For various reasons, men and women seek cosmetic plastic surgeons who are outside of the United States for a face, breast, or body enhancing procedure. One of the main reasons for doing so is the cost of the procedure; however, selecting a surgeon solely based on price can lead to unpleasant and/or unsafe circumstances. Not long ago, a Chula Vista resident died after her liposuction procedure in Tijuana, Mexico. The surgeon is said to claim certain memberships and society affiliations, yet no confirmation has been made.

In Beverly Hills, cosmetic plastic surgery professional Stuart A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S. has the education, training, and experience to provide patients with a safe and successful surgery. Dr. Linder performs face, breasts, and body enhancing procedures, while keeping the patient’s well-being in mind. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). As a part of these prestigious associations, Dr. Linder must adhere to standards and guidelines in order to ensure the patient’s safety.

To learn more about Dr. Linder and his experience in plastic surgery procedures, including liposuction surgery, you may browse his website. An initial consultation may also be of great benefit to further discuss your options.

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It seems as though just about anyone can have his/her own reality show on television these days, or at least be a part of one. The new VH1 show “You’re Cut Off!” features nine very pampered and fortunate “spoilistas” who find out that they have been cut off from their family fortune. One of the participants, Erica Rose, may be familiar to those who watch ABC’s “The Bachelor” since she is a former contestant. She is also the daughter of a prominent Houston, Texas plastic surgeon, Dr. Franklin Rose.

Aside from the luxuries of her family’s wealth, Rose also has her father’s practice and medical spa at her disposal. Along with nose surgery, she regularly undergoes Botox ® injections to maintain her youthful appearance, although she is only in her mid 20s. The idea behind the new reality series is much like a “princess rehab” to help them realize that they must change their ways or be cut off for good. By undergoing plastic surgery procedures at such a young age, they can become addicted and reach a point when they no longer look younger, but disfigured. The media’s pressure to look perfect leads young women, like Houston’s Erica Rose, to undergo breast augmentation, liposuction, and/or tummy tuck surgery. However, most of these procedures may be better suited for women who are slightly older and no longer considering having children.

If you are interested in plastic surgery, it is best to consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. In Houston, David R. Luethcke, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs various face, breasts, and body enhancing procedures. Prospective patients can learn more regarding their procedure on his website.

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Recent findings in a report in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal states that more than 40% of cosmetic surgery patients take some form of herbal supplement in the 2 weeks leading up to their operation.

Many supplements can aid recovery, but experts are concerned that others can be harmful around the time of surgery and may also interact with conventional post-operation medicines.

These include some of the most popular supplements, typically used to boost the immune system, such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic and echinacea.

Dr. Alan Gold, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), said that despite the well-documented side-effects of some herbal supplements, “many patients do not fully appreciate the importance of discontinuing these treatments before surgery”.

Dr. Gold also added: “Stopping certain herbal supplements prior to surgery is just as critical as stopping aspirin, ibuprofen and many other common drugs.”

When undergoing any elective surgery, the most serious and potentially dangerous effects of alternative medicines and herbal supplements occur during the operative and in the immediate postoperative periods.

“In considering the dizzying array of supplements available, the main concerns of the plastic surgeon are interaction with other medications, cardiovascular effects, alteration of coagulation [bleeding] and sedative effects,” adds David J. Rowe, M.D., author and Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center, in Lyndhurst, OH.

This situation is not unique to North American pateints either. The advice may be relevant to a significant number of British people as well, as several plastic surgery clinics recently told British newspaper, the Mirror, that there is likely to be as much as a 26% increase in the number of women undergoing breast enlargement surgery in April compared to March.

Herbal Medications to Avoid Within 2 Weeks of Plastic Surgery:

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In our continuing efforts to bring our readers the most information on a wide variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, we’re taking this opportunity to answer some common cosmetic surgery FAQs! In this and future Frequently Asked Questions posts, we’ll take a look at one or two of the most commonly asked questions regarding a given procedure and share our wealth of knowledge with you, our readers and potential patients.

Q. What is breast augmentation?

A. Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of a woman’s breasts. The procedure can be done in a variety of ways, however, the most common method uses either silicone gel or saline (salt water) breast implants. The result of breast enlargement surgery is an enhanced figure, and a potentially heightened sense of self-confidence.

Breast augmentation is a procedure that has definitely evolved drastically, since its inception. Many years ago, the earliest breast enhancements consisted of women getting silicone injected directly into their breasts. But not long after the injections, the silicone would move and distort the breast augmentation. Some enterprising people (not necessarily physicians) found that if they put certain chemical impurities into the silicone, the material would stay in place. Unfortunately, these impurities caused infections and problems for many patients. Soon after, plastic surgeons improved the technique by putting silicone into a thin containment device and the modern day field of breast augmentation was born.

Q. What actually happens during the breast augmentation procedure? Is there multiple ways to do the surgery?

A. As with all things in life, there is always more than one way to do something. The basic breast enhancement procedure involves making an incision in and around the breast, creating a tunnel under the skin or muscle and putting an implant in that tunnel.

Here is where it gets a little interesting. Different surgeons advocate making incisions in different areas: under the arm, in the belly button, around the nipple or underneath the breast. Each method has its advantages and a disadvantages. Typically, the best procedure for you is what your doctor says it is. Each surgeon has his own preference and his own comfort level with different techniques. However, it is also important to address your own comfort level and personal needs, as well.

Our suggestion is this: Pick a plastic surgeon that offers multiple options for your procedure so that you get the one that’s best for you. If your surgeon offers only one way to do your procedure, you may not be getting the best possible solution for what bothers you. Ultimately, your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with both a variety of options and an objective opinion on what will be the best method for you

As always, get several opinions before undergoing any sort of cosmetic surgery.

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Despite being historically seen as a luxury, reserved for the wealthy, it doesn’t take a board certified plastic surgeon to tell you that appearances matter in our society. The emphasis on this popular notion, however, is being challenged by the economic restrictions many of us are now facing, during the recession.

The idea of foregoing cosmetic enhancement is starting to show, across the board, in the field. Recent national and regional surveys by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows a 62% decrease in overall cosmetic procedures of all kinds, since 2007. Invasive surgical procedures have shown a 44-64% drop, depending on the procedure, while 73% of ASPS-surveyed surgeons have shown an increased or stable demand for minimally or non-invasive procedures.

A fair amount of surgeons expressed cautious optimism amidst the downturn in business, noting that while business is definitely slowing down, the expectations are that it won’t be a permanent change in the field. Many surgeons are advocating that patients focus on only one aspect of their appearance to improve and then return when they are financially capable.

“Instead of getting their whole face addressed maybe they’ll narrow it down to the eyes or their lips”, says St. Louis plastic surgeon, Dr. Bruce White, M.D.

While some surgeons and practices opt to push less obtrusive procedures like Botox or fat grafting in lieu of procedures like a facelift and body contouring, others are taking a different approach to keep their business booming. Dr. White’s practice, for example offers 10-15% discounts for first time patients.

Says ASPS president, Richard D’Amico, M.D., “It is very clear the economy is affecting the demand for surgical cosmetic procedures. We are hearing that from consumers and plastic surgeons. And while ASPS Member Surgeons are feeling the impact of the economy, we anticipate the historic bounce when patients return as the economy improves.”

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