Undergoing a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is a personal decision that should be carefully thought out and researched. For many women, there are various factors that play into their resolution of going forward with a particular procedure or combination of procedures. According to a recent article, the following seven reasons for undergoing plastic surgery are:

• Complex psychological motivations – Some physical ‘flaws’ may be of great hindrance on a person’s mental and physical quality of life.
• Feel better about yourself – Patients may feel they have low self-esteem and an enhancement may boost their confidence.
• Post-pregnancy – Women are often left with sagging breasts and a protruding abdomen after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Physical changes – Massive weight loss may result in areas of excess skin that can be unpleasant for the patient.
• Aging – Natural aging can often produce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and other unwanted features.
• Change elements you dislike – Nasal procedures can help reshape the nose; patients often express that they have been unhappy with their nose for many years.
• Improve a tired look – Sagging eyelids, a drooping forehead, and lines around the eyes can cause a tired appearance no matter how much rest a patient gets.

In order to determine if you are an ideal candidate for cosmetic plastic surgery, it is important to meet with a qualified surgeon. Those in the Vero area interested in tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, or rhinoplasty may wish contact Dr. Roxanne J. Guy in Melbourne.

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Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are commonly performed on women in their 30s and 40s. Now, it is becoming more common for those as young as 18 years of age to undergo a cosmetic enhancement. Recently, Ambah Young, an 18 year old single mother underwent breast surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and “designer” vaginal surgery to achieve a more youthful appearance. While some may think she is too young to undergo such procedures, it is not unheard of for new moms of various ages to have these surgeries after childbirth.

In Pennsylvania, James A. Yates, M.D. performs these body enhancing procedures for patients of varying ages. He states that the most important factors when considering cosmetic plastic surgery is that the patient be educated on the procedures, surgeon, and facility in order to achieve optimal results. The patient’s age is irrelevant so long as she is aware of the details regarding the procedures and is mentally prepared to deal with the changes. Dr. Yates also says that as an 18 year old adult and mother, the young lady is in her right to undergo the surgeries. Mothers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s do so for the same reasons – to regain their pre-pregnancy body, which is exactly what Young wants to achieve. However, Dr. Yates does warn that if patients travel to other countries for their procedure, such as Young who traveled to Malaysia, they should research the facility and surgeon thoroughly. As past president of the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), Dr. Yates urges all patients to be sure that the surgical center is accredited and approved by the national organization; this helps to ensure a safe experience.

If you would like further information regarding breast surgery and/or tummy tuck surgery, you may contact Camp Hill plastic surgeon Dr. Yates. You are able to browse his website to view before and after photos, as well as schedule an appointment.

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Recently, there have been more reports of reality star (and mother of eight) Kate Gosselin undergoing several cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. She has publicly stated that she had a tummy tuck, but still holds to her story of not having work done on her face and breasts. The latest claims say that she underwent Botox ® injections and breast enhancement surgery. The main effect of Botox injections is temporary paralysis of the underlying facial muscle, which would explain the frozen look on Gosselin’s face. Yet, during her appearance on ABC’s “The View,” she shoots down the rumors.

In a world where it has become common for those in the limelight to undergo some, or many, rejuvenating procedures, there are few left who do not discuss their nips and tucks. Gosselin has been photographed with an extremely smooth facial contour, which is why there are so many accusations of facial enhancing treatments. In addition, photos of the mom of eight in a bikini have also caused speculation on whether she has had breast surgery – Gosselin has denied these rumors as well. Whether she verifies or continues to refute claims of plastic surgery, the reality star continues to draw attention to the matter by being so vocal about it.

If you are interested in cosmetic plastic surgery and live in the Miami area, you may wish to contact Ary Krau, M.D., F.A.C.S. An experienced and qualified plastic surgeon, Dr. Krau can help you achieve a more youthful facial appearance and/or return to your  pre-pregnancy shape with the help of specific body contouring procedures.

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Two California and two Las Vegas women have been charged with organizing, and participating in a scheme to defraud the local Culinary Union’s health insurance program. The women submitted claims for unauthorized cosmetic surgery procedures performed on union members in Mexico, according to U.S. Attorney Greg Brower of Nevada.

Rebecca Acosta, 46, of Chula Vista, Calif., was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on three counts of mail fraud. Acosta was arrested April 14 in San Diego and released Wednesday on a $150,000 bond. Three other women have been charged by criminal complaint for their involvement in the scheme, Brower said. Ana Bertha Acosta, 39, of Dulzura, Calif., was arrested Monday in San Ysidro, Calif., and Sara Casales, 47, of Las Vegas was arrested April 14 in Las Vegas. Both are charged with health care fraud and aiding and abetting. Lucia Solano, 49, of Las Vegas, also arrested April 14 in Las Vegas, is charged with making false statements to investigators.

In 2006 federal investigators initiated an investigation to determine if Las Vegas insurance providers were being targeted for fraudulent medical claims by Mexican medical providers, according to court records. The investigators found that the Hotel and Restaurant Employees International Union Welfare Fund, also known as the Culinary Fund, which offers medical insurance to at least 50,000 people in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, had been billed about $4.9 million for “out of country” claims from about January 2002 to February 2006. Those “out of country” claims were almost entirely from Mexico, investigators discovered. Most of the claims were for “emergency procedures” in Mexico.

When investigators began interviewing a number of the patients, they were told that the insurance claims were fabricated and that they had actually had cosmetic surgery in Mexico, not emergency services. The Culinary Fund does not provide coverage for cosmetic surgeries, unless they are medically necessary, such as breast reduction and certain types of rhinoplasty.

Rebecca Acosta, the prinicple suspect, and her cohorts allegedly devised a scheme to defraud the Culinary Fund of money through submitting false health care claims. Acosta and the others met with prospective patients at a Summerlin residence and elsewhere for consulting on cosmetic surgeries, court documents say.

Acosta told the patients that she would bill the Culinary Fund for the cosmetic surgery, such as breast augmentations or “tummy tucks,” even though such procedures were not covered through the insurance program. She told patients that she would make it appear as if the patient suffered an unexpected injury in Mexico and had received emergency medical care, and then allegedly made arrangements for the prospective patients to receive a cosmetic procedure at a Tijuana, Mexico, clinic. She followed by charging the patients a fee in addition to any reimbursement they would receive from the Culinary Fund. Acosta instructed each patient not to disclose the true nature of the treatment they received in Mexico.

Once the patients received treatments in Tijuana, Acosta and the others submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Culinary Fund, requesting reimbursement for emergency medical services, even though they knew that the patients had actually received breast implants and body contouring surgery, court documents state.

Between September and October 2005, Acosta allegedly submitted three fraudulent claims for reimbursement for emergency procedures performed on three patients and the Culinary Fund paid more than $42,000 on the claims. If convicted, Acosta faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count; Ana Bertha Acosta and Sara Casales face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine each; and Lucia Solano faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is being investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Crane Pomerantz.

“This indictment sends a stern message to those medical providers that defrauding union health and welfare benefit plans by filing fraudulent claims will not be tolerated by my agency,” said Daniel R. Petrole, deputy inspector general for the U.S. Department of Labor. “We are firmly committed to working with other law enforcement agencies to investigate this type of crime.”

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Our second “Cosmetic Surgery FAQ” post in the series, we take a closer look at Tummy Tuck surgery. A plastic surgery mainstay, but often overlooked for other less invasive procedures such as liposuction, “abdominoplasty” deals with removal and/or tightening of excess skin and fat in the abdominal region. Today, we take a look at a couple of the most common questions that prospective body contouring patients have, when considering a tummy tuck.

Q. Is getting a tummy tuck the right decision for me?

A. Choosing to undergo an abdominoplasty or any kind of body contouring surgery is a major decision. This is due in no small part to the extensive and invasive nature of the surgery itself, the risks and side effects involved and the amount of recovery time the surgery typically requires. However, many thousands of men and women choose the procedure every year to get rid of unwanted fat and sagging skin in their mid-section. A consultation with a qualified tummy tuck surgeon will make sure that you are thoroughly informed about the procedure, its risks, your alternatives, and whether a tummy tuck is right for you.

Q. What should I expect before, during and after my tummy tuck surgery?

A. Your cosmetic surgeon will provide a thorough and unique list of things for you to do to prepare for your surgery. Most of what will be included on the list are medications and activities to avoid during the two weeks prior to and after the surgery in order to minimize risk during the surgery itself, and during your recovery period. For example, if you smoke, you will be strongly advised to quit for two weeks prior to and after surgery, as smoking significantly slows the healing process. There are a number of medications, vitamins and supplements that should be avoided prior to surgery that your surgeon will discuss with you. Upon his or her asking, full disclosure with your doctor about any and all medication is the best way to anticipate and hopefully avoid any post-operative problems. If you are in generally good health and lead a healthy lifestyle, then you should not expect to have to make any significantly drastic changes in the weeks leading up to your surgery.

Most abdominoplasty surgeries are done in a hospital with the patient under general anesthetic. This being said, you will be unconscious during the surgery itself, so you should not expect to experience any discomfort. Typically, abdominoplasty lasts anywhere from two to four hours.

A tummy tuck is a very involved, invasive procedure that requires the patient to spend a few days in the hospital afterward. You will be given pain medication during and after your time in the hospital. You will also be advised to begin walking around and doing light exercise as soon as possible after the surgery in order to prevent the formation of blood clots in your legs. Expect a week to pass before being able to walk normally and without discomfort.

Q. What about scarring?

A. You should expect to have a permanent or near-permanent scar. The length of the scar or scars will depend on how extensive your surgery is. Tummy tuck scars generally run from hip to hip, across the lower abdomen. Extra attention is given to the placement of the incisions to ensure that your scars will be minimal and inconspicuous. Typically, the incision site is well-hidden beneath undergarments and swimming attire.

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