Friday 29 May 2009

Cosmetic Surgery: Do You Really Want One?

Advertisements of cosmetic surgery have been seen in newspapers, featured on television programs, displayed on the faces of celebrities.

Cosmetic surgery offers to improve many areas of the body. But as with any surgery, cosmetic procedures involve certain risks and limitations.

To increase the likelihood of a satisfying outcome, first examine your reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery.

Then educate yourself about what you can realistically expect, the benefits and risks involved and how to find a qualified surgeon. Understand these issues to make the best decision for you.


Why consider cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery aims to change your appearance by altering parts of your body that function normally but make you unhappy. This differs from reconstructive surgery, which doctors use to restore the appearance and function of body parts affected by congenial defects.

If you're dissatisfied with your appearance, you may be interested in cosmetic surgery. Despite possible risks, and though each person's experience is unique, some research suggests that both may be likely following a cosmetic procedure.

Those who seek out cosmetic surgery generally have a positive self-image, despite also being unusually focused on one or more aspects of their appearance. In fact, some may even feel better about their overall appearance.


Postoperative surveys find that those satisfied with the results perceive benefits including:

Greater self-confidence

Improved social lives, sex lives and interpersonal relationships

Increased enjoyment of leisure activities

Is cosmetic surgery for you?

Cosmetic surgery outcomes are most likely to be successful if you're in good overall health. It's also best if you:

Have realistic expectations. Anticipate improvement, not perfection. If you expect cosmetic surgery to turn you into a movie star, you're bound to be disappointed.

The spectacular results you see in the rich and famous can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also don't count on surgery to save a rocky relationship, gain a promotion or make you the life of the party.

For more more information about cosmetic surgery please visit http://www.wrinkle-reduction-treatments-now.com

Friday 15 May 2009

Cosmetic Surgery - What You Should Know

Cosmetic surgery is any surgical procedure that is designed to enhance your physical appearance. Unless the cosmetic surgery is required as the result of an accident, injury, or birth defect, the chances are the procedure will not be covered by your insurance.

Although cosmetic surgery may change your appearance and give you the confidence to face the world with a whole new attitude, it doesn't change who you "really" are inside. If you were lazy and unmotivated before your new nose, you're likely to still be lazy and unmotivated after.

Most Common Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

The most common cosmetic surgery procedures are face lifts, liposuction, breast enhancement, "nose jobs" and "tummy tucks" but this is by no means the extent of what a cosmetic surgeon can do for you.

Cosmetic surgery is performed by a doctor who has undergone specialized training in either plastic or cosmetic surgery. When choosing a doctor always make sure that they have been certified by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). They should have the certification document in plain view in their office.

You'll want to ask the following questions when you are interviewing the doctor:

1. How often have you done this procedure?
2. How long have you been doing this procedure?
3. What are the best and worst case results that I can expect from this procedure?
4. What are the potential risks or complications of this procedure?
5. What do I need to do to prepare myself for this procedure?
6. How much time will I have to lose from work or normal social activity?
7. How much pain or discomfort is associated with this procedure?
8. How much will this procedure cost?
9. Will I require any follow-up treatment and is it included in the price?
10. Will I require any prescription drugs?
11. Will my insurance cover all or part of the costs?

Most cosmetic surgery doctors will have a book of "Before and After" pictures that have been taken of patients who have given their permission to be included in the book. Not only should you ask to see the book, but also ask if you can receive a discount by agreeing to have your pictures added.

What Is Your Reason?

One of the worst reasons for having a cosmetic surgery procedure performed is because "everyone else is doing it". What may be right for one of your friends may not be right for you. That's why it is important to have a frank discussion with your doctor before having any procedure done.

Tell your doctor what your expectations are and then listen very closely to the answer. If you think that having a face lift is going to get you a better job, then you may need to reconsider your thinking. Most people's lives do not change radically after cosmetic surgery is performed.

Realistic Expectations

In fact, there are often unexpected results that accompany cosmetic surgery. You may wonder why someone with as much money as Barbara Streisand has never had her nose "fixed". When she was younger her doctor told her that changing the shape of her nose would alter her voice! That was a risk that Barbara was not willing to take.

Cosmetic surgery should not be rushed into. Take your time, shop around for the best doctor and make sure that you have a solid grasp on your expectations. The chances are you will have to live with the results of the procedure for the rest of your life.

Monday 11 May 2009

Reasons to Get Plastic Surgery

Men and women of all ages pursue plastic surgery for a variety of reasons. Most plastic surgery patients feel insecure about some aspect of their appearance and seek plastic surgery to boost their self-confidence. Some have been bothered by these cosmetic issues their entire lives, while others have seen a gradual change in appearance as they age and wish to set back the clock with procedures such as facelift or brow lift surgery.


Plastic surgery can produce different results for different people. Some patients may seek a subtle change, others more dramatic transformations. For many women, plastic surgery provides an effective means of remedying some of the cosmetic concerns associated with giving birth. Known as the "Mommy Makeover," this post-pregnancy treatment generally includes procedures such as a tummy tuck and/or breast lift. In such cases the goal of surgery is not to transform the patient's appearance, but merely to give them back their pre-pregnancy body.


Many patients are now going under the knife in an effort to improve career opportunities. Men in particular often see plastic surgery as a means of achieving career goals. Since much of the stigma associated with plastic surgery has been eliminated over the last few decades, there has been a rise in plastic surgery among all ages, races, income levels, and backgrounds.


Most plastic surgeons advise prospective patients that it is best to go into their surgery with realistic expectations about the outcome. Unrealistic expectations often produce dissatisfaction post-procedure. It is important to discuss your reasons for pursuing plastic surgery with your doctor during a consultation.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Average Cosmetic Surgery Costs: What to Expect

Since most cases of plastic surgery are elective and paid for out of pocket, knowing the total cost of your procedure is important for your budget. Your surgeon will provide his or her fee policies, but first let’s examine what goes into the cost of cosmetic surgery. While not all costs are required for every surgery, here’s a list of the fees you may be charged.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Consultation Charge

A good number of cosmetic surgeons offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and make preliminary recommendations for surgery. In some cases, photographs, blood work or x-rays may be involved. When the candidate is a complex or unusual case, or the surgical procedure itself is technically challenging, there may be extra costs for the consultation. If your surgeon does not offer a free cosmetic surgery consultation, expect to pay up to several hundred dollars.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Office Visits

Depending on the surgeon’s policy, you may receive individual charges for pre-operative and post-operative office visits. On the other hand, your surgeon may offer a set-price plan, which includes all pre- and post- surgical care. Otherwise, each office visit can be up to several hundred dollars.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Cosmetic Surgeon’s Fee

Your surgeon will charge a fee for his or her services during the actual surgery. The fee can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the procedure and your particular needs. In most cases of cosmetic plastic surgery, this is the largest cost among all fees.

Keep in mind that many factors go into the cosmetic surgeon’s pricing. A more expensive fee does not necessarily mean a better surgeon, while a less expensive fee does not equate to a poor surgeon. Cost may be a factor in your selection of a surgeon, however, do your research and find the best surgeon to handle your individual needs.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Facility Charges

In-office cosmetic surgery procedures may not carry a separate facility cost. Surgery performed at a surgery center or hospital operating room often carries a separate fee. Expect to pay additional costs for surgery that requires an overnight stay or private nursing care.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Anesthesiologist Fee

If your surgeon plans to administer local anesthetics without an anesthesiologist, you will probably receive a separate charge for anesthesia. However, if you have regional or general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will bill you for those services. The anesthesiologist fee can range from several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Cosmetic Devices or Implants

Cosmetic plastic surgery devices, such as breast or chin implants, are a separate cost, generally billed through your surgeon. He or she should be able to show you a price sheet or invoice to verify the cost of the devices.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Lab and Testing Charges

Blood work and x-rays are the most common types of lab tests required for cosmetic surgery. Labs may be necessary several times over the course of your treatment, in order to help your surgeon plan the procedure and monitor your recovery. You receive charges for lab tests through your surgeon’s office, or directly by the laboratory.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Prescription and Nonprescription Medications and Supplies

Before and after cosmetic surgery, your surgeon may prescribe medication. Generally, these include antibiotics and painkillers, though the doctor may prescribe oral sedatives. Your surgeon may also recommend that you purchase other supplies, such as antibiotic ointment, bandages, ice packs or gauze. You will pay for these supplies out of pocket.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Revision Surgery Charges

Before you decide on a cosmetic surgeon, make sure you understand his or her policies on revision surgery costs. Revision cosmetic surgery may be discounted price or charged at full cost. Be informed and prepared regarding your surgeon’s policy on revision surgery.

Typical Cosmetic Surgery Costs -- Package Pricing and Financing Options

Your surgeon may offer a complete cosmetic surgery package, including all or most of the fees outlined above for one set price. While it will probably be more convenient, it may not necessarily save you money. To find out whether your surgeon’s plan will benefit you, compare the package cost to the separate costs of all the services provided. Average cost for cosmetic surgery procedures are readily available online from reputable sources.

Saturday 2 May 2009

The History of Plastics and Plastic Surgery

While the subspecialty of medicine known as Plastic Surgery (one of the 22 recognized specialties of medicine) is now so incredibly common, there are few who would not know what it is. But yet, I will occasionally get asked this question by a new patient during our consultation...'now tell me where the plastic goes'...or...'will the plastic used in the operation get infected?' Indicating that some still believe that the name 'plastic' in Plastic Surgery relates to a material and that plastic surgery operations involve putting in plastic materials.

While the time periods of development for both Plastic Surgery and plastic materials are similar, there is no direct link between the two. Plastic Surgery was not given its name because it used plastic materials in surgery. The Greek word, 'plastikos', whicih means to mold, shape, or give form to is the meaning behind the naming of the medical specialty Plastic Surgery. And this is certainly an accurate description of what Plastic Surgeons do...shape or mold human tissues into recognizeable body parts for either reconstructive (missing) or for cosmetic (existing) purposes. Plastic Surgery organized itself into a formal society in 1931 with the formation of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, recently condensed to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It's first formal training program began several years earlier in 1924 with the establishment of the first plastic surgery residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Formal board-certification in Plastic Surgery started in 1937 which dramatically raised the standards for the specialty.

Plastic materials developed right around the same time frame as Plastic Surgery. The earliest true thermosetting plastics had their beginning in the late 1800s with the commerically successful product known as Bakelite introduced in Britain in the early 1900s. But DuPont with its polyamide (nylon 66) plastic in the 1930s popularized the material here in the United States. New plastics followed quickly such as polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate. (acrylic). All these plastic materials become tremendously popular and necessary during World War II as components of many military products such as aircraft canopies and radar units. And here is where Plastic Surgery and plastic materials share yet another similarity...their development was propelled by wars, WWI and WWII. Military conflicts and the need for personal protection (plastic materials) and in the treatment of their war-related injuries (Plastic Surgery) served as a catalyst for both of their developments.

A final sidenote of both of their pre-WWII history is that they similarly converged to deal with a growing problem in the 1930s...motor vehicle accidents. As cars became more common, so did auto accidents and injuries from the shattering of glass windshields. Most commonly, severe facial lacerations resulted from windshields at the time. Plastic surgeons were a loud voice about this problem and spurned manufacturers, such as DuPont and Monsanto, to develope more-shatterproof windshields. As Plastic Surgery performs many huundreds of different operations from the face and throughout the body, very few have ever actually required plastic materials to make the operation successful. While breast and facial implants, which are very common and popular cosmetic operations today do use synthetic materials, they are a silicone-based rubber material. Technically, not a plastic material in the organic chemistry sense. Only the acrylic cranioplasty operation, where a piece of the skull is replaced by a plastic material, is the only procedure in all of Plastic Surgery where a plastic material is actually used. While not as commonly done today, acrylic cranioplasties are still done by some Plastic Surgeons and neurosurgeons as well.

Friday 1 May 2009

Five Reasons Why Orange County Has Quality Plastic Surgery

Orange County - or at least parts of it - is often characterized as Beverly Hills South. Certainly there are some premium neighborhoods there: Newport Beach, Laguna Beach; Cota de Caza; Dana Point and others have housing that rivals much of Beverly Hills. But Orange County is much bigger than Beverly Hills, and its population includes many cities that are beautifully laid out with substantial homes perhaps a notch below the Beverly Hills category. The widespread affluence in Orange County leads us to our first reason why the plastic surgeons there have high standards.

1. Orange County is an area where appearance is important. If anything, it is more of a 'beach and tan' culture than West L.A. So many residents seek out cosmetic surgery; and there are many thousands of them who can afford it. Cities like Laguna Niguel; Irvine; Laguna Hills and Aliso Viejo are home to thousands who will seek out cosmetic treatments such as liposuction and tummy tucks in order to meet the appearance standards of the community.

2. The large body of potential plastic surgery recipients who can afford quality care means that the plastic surgeons that open practices there and are successful are going to be board certified surgeons with first rate educations and experience. Orange County has a substantial number of first rate cosmetic care clinics that include plastic surgery along with a full range of spa services.

3. The hospitals in the area understand the importance of plastic surgery as a service. MemorialCare has five affiliated hospitals in Orange County; one of them is a children's hospital in Long Beach that provides reconstructive plastic surgery for children. If there's a specialty like that in the area, chances are that plastic surgery in general is going to be of high quality.

4. The aesthetic plastic surgery practices in Orange County recognize that it is not just the wealthy that seek out breast augmentation and facial treatments such as Botox. The prices for cosmetic plastic surgery aren't what they once were; most of the popular procedures are within reach of a middle class family with a healthy income. With the technology and techniques utilized by today's plastic surgeons, nearly every procedure from breast augmentation to liposuction can be an outpatient procedure.

5. Orange County's plastic surgery centers understand that theirs is a diverse market as well. One prominent plastic surgery center in the north county town of Brea is currently advertising for a surgical nurse, "bilingual a plus." Some of the Hispanic and Vietnamese communities in the County have families that can afford plastic surgery and seek it out. Facial tucks and liposuction are attractive services to the ethnic cultures in the County and the aesthetic plastic surgeons recognize that fact.

Find information about all types of cosmetic surgery procedures including breast implants, breast augmentation face lifts, and liposuction. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource.com is the place to locate a Plastic Surgeon Orange County