It has become a lot more common for men and women to undergo a non-invasive rejuvenation procedure versus a surgical procedure. There are a variety of reasons for this; most non-invasive treatments provide immediate results with little to no downtime and typically last anywhere from six months to two years (depending on the treatment received). Surgical procedures take longer to perform and typically require a lengthy recovery period.

And because many individuals desire to undergo a non-surgical procedure as well as a surgical procedure, such as Botox® and facelift surgery, there are under-qualified doctors out there taking advantage of patients’ lack of knowledge by offering to perform both.

Although it may sound ideal to undergo surgical procedures in combination with, say, facial fillers and/or a chemical peel, it can pose a risk to the unsuspecting patient who is unaware of the specialist’s credentials and skills. If an individual holds a medical degree, he/she can legally perform a surgical procedure. The problem is when these doctors lack the proper training and experience to perform certain cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. In order to ensure that you are in capable hands, it is strongly advised that you research your physician’s training and certifications. A surgeon who has received the appropriate education will never be hesitant to display or show you his/her credentials. If he/she fails to provide you with the information, it is best to move on to one who is willing to do so.

If you are looking for a Nashville plastic surgeon with the appropriate training, experience, and skill set, you may be interested in contacting Larry C. Young, M.D., F.A.C.S. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), and has been in practice since 1983. Please feel free to browse his website to learn of the various procedures offered at his practice.

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Plastic surgery has seen a dip in the number of patients undergoing procedures; however, the recent economical improvement has contributed to an increase in interest again. Over the past decade, a 77 percent increase in the number of patients has been seen in a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Throughout the financial crisis present in the country, it is not surprising to see a decrease of invasive procedures, while non-surgical treatments continue to draw in patients.

Breast augmentation surgery has gone up 39 percent over the past 10 years; however, it appears that nose reshaping has gone down 35 percent and liposuction by 43 percent. This may be partially caused by the increase in non-invasive procedures such as Botox injections, facial fillers, and laser skin resurfacing. A reduced recovery period and lowered cost highly influenced patients in choosing which procedure(s) to undergo during an economical low point. If you are interested in a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, surgical or non-surgical, it is highly recommended that you speak with a qualified and trained professional.

You may gain further information regarding your procedure of choice, including rhinoplasty, when visiting with Dr. Daniel C. Daube, Jr. You may view before and after photos, a well as schedule an appointment through his website. He also serves those in the Dothan, AL area.

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Plastic surgery is something that many people think about, and after careful consideration and research, some eventually undergo a procedure or two. Even though there has been a slight decrease in patients undergoing plastic surgery in recent years, there are new trends that are predicted to increase in 2011.

• Skipping Surgery – Many individuals unsure about going under the knife are looking to alternatives to invasive procedures. Some of these include facial fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and non-surgical fat removal.

• Fat Fighters – There are a few new non-surgical fat removal procedures that are becoming popular amongst patients. However, some surgeons caution that research is necessary before undergoing a new type of procedure.

• Increase in Fillers – Facial fillers have evolved quite a bit in recent years and some are providing several years of lasting results. New and improved fillers are likely to emerge as the year goes by.

• Year of the Cheeks – As celebrities surface with a fuller facial contour, plumping of the cheeks is becoming increasingly popular. Aging causes hollowness in the cheeks and in order to restore a youthful appearance, patients can undergo dermal fillers in the cheek area.

• Butt Enhancement – Shapelier Hollywood stars are making their backsides more acceptable and fans are looking to achieve similar results through buttock augmentation. Whether it is with implants or fat, butt augmentation is extremely popular now.

• Fat Transfer – No longer will your unwanted fat be unwanted. Fat removed during liposuction can be re-injected into the face to help plump up wrinkles and creases. It can also be used in butt augmentation to add volume and improve shape.

• Better Botox – Some surgeons are speculating that more advanced forms of Botox are on their way. These would last longer than Botox (three months) and provide equally, if not better, results.

• Recovering from Weight Loss – Several massive weight loss treatments are now available; and as patients lose large amounts weight, their body needs some help to adjust to the new shape. Body reshaping procedures to remove excess skin and tighten muscles are increasingly popular.
• Hair Restoration – New, less invasive forms of hair restoration are on the horizon and are likely to become highly sought after as they become available.

If you are interested in learning more about your cosmetic options, be sure to contact Houston liposuction specialist Dr. David F. Luethcke. You may browse his website to see before and after photos of plastic surgery patients.

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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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Last year, actress Daryl Hannah was seen with an overly plumped face, with rumors surrounding the idea of plastic surgery, claiming that she had undergone several facial rejuvenating procedures. From injectables to facelift surgery, Hannah’s face showed evidence of cosmetic plastic surgery. However, as many before her have done, she denied having had any work done, instead blaming the ocean, no makeup, and bad photography for the way she looked in the images.

As more recent images have emerged, it appears that Hannah may indeed have had some cosmetic enhancements. Her cheeks, lips, and the area below her eyes look fuller – much like that of an injectable filler patient. At the age of 49, Hannah is at the average age of the typical facial rejuvenation patient, which is why it is not unlikely that she underwent some type of rejuvenation. Other Hollywood stars have openly discussed their facelift, Botox ® injections, facial fillers, and other plastic surgery procedures, while still some remain quiet and/or express negative thoughts on the subject.

In Baltimore, Janet P. Woodyard, M.D., F.A.C.S. offers surgical and non-surgical procedures at her practice. You may learn more regarding facelift surgery and facial injectable when browsing her website. Dr. Woodyard has the experience and training to provide patients with beautiful results.

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People with diabetes often suffer from chronic foot pain because of nerve damage, but relief may be at hand.

Taiwanese doctors have shown that the pain can be reduced significantly by injections of botulinum toxin type A — better known as Botox — into the skin on top of the foot.

Dr. Chaur-Jong Hu and his associates at Taipei Medical University tested the treatment in 18 patients with Type 2 diabetes who had nerve-related pain in both feet.

The participants were assigned randomly to get injections of Botox or saline, then 12 crossed over to receive the opposite treatment a few weeks later.

A local anesthetic gel was applied to the injection sites first, and then the injections were administered into the skin (rather than into muscles) at 12 sites across the top of the foot, the team explained in the medical journal Neurology.

At the start of the study, the average pain score on a scale of 0-10 points was 6.36. There were significant differences in the decrease in pain scores between the Botox and saline injections during each 12-week period.

Specifically, at 12 weeks, the score was reduced by 2.53 points with Botox injections compared with 0.53 points with the saline injections.

Moreover, 44 percent of the subjects had a reduction of at least 3 points in their pain score within 12 weeks of recieving the Botox injections.

Another added and unexpected benefit discovered in the study was that patients are able to sleep much better after the treatments.

Hu’s team concluded that intradermal Botox injections “are an effective and safe method of relieving diabetic neuropathic pain in the feet.” However, “the detailed underlying mechanisms, optimal dosage, and precise course of therapy require further evaluation.”

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When it was first discovered a year ago about surprising new evidence that Botox and other drugs containing the neurotoxin botulinum could travel from the site of injection to the brain, it wasn’t clear whether this posed a threat to patients (the study cited described was done on lab animals).

Earlier this week however, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the risk was all too real: effective immediately, the FDA will now require Botox, Myobloc and all other botulinum treatments to carry what is known as a “black box warning” — the strongest FDA warning of record — alerting doctors and patients alike that the toxin can spread to distant parts of the body, well enough away from the injection site(s), posing serious risks such as trouble breathing and swallowing.

The FDA is also requiring manufacturers to send doctors and all other licensed practitioners a letter warning of the risk.

The action comes in response to a petition from Public Citizen, which in 2008 asked FDA to require both a black box and the warning letters. Initially, it was expected that FDA would have limited the warnings to non-cosmetic uses of the drugs, since that’s where most of the problems with adverse side effects had occurred (Editors note: botulinum is used to treat cervical dystonia, eyelid spasms and a few other medical conditions in addition to cosmetic applications such as treating frown lines), especially in unapproved uses such a limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.

But the administration said it found 225 cases in which the drug had migrated beyond the injection site, sometimes as far as to deep internal tissue. That was alarming enough to justify the black-box decision, even on cosmetic Botox.

According to the FDA, “there is insufficient information to fully characterize the safety profile and potential risk factors for spread of botulinum toxin at this time, given that the mechanism by which spread may occur has not been confirmed…Based on available information, it is not possible to precisely predict the role of injection site, injection technique, or dose in the spread of toxin or severity of the event. Therefore, we are seeking safety labeling changes for the both the dermatologic and neurologic indications.”

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With all the news circulating about new and ever-growing health concerns, such as the latest epidemic, Swine Flu, making sure that patients maintain their health after surgery is more important than ever. But the question that most plastic surgery patients are asking is, “Can it happen to me?”

The simple truth about any medical procedure is this: No one is 100% immune from post-surgical infection. Regardless of what kind of surgery a patient undergoes, it all carries some risk of viral infection. And with the increasing popularity of things like makeshift black market plastic surgery, the risk grows as health regulation becomes harder to come by.

We here at CosmeticSurgery-Information.com would like to take this opportunity to offer some advice and tips to keep yourself protected while undergoing medical treatment.

Make Sure Your Surgeon or Health Provider is Currently Board-Certified

While the risk of getting ill following surgery can happen to anyone, even in the best of circumstances, doctors and medical professionals have strict guidelines to follow regarding sanitation and cleanliness in order to stay in good standings with the governing medical boards. Double-checking a doctor’s credentials takes very little time and can potentially save money, time and undue stress. Board certification is a crucial aspect of maintaining patient safety!

Review Your Surgeon or Health Provider’s Clinic and Practice History

Occasionally, even the best surgeons and facilities can still be a contributing source of post-operative patient illness. However, this isn’t necessarily the fault of the surgeon or their staff. In addition to doctor reviews from medical boards, take the time to find an independent review body that can indicate occurrences of viral or infectious diseases happening in hospitals and private clinics. There’s no such thing as being too prepared or too informed.

Avoid Sub-Standard, Un-Licensed and Black Market Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Facilities At All Costs!

With the economy in the condition it’s in, it’s very easy for those of us who are desperate for change and refinement to look to some “off the table” options in order to make quick and inexpensive improvements on one’s appearance. We’ve detailed stories of motel “plumping parties” where patients engage in unlicensed injectable procedures – oftentimes involving injections of dangerous chemicals with potentially unsafe medical tools, in lieu of board-approved procedures such as Botox or collagen. Risking your life and health are not worth saving a few dollars just to look better.

Follow Your Doctor’s Recovery Instructions

We’ve also recently shared news about the health risks associated with taking herbal supplements and vitamins before and after surgery and the risks associated with this practice. If you feel you’re at risk for contracting a post-surgical virus, speak with your doctor and share your concerns. He or she will be able to best inform you on how to protect yourself from illness and surgical complications.

Report Suspect Practitioners and Facilities

There is a fear among surgery patients that reporting sub-standard or un-licensed facilities, especially if the patient chooses to go to such a facility, will get said patient in trouble with the law. This is simply not true. If you’ve witnessed an un-sanitary facility or a practitioner who seems suspect, report them immediately. Protecting the lives of fellow potential patients is something that benefits everyone in the long run.

Even though information regarding swine flu pandemic is somewhat controversial and, in some cases, outright untrue, its easy to become confused and concerned about how to best protect oneself. Participating in sound and well-trusted post-op practices as instructed by a licensed medical professional is the best way for patients to protect themselves.

Report suspect facilities and practitioners to the Center For Disease Control and any other swine flu information to the World Health Organization.

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As the recession affects more and more people in the U.S., its a safe assumption one will see increasingly peculiar behaviors, all in the name of saving a buck. Cosmetic surgery patients are certainly no exception. As the economy worsens, its natural for people to feel more concerned about everything, from job security to health and well being. Unfortunately, our physical appearance has a big hand in how we perceive ourselves and each other with regard to those aspects and, as we worry about our life circumstances, many will attempt to quell the feelings of hopelessness and confusion with things such as some cosmetic enhancement.

Mind you, this isn’t necessarily bad if one can afford to have their elective procedure(s) in the safety and comfort of an abundantly staffed and accredited medical facility, with a highly-skilled and licensed plastic surgeon. Many even see the opportunity to have the plastic surgery procedure of their choice as the cornerstone to reinvigorating themselves, ultimately excelling in the workplace and their personal lives. Someone like an out-of-work T.V. newscaster could find themselves in a better position to find work and more confidence, after a facelift, botox or eyebrow lift.

Others, however, succumb to the circumstances of their personal and professional lives, resorting to desperate and dangerous means to get their appearance up to their own standards.

Take the case of Korean pop singing sensation, Hang Mioku. Now age 48, she began a troubling pattern of behavior some 20 years ago, when she began seeking facial rejuvenation procedures. Still frowned upon by many cosmetic surgeons, she began silicone injection treatments (instead of traditionally accepted injectables such as collagen or Botox) and exhausted her ability to continue having the procedure in her home country! After moving to Japan and seeking more treatments, often from un-licensed practitioners, she illegally obtained medical supplies and began injecting cooking oil directly into her own skin. Citing paranoid schizophrenia, and “hearing voices” telling her to do it, Mioku couldn’t avoid her own ill intentions. She eventually sought psychiatric help and gifted surgeons, who could help begin the path to reconstructing her face.

This phenomena isn’t exclusive to the mentally distressed, or regions where “black market medicine” reigns supreme. New York resident Fiordaliza Pichardo, died at age 43, after recieving similarly controversial silicone injections in her thighs, hips and buttocks. Refered to a local New York woman, from a mutual friend, none of Pichardo’s family or friends believed this could happen, let alone in a country with such stringent medical regulation.

Health officials fears that the illegal use of silicone as an alternative to cosmetic surgery is on the rise. Many attribute this to growing economic problems, and a desire to get facial rejuvenation quickly and discreetly. Appanrently the injections, usually done in motel rooms, makeshift medical offices and even in-home “pumping parties” are most popular among Latina and transgender women, who may be unable to afford conventional plastic surgery and who tap into it through unlicensed practitioners working through word of mouth, New York city officials said.

In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Nick Gorton was quoted: “If you go to a pumping party, you can have it tonight. It’s a big temptation, especially among young people who, when you’re 20, you’re not thinking about your own mortality.”

The fallout from these illegal injections are certainly no laughing matter. Dr. Nathan Graber from the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says that these products can get into the blood stream causing severe breathing problems, such as lung failure and worse. Silicone injections can embolize to the brain and cause seizure, coma, and of course death. Dr. Graber says if you have already had an illegal injection, see a doctor immediately.

Medical advisors strongly urge patients to never undergo a treatment outside of a licensed clinical setting. If procedures are offered at a home or in a hotel room or in a nail salon then you really have to think twice before you go ahead with that procedure.

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Despite personal views, plastic surgery has gone mainstream, and is obviously here to stay. The release of plastic surgery statistics has become an annual ritual, almost on par with announcing awards show nominees. Every year the numbers are analyzed to see what trends are revealed, and the 2008 data, released last month from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), provided a few surprises.

Paramount among these was the emergence of breast augmentation as the number one cosmetic surgery procedure, knocking off liposuction which has traditionally held the spot. Though cosmetic surgery overall declined in 2008 (which also happens to be a first), the surge in cosmetic implant use was mirrored by an increase of approximately 39% in breast reconstruction. This comes on the heels of FDA clearance for silicone gel breast implants 2 years ago, suggesting that the controversies that have plagued this breast implants type in the past have since faded.

A longer view reveals a more telling trend, however. While cosmetic surgery was down by a few percentage points, non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures-Botox or dermal filler injections, lasers and the like-were up. One widely held interpretation of this is that people are shifting into “maintenance mode” by opting for more affordable procedures with minimal or no downtime until the economy improves and they can justify their facelift. Botox might be the new lipstick, a modern version of the historical increase in lipstick sales with every major economic downturn in the past.

Forecasting Plastic Surgery Trends

But broader analysis reveals that non-surgical cosmetic procedures have been increasing a lot more than surgery for several years. Although 1.7 million surgical procedures were done in the U.S. last year, non-surgical procedures checked in at more than 10 million. This is due, in part, to continually improving products and technologies, and with this has come greater social acceptance. Many of them are even household words now. Plastic surgeons have adapted by expanding their repertoires to include minimally invasive technologies and beauty services at their practices.

The big question on everyone’s mind is what all this means for the economy and where we are headed. One could easily subscribe to the theory that plastic surgery bookings anticipate an upturn, and if the first quarter of the year is an indication, then the economy is headed in the right direction. Some are freshening up their appearance as they change careers, others taking advantage of time off in between jobs. Either way, it is a vote of confidence; whether it is right for you, as always, is a personal choice.

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