While numerous studies have been done on plastic surgery trends and future outlook, following are my forecast

1. Gastric Bypass Surgery Patients : With increase in gastric bypass surgeries, liposuction surgery may become quite mainstream and a standard post op measure.

2. While Rhinoplasty is still the number one face surgery option, chin implants are fast catching up, especially for men.

3. With time, more and more obese baby boomers will have to take recourse to plastic surgery. Los Angeles plastic surgery trends show a large number of baby boomers seeking the services.

4. More injectables – continuing an exciting trend which began with Botox.
Desire to remain young forever as strong as ever, more so in markets like New York and Los Angeles cosmetic surgery will be in vogue for a long time.

5. Lap Band is becoming a popular surgery option. Other variations include Gastric Band or Realize Band.

6. Los Angeles Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck Los Angeles are still the most popular plastic surgery related searches.

7. The stigma of plastic surgery is now almost nonexistent : Conservative societies like Asians and Hispanics are joining Caucasians and African Americans in embracing plastic surgery.

8. With huge increase in Medical Insurance costs, the fact that Plastic Surgery is not covered by insurance and has to be paid upfront (or via financing) is actually being welcomed by several consumers.

9. With all the hoopla about stem cell research, maybe harvesting cells from liposuction fat can be an option.

10. As all good things inevitably, it is a matter of time when politicians will start taxing elective cosmetic surgery a lot, and then we will have offshore plastic surgery outsourcing.

Till then, happy cosmetic surgery folks..

Tags: Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgery, breast augmentation, Los Angeles Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tuck Los Angeles.

Plastic surgery has become increasingly popular over the years. So, why is this and what is motivating people to pursue it?

Over 14 million pursued plastic surgery in 2005. Why? The reasons are different for many people, but a few common ones are consistently sited.

In the past, we were pretty much stuck with what we came into the world with at birth. For many people, this meant living with body aspects that drove them nuts. Bumps on the nose, flat buttocks, pockets of fats that no amount of exercise addressed, small breasts and so on are all areas regularly cites as problems. In the past, these problems often were categorized as an issue of vanity, but wrongly so. Such perceived defects lead to problems with confidence, and confidence is a key to success in business and personal relationships.

In many ways, people get plastic surgery to boost their confidence in themselves. Regardless of what others think, a person can nearly be disabled by their physical performance. Research on exercise and diet regimens has shown that individuals that improve their physical appearance are much more confident and happy. It is a simple fact. If you were born with a hawk nose or some other issue, there simply is not any way to exercise it in to shape. So, should you be forced to live your entire life with something that bothers you? Of course, not. If enhancing your look makes you feel better, who is anyone else to judge you?

An additional reason people get plastic surgery involves the never ending fight with time. We age every single day, and our body shows it. As people age, they feel compelled to fight against the effects, an impulse that has existed throughout history. The simple fact is the world is a dog eat dog world, and personal image is part of the competition. It is a well settled fact that more attractive people do better. This is particularly true in the business world, and is reflected by the fact that more men are pursuing plastic surgery than ever before. In modern society, you are expected to live longer and work longer. Plastic surgery provides an option for remaining competitive on the all important image stand point.

Finally, some people pursue plastic surgery as a remedy to an unfortunate problem. Plastic surgery is undertaken after mastectomies for instance. Body abnormalities resulting from birth defects or trauma are also an area plastic surgery provides an answer for. Surely, nobody could object to such personal enhancements!

What is the motivation to get plastic surgery? Watch one of the reality shows in which plastic surgery plays a part. You will see the answer at the end of each show.

Tags: abnormal, confidence, Cosmetic, motivation, Plastic Surgery, reality shows, reconstructive

Not everyone looks forward to any surgical procedure. In fact, even the most enthusiastic person about getting the best results from any procedure certainly feels uneasy and is concerned about the whole thing.

What if the scars won’t fade? What if I don’t heal that fast? Would I be getting good results out of this? Is this worth it all?

There are a lot more concerns of course. The list could go on, but they would only show one thing: going through surgery, no matter how amazing the consequences would be, is not easy especially if the focus shift on to the fearsome world of wounds, scars, and results.

Fortunately, a lot of these worries can be eliminated now that platelet gels have come into existence. Platelet gels, also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has been known to improve the healing of surgical wounds, which in turn minimizes infection, swelling, pain, bruising, and scarring. PRP does all this while hastening the closure of the wound and improving incision lines.

Platelet-Rich Plasma is derived from the patient’s own blood. At the time of surgery, the plastic surgeon draws approximately 50 cc of the patient’s blood and he places that in a specialized centrifuge that spins and automatically separates the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma is further centrifuged to concentrate the autologous platelets and the patient’s natural growth factors. The plastic surgeon can now use it as needed in the surgical procedure.

PRP is 100% biocompatible and safe as it poses no infectious risks to patients due to the fact that it came from the patient’s own plasma.

The issue behind faster wound healing is largely attributed to the role platelets play in the whole process. Platelets provide initial homeostasis and release mediators to help modulate the inflammatory response. Growth factors, which are found in platelets, are proteins that aid in tissue or wound repair, which starts during clot formation. This way, patients undergoing plastic surgery like rhinoplasty, will be assured that the procedure won’t scar them for life, thanks to this amazing technique.

Tracing its roots, Platelet-Rich Plasma was introduced in the oral and maxilofacial surgery years ago. A preliminary study concerning the use of PRP has shown that the injury of the alveoloplasty healed more quickly in the patients in which plasma enriched gel was employed. Patients experienced less pain and edema in the postoperative period. Hence, the same study recommends Platelet Rich Plasma as a valid protocol for the reconstruction in patients with congenital alveolar clefts.

With PRP’s excellence in speeding up the healing process, it is of no surprise that plastic surgeons are using it for their surgical operations. Besides, PRP is the only available product that contains elevated levels of natural occurring growth factors. That makes it the only solid and rational choice.

Individuals seeking help in improving their looks without the terror of scars can now fully place their confidence in the plastic surgery field. The methods are generally gearing towards giving patients the best results possible, while minimizing, if not eliminating the discomfort and hassle normally associated with the procedure.

Tags: Plastic Surgery, Platelet Gels

Plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery are bandied about so much people often confuse them. While both involve the improvement of your appearance, there are distinct differences.

Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Surgery

Both plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery are designed to improve the appearance of a person. This can be done through lifts, tucks, reshaping and so on. The correct usage of the terms, however, is dependent upon the underlying reason for the surgical procedure.

Plastic surgery is an elective surgery. In its most basic form, plastic surgery takes a normal part of the body and improves it in a manner desired by the patient. Common plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, breast enhancement or reduction, nose reshaping, reshaping of the abdomen and the well-known facelift. All of these surgeries are based purely on a voluntary desire to improve one’s appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is often elective, but can also be medically necessary. Reconstructive surgery differs from plastic surgery in one significant way. It is focused on making improvements to a damaged or abnormal part of the body. For example, a person may suffer damage from trauma or disease that leaves a part of the body looking abnormal and functionally deficient, such as breaking facial bones in an automobile accident. Reconstructive surgery will be undertaken to repair the facial structure so that it both performs and appears normally. While appearance is important, most reconstructive surgery focuses on functionality first.

The differences between plastic and reconstructive surgery often blur. Breast enhancement or reduction surgery is a form of plastic surgery. Repairing breasts after the all too common complications of breast cancer is considered reconstructive surgery. Repairing the septum of the nose is considered reconstructive surgery, but simply reshaping the nose is considered plastic surgery. This blurred line is repeated in other areas as well.

Ultimately, the dividing line between reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery is mostly an academic debate or vary obvious given specific circumstances. Regardless, it is important to understand that there is a distinction.

Tags: Beauty, Breast Enhancement, Liposuction, Plastic Surgery, reconstructive, tummy tuck

One of the inevitable issues you will face when considering plastic surgery is the cost. In this article, we talk about the sticker shock of plastic surgery for specific procedures.

Plastic Surgery Sticker Shock

It goes without saying that discussing the “average” of anything is potentially a dangerous task to undertake. In our capitalist economy, prices are dependent on a variety of factors including location, qualification of the plastic surgeon, the number of surgeons in the area and so on.

Given this risk, it is important to understand that the following listings regarding the prices of plastic surgery procedures are to be used as a guideline only. Plastic surgeons in your area may charge exactly these prices, a bit more or a bit less. These numbers will give you a range to consider, but comparing costs quoted by the plastic surgeons you evaluate in your area is the only way to determine the going rate in your town or city. With that caveat in mind, following are procedures and the stick shock prices you might expect to find.

Liposuction – $3,000 to $5,000

Breast Augmentation: $3,500 to $8,000

Rhinoplasty: $4,000 to $8,000

Botox: $300 each location

Eyelid Lift: $3,000 to $6,000

Facelift: $7,500 to $15,000

Tummy Tuck: $5,000 to $10,000

Collagen Injections: $400 to $700

The above procedures tend to be the most popular as of the writing of this article. There are variations to each and entirely new procedures are being offered all of the time. In general, the more specific or new the procedure, the more you are going to pay.

Having put forth the above prices, it is important that you understand something very clearly. Plastic surgery will improve your appearance, but it is a medical procedure like any other. Your body will be modified. Just like you would not select a heart surgeon based on their fees, you should not do so with plastic surgeons. If you find a multiple surgeons you are comfortable with, pricing can be a factor. It should never be the primary factor.

Although the above prices may be cause a bit of sticker shock, plastic surgery costs have actually come down significantly over the last 15 years. Imagine what they used to be!

Tags: Botox, breast augmentation, collagen, eyelid lift, facelift, Liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck

One undertakes plastic surgery for the purpose of improving one’s appearance. In evaluating potential plastic surgeons, plastic surgery pictures of previous patients are critical.

Plastic Surgery Pictures

Before rushing off to have plastic surgery, it is vital that you evaluate different surgeons to find the right choice for your treatment. The evaluation process is important, and you shouldn’t give it short shrift. Part of the evaluation process should be a review of pictures of patients the surgeon has worked on.

If a plastic surgeon does not have pictures of past patients, move on to the next one. Every plastic surgeon should have photographs highlighting their work, so red warning lights should go off if the one you are speaking with does not.

Assuming the plastic surgeon has them, you need to understand what you should be looking for in them. Most people use the viewing incorrectly when evaluating the abilities of the surgeon.

When viewing the photographs, you should first look at the obvious. Does the patient have an improved appearance? This may sound odd, but you have to keep in mind an odd appearance may actually be what the patient was after. A particularly pointed nose or excessively large breasts may have been the original goal, so whether you like the changes is something you should apply nominal value to.

More importantly, you should look for photographs of the specific procedure you will undergo. Does the after picture present the appearance you are after? Again, your goals may be different from the previous patient, so discuss what you want with the surgeon while looking at pictures. The process is similar to getting your hair cut in a particular style. The surgeon needs as much information as possible, and pictures are a great way to explain what you like and don’t like.

When viewing the images, you should also focus on whether the results look natural. The best procedures produce results that blend with your natural body. When viewing the photographs, do you see this occurring consistently or do the changes stand out?

Plastic surgery on past patients is an important indicator when it comes to evaluating a plastic surgeon. Use them to get a feel for the plastic surgeon’s work as well as to convey what you are hoping to achieve.

Tags: photographs, photography, picture, pictures, plastic surgeon, Plastic Surgery, procedure

Although the advances in technology makes plastic surgery accessible to loads of people, the cost of certain complex procedures is still on the higher side for some people. Thankfully, plastic surgery financing renders such procedures affordable to those who might otherwise renounce the option of surgery due to high expense. Since cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance schemes, financing is the only way to cut down the cost of certain expensive procedures.

Several financing options are available to patients. Patients may either opt for easy installment schemes offered by the surgeon or may acquire credit from outside sources. However, it is imperative that the patient puts in a diligent effort to conduct preliminary research, in order to find the best possible financing plan. Plastic surgery financing is available irrespective of complexity and length of the procedure. However, the monthly installment may vary, depending on the total cost of the procedure and time required to repay the loan. Moreover, it’s always nice to have a good credit rating, since that aids heavily in acquiring the much needed loan for the surgery.

It might be the case that you won’t have to fish around for a credit source. Most reputed surgeons have liaisons with plastic surgery financing firms, which make the loan application and approval process a cinch. However, it is advisable to explore all possible options for finance, and then opt for the one that has a suitable rate of interest and installment scheme.

It’s true that plastic surgery financing can provide you access to those fabulous cosmetic surgery procedures, which might otherwise seem pricey. But in search for a cheap and affordable option, you must not compromise on the expertise and experience of the surgeon. After all, what would you gain by paying less, if the surgery is an unsuccessful endeavor? Therefore, your primary goal should be to search for an expert surgeon and then look for financing.

Tags: Beauty, chin, Cosmetic Surgery, ears, eyes, forehead, Health, lips, men, nose, Plastic Surgery, surgery, women

Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery can be confusing terms; often used interchangeably they are two distinct disciplines. Plastic surgery is commonly used as a general term for operative or instrumental treatment performed for aesthetic reasons. In reality, plastic surgery is the field which addresses corrective or functional surgeries and procedures. The plastic surgeon is often at work due to the effects of accidents, burns or disease, and has a full surgical residency and strict medical requirements governing their certification.

Cosmetic surgery is a subfield of plastic surgery, and addresses aesthetic or elective procedures in order to enhance features a patient finds unflattering about themselves. Cosmetic surgery is also performed on bodily parts for health purposes, such as breast reductions. The other area of plastic surgery is reconstructive surgery, which takes place when a part of a patient has been damaged in something like an accident or a fire.

In an age where looks are more important than ever before, many people, and especially women, are availing themselves of the many opportunities to have cosmetic procedures on parts they do not like. This cultural reality is reflected in shows such as Extreme Makeover and other hit medical shows that document bodily changes.

More and more, however, people are becoming addicted to cosmetic surgeries. The fact is, that once a person sees how very easy it is to get something they don’t like fixed, the more about themselves they do not like and want remedied. Prime celebrity examples of this include Michael Jackson and Joan Rivers.

Cosmetic surgery should never be undertaken without psychological as well as medical consultation. It is imperative that the patient not undertake the operation lightly, with full knowledge of the hazards and the risks of becoming an addict.

It is also very important for a potential patient to do research on the surgeon that will be performing the procedure. There is a lot of money to be made in the cosmetic surgery industry, and all sorts of frauds and quacks are out to get a piece of action. With most things in life, it is important to remember that cheap prices mean cheap work, there is simply no way around it. Those looking for surgeons must choose wisely, or the results could be even more operations and even greater risks.

Tags: cosmetic surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery, face lift, plastic surgeon, Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is fast becoming acceptable to the society, even by those with conservative standards. While it has long been used for medical purposes only, nowadays, people have turned to the surgical knife to improve their appearance.

Although this medical practice has been around for a while, not many people know that plastic surgery dates back to two millenia ago, in India. It has just caught fire in the 19th and 20th century because surgeries before were definitely not a safe procedure. Perhaps, St. Ignatius of Loyola is one of the first few people who had plastic surgery done purely for aesthetic reasons — his leg was hurt in the war and he did not like his limp, it did not do well with the ladies.

There are two main kinds of plastic surgery: reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic surgery. There is no definite black and white when separating the two types as they generally include techniques from both fields. Reconstructive surgery is usually employed for medical purposes, and some common examples include:

* cleft lip surgery
* breast reconstruction surgery for those who have had mastectomy
* contracture surgery for burn survivors
* sex reassignment surgery

Cosmetic surgery on the other had, is done mostly for aesthetic enhancement.

When one is considering cosmetic surgery, it is best to be extremely careful in choosing a doctor as less than skillful hands can mar the body and self-esteem for life. All types of surgery always include a considerable amount of risk. Remember, cheaper is not necessarily more value, and second, even third opinions are helpful. Listen to receommendations of friends and select from the members of a certified and accredited medical organization such as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, which must be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. There are actually other laypersons who have created their own credible-sounding organization to lure in unsuspecting patients. Make sure you pick on a plastic surgeon with appropriate credentials. Take a look at their portfolio of patients, their before and after pictures to get a grasp of what you’re getting into. Don’t be afraid to communicate with the surgeon in order to avoid any miscommunication or mistakes.
Different types of cosmetic surgery include:

* Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
* Liposuction
* Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections
* Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
* Mastoplexy (breast lift)
* Nose job (rhinoplasty)
* Cheek augmentation
* Chin augmentation
* Breast reduction/enlargement (augmentation mammaplasty)
* Buttock augmentation

There are some people who actually become addicted to cosmetic surgery. These people are diagnosed with a body dysmorphic disorder, which involves having a disturbed body image. People who have these are extremely critical of their appearance, causing them to have repeated cosmetic surgeries, which in turn can cause irreparable damage to their human body structure. This disease can affect one in 50 people.

Cosmetic surgery can cause people to have a “rejuvenated” self-image although it is necessary to take caution and not go overboard with too many procedures. It can turn into an ugly, costly, and irreversible addiction.

If one is interested in having their physical appearance augmented, one must consider the following seriously:

* The surgeon. Choose one with the necessary qualifications and ask around if necessary. Rely on your gut feeling. You shouldn’t have to feel suspicious about anything.
* The procedure. Do your research so you know what you’re getting into.

Remember, it’s never too late to back out of what you don’t feel comfortable doing, lest you’re surgically inducing your way to a permanent mistake.

Tags: Beauty, Health Fitness, Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery, as the name suggests, is performed for aesthetic reasons. Although certain medical conditions might suggest the need for reconstructive plastic surgery, aesthetic plastic surgery is primarily carried out to alter and beautify features that the patient finds unappealing. While some people go in for aesthetic surgery to defy the signs of aging, others do so as they crave for a celebrity look.

Cosmetic surgery appears to be the most prevalent modern way of personal enhancement. Evidence of this lies in the fact that millions of aesthetic surgery procedures are performed worldwide on an annual basis. And the inherent risks hardly boggle a prospective patient, since the desire to improve appearance is rather unyielding.

Aesthetic surgery, like any other surgical procedure, has possible risks and complications. These may include, but are not limited to, infection, blood clots, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. However, such complications are a rarity, and can be further eliminated if the procedure is performed by an expert aesthetic plastic surgeon. Moreover, it is imperative that the patient heeds to the advice of the surgeon, on both pre-operative and post-operative care.

As increasing numbers of people line up for aesthetic surgery, a debate rages whether the procedure is worthy enough of the risks involved. People that hold a dissenting opinion argue that meddling with the natural aspects of beauty is not appropriate and, moreover, opting for a risky surgical procedure for mere beautification purposes is not justifiable. However, aesthetic plastic surgery continues to grow in popularity, as people seek to erase signs of aging, rare blemishes on skin, and beautify features that they find unattractive.

As long as the aesthetics govern our choices in a plethora of ways, the popularity of cosmetic surgery will never die down. With much safer and constantly emerging advanced technology equipment at cosmetic surgeons’ disposal, there is no looking back for aesthetic surgery.

Tags: Beauty, chin, Cosmetic Surgery, ears, eyes, forehead, Health, lips, men, nose, Plastic Surgery, surgery, women