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Track the Knife: Plastic Surgery Shows Upset Doctors

Track the Knife: Plastic Surgery Shows Upset Doctors


by Erik Sass

REALITY TV SHOWS THAT DEAL with plastic surgery directly influence first-time patients seeking a surgical procedure, according to the co-authors of a study published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an official industry journal. And while that finding might support the efficacy of TV as a sales medium--including in-program product placement--the plastic surgeons who authored the study are not happy.


The recent proliferation of reality TV plastic-surgery shows marks one of the stranger intersections of American society's fascination with medicine, appearance and "reality" programming. Popular shows now on air include ABC's "Extreme Makeover," Fox's "The Swan," MTV's "I Want a Famous Face," TLC's "Plastic Surgery: Before and After," E!'s "Dr. 90210" and Bravo's "Miami Slice."

John Persing, M.D. explained the background of the Yale University School of Medicine: "Despite widespread unease about the effects that reality television shows have on patient decision making and expectations, no data existed on how these shows affected potential patients."

To get a handle on the phenomenon, the researchers interviewed 42 cosmetic plastic-surgery patients, and found that 57% were "high-intensity" watchers of plastic-surgery shows--meaning regular viewers of at least one ongoing program. Ninety-five percent of the respondents were female.

These respondents attributed a substantial degree of influence to these shows and other media in shaping their decision-making process. Four out of five respondents said TV influenced them directly to pursue a particular surgical procedure.

While this was a small sampling, media planners would probably rejoice at this level of TV impact; the doctors feel just the opposite. Dr. Persing opined: "It is unfortunate that patients are turning toward the entertainment industry for educational information--we had hoped for different results. These shows may create unrealistic, unhealthy expectations about what plastic surgery can do for you. Although it's called reality TV, it may not be reality."

Overall, according to the study, "more than 95% of patients are aware of plastic-surgery reality television shows, and the majority of them are high-intensity viewers."

Credit from http://publications.mediapost.com

How Wrinkles Form?

How Wrinkles Form?


By C.D. Mohatta

As you know, our skin is made of three layers - the epidermis, the dermis and the underlying fat layer. As we grow, the skin deteriorates and loses its youth because of genetic programming. This programming also makes our hair white and makes our teeth fall as we age. We cannot stop this genetic change. Sun damage takes toll of the skin and the skin ages much faster because of that. Two persons of same age may have skin with different aging. One who has moved around in the sun freely will show much more damage on the skin compared to one who has protected his/her skin from sun.


With these aging changes, the epidermis becomes thicker and the dermis and the fat layer become thinner. These two are mainly responsible for wrinkle formation. The dermis is mainly made of collagen fibers with elastin fibers to give the skin its elasticity. Both these fibers make a mesh like structure in the dermis and give support to the skin surface. With age, collagen and elastin reduce and the support starts to break down. Moreover production of new collagen and elastin slows down. This makes it easy for any skin change such as wrinkles to appear easily and become permanent.

We make facial gestures. We smile, raise eyebrows, move eye muscles, stress on forehead skin while concentrating. We make many actions with our skin and as we age, with the support giving away, these changes become etched forever on our face. They are wrinkles. Smokers pull the puff. We may sleep on one side every night, making wrinkles on one cheek and do many such acts that make wrinkles. After thirties, these changes start becoming permanent on the skin and give an old look full of wrinkles.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Credit from http://www.americanchronicle.com

Skin Care- What Are AHAs and How Should You Use Them-3

Skin Care- What Are AHAs and How Should You Use Them-3

By C.D. Mohatta

AHAs are becoming very popular in the fight against aging skin. They are getting added to most of the beauty and skin care products. AHAs are one of the ingredients that help keep skin looking young for a longer time. Let us find out about common AHA molecules and how they help in skin care.

Glycolic Acid:

This is one of the most commonly used Alpha Hydroxy Acids in skin care. It is derived naturally from sugarcane juice. Glycolic acid has a very low molecular size. The low molecular size allows glycolic acid to penetrate skin faster. The dead skin cells, that bind with the skin, are removed by glycolic acid by loosening the glue, that sticks the dead cells with the skin. As the glue loosens, the dead cells exfoliate giving a cleaner look to the skin. Shedding dead cells faster also allows growth of new cells. Glycolic acid smoothens fine wrinkles. This acid also helps in treatment of blackheads and dries out the excess surface oil on the skin. It is thought that glycolic acids stimulate collagen production to some extent. This acid also keeps the skin moisturized by keeping water bound to the skin and prevents drying of skin. It can also bleach some spots on the skin. One added advantage of glycolic acid is that it helps other skin care ingredients reach deeper in the skin and makes them more effective. Glycolic acid is on the frontier of skin care.

Lactic Acid:

It is derived from milk. Milk baths have been popular since ages to get fresh and better skin. Lactic acid is a good skin moisturizer as it helps retain water in the skin. It is also a good exfoliator of dead skin cells. It is generally used in combination with other AHAs in skin care products.

Citric Acid:

It is also an Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Citric acid is derived from citrus fruits. It accelerates collagen production and also removes spots on the skin. Citric acid is not a good exfoliator. It is considered a good anti-oxidant, as it neutralizes free radicals that age the skin. Citric acid has been used for skin care since long in household remedies.

Other Acids:

Malic acid and tartaric acid are other popular Alpha Hydroxy Acids. They are not commonly used alone for skin care treatments but are added to make a combination of AHA skin care products to derive multiple benefits.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Credit from http://www.americanchronicle.com

'LipoDissolve' Injections Claim To Reduce Fat

'LipoDissolve' Injections Claim To Reduce Fat


Dr. Sean Kenniff
Reporting


(CBS4) MIAMI LipoDissolve injections claim to reduce the size of localized fat deposits and cause skin retraction in body regions where treated.

It's a non-surgical alternative for those patients seeking minimally invasive techniques to improve body contour. It is not a treatment for weight reduction but rather a procedure for improving shape and reducing targeted fat.

But critics, among them officials of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery say there is no convincing evidence that LipoDissolve is effective or safe, and they warn patients to stay away from fat-loss shots.

Dr. Roger Friedman is the medical director of Medsculpt, a new LipoDissolve clinic with offices in Maryland and Virginia.

He explained that the procedure is different than liposuction. "It's very different. And the real difference is volume. We're doing inches. It doesn't require an anesthetic. It doesn't require a hospital visit. It doesn't really require recovery."

He explained that it's a series of injections designed to melt away the fat.

The solution that's injected into the body is called PCDC. Though the formulation can vary, one of the main ingredients is a bile salt which helps break down fat. Although the procedure has been performed in Europe for over a decade, PCDC has not been approved by the FDA.

Dr. Alan Gold is incoming president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery. He says there's no scientific proof the injections are safe and that they work. He said, "I'm saying that I'm not certain that it is safe."

Medsculpt says it's treated 500 patients since January, and no one has complained of unsatisfactory results. Dr. Gold says it's not a risk-free procedure.

Credit from http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_207142428.html

Knife-Free Plastic Surgery

Knife-Free Plastic Surgery

By Deanna Fene
First Coast News


The new laser procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and theres no recovery time
It happens to all of us, as we get older, things change. But what if you could defy the years, without a doctor's scalpel? In fact, imagine leaving your office for lunch and coming back looking better.

You no longer have to undergo the knife to look younger. And you no longer have to worry about the down time with microdermabrasions and chemical peels, either.

The new laser procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and there's no recovery time. The laser helps reverse the aging process by making fine wrinkles and sun damaged skin practically disappear.

Dr. Scott Trimas uses two different lasers on his patients, one for wrinkles, another for brown spots and blood vessels. "With these lasers you don't get any external damage to the skin. It's all internal which corrects the outward things that we see."

Dr. Dan Collaway uses a different laser. This one works on wrinkles and brown spots. "It's a very subtle very gentle very natural way of rejuvenating the skin."

It only takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and with little to no redness, clients can rush back to work.

33-year-old Leslie Dorian's been getting the treatment for a few months now. "You can go finish your day." And she's able to do it on her lunch break, without anyone knowing she's had any work done, "that's right that's what I like best."

It's quick, easy, and virtually painless, but it'll take several months and multiple treatments to see any results. And at $250 to $500 a pop, it isn't cheap.

Dorian says it's worth the price, "plastic surgery or a face lift is ten thousand dollars, so I'm only paying $500 dollars. It's definitely worth it."

After two months, Leslie says the fine wrinkles around her eyes are now gone. The brown spots on her forehead are still there but not as strong. She hopes another treatment or two, and it will be gone.

Credit from http://surgerynews.net/news/111003/face/face311-005.html

Ear surgery pioneers in city operation

Ear surgery pioneers in city operation


SURGEONS from all over the world were set to perform pioneering ear reconstruction operations in Edinburgh today.

Three children were due to get new ears created for them in complex procedures at a specialist unit in the Capital.

Pictures of the surgical teams - from Japan, France and Germany - at work will be beamed live to the Royal College of Surgeons to be watched by delegates from across the globe.

The conference was organised by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgeons, with work by Edinburgh-based cosmetic surgeon Ken Stewart.

Mr Stewart, who is the only surgeon to perform the complex surgery in Scotland, said the operations took between six and eight hours.

The surgeons will operate on nine-year-old Sean Bentley, from Denny, Stirlingshire, who was born with one underdeveloped ear.

The other patients are a 12-year-old whose ear was ripped off by a dog when she was a baby, and another child with a birth defect.

Mr Stewart said: "There is evidence that this kind of surgery, while often purely cosmetic, can have a big effect on children's self-esteem and improve their lives in the long term."

Credit This article from : http://news.scotsman.com

Considering Breast Enhancement? What You Need to Know

Considering Breast Enhancement? What You Need to Know


By Dr. Richard Reynolds

Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that plastic surgeons use for breast enhancement or to obtain more symmetry. Every day, women all over the world decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery for a variety of reasons. It is important to research and understand the surgery and examine your reasons for considering it when deciding whether breast augmentation is the right procedure for you.

Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Right for Me?

Women are impacted by the pressure from society to look perfect from a young age. Compound that with a spouse or partner that prefers larger breasts and it is reason enough for many women to decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery. There are plenty of women that decide to proceed with breast enhancement for the right reasons, based solely on their own wants and needs. To ensure a successful outcome, it is important to take a close look at what is behind your desire for enhanced breasts.

-Have realistic expectations - Women must go into breast enhancement with realistic expectations of what the operation will do for them. It is important to keep in mind that even though breast augmentation surgery can do wonders for self-esteem, it is meant to enhance your appearance, not make your life perfect.

-Who are you doing it for? Yourself or someone else's happiness? - It is essential that you decide to explore breast enhancement for yourself and not for anyone else. Many women make the mistake of going through with breast augmentation surgery to please their spouse or partner, or to comply with social pressures, instead of listening to their own needs. This is a mistake that will not fix problems, but has the potential to multiply them.

-Be physically healthy - The best age for breast enhancement is anywhere between 18 and 50. After 50, you can still get implants, but there is a higher risk of medical complications, and the operation has a lower success rate. If you are pregnant or nursing, now is not the time for breast augmentation surgery. Make sure that you don't have any serious chronic diseases or ongoing treatments that may pose a risk. The best way to be sure that you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to talk to your doctor.

-Does your surgeon have the necessary experience to deliver the breast enhancement result you are looking for? Ask potential surgeons to disclose important information about their background, including; education, professional experience, board certification, and the number of years they have performed breast augmentation surgery.

-Be mentally prepared for altering the appearance of the body - Often, there is a period of adjustment after surgery. Take the time to ensure that breast enhancement is right for you from both a physical and mental perspective.

-Know what results you want to see - Be upfront and open with your doctor about what you want your breasts to look like after the breast augmentation surgery. Clear up any questions or lingering concerns about expectations before moving forward with breast enhancement.

-Know what type of breast implants you want - The two options for breast implants are silicone or saline. Both are safe for breast enhancement, but each has pros and cons that need to be considered.

-Understand the maintenance that may be required over the long-term - You can undergo breast enhancement, but you cannot stop the process of aging and your shape may change with time and a breast lift may be required later. Many women have to go in for follow-up treatment, either to remove or replace the implants, or have them adjusted due to the effects of age.

The Breast Augmentation Surgery: Before and After

Although breast augmentation surgery is a quick and efficient procedure, it is still serious and it is important to know what to expect during and after, in terms of pain and recovery. A breast enhancement is performed as an outpatient procedure, usually under a general anesthetic and takes about one hour. There is mild to moderate soreness that improves significantly two to three days after breast augmentation surgery and most patients are back to work three to four days after surgery. Low impact activities can resume immediately but there are some restrictions on strenuous activity for three to six weeks. Six weeks after the surgery there are no restrictions.

Short term side effects of breast augmentation surgery include soreness, swelling, change in nipple sensation (increased or decreased sensation), and bruising. Most of these resolve completely within a few weeks to a few months. Some potential long term problems include deflation, leaking, rupture, capsular contracture, and rippling. Capsular contracture is abnormal scar tissue around the implant. All implants develop a capsule around them but some can become hard or painful and may require a procedure to remove the scar tissue. An MRI can confirm leakage of a silicone implant if suspected and saline implants usually deflate entirely when there is a leak or rupture.

When considering breast augmentation surgery, do your homework on the options available for types of implants. In November of last year, the FDA approved use of silicone implants for all women over twenty-two years old, which ended a thirteen year restriction on silicone implants. Plastic surgeons can now use silicone or saline implants for breast enhancement, depending upon patient preference and anatomy.

If silicone implants are used during breast augmentation surgery, the implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle. If saline implants are used for breast enhancement, most plastic surgeons will place them under the muscle. There are pros and cons to placing them above and under the muscle. Placing the implants above the muscle decreases post-operative pain and may decrease distortion during heavy chest muscle activity--important for body builders or weight lifting enthusiasts. Placing the implants below the muscle hides the upper portion of the implants and offers slightly more tissue coverage if tissue in this area was very deficient.

Conclusion

Breast enhancement is a valuable option for women who want to enhance their appearance, with realistic expectations in mind. In order to ensure a successful outcome from breast augmentation surgery, it is important to understand your own motives and to do your homework to learn about all the risks and potential side effects that could result from the procedure in the short and long-term.

Credit from http://www.americanchronicle.com

Ten Plastic Surgery Risks You Need To Know

Ten Plastic Surgery Risks You Need To Know


By Miriam Marcus

We are one vain bunch.

Need proof? Demand for cosmetic plastic surgery continues to increase. Americans spent $11.5 billion for 11 million cosmetic procedures in 2006--a 48% increase over the number performed in 2000, according to the National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics.

While TV shows like ABC's Extreme Makeover and NBC's Bionic Woman paint a rosy picture, plastic and cosmetic surgeries are not without risks.
After all, surgery is surgery.

"The human body makes no distinction when the scalpel hits," warns Dr. Richard D'Amico, president-elect of the American Society for Plastic Surgery (ASPS). "The difference with elective cosmetic surgeries is that patients generally start out being healthy."

Among the more common dangers: numbness, seroma and necrosis.

Proceed With Caution
Temporary numbness or loss of feeling at the site of the incision is fairly common in face-lifts and tummy tucks, though it's rarely permanent.

Numbness after breast surgeries of any type is the most common. Loss of sensation in the nipple in particular occurs anywhere from 10% to 70% of the time, says Dr. Nahai, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) depending on the type of procedure. What's worst? Breast reductions, where the nipple and areola are totally removed and reattached as skin grafts.

Seroma is a collection of watery body fluids that occurs most often in tummy tucks. It's common enough that many surgeons take preventative measures by inserting a drain during surgery, notes Dr. D'Amico.

Some tissue death from surgical manipulation, called necrosis, is inevitable after any procedure, though your risks increase dramatically if you're a smoker. That's because smoking affects blood supply to the tissues. By definition, the surgeon is cutting into those tissues, and if the blood supply is already compromised, necrosis is more likely to occur.

After any surgery, there is the possibility of excessive bleeding. Hematoma, a collection of blood, occurs more in men than in women because beard follicles in the face mean there are more capillaries--and therefore an increased blood supply in that area.

Infections are rare in plastic surgery patients, since most are healthy to begin with. When they happen, however, they can spread quickly and must be stopped immediately.

The rarest and most feared of side effects is, of course, death. Toxic levels of anesthetics have been known to cause respiratory failure in some patients. In some rare instances, high levels of topical lidocaine have led to death. In others, imitation Botox, or other imitation fillers not approved by the FDA, have left patients in comas for up to several years, and eventually dead.

Scared? There are several steps you can take to minimize the potential dangers of plastic surgery.

Reduce Your Risk
Choosing the right surgeon is important. Identical twins may undergo the same procedure by two different doctors and have two different results, explains Dr. Darrick E. Antell, a New York-based plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery.

Be sure to pick a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Medical Association. Ask your doctor which types of medicine they hold certifications in, and check for yourself at the American Board of Medical Specialties Web site.

Any MD can claim to be a surgeon, but you should choose only a board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.

Also, verify that your doctor of choice has privileges to perform surgery in a hospital. A doctor may choose to perform certain procedures in a private office, but he or she should have credentials from a hospital's "credential committee." Having such credentials, says Dr. Antell, is as important as a doctor's board certification.

If your doctor chooses to perform surgery in a private space, make sure the facility is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Accreditation is "the gold standard," according to Dr. Antell--and many of these facilities are better than what you'll find in hospitals. Make sure there are registered nurses and an anesthesiologist on hand in case anything goes wrong.

To Operate Or Not To Operate?
Some elective surgeries are a safer bet than others. Many surgeons, like Dr. D'Amico, would recommend any proven procedure as long as there is an acceptable ratio between risk and benefit. Others, like Dr. Nahai, disapprove of certain procedures per se. He's not in favor of thread lifts, for example (like a face-lift, but less invasive).

"It's not a good operation," he says. In relation to the risk, "the results don't last long enough."

The doctor must be certain the surgery is appropriate for that specific patient, and that the risk to benefit ratio is balanced.

"People need to practice some restraint," insists Dr. Antell. You want to pick the smallest procedure to get the results you want with the least risk. Remember that these are elective surgeries.

"Everyone thinks 'complications won't happen to me,'" he says, "but they can and do happen."

Credit from http://www.forbes.com