March 2009 Blog Archive
Tuesday, March 31, 2009Stem Cell and Breast Augmentation
A stem cell therapy is being made available in Britain that is said to increase breast size naturally. This treatment may boost your bosom and flatten your stomach in one go. But is this too good to be true? If this study proves to be true, it may revolutionize the plastic surgery industry.
According to the Times Online, "It involves extracting stem cells from spare fat on the stomach or thighs and growing them in a woman's breasts. An increase of one cup size is likely, with the potential for larger gains as the technique improves. A trial has already started in Britain to use stem cells to repair the breasts of women who have had cancerous lumps removed. A separate project is understood to be the first in Britain to use the new technique on healthy women seeking breast enlargement."
This treatment would be a very exciting advance in the plastic surgery industry, especially as the sector has been struggling in regards to elective surgery procedures in the midst of an economic downturn. Although this procedure is said to only increase size not firmness and figure, it still may have the ability to boost the industry.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Plastic Surgery Trends
Much of the plastic surgery trends we see here in the States translates over to our international counterparts. More specifically in China, due to mass lay-offs and redundancies many job-seekers are leaning towards plastic surgery with hopes of making themselves stronger more viable candidates for positions. However in the US many young professionals have actually seen the cosmetic surgery industry dwindle in the midst of the recession. But in China the industry is booming with plastic-hungry consumers hoping to find a hot deal.
The Los Angeles Times reported, "Job hunters know that a pleasing face helps to get a foot in the door. "I've been surprised how busy it is," says Dr. Liao Yuhua, president of Shanghai Time Plastic Surgery Hospital, one of the largest in the city. Business began to increase last November, she says, and in recent weeks has been running 40% higher than a year ago. At its busiest in January, Liao says, her team of 10 surgeons was doing as many as 100 procedures a day, raising noses, cutting eyelids and chiseling angular faces into the shape of smooth goose eggs."
Of those surveyed in China, the Shanghai Times found that 50% were post-graduate and undergraduate students looking to make themselves look as good as possible for potential employers, and if that meant going under the knife then so be it according to most young adults.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
"Boob-Job Bandit" Bursts
Local media dubbed the woman who sought out a breast augmentation and skipped town on the bill the "boob-job bandit." The notorious thief 30-year-old Yvonne Jean Pampellonne, surrendered yesterday to local Huntington Beach, California authorities. The large-breasted bandit was "wanted on charges of grand theft, burglary and identity fraud" according to Reuters.
The Reuters article went on to say, "(Pampellonne) was caught by police detectives using breast implant tracking numbers. She arranged her surrender through an attorney and has since been released on $20,000 bail with orders to face an arraignment on the charges on May 27. Police say that in September of 2008 Pampellonne used the personal information of another woman to establish a line of credit at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Huntington Beach."
This arrest marks the second cosmetic surgery charge in the last 2 months in Orange County. The other bandit cosmetic-junkie woman went on to get thousands of dollars worth of Botox treatments around Newport Beach, CA.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Orange County Bandits
In the past two weeks ritzy Orange County cities are falling victim to anti-aging and cosmetic junkies looking to get a quick fix. The first instance was reported by the Orange County Registered when a Newport Beach woman was running amuck in local dermatology clinics getting thousands of dollars worth of procedures under a false identity then leaving before paying. Now the most recent case to emerge out of the OC has happened in Huntington Beach. Police said they are looking for a woman said to have used a false identify/license to get breast implants and liposuction, she then scurried out of town without paying for her procedures.
Google News reported, "Huntington Beach police said Monday that a 30-year-old woman opened a line of credit in someone else's name in September 2008 and had the procedures worth more than $12,000 performed at the Pacific Center For Plastic Surgery. Employees said she never returned for follow-up visits."
As the recession looms, people go to great yet outlandish lengths to get their fix of cosmetic surgery and enhancements. Hopefully these criminal trends die down and plastic surgeons and dermatologists won't have to deal with financial ramifications of such actions.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Breast Cancer Plastic Surgery
A recently used 'super-micro surgery' may bring some hope for breast cancer patients. Breast cancer patients with lymphedma which is when lymph nodes are removed and fluid accrues causing swelling in the arms are those patients undergoing this new treatment. The micro-surgery procedure called lymphaticovenular bypass is said to reduce swelling by 39%, which is a common side-effect post chemotherapy and radiation.
According to Science Daily, "lymphaticovenular bypass surgery, surgeons use tiny microsurgical tools to make two to three small incisions measuring an inch or less in the patient's arm. Lymphatic fluid is then redirected to microscopic vessels - approximately 0.3 - 0.8 millimeters in diameter - to promote drainage and alleviate lymphedema. The procedure is minimally invasive and is generally completed in less than four hours under general anesthesia, allowing patients to return home from the hospital within 24 hours."
This surgery brings a new meaning to elective cosmetic surgery. These women not only have an opportunity to look better without the swelling, but also reduce pain and discomfort induced by lymphedma.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Surgery For Mom
When we think of Mother's Day the first thing we think of is: flowers, brunch and presents, this year it's all about plastic surgery. That is getting Mom plastic surgery for Mother's Day. In fact some cosmetic surgery gurus and chains are offering hot deals and specials for Mother's Day if you book in advance. The economy is dwindling but apparantly your looks shouldn't.
The Scotland on Sunday said, "A spokeswoman said: "We are trying to encourage more women to come in with their mothers. It's a very girlie thing to do, they can follow each other as they get their results."
If you're stumped for a present, plastic surgery may not only make mom look younger, but you may be able to find quite cost-efficient prices as the industry begins to slowly take a beating.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Possible Migraine Relieving Surgery
MSNBC News has reported on a possible plastic surgery that may aid in relieving symptoms of migraines. The surgery involves cutting incisions around the head to cut the muscles and tissue that incite migraines. The surgery is said to stop the migraine from reaching the pain centers of the brain. MSNBC interviewed Dr. Bahman Guyuron the surgeon who has tailored this migraine ridding technique.
"According to Guyuron, his success rate is significant. "Around 92 percent ... meaning that 92 percent of the patients have either complete elimination or at least very significant improvement," Guyuron explained. Of those patients, many become totally migraine-free. Guyuron said, "Of those 92 percent, about 75 percent are complete elimination."
The report also said that 1 in 5 Americans is plagued with migraines, so the sheer possibility of relieving migraine pain in so many people is monumental.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Czech Crazy
Over the past decade medical tourism has boosted dwindling economies, but 2009 is tipped to be the best year for plastic surgery abroad. Brazil and Argentina have always topped the list of most frequented medical tourism locales, however this year the Czech Republic is booming with breast augmentations, liposuction and Botox. Many are jumping on the Czech bandwagon because prices are considerably cheaper with a stronger dollar or pound, and medical practices are generally safer than other popular destinations.
Beauty In Prague a medical tourism company said, "Czech cosmetic surgery specialist Beauty in Prague treated more than 250 medical tourists in Prague in 2008,20 percent more than in 2007. Most came from the UK and Ireland, with a few from other European countries, Russia, Australia and the USA...Not only choosing cosmetic surgery abroad because of the low prices, but because of the high standards that are used and the efficiency of cosmetic surgery clinics in Prague."
As our wrinkles increase with economic woes, and weight gain becomes a pesky problem, pinching pennies by going overseas for holiday and surgery may be a very financially viable decision. It is pertinent that the company and physician you go through is certified and legitimate.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What would you Choose?
According to Bloomberg News a survey was released, as we reported yesterday, that cosmetic surgery still remains intact and strong even whilst we are tumbling into a recession. However, today's news shows that more women choose breast augmentation surgery over other forms of aesthetic enhancements. Although the total number of breast implant procedures fell by nearly 11%, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery still said that breast augmentation trumps liposuction, rhinoplasty and other forms of fat removal. Those elective procedures fell by nearly 22%.
Bloomberg's article said, "In a bad economy, women may decide to exercise rather than get their fat removed surgically, said the society's president, Alan Gold. Changing breast size isn't so simple. The U.S. fell into a recession in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, group that determines business cycles. "A number of women are now looking at breast augmentation after childbearing years," Gold, a plastic surgeon in Great Neck, New York, said in a telephone interview. "People are more focused on the aging-related changes that allow them to keep competitive in the job market."
Breast augmentations received their biggest boost in 2006, when silicon came back on the market. For decades now boob-jobs have been the go-to for many women seeking out cosmetic enhancements. So our wallets may be taking a hit, but vanity still remains strong.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
2008s Hot Surgeries
So the plastic surgery industry have may have taken at 12% hit with the downfall of the economy, but still the sector brought in roughly 10 million surgical and non-surgical procedures in 2008. Cosmetic surgery as a whole raked in at least $12 billion last year, but still found it a struggle to stay afloat and as a lot of demand for procedures did drop in typically bustling clinics. However, for those surgeons who maintained their patient flow, things are looking bright.
Forbes reported on the numbers, "And then there are the procedures that require surgery no matter what, which remain popular despite the downturn: nose jobs and breast implants. Rhinoplasty was one of the few areas that saw an increase from 2007, up 0.4%."It's necessary for some who have nasal problems, so we haven't seen a decrease in that area. But we have seen a decrease in breast augmentations, which aren't a necessary treatment," Ellenbogen says. Breast augmentation was down 11% from 2007, but its popularity is still strong, up 482% since 1997."
The winner amongst popular cosmetic enhancements was definitely Botox and minimally invasive liposuction treatments like CoolLipo and SmartLipo. People's urgency for looker more fit or looking better seems to never disappear even in an economic rut.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Have we lost our Vanity?
Has vanity become the latest victim of the dreaded GFC (global financial crisis)? If so, cosmetic surgeons won't be happy to hear about the downfall in tummy tucks, breast augmentations and rhinoplasty. The boom in plastic surgery has been around for nearly a decade now in America and the UK, however some surgeons are saying they are feeling the GFC adverse affects.
The Times Online said, "About 45 per cent of cosmetic surgeons performed at least 25 per cent fewer operations in the final three months of 2008, compared with the previous three months. For many the decline was much steeper, according to figures prepared for The Times by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (Bapras). Nor is the demand for liposuction, a facelift or a tummy-tuck likely to rebound soon: 42 per cent of those surveyed recorded a drop of at least a quarter in consultations about procedures in the future."
It seems as if our once aesthetically driven society has now come to a crashing halt. More and more cosmetic enhancement patients are seeking out minimally invasive procedures as opposed to pricey, time consuming ones of the past.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Vaser Lipo becoming More Popular
For years traditional invasive forms of liposuction have been the norm in plastic surgery, however with the advent of vaser liposuction, a minimally invasive procedure the latter is becoming the most popular liposuction procedure. In recent years smartlipo has long been considered an alternative to invasive traditional methods, however vaser lipo has even surpassed smartlipo. Patients are telling plastic surgeons they pursue vaser because it is considered more efficient and less painful at body sculpting.
News Release Wire, "The big advantage of VASER, however, is that it is much faster and can destroy a great deal more fat, as the energy spreads out over a wider area, allowing larger areas, more fat and more areas to be sculpted.
Cosmetic surgeons around the country, as well as the patients are enjoying the added benefit of VASER, with a minimal amount of discomfort or risk."
In lieu of the current unstable global climate, many patients are seeking out more cost efficient mechanisms for cosmetic enhancements, so minimally invasive procedures are definitely the way during the post-credit-crisis economy.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Post-Surgery Screening
It has been noted by ScienceDaily that many young women undergoing breast reduction surgery, mammoplasty, are screened for cancer post surgery. However, most of these women are unaware of these breast tissue screens. Plastic surgeons, often times, do the breast tissue screening because post-surgery complications can adversely affect patients.
ScienceDaily reported on this topic, "The incidence of cancer found after surgery is small and often clinically insignificant. But, if found, it can lead to further surgery of unproven benefit. So should the current practice of routinely testing tissue after surgery be abandoned, or should doctors discuss this issue in advance with the patient and ensure that they are aware of the possible consequences?"
This idea does bring into play medical ethics. Should plastic surgeons tell their patients getting breast reductions about the tissue screening to check for breast cancer, or are they simply protecting their patients? Some say these physicians are safeguarding patients health.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Medical Tourism: Costa Rica and Colombia
Due to the recent influx of prestigious plastic surgeons in Costa Rica and Colombia medical tourism from the United States and Canada is booming. During tough economic times potential cosmetic surgery patients are finding it more economically viable to holiday and have a nip and tuck all in one go. Typically Brazil and Argetina are the go-to places for medical tourism in Latin America, however Costa Rica and Colombia are making their marks in the industry. Numbers increased significantly by the latter half of 2008.
Treatment Abroad a medical tourism website says, "Cosmetic Harmony is a medical tourism agency based in Colombia that specializes in complete cosmetic surgery packages, including cosmetic procedures, travel, accommodation, transportation to medical appointments, a bilingual personal assistant and medication. It offers procedures at a fraction of the cost patients would pay elsewhere, coupled with a degree of personal attention almost unheard of in the United States."
It is however vital to go through professional medical tourism companies prior to surgery, to make sure insurance, the physician and procedure are all legitimate. So do vital research before going overseas for a breast augmentation or liposuction.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Boomers Booming Plastic Surgery Industry
We may be in the midst of a global financial meltdown, but baby boomers are helping a formerly dwindling plastic surgery industry. Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular among women over 55 years old. Many of these boomer-women are said to have had recent divorces, are widows, have lost a job, or are simply want to look younger. Those of who have lost their jobs are hoping to compete with Generations X and Y for positions in the workforce, and in doing so they believe looking younger will aid in their efforts.
"The reconstruction was wonderful," says Kirn, who has been cancer-free for six years. "You're not as good as you were, but the procedure is so good that even a nipple can be reconstructed ... It was a really positive experience for me." In fact, she says the results are so natural that no one can tell the difference between her looks now and before the experience, even when she's wearing low-cut gowns."
From reconstructive surgeries to liposuction and breast lifts, women in their 50s are prime candidates for plastic surgery. Many women seek out breast augmentations and lifts after issues like breast cancer as well. The baby-boomer women seem to be lifting the poor plastic industry into brighter recession days.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Can you be the Judge of that?
Yet again teenagers are at the forefront of plastic surgery gossip. First the Italian government reported they were going to implement more stringent cosmetic surgery laws to prevent teenagers from dabbling into surgery at a young age, now the question has risen amongst media circles and industry pundits that teenagers are not old enough to choose whether or not they should be allowed cosmetic enhancements. At such a young and vulnerable age, a decision like plastic surgery is far too complex.
Modern Medicine released some of the research saying, "Researchers who recently conducted a review of the literature on teens and cosmetic surgery (with a focus on breast augmentation and liposuction) found that teens are mental and physical works in progress. "There are significant physiological and psychological changes that occur during puberty," explains Anisha Abraham, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of pediatrics, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC. "Women can increase their breast size; they can gain weight. One recommendation is to certainly wait until a young woman is perhaps at least 21 before considering either liposuction or breast augmentation, simply because she is still going through pubertal changes."
These issues are not solely based on maturity levels and mental state, they are also based on through the research about physical characteristics of teens. They are far less developed, meaning it is not safe to perform such intense and vastly altering procedures on them.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Insurance Covering Botched Surgery Jobs
The Financial Times has reported that Lloyd's, 'the world's oldest insurance market' will begin to cover corrective cosmetic surgeries. Meaning if you have gone under the knife and your elective cosmetic enhancement surgery was botched, they will pay for surgery to fix it.
The Financial Times article said, "The launch comes as the demand for cosmetic surgery continues to rise. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 34,200 surgical procedures were carried out by its members in 2008, more than 5 per cent up on 2007.Breast augmentation was the most common procedure, said Ms Bentley. Beautysure offers £4,000 of cover for up to a year for £199, with cover of up to £6,000 available for a second procedure for half this premium."
This may revolutionize the cosmetic surgery insurance industry, because now people can be safeguarded from complications during or after surgery. Especially for those patients seeking treatment outside of their home country, it is important to have a full coverage insurance to tend to any medical tourism complications.
Monday, March 02, 2009
When Surgery becomes an Obsession
In Tampa Bay, MSNBC has reported that a 44-year-old woman has been caught on charges of fraud and theft. The woman is being charged with stealing a credit card to get a breast augmentation and a Valentines Day hotel room. In recent months with the economic downturn, many people have been resorting to theft and fraud to pay their cosmetic surgery tabs. Leaving many industry experts to question whether our society really has gone too far with it's superficial obsession with beauty and surgery.
MSNBC said, "Authorities say Johnson also used the man's identity to open new credit cards and spent more than $3,000 on the accounts. Johnson is also accused of charging more than $5,600 on another man's credit card at Florida Coastal Plastic Surgery, the Manatee Surgical Center and the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. Johnson had previously written several invalid checks to pay for a breast augmentation at the Manatee County doctor's office, the report said."
In fact just last year a film with Brad Pitt and George Clooney, 'Burn After Reading' was a satircal black comedy about people going to great lengths to fullfill their obsession with plastic surgery.
