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2012 to See Rise in Non-Invasive Body Contouring Surgery

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Briana

According to the latest statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), $10.1 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. in 2010. Eighty-eight percent of this figure went specifically towards non-invasive cosmetic procedures that did not require actual surgery.

Popular procedures such as Botox, Dysport and Restylane accounted for a large percentage of these non-invasive cosmetic procedures; however, some experts feel that newer non-invasive treatments will rule the market in 2012.

Specifically, non-invasive body contouring is likely to see a spike in the upcoming year. The demand for non-invasive body contouring procedures such as Zerona, a laser body slimming procedure, or VelaSmooth, an anti-cellulite procedure that utilizes light, sound and massage to increase elasticity of the skin, continue to see a grown in popularity.

There are numerous advantages to non-invasive cosmetic surgery and patients are taking note. In general, non-invasive cosmetic procedures provide instantaneous results and are relatively pain-free when compared to their surgical counterparts. They can be performed in as little as an hour and the recovery process is minimal.

Cost effectiveness is also a huge issue for individuals seeking out cosmetic enhancements. When it comes to non-invasive cosmetic procedures, patients often feel as though they are getting more “bang for their buck” because many treatments are in general far less expensive, and can be spread out over time to optimize results.

As the market for non-invasive cosmetic enhancement continues to grow and more procedures become available in the U.S., experts expect to see greater flexibility in the creation of patient-centered treatment plans, which will ultimately yield enhanced end results for patients.

Learn more about body contouring in The Woodlands.

Source: Healthcare Global

Posted in Body Contouring, Non-Invasive | Tagged body contouring procedures, body contouring the woodlands, non-invasive body contouring | Leave a comment

Trend Alert: Butt Augmentation

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Briana

Larger, rounder backsides have become a hot new trend in plastic surgery.

Curvaceous beauties such as Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé have graced the covers of countless magazines in the past couple years, so it should be no surprise that the plastic surgery industry has witnessed an influx of butt augmentations.

According to statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgery (APAS), more than $31 million was spent in the U.S. alone on buttock augmentation surgeries in 2010, a whopping 40 percent increase from 2009.

Dr. Jeffrey Roth, a Las Vegas based board certified plastic surgeon, says the increase in curvy role models has affected his practice. Requests for liposuction are down, while buttock augmentations are up.

Unfortunately for those seeking an ample backside, the criteria for an ideal patient is more stringent than it is for those seeking liposuction. First and foremost, patients must be nonsmoking and in good health. Secondly, maximum results can only be achieved if a patient possesses a very small backside to begin with.

“Some of them have a big enough butt already,” Roth says. “They just want a really big butt.”

Even if you are an ideal candidate for butt augmentation, it’s extremely important to weight the risks with the benefits according California based plastic surgeon Dr. Marcel Daniels.

“Be careful what you wish for,” he says. “People need to be educated and understand these are not perfect procedures.”

There are currently two accepted ways to perform butt augmentations. Patients can either elect to use an implant or they can choose to have fat deposits from other parts of their body injected into their backside. Both procedures can be unpredictable, but if performed correctly, they do not pose higher risks compared with other plastic surgeries.

Society’s obsession with large backsides doesn’t appear to be fading anytime soon. If you’re considering surgery, make sure you’re well educated on the topic and that you choose a board certified plastic surgeon for the procedure.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

Posted in Buttock Augmentation, Uncategorized | Tagged butt augmentation, butt lift, buttock augmentation, rise in butt augmentation | Leave a comment

Researchers Discover New Breast Reconstruction Surgical Technique

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Briana

Published in the current issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a new study explores a cutting-edge technique that may offer breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy an effective breast reconstruction alternative.

Typically, breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy are not ideal candidates for implant-based breast reconstruction. Radiation therapy significantly damages underlying tissues at a microscopic level. As a result, radiation therapy treatments can negatively affect the outcome of reconstruction and increase the risk of long-term complications following surgery. For years this has left radiation therapy recipients with very limited reconstruction options.

The study, led by researcher Dr. Salgarello Marzja and colleagues of University Hospital in Rome followed 16 breast cancer patients who underwent both breast surgery and radiation therapy over the course of three years. Of the 16 patients, 11 had mastectomies, while the remaining five underwent lumpectomies or other breast conserving surgical techniques.

The reconstruction technique utilized combined fat grafting and breast implants. The fat grafts were obtained via liposuction from another part of the patient’s body. The fat was then injected into the breast area to provide a ‘bed’ of healthy tissue for implant placement.

Treatment did not begin until three to six months following radiation therapy. Patients received two or three fat graft injections prior to undergoing implant reconstruction. The final surgical reconstruction was performed only after the affected area presented no further signs of radiation toxicity.

Following surgery, 94 percent of patients were very satisfied with the overall aesthetic appearance of their reconstructed breasts. Researchers also noted that there were no complications and all patients experienced good healing of the tissues surrounding the implant.

Radiation therapy is quickly becoming the standard of care for high-risk breast cancer patients and researchers anticipate a much greater need for reconstructive alternatives in the near future. Thus, larger follow-up studies are needed confirm the positive results of this study.

Learn more about breast reconstruction in The Woodlands.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Posted in Breast Surgeon, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon | Tagged breast reconstruction after mastectomy, breast reconstruction after radiation therapy, breast reconstruction the woodlands, breast surgery houston | Leave a comment

Improve Appearance and Vision Quality with Eyelid Surgery

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Briana

First impressions can be deceiving, especially for individuals with drooping or hooded eyelids. Excess skin around the eyelids can make the eyes look tired or angry. Significant sagging around the eyelids can also interfere with vision. Just ask Donna McLean, who recently underwent eyelid surgery, also referred to as blepharoplasty, to combat the uncomfortable effects of her hooded eyelids.

‘The skin under my brow-bone drooped so much you couldn’t see the crease on my eyelid,’ she says. ‘My lids felt heavy, which was tiring, and I could actually feel the skin of my upper eyelid lying against my lashes. It gave me headaches. It also looked as if I was permanently scowling, and I hated that my children always thought I looked cross.’

According to Dr. Kremer, McLean’s plastic surgeon, this problem is surprisingly common. “Almost everyone will develop hooded eyes to a certain degree, and of the women with early hooding, about 70 percent with go on to experience some level of vision disturbance.”

While there are several surgical techniques that can be utilized to remove excess skin around the eyelids, Dr. Kremer choose to perform a new procedure, often referred to as the Turn Back Time or TBT lift. The TBT lift is a minimally invasive procedure that takes around 45 minutes to perform under local anesthetic.

According to Dr. Kremer, the TBT lift does not cut as deeply into the membrane beneath the brow-bone as traditional eyelid surgery which ultimately preserves fat and strengthens the membrane over time. The procedure begins through the removal of excess skin from both eyelids to reveal the orbital muscle. “I don’t cut this, but carefully part the fibers until I can see the white membrane,” says Dr. Kremer.

“Starting near the nose, I use a running stitch along the membrane, then pull it tight. This instantly makes the membrane more dense and pulls back the fat. I then pull the cut edges of the eyelid together, and close the wound with very fine stitches.”
Bruising and swelling from the TBT lift are minimal and patients can expect to return to work within four to five days. Immediate results are noticeable; however, it does take four to six weeks before the final results are visible.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, this surgery may not be ideal for all patients, but in McLean’s case, the procedure was a success. “I still look like me, only better. The difference in my vision is vast. I look much less unhappy, angry and tired, and younger too. But it’s subtle and natural.”

Learn more about eyelid surgery in The Woodlands.

Source: Daily Mail