results have been successful and positive. Also, the ASPS is saying that patients may be able to return to daily activity within a few weeks post-operation.
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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Move Over Michael Jackson
A Chinese woman so enthralled with
plastic surgery claims she is China's answer to Michael Jackson. Her undying love affair with cosmetic enhancements has led her to going under the knife 40-50 times over the past twenty years. Clearly she has had so many surgeries she has lost count of the exact number. Shi Sanba the 55-year-old surgery fiend ironically is in fact a plastic surgeon herself. Over the past two decades she has had eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast lift, and a tummy tuck among many other procedures.
Shi told Reuters,
"I liked being pretty from childhood."
She likes it so much, she excitedly showed the journalist a number of her before/after photos and pointed out the differences on parts of her body. The cosmetic enthusiast has put her adoration for aesthetics into her business; her clinic based in Beijing has over 80 doctors and nurses. Over 1 million people have plastic surgery each year in China, raking in over $2 billion dollars in profit for the industry. Shi definitely has her hand in a lucrative field, she really should tell Michael Jackson to "beat-it."
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
California takes Top Honors
Yet again sunny California has taken the top honors in
plastic surgery rankings. The usual trend setting so-cal city of Los Angeles dropped to #48 in the rankings. Nor-cal's San Francisco and Sacramento topped the list at #1 and #3. The Nip-and-Tuck capital city appears to be a cut above the others; Sacramento plastic surgeons reportedly perform the 3rd highest number of procedures per-year. Men's Health Magazine does the cosmetic surgery survey yearly, and typically Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Orange County rank highest. But this year the River City is boasting new accolades. Many plastic surgeons said they were shocked by the report, but know that California usually does win in the plastics department.
What has surprised many is Los Angeles' plummet to 48th. The bustling, Botox-loving, boob-job clad residents usually flock to plastic surgeons for an added lift,
lipo or nip. Tinseltown may need to take a lesson for their Northern counterparts next year.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Plastic Surgery Junkie Injects Oil into Face
When obsessions and addictions go too far this is what happens. A plastic surgery fiend has been severely disfigured after injecting cooking oil into her face. This botched job was a result of skewed perceptions that she can do plastic surgery procedures at home. Hang Mioku, 48, became a surgery junkie nearly 20 years ago and has never ceased her addiction. In fact she went under the knife too many times in Japan that Japanese surgeons banned her from having another procedure thinking she was suffering from a physiological condition. After years of unnecessary surgery, Mioku returned back to her home in Korea, where friends and family didn't recognize her, and urged her to seek out treatment for her nasty addiction.
After a few years of rehab for her plastic passion, Hang resorted to filling her craving by finding a doctor to give her periodic silicone injections. Later she resorted to buying her own supply of silicone and pricking herself with a syringe. When her supply depleted that's when Hang succumbed to her addiction and injecting cooking oil into her cheeks. The result was not too pretty; the cooking oil bloated, swelled and drastically damaged her skin. She is virtually unrecognizable now.
After realizing what she had done, Hang has opted for a surgery to remedy her disfigured and distorted faced.
"Hang's appearances on Korean TV caused viewers to donate money for surgery to try to reduce the size of her face. The initial procedure alone saw over a quarter of a kilogram of foreign matter removed from Hang's face.
Several subsequent operations were able to reduce the bloating, but failed to eliminate her scarring and disfigurement."
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Want to Quit Smoking? Try Plastic Surgery
Women struggling to quit smoking have new incentives to do so. For smoking baby-boomers hoping to look younger or fit through cosmetic surgery it is mandatory to stop smoking. Many women are seeing added wrinkles and skin damage from years of puffing away, which is why so many are opting for plastic surgery to remedy their aging lines and be forced to quit cold turkey.
Dr. Jon Mendelsohn a facial plastic surgeon said he seems many 50-something women who come in for a
face-lift and to quit their smoking habit. He says,
"The patient agrees to stop smoking and he goes to work turning back the hands of time. What you spend in surgery, you justify by your savings in the long run."
So if you're really struggling to ash your cigarettes for good, this may be a fitting option for you.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Medical Tourism: Prague
We have reported previously that Czech men commonly frequent plastic surgeons for nips and tucks. However,
Treatment Abroad (a medical tourism agency) is reporting that beloved Praha as the Czech's say is the becoming one of the hottest destination for foreigners to Holiday and have
cosmetic surgery. In a country proud of beauty and beer it's no wonder British, Irish and Americans are Eurorailing and flying for a winter treat. The Czech currency, the Czech Kroner, is a very cheap exchange rate for travellers on the pound and US Dollar. Surgeries that would cost at least $6,000 are costing nearly half that, and are done at the highest of medical care and quality. Treatment Abroad has confirmed 250 patients for this upcoming winter season alone.
"Beauty in Prague has many years of experience and extensive knowledge of cosmetic and aesthetic medicine and is based in central Prague. Friendly English speaking Patient Co-ordinators will take care of you from the moment of your arrival at Prague airport right through until your departure."
From the Charles Bridge to 50 cent pints of Czech beer and now affordable plastic surgery, Prague really is becoming a tourist mecca.
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Monday, November 10, 2008
American Society of Plastic Surgeons Elects New President
Professor of Plastic Surgery at University of Iowa Dr. John Canady was inducted as the President of the ASPS at the annual assembly this week. As leader of this coveted position and organization, Dr. Canady will be foremost authority on
plastic and reconstructive surgery for this next year. Dr. Canady has been a devout member of the organization serving on the board since 1992, and most recently as the treasurer.
As a surgeon Dr. Canady has specialized in head and neck plastic and reconstruction, and earned his degrees at the University of Iowa and his residency at the University of Kansas. He has committed his career to furthering research and education in his respective field. Just this year he released a new book to aid Medical students on their quest to becoming physicians: 101 Tips to Getting the Residency You Want: A Guide for Medical Students.
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Monday, November 10, 2008
Rhinoplasty Trends
Asian-American's make up an ever increasing majority opting for plastic surgery. Typically the infamous eye-lid surgery is the most requested among Asian patients. However, recent numbers suggest that
rhinoplasty is becoming the leading surgery for young Asians. Reports say that the most sought out nose-enhancement is the reshaping of the bridge. The stereotypical Asian nose has a "wide bridge and flat nasal tip." Which is why so many are seeking out surgery that will give them a higher shaped bridge. When restructuring the bridge, surgeons insert a piece of silicone above the natural bridge to push out the nose further away from the face.
As for patients seeking nose-tip reconstruction, surgeon's goal is to develop a smaller more defined tip in order to reduce the nostrils from flaring. In doing so cartilage is used for reshaping of the tip. Regardless of the recovery and possible problems, these two surgeries have become the common trends in rhinoplasty for Asian patients.
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Sunday, November 09, 2008
Hispanics and Plastic Surgery
According to Latina.com Hispanics are the leading minority group in the US to opt for
plastic surgery. Regardless of the ethnicity or background, body image esteem and issues still exist, which is why so many of us seek out cosmetic enhancements. There are a sundry of reasons why so many Latina's are having beauty work done.
Firstly, money is the key factor here. Hispanic-American's are rising up in socioeconomic status and indulging in the luxuries of life. Similarly, many Southern California based plastic surgeons have developed financial plans and payment plans to draw in middle-class customers. Financing a surgery has become significantly easier than years before.
Secondly, the entertainment industry is largest factor in increased plastic surgery numbers for Hispanics and other groups of people as well. Television and movies have made plastic surgery the mainstream, making us more open about beauty ideals and going under the knife. Shows like Nip/Tuck have revolutionized the industry, and actors speaking out about their plastic-surgery affection have also aided in the growth. Regardless of the reason, more and more Hispanics are going under the knife and the figures are expected to increase every year.
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Sunday, November 09, 2008
SlimLipo Gaining Popularity
If you're keen on slimming down this Holiday season, you may want to investigate SlimLipo. In recent years
Vaser Liposuction Lipo has started to replace conventional liposuction surgery, and now SlimLipo is making its way to the forefront of alternative procedures. SlimLipo is FDA approved, however only a small number of facilities carry this fat-removing, contour-enhancing treatment. The procedure was unveiled in September of 2008, and is considered to be minimally-invasive, as opposed to standard methods of liposuction which require anaesthesia, and serious post-op recovery time.
SlimLipo works using a laser that emits waves deep into the skin to melt away unwanted fat. The laser targets these fatty tissues and rapidly breaks them down, which then makes the removal part of the procedure significantly easier, more efficient and less painful. Surgeons who use SlimLipo have said that it ultimately tones, tightens and sculpts the body shortly after the procedure.
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Going to Great Lengths
A 16-year-old school girl from Hong Kong resorted to fraud to pay for a
plastic surgery procedure. The young girl claims she was unhappy about her appearance so she forged documents in order to get a bank loan to pay for surgery. The teen, Chan Yee-Yee, paid an older friend to give her payroll slips so she could apply for the $3,000 US Dollar bank loan.
The South China Morning Post reported that Chan was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 80 hours community service. She has paid off half the loan she took from the bank.
This alarming news has spread throughout the global community; some are fearing that image and beauty perceptions are out of hand. Should parents be worried? After all box office hits like Burn After Reading staring George Clooney and Brad Pitt have satirized the idea of going to great lengths (crime, fraud, blackmail) for image enhancement.
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Going Bust
Despite the global economy going bust, British women are boosting theirs. SurgiCare, a cosmetic surgery provider in the UK announced a
135% increase in British women increasing their assets. The record breaking numbers from September are proving that regardless of the financial crunch, the plastic surgery industry is still thriving.
SurgiCare's CEO Mark Bury said,
"Perhaps women are having breast enhancement to cheer themselves up as a result of the general depression gripping the UK at the moment, or maybe their appearance and self confidence takes precedence over their annual holiday or new car. Looking good is a physical defence in hard times."
SurgiCare is so pleased with the
breast boom, that they have pushed the release date for their new breast augmentation surgery and products forward. The new non-surgical procedure is designed to last for 12 months and lifts, shapes and enhances breasts for nearly $6,000. These figures prove that beauty rarely goes out of style.
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Sunday, November 02, 2008
Body-Jet
Traditional
liposuction methods have been intact for years now, but a German medical manufacturing company has released a ground-breaking
water-assisted liposuction solution. Body-Jet may be a safer option for people seeking liposuction. The Body-Jet procedure loosens fat cells without damaging or impacting the fat cells, much like that of the standard liposuction procedure.
The doctors are saying that Body-Jet has a number of perks other than just safety:
"This reduction in fluid results in less swollen mass, improved patient comfort and decreased tissue trauma. This new method allows for assessment of new contours during surgery which greatly reduces the number of corrective actions."
Also another added benefit is that blood vessels and cells are virtually left unharmed in the fat irrigation process. The company credited with the invention Human Med is thrilled for the release and believes that this may be the future of liposuction.
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Sunday, November 02, 2008
Plastics going Pink
As the global economy is on the brink of a meltdown, the plastic surgery industry is proving there is always money to be made in beauty.
A survey done in the UK shows that British plastic surgeons are thriving through the recession because of gay men going under the knife. The research shows that nearly a quarter of gay men in the UK have undergone some sort of
plastic surgery procedure.
US surgeons may be complaining of a slowdown, but their British counterparts are raking in the dough. The research and survey says, "
69 percent of gay men say they would like to have cosmetic surgery, while 22% confess they have already succumbed to the surgeon's scalpel."
Similarly the Harvey Medical Group has said that they have seen a 20% increase in gay male patients seeking nose jobs, male breast reduction, tummy tucks and liposuction. Another likely reason for the increase in figures for gay men is their salaries. The same study reports that gay men earn on average 5 thousand pounds more than their straight colleagues, leaving them with a disposable income and interest in primp and pristine looks.
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