Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Thursday, December 10th, 2009
plastic
Awinita Smith asked:


If you need to make a change to improve your personality, look and your confidence, there is an answer: Cosmetic plastic surgery.

But you find yourself wondering, “What is plastic surgery?” By definition plastic surgery is any surgical procedure that deals with the reconstruction or improvement of a body part to enhance the shape and appearance of that part of the body.

Whether you are considering facial plastic surgery, breast augmentation, breast reduction or rhinoplasty it is important to make sure that you completely understand the intricacies of the procedure you are interested in before you make your decision. It is important to remember that although plastic surgery usually has more to do with your appearance than function of your body, it is still major surgery and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The great thing about plastic surgery is that benefits can be both physical and emotional, both external and internal.

The effect of plastic surgery depends on the person and the procedure. Most plastic surgery requires that the patient be given general anesthetic so most people wake up after surgery feeling groggy and or nauseous. Some people wake up in pain and others have sore throats and are extremely thirsty, it varies. Usually it takes two or three hours to recover from the effects of anesthetic.

The risks of plastic surgery will differ depending on the individual and the procedure they opt for.

Scarring is one of the most common risks that people considering plastic surgery should be aware of. Most surgeons will try to hide incision lines in places where they aren’t noticeable, like under the crease of the breast in breast augmentation plastic surgery and in the hairline in facial plastic surgery, but most surgeries will still result in permanent scarring.

Bleeding, infection and hematomas are possible after surgery, but if these complications are caught early on they can usually be treated.

Before you undergo plastic surgery it is important to have blood tests and a physical done to ensure that you are a good candidate for surgery. In addition you should make sure to look into the procedure you are considering and learn about the risks involved so that you can be as prepared inside and out for your transformation.



Diane Hood

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
plastic
Awinita Smith asked:


Now days everyone likes to seem beautiful. Looking healthy young and beautiful is the most important thing in day to day life. You may be upset that you are having some problems in your physical structure or you are fat or your nose shape is not too good. For that purpose cosmetic and plastic surgery is now available which helps us to remove any physical disorders. Cosmetic and plastic surgery really help you to improve your lifestyle.

Cosmetic surgery is used to redefine your looks. If you do not like a facial or body feature that you have, you may use cosmetic surgery to change that specific area.

It is also useful in reducing lines or wrinkles on your face.

Plastic Surgery mainly focuses on reconstruction. If you have a birth defect, injury, disease that has caused a change in your features, plastic surgery is a very useful treatment on these problems.

Cosmetic or plastic surgery is performed by a doctor who has undergone specialized training in either plastic or cosmetic surgery. While choosing a doctor always makes sure that they have been certified by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS).

Cosmetic surgery is categorized into two types one that add something to the body and another that take something away. Many people are unhappy with their body size and shape of parts of their bodies, so they would like to either reduce or increase the size of body.

Some of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery, however, involve adding volume to areas of the body. One of these is seen in collagen injections, which plump up the lips. But, the biggest of the addition surgeries is breast augmentation. With this surgery, implants (usually made of saline) are inserted into a woman’s breasts in order to enlarge her cup size.

Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures are as follows

Rhinoplasty:-The medical term given to plastic surgery to redesign your nose.

Breast Augmentation:-A surgical technique to increase the size and shape of a woman’s breast.

Liposuction:-An efficient technique of changing the body’s shape and size.

Facelift:-Takes care of these problems by tightening and firming the facial skin as well as the neck muscles in one step.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty):- It’s a surgical technique where the surgeon sheds out the extra fat, muscle, skin from either or both the upper and the lower eye lid to redesign the shape the eye.

Don’t think in negative way; always be positive that cosmetic or plastic surgery would really help you.



Arielle Howell

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
plastic
Keion Moradi asked:


It wasn’t that long ago, when the world was exposed to cautionary tales about the death-related dangers of liposuction surgery. Society was also further dissuaded by the look of windblown face lifts and leaking silicone implants, leading to the belief that it is better to grow old gracefully. As if shocking stories weren’t repelling enough, the price for most cosmetic plastic surgery procedures kept most people at an economic distance.

However, in recent years, the field of cosmetic plastic surgery has accumulated a wealth of new patients. The stigma from the past is better left in the past. However, what has changed?

Medical Advancement and the Growing popularity of Plastic Surgery

The field of cosmetic surgery has developed a variety of treatment options, attracting people from all walks of life. Essentially, plastic surgery is much safer, more refined, less invasive and more accessible. Treatments are highly individualized for patients to achieve desired results.

As a result of safer procedures, patients can elect to combine treatments, thereby reducing recovery time. For example, a patient can undergo facial plastic surgery, along with a neck lift or forehead lift. Results are also more natural.

The Growing Popularity of Plastic Surgery: Convenience of the Outpatient Facility

Many plastic surgery procedures can now be performed in an outpatient facility. The growing number of outpatient facilities not only creates more options, but appeals to comfort. With the variety of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures available, patients can fore go the hospital stay and look forward to a condensed recovery period at home. By avoiding the traditional hospital setting, many cosmetic procedures are also much more affordable.

The Growing Popularity of Plastic Surgery: Non-Invasive Procedures

Numerous non-invasive cosmetic treatments appeal to accessibility for all. A long list of dermal fillers and injectables are currently available to treat wrinkles, fine lines and return a supple glow to the skin. Injectables are effective and fairly inexpensive. Most injectable treatments take about 15 minutes.

Skin resurfacing techniques are another popular non-invasive alternative to surgery. Dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser treatments can be used to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage and scars. The cost for skin resurfacing varies, with some available for under $200.

The Role of the Baby Boomer Generation and the Rise of Plastic Surgery

A common theory that contributes to why plastic surgery has grown in popularity recently involves the aging baby boomer generation. This particular generation has been exposed to the idea of plastic surgery since childhood. Baby boomers are also an active group of people. They may want appearance to match lifestyle.

The Growing Popularity of Plastic Surgery in the Workplace

Pressure in the workplace may be another source of motivation for why plastic surgery has grown in popularity. Generally, the younger employee exudes and air of youthful confidence and drive. The older employee is associated with being jaded and worn out. These stereotypes are entirely unfair, but also an unfortunate aspect of what shapes our perception.

The Growing Popularity of Plastic Surgery: Dating and Relationships

Divorce is on the rise. People get married, divorced and remarried. The relationships of contemporary society involve an entirely different dynamic. Dating is now common for all ages. In the world of dating, appearance is often linked to confidence. Many people choose plastic surgery as a means for restoring confidence.



Anissa Elliott

Sunday, November 29th, 2009
plastic
Monica Keller asked:


Although the majority of people use the terms “cosmetic surgery” and “plastic surgery” interchangeably, they refer to very different techniques, procedures and practices.

Cosmetic surgery normally refers to procedures that are used to improve or change the appearance of a nose, eyes, eyebrows or other facial features, including the teeth (cosmetic dentistry). It is always an elective surgery since it is not medically indicated for improving a patient’s physical well-being.

The motivation for much cosmetic surgery is often self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery can help people remove or change a certain physical feature that, as a result, makes them happier with their appearance and enhances their self-confidence, as well.

On the other hand, plastic (or “reconstructive”) surgery may involve the removal of cancerous tissues, or the process of moving or adapting other tissue. Rather than being merely for appearance, as in cosmetic surgery, the goal of plastic surgery is to restore form and function to the affected areas.

Plastic surgery does overlap at times with cosmetic surgery, especially regarding the restoration of normal appearance after massively invasive operations like mastectomies (breast removal). A portion of this particular procedure is plastic surgery, a portion can be considered cosmetic surgery, and there are methods in place to determine, for insurance purposes, how much of each type is involved.

Most people think plastic surgery is the same as cosmetic surgery because of the terminology, but the fact is that plastic surgery did not get its name from “plastic,” the material, but from the Greek word “plastikos.” This word basically means “to mold or shape.” This is why plastic surgery addresses such issues as birth defects, trauma victims and crippling, disfiguring disease.

A baby that is born with a cleft palate needs surgery to correct that condition, and this would be considered plastic or reconstructive surgery. Because the cleft palate can be a serious problem and affect quality of life, it is a medically necessary procedure. Medical necessity is also another important distinction between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, which is why plastic surgeries aimed at restoring normal functioning are generally covered by insurance. Cosmetic surgeries are not.

Despite the main purpose of plastic surgery being the restoration of normal form and function, there is a fine line between cosmetic and plastic surgery that is often fuzzy. Sometimes a certain surgery may be needed to restore normal functioning, although it also has an aesthetic component and improves appearance.

Cosmetic surgery is best thought of as surgery that has the goal of improving form, appearance and self-esteem. It is a way of altering the shape of a patient’s body for the purpose of making the patient feel better, more emotionally than physically most of the time. Plastic surgery , on the other hand, helps patients to regain functionality, which has positive effects both emotionally and physically.



Galilea Howard

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
plastic
Kendra Wagner asked:


Plastic surgery can be an excellent way to improve your appearance, increase self-confidence and get a fresh look on life, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t right for everyone. Having plastic surgery is a big decision, and it certainly isn’t a choice that should be taken lightly. In order to decide if cosmetic surgery is right for you, it is important to consider a number of different issues before you decide. Spend some time researching your options, discuss your concerns with a qualified plastic surgeon and consider thee following five factors before you decide to have plastic surgery.

1. Personal Expectations

What do you expect to gain from having plastic surgery? Always remember that surgery is never a quick fix for life’s problems. Going into a procedure with the belief that it will dramatically change your life can lead to disappointment, frustration and even depression. Your goal should be to have realistic expectations about what plastic surgery will truly accomplish. Whether your trying to look younger or fix perceived flaws, never assume that simply having surgery is the “magic bullet” that will solve your problems.

2. Physical and Emotional Health

Before any type of plastic surgery, your overall health status will be thoroughly assessed. In addition to your physical health, you doctor will also consider your psychological and emotional well being. Individuals suffering from depression or other mental illnesses are typically not considered good candidates for plastic surgery. Before you decide to have plastic surgery, think about your own physical and emotional health. Are you generally healthy? Are you emotionally prepared to deal with the effects of plastic surgery? Discuss both of these important issues with your doctor in order to determine if you are a good candidate for plastic surgery.

3. Cost

The total costs of a plastic surgery procedure just might be the deciding factor for many people. Elective surgery is typically not covered by insurance, which means that you will need to fund the procedure yourself. While there are many different financing options for cosmetic procedures, you need to give serious thought to whether the surgery fits into your budget and your lifestyle.

4. Surgeon Qualifications and Credentials

In order to achieve the best possible results, it is absolutely essential to choose a plastic surgeon that is qualified, skilled and experienced. There are many ways to find a good surgeon, including asking for referrals from area doctors and hospitals. Once you have been referred to particular doctor, check his or her qualifications and credentials with your states medical licensing board. Then, schedule a consultation appointment to discuss your options. As you are talking to the doctor, ask yourself a few key questions. Does the doctor have good patient skills? Do you feel comfortable talking about different procedures with the doctor? Does he or she fully explain the possible risks and benefits of the procedure you are considering? All of these factors can play a major role in your decision, so always take the time to fully consider the qualifications and credentials of each potential surgeon.

5. Recovery Time

The length of time it takes to recover from a particular procedure may also play a large role in your decision to get plastic surgery. Each procedure can vary dramatically. Some procedure require only a few hours of recovery time before you can return to most of your normal activities, while other procedures can requires weeks of recovery time. You need to determine how much of your time you are able to give toward the recovery process. Recovery is an essential part of the plastic surgery process, and failing to follow your doctor’s orders can seriously compromise your final results.



Jaiden Whitley

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
plastic
Michelle Bery asked:


To look at television or read the latest magazines, you would think that plastic nose job surgery is as common as taking your shirts in to be dry cleaned. It almost seems as if everyone is having some sort of plastic surgery these days. And the makeover shows that cover the airways validate this position. When people don’t like something about their faces or their bodies a visit to a plastic surgeon can erase the flaw.

One of the most common procedures – Rhinoplasty, or plastic nose job surgery – can probably attribute its popularity to just how much it changes the look of the face. For someone whose nose has dominated their features for most of their life, plastic nose job surgery can mean a whole new appearance. It can be a powerful experience.

Plastic nose job surgery, however – just like any elective surgeries – should not be entered into lightly. Surgery, of any kind, can be risky so it’s important you’ve accurately weighed the risks against the rewards. Be sure that you’re doing the surgery for the right reasons; to make yourself happy, not someone else. When you’re confident that you want to proceed with plastic nose job surgery then it’s time to find the appropriate doctor.

Plastic surgeons have offices in every city and town across the country. This does not mean that they are all equally skilled or reputable. Do your homework when it comes to the doctor performing your plastic nose job surgery. Get referrals from other medical professionals whom you trust; get recommendations from people who have been through a plastic nose job surgery; and thoroughly check the credentials of each and every doctor you are considering. Never make a decision about plastic nose job surgery based on cost alone. Having paid an inexpensive price for surgery will mean little if you have problems afterwards.

Once you’ve found the plastic surgeon that has the experience, the reputation, and, most importantly, makes you feel comfortable and well-informed, you will have several pre-surgical consultations. At this time, the surgeon will assess your nose and you will make a determination together about how you want to proceed. Plastic nose job surgery should bring you the results you and your doctor envisioned together.

Once your plastic nose job surgery is complete you will have some recovery time; swelling, bruising, and some bleeding are not uncommon. Be sure to implicitly follow the instructions from your surgeon’s office regarding activity levels following surgery. You may feel great a couple of days later but that doesn’t mean you should be running marathons. Premature activity will only serve to complicate your healing.

With the proper amount of research and a reputable, skilled surgeon, you will finally have the nose you should have been born with – through plastic nose job surgery.



Levi York

Sunday, November 8th, 2009
plastic
Kyle Spector asked:


Once you have decided that you want to pursue plastic surgery, the next step is to find the best plastic surgeon in your area. While some people travel long distances to undergo plastic surgery at the hands of national or international specialists, this option isn’t financially feasible for most plastic surgery patients. Moreover, it’s likely that some of the best plastic surgeons are located near you already. When deciding on a plastic surgeon, it’s important to consider a number of factors. Most of all, however, you should be comfortable with your surgeon and his or her staff. You should be able to ask questions and get straight answers.

Ensure that the Plastic Surgeon has the Proper Credentials

The best plastic surgeons will usually be board certified in their specialty. A board certification means that your doctor underwent additional training and testing in a particular procedure.

You can also ask your doctor about what kind of what professional memberships he or she is a part of and certifications he or she has. You should also be sure to see your physician’s medical license, which will ensure that he or she is licensed to perform surgery in your state.

Find out the Plastic Surgeon’s Medical Experience and Training

It is important to find out what kind of experience your surgeon has performing the procedure that you want. You should ask about their medical experience with that particular procedure. You can also ask how many times the doctor has performed the procedure that interests you.

Ask Your Friends about Their Plastic Surgeons

One of the best ways to get information about a plastic surgeon is by asking friends who have had plastic surgery about their experiences. However, experiences will differ depending on the type of procedure you are getting. So, if your friend had a facelift, but you are going in for rhinoplasty, his or her recommendation might not be as helpful.

Get a Second Opinion from a Second Plastic Surgeon

Getting a second opinion about any surgery is a good idea. There are multiple ways of doing almost every cosmetic procedure, so consulting with a second plastic surgeon is a great way to find out how your plastic surgeon’s plan for your procedure matches up to common practices. If your surgeon takes offense to you getting a second opinion, it might be time to pick a new surgeon.

Check out Before-and-After Photographs and Where the Surgery Will Be Performed

Surgery can be performed in different places, which includes hospitals, surgical centers or in the surgeon’s office. The Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) should accredit the surgical facilities. This will ensure that the surgical facility meets certain minimum standards.



Leonel Rich

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
plastic
Michael Clark asked:


Have you every thought about having plastic surgery done? Do you have parts of your body that are drooping or sagging a little more than you would like? Or, are you happy with your body, but would like to improve it just a little bit? Many people ask themselves these questions every day, and many people decide that Beverly Hills plastic surgery can help them achieve their bodily goals.

I think that whenever someone thinks about plastic surgery they almost automatically think of Beverly Hills and some movie star to rock star that invariably has undergone Beverly Hills plastic surgery. Of course, there is a reason why so many actors, actresses, and other very rich people decide to go to Beverly Hills to have their plastic surgery done by some of the best doctors are located there. Just taking a walk down Rodeo drive you will see many different people who have undergone plastic surgery, most with desirable results.

However, you want to make sure you pick the right doctor to perform your surgery. Nothing would be worse than paying so much money for a face lift, and then look like your face was being blown by a 100 mile per hour wind every second of the day. Many people are afraid of this windswept look and avoid even thinking about plastic surgery because of this fear. I personally do not want to look like a plastic person, and most other people don’t want to either. They want there body/face to look as naturally beautiful as possible. This can be accomplished with many modern-day techniques, but the doctor performing the surgery needs to be very good at what they do.

This is one reason why it is so important to pick the right doctor, and another reason why so many people look for plastic surgeons in the Beverly Hills area. Beverly Hills has so many plastic surgeons to choose from, and many of them are world-renown in the most modern-day techniques of plastic surgery.

Will Beverly Hills plastic surgery cost more? I would say that the answer to that question is yes, it probably will. But is that necessarily a bad thing? If you are taking your baby daughter to the doctor for surgery, are you going to call 20 different doctors and go to the one who is the cheapest? Of course not, you are going to find the doctor who is the most skilled and has the most experience in what they do.

If you go the cheapest doctor he or she may not provide your daughter with the care she needs. I would argue that while plastic surgery is not as important as your daughters health, it still is a very important decision, and the surgery needs to be done by a physician you feel comfortable with and who will do a great, just a good, job. You will find doctors of the utmost skill and who have some of the best and the most experience in the plastic surgery industry. Be sure to do your research all of your options, and remember that a great place to look is in Beverly Hills.



Nikolas Valencia

Sunday, November 1st, 2009
plastic
Robert G. Knechtel asked:


Bad celebrity plastic surgery consistently gets blizzards of media coverage. However, these mishaps are not confined to celebrities. Cosmetic surgical procedures can produce wonderful, sometimes astonishing transformations in appearance, feelings of self worth and self confidence. What the media barrage points up is that plastic surgery gone wrong has no respect for who you are.

If you are contemplating elective plastic surgery, what can you do to elude the polar opposite of a marvelous outcome? Here you’ll see a roadmap to assist you in fulfilling your end of the equation to avoid what sometimes is popularly called “awful plastic surgery”.

1. Ask if your doctor is Board Certified: Be sure that the cosmetic surgeon you select is board certified. The doctor you select choose be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This assures that the physician specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, has received years of cosmetic surgery training, undergone stiff examinations and established the necessary competence in the specialty.

2. Verify that your Doctor specializes in the procedure you’re seeking: A plastic surgeon whose specialty is breast implants may not be the best choice to rearrange your nose.

3. Your expectations should be realistic: While cosmetic surgical procedures can deliver astounding improvements in appearance, the precise aesthetics you desire, in reality, may not be attainable. Scrutinize your motives and be realistic and levelheaded.

4. Determine that your physical and emotional health is good: A complete examination of your past and present physical health, emotional health and motives for wanting plastic surgery should be conducted by your doctor.

5. STOP SMOKING! – if you’re a smoker: Smoking can lead to complications and hinder achieving the desired result.

6. Consult at least one more physician: Too many unqualified fraudsters seek to entice patients in this field. They can sound very convincing. Be wary, and check, at a minimum, that they are a Board Certified plastic surgeon.

7. Get pictures and testimonials: Any doctor who has a good track record will show you pictures of former patients and provide testimonials. It’s a good idea to see if you can speak with prior patients.

8. Be certain you understand the costs of cosmetic surgery: A doctor offering a cut rate may be unqualified. If you are considering leaving the United States for cheaper surgery, bear in mind that many other countries do not adhere to U.S. standards. Do the math, including air fare, hotel, meals, etc.

9. Be aware of the risks of plastic surgery: All surgeries carry risks. Among the risks are infection, anesthesia, reaction to medications, blood clots, respiratory difficulties and death. Plastic surgery is no different.

10. Think twice about having multiple surgical procedures done simultaneously: This poses increased risks, all of which should be discussed with you by your surgeon.

A couple of additional points need to be considered:

Cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and is not covered by most forms of medical insurance. For those on a limited budget, it’s well to think about whether paying for surgery for cosmetic reasons will leave you so financially strapped that the anticipated outcome will fail to outweigh the distress of financial hardship.

This raises the question of having plastic surgery performed in another country. While costs can be substantially reduced in countries like Thailand, Brazil and India, you need to take into account the costs of air fare, hotels, meals, etc. Many seemingly attractive packages are promoted, but, in the final analysis, many people report that the only justifiable rationale for exiting the U.S. is for the sake of anonymity (many celebrities do this) or simply to mix the surgery with a vacation.

Your own common sense, armed with the information you assemble following the steps suggested here, will strengthen your chances of having a wonderful new you and preclude a bad plastic surgery outcome.



Gavin Galloway

Friday, October 9th, 2009
plastic
Dave Stringham asked:


“Board Certified” simply means a physician has been given a Board Certification by an organization called a “Board”. This includes formally recognized entities such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery but may include unrecognized or other entities calling themselves “Boards”. This can create significant confusion with the terms.

“Board Certified in Plastic Surgery” means that a surgeon has been awarded Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Board Certification in Plastic Surgery is awarded only after finishing a formal residency in Plastic Surgery and also passing a rigorous written examination (usually taken 6 or 18 months after completion of all training) and a difficult oral examination which includes cases from a surgeon’s own practice (usually taken at least 18 months following completion of all training).

To be allowed to sit for these exams for the Board of Plastic Surgery, a surgeon must have completed:

1. College (usually 4 years)

2. Medical School (usually 4 years)

3. Internship in General Surgery (1 year)

4. Residency in either General Surgery, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Urology or Neurosurgery (usually 4 to 7 more years)*

5. Additional residency in Plastic Surgery (2 to 3 more years)*

6. Additional fellowships (specializations) may be performed in addition to the above training

*a combined residency of 3 or more years of general surgery plus 3 years of plastic surgery now is also accepted

Board Certification in Plastic Surgery can only be awarded by the The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Board Certification in Plastic Surgery can not be awarded by any other organization, including the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (approved training in plastic surgery in the area of the head and neck only, formal plastic surgery training encouraged but not required), the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (not a recognized Board by the ABMS, no formal plastic surgery fellowship required), or the State Medical Board (grants medical licenses, not board certifications). These organizations do not require formal residency training in plastic surgery.

Taking the time to locate a qualified and competent plastic surgeon can help to ensure that your surgery experience is the best it can be. These surgeons are ready to listen to your needs and help you reach your goals. They hope to sit down with you and work with you to make a plan. Services are offered to both men and women. These specialists can help turn your dreams into a reality.



Mark Knox